Awkward.

Let me tell you what's awkward.

It's awkward when people say rude things about the size of your family.  This is an awkward conversation whether they are commenting on how big your family is OR how small your family is. I get a lot of the big family comments but I have friends with two children who get just as many of the opposite kind.  People, just stop it.

I have three boys and a baby on the way.  I am aware that four children is "a lot" to some people.  And you know what?  That's ok.  I do not think that God is calling every family to have lots of children.  I think family size should be something to discern with your spouse and with the Author of Life himself.

I have always wanted to have a big family.  As long as I can remember.  I have one brother (who is the greatest gift my parents ever gave me) and I always wanted more siblings.  BUT, that was up to my parents to prayerfully discern.

As soon as I was old enough to babysit, I started telling people that I wanted to have 20 kids when I grew up.  At this point I'm thinking maybe not 20, but I will tell you that, to me, (most days!) four kids doesn't seem like a lot. 

When people ask me, out of genuine curiosity, "Do you think you'll have more?"  I feel like that is a legitimate question and I am not at all offended.  I usually say something like "we like to discern that one baby at a time" or "probably, we have always wanted a big family" or "we'll see what God has in store!" or something along those lines.  Keep it light and positive because I feel positively about my family.

There are plenty of other examples:
"you've got your hands full"
"you've got lots of helpers"
"you must be busy"

etc, etc,

But, those authentic, mostly polite questions and comments are not what I'm talking about.

I am talking about rude comments.  There are just some comments for which I have no good response. 

The most recent was probably the worst I have ever heard.

A man said "I see you're expecting another baby?"
me:  "Yes!  In just a few weeks!"
man:  "three boys...do you know if this one is a boy or girl?"
me:  "girl!!"
man:  "Seems like a good time to stop."

Uh.....


I mean, where do you even start?  Maybe it came out differently than he intended?  I mean, I try to give people the benefit of the doubt; we've all said stupid things.  But this one has been hard for me to get past.

I have had numerous conversations that started the same way and ended with the other person saying "Do you think you'll stop after your girl?" This is still a little bit awkward to navigate but, again, seems more like genuine curiosity.  And it's certainly much less offensive than "seems like a good time to stop".

The only thing I could think to say was "Seems like a good time to punch you in the face".

But I decided against that because, well, that's not very charitable.

I kind of half smiled and walked away because, honestly, what else was there to do at that point? 

Do you have these awkward conversations?  And do you have a good response?  Please share.

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It's now the end of July which means I am, per my usual, long overdue for a blog post.  It also means less than three weeks until baby girl.   Which is unbelievable to me.  Although, my hips are telling me it's almost time.  They don't like me sleeping on them all night anymore.  They want my back to take a turn again.  And the hips don't lie.

We have had a lot of summer visitors so that has been nice.  The boys have been enjoying guests and parks and swim lessons and playing in the yard from dawn until dusk.

Roman is still loving his Legos and has recently discovered a passion for fishing.  He is also currently obsessed with the Avengers. 

A Roman funny:
The other day he found our Catch Phrase game.  He wanted to play so I told him to look at the word and describe it to me.  He said "Ok, this one is about Mass."
me:  "Hmm....prayer?"
R:  "no"
me:  "priest?"
R:  "no.  ok, the other one rhymes with erection".
me:  laughing hysterically.  He has no idea what this word means, or course.
R:  "see, Mass Direction.  I described it!"
me:  "Well, that says "Mass Destruction" but that was a great first try at the game".

Judah recently rediscovered the movie Larry Boy and the Bad Apple.  One day he just said "Hey, Mom, remember when I was a baby and I watched Larry Boy?  We should watch that one again."  Ummmm, ok.  So I got it out and now he wants to watch it 30 times a day. 

A Judah funny:
Instead of saying "How does that sound?"  he says things like this:  "We should listen to music.  How does that feel, Mom?"  Makes me laugh every time.

Silas continues to be 3.  He is very distracted all the time making it difficult to sit in a chair or eat during meal time or not climb every person he lays eyes on.  He is constantly squirming and silly.  He is always trying to get his brothers to laugh at him or wrestle with him.

A Silas funny:
Today I cleaned my room.  Because I'm a big girl.  Something that I haven't done (well) for probably about a year.  I somehow convinced Silas to go on a "treasure hunt" under my bed.  You know, to find all the random socks and wrappers and picture frames that never got hung up treasure.  He was a great little helper.  And then he walked around for the rest of the day declaring everything he found (think washcloths and broken earrings and bobby pins) "A TREASURE!"

And our sweet girl...
I know that these boys are going to be better men because of her.  I know that she is already so very loved.  Her room is almost ready and the bassinet is set up and the car seat is in the car.  We are a tiny bit excited.

I tested positive for Group B Strep again (I had that with Silas, also, and everything was fine).  But would you pray that she stays safe and healthy during and after birth?  Thanks so much, my dear friends.

And, as usual, I am taking prayer requests with me as I labor.  So, let me know how I can be praying for you.  We are all united in our suffering and we are often times closest to the Lord in the midst of it.  So, please, send your intentions.  It would be an honor to pray for you.