THEIR parents met before they did. David Goodwin’s Mum and Dad even encountered their daughter-in-law-to-be, Belinda, before their son had.
An “arranged marriage” it wasn’t, but more than a decade later with six children, five chooks and pumpkin soup simmering on the stove, the Goodwins revelled in a day away from “the norm” on the April 26 public holiday.
“We probably have more swings than most parks (do),” David joked of their half-acre Oxley home.
“We enjoy being at home together and have even stopped driving every which way on Saturdays.
“Often we just make a pot of tea and sit outside with the kids … and talk.”
The “kids” – Thomas, 9, Emma, 7, Samuel, 5, Charlotte, 4, Lily, 2, and Sarah, 7 months – David described as “a blessing”.
“When we were having our second I remember thinking, ‘How will I love another child? I’m kind of ‘full up’ now’,” he continued.
“When Emma arrived I love her just as much as Thomas but in a different way.
“The richness of our lives has expanded with each child.
“I actually feel sorry for those who don’t experience the richness of having children.”
David and Belinda, both active in the pro-life arena, agreed an understanding of “the miracle of life” is part of the tapestry of how they were raised, who they are as individuals and how they parent their own brood.
“Our parents met at a pro-life conference,” Belinda said.
“I met David’s sister on campus at a pro-life meeting … and then David at a Walk for Little Feet.
“Our family life is full of conversations about politics, the Church and pro-life issues. It’s never dull.
“We’re always talking about how we can change the world.”
David, who was born in Africa and studied accountancy, has two siblings in Brisbane and another three living in Toowoomba, where he was raised.
Belinda’s family are all in Melbourne and together the Oxley Goodwins delight in an annual “road trip” southward.
The mum of six studied medicine and practised in a Brisbane emergency department until starting their family saying, “I love being at home with the kids … there’s nowhere (else) I need to be.
“They just grow up too quickly,” she said.
There are some basic philosophies that underpin family life, two which David’s family always professed.
“We focus on ‘seeking first the Kingdom of God’ knowing all will work out,” he said.
“And the second thing is to ‘offer it up’ (if something goes amiss).”
“We can take the crosses and blessings as they come,” Belinda added, continuing with other family philosophies.
“We like to involve the children in the things we are doing … not just tell them what’s right but also to show them by our example.
“(And) within that is the belief ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’.”
The couple also believe in being vocal about faith and moral issues, Belinda often addressing rallies and groups about being pro-life and anti-abortion.
“The world has become selfish,” she said of the fact one in three pregnancies end in abortion.
“It’s very much about ‘me’ … about ‘how I want to live my life’.
“Materialism is a big thing in our world … to have a particular car, a flatscreen TV, a manicured lawn.
“I’ve told our kids what matters is what we think and what God thinks.”
David believes “people will look back on this era and say it was terrible” in terms of the abortion rate.
That’s why pro-life campaigns and rallies – such as the Walk for Little Feet this year held last Saturday (May 8) – are so close to their hearts.
“People have become hard of heart,” Belinda said.
“Children can look at a pregnant mother and recognise it’s a baby and it’s alive … (but) adults have lost that understanding.
“I look at my six children and think they are just such blessings.
“And if I get given another six then, wonderful.” The Goodwin children attend Mass, pray the Rosary and adore Jesus at adoration – Thomas often asking when he can next go to the latter.
David said he often stressed to their children “just how blessed they are”.
“I tell them how lucky they are to be in a family of six,” he said smiling broadly.
“Yes, they have to share, they don’t get to eat caviar and they don’t get one of their own of everything.
“But as a result they are genuinely helpful earlier … the older ones help the younger ones and there’s never a lack of someone to play with.”
Akin with these teachings Belinda said it’s helpful the family’s social network are also faith-filled.
“Our friends come to church with us and often have large families themselves,” she said.
“(And) The kids also see their aunties, uncles and cousins at Mass.”
For Belinda, this example bears much weight as it’s evidenced on both sides of the family and within their friendship circles.
Always delighting in “a new addition” Belinda said family and friends help them welcome a newborn “like it’s the first born”.
“When we ring our families to say we’re pregnant (having another baby), you hear squeals in the background … it’s never negativity,” she said.
“I say to David, ‘We’re so lucky.’ There’s nothing I want to change.”
“But that doesn’t make bath time any easier,” David quips.
At least dinner, that night, was taken care of.
