They just fit – they just fit who Rock is…who I am…and they tagged and went and did…all the youth group…teaching…coaching…..just what ever…..like yours fit you guys…they brought out the best in our family. Your zoo trip – it took on the personality of your family…all 5 – that was our life together…God knew what we needed to be complete. It wasn’t 4 or 7 – it was 2 boys.

We don’t have kids yet but we plan to have at least two in the next few years. I picutre one boy and one girl. I want the boy first because I always wanted a big brother. I am thankful that God makes that decision for us.

I have one girl, and I really wanted her to be a boy (dont tell her that though) because I was SCARED of a daughter . . . if she was anything like I was, I thought, I would be in big trouble! But God is so wise and in his infinite wisdom, knew I needed to deal with things in my own heart and my daughter has been a perfect vehicle for that!
And my best friend has 2 boys and it’s amazing how innately DIFFERENT they are from my little Jayci!

Before I had kids, I think I felt a lot of pressure to have a boy. Was it just the preferences of the guys around me? Was it watching “The Godfather” one too many times? Was it seeing how men are treated in society? I’m not really sure…..

Why do I think God gave our family a girl and then a boy? I’m sure there are MANY reasons, and can’t wait to hear all of them when I see him face-to-face. I do think that since God knew ours would be so close together (another God-timing thing), he knew that I needed my calm, stay-in-one place child first. One of those “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” things. Same thing with having my colicy baby 1st — I couldn’t imagine doing those sleepless nights with a 21 month old ready to go at 6 AM

I think since having my kids, I have realized more the importance of each of us being an individual, formed by God for his glory and purpose. Some of those purposes depend on us being male or female. I am much more confident of mine (and my kids places) in his purpose now that I have been given the gift to carry 2 of his purposes to life.

Yesterday while Jackson was at school, I watched my friend’s 22-month-old girl. Annabeth and I had so much fun with her. It was interesting to imagine what life would have been like with two girls – especially so close in age! But I wouldn’t trade my boy for anything. I feel grateful that God let me experience both.

I can honestly say I don’t yet know why God has given me one of each. And I have no idea what he’ll give me next if/when there’s a next. And I don’t know why He gave me them so close in age nor why He gave me one so early in my marriage.

There’s a lot that I don’t know about why. And maybe I’ll never know.

And that’s okay. Because He’s God. And I’m so, so, so not.

Girls, we’re missing something here. Being a grandma now, and looking back at my life 30+ years, I realize more than ever NOW that it fits HIS plans! He gave us MJE so she would marry SAB, and have two little boys. He gave us MCE, so she would marry TRC, and He gave us MTE so he would marry ANP. It’s all in HIS plan, for His glory!

We have 3 girls. I thought each pregnancy was going to be a boy (I don’t find out) I felt like I needed to prepare myself for a boy. No boy came.
When I was little I always wanted a little sister. I even had an imaginary one for awhile. I feel like God gave me that desire, with my daughters. Interesting.

I often wonder the same thing – why did God give me a boy. I can remember very clearly when we sorta found out he was a boy. He didn’t cooperate enough at the ultrasound to get a clear picture and when my Dr. said she was 65% sure it was a boy…well I wasn’t happy. I left angry and sad and lost it in the car. Partially because I didn’t see how I could ever love a boy, I didn’t want a boy, I had nothing to give a boy and also because we didn’t know for sure.

Looking back now, I kinda wish I hadn’t responded that way. And I love my miracle child more than anything. I truly believe God gave me a son to learn patience…lots and lots of patience. And I wouldn’t change one single thing about him…I love him.

Now I just sit and wonder – why did he have to be born so early. But that’s another post for another day.

I’m a fairly new reader but wanted to chime in on this subject. As a young woman/dreamer, I imagined myself with a houseful of unruly boys. Then, after several years of infertility and three losses, I was so hoping for a child of ANY gender! God blessed me above measure to get to mother first a boy, then a girl and after my heart was full with “one of each,” I was gifted my “Bonus Baby” – another sweet boy.

Sometimes I long for another girl, so that my daughter may enjoy the sweet relationship of sisterhood as I did with my sister (who is still my best friend). However, as I grow with my children I’m able to witness God’s wisdom in ordering our little family to be just as He wished for the best of each of them.

One of the greatest joys in my life is seeing the relationships develop among my children. It is precious!

Missy
http://www.penn-fam.blogspot.com

As a mom of 3 boys and one on the way (unknown gender), I wonder/struggle with this a lot! My prayer has been that if this baby isn’t a girl that my desire for a daughter will be taken away or diminished before we find out. It hasn’t! But I know that doesn’t mean that we’re having a girl. I am nervous for my reaction if it is a 4th boy. And at the same time, if it is a 4th boy, I will be so excited and so proud. I go back and forth all day long. I want this baby to be my daughter, I would love another son. And then I wonder, if I have a daughter would my desire for adoption decrease and maybe God wants me to have a daughter not born of me. And then I wonder why can’t I have both?!

Apparently, you gave me an opening to spill my guts!

I like what Bethany said about being glad God makes this decision for us, because we would drive ourselves crazy choosing.

Devin and I want to have a couple kiddos and adopt too. I think it would be fun to have at least one of each gender, but he came from a family of all boys and that worked out just fine too. We figure, if we get all of one gender naturally, we could always just adopt whichever gender we didn’t get. But ultimately, if we already have two boys and God brings another little boy into our lives to take as our own, then there will be no hesitation because he’s not a little girl.

The blog you linked to is FANTASTIC. It reminds me so much of my family. When my parents adopted my sisters, it wasn’t about if it would make our family “happier.” It was done regardless of if it was what was “best” for us. It was about what was the RIGHT thing to do. As a result, we have been so blessed by a decision that was not supported by many people we love, out of concern for our “happiness.”

Same with college. My parent’s helped me get through school, but I paid a huge chunk of it myself and ::gasp:: even took out some hefty loans. But I’m grateful, because as I worked hard to pay the debt off early, I learned a very valuable lesson about the importance of staying out of debt from here on out.

I love what Mis said: I don’t want you to be happy. I want you to be holy and content.

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

This was such a good question the other day and such a fun post. I don’t even know if I answered (because I wanted to) but wasn’t sure if I could describe without sounding a certain way…how wonderful it is to have one of each.

I say that because SOO many of my family and friends have all girls and to me, there is nothing like a boy. I thought I would have a house FULL of boys. I always favored boys in my classrooms I taught, they’re just easier, in my opinion.

And, then I had Julia.

I AM a girl and sometimes I don’t understand “girl” stuff after raising a boy first. But, I feel so incredibly blessed that God is giving the me the chance to experience each of their worlds.

I wish that EVERY girl mama could experience a boy. And every boy mama could experience a girl!! So, I do sometimes wonder why God chose to give us what He did.

I was the youngest of three girls. so I get girls. I know girls. I understand girls. Philip had two sisters, as well. Somehow when I saw my pregnancy test, I knew my baby was a boy. Daily – sometimes hourly! – I have to ask the Lord for understanding and wisdom. I love my baby boy and am so thankful for him.
It’s definitely a learning process for me, though!

I am learning, through the gifts of my children, that it is a whole lot more about me learning from them than vice-versa. we are blessed with 2 boys, 2 girls. Each one of them holds unique qualities that have sometimes tested and more often blessed me! They refine me.

God gave me two beautiful daughters which is what I was secretly hoping for. I loved mothering my little girls and still do even though they are now grown. Then He sent me two little boys through adoption and wow mothering them is very different but tons of fun. I’m just so thankful that He has given me the gift of mothering four amazing and wonderful children and that He put us together as a family so perfectly.

There’s only room for one princess in my house!!! ME!!!

Kidding. In all seriousness….

I really think that God knew I needed humbling. And there is nothing that humbles someone more than a house full of smelly, stinky, dirty boys. I think I would have gone overboard on the girly stuff…overspending on clothes and hairbows and shoes…and God just knew that I needed to not be faced with those temptations. I adore my boys. They’ve changed me. And humbled me. And made me a really good mom.

I’m a mom of 2 boys. I love it! I think that God knew I could handle the rough & tumble world of boys. I also think that God knew my husband could handle boys too. He is a great example for them to follow! Both boys and girls bring different challenges to parenting. I am so glad that God knows exactly what we can handle, and exactly what type of parents our little ones need.

That link you posted is fantastic! I think I’m going to print it out in fact.

I have one girl and when I wonder why God gave me a girl rather than boy I just resort back to the phrase I’ve heard often, God is God and I am not. He knows whats best for us.

I love my three girls like crazy, and I think we’re well-suited to parent girls, but maybe that’s because we’ve grown into parenting what God has given us. Nature vs. Nurture. Discuss amongst yourselves.

I have thanked God often (OFTEN) in the recent days for giving me a husband who is so well suited to fathering girls. He deals with their drama with more patience and grace than I can ever muster. He is the perfect distract-er and redirect-er for them. I’ve learned a lot about girls from watching this incredible man.

I have been blessed with two boys. To answer simply, it is as it should be. I praise God for them, and I know this is His perfect plan. Maybe someday we’ll have a girl. Maybe not. I’m okay with whatever the Lord wills. For right now, I want to be the best Mommy to my energetic busy boys that I can. God is certainly growing me because of these two. I’m very thankful.

My oldest is a boy … and I think he is there because it is important in my family to “carry on the Hutch—- name”…I was sure he was a girl though!
I think I had a girl next because of my mom – she always would say, “YOU JUST WAIT until you have a girl like you …” and sure enough, I have a sweet but independent girl – like me.
When I had my 3rd – 9 years after my last baby (SURPRISE!!) – I wanted a BOY. Boys are easier & less hormonal & love their mommas & cost less for clothes – and I didn’t want another ME! But I got a girl – and I’m glad I did! At 8 weeks, she is mellow & easy-going – just like MY HUSBAND!

I also wanted to chime in on the “God wants you to be holy, not necessarily happy.” … our pastor says that a lot – as well as “God cares more about our character than our comfort.”

Our only wish has been to have a healthy child and we will be absolutely smitten either way. Health is all that matters when push comes to shove and it honestly saddens me when people are upset or disappointed in whatever sex of child they get. Of course thank God not everyone has had the experience of dealing with infertility and losing precious little ones. In a way I’m becoming more thankful that we’ve had the battle we’ve had…. because we’ll always remember our journey and how hard we fought for either our son or daughter…therefore will be so extremely appreciative for our miracle child.

I can’t wait to see/meet the child God has planned for us.. we are still seriously kicking around the idea of not finding out the gender before birth. However, the verdict is still out on that one….

I read that post of Missy’s yesterday, and it was so good!

I’d always pictured having a girl first and was very surprised (but not really) that Brennan was a boy when he was born (we didn’t find out his gender during my pregnancy). It took me awhile to adjust to having a boy, when I’d envisioned a little girl for so long. But oh, I am sooo glad I have a little boy! And I’d take all boys they’re so wonderful!

One reason I’m sure God gave me a little boy was to give me no more excuses in how I related to my in-laws. What I sow, I will reap, and it crushes me to think that my future dil might respond to me in ways that I sometimes respond to my in laws. Crush me! I’ve genuinely prayed for my attitude to change and to love them better, for they are wonderful, and Brennan was an answer to that prayer to help me be a better dil.

thank you sweet friend.

I think God gave me the kiddos he gave me because it was his divine purpose for them to be born! Regardless of my feelings about it!

I always wanted girls and didn’t care if I got a boy or not. But my first was a boy and – oh. I love all babies, but I love baby boys more. There. I said it. Baby boys just make me melt in a way that girls don’t. And the opposite is true for my husband.

Yet, we’re getting a baby girl from Ethiopia. Why? Again…God wants us to. And he da boss.

I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have that planned for me, as much as I’ve begged, but I can tell you I’d be thrilled with either! My BILs family has all girls and their first is a girl, so they are pretty sure it just a family thing!

Not only the gender, but the personalities and typical/non-typicalness lead me to surrender and depend upon Him. I was raised to be SO independent. God sure trimmed those dead wood branches in me as I had children. Love them. Wouldn’t trade them. But nothing has grown me more (sometimes painfully) than being the mother to a “non”typical boy and a “typical” girl. Great question, btw.