Howdy!!!
Wow life seems to be in fast forward these days, so it has been a while since the last post. We have done alot to prepare emotionally, financially and physically. We are working to line up finances and continuing to look for fundraisers, sacrifices and ways to pay for our little men. We have no worries for God is in control! We have loaded up our library card with as many adoption books and books on Ethiopia that our public library had. We believe education is power and are hoping to read up and prepare our hearts and minds. Last weekend we went to Phoenix for a picnic through Building Arizona Families, our agency. We all met at a precious little park where we visited, played and ate together. There were families just applying, matched, adopted kids, adopted adults, parents, etc. We loved visiting, comparing notes and finding prayer partners for each others journey. There is one family who Lisa had paired us up with and we had been emailing back and forth and we were both able to attend the picnic. For some reason seeing and playing with their children made the fantasy of our boys more a reality. They adopted 2 young children from Ethiopia recently and have been a great source of info, support and prayer even though we had never met. But then on Saturday watching their little ones play made us realize soon enough hat will be us. Not planning, and hoping, but parents of 2 blessings from our Lord. While in PHX we took the opportunity to stop at IKEA and purchase crib #2 and high chair #2. Since we made the decision to keep the boys int he same bedroom at first we needed a matching crib and chair. I will attach a pic or 2 of the new arrangement. We are thrilled and anxious, we keep looking in the others eyes quietly and then both say,"I want our referral". So odd to be in a time great peace, fear, hope and anxiety all at once, thankfully we are not in control and our God has a better plan than we can imagine!!!
Background
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
April 19th, 2010
Howdy!!!
We are getting super giddy and excited! On Sunday Ben gave a sermon on dedicating our children's lives to the Lord, and how difficult teaching our children about Christ can be, but the biggest role in a parents life. Many families not only dedicated their children, but also dedicated their role as a parent to be Godly. What an impact, as we sat in the audience agreeing that this is the way we plan to lead our sons and thankful to be part of a community that believes the same. I can only imagine the struggles we will face in raising disciples, but know God has entrusted us with them and we will put our life in His hands.
Many a precious people have asked how they can help us to get ready, buy, make, do.....as of now we are doing great, but I might be asking for silly favors int he future, so thanks for offering. We have not registered anywhere or anything, we are building our family in a nontraditional way, and it is hard to perform traditional events like that right now. I believe in the future we will register at Target, just for little fun stuff, but we have taken it upon ourselves to prepare for our children...hence the pics below! We still have the biggies like stroller,car seats, etc to get, but are buying as we see sales, coupons, and slowly but surely will have our "needs" met we think. We actually found bedding that almost matches exactly to what we had done in the nursery already, and bought it last night. We decided to keep the boys together for their own peace at first, therefore trying to double up one room for two men. Next weekend we are going to an event for adopted families in AZ in Phoenix so we plan to pick up another crib and high chair that matches the one we already have. We don't want everything to be matchy matchy, but the furniture for sure must we think. Exciting! I think having a space and goodies prepared for 2 will make it all seem more real!Thank you for your offers and generosity to support and provide for our little guys.
Our grandmother is the cutest little thing alive and just a hoot to be around, we wish we are closer and able to visit more often. She generously and amazingly made our boys blankets and even attached pictures of Tyler with his blanket that she made for him decades ago. Now we will be sure to take pics of our men in the same manner as their dad with their matching blankets..yes all 3 will match, some new, some really old!We long to wrap them up and comfort them with their great-grandmas love!
If anyone knows of any good devotional books for adoptive parents let us know. We would love a devo book specific to our situation, and don't know of any, nor have we seen any for sale.Let us know if you have ideas!
We love you all and wish you the best...hoping time goes fast..we don't want to wish our life away, just want our babies home!
Monday, April 12, 2010
April 12th
Howdy!
One of my kids in class family recently had a baby boy ad they are the kindest things and wanted to share a few of their goodies that the baby has out grown. Boy they were not kidding she showed up with several bags. We washed it all and put it in the closet in chronological order, assuming our boys might be too big for the majority of it, but regardless the orphanage would love it! We also ordered the coolest toy boxes and they arrived!!! Finally getting out little men a bunch of toys and treats for their homecoming. The amount of clothes, shoes, toys, diapers, etc increases what seems like 10 fold, making the costs of everything sky rocket when there will be 2 the same age, rather than 1. Now we are on the hunt to find everything else that matches the previously purchased things if they are going to stay in the same room. Constantly over joyed and anxious to see their precious faces! Wonder how I can blow their referral pics up into huge posters to cover my walls with...that excited!
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April 11th, 2010
Howdy!
On Friday we were notified we had one more document that needed to be changed in our dossier, but that the staff in Ethiopia was notified of our changes and good to go knowing we had changed to 2...what a relief! Today after church we were interviewed for a piece on international adoption. The journalist was actually a grad student at U of A and super friendly. Hard to explain everything in terms that the average journalist who is not very familiar would understand. However, we love sharing the journey we are on with others! We are continuing to plan and prepare...ordered organic green play cubes, bought a few outfits, purchased a play yard and a toy or 2. After consulting other who have been in our boat, and surfing the web, we believe we are going to let the boys share a room. So now we hope to find matching bedding, crib, chair etc for #2. We got all excited designing nursery #2, but think it is in the best interest of our boys for them to have each other at first at least. Thank you for your continued prayers and support, we feel it daily!
On Friday we were notified we had one more document that needed to be changed in our dossier, but that the staff in Ethiopia was notified of our changes and good to go knowing we had changed to 2...what a relief! Today after church we were interviewed for a piece on international adoption. The journalist was actually a grad student at U of A and super friendly. Hard to explain everything in terms that the average journalist who is not very familiar would understand. However, we love sharing the journey we are on with others! We are continuing to plan and prepare...ordered organic green play cubes, bought a few outfits, purchased a play yard and a toy or 2. After consulting other who have been in our boat, and surfing the web, we believe we are going to let the boys share a room. So now we hope to find matching bedding, crib, chair etc for #2. We got all excited designing nursery #2, but think it is in the best interest of our boys for them to have each other at first at least. Thank you for your continued prayers and support, we feel it daily!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
April 8th, 2010
Howdy!
Yesterday we had our travel and referral conference. We went over all the medical, paperwork, visas, immigration that goes along with the referral process. Then discussed travel, what countries for layovers, good travel agents, etc. By the end of the 2 hour meeting the director said the next time she talks to us might possibly be the call that our referral has arrived. We are definitely going to have 2 boys 5 months or younger at that time. The average time is between 4 and 6 months, with some being only weeks, and some more than 6 months. For us the 4-6 month window starts June 22 through august 22. We assume we will have 2 sons by then!!! Woo-hoo. Now the excitement of preparing possible room #2, choosing names, toy shopping, etc!
Yesterday we had our travel and referral conference. We went over all the medical, paperwork, visas, immigration that goes along with the referral process. Then discussed travel, what countries for layovers, good travel agents, etc. By the end of the 2 hour meeting the director said the next time she talks to us might possibly be the call that our referral has arrived. We are definitely going to have 2 boys 5 months or younger at that time. The average time is between 4 and 6 months, with some being only weeks, and some more than 6 months. For us the 4-6 month window starts June 22 through august 22. We assume we will have 2 sons by then!!! Woo-hoo. Now the excitement of preparing possible room #2, choosing names, toy shopping, etc!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
April 4th, 2010
Howdy!
We couldn't let the most miraculous day in the year pass with out sharing our best Happy Easter Wishes! He is Risen!
Looking forward to finding out if the board accepts our change for 2 little men and anxious to hear the results of the most decent meeting with attorney and authorities on all the new laws....hoping to hear word this week...
We couldn't let the most miraculous day in the year pass with out sharing our best Happy Easter Wishes! He is Risen!
Looking forward to finding out if the board accepts our change for 2 little men and anxious to hear the results of the most decent meeting with attorney and authorities on all the new laws....hoping to hear word this week...
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
March 31st,2010
Howdy!!!
Wow...the news we have to share! We apologize for not posting earlier for our friends and family that check regularly, our life has been turned upside down.
On the health note...we were both finally officially diagnosed with intestinal parasites after many tests, we are on drugs and should be cleared in the next 2 days. What a relief, that is a crazy little kink in the road...we live in the U.S.!Tyler is mortified, so never mention the fact to him that you read this! My heart/lung appointment is the 13th, so prayers are appreciated. Fertility doc...uhh...once you read on the fertility doc might drop out of the picture of our life...
Adoption news....Last week we were informed that all the international adoption laws for Ethiopia are in the process of being recreated. We will no longer be able to go and get our son, but will have to travel twice, aka more $$$$. Then we will leave our son in an orphanage for several months while the US courts finalize, and then return to pick him up. Several things break my heart about the situation....the increased strain on our pocketbook, we have already made major sacrifices to afford out little man from Ethiopia, and more of our savings is a bit scary. Next, as a mother I am going to melt from the inside handing our son over to an orphanage official in a 3rd world country, with the promise that I will return MONTHS later. My heart breaks imagining that moment in our life. The reason is there have been many children put in terrible positions where a little girl was adopted my a man and abused, others who went through the court and then "changed their mind" and left them on the side of the road or at the orphanage and flew home, other with medical conditions parents had not seen for themselves. I understand for the safety of our little goober that precautions must be made, but we hoped to be grandfathered in, which is not going to happen. We were already int he plan of when and how to start adoption #2 from Ethiopia. However with all the changes, finances, time, and new laws we might never be in the position again. Therefore, we know God called us to adopt 2 children from Ethiopia, so why not both at once. Then we will ensure a partner in the adoption process and sibling. We wanted the children to have each other and both be from Ethiopia for multiple reasons: culture, skin color, adoption hardship, etc. Our case manager was very supportive based on the position the US and Ethiopian government has put us in. We changed all our dossier documents that needed to be changed this week and sent them to Lisa to notarize, authenticate and send over to Ethiopia. We are still waiting to hear from the director of the program and the attorney in Ethiopia whether or not they are going to allow changes. However, we are all under the impression that given the tight position we have been put in, that they might give a little flexibility with changes. So our new paperwork is for 2 males in excellent health 5 months or younger. We requested twins primarily, or unrelated secondly. We are hoping the changes are accepted and do not offend the board, as well as hope that our time waiting for a referral does not increase. WE know God is in control and are so excited. After we signed all the document changes we couldn't sleep the other night we were so thrilled.
Therefore the fertility front has changed dramatically...in Vegas I forgot to take the fertility meds and took hem at wrong times..oopps, so we canceled the IUI this week. We are thrilled with the decision the Lord made about our sons and are leaning toward discontinuing any fertility services at all. The Lord has built our family with out sons from Ethiopia and we feel more at peace and excited than we could ever feel or have felt expecting a natural child. So if there is any other fertility news we will let you know, but as of now, our sons are the only children we desire and have a passion for. If God blesses us we would got nuts, but our more than at peace with our men!
Praying for our little men.....
Wow...the news we have to share! We apologize for not posting earlier for our friends and family that check regularly, our life has been turned upside down.
On the health note...we were both finally officially diagnosed with intestinal parasites after many tests, we are on drugs and should be cleared in the next 2 days. What a relief, that is a crazy little kink in the road...we live in the U.S.!Tyler is mortified, so never mention the fact to him that you read this! My heart/lung appointment is the 13th, so prayers are appreciated. Fertility doc...uhh...once you read on the fertility doc might drop out of the picture of our life...
Adoption news....Last week we were informed that all the international adoption laws for Ethiopia are in the process of being recreated. We will no longer be able to go and get our son, but will have to travel twice, aka more $$$$. Then we will leave our son in an orphanage for several months while the US courts finalize, and then return to pick him up. Several things break my heart about the situation....the increased strain on our pocketbook, we have already made major sacrifices to afford out little man from Ethiopia, and more of our savings is a bit scary. Next, as a mother I am going to melt from the inside handing our son over to an orphanage official in a 3rd world country, with the promise that I will return MONTHS later. My heart breaks imagining that moment in our life. The reason is there have been many children put in terrible positions where a little girl was adopted my a man and abused, others who went through the court and then "changed their mind" and left them on the side of the road or at the orphanage and flew home, other with medical conditions parents had not seen for themselves. I understand for the safety of our little goober that precautions must be made, but we hoped to be grandfathered in, which is not going to happen. We were already int he plan of when and how to start adoption #2 from Ethiopia. However with all the changes, finances, time, and new laws we might never be in the position again. Therefore, we know God called us to adopt 2 children from Ethiopia, so why not both at once. Then we will ensure a partner in the adoption process and sibling. We wanted the children to have each other and both be from Ethiopia for multiple reasons: culture, skin color, adoption hardship, etc. Our case manager was very supportive based on the position the US and Ethiopian government has put us in. We changed all our dossier documents that needed to be changed this week and sent them to Lisa to notarize, authenticate and send over to Ethiopia. We are still waiting to hear from the director of the program and the attorney in Ethiopia whether or not they are going to allow changes. However, we are all under the impression that given the tight position we have been put in, that they might give a little flexibility with changes. So our new paperwork is for 2 males in excellent health 5 months or younger. We requested twins primarily, or unrelated secondly. We are hoping the changes are accepted and do not offend the board, as well as hope that our time waiting for a referral does not increase. WE know God is in control and are so excited. After we signed all the document changes we couldn't sleep the other night we were so thrilled.
Therefore the fertility front has changed dramatically...in Vegas I forgot to take the fertility meds and took hem at wrong times..oopps, so we canceled the IUI this week. We are thrilled with the decision the Lord made about our sons and are leaning toward discontinuing any fertility services at all. The Lord has built our family with out sons from Ethiopia and we feel more at peace and excited than we could ever feel or have felt expecting a natural child. So if there is any other fertility news we will let you know, but as of now, our sons are the only children we desire and have a passion for. If God blesses us we would got nuts, but our more than at peace with our men!
Praying for our little men.....
Monday, March 22, 2010
March 22nd, 2010
Howdy!
We are officially more than 1 month into the "wait", and expecting about 2 more month of prayer and anxiety before we get the big referral. What a great feeling to be so many months into the process knowing in only a few months we will know what our son/sons looks like. Today we received a letter that a grant we diligently applied for was rejected. At first it seemed to be a blow, but then we were praying at dinner of how the grant funding went to a deserving Christian family who must be struggling more than we are. Knowing another family who loves Christ will be able to bring home their son or daughter makes it all worth our loss. The connection we feel to other Christians called to adopt is unreal and we are thrilled that another family was blessed with assistance.
If you are wondering, no we are not pregnant. We left for Vegas thinking the possibility was great, then the typical early nonsense didn't happen, days went by and we were 3 days late....silly as it is we were over the top excited. Then, on the way home from Vegas signs were revealed that we were indeed not pregnant. As hard as that feeling used to seem, we are numb to it now. We know God has our ma-mush planned for us and we are thrilled at the challenge we face. We have already been in the talks of discontinuing fertility to save up for adopted Johnson #2. Ma-mush needs a sibling, blood or not, and we are praying for discernment and direction on baby #2. The other day we saw a little blurb on TV about children waiting to be adopted and I was grading papers and look over at my silent husband with his eyes overflowing with tears. Our heart is in adoption and every ounce of our being yearns and desires what God has called us to do.
Looking forward to our little ma-mush referral...any day now....
We are officially more than 1 month into the "wait", and expecting about 2 more month of prayer and anxiety before we get the big referral. What a great feeling to be so many months into the process knowing in only a few months we will know what our son/sons looks like. Today we received a letter that a grant we diligently applied for was rejected. At first it seemed to be a blow, but then we were praying at dinner of how the grant funding went to a deserving Christian family who must be struggling more than we are. Knowing another family who loves Christ will be able to bring home their son or daughter makes it all worth our loss. The connection we feel to other Christians called to adopt is unreal and we are thrilled that another family was blessed with assistance.
If you are wondering, no we are not pregnant. We left for Vegas thinking the possibility was great, then the typical early nonsense didn't happen, days went by and we were 3 days late....silly as it is we were over the top excited. Then, on the way home from Vegas signs were revealed that we were indeed not pregnant. As hard as that feeling used to seem, we are numb to it now. We know God has our ma-mush planned for us and we are thrilled at the challenge we face. We have already been in the talks of discontinuing fertility to save up for adopted Johnson #2. Ma-mush needs a sibling, blood or not, and we are praying for discernment and direction on baby #2. The other day we saw a little blurb on TV about children waiting to be adopted and I was grading papers and look over at my silent husband with his eyes overflowing with tears. Our heart is in adoption and every ounce of our being yearns and desires what God has called us to do.
Looking forward to our little ma-mush referral...any day now....
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
March 10th, 2010
Howdy!
We went to the doc yesterday and I am stumbling to even explain why. He did and US and blood and said that it would be too early to know if I was pregnant, but too early to start a new cycle of procedures. We were kind of dumbfounded....why was I there? We are still awaiting the hormone blood test levels to see what is going on next. We were all ready for our schedule of decisions of what we planned to do next and so forth, but wrong timing...we weren't even asked, nor did we need to make a decision because it is too early. A little sigh f relief only to debate and decide for the next appointment. We are now to the point that if we become PG that most likely means Ty traveling to Africa alone. I would be an extreme high risk pregnancy, an not able to travel to 3rd world locations at any stage of the appointment. Therefore, as much as we would love to be blessed with a pregnancy, it would throw a new twist in things for our family. WE both agree that if that was to happen Memaw might be traveling in my place. Take a second to imagine Ty alone in Ethiopia with a tiny baby, and traveling on multiple plane trips across the world alone. That would be a big ordeal for Superman!
Waiting for the next appointment and blood results....praying that the timing was odd because we are pregnant after all. A true miracle that would be, since it was our first month without medical treatment, other than heavenly treatment.
At the mens breakfast this month at church Tyler connected with another father who has internationally adopted 5 children. We look forward to building a relationship with them!
We went to the doc yesterday and I am stumbling to even explain why. He did and US and blood and said that it would be too early to know if I was pregnant, but too early to start a new cycle of procedures. We were kind of dumbfounded....why was I there? We are still awaiting the hormone blood test levels to see what is going on next. We were all ready for our schedule of decisions of what we planned to do next and so forth, but wrong timing...we weren't even asked, nor did we need to make a decision because it is too early. A little sigh f relief only to debate and decide for the next appointment. We are now to the point that if we become PG that most likely means Ty traveling to Africa alone. I would be an extreme high risk pregnancy, an not able to travel to 3rd world locations at any stage of the appointment. Therefore, as much as we would love to be blessed with a pregnancy, it would throw a new twist in things for our family. WE both agree that if that was to happen Memaw might be traveling in my place. Take a second to imagine Ty alone in Ethiopia with a tiny baby, and traveling on multiple plane trips across the world alone. That would be a big ordeal for Superman!
Waiting for the next appointment and blood results....praying that the timing was odd because we are pregnant after all. A true miracle that would be, since it was our first month without medical treatment, other than heavenly treatment.
At the mens breakfast this month at church Tyler connected with another father who has internationally adopted 5 children. We look forward to building a relationship with them!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
March 6th, 2010
Howdy!
We apologize for not posting in a while. We left to go on our ski trip right after the last doc appointments and for once actually refused to take a computer on a trip. Thankfully we were unattached to the digital world for a little bit, which made the Little trip a true escape.
We started the doc day off at our family doc for a follow up from all my blood work and x-rays, 3rd set of each at this time..uhhh! The doc is very concerned with the blood work coming back higher or the same each time for parasites..gross! He is concerned that they have not been able to detect what exactly is going on and prescribed some terribly nasty tests that I refuse to repeat and are still deciding whether or not I am willing to do. I think I can live with something for now, and not have to go through the nasty exams! We talked to our doc about checking over our referral for medical issues before accepting our son/sons which the insurance said could not happen because they are not enrol ed yet...however he agrees to look over it, just under an appointment name for one of us! Yeah...what a God send, we were thinking we might accept with out a doc look over! Then onto the hospital. We check into our room, get the gown, the wrist band, etc....and then the nurse comes in and says that Dr. G is stuck in surgery and we need to wait an hour and a half. What? I am naked on an exam table with a sister lying in to Phoenix in a few hours and dinner reservations 2 hours away....yikes! However, we waited and waited. Then Dr. G arrived and did the catheter, then filled the balloon in my uterus, everything looked fine....other than the unbearable pain...Then came the dye test and they filled my insides with the dye and took what seemed like a million pictures. He would say "picture" when he wanted to nurse to take one, so I hear "picture, turn picture, turn.." Then all of a sudden the bed starts to tilt toward my feet, and I grab the top of the table to stop myself from sliding. Dr. G says "woah this is like a circus ride" and the nurse starts apologizing like crazy. Come to find out the pic button and the auto recline are side by side. At the time it was terrifying, but looking back is hilarious. The dye and x-rays revealed there is no tubal blockage or issue at all...WHOOP! Just what we had been praying for! We are so thankful the procedure is over, the pain after aftermath was too much for me to handle. Prayer did wonders! Then we wheeled to the car and drove to PHX to get my sister, off to Flagstaff to meet the guys for an amazing time of skiing, laughing, bonding, eating, and enjoying each other(Tyler and Ashley are 2 peas in a pod..I am like the mom of 2 wild willies). If we didn't already love Tom and Ryan enough..we fell more in love with those 2 adorable guys. Something about all of us flying down a mountain side, and spending ever waking second together brings together family and friends!
Now we have our big decision day this Tuesday...IVF, IUI, surgery, nothing......the choices are endless and we are just praying for God's will and discernment..
On a cute note...my precious kids at school are so excited and want to see the nursery and help pick out names...and one mom even called and wants to give me all of her baby stuff. How cute! Her son is 9 months and she said the stuff they have that was barely used is mountainous..at the time of the phone call she had 4 bags worth! Wow how exiting! Ma-mush isn't even home and has an entire wardrobe from Mom and Dad and family, but now has a flood more from friends and kiddos! Amazing!
Love yall!
We apologize for not posting in a while. We left to go on our ski trip right after the last doc appointments and for once actually refused to take a computer on a trip. Thankfully we were unattached to the digital world for a little bit, which made the Little trip a true escape.
We started the doc day off at our family doc for a follow up from all my blood work and x-rays, 3rd set of each at this time..uhhh! The doc is very concerned with the blood work coming back higher or the same each time for parasites..gross! He is concerned that they have not been able to detect what exactly is going on and prescribed some terribly nasty tests that I refuse to repeat and are still deciding whether or not I am willing to do. I think I can live with something for now, and not have to go through the nasty exams! We talked to our doc about checking over our referral for medical issues before accepting our son/sons which the insurance said could not happen because they are not enrol ed yet...however he agrees to look over it, just under an appointment name for one of us! Yeah...what a God send, we were thinking we might accept with out a doc look over! Then onto the hospital. We check into our room, get the gown, the wrist band, etc....and then the nurse comes in and says that Dr. G is stuck in surgery and we need to wait an hour and a half. What? I am naked on an exam table with a sister lying in to Phoenix in a few hours and dinner reservations 2 hours away....yikes! However, we waited and waited. Then Dr. G arrived and did the catheter, then filled the balloon in my uterus, everything looked fine....other than the unbearable pain...Then came the dye test and they filled my insides with the dye and took what seemed like a million pictures. He would say "picture" when he wanted to nurse to take one, so I hear "picture, turn picture, turn.." Then all of a sudden the bed starts to tilt toward my feet, and I grab the top of the table to stop myself from sliding. Dr. G says "woah this is like a circus ride" and the nurse starts apologizing like crazy. Come to find out the pic button and the auto recline are side by side. At the time it was terrifying, but looking back is hilarious. The dye and x-rays revealed there is no tubal blockage or issue at all...WHOOP! Just what we had been praying for! We are so thankful the procedure is over, the pain after aftermath was too much for me to handle. Prayer did wonders! Then we wheeled to the car and drove to PHX to get my sister, off to Flagstaff to meet the guys for an amazing time of skiing, laughing, bonding, eating, and enjoying each other(Tyler and Ashley are 2 peas in a pod..I am like the mom of 2 wild willies). If we didn't already love Tom and Ryan enough..we fell more in love with those 2 adorable guys. Something about all of us flying down a mountain side, and spending ever waking second together brings together family and friends!
Now we have our big decision day this Tuesday...IVF, IUI, surgery, nothing......the choices are endless and we are just praying for God's will and discernment..
On a cute note...my precious kids at school are so excited and want to see the nursery and help pick out names...and one mom even called and wants to give me all of her baby stuff. How cute! Her son is 9 months and she said the stuff they have that was barely used is mountainous..at the time of the phone call she had 4 bags worth! Wow how exiting! Ma-mush isn't even home and has an entire wardrobe from Mom and Dad and family, but now has a flood more from friends and kiddos! Amazing!
Love yall!
Sunday, February 21, 2010
February 21, 2010
When our agent in Washington D.C. emailed us that we should take time to celebrate after Ethiopia received our dossier and we are awaiting our referral, I don't think her first thought would be celebrate by getting tatted...
Thursday, February 18, 2010
February 18th, 2010
Howdy!
Today is one amazing day! Our dossier is in Ethiopia and literally the next thing we hear from Dove will be our referral for our son or sons!!! Woo-hoo!!!! Exciting!
On the bio front the story is a little longer....We went to the doc on Wed. and as we already knew had another upset knowing the last IUI was a failure. We had talked an prayed about what our next step was going to be so felt prepared for what we would tell the doc we wanted to do next. After the US he came back in and sat in the room with us to casually chat for a good amount of time. We felt much more comfortable, than the typical test and run approach. He told us we have several options. We have tried everything to get pg that exist as of 2010, so now repeats might have to begin. He says is was last May since we did all of the serious surgeries, so he thinks come this May we would do them all over again, to remove cysts and the endometriosis and all. In the meantime he suggested going to the hospital and having the HSG dye test run again, to check for tubal blockage, cysts, etc. Then once we know the tubes are clear we could decide to try naturally, do future IUI rounds, or go for the "big guns" and try IVF again. Each has pros and cons...we would love to take meds and try naturally but the chances given our situation are extremely low, IUIs have a better success rate but still slim, knowing the past failed one was already #14 we think, IVF has the higest rate of success but the cost factor is astronomical to try 3 plus times in one year. So......for this month we have scheduled the HSG at Tucson Medical Hospital for next Thursday at 1:15, picked up a prescription of Clomid and are going totally on faith. We have a ski trip with a group planned for weekend after next and knew the IUI would fall when we were out of town, so we already figured this month would be our first break from the doc and shots in the past 18 months. We have hope God will bless our family, and pray for our future decision and steps toward children. IUI, IVF, natural next month???
We are thrilled with the progress our adoption has made and literally look back thinking if we could get a referral next month or get pg next month we would take the referral 10 times over knowing it is blessed and our path! Come hoem to us Ma-mush!
Today is one amazing day! Our dossier is in Ethiopia and literally the next thing we hear from Dove will be our referral for our son or sons!!! Woo-hoo!!!! Exciting!
On the bio front the story is a little longer....We went to the doc on Wed. and as we already knew had another upset knowing the last IUI was a failure. We had talked an prayed about what our next step was going to be so felt prepared for what we would tell the doc we wanted to do next. After the US he came back in and sat in the room with us to casually chat for a good amount of time. We felt much more comfortable, than the typical test and run approach. He told us we have several options. We have tried everything to get pg that exist as of 2010, so now repeats might have to begin. He says is was last May since we did all of the serious surgeries, so he thinks come this May we would do them all over again, to remove cysts and the endometriosis and all. In the meantime he suggested going to the hospital and having the HSG dye test run again, to check for tubal blockage, cysts, etc. Then once we know the tubes are clear we could decide to try naturally, do future IUI rounds, or go for the "big guns" and try IVF again. Each has pros and cons...we would love to take meds and try naturally but the chances given our situation are extremely low, IUIs have a better success rate but still slim, knowing the past failed one was already #14 we think, IVF has the higest rate of success but the cost factor is astronomical to try 3 plus times in one year. So......for this month we have scheduled the HSG at Tucson Medical Hospital for next Thursday at 1:15, picked up a prescription of Clomid and are going totally on faith. We have a ski trip with a group planned for weekend after next and knew the IUI would fall when we were out of town, so we already figured this month would be our first break from the doc and shots in the past 18 months. We have hope God will bless our family, and pray for our future decision and steps toward children. IUI, IVF, natural next month???
We are thrilled with the progress our adoption has made and literally look back thinking if we could get a referral next month or get pg next month we would take the referral 10 times over knowing it is blessed and our path! Come hoem to us Ma-mush!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
RandaFit not CrossFit
Our precious angel doing her version of CrossFit, with what she calls her "lifters" (aka 5 lb kettlebell).
Monday, February 15, 2010
The great tattoo debate....
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.
Galatians 4:4-6
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.
Psalms 68:5-6
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
Matthew 18:5
Galatians 4:4-6
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.
Psalms 68:5-6
And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.
Matthew 18:5
Sunday, February 14, 2010
February 14th, 2010
Howdy!!!
Happy Valentine's Day! We were reminded today that the purpose of marriage is to "Showcase" God and bring glory to His name! We are hopeful we can keep that in the forefront of our mind on Valentine's and all days afterward!
We are still hopeful for this round, but are having a few physical symptoms that are hinting that it might have not worked. The most frustrating part is deciding the next step. Do we try another IUI, attempt to start IVF, go back on DepotLupron to take a break physically while we decide, stop fertility treatments all together? Our next doc appointment is Wednesday and we basically need to have our decision by then. Not enjoyable that we literally do not even have a day between rounds to let our mind and heart at peace. We will keep everyone updated on our progress and the results. Please pray for our peace and wisdom in the upcoming decision.
Happy Valentine's Day! We were reminded today that the purpose of marriage is to "Showcase" God and bring glory to His name! We are hopeful we can keep that in the forefront of our mind on Valentine's and all days afterward!
We are still hopeful for this round, but are having a few physical symptoms that are hinting that it might have not worked. The most frustrating part is deciding the next step. Do we try another IUI, attempt to start IVF, go back on DepotLupron to take a break physically while we decide, stop fertility treatments all together? Our next doc appointment is Wednesday and we basically need to have our decision by then. Not enjoyable that we literally do not even have a day between rounds to let our mind and heart at peace. We will keep everyone updated on our progress and the results. Please pray for our peace and wisdom in the upcoming decision.
Friday, February 12, 2010
February 12th, 2010
Howdy!!
Yesterday was a HCG injection, first to ask Ty to help out with ever! I mixed the solutions, switched needles, and all, then Ty cleaned the injection site and then couldn't do the shot. How could I forget, I married a man who passes out at first aid videos.How in the world would he be able to give his wife a giant injection. So I had to spin around and do it myself. The doc called and my progesterone level was 19.9, good, so I will return to his office on Wednesday for more blood work and an US.
In class I was teaching my kids about possible outcomes and I brought a ton of ours sons clothes to build outfits as an example. The kids went wild, finally putting together that we are adopting. The sweetest little girl brought a gift with baby blankets and a congrats card the following day. I know God put me in their lives, and more often than not I feel like the impact they make on me is 10 fold mine.
In church we have been studying marriage in a sermon series in honor of Valentines. We have pledged to honor and respect marriage and stop the social complacency that we have fallen into. I challenge each of the Christian couples out there to do the same. I admit I have sung along to the Britney song who's lyrics are something like "are you in? living in sin is the new thing".....Society has taught us to accept friends and family living together before marriage, attend secular weddings, turn an eye to unfaithfulness, attend divorce parties, etc. When did we turn our backs to the perfect union God designed? We are clearly taught how it is supposed to be, and then we wonder why it doesn't work out for half the couples in America. We challenge couples out there to live in union with Christ, for that is what we are called to do. Our vows should be to our Lord not each other. We struggle with the social realm of marriage in our lives, connecting to our marriage in Christ, and believe Christian couples need to hold each other up in prayer and accountability. Challenge yourself.....it is a daily challenge for us! However, if our marriage is not based in faith and God's design what worldly desire is it grounded in?
Saturday, February 6, 2010
February 6th, 2009
Howdy!!!
We got the Visa information from the Ethiopian embassy back, so I assume once we have our referral we are legally ready to start moving. We also diligently completed grant #2 after getting our references back and sent that out today. Praying God's blessing over possible financial assistance. We have decided to play it safe this round of our IUIs. We try to live life normally and then have regrets about not obeying all the rules when the tests come back negative. So this month we are super healthy, no caffeine, careful at the gym, etc. Our new theme is "no regrets"! We are going to follow ever petty rules to a t hoping it could pay off! Our progesterone blood test is Tuesday and we are praying as usual. We love living in the peace knowing God is in control!
On a total side note...thank you for the prayers for my health...the silly parasite issue came back as a severe allergy to cats. What a relief! Plus we despise dirty cats anyway, so good excuse to never be around them! The chest x-rays and rib bulge are another story....we don't want to over concern anyone, so once we have further testing we will give an update. We are scheduling a pulmonary function assessment for week after next, and then will share details and prayer request! Tyler's solution is just to get my pregnant, then my big belly will push my heart back up!Even crazier....we are debating a bible verse on our call to adopt tattooed on us...for now a wild dream, but our passion and faith in His calling to adopt are igniting this desire in us to display that commitment.......just thinking.....
We got the Visa information from the Ethiopian embassy back, so I assume once we have our referral we are legally ready to start moving. We also diligently completed grant #2 after getting our references back and sent that out today. Praying God's blessing over possible financial assistance. We have decided to play it safe this round of our IUIs. We try to live life normally and then have regrets about not obeying all the rules when the tests come back negative. So this month we are super healthy, no caffeine, careful at the gym, etc. Our new theme is "no regrets"! We are going to follow ever petty rules to a t hoping it could pay off! Our progesterone blood test is Tuesday and we are praying as usual. We love living in the peace knowing God is in control!
On a total side note...thank you for the prayers for my health...the silly parasite issue came back as a severe allergy to cats. What a relief! Plus we despise dirty cats anyway, so good excuse to never be around them! The chest x-rays and rib bulge are another story....we don't want to over concern anyone, so once we have further testing we will give an update. We are scheduling a pulmonary function assessment for week after next, and then will share details and prayer request! Tyler's solution is just to get my pregnant, then my big belly will push my heart back up!Even crazier....we are debating a bible verse on our call to adopt tattooed on us...for now a wild dream, but our passion and faith in His calling to adopt are igniting this desire in us to display that commitment.......just thinking.....
Thursday, February 4, 2010
February 4th, 2009
Howdy!
We had our IUI yesterday and it went great in some areas and hard in others. We had a count of 146 million, and we don't recall the final after washing and spinning. We couldn't get over the 146 million part, so don't remember the other. 146 million is much more than we have ever had, so WHOOP for the numbers. The procedure was much more painful than ever before and was making me very light headed upon leaving. Like my little body was too overwhelmed with pain to move or breath. Now the 2 week window begins...full of NO DIET coke and pineapple for the implantation vitamins. Thank you for the prayers and concerns for health and our little future baby/babies.
On Ma-mush.... we were contacted by the National program director who now has reviewed out dossier to send to Ethiopia. They gave us a guided checklist and timeline for the next few months for referral, all the court appointments, embassy and immigration appointments and travel. Scary multiple page list, but too exciting to start checking off!
Love ya!
We had our IUI yesterday and it went great in some areas and hard in others. We had a count of 146 million, and we don't recall the final after washing and spinning. We couldn't get over the 146 million part, so don't remember the other. 146 million is much more than we have ever had, so WHOOP for the numbers. The procedure was much more painful than ever before and was making me very light headed upon leaving. Like my little body was too overwhelmed with pain to move or breath. Now the 2 week window begins...full of NO DIET coke and pineapple for the implantation vitamins. Thank you for the prayers and concerns for health and our little future baby/babies.
On Ma-mush.... we were contacted by the National program director who now has reviewed out dossier to send to Ethiopia. They gave us a guided checklist and timeline for the next few months for referral, all the court appointments, embassy and immigration appointments and travel. Scary multiple page list, but too exciting to start checking off!
Love ya!
Friday, January 29, 2010
January 29th, 2010
Howdy!!!
We finished the whole prescription of Clomid last night and hope the results are great this round. We have an appointment on Tuesday for an US and blood draw to see if the Clomid worked and if we are ready for an IUI on Wednesday!
Adoption note....we sent the 171h to Lisa and now just waiting for the state and nation to put their seal and then we just wait for the referral. Now the dreaming of the referral begins. What will he look like? medical test show? name be? We bought a baby name book and our slowly compiling a favorites list we will share later.
My health....thanks for the prayers and concerns with the fertility, ribs and blood work. We had 7 more chest x-rays done this week and hope to find out the rib ordeal, 4 tubes of blood and test will be run this week to find out issues, and hoping the fertility issues are slowly resolved with God's blessing! I will keep you guys updated, and we cant thank you enough for lifting us up in prayer as we feel honored to do for you as well.
We finished the whole prescription of Clomid last night and hope the results are great this round. We have an appointment on Tuesday for an US and blood draw to see if the Clomid worked and if we are ready for an IUI on Wednesday!
Adoption note....we sent the 171h to Lisa and now just waiting for the state and nation to put their seal and then we just wait for the referral. Now the dreaming of the referral begins. What will he look like? medical test show? name be? We bought a baby name book and our slowly compiling a favorites list we will share later.
My health....thanks for the prayers and concerns with the fertility, ribs and blood work. We had 7 more chest x-rays done this week and hope to find out the rib ordeal, 4 tubes of blood and test will be run this week to find out issues, and hoping the fertility issues are slowly resolved with God's blessing! I will keep you guys updated, and we cant thank you enough for lifting us up in prayer as we feel honored to do for you as well.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
January 22nd, 2010
Howdy!
Once again earth shaking news that the IUI did not work and we are back on a new cycle. We hate that they are back to back with no breathing time between! We realize God's will is being done and we are not in control so simply waiting for His direction and guidance. The doctor believes we need to do IVF next round. Basically the egg and sperm have never gotten along even in the lab, so why would it happen naturally. Ever round of IVF they had to fuse the 2 together in a lab, because they would not fertilize on their own, so they believe the chance of that happening with out guidance is slim. WE are praying about that constantly. We are torn with the medical drama and cost that comes along. However, in the decision process w are going to try one more IUI in the meantime and we start Clomid for that one tomorrow, with the next US and bloodwork on the 2nd of Feb.
On the adoption front......We met with our head Pastor and he has agreed to write letters on our behalf of grant funding! Whoop!! The US government is about to make us nuts. On top of the fact that the US gov charges basically 10x what the Ethiopian gov does for each court hearing, attorney fee, filing fee, application fee they take about 10x as long. Quite disturbing a "leading" nation charges so much more and takes so much longer with all the "organizations" we have in place. The 171h paperwork is taking about 3 weeks instead of 1, and hope that Ethiopia has all the dossier nationally sealed in the next 3 weeks. Out little Ma-mush is out there somewhere waiting. Now comes the big decisions, since the US is constantly halting everything. Do we stay in AZ and the AF until complete for consistency? Get out ASAP and look for a job here to stay until complete? Get out of AF and apply for jobs in dream locations and recertify there? Put the house on the market? hmmm...praying, seeking council and listening for God!
Once again earth shaking news that the IUI did not work and we are back on a new cycle. We hate that they are back to back with no breathing time between! We realize God's will is being done and we are not in control so simply waiting for His direction and guidance. The doctor believes we need to do IVF next round. Basically the egg and sperm have never gotten along even in the lab, so why would it happen naturally. Ever round of IVF they had to fuse the 2 together in a lab, because they would not fertilize on their own, so they believe the chance of that happening with out guidance is slim. WE are praying about that constantly. We are torn with the medical drama and cost that comes along. However, in the decision process w are going to try one more IUI in the meantime and we start Clomid for that one tomorrow, with the next US and bloodwork on the 2nd of Feb.
On the adoption front......We met with our head Pastor and he has agreed to write letters on our behalf of grant funding! Whoop!! The US government is about to make us nuts. On top of the fact that the US gov charges basically 10x what the Ethiopian gov does for each court hearing, attorney fee, filing fee, application fee they take about 10x as long. Quite disturbing a "leading" nation charges so much more and takes so much longer with all the "organizations" we have in place. The 171h paperwork is taking about 3 weeks instead of 1, and hope that Ethiopia has all the dossier nationally sealed in the next 3 weeks. Out little Ma-mush is out there somewhere waiting. Now comes the big decisions, since the US is constantly halting everything. Do we stay in AZ and the AF until complete for consistency? Get out ASAP and look for a job here to stay until complete? Get out of AF and apply for jobs in dream locations and recertify there? Put the house on the market? hmmm...praying, seeking council and listening for God!
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