If you ask me, I think Ma has rocks or gravel for brains.

We already have eight kids in the family, and then Ma goes and gets herself pregnant.  She's now seven months along; Ma is going to have a boy.  As of now, there are six girls and two boys; I'm the oldest boy.  I'm fifteen and my name is Ezra.

Besides me, there's Eliza (18); Elizabet (16); Efriam (13); Eva Mae (11); Ezrah Noelle (8); Eden (6); and Evangeline (2).  Yep, that's us, the Stolzfus family.  We live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; we are Amish.

I am typing this on the computer at school.  Ma and Dat will not allow us kids to have a computer at home; they say it is not the Amish way.  They think it is bad enough I use it at school to do my writing, but writing by hand is too hard for me.  I have dyslexia, or learning disabilities, and it is easier for me to do my work on a computer as it is much faster, for one thing.

Ma and Dat think that keeping a journal like this is silly, as I should be doing my lessons or my chores on the weekend, but the fact of the matter is this: I love to write; I always have, even with my disability.  I want to be a writer of books when I get older and write about the Amish life.

Anyway, Ma and Dat both decided to fool around and have themselves another baby.  Well it worked; Ma is very pregnant.  I wouldn't be suprised if she has the baby before next month or at least before Thanksgiving or Christmas; she's huge!!  Ma and Dat both have decided to name their new son (my new brother) Enoch Joshiah.  He is due around Christmas.

While I am happy for Ma and Dat, I am on the other hand angry because it will just mean one more mouth to feed and raising a child is expensive.  Thank God we don't have all the worldy things it takes to raise a child like the Englischers have, but still:  child care is not cheap.  Thank God we have neighbors and relatives to help if things get too hairy!  We Amish gotta stick together ....

I just hope that Enoch isn't as squally or impatient like Evangeline is!  Evangeline is one of the most demanding children I have ever met; she is never satisfied and she has to have everything done right now, or she will pitch a fit!  I know she is only two years old, but come on: really????

I'm just glad that Ma isn't having another girl; it will be good to have another male figure in the house, although Enoch will be the baby of the family!  All these females can drive a boy mad!!

~To be continued.~