and they all stopped and stared.

can you picture all the excitement and hullabaloo that occurs when a celebrity has been sighted?  it's like "ohmygosh, LOOK! there's so and so!"  and pretty soon cameras are flashing as everyone stops to ogle at this famous person.

well, I get to experience that on a regular basis.  but not because I'm famous. 

 it's because I have a pile of kids.  and while it may not be as glamorous as a celeb's life, it still garners the same amount of attention that the pope would when we're all out and about together.

seriously, we've had more random people stop and ask if they could take our picture because "gosh, we've never seen so many blond-haired, blue-eyed kids! and they're all so well-behaved!"  well then, would you like to take a couple home with you? the two year-old is especially sweet, let me tell ya. hehehe.

it never fails.  every. single. time we venture out with the troops, it creates quite a stir amongst everyone around us.  heads turn and jaws drop as we herd our nine kids around.  the air suddenly becomes a-buzz with chatter: "look at all those kids! they all look to be about a year apart and wait! is that the mom? she looks like she's twelve!"  it's true.  people don't think I look old enough to have that many kids.  twelve, thirty-four. what's the diff? as long as they're insinuating that I look young, I'll take it.

here's a funny story.  when we moved to Flagstaff, we opted to fly down and have our vehicles shipped (and only because the company Gary works for was footing the bill.  btw, I think they lost money on that one:) anyway, as we were waiting in line to check in the dozen or so bags we had, I overheard two women behind us gasping over how many kids we had.  and then one of them leaned over and whispered to the other, "wow! and SHE EVEN WASHED HER HAIR!"  um yeah, true story.
  
and naturally, people are curious.  so we tend to get asked all sorts of questions... most often it's this: "are they ALL yours?!"  I like to answer this one by saying, "no..." and then I pause a second or two before adding, "I have to share them with my husband."  and that's when their eyes bug out of their head.  nine kids?  all from you?  but you're...you're so, well, thin.  

btw, does anyone want a crazy busy super cute two year-old?  after chasing him off of roofs and out of neighbor's houses, I guarantee you'll drop a couple pant sizes.  or maybe you'll just drop dead.  either way, he's available.  lmk.

we also get told quite frequently, "boy, you sure have your hands full."  again, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.  but hey, thanks for the reminder because I had forgotten how busy my life is! 

for the most part, the comments we get are very positive.  every now and then we'll come across someone that is downright rude.  this can be upsetting, but then I remind myself how fortunate we are to have nine beautiful, healthy children.  as for the stares, it just comes with the territory of raising LOTS of wee ones, I guess.

 and well, if you think my hands are full, you should see my heart!

and speaking of little blessings, here is adorable Nikita.  taken last sunday at the park.  so sweet!

and a few of precious Maisy.  newborns are so squeezable!

    
LOVE!

-jessica