NEW YORK, May 9 (UPI) -- A Tontitown, Ark., mother of 17 has announced on NBC's "Today Show" that she is pregnant with another child.

Michelle Duggar revealed to her family and "Today" co-host Meredith Vieira during Friday's broadcast that she is expecting her 18th bundle of joy with husband Jim Bob.

"On Monday night she brought one of the (pregnancy) testers in," Jim Bob said during the interview. "I wanted to bring it with me, but she wouldn't let me."

The news came as a surprise to the Duggar children, who range in age from 20 years old to 9 months old.

"I wasn't expecting that," eldest child Joshua said of his mother's announcement. "But it's been nine months (since the birth of the last baby), so yeah."

The Duggars, who follow the Quiverful movement of evangelical Christianity, said their religion teaches that children are God's greatest blessing and a family should welcome each new addition they receive.

"They are such a gift and we're enjoying them so much," Michelle added. "We would love more, and the power of the Lord took our faith to give us another one."

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