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.

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My April

Let's recap my crazy April: it started off normal enough, but about midway through, things got a little hairy.

Kicking things off, my husband spent 3 days in the ICU a few weeks ago, due to complications of his diabetes. He's okay now, but it was a long week for sure. By the end of that week, the heavy rains started and didn't let up all weekend. So by Monday afternoon, wouldn't you know our rental property in Johnson flooded, water up to 3 feet in both units. Thankfully, we had flood insurance after that last near flood we lived through three years ago. Within two days of the flood, and very much mired in stress about finances & rebuilding & estimates, I realized I was "late" and decided to take a pregnancy test.

It came back like this.

I don't think I've ever been more surprised in my life. No exaggeration. Shocked would not even be an overstatement.

I've been trying to wrap my brain around the number four ever since. It will all come together, I'm sure. But wow! I'm totally leaning in on God on this one.

I am excited and very much look forward to meeting our new baby. S/he'll be here sometime in late December to early January, close to Ella's third birthday and a couple of months before the boys' 7th & 5th birthdays. And then we'll be six!

May, I need you to be nice and easy, k? 'Cause April was a doozy.

♦