"you can't say no to babies"

That's what Dr. Husband tells me.  Often he's joking.  Sometimes not. 

This time he wasn't, and we said yes...or more accurately, "Let's see what happens."  Last night we shared the good news with our kiddos that they'd be getting a new sibling come October!  After the initial burst of excitement, questions, and incredulity (from Absent Minded Prof.), Hummus Girl asked, "So where is this one coming from?  Like, from China?"  Uh, no sweetie, this one is from my tummy, just like you.  S/he'll probably be blonde too, flying in the face of my possibly sketchy knowledge of genetics.  Shu may be my only dark-haired child.

Once you tell children of a certain age about a new baby, you pretty much have to announce it to the world, or risk the awkward announcement MY MOMMY IS PREGNANT! which actually happened this afternoon (Hummus Girl).  Fortunately I had informed my friend just hours before.  How's that for foresight? 

I had no reason to think the kids wouldn't be happy at our news, but I was surprised and overwhelmed by their unadulterated JOY...I'm teary just thinking about it now.

They don't know that five is "too many" kids.  Not that I have anything on the Duggars or NiHaoY'all or a bunch of other families I know of.  But In (my) Real Life, five is more than most people have.  

They didn't respond selfishly or with worry about sharing mom and dad, their stuff, their rooms, etc.  That may come, but it wasn't their initial response.

It doesn't occur to them that mom and dad can't handle one more child.  Why wouldn't God provide?  Why wouldn't he equip with every necessary resource?  Oh, to have such a fully trusting heart!  

These are kids who don't really grasp how difficult this past year has been...a blessing in itself, that grace has so insulated them.  They only know that they and Shu are loved, that siblings are a treasure, that having playmates is awesome, that there is more than enough of the good stuff to go around.  And they're totally right.

The Father knows how to give good gifts, even gifts we don't specifically ask for.  He knows our hearts that well.  Not only has he has given the tremendous gift of new life, he also gave to this mama's heart the gift of knowing my kids are happy and secure in our family...so why not make it bigger?  I guess our hands really weren't full yet.  You can ask me again in October.