Debbie Downer?

After read this I thought, "Dang, I really hope that's not me!"

I was thinking about the last few blogs I've posted and they are all, in a way, sad/negative and even though I think I kinda have the right to be a little upset a times over-all I am blessed and have a LOT to be thankful for! After all the title of my blog is Life is Good!

So here are some things that make my life truly good . . .

1. God - His unfailing love, acceptance, and forgiveness!

2. Chris - He is so strong and has such a loving heart. I could NOT have asked for a better husband! He has seen me at my best and at my very worse and yet still loves me unconditionally.

I am one lucky girl!

3. George - I know he's "just" a dog but he's my baby :)

*this is the most recent pic I have of Chris and George so I had to use it.

George's birthday was in Dec.

3. My Friends and Family - I don't want to start listing them because I know the list would go on forever and I would inevitable leave someone out, so you guys know who you are.

I am surrounded by an amazing group of friends & family that I can come to with ANYTHING and they are always there to love and support me!

4. Collin Creek Church - My home away from home. I have been going to this church for over 15 years now and I am thankful for the people there that have helped me grow in Christ.

There are many things in this life that I want and don't yet have but I already have more than I'll ever need, so Life is Good!

Happy Mother's Day

I hope all the Mama's out there had a wonderful day yesterday!

Special shout out goes to my beautiful mother!

She is beautiful inside and out!

My mom is an amazing women of God and a great example for my sister and I of how a mom and wife should be as well as what my little brother should be looking for in his future wife!

My dad is a lucky guy! ;)

Yesterday morning before church I got this text from one of my best friends . . .

Even though it made me cry, surprisingly they were not sad tears they were hopeful tears because I know she is right! Even before Chris and I were trying to conceive she knew my heart and my desire to be a mom and she has always said, "God already has your baby picked out we just haven't met him/her yet!" and that has always brought me comfort!

Thanks, Amy!

Later that evening I found this video that I thought was pretty cool . . .

Happy Mother's Day to all the women out there

whether you are holding your baby in your arms, womb, or heart!

"If You want Me To"

Overall I'm not a negative person and I usually try to find the positive in every situation but as each month passes it seems to get harder and harder to find the positive when I see another negative pregnancy test. 

This time around was no exception, and even with all the love and support I received from my family, friends and especially Chris I was definitely in need of some encouragement. This past Sunday morning, after Chris left for work (at 4:45am), I couldn't fall back asleep and as I was laying there an old song popped into my head. I began to sing through the words in my mind and almost immediately began to cry (AgAiN!). The words were exactly what I needed ...

If You want Me To

Ginny Owens

The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear

And I don't know the reasons why you brought me here.

But just because you love me the way that You do

I'm gonna walk through the valley if you want me to.

Cause I'm not who I was when I took my first step

And I'm clinging to the promise You’re not through with me yet.

So if all of these trials that bring me closer to You

Then I will go through the fire if you want me to.

It may not be the way I would've chosen

When you lead me through a world that's not my home

But you never said it would be easy

You only said I'd never go alone.

So when the whole world turns against me

And I'm all by myself

And I can't hear you answer my cries for help

I'll remember the suffering that your love put you through

And I will go through the valley if you want me to.

No, the pain and heartache did not and has not magically gone away but the words of the song and the verse below (that came to mind later that day) did make it a little easier to deal with!


Here is the song, if you would like to check it out!

Quick Update

Here is the update to my previous post, as promised . . .

I had a doctor's appointment this week and I sat down and talked with my doctor about what our next steps should be!
So here is what we have decided, for now. . .

* I will continue to take Metformin and focus on getting back into back into shape. My diet will be mostly protein, veggies and fruit (little-to-no carbs or sugar) and LOTS of exercise.
* I will be going back to the doctor in September (unless I'm pregnant before then, FiNgErS CrOsSeD) and at that time I will most likely be switching to Clomid (an ovulation stimulant).

Thank you so much for all those who have been praying for us and for all the words of encouragement, Chris and I GREATLY appreciate it!

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart!" - Psalm 37:4

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)

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

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!