Frequently Asked Questions

Being pregnant with a fourth child is a funny thing. In many instances, people really don't know what to say to me. I guess I understand; four is a pretty big number for our generation, but it's not like Dugger-big or even Kate-plus-8-big.

But it does make people forget themselves a bit and ask some interesting questions, mostly people who don't know me very well, that is. So this is my attempt to answer some of the questions that keep cropping up:

1. Were you trying?
If you are asking in a roundabout way if we were using protection or birth control of some sort, that frankly is none of your business. I thought we were "done." God apparently had other plans for us. That's all I'm gonna say about that.

2. What are you gonna do with another baby?
Well, I'm just shooting from the hip here, but I assume we'll clothe, feed, diaper, and love it just as we did with our other children.

3. You do know how this happens, right?
I have so many snarky responses to this I just might implode trying to get them all out. I get that you're trying to be funny, but I really don't think you realize how big of a jerk you sound like right now. We're not stupid, we know where babies come from; do you really want me to answer this??

4. Better you than me.
Not a question obviously, but a response I've gotten more than once. Um, thanks? I agree?

5. Let me give you an "inservice" about all the sterilization methods out there that you may not know about. (really. I couldn't make up the subject of this conversation if I tried)
Well, i actually learned a few things, so thanks for that. I'll probably go ahead and have this baby, and then…oh wait, it's again really none of your business.



Children are a blessing, even and perhaps especially fourth children. But I think it's easy to forget that sometimes, or it's popular to make light of that truth & instead highlight on all the reasons to complain and feel burdened by them. I don't want to focus on that, and I'd love if others would join me in rejoicing in this (fourth) gift from God.

♦