Chapter One – Getting To Know the Counsils
"Do your parents always let this many kids over on Friday nights?"
Those were the first words Ariana's friend Nichole spoke as she entered our home for the first time. Of course, Ariana had to laugh. If you were to walk into our house, you would find twelve – yes, count them, twelve – children. And they all belong to us.
Okay, I can't necessarily guarantee that all twelve will be there. Our oldest is twenty-three and lives in an apartment downtown, so he's rarely at home. The next, Jesse, is eighteen and usually "chilling" with friends at his brother's place. And Ariana and Chandler are sixteen and fifteen, and also whom I like to call Miss and Mr. Social Butterfly. So you may not discover the oldest four.
As for the rest – there's Cade, who's thirteen and seems to be following in his father's footsteps, but we'll discuss that later. Next come the eleven- year-old fraternal twins, Kirian and Kieran. Kieran seldom speaks and counts on his "big sister" for everything. And Kirian is little Miss Know- It-All, especially when arguing with Chandler.
Cody's our nine-year-old. She's also our little tomboy, which we all find ironic considering she was supposed to be a boy and we named her Cody. She likes hockey...which kind of figures because there are no hockey teams in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.
Tyson is eight. I got pregnant with him three months after Cody was born. He's a troublemaker and loves to drive Ariana insane. He's our only redhead and is the first one that outsiders assume doesn't belong to the family. Oh, but he does. We once caught him behind the shed trying a cigarette he'd stolen from his grandmother...when he was six. Another one who takes after his dad.
Akira's six and mostly keeps to herself. She's an animal lover and insisted that we turn our basement into what has been deemed the "Pet Playground." We needed extra space for all the strays she takes in and refuses to give up, and aside from our two washing machines and two dryers, the basement was useless. Now there's a warning sign on the basement door for those who may be allergic to animals. Which, unfortunately, includes Jesse, who stays away from the basement at all costs.
Lastly, we have Tommi and Jason, four and three. They're just like any other three- and four-year-olds, except that Tommi's a Daddy's Girl and Jason won't leave his mother's side. Tyson likes to tease them; calling them a few names I have a feeling he picked up from Chandler.
Some people would say my husband and I are irresponsible for having so many kids. I'd hate to think what they'd say to the fact that we have another on the way.
"Do your parents always let this many kids over on Friday nights?"
Those were the first words Ariana's friend Nichole spoke as she entered our home for the first time. Of course, Ariana had to laugh. If you were to walk into our house, you would find twelve – yes, count them, twelve – children. And they all belong to us.
Okay, I can't necessarily guarantee that all twelve will be there. Our oldest is twenty-three and lives in an apartment downtown, so he's rarely at home. The next, Jesse, is eighteen and usually "chilling" with friends at his brother's place. And Ariana and Chandler are sixteen and fifteen, and also whom I like to call Miss and Mr. Social Butterfly. So you may not discover the oldest four.
As for the rest – there's Cade, who's thirteen and seems to be following in his father's footsteps, but we'll discuss that later. Next come the eleven- year-old fraternal twins, Kirian and Kieran. Kieran seldom speaks and counts on his "big sister" for everything. And Kirian is little Miss Know- It-All, especially when arguing with Chandler.
Cody's our nine-year-old. She's also our little tomboy, which we all find ironic considering she was supposed to be a boy and we named her Cody. She likes hockey...which kind of figures because there are no hockey teams in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania.
Tyson is eight. I got pregnant with him three months after Cody was born. He's a troublemaker and loves to drive Ariana insane. He's our only redhead and is the first one that outsiders assume doesn't belong to the family. Oh, but he does. We once caught him behind the shed trying a cigarette he'd stolen from his grandmother...when he was six. Another one who takes after his dad.
Akira's six and mostly keeps to herself. She's an animal lover and insisted that we turn our basement into what has been deemed the "Pet Playground." We needed extra space for all the strays she takes in and refuses to give up, and aside from our two washing machines and two dryers, the basement was useless. Now there's a warning sign on the basement door for those who may be allergic to animals. Which, unfortunately, includes Jesse, who stays away from the basement at all costs.
Lastly, we have Tommi and Jason, four and three. They're just like any other three- and four-year-olds, except that Tommi's a Daddy's Girl and Jason won't leave his mother's side. Tyson likes to tease them; calling them a few names I have a feeling he picked up from Chandler.
Some people would say my husband and I are irresponsible for having so many kids. I'd hate to think what they'd say to the fact that we have another on the way.