Thursday, March 21, 2013

Same old question . . .


In 2011 I posted a blog about the #1 Question that Chris and I have been asked over the past few years.
Can you guess what it was? 
"So, when are y’all going to have kids?"
And in 2011 my answer was, “For those of you that have known me for any amount of time know that I LOVE kids and I am very much looking forward to the day that I will be a mom, but for now, I'm good!”

 Well, that was 2011 and if y’all haven’t notice it's already 2013 . . . . So with that being said here is our newest challenge
 *I am sharing our story because I want others to know they are not alone as well as to ask for your prayers.
– Thank you so much to those of you that have already been praying, it means so much to us! 


I have always wanted to be a mom more than anything else I have done or will do in my life and in April 2012 Chris and I decided it was about to time start a family.

*April – nothing, May – nothing, June – nothing, July – nothing . . . .  

After 4 months of trying I began to deal with different medical issues (which I later found out where symptoms of PCOS) and I had a feeling something wasn’t right. So I made an appointment in July to see what might be going on and it was then that I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome a.k.a. PCOS. The picture below gives a pretty good explanation of PCOS.
 When I got the news I was surprisingly okay. I know a few women who also have PCOS and they all have children with the help of some pretty simple pills so I wasn’t discouraged and my doctor seemed to think that if I started taking Metformin (commonly given to people who have diabetes but apparently can help in situations like this) that it would help to regulate my hormones and in turn I would begin to ovulate and have a baby soon.  I was told that it would take my body about 3 months to adjust to the meds and they were not lying! I’ll spare you the list of side effects but if you’re interested just click on the link above. 
I’ll just sum that up by saying HoLy CrAp August, September, and October were NOT so fun! 

*August - nothing, September – nothing

I went back in September for blood work and the doctor said all my levels where looking good and seemed hopeful that I would be getting a big fat positive soon. I left the doctor’s office still hopeful that I would be pregnant soon. 

*So on things went  . . . October – nothing, November – nothing, December – nothing  . . . 

I went back to the doctor in December and he seem to think things were still going okay but that I should try to lose a little weight and that would hopefully increase my chances. 

Well, that’s easier said than done. One of the unfortunate side effects of PCOS is that it pretty much kills your metabolism which makes the whole weight loss thing a little harder than normal. So, with the help of the Metformin, changing my diet and I am going to a boot camp close to home 5 days a week I'm on the right track. (Thank God Heather is doing it with me, I don’t think I would go if I had to go alone!)

Up to this point I was still optimistic for the most part, I had definitely had my moments of ups and downs emotionally but it wasn’t too bad but at the beginning of this year is when I think everything really hit me, the frustration and doubt had begun to set in.
All those questions that you think would have hit me on the day I got the news flooded in  . . . what is going to happen, how am I going to handling this, why would God do this to me, He knows my heart and my desire to be a mom.

*January – nothing, February – nothing, March – nothing yet 

Over the past few months I have had many break down which are caused by anything from holding a baby to a simple/innocent comment about us having a baby to reading this sign in the book store last week have caused me to lose it. 

 
Poor Chris has been a real trooper, he has seen me go from being totally fine to uncontrollable crying within seconds and through it all he has remained strong. I am so thankful for him. 

So this is where we are today.  I will be going back to the doctor in April to see what he thinks we should do next so for now we wait! And let me just tell ya, I have truly begun to hate waiting! 

“Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.” 
- 1 Peter 5:7(NLT)

Friday, February 22, 2013

Love is an Anchor

As a Valentines gift to each other Chris and I both got new tattoos! 
They are small but VERY significant!

We both have been wanting to get a tattoo on our ring finger but did not want to do a solid band. So, after thinking it over we both decided to get an anchor. This is our permanent reminder of our commitment and love to each other "till death do us part".

Hebrews 6:19

Friday, February 1, 2013

A little Pink and Blue

Wow, I am constantly surrounded by babies and I LOVE IT!!!!
 
I want to start out by introducing my newest niece . . .
 
Jillie Hope Jacklynn Rake
Born Jan 22nd at 4:34pm
7 lbs. 10 oz. 20 in
She is Beautiful and I LOVE her and her mom SO much!



and now for my newest nephew . . . .
 
Nolan Robert Keller
Born Feb 1st at 4:12pm
7lbs 2.5oz 19ins

 Here is Levi seeing Nolan for the first time. He wasn't sure at first but once he realized what was going on he REALLY wanted to go into the nursery to see/hold him.

Nolan was born 3 weeks early because he was breech and Anna had already begun to dilate.
Nolan's little lungs need to get a little stronger so he will be in the NICU for hopefully no more than a day or two!



He is SO handsome and I pretty sure this sweet baby has a dimple in his chin just like his Aunt Bethie! ;)
 
This brings our totals to 5 Nephews and 6 Nieces!
My heart is soooo full!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

 
I hope you all had a wonderful day!
 
 
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Monday, December 17, 2012

20 WhAt?!?!?

I turned 26 last week and as I have gotten older my birthday has slowly turned into not just a one day thing, but a week long celebration. Nothing big or crazy, it's not like I'm expecting Chris to have a gift for me each day of the week or anything, I just like getting together with my friends and family and since most of the time they can't all get together on the same day it just turns into a Birthday Week. :)

Last week was a pretty great week!
Before the week started I treated myself to a mani and pedi.
My actual birthday fell on a Monday and it started off with a birthday sticker from the principle, which I wore proudly all day and got lots of hugs and birthday wished from all the kiddos. My awesome team at work got me a Starbucks gift card and we had a little party at work during lunch!

Monday evening my parents, grandpa, sister, nephew, and Chris' grandparents came over. 
My mom brought my all time favorite meal, ChIcKeN and DuMpLiNs which she makes for me each year on my birthday and Chris' grandma made me a Neapolitan birthday cake, Yumm!

My nephew Levi wore this shirt just for me! I love his tough guy face in this picture! 
I couldn't get him to smile.

Tuesday evening Chris and I went out to dinner with some friends of ours, Chris and Heather! We had my other favorite, Mexican, and for dessert they treated us to Cold Stone Creamery Birthday Cake Ice Cream!!

Wednesday and Thursday were normal days but I ended the week strong . . .

Friday night we had a Pizza/Game night at our house with Anna and Mason (sis & brother-in-law) and Heather and Bret (our best friends). We played Family Feud (girls against guys) for hours and I'm pretty sure we were all laughing most of the time!

It was a pretty awesome week and
I am thankful to everyone who made it special for me!

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Photoshoot

Chris and I got a chance to get some new pictures taken a few weeks ago so I thought I would share them with yall!
Special thank to Amy Horton for taking these for us!!!

 
 She always tries to make us do serious faces and I'm sure the pictures would be so cute if we were but we just can't do it!


 It took EVERYTHING in me not to crack up here!


Yes, it was George's birthday the day we took the pictures :)


The wind was CRAZZZY & again, we can't be serious!


  LOVE these last 2!!


Thank again to Amy . . . We Love her!!

Monday, December 3, 2012

I have the best dog ever . . .

and yesterday was his birthday! 

Thanks to Amy Horton Photography for the picture! :)