Beautiful chaos: Franklinton couple has 4 boys and 4 girls

On Feb. 15, baby number eight, James, was born.

On a typical weekday afternoon around 3 p.m., graphic designer Stephen Beckstrand or his wife Katie will climb into their large passenger van to make their rounds to three schools to pick up their five oldest children.

Sometimes, 4-year-old Samuel accompanies his dad on that trip so that Katie can wake up 2-month-old James and then 2-year-old Sarah from their naps.

Even before they got married, the two were both open to the idea of a large family.

"I was the seventh of 10," Stephen said. "And so I always told her I'd like 7."

When Hailey, now 15, was born, followed by siblings Kaleb, Karly and Blake, the Beckstrands reconsidered their plans.

According to Katie, laughing at the memory of that conversation, Stephen said, "You know what? Four is good."

Then came Hannah, Samuel, Sarah and, most recently, James. The news of Katie's pregnancy with James came as the biggest surprise. "Now he's here -- I'm so glad, you know, but eight? It is really kicking our tail a bit," she said.

Many weekdays and weekends, the Beckstrands try to shepherd their oldest children to soccer, basketball or volleyball practices or games. Both mom and dad have coached some of their kid's teams.

With all of them in the house after a busy day at school, they arrive hungry. Katie often has a large bowl of popcorn ready to tide them over.

"Competing for food or TV choices can result in tantrums," Katie laughed. "From toddlers to teenagers."

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Stephen said a friend at work recently asked him how he feeds them all? "I don't know how we do it," he said in an interview. "She does it. We always have food to eat."

"You work hard so I can budget that," Katie said.

Budgets and family rules rule, including "love each other," choose happiness and offer to help.

"All of my siblings are super helpful when it comes to helping around the house," said Haley, the oldest child.

Katie said all her pregnancy and birthing experiences went without complications, including her own birth at UNC Rex Healthcare's Birth Center 35 years ago.

After six babies, the nursing staff began recognizing the Beckstrands when Katie came in for labor. With 2-year-old Sarah's birth, the staff made special preps for their arrival.

"Number seven, it was really nice because they knew we had a big family -- so we actually got a bigger room," Katie said.

Now, none of the Beckstrands can imagine their home life being any different.

"Everyone just kind of does their own thing, but it's kind of chaotic at the same time," Katie said. "A beautiful chaos."

All told, the Beckstrand family has four girls and four boys, ages 2 months to 15 years old. All the more unlikely, every birth alternated girl, boy, girl, boy -- all the way down to young James.