Planning

I've heard all kinds of distasteful comments regarding our family's size.

I've heard all kinds of encouraging and uplifting ones, too.

Yesterday at the grocery store, though, was a twist on a familiar one.

"Did you plan it?" (referring to this pregnancy)

I/We have heard this many times,

but the variation this time was

"Did you plaaaaaan it?"

Like I'd accidentally stepped in something gross.

A friend of mine has 8 children and she and I have shared with each other

some of the comments we've encountered.

Whenever someone asks a question that implies stupidity on our part,
she said she wants to say,
Hellllooo--we've got 8 kids; do you really think this a process we don't understand?
Tempting, to be sure...


Instead, I answer,
"Yes. Every one was planned--by God."