"You Know What Causes That, Doncha?"

Yes. And we like it.

This was my wife's response to the all-too-common and always discourteous question while we were pregnant with our youngest child.

We have three children at home. When our youngest came along, we were told by various people that it was time to stop. Seriously. They said, "stop."

I have a couple of questions of my own. How about answering the following?

1. What sense of entitlement makes you believe it is justifiable to mockingly question the blessing God has chosen to grant us?
2. What fallacy have you bought into that has convinced you that it is somehow abnormal or unacceptable to have more than one, two, or three children--or however many children God chooses to bestow upon us, for that matter?

When did it become a popular pastime for people to critique the size of another family? We have three children at home. Three! But even if we had thirteen, what would it possibly matter to you? Our kids are well-known to be extremely polite, intelligent, and courteous. They are home-schooled. Therefore, even though we are forced to pay taxes into a failed educational system, we don't partake in it...so we actually contribute more than we use. Our children are on track to graduate with a higher level of education than the average student, thereby having the potential to be a more productive member of society than average. We don't ask anyone to babysit our kids, so they're hardly a burden to anyone. They live in a healthy two-parent home where they enjoy strong, loving relationships with both their Mom and Dad. They are happy, imaginative, healthy, sociable, and well-adjusted. So, why should you do anything but celebrate the fact that God chose to entrust us with a third.

I have friends who have nine children. They are a very happy, healthy, morally grounded family who are a blessing to all who know them. Their children, mostly young adults now, are amazing individuals who work hard, bless others, and will raise children who will follow their wonderful examples. Our society needs more families like this, not fewer.

Do people think they're being funny? Maybe in their own mind. Does it take unusual wit to spout the same question as every other busybody in the world? Or, perhaps the scoffer simply has an unhealthy fascination with a healthy marriage between two people who love one another and enjoy intimate physical time with one another. I guess healthy relationships are somewhat of an oddity in some people's views. 

So, to answer your question: Yes, we know what caused the birth of our child. We know the physiological processes, the relational components, and the part our Creator played in this miracle. And we are grateful for every aspect. 

In any event, you don't raise anyone's opinion of your wit or character by criticizing the blessing God has chosen to pour out on us. You come across as petty, immature, and a little creepy.