5 Months

That's how long we've been living in the tiny house now...five months.  Or fffffiiiiiiiiivvvvvvvveeeee mmmmmmooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnttttttthhhhhhhhhssssssss, which is closer to how it's feeling.  Since escrow normally lasts at least 30 days, and we're not in it, this means we will be hitting the 6 month, half-of-a-blessed-year mark.  Party plans are surfacing.  But don't expect to be invited; it's nothing personal.  We just haven't got any room for you. 

Going Back to Cali

I used to tell people about raising small children in southern California.  The stares and the comments as I ran errands with cramped young brothers in a long double stroller, baby sister nestled against me in the Bjorn.  "Please.  Stop lady."  "Tell the old man to get fixed."  And the oft-mentioned, "You have your hands full" became substitutes for, "Hello."  "Have a nice day."  Or, heaven forbid, "What cute children you have."

Six years ago, we moved to Utah.  I was amazed at how normal it seemed to have three children, how much easier to move around town.  Over-sized shopping carts adorned with ride-on toy cars filled grocery store entries.  Small play areas were included in boutiques, doctor's offices and auto shops.  Plainly put, we had moved to a family-centered community and businesses accommodated us.  Oh, and I felt normal. 

I wondered what it would be like moving back, two extra children in tow during errands and daily travels.  Not only are we now a family of seven, but we also (gasp) homeschool.  Which makes it hard to hide the fact that we are a family of seven since I am often taking my children on field trips, bringing them along to buy toilet paper, or in other ways venturing out as a family.  

To be honest, it sort of feels like we're still attracting more than our share of attention.  At the eye doctor's, a woman peppered me with questions about what it's like to be a mom of this many.  Unconvinced that it really isn't that much more difficult than being a mother to two children, she committed me to her prayers (I withheld the fact that I actually have 5 children, only 4 of them being present at the office).  A young cashier's eyes nearly popped off of his face when my children set their drinks and snacks on his counter during our recent return from vacation.  (I told him it takes a lot to keep that many children happy in the car.  He was pleasantly surprised when a 20 covered the damage.)  At a rest stop, a man noted his surprise that I was traveling ALONE with that many kids!!  (I smiled but kept my eye on him as my imagination activated itself and I began worrying that he was going to follow and murder me.  Relief swept over me when I noticed him joining his wife and two boys at the picnic area.  Greater relief when I saw him still there as I peeled out.)  At the next pit stop, a motorcyclist made the oft-repeated comment of having my hands full.  (I smiled and cheerfully retorted that I have my whole car full!)

See...our car really is full!  This is Asher staying happy during a 2 day-long trip home.

Mature couples have, on more than one occasion, complimented us on our children's behavior in restaurants (Okay, two occasions.  But still.)  A curious homeschool mom of one shadowed me for weeks, finally concluding that the size of our family and the size of our current home actually work for us.  And don't seem as strange as she'd imagined.

This is how it feels to be raising five children, now, in southern California.  We're noticed, in surprised, wonder-filled and seemingly happy ways.   

But maybe it isn't southern California that's changed.  Maybe I've just come to terms with being a mom of an above-average number of children.  Maybe my heart is just happier to have a quiver full (or semi-full) of them.  Maybe seeing a different normal was a good thing for a while.  Whatever the explanation, I feel content marching my little brood around town.