Have you ever wondered how God decides which gender of kiddos to give us? I asked that question on twitter and facebook last week and got lots of interesting feedback.

Meet 3-year-old Asias (uh-SY-us), my cousin Camy’s adorable little boy, the one who triggered my curiosity. You’d have to ask Camy, but I think this picture might be one of a handful in existence that aren’t at least a little blurry. He’s a kid on the go, that boy.

I watched him (okay, Nina watched him) on Friday morning for a few hours, and as he tornadoed around the house, I thought, “Wow. I think my life might’ve been a little different if I’d had three boys instead of three girls.” Not that I didn’t know that already. It just kind of struck me at that moment.

I never would’ve thought I’d be a mom to all girls. I just assumed there’d be a boy or two (or six) in there somewhere. So how did God decide to give me all girls? (And please, let’s not turn this into a discussion on letting God determine the size of your family. I’m not averse to talking about it, but today I want to ponder gender.)

When I asked the question on facebook, my neighbor Allison said, “Before having kids I desperately wanted girls, but now I love the boys we have and kinda want the rest (should there be more) to be boys too.”

Joy, a friend from college, said, “A former pastor’s wife once told me she believed God gave her all boys in part because as a young wife she was a terrible example of submission to a husband. She didn’t respect his leadership at all and she believes she would have taught daughters some terrible things about how wives are to relate to their husbands.”

My MIL, mom to two boys, said in response to Joy’s comment, “Sounds fitting to me!”

My cousin Katherine said, “My guess as to why I have two girls then three boys is because I need 2 girls to handle my WILD boys.”

Lots of other moms chimed in, but the comment that gave me goosebumps came from Andrea, a friend of mine from high school. She said, “I often wonder why I got two boys and not a boy and a girl. I LOVE my boys but often wonder if I can be truly happy and not want to try again in hopes for that girl. Praying God gives me that answer in due time.”

Then she read the comments others had already left. She immediately noticed that the first two commenters on my post had the last names of Marshall and Bennett. Nothing unusual about that, right? Not sure why she even took note of it.

Except that Andrea’s adorable little boys? Are named Marshall and Bennett. I. Kid. You. Not.

“I think God just gave me my answer,” she said.

I would have to wholeheartedly agree.

Speaking of the girlies God gave me, thanks for your suggestions (and prayers!) today (Tuesday). We went sledding, made Snow Cream, built a tent (to sleep in), played Dutch Blitz, fought a lot, ice skated in the kitchen… I even let them get out of their tent-bed to watch the rest of American Idol.

I’m not exactly sure why God gave me all girls, but I trust Him. And I’m glad He did. And I’m going to do my best to soak up every minute of being Livi, Ava and Nina’s mom.

So, why do you think God gave you the kiddos He gave you? And if you don’t have kids yet, what kind of kiddos do you envision running/dancing around your home someday?

p.s. If you haven’t already, you have to read this post by my friend Missy: I Don’t Want My Children To Be Happy.

We had a surprise party for my grandma on Saturday (she turned 89 on Valentine’s Day). She was completely and totally shocked. It was awesome.

Funny story. Two nurses offered to bring Grandma down to the party, and they brought the wrong woman! Thankfully, Uncle Nick got things straightened out before they got all the way to the Party Room. Whew.

Grandma with 3 of her 7 kiddos–Doug, Tim & Nick. Love these guys. Hard-working, godly men who love their families.

And 7 of her 26 grandkids (plus 16 spouses). I have so many wonderful memories with my homies.

Grandma’s idea of heaven (for now!): chatting with her loved ones. Who needs to eat when you can talk?

My cousin Brian, his wife Christy, Emmett and Preston. Emmett’s adorable smile is thanks to me acting all goofy. Next time I’ll stand next to the Camera Man.

12 of 34 great-grandkids (with many, many more in the works, I’m sure).

Then I kind of, sort of gave them all the go ahead to jump on Brian. I did rescue his glasses and Blackberry for him before they were destroyed.

Oh, oops. One of the great-grandkids was in the bathroom (can you tell which one?). Let’s try this again. With 13 of 34 this time.

Nina Gabe and Mama. Oh, the joys of being 4.

Helping Grandma get ready to go back to her room. Selfishly, I want Grandma here for many more years (she says she wants to make it to 95), but won’t that be something when she gets a brand new body someday?

Oh, Grandma. What a beautiful tribute it is to you and Grandpa that you are so, so loved by so many people. And even more importantly, that they love the same Jesus you do. Thank you for being such an incredible, godly example to all 89 of your descendants. You’re the best grandma ever!!

WE LOVE YOU!!

The phone rang this morning at 7:20. Normally I’d be up with the girls, helping them get ready for school. But once we got the Snow Day news, I couldn’t resist climbing back in my warm bed.

When I heard the phone, my first thought was “something’s wrong.” But when I heard my grandma’s voice on the other end, I knew all was well. She must’ve just had something to say and wanted someone to say it to.

“Hi, Grandma. How are you?”

She chuckled. “Well, there’s a mouse in the house!”

“A what?”

“A mouse.” And she told me this great story about seeing a mouse in her room at the nursing home and the nurses being none too thrilled about it. We chatted for awhile, then said good-bye, and I went back up to bed once more.

She called again tonight at 8:00. “Did I already call and tell you something?” she said.

“You told me about the mouse this morning.”

She laughed. “Yes. Well, I was looking through a book tonight, and I know you’re a book lover.”

“I sure am.”

“And I found a poem about Abraham Lincoln. Maybe I’ve read it to you already?”

“Nope, I don’t think so.”

She read me a delightful poem about young Abe going to great lengths to procure a book he really wanted to read. But then when he got back to his cabin, he couldn’t read it, because he didn’t have a candle. So he gathered some kindling and started a fire and read by firelight.

I loved it.

“Now I’m going to shut my mouth and let you get to bed.”

I told her I loved her and that it would be awhile before I needed to get to bed.

The other day she called to tell me about a picture my cousin Camy had just sent her. A picture of all 6 of her boys (she also has a daughter). It’s a rare thing for all 6 of her boys to be together (the youngest turns 50 today–Happy Birthday, Uncle Chris!), and this photo is one she’ll treasure for the rest of her life.

I told Gabe today that Grandma needs Twitter. Or facebook. Or a blog. Basically, an outlet for her many, many thoughts, ideas, insights, funny stories. She’s a passionate communicator. (We have quite a bit in common.) I can’t imagine living in a nursing home and having a humorous thought pop into my head and no way to express it.

Thankfully, Grandma has her own cordless phone. Two of them (she charges one while using the other). She told me tonight that she’d been talking so much that they were both almost out of juice.

“I’ll tell Dad to get you a third phone,” I said, laughing.

“No,” she said, “that’s my cue to shut up.”

I, for one, hope she never shuts up. Grandma turns 89 on Valentine’s Day (we’re having a surprise party for her on Saturday. shhhhh!!!). And I hope I get a phone call from her every day for the next 10 years (at least!).

I don’t think she knows about Changing Your World going out of print, but as she was hanging up tonight, she said, “Don’t ever stop writing books!”

I won’t, Grandma. As long as God is calling me to write and speak, I’ll do it.

But, even more importantly than that, I won’t stop listening. To tales of mice and nurses. To poems about Honest Abe. To your beautiful laugh.

Who in your life needs you to pick up the phone and listen to him/her for a few minutes today? Tell me. Then make the call.