By Alison McFerrin

The Selma Times-Journal

BIRMINGHAM — It won’t be long before Plantersville’s population grows by six — of course, each new resident weighs no more than two pounds.

Mitchell and Heather Carroll became the parents of sextuplets Saturday morning at Brookwood Medical Center in Birmingham. This is in addition to their 22-month-old, Grant.

“He went through and touched all the warmers, and said ‘baby’ over every one of them,” Mitchell said.

During a press conference Tuesday, Mitchell’s voice broke as he praised God for the delivery and the heath of the babies – and for every part of the process.

“All of this was made possible by the faithful and loving God that we have,” Mitchell said.

The Carrolls are members of the Maplesville Baptist Church, and Heather said all of the surrounding churches have been a great help.

“We’ve had a lot of area churches come on and add to our house,” Heather said. Their Plantersville home now boasts two additional bedrooms, a playroom and a utility room. But Mitchell said it might still not be big enough to house seven kids, down the road. “A 40-acre field is not that big,” he added jokingly.

While the area churches have been a huge help, the Carrolls said their family has also been with them every step of the way.

“Getting my hands on those babies and rocking them and loving them and spoiling them,” was what grandmother Kim Mims said she was looking forward to the most. “That’s my job. That’s it.”

The Carrolls said it’s been difficult to prepare for six babies.

“It’s been going on since January,” Mitchell said. “It’s getting there.”

Their OBGYN, Dr. Bill McKenzie, said he thinks living in Plantersville will be an asset to them when it comes to taking care of so many children. A Selma native, McKenzie spoke highly of the area.

“They’ll have a better sense of community and support in Plantersville than they would have had if they had plopped down in the middle of Mountain Brook,” McKenzie said. “It’s been really fun taking care of a couple from Dallas County.”

McKenzie’s thoughts are already proving true. One local place trying to help out is the Raceway on Highland Avenue, which has been doing a diaper and wipe drive. Heather said car seats and baby beds have also been donated.

Heather and Mitchell said they’re not thinking about the future too much at this point — they haven’t even been given a hospital discharge date — but Heather does know her biggest goal for the babies’ futures.

“I just hope that they grow up with a love for the Lord and always trust in Him,” Heather said.