Nothing new

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

This week has actually been moving a long more quickly than I originally thought it would. Today was the last day of school with the students, and tomorrow is the last day for teachers. Thank goodness it's only a half day!

I've been praying for patience and peace this week. I actually feel okay. I've not been ansy or worried about what will or won't happen. The only thing I'm sure of and want to be sure of is that God is in CONTROL! If this procedure doesn't work, although it will be very hard to accept, I know that it wasn't His will.

I have really been struggling with the issues that are going on with Jon & Kate Gosselin from the T.V. show Jon & Kate Plus 8. I recently read the book, Multiple Blessings, and was so inspired by everything they had endured. Kate gave so much praise to God in her book. It's just like they've turned their back on where they came from. God has blessed them with so much, and they've turned to material possessions and have forgotten what God's done for them. I've really been praying for all of them. I don't know why I have such a strong feeling to pray for them, but the whole family has been on my heart.

I hope everyone has a good week.

Well today was the big day. I had the IUI done this morning around 10:45. It was NOT fun, but it will be worth it if we end up with our baby. Right now everything just kind of comes to a hault and we wait. I have a blood test next week to make sure I actually did ovulate and that I have enough progesterone to support a pregnancy. Other than that, we just kick back and wait 2 weeks to find out if all of this worked.

I don't think I posted this, but Thursday when I went to my appointment everything looked great. I had 3 mature follicles measuring around 22 mm. each. My nurse said I should be excited that everything looked so good. That made me feel good. She said the goal is to get 2-3 mature follicles. The odds are higher that at least one will release.

I don't have much more to write about. Please continue to pray that God will bless Ryan and I this month.

Sorry! I'm a little late on posting. Yesterday I went in for another scan and some more blood work. The nurse I had yesterday was so sweet. She's my favorite and she always makes such an uncomfortable situation seem better. That's another reason I travel all the way to Carmel for my appointments. I love the staff and the doctors there. Anyway, she did the scan and there are THREE almost mature follicles! The nurse showed them to me and then measured them. Two of them are close to 18 mm. and the other is around 16-17ish. Soooo....after my bloodwork came in, they called me and told me that everything looked really good and although we were progressing I needed to take 2 more days of my shots and then come back in on Thursday. I was worried I was going to have to buy more medicine because I didn't have enough left. God provided again! The nurse gave me some sample meds that she had. This time they actually were samples. That was such a blessing as a vial of the medicine is around $350.00.

So, I go back tomorrow for hopefully only one more scan and bloodwork check. My doctor thinks we'll do the IUI on Saturday which works out great because Ryan won't have to take the day off of work.

Please keep us in your prayers. Please pray that at least one of these little eggs will be fertilized and then will implant. Also please pray for Ryan and I to be calm and have peace no matter what happens. I'll keep you all posted.

God is good!

Dr. Apt.

Today I had my second doctor's appointment before the IUI. It went well. They upped my dosage on the shots a little, but hopefully I will only have to take them for 2 more days! They did an ultrasound today, and it looks like everything is progressing okay. Thankfully there aren't like 5 dominant eggs! That would be bad! There was only one, with a second one just a little smaller. We'll see how many there will be next time. The nurse seemed to think I wouldn't have any more than two. That doesn't necessarily mean that they any of the will be fertilized, or that they will both DEFINITELY be fertilized, it just means that they are there, hanging out :)

My next appointment is Tuesday. I go in for some more blood work and then another ultrasound. The doctor expects my IUI to probably be on Thursday. It will all depend on how everything looks Tuesday. I am going to have to miss 2 days of work this week ( which is not good timing because it's the last FULL week of school.) Everyone at work is really supportive, though. That's a blessing that definitely helps!

I'll post again Tuesday night after the appointment. I am so thankful that today went well. I am praying that the next week goes as planned and everything falls into place.

" The Lord your God will go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you."


Deuteronomy 31:6





As the day of our doctor's appointment approaches, my worry has started to creep in. I am so worried that something will go wrong. I'm afraid that something will delay this cycle, and we'll be back where we've been for so long. I know and understand fully that this procedure is not a guarantee. I just know it's a big step that I never imagined I would have to go through. This journey has been one that has changed who I am and how I see everything. I am so comforted that God will NOT fail or forsake me. He knows the desire of our hearts and He is working in our lives. His answer may not be how or when I want, but I know that He's been there all along, holding my hand as I go through this. I know He'll be with us when we go through this procedure next week.

We are praying for peace and guidance. Peace to calm my fears and worries about this procedure and that God would direct the doctor's and nurse's hands and minds. Please continue to pray with us.

It's been a pretty quiet week. We are getting ready to have a deck built off of our sunroom. Ryan and my father-in-law have been working to make it look presentable before we have the deck built. We need so much dirt in our back yard. It looks terrible right now! Maybe eventually it will get to where it needs to be.

We had a cook-out on Mother's Day. Both of our families came and visited. We had a really good time spending time with everyone. I'd like to do it more often. It always seems like we NEVER have much time to plan things at our house. I am going to make a conscience effort this summer to be more of the hostess that everyone knows I love to be. :)

I started my shots on Monday. They aren't too bad. Actually I gave myself the shot both yesterday and today. I was so proud. It was definitely traumatic the first time, but today wasn't bad at all. I'll be a pro at this before I know it, but I hope after this cycle I never have to do it again.

We go back to see my doctor on Sunday for a check. Please keep us in your prayers. Please pray that this procedure works and that when we go on Sunday things are progressing like they should be. I know God's hands are on this, and I am trusting in Him fully!

We went and saw my doctor on Thursday. We are doing an interauterine insemination this cycle. I start injectable meds on Monday and then we go from there. The insemination will probably take place at the end of this month.

Of course it's no IDEAL situation, but both Ryan and I have come to peace with it. Things have just sort of worked out and I really feel like it's okay. For instance, when we went to the doctor's office,we knew we would have to pay around $1000.00 just for the meds. Of course, no one ever plans to have to spend that kind of money on medicine. Anyway, when I talked to the nurse on Wednesday, she told me that she had some "sample" medication. Well, when we had our appointment I asked about the "sample" meds. She then brought out to me 3/4 of the amount of medicine we were going to have to order for FREE! It saved us at least $600.00. God definitely took care of that.

Anway, if you read this, please continue to keep us in your prayers. I'm not quite sure what God's plan is, but I am definitely excited to be a part of His will.

Bad news today. I have to go back to the specialist tomorrow. We are going to go ahead and proceed with the injectable medications. When I talked to the nurse she told me that my doctor would probably want to do an Inteuterine Insemination. I really wasn't prepared for that, but the more I think about it, the more I understand why.

Doing the IUI will increase our chances this cycle. A cycle with injectable medications is very costly, and because my insurance doesn't cover ANY infertility cost, it's a big chunk of extra money to come up with every month. We decided to go ahead and do the treatments this month, but if they don't work out, we are going to take some time off from all treatments. I don't know how long that will be. We'll decide when we get there. Hopefully this month's treatment does the job and we get a blessing.

Today at work was really hard. After the reality of the situation struck me, I was so weepy all day. I spent most of my lunch time crying. I HATE that I let this affect me so much each cycle. Each time I think I am prepared, and when I have to make that phone call, I lose it. I didn't cry in front of my students, but I think they knew something was up. They were all so good and tried so hard today. They really are awesome kids!

I am trying to look forward to the weekend. We are having our families over for a cook-out Mother's Day afternoon. We love spending time with our families, so I think it will be a nice day to just hang out and not worry.

Whewwwww.......

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. "Isaiah 40:31

It's me again. What a crazy couple of days! Is it only Monday?? Work is starting to get the best of me; this time of year is always so busy and it's so hard to get my students motivated to do anything. I am very overwhelmed,tired and stressed. I tend to get so negative when I get stressed out. I hate that I am like this, and I am working on it, but I start to get angry at everything and always think I have a better way. I KNOW I don't have a better way, but my "Type A" personality kicks in and I think me being in control of EVERY situation is the only way. I am working on this. Admitting I have a problem is the first step, right?? :)

Today the verse I have at the top of this blog has been in my head. What a blessing to know that when we wait on the Lord that He will renew our strength. What a blessing to know that He is always there holding us up when we can no longer do it. I've definitely been leaning on Him and trying to throw my stress and problems away for the JOY OF THE LORD!!

Please pray for me this week. If we don't get a positive pregnancy test this week, I have to go back to my doctor for some bloodwork and to start the injectable medicines. I am praying for a miracle, as Ryan and I did not do any treatments this month. I know God can heal me and I would love to get pregnant without fertility meds, but I'm willing to do whatever His will is. Also please pray for me for acceptance if we do have to start more aggressive treatments. Last month was hard for me to accept.

I hope all that read this have a great week. May you find your strength in our GREAT God!!!

Kristina

I love my boys!

I am SO ready for this rain to stop. I am so sick of getting wet every time I walk into work. April is over...so stop bringing the showers!!! I am so ready for our summer break; I'm not sure I can wait 3 more weeks. The summer is always fun. I have so much to get done this summer, but I still plan on having some fun. I get to keep my nephews one day a week and we always try to do fun things. Last year we went to the zoo, swam, movies, and lots of other fun things. This year they've already been planning out what we're going to do.

I am so lucky to have such a close family on both sides. Ryan and I are so fortunate to have 2 wonderful nephews that we love with all of our hearts. I don't think their mommy and daddy know how much it means to us to be able to keep them and do fun things with them.

Remington is growing up so fast. I can't believe he will be in 5th grade next year! Time flies. He is really athletic and is natually good at almost any sport he tries. Ryker is our sweetie. He's such a sensitive thing and always makes sure he gives you lots of affection. If he hasn't seen you in a while he always runs up to you with a big hug. We love them dearly and are so glad that our family has such a close-knit connection.