{i can't believe...}

I can't believe that I actually cried watching Jon & Kate Plus 8 tonight. I'm someone who has never cried watching a sad movie or anything like that. I guess I've always "known" in the back of my mind that movies are just fictious and even the ones based off of true stories don't actually have the "real" people depicting the events - so I really don't get emotional about them. (does that make sense?). But, this was different because this is real and these are the "real" people who are deciding to get a divorce.

I seriously just sat there and cried - I remember watching their first show, before they had a series and thinking what a great family they were and how wonderful it was to hear about a couple who (like me) did not believe in "reducing" their sextuplets. I was so thrilled when I heard that they would be having a series and I have been a faithful viewer ever since. Sure, I know that Kate could come across as a "nag" and that Jon sometimes seemed like he was trying to "re-live his youth" or something...but I never ever thought they would end up deciding to divorce! As I watched tonight, I thought back to one of their episodes where they were discussing a "Family Mission Statement" that Jon & Kate had written and had printed. I believe the first thing mentioned in their statement was that their family's first priority was their faith in God and that they would honor Him above all else. I also remember Kate saying once that they had promised their kids that "mommy and daddy would always be together no matter what." I wonder if she or Jon remembers that. And, I truly am shocked that these two seem to have jumped to the conclusion that "divorce is the best answer" so quickly. I think that they should have tried a lot more than just six months to save their marriage. Wow. I still can not believe it. I know they have both been accused of some pretty terrible things, whether or not those accusations are true - I still think they could have worked this out. I have often thought that the two of them don't fully realize how much their kids understand, how capable they all are of "figuring out what's going on." They should at least realize that Mady and Cara know - and as for the sextuplets: five-year-olds are certainly old enough to figure it out too. Maybe that is what upset me the most and actually made me cry. I just can't imagine what it is like to have parents who are divorced. Oh, it just breaks my heart to think that this family who we just saw together during Jon & Kate's vow-renewal is now going to be changed forever. :(

I really do wonder if this wouldn't have happened if they never were televised. But, you know - God has a plan for everything and everything happens for a reason. Although, I still have a hard time seeing how God is going to be able to use a divorce for good - but, I know somehow, someway He will.

Now, I just want to make it clear to any one who is reading this who is divorced or who does not get as upset about divorce like me - I am certainly not "judging" you. That it absolutely not my intention at all. I am just someone who feels strongly that you only get married once, and that marriage is more than just a "contract" - it is a covenant between you, your spouse, and God; and that if it is truly rooted in Him and He is at the center of your marriage - then that marriage will be blessed. I do realize that there are circumstances where divorce is ok, but I even think those should be at least tried to be worked out. I'm not yet married myself, but I know that God has that all worked out for me. :)

So, yep - it's official. I have never cried watching tv or a movie. (until now) And I never thought that I would, in a way, become somewhat "attached" to people I watch on tv to the point where I would become so upset about their marital issues - but I have. There is just *something* about the Gosselin family that has always touched me - and I will continue to pray for them and pray that God will touch and heal the hurt that they are going through.

You know, I'm still going to hold to my idea that Jon and Kate should get some counselling from the Duggars (from 18 Kids & Counting)! :)

Sorry that I was sort of rambling, and again - I am not at all intending to judge anyone who feels differently about the topic than me. Really, I'm not.