As I pulled into the garage this morning, driving my 18 year old mini-van (Cole has our better van at the seminary in Kansas City this week), I thanked the Lord that I am still able to stay home with my children. Driving that old van is sooo worth being able to be with them. Next, I opened our 2nd refrigerator (a rusty, $10 Frigidaire that I got at an auction) to drop off the extra gallon of orange juice (we go through 2 gallons/week) and I got to thinking about some of the funny things about being a large family. Of course, we're not as large as THIS FAMILY, but still! I found these from various web-sites and added a couple of my own. You Might Be a Large Family If: You wonder WHY they make 4 roll packs of toilet paper. (I usually buy 21 rolls every 2 weeks.) You add a second (or maybe third) refrigerator. (We bought our 2nd fridge this year and placed it next to our 2nd freezer down in the garage.) You schedule bathroom time. (And everyone’s limited to the 3-minute shower.) You own an outdoor garbage barrel for your kitchen trashcan. (People often comment on my trashcan!) It takes at least 2 carts in the grocery store. (Took us 4 last time.) "Family Meal packs" at restaurants are a laugh. Your dream car is one of those people mover sunday school busses. Your family alone gets a group discount. (Yes.) They automatically add the 15% gratuity to your family’s restaurant bill. (Yes! We would pay it anyway, but STILL!!) You need a CDL (commercial driver's license) to get your family to church on Sunday morning... The bulk package of hamburger is a one meal serving size. You laugh at the term: "Institutional size." No matter the size, "It'll fit someone." Goodnight and goodbye kisses, involves a line-up and head count. You wish the library had shopping carts. Large appliances are bought in pairs. You need separate shoe and a coat closets. It takes more time to pass and serve dinner than to eat it. Considering the application of bathroom stalls for domestic uses. People ask you if you’re Mormon, Catholic, etc... (This happened just a few months ago. No, just crazy!) When you ask the Dentist, Ophthalmologist, and Orthodontist if there is some kind of group discount. (I wish!!) Instead of a Christmas list, you have charts and graphs. (You should see the notebook I carry at Christmas time, complete with coding so that I’m safe if a kid “finds” it.) Diapers have been a staple on the shopping list non-stop since the 80s. There is a line for the bathroom in the middle of the night. You privately chuckle when others are worried about their dinner party for 12. The checker at the grocery always asks if you are having a party. Getting the family dressed for church takes longer than church does. You think the house is empty with only three kids home. (Tru.) A trip to the restaurant supply store is your dream date. You buy apples by the bushel and don't have any to can. Your stock pot could house a small child The Tide company sends you a Christmas card. When McDonald's drive thru asks you to call ahead next time! When your friends can compare how long they have known you by the number of kids you had when you met. New neighbors think you run a daycare. Three friends can ask you to babysit their kids on the same day and you say, "Sure, NO PROBLEM!" You can leave your husband in charge of the above kids plus yours and know things will run smoothly. Someone asks if you could use a place setting for 8 and you laugh. Most of you children’s cartoon dishware is so old it could go for $100 onEbay. You do your weekly shopping at Costco. You KNOW that your bathtub will hold 3 kids. Your friends do not have to worry about bringing diapers, extra clothes, etc. when coming to your house. Their kids think your house is the best place to play. In little league, your children make up half the team.