you have how many kids???

The comments started flying long before we had 11 kids - somewhere around 4. We all went everywhere together, and an outing was sure to produce at least one of the usual questions...
'Don't you know what causes that?'
'Are you Mormon or Catholic?' (neither - we're Baptist, and they think we are strange too!)
'Do you own a TV?' - OK, I totally don't know how the TV thing comes into play, but for the record, we do. We actually have several; and my hubby will verify that I love to stay up late to watch a classic, tucked in bed, sharing a pint of i.c.. (I would rather do that than go out for dinner...)

Anyway, back then, the questions, comments, counting, and staring bothered me. I didn't understand why people just couldn't mind their own business. So we had kids...big deal.

Then, believe it or not, the comments started waining around 7 or 8 kids. I think that people just decided that we weren't worth the effort of the comment - we obviously did NOT get it. That, and they just assumed that we were a daycare.

While we do still get 'reactions', they have toned down - or maybe (and I think this is it), I've relaxed. Plus, I've come to realize that most people are simply curious, not necessarily critical.

It seldom bothers me if we get the 'Don't you know what causes that?' (tho I must admit that I've always wanted to answer - 'yeah, don't you?'). I think it's cute when people stare and you can see them mouthing 'one, two, three...', one of our kids usually pipes up '11' with a smile. I even have resigned myself to the fact that there will always be those who don't 'approve' and will shoot nasty, snooty looks my way. (OK, on that one, they are always ultra-polished career women, and I will admit that I get this sick sense of satisfaction and have to laugh maniacally(outloud) - the kids think it's a riot! :P ).

But, over the years, I didn't realize how much comic-relief my hubby missed out over not going uptown with us during the week. He only really got in on the 'shock factor' of sharing our large family numbers the last few years. It happened for the first time 4 or 5 years ago - I don't know how it didn't happen earlier. The big kids were old enough that Daddy and I could go out for dinner and a movie - just us, and the baby. But, this particular time, I wanted to run an errand too. While I don't remember which store we were in, I will never forget how tickled Vaughn was when 'IT' happened to him.

I had been telling him about it for years, but it was one of those happenings that you have to experience for yourself. In the store, as Daddy was holding baby Emma, a middle-aged lady came up to him and commented on how cute our baby was. Of course (it always happens), that led to her then asking if she was our first. Since I had told Vaughn how to get the best response (read shock-factor), he calmly replied, "Oh, no!". Of course she then said, 'how many do you have?'.

"Only Eleven", with a slight shake of his head as if disappointed.

He later told me that was better comic-relief than any movie and that we should just walk around stores waiting for 'what a cute baby' remarks when we go out for a date.

Now, when we are out and hear, 'oh, what a cute baby - is she your first?', Vaughn always races me to the punch! Our unsuspecting baby-admirers are always quite shocked, and the looks are TDF! (though, for the record, it doesn't work on folks older than about 70 - they just smile sweetly and say, "oh, how nice!")
Those that don't approve are always so taken back that they can't comment much spur of the moment.

So, what does that have to do with RVing?

Well,
nothing really,
but can you imagine the "Only Eleven."
with a (pause for effect)

"and we live in an RV.(smile)" tacked on the end.

I'm considering carrying along one of those digital recorders in my purse to savor the moment later.

:) hehehe!!!