To whom it may concern:

So I have this problem.  I don't know what to say when people ask if I got my tubes tied.  For one thing, I cannot imagine why my reproductive system is anyone else's business.  And secondly, why would anyone even ask that?  It has to be for two reasons.  A, that I have too many children already and I could not possibly afford more.  Three is considered a  lot I guess, but Melodee just informed me that she would like two more sisters and maybe one more brother.  Or it is B, people cannot imagine how I could chance having another baby that is like Mercy.  I can't think of any other options.  We aren't "too old."   It isn't against the law. 

So if it is A.  Its none of your business!  I think that children are a very special gift from God (that even I don't always appreciate and treasure like I should) and they are not a burden or some kind of problem you have to work through.  They are blessings and on loan to us from their Father who loves them.  I trust that God doesn't give us more than we can handle.  So if the number is what is making you ask me, it is not your problem.  If we have to take out loans to take care of our baby that is what we will do.  Having them is much much more important that the big house, the car and money.  Showing them love and raising them to be productive selfless people will be not only a challenge, but a huge blessing!

And if it is B, then that is also very sad for you.  Because I was in this camp before I had Mercy, I realize that it is ignorance that makes people feel this way.  I would think, why would you keep having kids when you had one with down syndrome, you must be crazy. But now that we have our "special" baby, there is no way that would ever stop us from having another baby just because they might turn out like her!  She amazes us everyday.  To say that we wouldnt want another baby like her is to say that there is something wrong with her.  As our child, there is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with her.  She is my baby.  Sure, there are some phyiscal and probably some mental things we have to work on and work through, but she is a child just like you and me.  And though it is hard, and I wouldnt want to have the stress of this on anyone, I trust that God would provide us with the child He picked for us if we decided to get pregnant again.  Besides, we already have the experience!  I feel like we could take on anything!!! 

Below is some pictures I took of her holding herself up.  She is 2 and a half months old here.  We thought she was going to be just a shell of a baby, if she even lived.  The doctors said she would not be able to do anything.  And she is trying to scoot herself all over the place.  Such a small thing, I know.  But we were really happy to see her do this!  And although it is going to take more time we truly believe she will be able to do all of the things they said she could not.  She is still eating very well.  Especially for her Dad.  She is way more picky when I give her the bottle.  She even almost latched on to my breast for some recreational sucking, because giving her breastmilk from there and not the bottle would make everyone much more happy.  It seems like God is giving us good news every time we take a test or meet with a doctor.  He is the only one with all of the final answers for who she is going to be.  We are going to let Him work it out and just love on our little family.