I'm a fairly new observer to the Jon & Kate Plus 8 extravaganza. A co-worker used to talk about how much she liked the show and how cute and funny the children are. I caught a re-run on t.v. and became hooked. Now my co-worker doesn't watch the show any longer (she can't stand how Kate treats her husband Jon) and it appears that the couple may divorce!!!
Nevertheless, I'm still curious about all things Gosselin so I decided to read the couple's book, Multiple Bles8ings for a look on how it all began....
Jon met Kate at a picnic. They got married at a young age (part of the problem?) and decided they wanted children. Kate had fertility problems so had to have treatments. The couple was blessed with twin girls, Maddie & Cara.
Later they decided to try for another child, but had to have more treatments. They realized there might be a possibility of another multiple birth, but they were thinking another set of twins or even triplets at the most. They were stunned when a sonogram revealed that Kate was carrying sextuplets. They were warned of the considerable risks of carrying and giving birth to so many children and were urged to have "selection reduction." However, Jon and Kate were deeply religious and decided to place themselves in God's hands.
Kate had a very uncomfortable, trumatic pregnancy and endured many weeks of hospitalization and bed rest. At the same time, Jon was having employment trouble. It seemed that companies don't like to assume the extravagant insurance costs entailed with having sextuplets.
This book is published by Zondervan so it has a very strong religious message. Each chapter is introduced with a bible verse and Kate (the book is supposed to be by both parents, but it's obviously Kate's voice) often speaks of faith and is confident that God will provide.
The next part of the book deals with the birth of of six children and the logistics involved with taking care of so many babies! It was the most fascinating part of the book to me. The couple had to rely on an army of volunteers to help feed and take care of the children, but somehow all the babies managed to thrive and become the cutie pies they are today.
It's heartbreaking to me to see this couple who endured so much start to disintegrate!! The family no longer has financial worries -- thanks to the show -- and has all the help it needs. Furthermore, the children are five years old now and don't need the constant care that babies require. This should be the best of times for the couple and the large family -- not the worst!
I'm hoping that Jon and Kate will remember how the struggles they've already faced and how they were able to overcome them. The book, although an interesting read, rings false in light of the Gosselins' current situation.
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