Little Eyes

	Little Eyes Upon You
	There are little eyes upon you and they're watching night and day. There are little ears that quickly take in every word you say. There are little hands all eager to do anything you do; And a little boy who's dreaming of the day he'll be like you. You're the little fellow's idol, you're the wisest of the wise. In his little mind about you no suspicions ever rise. He believes in you devoutly, holds all you say and do; He will say and do, in your way when he's grown up just like you. There's a wide-eyed little fellow who believes you're always right; and his eyes are always opened, and he watches day and night. You are setting an example every day in all you do; For the little boy who's waiting to grow up to be like you

...of girls and cannibalism

Girls..... could you please leave my boys alone. It was a sweltering June day here in SWVA. The sun was high in the sky and you could feel the humidity like molasses in your lungs. The sea of people moved to the rhythm of the music. (The music sounded like someone was stabbing a knife into my ear and twisting it but.....) It was a beautiful day. As I pushed the double stroller through the crowds with 8 of my guys behind me. I saw a glimpse of her first behind a tree. I didn't think much of it until I saw her again by the bouncy things. She came out into the open to reveal herself to him. She had short shorts on, you know the kind that reveal your whole hind end? and a shirt so tight I think it would have fit one of the twins. OH AND HER BOOBS ( the kind of boobs that are made courtesy of the hormones in all of the meat we eat) were spilling out of said top. As she stood there she adjusted herself to show her best assets. Then it happened, she slithered her way over toward my son. Like a snake about to devour it's prey. As he helped his brother onto the bouncy house she stood behind him waiting for him to turn around. I called my son to my side. In his absence she went running to her friends. Hoping to NEVER see her again I let my boy go back to help. Fast forward 25 minutes. One of her drones came up to my son and asked " do you have a girlfriend"? He said "no". As she went back to her "crowd" they all giggled and looked our way. The boy was confused, he had never had a girl be so forward with him before. I then whispered in his ear...... Moments later the girls came back to him and said" do you want to go out with my friend over there?" He said, "go where?" I laughed. She then said," do you want to be her boyfriend?" He said, "no" and then he said it.... My mom eats girls like you for breakfast. BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!! They never came back by us after that. Girls, stay away from my sons, I am trying to stick to a whole foods diet and you just don't quit fit into it. Oh and cannibalism is still frowned upon in our society.

Mama we have faith in you

So Saturday I entered my Black Bean Pumpkin Soup in a soup cook-off at the Abingdon Farmers Market. Here's how it played out. At 12 mid-night, I finally got started. Got out the pumpkin, cut it up. Got out the onion, cut it up. Went to get the corn out of the freezer and couldn't find any. Went to the cupboard, didn't have any canned. OK just skip it. I continued to configure my soup masterpiece. When it was all said done it wasn't all that good. I forgot to strain the beans and to drain the tomatoes. So it was gritty and the color was horrific. In the morning I told the boys that the soup didn't really turn out and I was thinking about not entering it. They all cried "no mama, you have to, you could win $100.00. Mama we have faith in you". I figured it couldn't hurt to enter it and not win, rather then break their little hearts. As I turned it in I cringed just a little, thinking about how the judges(Townhouse and House on Main and the Mayor) were going to spit it out all over each other. With that visual I told the boys I just couldn't do it. Many little voices cried and whined," Mama please we have faith in you. We love you, and we LOVE your soup." At that I proudly stamped on my number ( ironically it was #1) and walked away. 30 min later I heard a voice coming toward me getting louder and louder, "mama you won, you won. I turned around and told Moses that that wasn't funny. As it turned out I HAD won and the judges loved the soup. One judge came up to me and told me it was great. He said he flavors were wonderful and he loved the pumpkin chunks. I was shocked and a little embarrassed. I had wanted to impress these judges and not those that mean the world to me. Those little boys that tasted the soup and said it was great, were all the judging that I needed. I had already won. The boys had no doubt that I would win the competition, not because they knew how great of a cook I am (wink,wink) but because they know that to them I am a great cook. They see the love I put into each meal, as if I were serving the King and his Princes, because I am serving MY King and MY Princes. So many mamas go looking for approval from friends, family and co-workers. Many times they feel like they are failing. Like we aren't enough. Like we could just do better only if.... I need to realize the only approval here on earth is my little guys. They always tell the truth, even if it's ugly. Even better is, they tell the truth even when it's GREAT.

Mommy what if you didn't .....

As I was trying hard to get this dang blog set up this am Gideon(4) came up to me and asked the following questions. Gideon: mama what if you didn't have eyes? Me: I couldn't wink at you. Gideon: mama what if you didn't have any arms? Me: I wouldn't be able to hug you. Gideon: what if you didn't have any legs? Me: I wouldn't be able to run and catch you. Gideon: Well then you better keep your eyes, arms and legs because I want you to wink at me before you run around and catch me and give me hugs. I love you Gideon, you make my heart warm and my life full.

Fly on the wall

OK like the last thing I need to do is start a blog, but you know it just HAD to be done. Anyone with 11 boys HAS to have a blog. So I have taken the last day or two to put this thing together, and I'm already thinking of tossing the whole idea but,until I finish thinking about it I'll do my best to entertain y'all. As most of you know me, I will skip the formal introductions. I am Fern. My husband is Paul. My boys are Luke, Noah, Devin, Moses, Solomon, Job, Judah, Gideon, Phinehas, Enoch and Abel. Ages 18 years to 14 months. I guess the whole point of this blog is to share what it is like to have 11 boys, you know to be that fly on the wall. Let me know what you think.