Little People, Big World

No, this isn't a description of life from my children's persective, but about a show that's on The Learning Channel.

You see, last year, I was flipping the channels late at night, when the title caught my eye. Ad I started watching, I realized that I knew the woman it was showing! I sat up in bed, and tried telling my sleeping prince next to me, but he snored on. Oh, well...

If you haven't seen it yet, this is an on-going documentary\reality show about a family dealing with dwarfism. The husband and wife are dwarfs, but three of their four children are normal size. (In fact, the one son who has dwarfism is a twin to one who has not!) How they are able to allow cameras into their homes so often, and reveal themselves with all of their faults, family squabbles, and disarray is incredible to me.

I knew her because both my daughters had attended the little preschool where she taught, and I'd see her frequently. I had no idea that they were making a world-wide TV show about her life!

It just so happened that after coming acrossed her show, I saw her the very next morning at a preschool field trip. She was walking right next to me, so I casually told her that I thought I saw her on TV last night.
"Yep, that would be me," she said, smiling very modestly.
We chatted for just a moment as we walked...and from that day on, every time the show aired, my family was right there, watching. Even hubby.

They live on a large farm, and Matt, her husband, has built a virtual playland on thier property. He's said, because he endured so many operations as a child, and spent so many years in bed growing up, he wanted to have something for his own kids where they could romp freely. He still walks with crutches, but he has overcome some incredible odds in his life.

Every October, they present thier place to the public, complete with their pumpkin patch, pirate ship, giant treehouse, and ghost town.

So guess what? Yes, as you can tell by the pictures, we finally made it over to thier farm yesterday (which is surprisingly close to where we live!) Although it rained on us the whole time, we all had a blast. There were quite a few people braving the rains with us, but after all, they are world famous!

Their fame, however, didn't keep the whole family from continuing to work the farm and waiting on the public. Except for Amy, who perfers to stay out of the public farm events. One twin (the tall one) led tours while the shorter twin drove one of the tractor rides.
A side note: When our seven year old daughter spotted the tall, cute teenage twin, she was so overcome, she hid her face in us.
Their 12 year old daughter, Molly, sat quietly with her grandma, demonstrating the spinning wheel in the ghost town. (She later posed with both girls.) Even Matt, himself, was there giving out directions to his workers while finding time to pose for pictures.

The grandparents (Matt's parents) are on almost every show, and I found them to be truly the sweetest people. "Grandpa" talked with us for awhile, and mingled with everyone. He even witnessed of God's strength to a young woman who was admiring their family and all of the odds they have overcome.

All in all, we came away drenched but happy, having met such down-to-earth "celebs" and exploring all the nooks and crannies on their incredible farm. (Hubby had has much fun going through all of the secret tunnels under the ghost town as the girls!)

Oh...and yes, there was a camera crew there that day. So, who knows, we may become TV stars too...but please, without the cameras in our livingroom filming our occasional squabbles, the dirty dishes and the toys strewn acrossed the floor. I don't think the public is quite ready for an episode of "Whiny People, Messy World"...(and I'm not just referring to the kids!)
So, I admire these folks a lot...they are a brave family, who overcome prejudices and insurmountable odds on a daily basis...and open of thier lives to the world at the same time.

Picture one: The girls with their daddy, climbing the huge treehouse (three levels)
Picture two: The Roloff grandma and granddaughter, Molly, working with the spinning wheel
Picture three: Lil' Cherub braves the rope climb (but Mommy makes her come down half-way)
Picture four: Matt posing for us