IUI on Friday

Everything went well today. The 2 eggs that were on my left ovary on Monday are still there, but now they are much bigger. The lining of my uterus is measuring where it should be! We go Friday morning for the IUI. If you have a chance that morning to stop what you're doing at 9:00 to pray for us we would be honored for you to pray on our behalf. Norman's appointment is at 7:30, but the actual procedure should take place around 9:00. We covet your prayers.

Tubes are Clear!

Today went well. My mom and I rolled out of our beds at 4:30 this morning, got dressed, and hit the road. I'm so thankful we were able to spend the whole weekend together. I can never get enough of my mama!

By 8:00 I was poked and prodded...literally. :)
Bloodwork looked good...on to the ultrasound. I have 2 eggs on my left ovary that are almost ready. My uterine lining is thin...it was thin last cycle as well. This is where implantation occurs so it's ideal to have a comfy lining for all that good stuff to happen. Hopefully, it will thicken between now and Wednesday when I go back. I will return on Wednesday to check the eggs to see if they have gotten big enough.

After all that good stuff we headed down to outpatient registration for the HSG procedure. I was nervous because the last time I had this procedure it was painful. The doctor that did the procedure had the best bedside manner of ANY doctor I have ever seen! He was so kind and gentle. He assured me it wouldn't hurt as bad as last time...and he was right! My tubes were clear and my uterus looked good. He said he would look over the x-ray along with my ultrasound and let me know if there was anything to be concerned about. No news is good news, I guess!

We were out of there by 9:15! We headed to Panera Bread for breakfast...I had a ham and swiss souflee and mama had a jalapeno, ham, and cheese sandwich. It was all yummy! We did some shopping at the Summit and Trussville. We topped off the day with lunch at Chili's.

Now, I'm at home and crashing on the couch where I plan to stay until Norman wakes me up and I stumble to bed. If anyone knows any foods or natural remedies to thicken the lining of my uterus please share! You know I already googled it!

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
— Psalm 62:8 (NIV)

Happy Fall!

Please click here and listen while you read :) Open in a new tab so you can read and listen at the same time.


Isn't it funny how a new season brings a sense of refreshment and excitement?? For me, it doesn't matter if it's the beginning of spring, fall, summer, or winter...I get a little giddy with each new season. I hope you all have enjoyed a few football games, pumpkins, mums, falling leaves, and cooler weather.

I went to the doctor today and really enjoyed some alone time and the beautiful weather. I left home at 6 am, so I had to drive in the dark for a little while, but it was nice to see the sunrise which reminded me of God's faithfulness every day when he sets the sun in motion. We are starting a new round of treatment this month. This is the first time since July. It's oral meds starting tonight and injections starting Friday. On Monday I will go for an ultrasound, bloodwork, and the hsg procedure.

The HSG procedure is where the doctor will inject dye into my fallopian tubes and use an x-ray to make sure there are no blockages. I had one about 2 years ago, but she recommends that we do another since it's been a while.

I'm very excited about this new cycle, however I'm bummed because I had planned to participate in a triathlon on Sunday. Well, I'm just a little nervous about putting my body under the physical stress a day before the procedure and just a few days before our IUI. It's just not worth the risk! I told Norman there will be tons more triathlons between now and the day I die. Oh well, I'll get over it. I just wish I hadn't put it on facebook...ha ha! Well, I guess that's all for now. Lots of love.

long time, no blog

Hey everyone!! I'm still alive...you were probably wondering! There is really nothing going on around the homefront. What was supposed to be a 1 month break has turned into 2 (and possibly 3 or more). My whole outlook on the process has been not to stress myself out to the point of losing control. With my new job I have been super busy and I knew that adding infertility treatments would be a load that was too heavy for me to bear right now. I'm sure some of you are saying, "gosh, she needs to get over it and get busy!" Trust me, I tell myself that. a lot. I start feeling guilty like I am just letting time pass by while I stand back and watch my biological clock...tick...tock...but I know it would be all in vain if my body is too stressed out to even think about achieving pregnancy. Also, I cannot explain the overwhelming sense of peace that I have on the months that we seek treatment. I start praying about a week before my cycle specifically for peace about the decision. No lightning bolt comes out of the sky followed by a boom of thunder that says, "GO TO THE DOCTORRR." BUT by the first day of my cycle (usually no sooner) I do or don't get a sense of peace about seeking treatment...so far I haven't had that since July. And I'm okay with that.

We are still waiting to begin classes for foster care through Alabama Baptist Children's Home. That is some exciting news!

Now for the not so fun stuff....Norman and I have felt "attacked" lately. I won't go into detail, but Norman shared some things with me that were said on his job and there have been some other things that have gone on to make me feel this way. This is a first. I have experienced a lot of emotions through all of this...anger, jealousy, fear, helplessness, saddness, etc...but the feeling of being attacked in my weakness is new. I am having a hard time getting over it. I am praying daily for God to lift these grudges off my heart. Every day a little more chips off...praise God. Please say a special prayer for me...I am not an angry person by nature and it really breaks my heart to feel this way.

Maybe my next post won't be over a month from now....we shall see :)

It is well with my soul....

I had a phone appt. with Dr. Honea last Tuesday. She was very encouraging. She told me that even though what happened was not easy or good news, it is a GOOD SIGN. She said it lets us know that what we are doing can work. It is very common for this to happen. She said it happened to her 3 times before she became pregnant with her daughter. I just love the fact that she personally knows what this is like. It was so sweet...her first words when I picked up the phone were, "Hey baby doll, I'm sorry." Isn't that sweet? Anyway, she also suggested that I have an HSG test done to make sure that my tubes are clear. I had this done over a year ago, but she suggests one per year until pregnancy is achieved. Norman and I went back and forth for a few days about whether or not to jump right in or take a month off since school was starting back. Since this is extremely stressful and time consuming, we decided to wait until September. So, I guess this will give me plenty of time to finish up my studt on Women in the Bible! I would like to leave you with one of my favorite hymns.....

Please click here to hear Mahalia Jackson sing "It is Well"

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

It was negative...not a good pregnancy. Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement. I have an appointment with my doctor to talk about what comes next. I will keep you posted.

Also, I start back to work tomorrow. For those of you who work with me I would appreciate it if you didn't make a big deal when you see me. My emotions and hormones are crazy right now and I might just melt. Please don't take this personally....It is just how I am choosing to cope right now.

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.
--2 Corinthians 12:9

Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!
--2 Corinthians 4:17

She gave birth to a nation....

....but for many years all Sarah yearned for was one small child she could kiss and cradle.

Sarah's story comes from Genesis 12:1-20; 16:1-8; 17:1-22; 18:1-15; 21:1-13; Galatians 4:22-31.

God called Abram (Sarah's husband) to leave his country, his people, and his family for a foreign land. God promised Abram, "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (Gen. 12:2). So, at the age of 75, Abram set out for the great journey. Now, that is what I call prompt obedience! He took Sarai (later known as Sarah), Lot (his nephew), and other possessions. Destination: Canaan.

When a famine struck Abram went down to Egypt to live. He knew that if he claimed beautiful Sarai as his wife the Egyptians would kill him. So he devised a plan and asked Sarai to say she was his sister. Sarah followed along with the plan and it worked. Sarai was taken into Pharoh's palace to become part of his harem, and Abram was treated well for her sake. But, there were consequences. The Lord inflicted diseases on Pharoh and his household and Abram's lie was exposed. Abram and Sarai were sent away.

Now since Sarai had not had any children and she was thinking that God had failed to follow through on his promise. She advised Abram to sleep with Hagar (a maidservant)in order to have a child. Abram agreed and Hagar conceived. Shortly after conceiving Hagar began to despise Sarai. Sounds very familiar....do Hannah and Peninnah ring a bell? Sarai began to mistreat Hagar and eventually Hagar ran away. An angel appeared to Hagar in the desert and commanded her to go back and submit to Sarai promising to increase her descendants. Hagar gave birth to a son, and Abram named him Ishmael.

Thirteen years later when Abram was 99 the Lord appeared to him and said, "I am God Almighty; walk before me and be blameless. I will confirm my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers." Abram fell on his face and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you; You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you." (Gen. 17:1-6). God also said, "As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come of her" (Gen. 17:15-16).

Sometime later the Lord appeared to Abraham again in the form of 3 visitors (2 angels and the Lord himself). Abraham rushed into his tent to get food and drinks to welcome his visitors. While they were visiting the Lord told Abraham that he would return in 1 year and bless Sarah with a son. Of course, being a woman, Sarah was eavesdropping and upon hearing this she couldn't help but laugh to herself. I guess I would too if I was told I would bear a child at the age of 90!

The Lord blessed Sarah with a son whom Abraham named Isaac (which means "laughter"). God accomplishes his purposes despite our frailties, our little faith, and our self-reliance. This is truly an adventure that began with promise and ended with laughter.

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. --Psalm 130:5