Okay so it was actually only 7 kids, but that means there were 15 critters. 11 fish, 2 cats, and 2 newts. Aren't we glad that the puppy stayed somewhere else for the week? Yes we are!
I'm talking about our extended house-sitting at Doherty's (children included). Yes, this is what the 12 Days of June were all about. I hadn't posted anything because we've been so crazy busy without a job seeing people we haven't gotten together with in a while it's crazy! And we've been physically, emotionally, and mentally spent. Naturally.
Alright, where to begin? I'll make this as short as possible by only relaying the funny stories. Suckers! Since when have I done that? The first hour we were there, the cat escaped out the front door. After two attempts by others to lure the elusive feline back inside, I took matters and his scruff into my own hands and claws deep into my wrists. Sorry Zoey, I hope we can be friends when you forget the incident ever happened! He (yes, I know, don't get me started, way to gender-confuse the cat) spit at me all week long. And he occasionally rubbed up against my leg, wanted my affection, and called it off at a moment's hiss. Catching him eating the chicken left on the counter following supper also put me in the bad books. Dogs forgive so much more easily. I don't really want a cat, but I don't hate them.
There was the Tuesday night I was up with one of the boys who was crying and had growing pains, then Faith and I ended up vomiting and sent the two oldest kids to school Wednesday morning following that, took a short break in which Aslynn got sick all over her bed at home, our bed, and her carseat - actually, someone else's carseat which we had to return the next week and use the following day. That same Wednesday night, two other of our seven lovely children took ill all over their beds prompting me to use the dustpan as a spatula. Yes it was that bad. Their Grandma had taken them to McDonalds and, well, 'nuff said. Many loads of laundry and bouts of dry-heaving later, we were healthy enough to go to the airport and greet their parents.
Now that you've endured only a fraction of what we felt, let's delve into the more humorous stories. The one boy rented his brother's bike to a neighbor (in his own yard) for $2.00 and then went home with the kid to collect, giving audible prompts to him as to how to retrieve the moneys owed. The other boy's mother overheard and thus we were also informed via phone. He tried to get away with a few things since we might be slightly more gullible than his own parents. Unfortunately for him, I'm a Youth Pastor and he isn't quite there yet. I could smell the lines and secrecy and let him make his own trouble for himself when his parents arrived at home. No, not THAT much trouble. I warned him and gave him the 'what for' a few times.
Aslynn took to her usual selection of location to rest her weary head. Yup, the walk-in closet proved to be a secure and enjoyable environment. I know, I shouldn't be getting her started with such luxury this early in life, but she's Daddy's little girl. Besides, there were only three kids in one room, two in another, and Judah on the far side of ours. A little Aslynn-sized room to herself seemed rather royal in a house of nine people!
We brought out the Slip 'N' Slide and kiddie pool for the kids to play with in the heat. That was cause for a few laughs, bumps, screams, and sandings. Note to self: don't enter sandbox when wet, lie down, and venture back out to the Slip 'N' Slide at a high rate of speed and do a belly flop. "Yeouch, that's gotta hurt!" There were a few red bellies and bums following that escapade. At least the record thunderstorm washed the sand off so they could use it later.
Oh, and we were told that the kids didn't have anything else planned but a dance class. When the piano teacher (a friend of ours) showed up as we were packing up children to leave, we were rather confused. But who were we to argue? Piano lessons went on and I left with the youngest five for supper at another friends' house. You know you have real friends when they invite you and your seven children for supper.
All in all we had a barf - I mean 'blast' - and though we were relieved it was over, we could likely do it again. If I had a job to go to that week, I wouldn't have accomplished much. But it also kept our mind off of things which was good. We were visited by other friends while we were there, and felt very loved.
- Mark
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