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MacBeth
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Probably at the beach...
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| Posted: Dec 20 2006 at 12:47pm | IP Logged
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A friend of mine related this story:
She was at the dentist with her six kids, six and under, when the receptionist started saying loudly so everyone in the waiting room could hear, "You have how many? Oh, you're crazy...blah, blah, blah." I'm sure most of us have heard it before. 
In this office, however, was a young gentleman from Columbia, who laughed and said to the receptionist, "Madame, I am one of 22."
Silence. 
We should hire this guy to follow us around! 
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God Bless!
MacBeth in NY
Don's wife since '88; "Mom" to the Fab 4
Nature Study
MacBeth's Blog 
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amyable
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MacBeth wrote:
We should hire this guy to follow us around! |
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I call first dibs!
God bless him for speaking up. 
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Lisbet
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| Posted: Dec 20 2006 at 1:10pm | IP Logged
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That's really neat! We were at a different parish for mass one holy day, we had 6 at the time, and a gentleman came up to me after mass and asked if they were all ours, I gave a little gulp and meekly said "yes", and prepared myself for the usual litany of remarks. But, instead, he said "Bless you! My wife and I have 17!" I was thrilled! I have since become good friends with one of his daughters in law, her husband, and their 4 with one on the way kids! (HEY MISSY!  )
I also met an elderly woman at another parish that raised 21 children!
Makes me feel like a lame-o with my 8
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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JodieLyn
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Neat story..
I find more often than not that those who approach me and ask if the kids are all mine.. want to relate that they were one of (some number higher than 10) or that they raised (some number higher than 4).. it's different for those that are more confronted by us.. the cashier at the store for instance.. someone who didn't have the choice to approach or not and is rather shocked (and likely overwhelmed.. mine are all friendly extroverts ) who does the "are they all yours?" with the "you're crazy" meaning.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Paula in MN
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I don't know when or why the attitudes changed, and it is really to bad they did. I'm 45 and the oldest of three. When I was in grade school, junior high and high school, the majority of my classmates were close to the youngest in their family, but they all had 7,8,9 siblings. I used to wish I had more siblings! And I still pray for more children, but I'm making do with the grandchildren!
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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kjohnson
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| Posted: Dec 20 2006 at 4:17pm | IP Logged
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This is a great story, Macbeth. I wish I had this guy to follow me around last weekend at my husband's company party. 
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In Christ,
Katherine
Wife to Doug and Mother of 6
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Sarah
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| Posted: Dec 20 2006 at 4:26pm | IP Logged
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AWESOME! That is SO funny. What perfect timing. So glad he spoke up.
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Six boys ages 16, 14, 11, 7, 5, 2 and one girl age 9
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StephanieA
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I was in the doctor's office Saturday for a prenatal checkup. We travel to St. Louis, so I decided to take the crew minus the older 2 (they were working) with me and visit the art museum. A couple about my age sat across from me. She was visibly expecting. The guy asked if these were all my kids. I said yes. He said, "God bless you! We are expecting our 6th too." One of the kids pipped up and said, "We have 2 brothers at home."
"Oh, wow! 8!" he said. Well, we have one grandkid!"
I had to smile a pleasant smile, because I was expecting another child to counter and say, "Well, we've got a dog"
But, seriously, it was nice to hear such a positive comment.
Blessings,
Stephanie
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Cay Gibson
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I won't change dentists because of this.
The dentist we have used for years and years think we're just the funnest people to watch come through their office.
They ask us "sensible" questions about hs and raising a large family. They are respectful to the children (and me).
Luckily, our dentist takes what our insurance gives him...even though they aren't on our PPO.  That's how great he is. And we the staff.
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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Rachel May
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I can't wait to tell Bill!
Wish your friend could come to our dentist. We're usually on one of a few bigger families being seen at the same time.
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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Elizabeth
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kjohnson wrote:
| This is a great story, Macbeth. I wish I had this guy to follow me around last weekend at my husband's company party. |
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I went to my husband's office party last night in a nice restaurant in downtown DC. Karoline went along in the sling.
Michael Wilbon told her to hang with him because "we bald guys have to stick together." Tony Reali just stared at her all night long--not in a bad way but in a "I can't get enough of that baby" way. We heard nothing but positive comments and my husband was so proud to have us there! I never would have had the courage to do it except I kept thinking about how beautiful Maragaret looked at the Inauguration with a baby in a sling and I pretended I was her.Worked like a charm! Every pregnant woman in the room gravitated to me and more than a few wannabe dads did too. There were lots of genuine questions about big families and homeschooling. I smiled and smiled and smiled. Personally, I think the world is starved for more babies.
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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bfarmmom
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I also brought our little Amelia to my husband's Christmas party last weekend. Everyone also could not get enough of her, they were in awe. And I overheard some people saying "and they homeschool to". But in a "WOW" way, not anything negative.
Then you get the comments like the one I received at the hospital. My postpartum nurse was getting me settled in after being transfered to the unit and she said "You have six kids?" " Are they all with the same man??" (asking in disbelief)It is amazing the questions I am asked, some of them are way to personal. Sometimes I wish I could video record the people asking the questions and play it back to them so they could see the look on their face.
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Peace,
Kirsten
ds13,dd12,dd10,ds7,dd6, dd 4, ds 2
Sonlight Garden
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Lisbet
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Dh and I went out last night for dinner and shopping while Grandma and Grandpa watched the kids. Of course Molly went with us. We were asked at least a dozen times if she was our first, and we both got a huge kick out of saying "No, she's our 8th." Which was met with - SILENCE!
I've been asked many times if they all have the same father. 
Congrats Kirsten!!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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1floridamom
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After getting all the men shorn yesterday, I went to have my hair cut. My hairdresser, is a sweet little thing of 22, and she just loves that I have five kids. When I was paying, I looked out the window to see my two babies looking for me from the van. She kept cooing over them and then told the receptionist that I had five kids..."And she homeschools them!" The receptionist thought that was so neat and told me that her mom was one of 9, "and when they get together it is so much fun." I thought that was really cool.
I agree with Elizabeth that no matter the issues of "practicality" that people grapple with, they almost always seem pleased to know that some people are willing to have big families.
Lisa, you and Tony must look young. My dh gets carded all the time (for everything, including lottery tickets!), and he thinks it's hysterical to see people's reaction to "I've got five kids." I love the look on their faces when they ask if we're finished, and we say "There's plenty of room in the van, so I don't see why we would be!"
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Monica in FL
dh Steve, Sean (14), Ethan (13), Emily (10), Kylie (6), Ashley (5) and Lindsay (2)!
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Erin
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On a postitive note we were in the dentist this week and at the end a fellow patient asked me, "Excuse me but are they all yours?" I answer yes thinking here we go. "How lovely she says seven children oh you are so blessed" so there you go I went out beaming
Lisbet wrote:
| Dh and I went out last night for dinner and shopping while Grandma and Grandpa watched the kids. Of course Molly went with us. We were asked at least a dozen times if she was our first, and we both got a huge kick out of saying "No, she's our 8th." |
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I have always taken the nursing baby to work parties. dh has just started a new job and they seem to be absolutely fascinated by the fact that we have seven children, they are so bowled over by that they barely register that we hs Anyhow I had such fun at his work party recently we arrive and I met the boss' wife, the inevitable questions start, "you have seven children" so dh decides to do it all in one fell swoop and announces that we also hs  I waqs going to edge that in. Anyhow the boss' wife was soo fascinated by it all she attaches herself to me and sits with me for the night and asks me questions all night and announces to all who come over that we have SEVEN it became rather funny particulary when one man misheard her and thought she siad seventeen She presented me like royalty all night.
Funny thing was the man next to me hadn't heard all this (early in the night) he smiles at Saxon and aske "your first?" No I answer "your second" he asks again. "No" I answer, "oh well to save you the bother" I continue "he is number seven."
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
Seven Little Australians
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4 lads mom
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I have to add my story...A few weeks ago, my dad had surgery and we were visting him. We went to the cafeteria to get a snack. While my son (without the food allergies, my oldest) went to get some more food, the lady behind the counter said, "Are all of those boys your brothers?" He replied, "Yes, they are." She said, "Oh, I feel sorry for you!!" He looked at her and said, "Uh, don't feel sorry for me, I like having a lot of brothers." She came out to me in the dining area and had tears in her eyes and relayed the conversation to me, and how it really made her stop and think. She complimented me several times on what a polite and nice young man I have
So many times, especially since I have all boys, ( so far), people say, "Oh, you have all boys? OHH, I only have one and I feel so sorry for you!!", in FRONT of the boys. I started answering right back, "Oh no, you shouldn't pity me, you should envy me."
Thanks for all of the great stories!!
4 Lads' Mom
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Rachel May
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I was thinking about this thread yesterday as I ran into the mall to buy candy for the kids' stockings. I was reflecting on how often--and for me more often than not--people are very positive and uplifting about big families. And I was thinking how wonderful it is that people are willing to say those positive things.
Then I pulled my pink ball cap down a little lower and thought, "It is something to be able to go somewhere incognito, though. Some days, I really appreciate being just another woman in sweats and running shoes and no kids to start a conversation about." The line at the new Sees Candy kiosk was quick, and I asked for a sample lollipop while I paid.
And the salesgirl said to me, "Oh, I put a bunch of samples in your bag because you have 6 kids! I don't know how you do it! And they're sooooooo good!...."
Well, so much for incognito, but how did she know?
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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missyc
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Sorry this is late , but I wanted to share:
About 2 months ago I took my 2 y.o. to get his hair cut. We normally do haircuts at home but Joseph puts up such a fuss ( crying,kicking,thrashing) that my dear husband insisted that I take him someplace and pay to have it done.(I think John feared accidentally cutting off Joey's ear/nose or something like that ). So, I found a nice family owned place and had a good feeling about it right when I walked in (they had a bible and religious material in the waiting area and were playing a christian radio station overhead). I had the three kids sit in the waiting area while I had myself and Joey draped and put Joey on my lap. Joey immediately started screaming and crying (he gets SO scared) and soon started to thrash and kick in an attempt to break free. The hairdresser just smiled and kept cutting his hair. During this time my 4yr. old had used the bathroom and started yelling and banging on the door because she locked herself in. I sent my 5 y.o. to save her- after freeing her from the bathroom he himself had an accident in there and started to cry loudly also. My 7 y.o. went to help and reported back to me-overwhelmed and crying- "It's just such a mess, I don't know what
to do." All of this happened within the first few minutes of the haircut! Joey had continued to scream and cry during the whole thing- he thrashed about so much, I am surprised that the hairdresser didn't lop off one of her own fingers! Immediately after the haircut, I cleaned off myself and Joey, and was in the middle of cleaning up the bathroom when the OWNER walked in! He looked at me and my crying children and asked the dreaded -are these all yours- question. I stood up (visibly pregnant) smiled, and said "yes they are" sheepishly. He grinned and said, "that's so wonderful! Congratulations! Children are such a blessing you know!" I was so shocked that I nearly slipped and fell in the bathroom! After paying for the haircut, the hairdresser pulled me aside and asked me to pray for her "I am 40 y.o. and am still hoping to be blessed with a child- you are SO lucky to have all of these children!" I loaded the kids in the van(all much happier now with suckers in hand from the owner) and said a tearful prayer of thanksgiving-God is SO good! And you can sure bet I will be back to that hair salon!
p.s.Lisa , thanks for that post-I mentioned it to my father in law and told him you 've since had 2 more- he smiled and said congrats to you and your family!
Missy
wife to John
mom to Virginia,Frederick,Caryn,Joseph,and Baby in April'07
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aussieannie
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If only these people thought for a second and conceeded that somewhere, just somewhere in their ancestory, they are here today thanks to the 6th, 7th etc. child born and welcomed into a family.
I often think this as I have had people who had been 6th child or more in their family and yet are critical about our precious number 5!
22nd MacBeth? That's awesome, I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall!
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Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: How Many?????
