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Ok, so things unique to large families...oh my; where to start?!

So when you come to our house, the first thing that you'd see would be several little children playing in the non-flower bed in the front yard.  It's now become a permanent dirt field for the boys (and girls).  I've given up on the flowers.  They've got a gamut of hand-made wooden toys (by older brothers) and rusty, well-used toys picked up at 50 cents at the Goodwill or a garage sale.  Oh, and my spoons and forks they've snuck outside when I wasn't looking--for digging implements.  Anyway, they'd stop and wave, and start following your vehicle.

As you continue on down the driveway, more children ages 10 and below would come running out to greet you.  Probably their clothes, faces, and hands would be smudged with dirt, but they'd have huge grins on their faces.  As you get out your car, and visit with my husband, the older ones would drift over from whatever work they'd be doing and stand their listening.  Eventually I'd come out with the baby and the littlest toddler.  All the children would stand listening quietly, but if you'd happen to make eye contact with any of them, they'd interject their comments into the conversation.  And if you started talking to them, they'd soon be wanting to show you the animals.  Then they'd ask if you could stay to eat.

Meals are a constant barrage of "Pass this....Pass that...is there any more....?"  My house is constantly cluttered with toys, coats, discarded socks, books, papers, pens.  Christmas presents and birthdays are a gala event.  It's a source of anxiety for some to find the right gift for everyone, but they figure it out.  They either give something they own, make something, or use allowance money.  They play together all the time, they work hard together, and they have so much fun "remembering" (as they're getting older).  At nights, sometimes they sneak into the boy's room and my daughter tells them stories.  There are fights over who gets to use the bathroom next.  There are quarrels and hurt feelings, but no grudges.  By the next morning, usually, peace is restored between all parties.  When a big event is coming up, emotions and tension in the house run high.  Things can get REALLY loud then!  There is a lot of rough housing in the evening, (I have 9 boys), and usually someone gets hurt.  The olders help watch/entertain the youngers.  And the crazy things they come up with to do!!!!  I don't even ask anymore! 

There is a lot of love, a LOT of noise, a lot of helping parents and each other, generosity, compromise, minor quarrels, did I mention noise?  A lot of LIFE in our house.  Never a dull moment, truly.  Thank goodness we live in the country! 

Is that what you wanted?  If you need more, let me know