A soon-to-be mom of 12 has told how she doesn’t use contraception – and has been pregnant every year since 2008.
Courtney Rogers, 37, was a virgin when she married her pastor husband Chris, 33, in October 2008.
Now Courtney and Chris, from Santa Fe, New Mexico, are parents to Clint, 11, Clay, 10, Cade, 9, Callie, 9, Cash, 7, Colt 6, Case 6, Calena, 4, Caydie, 3, Coralee 2, and Caris, almost 1.
Baby number 12 is due in March and the family saves money by using cloth nappies and skipping pre-packaged snacks in favour of fresh fruit they’ve grown, The Sun reports.
Courtney, who has 29,000 Instagram followers, said she experiences trolling but doesn’t care.
“People judge us at times,” she said. “They don’t like large families or accuse us of not providing for them. It doesn’t really bother me because I know they’re strangers and don’t know us at all.”
Amazingly she homeschools all her children.
“I’m a stay-at-home homeschooling mum,” she said. “We also have a small farm we’re working on expanding.”
She told how she had always dreamt of being a mother.
“I always wanted kids, but no specific number,” Courtney said.
“My husband suggested 10 like his mum.
“After 10 arrived I still felt young so we went for ‘cheaper by the dozen’. It feels like the perfect family with six boys and six girls.”
But sadly she has also suffered three miscarriages. “I’ve been pregnant every year since 2008,” she said. “At times it’s hard work. Keeping up with everyone’s schooling and all the cleaning and laundry is a chore.
“My husband works at our church plus has several side jobs to earn money.”
Asked if she used contraception she said: “We haven’t really prevented pregnancies so far.”
The family’s day starts early. “We usually have breakfast at 8 a.m. and go straight into their schooling,” she said. “I stay busy with that until 11 a.m. or 11.30 a.m.
“We do a clean-up and then have lunch. Afterwards is nap time for the babies and quiet time for the older kids. If it’s a super busy day I spend that time cleaning or school.
“After nap time is more school, farm chores, cleaning, and supper.
“They usually get to watch a show before bed and hubby and I are usually finishing the clean-up and getting all the little ones ready for bed.
“Bedtime is around 8 p.m. or 8.30 p.m.”
And Courtney said she’s happy with her life.
“I love it,” she said. “I guess I’m strict when it comes to schoolwork and chores. We all must work together.
“However, I’m lenient during playtime. I don’t really care what they do as long as it’s safe and I try to keep holidays fun. The November/December season is our favourite time of the year.
“Our house can get quite crazy and loud.”
The family spend between $400 and $500 a week on the supermarket shop.
“We cut costs by raising some of our meat and all of our eggs,” she said.
And they don’t go mad at Christmas either.
“Including Christmas presents, PJs, and outfits, we usually spend around $2000 to $3000 on Christmas,” she said.
“Me and my hubby don’t usually exchange gifts. It’s all for the kids. I also start shopping several months before to spread the spending out.
“Christmas Day is always fun.
“The children go to bed the night before in their new PJs and wake up early to open their stockings.
“We usually have a quick, but fun breakfast – something like cinnamon rolls and breakfast burritos.
“The hubby then reads the nativity story from the Bible and then we open gifts. Afterwards, the house is filled with happy messes and festive Christmas music. Our dinner is usually Mexican food.
“We can’t wait.”