Movie Review and more....

Well...today I had some downtime and so after church we rented this movie.  Aaron was busy so I watched it myself.  I had heard so much about it and everyone had said they loved it.  I did too.  It was quirky, it was poignant and kinda silly.  I found myself wondering if our birthmother would be anything like Juno?  You never know.  It amazed me what she did for the adoptive parents.  I really don't want to give it away.  So...if you haven't seen it....do.  But...please know that this movie is probably rated PG-13, but...I would not let my 13 year old watch it, with, or without me.  After the movie I received a phone call from someone who is interested in adoption...she and her husband wanted to know about our agency and our process that we have been through.  God is good!!  I have prayed that through everything we have been through I would be able to minister to someone.  I got to do that today and for that I feel truly blessed.  

Prayers for Rylee

If you could would you please pray for this family?  Jeremy, Heather, Skyler and little Rylee are very important friends of our family.  Just a little background on this family...We have camped together for years, were in youth group together and in the same year both of us lost our Dad's.  Jeremy is the manager at our Starbuck's and loves his job and his family, but...most importantly loves our Lord Jesus.  Heather is such a loving, caring Mom and dotes on both of her little boys.  Skyler is happy and silly and gets excited very easily.  Rylee is so smiling, easygoing and a Mama's boy.  This all started when Heather found a lump on Rylee's back and took him to the Doctor.  They sent him to Children's hospital to have an MRI as they thought he had a tumor growing on his spine.  The bump turned out to be a lipoma (fatty tissue), but...they also found a mass the size of a human fist in Rylee's little tummy.  It was pressing on his kidneys and did not seem to be attached to any organs.  So, Tuesday Rylee underwent surgery to remove his tumor.  They were able to remove all of the tumor **that turned out to be the size of a large grapefruit** but...had to take one of his adrenal glands as it was attached there.  Today they received word that the tumor was cancerous.  Here are some words from Jeremy & Heather posted on their website

www.caringbridge.org  Website name is: ryleetenkley  "Well, today has been filled with ups and downs for Heather and I.  We ended up getting some results on the tumor and it is indeed cancer.  The kind of cancer is neuroblastoma which originated from nerve cells that didn't develop properly.  So, what does this mean?  I don't know.  What I do know is the Rylee will have to endure more testing starting tomorrow to see if it has spread to any other areas of the body.  This includes a bone scan and a test of his bone marrow.  They said considering the age of Rylee and the way the tumor was enclosed they feel they got it all.  But, they want more tests to verify that there is no more cancer anywhere else.  If there is none then he doesn't have to have chemotherapy"   So, please join me in praying for Rylee Dean.  I pray right now that the peace that passes all understanding will be so evident in this family.  I pray for wisdom, not only for Jeremy and Heather but, for the Doctor's as well.  We know the bigger picture...we serve a MIGHTY God that is bigger than cancer.  We praise you for the miracle you are doing in Rylee's life.  AMEN

Silly Monkey!!!

This picture just says it all!!!  Don't you wish you could sit in your toy basket with a HUGE smile on your face???  Kaleb...thanks for making my day!!!  And...Joel and Amy...thanks for making such a cute kid.  He's showing off his shirt I got for him....Silly Monkey!!!

This CRAZY Weather!

I can not believe this. Today is April 18 and it snowed today!!! How crazy is that? I believe our Washington weather brought us a little bit of everything today. I saw it snow, rain, hail & even sunshine. Remember when I posted that spring was here last Friday? Well...I think it's gone. It's currently a mere 40 degrees right now. SHEESH!! I actually said I didn't like snow today...that is so not like me. But, seriously, enough is enough. I suppose it's all because of global warming. Well.....I hope wherever you all may be the weather is better than it is here. I think I'll go back to Lake Chelan...it was a balmy 60 degrees and it wasn't damp there......that is so nice. I was there this week Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday for a work conference and trust me....I would have loved to have sat on my little deck outside my room for much longer. But....we all needed to get back to real life. {Sigh}

Our Journey - Part 2

Let's begin where I left off. After I had the second miscarriage the Doctor ordered a LONG line of blood tests for me. Oh joy. If I remember correctly, by the time I was finished that day, I had given ten vials of blood. Not all of the the tiny, average ones. By this time, I knew the girls at Northwest Regional Lab really well. And...can I just say...they were great. But...I couldn't say the same about my Doctor, which is why we made the decision to switch in January 2007. By word of mouth we chose a wonderful Godly, ARNP who specializes in infertility. She is sympathetic, caring and I absolutely love her. I remembering leaving her office after my first appointment, full of hope and so excited and satisfied. I felt like someone finally understood me. That is the BEST feeling. She right away suspected I had Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, but...wanted to have me tested for Insulin Resistance. More blood work for me. This is the glucose test that all you pregnant women dread having....you get to drink the oh so yummy drink and wait to have your blood drawn. Sweet. I spent my Saturday morning at the lab doing that. My results came back with a **slight** elevation after the second draw. So...it was Metformin for me. This is what diabetics take to regulate their blood sugar. AND...this in addition to Clomid is what helped us to conceive yet again in April 2007. This time I was doing everything right...I was taking a progesterone supplement....taking it easy and we didn't tell anybody. All was seemingly well. We went away for the weekend....I was about 6 weeks along...I woke up that Saturday morning with terrible stomach cramps...my heart sunk. I just knew. That was it. I remember laying on the floor in so much pain...telling Aaron I just could not do this again. I was really done this time. And...so was he. A big thank you to my friend Dena and her husband, Josh. They let us invade their home that weekend and overstay our welcome. We so appreciate them and the way they let us grieve. They took care of us and we are forever grateful. I took a whole week off of work and just stayed home to "get better". It was like reading the final chapter in a book. One that you didn't want to open up again unless you had a big box of kleenex. Through all of this we had so much support from those we love. I found a wonderful website when we first starting TTC. I have been posting there for three years (and I continue to do so to this day) and feel like these women are a huge part of my life. They all know the ups and downs of trying to have a baby and I'm so grateful for each of them. Within the next few weeks we made the decision that would forever change our lives. Adoption....

60 degrees and SUNSHINE!

For so long now it seems we have had January weather in April. GRRRRR! This did not make me very happy. I was so excited to leave work this evening and not have to wear a coat...and I had a short sleeve shirt on today. Did I mention I was wearing flip-flops? I was!! That was for my friend Amy, she would wear them in the snow if she could. Love you Am!! I believe my love of flip-flops may have come from you! And I thank you for that...I truly do! I drove out of the parking lot with my window open. Thinking....spring truly has arrived. The smells of spring met me as I drove home. Fresh cut grass, spring air, but...the one I hate the most....POOP! Sorry, I had to say it. I live in a farm town and let me tell you...the smell can get pretty bad. I don't think I'll ever get used to it. The birds are chirping outside and I'm so ready to wash my filthy, dirty car. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring more sun and we can get that done!!!

Our Journey -- Part 1

Some of you who may not know us very well may not know about our journey through infertility. I just wanted to share that with you, the readers of our blog, our friends and family. I was just thinking how I couldn't believe it had been three whole years since we started this whole TTC (trying to conceive) process. Wow!! It seems like it was just yesterday but, it also seems like it's been ten years not just three. Aaron and I were eager to start a family after we had spent about 1 1/2 years as a married couple. After about a year and many charts (sheesh...don't you just love taking your temperature every morning???), many appointments with my Naturapath, many tears and much prayer we decided to seek help from an OB/GYN. She put me on Clomid, an oral fertility drug that is taken during the first part of your cycle to help with ovulation. OH, I forgot to mention I wasn't ovulating very often on my own. The first month....I ovulated...HOOORAAAYYY, but...Aaron was out of town...not so good for babymaking. The second month we conceived and all was well! I didn't feel too sick, we were excited, I was reading "What to Expect When You're Expecting" we told everyone we could think of. I was so **sure** nothing was going to happen. I arrived to my first OB appointment eager and full of anticipation, without Aaron. They took some blood work, I filled out a lot of paper work and then we started the ultrasound. Imagine my dismay when the Doctor pronounced, "Looks like you're having a miscarriage". What??? She hands me a box of kleenex, I don't cry, I'm in HUGE shock. So many thoughts running through my head, my Mom hadn't had any miscarriages, aren't they hereditary? No. I really need my husband, where is my husband? We have to tell all these people. What do we say? How does one handle this? I collected my thoughts and listened to the Doctor explain that there was a sac, but no heartbeat and we had a few options to induce this miscarriage. Oh great! Just what I wanted to hear. We could wait it out and see what happens on it's own, not so great...I was thinking this was going to happen while I was walking down the street, getting groceries, worshipping at church. Not the best option and certainly not convenient, but...when is a miscarriage? I could use some medication (Misoprostol) that would cause my cervix to soften and start contracting. This would be uncomfortable, but I could do it at home. I would be given pain medication and instructions. Third option was a D&C. Nope, didn't want to do this. I left the office still in shock. My first call was to Aaron, he immediately left work to join me. My next call was to my second Mom, Marj. She works with me and is a longtime family friend. I explained the situation through tears and said I would not be in for the rest of the day. Aaron and I grieved that day. For the baby that would not be born in December 2005. We cried, oh did we cry. We just looked at each other and held each other and prayed. And tried so hard to remember this "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11 We called Aaron's parents and went to my parent's house. They prayed with us. We went home and tried to move on. I cried for at least a week....at home, at work, in the car. My husband was my rock. We prayed some more and I used the medication a week after my appointment. The Doctor had told me there was a chance this wouldn't work. You're kidding me right? This needed to work....more prayer. Late on a friday evening I used the medication. It worked. I started contracting about 20 minutes after I used it. Oh my word, the pain. If this is what labor would be like I would definitely need the epidural....I used the pain medicine and more ibuprofen. Aaron ran from our bedroom to the microwave heating up my rice bag. My dear husband. Oh how I love him. Our baby passed from my body and into Jesus' arms. I recovered and 1 1/2 months later I was pregnant again. I started spotting a week after I took the test. Ectopic pregnancy suspected. Blood draws weekly. Ultrasounds and more Doctor's visits later I was sent to the hospital to await a shot of methotrexate. Actually, two to be exact, right in the 'ol butt. I had a new found respect for my Dad who was going through cancer treatment and needed to get shots like that monthly. Don't look these drugs up on google...they're scary. Trust me. I waited for two hours, I'm not kidding. How exasperating. The only place I could get the medication was at the hospital. Later I found out that wasn't true. I made sure to relay that message to my Doctor's office. I could not believe I was going through this again. I had been trying to call Aaron through all of this...come to find out he was in Sudden Valley and had NO cell service. Figures. I got the shots and waited. They worked. And, our second baby passed from my body and into Jesus' arms the very next day. I was done. So done. I sat in our newly purchased glider rocker (in the newly appointed nursery) and cried....for all we had lost. For our baby that would not be born in our birthday month and possibly share one of our birthdays...for the second Mother's Day that I would still not be a Mother here on earth. Only the peace that passes all understanding got us through. Aaron was so optimistic...things will go better next time..let's keep trying. As I mentioned earlier, my Dad had cancer and later on that month we moved him to a nursing home. My Mom could no longer care for him at home. One day I was visiting him and he looked me straight in the eye and told me we couldn't quit. How could we turn him down? He hadn't given up. His body had been through hell and still he pressed on. When he had nothing left he clung to Jesus. And...so that is what we did. The next couple of months we spent focusing on us and Dad..he was terminal. My Dad passed away in November 2006. Before he passed I was able to give him this very important message, "You're a Grandpa now...take care of my babies for me." And I'm sure he's doing just that.

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is Aaron's birthday!!  My dear, sweet husband...he's 29 (+5!!!) and in his heart not a day past 20, I'm sure.  I just wanted to take the time to let him know how much I love him!!  I can't believe God has blessed me with someone as dear as him.  He is selfless, sweet, understanding, handy (I love that!) and handsome too!!!  The complete package.  I could not ask for anything more.  We have been through some not so good things together, including our almost three years of infertility.  I wanted nothing more than to make him a daddy!  He will be the best....see, he even likes to play Legos with our nephew Bryce!  He is quiet where I'm outspoken and somewhat loud.  He does not worry, when I sometimes do (I know God doesn't want me to, I've been working on that).  He is calm when I can be somewhat high strung. He is my rock and my listening ear.  He is not so talkative, but...when he does have something to say it is so profound.  God has given him the gift of playing guitar and singing....trust, me God knew what He was doing.  He is an incredible wood worker and has built not one, but TWO guitars.  One he plays during worship at church. He makes me laugh...and smile.  He is affectionate and snuggly...mmmmmm....love, love that!! He is hands down the best at grilling on our charcoal grill.  And...he can fix anything!  I love him and I'm so glad God chose him to be my husband.  And I can't wait to make him a Daddy!!!  

I love you Aaron...Happy Birthday 

The Twins!

HOOOORRRAAAYYY!!!  My best friend Jessica is pregnant and expecting twins!!  Well...she was 20 weeks today and had her gender ultrasound.  So...I'm happy to announce that they have twin BOYS on the way.  Big brother Jake is ecstatic over the news....big sister Savannah has not quite accepted it yet.  Sis, you'll be the ONLY girl.....and you can do all the girly stuff with Mom while the boys hang out with Dad. And...start praying that Aaron and April get a little girl!!!  Jess is due on August 20 and we can't wait to see those little guys! 

TAGGED!...My 6 word Memoir

Ok...so this is new to me this whole tagging thing...I'll give it a shot.  My friend Andrea tagged me to write a 6 word memoir.  Here we go:

Aaron

Faith

Family

Laughter

Chocolate

Adoption

It's harder than you think to write 6 words about yourself, so...I tried to think of 6 words that if I was gone, people might remember about me.  With that said I'm going to tag 5 people (as per Andrea's instructions)to write their own memoir.

Dena, Stacy, Erica, Laura & Mandy...TAG!

Lincoln City, OR

So...here are some pictures from our trip to Lincoln City, OR. My Mom, my sister (Amber) and I travelled to Lincoln City, OR March 13-17. We had so much fun!!! If you haven't I really suggest you go. They have a SUPER DUPER outlet mall...all us girls love that, good seafood & FABULOUS views. Amber's friend, Krystal (her husband Jason) and her kiddos: Caleb, Jadyn & Jordan live there and it was Jadyn's third birthday. Amber got to spend a lot of time with Crystal and the kids and Mom and I spent a lot of time together. Thanks to Auntie Gail & Uncle Gary for letting us use some of their time at their timeshare in Depoe Bay! That's where the fabulous ocean view pictures come from. I got to soak in a HUGE soaker tub and sleep in a king size bed the first night. What fun...and what luxury!!! Caleb stayed with us on Saturday night and he and Amber slept in the room with the twin beds...aren't they cute?? That Amber she never takes a bad picture...even in her pj's she's cute!! Mom and I enjoyed some scrumptious clam chowder at "Captain Ron's" and a so yummy crab melt at "Mo's".....mmmmm...I can just taste that wonderful crab!!!! Not to be left out...Amber, who doesn't like much seafood, had a tuna melt at "Mo's" the next day. It also received rave reviews! After we shopped until our feet hurt, I'm serious, we stopped for some Tillamook ice cream. My favorite flavor...ROCKY ROAD! And we even took in a movie for Jadyn's birthday "Horton Hears a WHO!" Good ol' Dr. Suess...it was actually really good for what I gathered as we had a three year old climbing all over us! Jadyn just couldn't decided where to sit. We decided we'd like to go back....anyone want to go with us?????