Random update

I think it's cycle day 18 for me.  We are moving towards 4 months of no birth control.  I still occasionally think we are finished growing our family (especially if I am super stressed out), but there are more days that I think I'm not.  I could be wrong, but maybe I am trying to protect my heart from the woes of Infertility.  I guess that's why I haven't gotten so wrapped up the roller coaster of trying to conceive.  I haven't charted.  I haven't taken ovulation predictors.  I haven't "scheduled" quality time.   I would love to have one more child if that's God's will for our lives, but I feel selfish asking or praying for that, so I haven't.  Does that sound silly?

Season's Greetings...

Thanksgiving has came and gone, and we are on the heels of approaching Christmas quickly--much more quickly than I'd like.  I still have so much to do...gifts to be bought and wrapped, decorations to set out, cards to be addressed and mailed... I tend to get so caught up in the "season" that I forget WHO and WHAT the season represents. 

This year, I tried to be a good steward of sending out cards.  In fact, I probably sent more cards this year than in years past.  However, there is still so much room for improvement in this area, especially for Christmas.  I didn't even send out cards last year!  (Enter sad face here!)  However, I came across these photo cards, and thought they were super cute...Let's be honest, people want photos and cards--so this is a way to kill two birds with one stone!

Traditional Religious Cards

Photo Collage

Christmas Card Ornaments

Tri-Fold Cards



TinyPrints.com has some really cute holiday cards, gifts, etc.  Go check them out.  Use code HOLFS at check out to receive free shipping on orders $49+.  I'm getting ready to order some of the Christmas Ornament Cards.  Use code DECSW25 to enjoy up to 25% off orders before Decmber 6, 2012.

Happy Shopping!

30 Days of Thankfulness for Infertility...conclusion

I am sorry that I am late posting my final thankfulness for Infertility... I know that many of you are hanging on the edge of your seat waiting for the conclusion...haha, I'm kidding.


So for those of you have stuck it out this far with me, Thank you!  Here's a little teaser of my list...

Things about Infertility I am Thankful for:

The diagnosis of Unexplained Infertility

The tears I cried

Knowing how precious life is following miscarriage

For the Lord intervening when I wasn't ready to be a parent

For Isaiah 40:11 which comforted me after miscarriage

That Infertility lead me to blogging

For the waiting and allowing my husband and I time alone

For testing my marriage, which essentially strengthened my marriage

For music that spoke to my heart

For bringing me closer to God

The Journey

My Doctor

For the People who Prayed for me

The Lord's Intercession

The Ability to Encourage Others

For Job 5:8-9 which told me the Lord works unending miracles

For the Lord Softening my heart

The Advancement of Medicine

The Doctor Who Told Me "It's unlikely to happen."

Going back to school

My Friends' kids

My co-workers

For Personal Growth

The Negative Pregnancy Tests

Ovulation Predictors

Stepping Stones, Christian resources and support

Never Giving Up

My Answered Prayers

Finally, I am thankful that I've lived this road and I know we can make it through it again as we try for baby #3.

Be blessed blogging friends!

30 Days of Thanksgiving for Infertility: Day 27-29

My 30 days of Thankfulness for Infertility is almost over.  I think my most favorite parts have been witnessing how much growth I've had--spiritually and emotionally--after infertility.  I've never really thought about what a blessing infertility could have been in my life, but now I know.  I know it was necessary, and I am thankful for it.

Day 27:

I am thankful that I never gave up trying.  We continued trying and we continued praying.  I could have let the doctor who told us pregnancy was unlikely as an excuse to never try again.  I could have let the failed pregnancy be an excuse to never try again.  But, ultimately, My desire to be a mother was greater than the risk of seeing another negative pregnancy test or losing another baby...or worse yet, never trying again. 

Day 28 and 29:

Because we continued trying, I am so thankful for these two little miracles:



Kohen (18 months) & Kade (3 years old)

I hated the wait, but I know God was putting extra special touches on my boys--and literally, the first time I heard them cry, the pain and the heartache seemed to be nothing more than a memory for me.

I know God's timing is perfect.   God could have chosen to answer my prayer sooner (or not at all), and I would not have these boys to love.  I honestly can't imagine my life without them. 

Check back here tomorrow to conclude my 30 Days of Thankfulness for Infertility!

30 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 24-26

30 Days of Thanksgiving for Infertility

Day 24
I am thankful for all of the negative pregnancy tests I received.  In the beginning, each one hurt a little more than the last.  But towards the end (let me remind you we were on our 5th year of trying), they hurt a little less.  I could tell that God was softening my heart--or else he was making me so much stronger.  It was still sad, but it wasn't as devastating as it once was to only see one line.

Day 25
Although I couldn't seem to come up with 2 pink lines on a pregnancy test, I was so thankful for ovulation predictors.  I could see TWO lines on them!  I could tell I was ovulating, and I could dream of the day that TWO lines would be staring back at me from a pregnancy test.  I am truly thankful for the medical advancement of ovulation tests.  I know that they have been vital in many womens' success in conceiving. 


Day 26
I am thankful for Stepping Stones which offers Christian support for couples facing infertility or pregnancy loss.  Each quarter a newsletter would arrive in my mailbox, and I would sit and savor every single word.  Their store has many books for infertility, miscarriage, adoption, etc.  Stepping Stones was probably THE best resource I had while I struggled with infertility, and I am so, so very thankful for their obedience to minister to the broken hearted prospective parents.  If you haven't already done so, please check out the website!  So much good information.  You can click here to read an excerpt from their November/December 2012 issue.