Those people who have four kids are just CRAZY

Yes, the big news is that we are expecting another little Matthews to come along in September. This will make number four. Quite a surprise for us because 1) we weren't planning on having more kids, 2) we will have two children under two in the house (and if we were planning more, we would have spaced them a little further apart for sanity's sake) and 3) it was obviously a God thing because this was a biologically-improbable event based on our past history of having kids.

But there are no surprises with God. So we have concluded this little Matthews was meant to be. And every child is a blessing from God. Bring on the blessed chaos!

However, there are a lot of things to think/worry about with this. We are planting a church and have been very busy of late trying to keep connected with everyone plus keep up our relationships outside the church. A new baby will only make this harder/crazier. I am still working full time; Peter is working 3/4 time, but planned to go full time later this year. I am not sure how easy it will be to manage the needs of four kids with both parents working full time, even if one of them works from home. We have begun to talk about this. There are, of course, financial issues here. The one thing we will really need that my job provides, though, is health insurance. And I am barely keeping up with laundry as it is now. What is it going to be like with another child - and a baby to boot??

These thoughts are, fortunately, balanced by comparing our situation with that of my parents. They had four children, too, of which I am the youngest. At the time I was born my oldest brother was six and a half, my next brother was five, and my sister was three and a half. My oldest will be almost 11 and the next oldest almost seven. My mom stayed at home and my dad was a construction worker. So financially we are doing way better, even if I quit my job. They did not have a happy marriage; fortunately Peter and I do.

I keep thinking of a pastor's sermon I heard once about how God sometimes takes away our comfort zone. I was comfortable having three kids - this seemed managable. We are busy, but it is managable. Now, while excited about having another baby, I realize I am a little scared about how we will manage. It will be hard, but I have this feeling that this is exactly where God intended us to be - having to lean a little more on him everyday for how it is all going to work out.

Anyway, I will keep you posted on how things progress. For right now, I am glad I am pulling out of my first trimester tired/morning sickness phase. This will help!