Life that is...
Hard to believe it's been over a year since I've posted! The days run in together and it all passes so quickly. Creation, loss, laughing, sobbing, quiet moments, adventures, births and funerals; all the moments that make up our existence and often we can't recall one from the next.
There are so many ways that I want to make this life different from what it is currently. How long do I continue to say that where I am now is part of God's plan for me before I realize that perhaps I'm being complacent and He wants me to change my path? Like a caterpillar changes into a butterfly, I wonder if this the Spring where I will break out of my safe and secure cocoon and become the person that my soul longs to be. I can feel the real me inside stretching and longing to get out. What is it going to take before I make it happen?
Borrowed from In Color Order
Today I love the...
Smell of: Clean air
Sound of: My snoring husband
Taste of: Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Sight of: New blogs
Feel of: Jammies
Good Things about Today:
~Cleaned off two shelves for Dee on my bookshelf
~Made dinner plans for tomorrow night with my buddy Lyndsay
~Posted some pictures to Facebook
~Catching up on some shows {Modern Family and Cupcake Wars}
~A lazy Spring Break day!
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Sunday, January 16, 2011
i and love and you
I know I've been a neglectful blogger as of late, though that is often the way for me. I'm going to try VERY hard this year to at least post once a week...more if the urge strikes, but I hate feeling obligation rather than enjoyment from it.
So, to ease into a new year, I thought I would share a top 10 list of things I am loving as of late; kind of a fun way to update everyone on things going on in my little corner of planet Earth.
1-This blanket in Sage, which was a Christmas present. It is, quite possibly, the softest thing I have EVER felt! I'm actually going to forgo the top sheet on our bed and use this in it's place because it's so nice to snuggle down under.
2-These books, which have been making the rounds among my group of friends. I've read the first three so far and I actually think they get better with each new one!
3-These girls: The Chapter Chicks Book Club is a small group on Facebook of some of my dearest friends who all are proud to call themselves bookworms. We have had the best time over the past week, just talking about books (from our favorites to flops), getting to know each other better and finding a respite amidst the sometimes chaotic days in our lives. I'm so excited to come home to new updates and anxious to see where that day's conversations will lead. Oh, and to find out about new books to add to my list of "Must Reads" of course...
4-This show, even though we just started watching it on Netflix last night. Dee and I both love that period of history; granted, the show isn't always historically accurate but the costumes, characters and scenery are all beautiful to look at and the storyline is filled with drama. I can't wait to get to the next episode!!! Wait, what? No, no...he has NOTHING to do with why I watch!!!
5-This scarf that I've had for several years and have just started wearing as of late. I got it at Northshire Bookstore in Manchester Center, Vermont, which I have to say is my favorite bookstore EVER. Such a cozy place with a phenomenal children's section and fabulous nooks and crannies hiding all sorts of books, unique merchandise and music. Seriously, you HAVE to click on the link and watch the video or preview the pictures. It's a little piece of Heaven here on Earth...
6-These blogs: I've been going through and sorting out some blogs that don't hold my interest so much anymore. I want to be sure that I can follow the ones I truly love; the ones that help enhance my life, through inspiration and joy. So, after cutting my list almost in half, here are my top few: Soule Mama, Enjoying the Small Things, Offbeat Mama, Walk Slowly, Live Wildly, Quite Contrary and Boho Girl. These are the ones I make sure to read on a regular basis...the ones that bring a smile to my face and a song to my soul.
7-This man:
Look how cute he is in his dress shirt, after working two full time jobs this week, yet still willing to pose with his new book! <3 Just in case you're wondering, which you might be if you're a Jedi geek like my sweet hubby, here is the book he saved up his gift certificates for...this isn't him in the video, but he would be just as excited to show it to you!
8-These yummies: Bear Creek Creamy Potato soup (I add real bacon bits and cheddar cheese...heavenly!) and McDonald's Hazelnut Iced Coffee with extra syrup...fabulous!!!
9-This necklace and the idea of a word of the year...I haven't decided on my word yet, but I'm pondering it. I'm also praying 2011 will be the year I can get one from The Vintage Pearl that says exactly this...
10-This song: Granted, it isn't a new Avett Brothers song, but it is one of my favorites and seems the perfect one to round out my top 10 list...
So, what's topping YOUR list so far this year? Or perhaps you've already pondered and decided on your "Word of the Year" for 2011. I hope you'll take a minute to share in the comments section!!!
So, to ease into a new year, I thought I would share a top 10 list of things I am loving as of late; kind of a fun way to update everyone on things going on in my little corner of planet Earth.
1-This blanket in Sage, which was a Christmas present. It is, quite possibly, the softest thing I have EVER felt! I'm actually going to forgo the top sheet on our bed and use this in it's place because it's so nice to snuggle down under.
2-These books, which have been making the rounds among my group of friends. I've read the first three so far and I actually think they get better with each new one!
3-These girls: The Chapter Chicks Book Club is a small group on Facebook of some of my dearest friends who all are proud to call themselves bookworms. We have had the best time over the past week, just talking about books (from our favorites to flops), getting to know each other better and finding a respite amidst the sometimes chaotic days in our lives. I'm so excited to come home to new updates and anxious to see where that day's conversations will lead. Oh, and to find out about new books to add to my list of "Must Reads" of course...
4-This show, even though we just started watching it on Netflix last night. Dee and I both love that period of history; granted, the show isn't always historically accurate but the costumes, characters and scenery are all beautiful to look at and the storyline is filled with drama. I can't wait to get to the next episode!!! Wait, what? No, no...he has NOTHING to do with why I watch!!!
Well, okay...maybe just a little bit... ;-)
7-This man:
Look how cute he is in his dress shirt, after working two full time jobs this week, yet still willing to pose with his new book! <3 Just in case you're wondering, which you might be if you're a Jedi geek like my sweet hubby, here is the book he saved up his gift certificates for...this isn't him in the video, but he would be just as excited to show it to you!
8-These yummies: Bear Creek Creamy Potato soup (I add real bacon bits and cheddar cheese...heavenly!) and McDonald's Hazelnut Iced Coffee with extra syrup...fabulous!!!
9-This necklace and the idea of a word of the year...I haven't decided on my word yet, but I'm pondering it. I'm also praying 2011 will be the year I can get one from The Vintage Pearl that says exactly this...
10-This song: Granted, it isn't a new Avett Brothers song, but it is one of my favorites and seems the perfect one to round out my top 10 list...
So, what's topping YOUR list so far this year? Or perhaps you've already pondered and decided on your "Word of the Year" for 2011. I hope you'll take a minute to share in the comments section!!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
walk this way
Today, in an effort to work on getting healthier before we start our treatments, I took a little walk.
I was worried about losing motivation once I got home and sat down, so after a few minutes of chatting with Dee I headed out the door, still in my work clothes!
It was beautiful out today; my weather app. said it was 90 but it certainly didn't feel that hot. There was a nice breeze and the sky was a beautiful blue.
What really helped pass the time was listening to my iPod and I actually enjoyed looking for new things to come back later and take pictures of.
So, day one of "Walk around the Block" down and tomorrow is a new day! Wish me luck!!! Hopefully I'll stay motivated enough to walk this way everyday!
Perhaps you would like to leave a comment in that lonely little section down there and tell me what motivates you!!! I'd love to hear your tips!
I was worried about losing motivation once I got home and sat down, so after a few minutes of chatting with Dee I headed out the door, still in my work clothes!
It was beautiful out today; my weather app. said it was 90 but it certainly didn't feel that hot. There was a nice breeze and the sky was a beautiful blue.
What really helped pass the time was listening to my iPod and I actually enjoyed looking for new things to come back later and take pictures of.
The only bad part of my time was that my earbuds kept falling out! I could never wear the ones that came with my iPod Touch because they just wouldn't fit in my ears. So, we bought these cute PINK ones. Guess what...smallest size cover and they are STILL too big! {hmmph} Of all the parts of my body that could be small, I get blessed with small EAR HOLES! Maybe that's a good reason to give Dee when he says I don't listen! :-)
So, day one of "Walk around the Block" down and tomorrow is a new day! Wish me luck!!! Hopefully I'll stay motivated enough to walk this way everyday!
Perhaps you would like to leave a comment in that lonely little section down there and tell me what motivates you!!! I'd love to hear your tips!
Monday, September 6, 2010
let go
Now, let me start out by saying that there is a {strong} possibility that this post will be winding, meander a bit, probably get off track and will definitely be emotional, but please bear with me...that's just the kind of girl I am.
Some of you have been following our {in}fertility journey closely but others of you may be new to our story, so let me recap just a little bit...
In the summer of 2004 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome {PCOS}, which you can learn more about here and find support for here. This is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age and a leading cause of infertility in women. Studies also show that it is genetic; my mother and sister both have it. In addition, my {step}sister Cora has been diagnosed with it, but more on that later!
November 2008: Dee and I had been trying for almost a year to have a baby without success. My OB/GYN had suggested that summer that we talk to a Reproductive Endocrinologist {RE} and scheduled an appointment for us. After meeting with the RE in November I was scheduled to take Provera {to bring on my cycle}and then Clomid {to increase my chances of ovulating}. Just an aside, Clomid is the same medicine that Kate {of John and Kate Plus 8 fame} took, so potentially powerful stuff!
We decided to wait until after our holiday trip home to NY before we started our treatments. Unfortunately, this cycle was a bust for us due to previous gall bladder issues I had which were dormant for about a year. It seems the stress of the treatments or perhaps the Clomid aggravated the issues.
From the time that we stopped our treatments till now I have had my gall bladder out {May 2009} and we have struggled with continued increases in insurance {which doesn't cover ANY fertility treatments regardless} and many of the same financial issues that other families are facing now. We have looked into the possibility of adoption as well as fostering during this time too.
So, that takes us up to this past Friday {September 3}...
I celebrated my 34th birthday at the end of August and feel like my time and chances are running out. Dee and I go back and forth about all of this: It's a struggle because I know that things are very tight and that a child can be expensive, but I tell him all the time that I don't want to get to the end of my life and regret that I never got to be a mom. I try to keep one foot in his realistic world and the other in mine.
Sometimes I get so fixated on bringing a child with Dee's beautiful eyes, curly hair and awesome computer skills combined with my Hobbit feet, musical prowess and love of reading into God's great universe that I can't take one more conversation about how unrealistic it might be right now...
I know that this is a struggle for Dee too; I know that even in his straight forward thinking mind, filled with talk of bills and thoughts of affording diapers, food and clothes for a baby that he wants to be a Daddy again.
Where were we? Oh yes, this past Friday...
So it was back to our wonderful RE {Dr. Kenneth Steingold, who you can find out more about here. He practices at The Fertility Institute of Virginia and I highly recommend their services if you are in the Richmond area}.
After a long conversation with him {because you know I'm a talker} here is our plan:
Some of you have been following our {in}fertility journey closely but others of you may be new to our story, so let me recap just a little bit...
In the summer of 2004 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome {PCOS}, which you can learn more about here and find support for here. This is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age and a leading cause of infertility in women. Studies also show that it is genetic; my mother and sister both have it. In addition, my {step}sister Cora has been diagnosed with it, but more on that later!
November 2008: Dee and I had been trying for almost a year to have a baby without success. My OB/GYN had suggested that summer that we talk to a Reproductive Endocrinologist {RE} and scheduled an appointment for us. After meeting with the RE in November I was scheduled to take Provera {to bring on my cycle}and then Clomid {to increase my chances of ovulating}. Just an aside, Clomid is the same medicine that Kate {of John and Kate Plus 8 fame} took, so potentially powerful stuff!
We decided to wait until after our holiday trip home to NY before we started our treatments. Unfortunately, this cycle was a bust for us due to previous gall bladder issues I had which were dormant for about a year. It seems the stress of the treatments or perhaps the Clomid aggravated the issues.
From the time that we stopped our treatments till now I have had my gall bladder out {May 2009} and we have struggled with continued increases in insurance {which doesn't cover ANY fertility treatments regardless} and many of the same financial issues that other families are facing now. We have looked into the possibility of adoption as well as fostering during this time too.
So, that takes us up to this past Friday {September 3}...
I celebrated my 34th birthday at the end of August and feel like my time and chances are running out. Dee and I go back and forth about all of this: It's a struggle because I know that things are very tight and that a child can be expensive, but I tell him all the time that I don't want to get to the end of my life and regret that I never got to be a mom. I try to keep one foot in his realistic world and the other in mine.
Sometimes I get so fixated on bringing a child with Dee's beautiful eyes, curly hair and awesome computer skills combined with my Hobbit feet, musical prowess and love of reading into God's great universe that I can't take one more conversation about how unrealistic it might be right now...
I know that this is a struggle for Dee too; I know that even in his straight forward thinking mind, filled with talk of bills and thoughts of affording diapers, food and clothes for a baby that he wants to be a Daddy again.
Where were we? Oh yes, this past Friday...
So it was back to our wonderful RE {Dr. Kenneth Steingold, who you can find out more about here. He practices at The Fertility Institute of Virginia and I highly recommend their services if you are in the Richmond area}.
After a long conversation with him {because you know I'm a talker} here is our plan:
1.} I will increase my Metformin to three times a day.
2.} Dee will have some testing done to make sure his diabetes hasn't caused any issues.
3.} I'll take the Provera again for 10 days to bring on my cycle.
4.} The next step is the Clomid which was VERY difficult to endure last time {some of the classic side effects which I had during our first cycle included: hot flashes, mood swings and nausea...oh my!}.
5. In the event that we do not get pregnant on this cycle then I will have to have blood work done to see if the Clomid is doing it's job and causing me to ovulate.
So, there it is in a nutshell...granted, a very large one!
Right now I'm trying to stay as positive as possible...I try to count my blessings and be grateful for my family and friends as well as my career and the great things in my life, but it's hard...
I feel like this a lot:
Every time I watch that video I feel a gut reaction...I could have written that song, word for word.
I know that God has a plan for us but I pray everyday that His plan brings us a child, no matter how that happens, whether it be ours biologically or by the grace of adoption. These are times that test my faith and I hope that I can move beyond my fear, sadness, guilt and anger to a place where I can let go and let God...
When I watched this video at Women of Faith 2009 and it reached 1:40 I remember all the air rushing out of me and once I recovered, just sobbing...that word, that women...that's me. I pray every day that God will grant us a miracle whether by bringing a baby into our lives or healing my heart so that I can move on...so that I can truly believe that word does not define me...so I can see that I was made to fill a purpose that only I can...so I can see God's amazing plan He had for us all along.
Should you have any extra prayers, positive thoughts or baby dust you'd like to send our way, it would be very much appreciated. I hope you'll continue to follow our journey as we make our way through whatever lies ahead...thank you for being there for us and being our biggest supporters. No matter what happens, God has blessed us with the miracle of you...
Oh, and by the way:
This amazing little man, otherwise known as Nate the Great...
...he belongs to my sister Cora {Remember her from before?}...he is one of God's most beautiful miracles...and he is proof that PCOS doesn't always win! So take THAT PCOS!!! {Karate Chop}
first of autumn
Regardless of the date on the calendar, it is certainly beginning to look and feel a little more like Fall around here and that's good enough for me! I spent part of today putting out my decorations and taking pictures of some of my favorites!
My Old Virginia Candle topper on a Cinnabon candle...yummy!
Sunflower plugin from B&BW; it was a sweet birthday present from my even sweeter friend Riki!
I've had this Boyd's Bear resin for a long time. Love the combination of sunflower and ladybug!
Little rag doll from my Daddy...<3
Various Autumn-ish Yankee tarts in my Longaberger basket; I have Frosted Pumpkin going right now!
My super exciting Vera purchase in Puccini...I got it on clearance for a great price!!!
My FAVORITE wreath!
My Fall and Halloween pins!
I already have quilts on the bed...well, on my side at least! The red/pink one my mother made me many years ago and the other my Aunt Linda made me for my high school graduation. It's so special to fall asleep wrapped in all that love.
Though the outside world is slow to get on my Autumn enthusiasm train there are little signs that the seasons really are changing; of course, being from Upstate NY I know that there is nothing more beautiful than the Adirondacks in the Fall, but I digress...
I can't wait until the signs are everywhere while Mother Nature heralds in my favorite time of year! Do you love Fall as much as I do? If so, what is your favorite way to welcome in this glorious season? Please share in the comments section if you feel so inclined!
Even if Fall isn't your favorite, I hope that you will enjoy a little Autumn related Enya, because really, doesn't she go great with any season?
Happy Fall Ya'll...even if it's just as my house! :)
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