By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-01-16 19:02:16 | Updated at 2025-01-20 20:49:30
4 days ago
A couple who are expecting their 20th baby together have lifted the lid on what it's really like to raise 19 kids - from having to do 10 loads of laundry in one day to spending $26,000 on food in a year.
Desiree and Christopher Hart-Spegal, from Forth Worth, Texas, met in October 2013, when she already had three children from a previous relationship and he had eight.
After tying the knot in July 2014 and blending their families, the couple went on to welcome eight more kids together - making them a family-of-21 now.
And with another on the way, they will soon be a family-of-22.
But having such an enormous brood is not always easy, and the pair recently lifted the lid on the highs - and lows - that come with being parents to 19 kids during a sit down with Truly.
Desiree, a co-owner of a car dealership, explained that she has to do 'two loads of laundry' every day, and on Saturdays, she does 10.
'Everything is a big event for us,' she said with a laugh, while Chris added, 'For me, it's constant entertainment.'
Aside from keeping up with household chores, Chris added that another 'big challenge' for them is 'constantly making sure there's enough food' in the house for their 19, soon to be 20, children.
A couple who is expecting their 20th baby together has lifted a lid on what it's really like to raise 19 kids - from having to do 10 loads of laundry in one day to spending $26,000 on food
Desiree and Christopher Hart-Spegal, from Forth Worth, Texas, met in October 2013, when she already had three children from a previous relationship and he had eight
After tying the knot in July 2014 and blending their families, the couple went on to welcome eight more kids together - making them a family-of-21 now
'Some of the biggest challenges of having a big family is the providing part, just constantly making sure there's enough food, power, water,' he said.
In past interview, the couple said they fork over around $26,000 a year alone on food for the kids, who range in age from 22 to 19 months, which averages to around $500 a week.
They also previously revealed that they spend roughly $300 whenever they dine out at a restaurant.
During her recent chat with Truly, Desiree described their home as 'organized chaos,' and added that she constantly has to 'watch over everything' to ensure her 19 children are behaving.
'I'm kind of like a hawk,' she joked.
Chris, on the other hand, has a more 'relaxed' parenting style.
'As long as nobody's dying, nothing's breaking, enjoy yourself,' he dished.
The couple loves to document their endeavors as a family-of-21 on their Instagram account, @perfectly_blended_family, but unfortunately, they have faced immense scrutiny online over their big brood.
But having such an enormous brood is not always easy, and the pair recently lifted a lid on the highs - and lows - that come with being parents to 19 kids during a sit down with Truly
Desiree, a co-owner of a car dealership, explained that she has to do 'two loads of laundry' every day, and on Saturdays, she does 10
'Everything is a big event for us,' she said with a laugh, while Chris added, 'For me, it's constant entertainment'
Aside from keeping up with household chores, Chris added that another 'big challenge' for them is 'constantly making sure there's enough food' in the house for their 19 children
'We had some really nice comments, people very, very excited. But then we had people comment [negative] things,' Desiree shared.
Chris interjected, 'There are some toxic people out there. There's some people who just for whatever reason do not love [our family].'
Desiree described their home as 'organized chaos,' and added that she constantly has to 'watch over everything' to ensure her 19 children are behaving
They said they have received comments that say things like, 'you're overpopulating the world,' or, 'this should be illegal,' as well as, 'there's absolutely zero way all of those kids [are] receiving the empathy and quality one on one time they deserve.'
'We have an open door policy at our house, when you need time you get time. When you want time, there is time,' Chris insisted.
'I like this one,' he added while reading some of their comments. '"Y'all need to find another hobby, damn." That's the funniest one.'
Together, the couple share Skyler and Gavin, both 22, Braden and Maliki, both 19, Makaila, 18, Kaden, 17, Sarayia and Jayden, both 14, Donny, Chevelle and Andrew, all 11, Christa, nine, Izabella, eight, Chris Jr., seven, Lily, six, Heavenly, five, Ellie, four, Briella, two, and Ezekiel, 19 months.
The family have two SUV vans, which they use to get all the children around on days out.
They live in a 37,00-square-foot, five-bedroom house with 17 of their 19 kids, as two have moved out.
Despite previously announcing that they were done having children, the couple are now expecting their 20th child: a baby boy who is due in May.
The couple loves to document their endeavors as a family-of-21 on their Instagram account, but unfortunately, they have faced immense scrutiny online over their big brood
They splurge around $270 on each kid's birthday presents, and when Christmas rolls around each year, Desiree said spends $8,100 on gifts for the whole family
'Most of [our friends and family] think we're crazy,' Desiree dished.
But in the end, Desiree and Chris said they wouldn't have it any other way.
'Some of the best things about having a big family is there's never a dull moment. You're never lonely,' gushed the mother-of-19.
During a 2022 interview with Truly, Desiree dished, 'When I cook [breakfast] for the children, it usually takes me anywhere between one to three hours depending on what I'm making.'
After the meal is finished, she said she then gets their lunch ready, and she then has to spend hours cleaning up.
She explained at the time that although their house can be 'manic' sometimes, she makes sure to 'stay organized' and 'spend quality time' with each child.
The couple admitted that they never get any privacy, explaining, 'I don't know when we've ever had the home alone to ourselves. I don't think we ever have.'
While they said that Christmas time is 'fun,' the pair admitted that it could be a lot of 'work,' and that they usually fork out around $10,000 on presents, and another $5,000 between the kids' birthdays.
