The Ark

I am about to start building an ark. Instead of animals 2 by two, we're going to have little people and lizards two by two. It has rained. And RAINED. And RAINED some more. Our street is flooded, our pool is overflowing, and I am cooped up with 7 little people. Yes, you read that correctly. SEVEN. I thought it would be a good idea to have a playdate for 2 of the 5 children, because you know, what's 2 more? IN THE RAIN. Hmmmm Maybe I lacked a bit of judgement on that one! Little H decided it was not a good day for napping, despite the sound of the RAIN and the calming effects of the darker sky. So, now we are building our ark. What would your ark have? Mine is going to have a special "Mommy closet"... a room where I can go & no one else can come in while I FB and blog from the boat.

In all seriousness, despite the RAIN (did I mention it's raining here?) and the flooding it has brought with it, we've had a pretty good day. Now I doubt our 2 guests will nominate me for Mommy of the year based on my constant efforts to make everyone clean up, but we've had a pretty good time. I've also managed to strip 4 beds and wash the sheets, coverlets, etc. and put them back on the beds. I have one set left in the dryer & then that task will be complete. I've made a huge batch of chili for the weekend and I've accomplished some other household chores. Hopefully it will quit raining and I'll enjoy taking at least 5 munchkins to the store where some stranger is likely to ask, "Are they all YOURS?", to which I will reply, "Of course not. I always try to find a whole passel of children to bring with me to the grocery store. I mean, what could be more fun?"

The things people say...

With a big family, you receive unsolicited comments almost every time you are in public as a family! I have compiled a list of my favorites/most common comments!!!

1. Are they ALL YOURS??? (No, we kidnapped a couple of children and brought them along. NO, I couldn't stand going to the grocery store alone, I mean, who does that? So, I grabbed a couple of children from the neighborhood to come with me. It's much more fun to have a toddler jumping out of her seat on top of you as you reach for the milk. Five year olds crashing your heels with their little cart make the experience SO much more enjoyable. And the three 7 year-olds who take up the aisle make it a quick & easy trip!)

2. Are they NATURAL? (Egg and sperm, baby, egg and sperm. Same as you & me!! Now... sometimes we do think our toddler is supernatural with her ability to get out of any buckle, but that's another story)

3. Are they IDENTICAL? (Hmmm.... take a look, sweetie. Did you pass biology? I'm not sure you did. If you have a male and a female, they are called FRATERNAL. As far as the two girls go, look a little closer, they're fraternal too). Of course I am THINKING these things, not saying them!

4. Do you know what causes it (with a chuckle chuckle)? (365, baby! 365! My husband just can't keep his hands off of me...)

5. How did you end up with three? (Too many fun ways to answer this one!)

6. Will you have more? (I don't know, would you like to discuss your family planning?)

7. What about college? (We hope and pray they'll be smart enough to go! As far as paying for it, we wouldn't have had the first one if we were worried about college).

8. What will you do when they're teenagers? (Send them to your house!)

9. Is this a daycare? (It feels like it!)

10. Wow! How many do you have? (Jon & Kate plus 8 minus 3 minus the endorsements minus the stay-at-home dad)

11. You must be tired! (I am, but it is a blessed, happy, full tired!!)

12. Are you Catholic? (No, just a prolific Protestant)

13. How do you afford it? (Would you like to share your budget with me?)

14. Better you than me (from the words of Sarah Palin, "You betcha!")

15. You have your hands full! (Yes, we do! And we wouldn't have it any other way!)