June's Journey

In a nutshell, here was June's journey.

We finneshd skool!!!

No one is happier than this momma/teacher!

The outdoor fun began.

Vacation Bible School

Basketball Camp for Griffen, Rhys, and Dad

There were moments I though about laying down to relax....

And I tried to have a logical conversation with this goofball about why he does, indeed, need to eat his peaches.....no matter what they may look like.

I discovered a few surprise selfies on the tablet. 

And, of course, there was Fathers Day! I sure do love these people!!!

And these final pictures just help lower my blood pressure a bit after a long day.

I realize more and more just how blessed I really am. Even in our recent miscarriages, I have discovered so very much to be thankful for. For example, the journeys to each of my children have been filled with nothing but JOY. I am learning that is not the case for everyone. From the moment we received the news, to their gender reveals, to bringing them into our home - these have been the highlights of my married life. On top of that, in spite of the fact that four of my five kids were born between 31-34 weeks gestation, they are all perfectly healthy! But above all, God has taught us so many invaluable lessons about His plans, His provision, and His miraculous power. 

"O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come."  
(Psalms 71:17-18)  

No Regrets

Late this afternoon, I received a call from Dr. Keenan with the results from my second pregnancy blood test. Unfortunately, my hcg levels dropped to 6. While these little lives did indeed implant and try to grow, God had other plans for them. While we would have welcomed and loved two more, they now join our 7 others who are safe in the arms of Jesus. What a wonderful place to be!

While there is a measure of sadness, we have so very much to be thankful for.

1. That this journey is over. There is great relief that comes with tossing out all the needles and meds! I have literally been on hormone supplements for almost three years now. My body is quite ready to get back to normal. And after 8 adoption home studies and the emotional roller coaster that comes with all the unknowns, we are grateful to put this piece to rest.

2. The five precious blessing we have!!! If you would have asked me at any point in my pre-married life what I hoped for in my family, I would have always responded, "four little boys." Yup, believe it or not, that was my dream early on. God not only granted this desire, but added the cherry on top when He also gave us a little girl.

3. A clear conscience. We knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that God wanted us to go back and get our remaining sibling embryo's. Even though they will not be in our earthly arms, we know that we did the right thing. Nothing compares to a clear conscience.

And so, this chapter of our lives comes to a close. We have NO REGRETS.

The Results Are In

Today I went to the clinic and had my first pregnancy blood test. The results came back at 48. While this is a definite confirmation of pregnancy, the number is lower than normal. They were hoping to see a beta of around 100. A healthy pregnancy cannot be totally ruled out just yet, but there are definitely concerns. I will go back on Monday for a second test that should hopefully provide more answers. Until then, we continue to wait....

Transfer Day

Despite a cancelled flight, a detour to Houston, an overnight stay in Philadelphia, then an early morning flight to Knoxville, we made it! Our appointment (which could not be rescheduled) was set for 11:00 AM. After a few brief moments of panic and a call to my new favorite person, Jaquelyn Davis, I arrived even a few minutes early. Rob even managed to get there a few minutes before I was wheeled back.

Jacquelyn is from our church in KS, but now serves as a missionary at a camp and conference center right in Knoxville, TN. She had recently offered that if we needed anything during our stay, to please call her. So we did. Minutes after our plane landed, she whisked me away to the clinic, while Rob stayed behind to get our rental car. So, while every other couple takes sweet pics with their spouse on the day of transfer, here we are, trying very hard to take a picture on a screen I couldn't see. ☺

Rob arrived on site once I was all prepped and ready to go. The doctor and embryologist met with us and revealed that both our remaining two embryo's survived the thaw and that both got perfect scores. (5AA) These are the best ratings we have had on any of our four transfers.

So, here are the newest and FINAL two members of our family. We will go for our first blood pregnancy test next Thursday, June 2. Until then, we will "Be still and know that [He] is God. [He] will be exalted among the nations. [He] will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10) 

We count ourselves grateful and humbled that God would allow us to walk this exciting road. We love these babies already!

May's Musings

The main musing I've been having this May, is just how many merry memories I share on this blog. Rarely, do I post the melancholy or miserable moments. This is mainly because those are not the moments I want to remember. But, this month I thought I'd mix it up. I will manifest the real material. No misleading. Here's how May went down....

Most every evening, after the kids are all in bed, this is where you will find me - spending some much needed time alone with God (and maybe a little time with HGTV, too).

One such night last week I had been sufficiently strengthened and renewed..... that is, until I got up to go to bed. Upon turning my head to the right, I was mortified to discover a live SNAKE wiggling two feet from my head!!!!! And while I take pictures of most everything else, there is no picture of this unwelcome visitor because, you see, I was running for my life. After my macho husband rescued me from my misery, I began creating a master plan. I, for one, did not view it as an overreaction AT ALL. 

So, Spring Cleaning 2016 was set in motion that weekend. Most all rugs, dressers, and furniture were moved and all carpets were shampooed. The whole family got in on the action!

Then, of course, there was Mothers Day. Pretty pictures were pouring through my Facebook feed all day long. And though we were all looking nice and coordinated for church that day, I pretty much just begged everyone to hop on the bed with me before it was time to go to sleep. This was Mothers Day 2016.

Keira has started to let me do her hair recently, sitting semi-still for almost 10 minutes straight! Despite her tight little curls, her hair actually goes about half way down her back. 

But the real trick is not getting Keira to sit still. It is keeping the other 2/3 of the trio out of trouble while I'm busy with her hair. 

I also tried to keep it real in my May video montage by mixing some cute moments with a heavy dose of reality. 

***NOTE - NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE MAKING OF THIS VIDEO!

Just a couple more pics for the road. Sometimes I just can't handle all this cuteness! These are the moments I want to remember!

***Adoption News - We leave on Monday afternoon, May 23, for Knoxville, TN. All clinic testing here in Wichita went great and I have been cleared for our fourth and final transfer. Procedure is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24. We are preparing ourselves to be happy with any outcome, realizing that there is a possibility that neither of these embryo's will even survive the thawing process. (Trying real hard not to think about the possibility that it could be triplets again.) In any case, our faith has been strengthened and we move forward, trusting that God's ways are truly higher than our ways! (Isaiah 55:8-9) Your prayers are very much appreciated!