Gosselin - I just want you to know: letters to my kids on love, faith, and family

While we try to teach our children all about life,

Our children teach us what life is all about.

-Angela Schwindt

ZONDERVAN

I Just Want You to Know

Copyright 2010 by Katie Irene Gosselin

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ePub Edition MARCH 2010 ISBN: 978-0-310-41526-8

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Gosselin, Kate.

I just want you to know : letters to my kids on love, faith, and family / Kate Gosselin.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-310-31896-5 (hardcover, jacketed)

1. TwinsUnited StatesPennsylvania. 2. SextupletsUnited StatesPennsylvania.

3. Multiple birth-Popular works. 4. Mother and child. I. Title.

HQ77735.G665 2010

306.8743092 dc22

2010008387

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Cover photography: Nigel Parry / CPi

Interior photos: Provided by the Gosselin family

The way my kids are being raised is, without question, unconventional. Our supersized life feels normal to them right now because its all they know, but when they grow up they may look back and wonder how things would have turned out if we had been a normal-sized family living under normal circumstances. Jon and I had always envisioned ourselves having two or three kids, but as our story turned out, we ended up with twins and sextuplets in three years. I want to share with each of my eight children about our life together so they will know without a shadow of a doubt how much I love them and how much every decision and sacrifice I made was worth it for them.

I present this book to youCara, Madelyn, Alexis, Hannah, Aaden, Collin, Leah, and Joelas the background on our family. Youll see how we attempted to create memories, provide for your needs, form traditions, and give you a good foundation. The time framefrom the time we moved into our house with the red door on Andrew Avenue in Elizabethtown until we moved outholds a special place in my heart. You were all so squooshy and cuddly, and the little kids were just starting to develop their own personalities.

During these simpler times when I was at home alone taking care of all eight of you during the day, I was happy and satisfiedbut I was also exhausted. Being your mommy is a big job, and one I never took lightly. And even though we didnt often venture outside the house for the first few years, I was never bored. Funny how that works.

My hope is that you see through these letters how much I love you as a group and, more important, as individuals. You each have unique qualities, characteristics, and personalities that together complete our family. Never forget that inside my hard, strict outer shell is a heart bursting with love for each of you. As I always say, I didnt set out to have eight children but I ended up with the best eight kids on the planet, and I thank God daily for each one of you.