Wait....You have how many children???

Having a large family is often interesting and funny. Over the years I have had people make comments (mostly positive), stare, count heads, etc. When my older children were smaller and we went places it often felt like we were the clown car at the circus that clowns keep piling out of and you wonder how many more it can hold. We could see people counting our little brood with a certain amount of astonishment, probably thinking I was crazy for either having that many or taking that many of other people's children with me. I can only imagine how we looked to others and it makes me laugh.

The other day I was at Ross buying school shoes for 2 of my younger boys (I had three with me). A woman behind me said, "It must be so much easier shopping with boys, my girls want to shop for hours", I chuckled and said, "Yeah I guess, except they get bored fast, I love to shop so I love shopping with my 3 girls." She said, " wait.....you have three girls.....and three boys?" I smiled and said, "Actually I have 3 girls and 8 boys."  Her eyes got big and she said really? The woman behind her asked if we were a blended family and I said no they are all ours. They were a little shocked and one of them said, "Wow you don't see that much anymore, that's neat." I told her that we like it, it is crazy but fun at the same time. I turned around and a few minutes later I heard her chuckling, and then she said, "I am just trying to imagine a house full of 11 children." I laughed and said, "Well I only have 9 at home now." She laughed more and said, "Oh....only nine!?!"  Hahaha I guess my view is a little different because 11 doesn't feel overly large to me. and each time one moves out it feels like we are getting so small!

Chaos, Liveliness, Love, my life is filled with so much! I am grateful I have the children I have and the joy they bring me every day.

I love the comments we  get from people (the kind, respectful ones). I could do without the comments like "don't you know what causes that?" Or " How many were accidents?"

Really? We planned every one even the amazing surprises! ; )

Thanks to my 11 T's for making life and adventure! I wouldn't have traded my journey for anything, even though it hasn't always been easy.


So for you moms out there no matter the number of children you have.....1 or 20.......love them and know that they are yours for a reason. Mine teach me something everyday, usually about myself!

My next chapter is that of being a grandma!!! I am sooo excited, in December our little Q-Ball will join our family and he is already loved more than he knows.

Stay Tuned for; The life of a Grandma.