tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11116574280217475562024-02-07T21:30:01.792-05:00Baileys AdventuresA merry heart doeth good like a medicine...<br>
-Proverbs 17:22Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-23218076942927646632010-04-22T10:41:00.001-04:002010-04-22T10:42:51.409-04:00I've Moved!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Please click here to be redirected to my new blog.....</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://thebaileysadventures.wordpress.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Baileys Adventures</span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-557260269178408462010-04-19T22:00:00.001-04:002010-04-20T10:19:43.515-04:00My Blog Is Growing Up....<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>When I started this blog, Brian and I were just married. There were a lot of adjustments to make, and we were starting to think about trying to have a baby. I originally wanted to hide this blog, to keep it just for myself and maybe a friend or two. Definitely not the majority of our family or complete "strangers". I griped a lot, used the F word copiously, and didn't censor myself at all. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>And then, eventually, I changed. I started censoring myself in real life a bit (those of you who know me IRL are shocked, I know), I've been trying to watch my potty mouth, and I'm much more open about our fertility issues. I've realized that most people with infertility hide it from everyone in their lives, and so compound the isolation we already feel. I flat refuse to do that, in case you haven't noticed. I try to live my life as an example of certain things, and how to deal with IF without going crazy is one of those things. We cannot be defined by our fertility or lack thereof any more than we can be defined by the books we read, jobs we hold, or car we drive. I'm going to deal with my infertility right out loud. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Now, I share this blog address on my Facebook page, via Twitter updates, and give it to family and friends. I want people to be familiar with what's going on in our lives, not just infertility but our many <s>mis</s>adventures. My blog has become my forum, my chance to make a tiny difference. The chance to share my faith in Christ, to help others dealing with infertility, and get the thoughts rattling around in my head out and about. As I try to do this more often, there are a few things that I want to be able to do. Things that Blogger doesn't allow. And lately ol' Blogger and I have been fighting more often than not. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So, much as I left LiveJournal when my blogging needs outgrew it, I am leaving Blogger. I invite you all to join me at my new address.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-large;"><a href="http://thebaileysadventures.wordpress.com">The Baileys Adventures</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><a href="http://thebaileysadventures.wordpress.com">thebaileysadventures.wordpress.com</a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I tried to get "Baileys Adventures", but somebody named Bailey apparently thought she'd post about her adventures, too. Except that she never had any and there is nothing on her site. So add 'The' and come on over. Make note of the new address, change your blog readers, edit your bookmarks. Because the boxes are packed, the truck is loaded, the posts are exported, and I'm heading to WordPress. There's a post there waiting for you, too....</span></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-52643190506713766382010-04-16T13:00:00.002-04:002010-04-16T13:00:03.657-04:00Thank God...It's Friday!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Praises</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Uncle Roy was sent home from UVA a few days ago. Apparently his doctors think he'll heal faster and regain more abilities if he's in a familiar environment. Word on the family grapevine is that he's still quite out of it and confused, and is having some trouble with falling. While we're all so thankful that he's even alive and that he had relatively minor injuries compared to what could have happened, the family will definitely still need prayers as they try to work out care schedules and keep Uncle Roy and Aunt Margie safe. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So far, the news is good for friends and family who were fearing for their jobs in the Virginia public school system!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My friend Turkeymary bought a house this week!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I think I have it worked out to allow me to continue to sell baby and child-related products like slings, felt play food, etc. I've been talking with the vendor contact at the store here in town that carries my products, and we're pretty sure we've found a way to follow the law without breaking the bank. I'll update further on the <a href="http://baileysbasics.blogspot.com">business blog</a>. Thanks for prayers and ideas during this time!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Requests</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This is a rough day for a friend. She has a lot on her plate, as well. Please keep her in your prayers as led.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">MadHat76's dog at yet another sock. This one earned him a trip to surgery. Please pray for him (and her!) as he heals.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My friend Arinne's wife is expecting their first baby any minute! Hopefully this wait will go quickly for them and they'll have him to love on soon.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Work is kind of crazy right now. It's the same every time I have a new baby, and will pass soon enough, but prayers for sanity would be appreciated.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Little Bro has laryngitis. Yuck and no fun!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The man who was in the wreck with Uncle Roy is still in critical care at UVA, and from what I've heard is still on a ventilator. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have I mentioned we'd like to get pregnant this month? Just puttin' it out there....</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">**As a little housekeeping note, Mama let me know that some of the pictures from the alpaca farm weren't showing up. I fixed them, I hope. Check it out!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have a great weekend!</span></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-31897261684887151812010-04-14T09:00:00.000-04:002010-04-14T09:00:00.463-04:00<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I love to grill out. As soon as it's warm enough, I fire up the grill and keep using it until it's so cold and dark I can't stand to be out on the deck. Once we get the chance to wash off the furniture we usually have dinner on the back porch, soaking up the </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">vitamin D</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> sunshine and spending some time </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">not </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">in front of the TV.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Before I met Brian, I had a little tabletop grill. It was the perfect size for my itty bitty, teeny tiny, two-people-and-one-shared-cigarette balcony at my apartment, and was great for camping. I actually went through two or three of them in the years before I met Brian. When we moved to our </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">hovel</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> old house, we put the grill in the cellar because we had no real place to grill out </span><s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">without stray cats stealing our meat</span></s><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. When we moved here to the Square, we bought a brand-new, cobweb-free tabletop grill for our deck, and it's served us very well. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>That is, until I lit it on fire last year. Twice. I don't remember if I blogged about it or not, but last summer while Brian was gone for work I grilled some chicken </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">with the skin on</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. Big mistake. The grill lit up like some manner of burning bush, and the flames threatened to burn down our deck. There are slight black burn marks on our deck wall (why do our decks here have walls? Anyone?) to memorialize my grilling prowess. I am deathly afraid of fire, and was completely terrified by the idea that I nearly burnt our house down. Those flames were four feet high, and the baking soda was inside the house. I finally grabbed it and put out the conflagration. The grill caught on fire again later in the summer, albeit in a much smaller manner. There was an insane amount of residual chicken grease in the bottom of the grill, and I've never really felt safe about it since.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What I didn't know was that when something catches on fire, it often rusts. Like rusts </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">out. </span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> You can see how traumatic the fire(s) was by the fact that the top of that grill used to be red. The paint burnt off. O-F-F, ya'll. Burnt. it. </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">off.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBDRsfZn7CRioLpsSMC9uXesZzTAGOeZlylGAvokhAn1qE22D_fh7bcbznLRM_qva_a_4IY6XBnnlet3wfSPC1lwZKE2InEUHdg2SfFkMMrrJ1XTrXXDWT-ky8Z0VAWBA_ppXDViflq4/s1600/P4071401.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBDRsfZn7CRioLpsSMC9uXesZzTAGOeZlylGAvokhAn1qE22D_fh7bcbznLRM_qva_a_4IY6XBnnlet3wfSPC1lwZKE2InEUHdg2SfFkMMrrJ1XTrXXDWT-ky8Z0VAWBA_ppXDViflq4/s400/P4071401.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So, we were in need of a new grill. $40 would get us a new tabletop grill at the local Wally World. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But then! My amazing husband called! From work! Where they had received a shipment of Holy Cow Amazing How I Lust After It grills. For an insanely reasonable price and the benefit of an additional employee discount. He asked me to come out and look at it, and we brought it home to live with us forever.<br /></span><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5Io8vb-pqV0acf0vAcmyrQ4Dw1gvS9WnsSJjQm3AZdLVc9wlPMUcJqUOPr14Wz7i51q6yVP7ACjqBPT40oiwMd8bBTNbBn8BUQuHSZtsNl89tT7FoLerAZqYLHVr1kh5FNQxFyLh_JI/s1600/P4071402.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-5Io8vb-pqV0acf0vAcmyrQ4Dw1gvS9WnsSJjQm3AZdLVc9wlPMUcJqUOPr14Wz7i51q6yVP7ACjqBPT40oiwMd8bBTNbBn8BUQuHSZtsNl89tT7FoLerAZqYLHVr1kh5FNQxFyLh_JI/s400/P4071402.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">**insert a choir of angels singing here*</span></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAcGHk9vd7hIfNs4lDnTBFeLO554OX9JXMRvvmjj11C37TMnux1EN_IC9rYwIWj8L_2p_TU46ia9a9f6J8zuzocGgCz29ti0HpUzI-p77bNrqIUb8E99cc6KBKh-TvPTaXr4wKvCdb2I/s1600/P4071403.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAcGHk9vd7hIfNs4lDnTBFeLO554OX9JXMRvvmjj11C37TMnux1EN_IC9rYwIWj8L_2p_TU46ia9a9f6J8zuzocGgCz29ti0HpUzI-p77bNrqIUb8E99cc6KBKh-TvPTaXr4wKvCdb2I/s400/P4071403.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Brian put it together last week and then helped me light it up. I love to grill, and I have never been afraid of propane or my grill. But read about that fire again...and know that I was terrified. Which disappointed and embarrassed me. Brian helped me, and I'm totally okay with it now. I just had this irrational fear of setting our deck alight. Can't imagine why.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I marinated up some chicken thighs in our favorite marinade, and tossed some asparagus with olive oil, salt, and pepper.<br /></span><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrmVJML97uQ5uj49MF6oScT1FlU7N5Eod0eug6g2w9_wvyjfAjBUkxZeha-E9SAhFhsi-nZ2zKAijVZkInhB99LADFtyxE2T6w6quoFpMWkwMio2W-iQi7JlaCrGYu1hLIJLRMuxc_30/s1600/P4071404.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrmVJML97uQ5uj49MF6oScT1FlU7N5Eod0eug6g2w9_wvyjfAjBUkxZeha-E9SAhFhsi-nZ2zKAijVZkInhB99LADFtyxE2T6w6quoFpMWkwMio2W-iQi7JlaCrGYu1hLIJLRMuxc_30/s400/P4071404.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A few minutes of hot, searing, yum-inducing heat, and viola'! Let there be dinner!</span></div></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4yTalhSM7YuSFOl6ZtHXoFxwic52vru-mPbTs-r1ZeetjIsXFU4BLZNVIWGS_OoKQXNf0FbUgzOBqfqSUq_SPriXpjK6MNzRba796uOXLo5v2Vz13BQpbc8Ga6lmIx-hpbfKohrPH7o/s1600/P4071405.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4yTalhSM7YuSFOl6ZtHXoFxwic52vru-mPbTs-r1ZeetjIsXFU4BLZNVIWGS_OoKQXNf0FbUgzOBqfqSUq_SPriXpjK6MNzRba796uOXLo5v2Vz13BQpbc8Ga6lmIx-hpbfKohrPH7o/s400/P4071405.JPG" /></span></a></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Here's the recipe I used for the marinade. I use it pretty much weekly in the summer, and it's wonderful. I can't take a bit of credit for it, though. I got it from Recipezaar about two years ago. It's basically idiot proof. Enjoy!</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">California Marinade</span></b></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Combine the following in a jar and shake vigorously:</b></span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1/4 cup olive oil</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1/4 cup lemon juice</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2 TB Worcestershire sauce</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">1-3 dashes of Tabasco sauce</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2 TB apple cider vinegar</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2 tsp. salt</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2 tsp. sugar</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">2 cloves of crushed, minced, or pressed garlic</span></div><div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Marinate meat or vegetables for a few hours. Brush over meat while grilling.</b></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-8593013226954027492010-04-13T09:00:00.003-04:002010-04-13T09:00:02.607-04:00Forest Fire<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>On our way to the alpaca farm Sunday, we noticed some smoke on the mountain ridge north of Route 259 by the West Virginia state line. Last week there were several red flag fire warnings, so we knew the possibility of forest fires was high. Seeing the mountain burn is sadly pretty common around here, but always heartbreaking. We saw some fire crews already set up by the roadside, taking ATVs back over the ridge to fight the fire. At that point, they were probably digging ditches to stem the fire's progression. There was a tent set up providing refreshment for the firefighters, and a rescue squad handy just in case.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>By the time we headed back home from the farm, the fire had spread and grown much larger. As best we could tell, the fire was back behind the ridge, so we could only see the smoke. </span></div><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyLkUqV0RMqFecwMev5sdrA-Y6Z8F1oFPhXFt1JXKmWu-PVJFksrddhZme9O4XXjws_YbkpJWJxBwTmJDTbqdlbw4O8-vUHp9Rf608p72bJXK5qLqmZ8X45uEp01yjsT5LxLBg8Y4hdU/s1600/P4121553.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyLkUqV0RMqFecwMev5sdrA-Y6Z8F1oFPhXFt1JXKmWu-PVJFksrddhZme9O4XXjws_YbkpJWJxBwTmJDTbqdlbw4O8-vUHp9Rf608p72bJXK5qLqmZ8X45uEp01yjsT5LxLBg8Y4hdU/s400/P4121553.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sq_f3aIR1fg7jWd7DWWbMzIjuHIN8tH57L1OefyHywTdjd3ZYri7LaqaHC86zv_WMQtCYsZ5_HwcCKaz5KJXsNCJcXdNhYVeEvgktbPUZEgnIP8Y2usvaK7Kk0fHVWM_nhceoAuwKsI/s1600/P4121554.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Sq_f3aIR1fg7jWd7DWWbMzIjuHIN8tH57L1OefyHywTdjd3ZYri7LaqaHC86zv_WMQtCYsZ5_HwcCKaz5KJXsNCJcXdNhYVeEvgktbPUZEgnIP8Y2usvaK7Kk0fHVWM_nhceoAuwKsI/s400/P4121554.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlVwZh4r9_toEF0l9ivxjm0HQEsVUnmhHr1x2CiBNgDm_YTlc58XbE220aAh8boTgQ7YvsQ3fBkgxFSw9DjQM_ePEt7VwuOVnSCfkAVxwN_j8fEbFqxYfXlJzN6zKWvsP-UyYmP_olk8/s1600/P4121555.JPG"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlVwZh4r9_toEF0l9ivxjm0HQEsVUnmhHr1x2CiBNgDm_YTlc58XbE220aAh8boTgQ7YvsQ3fBkgxFSw9DjQM_ePEt7VwuOVnSCfkAVxwN_j8fEbFqxYfXlJzN6zKWvsP-UyYmP_olk8/s400/P4121555.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><div style="text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_fZIA7fHrFNuERkOiE7zzxslB5BpVD0aOTHDB9aQE4VQ3IA-regwftpFEXeaSvBjaOSyQYxpjxmAKhPOIg9UyW81MqVKBJuAMApITW255caIA01kulfmwXUhjc_k_UcajwavDdF53ME/s1600/P4121556.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP_fZIA7fHrFNuERkOiE7zzxslB5BpVD0aOTHDB9aQE4VQ3IA-regwftpFEXeaSvBjaOSyQYxpjxmAKhPOIg9UyW81MqVKBJuAMApITW255caIA01kulfmwXUhjc_k_UcajwavDdF53ME/s400/P4121556.JPG" border="0" alt="" /></a></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-41488807729897643612010-04-12T19:00:00.002-04:002010-04-16T10:50:27.608-04:00A Visit to the Alpaca Farm!<div style="text-align: left;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; white-space: normal; "><div><div style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On Sunday, I went to Lost River, West Virginia with Mama, Daddy, and Uncle Larry. Daddy has a friend with an alpaca farm and we've been meaning to get over there to see them for months. Sunday was gorgeous and none of us had plans, so we hopped in a van and took off after church.</span></div><div style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">These little animals are so fun! They're gentle and sensitive, and I was amazed to see their interactions with their owners and with each other. Here are a few pictures from our trip...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A-WA_G8CbP4JzcE3wKAU6sT4Dmgz9fyS88NPSO0rF0fsX9ck2m2WVyaEXsNJSpFU2RNiM0FqsrqLKXE2z_2A0iYLZjH1hlORgnq_KUsCa4ykWotmx7HtZuiWSY1uhHt73eVL34Ifns8/s1600/1.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A-WA_G8CbP4JzcE3wKAU6sT4Dmgz9fyS88NPSO0rF0fsX9ck2m2WVyaEXsNJSpFU2RNiM0FqsrqLKXE2z_2A0iYLZjH1hlORgnq_KUsCa4ykWotmx7HtZuiWSY1uhHt73eVL34Ifns8/s400/1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460747089722292930" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Inside the barn with the girls</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87ruXaz8fQ2J1NS5BTgm47kLo8G8Y3bI_s5Uqn_cs5-sbZVcbl-DCc1xqKRwEFHgIclgeAX_jzHN7ZAKEWEwZBY3gky5WlvNHGq0XoziyF5IQ9GtZAsZ4NkQjWx0xkQzqb4f9R4M2nZ4/s1600/2.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg87ruXaz8fQ2J1NS5BTgm47kLo8G8Y3bI_s5Uqn_cs5-sbZVcbl-DCc1xqKRwEFHgIclgeAX_jzHN7ZAKEWEwZBY3gky5WlvNHGq0XoziyF5IQ9GtZAsZ4NkQjWx0xkQzqb4f9R4M2nZ4/s400/2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460746709159026322" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 363px; height: 400px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP9XLopPUq-W0R91C6VkP1VGoNGexFpZsSeIXhBr0zctay_dVcTneZ-T0iGa4MBO_1jta8czscAqJeypKGQ-v2ybEFQ4A2YdBOXcz_XmC5UsEt0ymbCztrs5ztZvDXjY5SkXD7w9sr3Q/s1600/3.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP9XLopPUq-W0R91C6VkP1VGoNGexFpZsSeIXhBr0zctay_dVcTneZ-T0iGa4MBO_1jta8czscAqJeypKGQ-v2ybEFQ4A2YdBOXcz_XmC5UsEt0ymbCztrs5ztZvDXjY5SkXD7w9sr3Q/s400/3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460745679302870594" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY11REiQ2hzOBB1TWKvlwndlJdPRlIPW-YgVuEVh2q9zLnKfdIk_Jqv6ZcxmH3wo6e7wqrJFnaPxYZG_S5Rrm1M0074ibbWBBFwE5X4EW4GUwNswl5IqH3XODGRRSoELnM_iI2rmMg3g/s1600/4.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiY11REiQ2hzOBB1TWKvlwndlJdPRlIPW-YgVuEVh2q9zLnKfdIk_Jqv6ZcxmH3wo6e7wqrJFnaPxYZG_S5Rrm1M0074ibbWBBFwE5X4EW4GUwNswl5IqH3XODGRRSoELnM_iI2rmMg3g/s400/4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460745291518836498" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="clear: both; text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Connie, who is due to have a baby any day, on the left. I'm not sure who's on the right.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNzpgSwmIv7iOSvbwHUgF5rwArOhL97OvRNp2_vkGpMtHUXrH7JUN8Cz746Ut7khsQVQehZdcm0ZfTmqk9dCmP-NVad1Hh5LbfgoI_0NcQfEae-fGhA5P7wGiVcNtppPxyozCKp993tk/s1600/5.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNzpgSwmIv7iOSvbwHUgF5rwArOhL97OvRNp2_vkGpMtHUXrH7JUN8Cz746Ut7khsQVQehZdcm0ZfTmqk9dCmP-NVad1Hh5LbfgoI_0NcQfEae-fGhA5P7wGiVcNtppPxyozCKp993tk/s400/5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460744987770763346" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kUTQtcLov_6ajMuIjKvjjxm4PAUms3P5BsbrUhsJdiRLtyZJ8JSYfcL-ICxecEpzAoLuRe3nnHMMx1kdIQv5spidOsjFNJ0fOYzkZCk5zNMjryLaPVRSUjfQ97YTCEPfPtnaSSMcw38/s1600/6.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4kUTQtcLov_6ajMuIjKvjjxm4PAUms3P5BsbrUhsJdiRLtyZJ8JSYfcL-ICxecEpzAoLuRe3nnHMMx1kdIQv5spidOsjFNJ0fOYzkZCk5zNMjryLaPVRSUjfQ97YTCEPfPtnaSSMcw38/s400/6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460744746395051698" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Daddy feeds the boys. They ate rabbit food as treats.</span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Their mouths are very soft, and their upper lips are split to move independently! Daddy was spit on pretty early in the day by Lilly, and then was shunned by most of the other alpacas!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVW3NcRQElFnCliglLjzH_VpFkfB5WWZNQIleC1I82a7qn0S10ucucMoMHfIzmswCG9CCc17PBEbkYcw1ikv03gCkWCzIQM_TKRczQIjtQikgDMoOH426j5EvKXNZXVN8LUCu8r9hcbE/s1600/7.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiVW3NcRQElFnCliglLjzH_VpFkfB5WWZNQIleC1I82a7qn0S10ucucMoMHfIzmswCG9CCc17PBEbkYcw1ikv03gCkWCzIQM_TKRczQIjtQikgDMoOH426j5EvKXNZXVN8LUCu8r9hcbE/s400/7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460744602618438306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Teddy on the right. He spit a little before this. When they spit, alpacas' bottom lips are frozen open for 20-30 minutes! So Teddy's teeth were sticking out.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxTOmGuNiBwSKaQ2S18el2ZgK33CTih0ns5S0A3FLWjPe7Wzwi-1DZpYY-BWPckoYR7nTT_6KW3glDmgwHMLLsyjFdHwRpwuPPrpanwQIeBcNdhhFa96a6nRkDMlhUuTlAssZlWou6aU/s1600/8.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxTOmGuNiBwSKaQ2S18el2ZgK33CTih0ns5S0A3FLWjPe7Wzwi-1DZpYY-BWPckoYR7nTT_6KW3glDmgwHMLLsyjFdHwRpwuPPrpanwQIeBcNdhhFa96a6nRkDMlhUuTlAssZlWou6aU/s400/8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460744311827281410" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I don't remember this guy's name, but he was extra-sweet. He let me rub his nose and tried to eat my camera.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCBAuxSOoaqV-5qnj-kK3jB-gQKR8XUS9649nWkZNehpeK4sc1WWlIygzKJFQt-kuyP_jswmsQXGFn5LsM6wD7VqLHRSdxi4AT9E2XzQ3jDA-tr7S4jTY8gEUKuMynjmNV9AE8lag-Aw/s1600/9.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijCBAuxSOoaqV-5qnj-kK3jB-gQKR8XUS9649nWkZNehpeK4sc1WWlIygzKJFQt-kuyP_jswmsQXGFn5LsM6wD7VqLHRSdxi4AT9E2XzQ3jDA-tr7S4jTY8gEUKuMynjmNV9AE8lag-Aw/s400/9.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460744185805162034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Naomi, who is due in September, and Manny. Manny is an award-winning show alpaca, and very sweet!</span></div><div style="text-align: center; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">After we spent a few hours playing with the alpacas, we headed to </span><a href="http://www.lostrivergrill.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Lost River Grill</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> for a late lunch and then home. We're hoping to go back soon to see either Connie or Naomi's babies, so I'm sure there'll be more pictures. Needless to say, this trip only fueled my desire to have a little alpaca herd of my own someday!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div></span></span></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-22534405680343777812010-04-10T00:02:00.002-04:002010-04-10T00:28:37.348-04:00Thank God...It's Friday! The Saturday Edition<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yeah, yeah, so I didn't get this put up on Friday. With the week I've had, it's a miracle I even have the presence of mind to type. So here you have it....</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Praises</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This week I am literally thanking God that I made it through. It's been a long one and all my kids were nutty this week. I'm actually looking forward to trying to Spring clean this weekend....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Uncle Roy is conscious and seems to be improving. He has two places bleeding in his brain, but the scans from this afternoon were improved over the ones from 4 AM. He also has a broken shoulder bone. He has no memory of the accident. The other driver has internal bleeding and is currently on a ventilator. So in the midst of praise, prayers are still needed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Requests</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A couple from our new church is currently in the process of adopting their son from Russia. They are waiting on his visa to be approved and hope to travel to Russia in about four weeks to pick him up and have their Russian court date. Unfortunately,</span><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6384TA20100409"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> today the Russian government starting making threats to freeze all US adoptions</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. While they are justified in their reaction to a horrible incident, making thousands of new adoptive parents suffer is not the answer. Please be in prayer for our new friends and their son, as well as anyone affected by this.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">A friend's wife should be having their baby soon (update us, you know who you are....). Please lift them up in prayer as they grow their family. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Several friends are looking for work or are facing unemployment. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Please keep MadHat76's grandfather in your prayers as he undergoes treatment for cancer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">YaYaPrincess' pooch has been sick. God loves dogs, too, you know. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Two of the families</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> whose </span><a href="http://gorillabuns.typepad.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">blogs I follow</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> are observing the one year anniversary of their children's deaths this week. I cannot even imagine how hard this would be. Please keep them in your prayers. </span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-33895525228311121552010-04-08T22:20:00.002-04:002010-04-08T22:28:08.718-04:00Thursday Night Prayer Request<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Mama called me earlier tonight to let me know that my Uncle Roy was being transported to UVA. Earlier today Mama received a call saying that Uncle Roy was missing and his family was looking for him. He was supposed to pick up his great-granddaughter from school, and never showed up. After frantically searching for him and contacting the local hospital several times, the family finally found him in the ER. He was in a very bad car wreck on the way to the school. The med-flight from our local hospital came to the scene to take both Uncle Roy and the other driver to UVA, but Uncle Roy refused to go. After being taken to the ER, he was transported tonight to UVA by ambulance. From what I understand, he has bleeding in his brain and is in very critical condition. Please keep Uncle Roy, his family, and the doctors and nurses who are working on him in your prayers. Uncle Roy's wife is my Aunt Margie, who you may remember has been very ill as well. This family has been through a lot lately and would appreciate it if you would keep them lifted up. Thank you!</span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-54067891793946632602010-04-02T23:52:00.002-04:002010-04-03T00:02:59.148-04:00Good Friday!I don't really have anything amazing to write today. No big, philosophical post about Good Friday and what that means to me. Simply put, Easter Sunday is the most important day in the Christian year. Sure, Jesus' birth was a big deal. But we are not saved by His birth, but rather by the grace given us through His death. And that death is commemorated today with Good Friday. That's a huge, huge deal. So I'll leave it at that.<div><br /></div><div>Last night we attended the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maundy_Thursday">Maundy Thursday</a> service at our new church. We loved it! The fellowship and emphasis on service and Christ were amazing, and we met so many new people. We're really liking this new church and I look forward to the Easter service there this Sunday!</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-14016257157552841132010-03-29T23:38:00.004-04:002010-03-30T00:17:39.105-04:00Don't You Hate Suspense?<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In interest of not keeping anyone in suspense, I thought I'd let you know that we started a new cycle today. In other words, I'm not pregnant. I'm really okay with it. At least, that's what I'm telling myself. I had a (few) good cries, I leaned on Brian, I ate popcorn for lunch. I drank some fully-caffeinated Earl Grey de la creme tea, and lusted after sushi delivery that I couldn't afford. I also had such a crazy day that I eventually was able to get it off my mind. </span><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Please don't tell me you're sorry. I know, and I've heard that a few times today (and said it more than a few), and just really can't take it again. While I appreciate the sentiment, I'm really okay. We're committed to following God's timing, so we have to accept it even when we don't agree. He doesn't need us to anyway. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So why is this such a shock? Because of the evidence my body was presenting me with during this TWW. You may notice a new button on the right sidebar of my blog, linking to a site where I track my TWW symptoms. It keeps me from making anyone else crazy. Unfortunately, I just found it last week, so I still had a week before that to annoy the heck out of a few people. Now I'll have a place to put those thoughts without being so...up front? out loud? in your face? Whatever. It's over there, and it will be updated during each TWW. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Well, that's what's going on in my little world. I spent a good part of the day utterly crushed. Another good chunk being run ragged by the little creatures in my house. I'm exhausted, drained, and empty. So tomorrow has to be better, right? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Meanwhile, this has me feeling a lot better....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(85, 85, 85); line-height: 21px; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:14px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">26 Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Who created all these?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He who brings out the starry host one by one,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">and calls them each by name.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Because of his great power and mighty strength,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">not one of them is missing.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">27 Why do you say, O Jacob,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">and complain, O Israel,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">"My way is hidden from the LORD;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">my cause is disregarded by my God"?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">28 Do you not know?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have you not heard?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The LORD is the everlasting God,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">the Creator of the ends of the earth.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">He will not grow tired or weary,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">and his understanding no one can fathom.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">29 He gives strength to the weary</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">and increases the power of the weak.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">31 but those who hope in the LORD</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">will renew their strength.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">They will soar on wings like eagles;</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">they will run and not grow weary,</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">they will walk and not be faint.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Isaiah 40:26-29,31</span></b></div></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-80992331736072437332010-03-28T01:08:00.002-04:002010-03-28T01:17:13.751-04:00Please Pray<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">There is a blog that I have followed for a little while now. More specifically, I had read about Eva on </span><a href="http://cfhusband.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">one of the other blogs</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> I read and recently checked out </span><a href="http://65redroses.livejournal.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Eva's own blog</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. I just adored her outlook and spunky personality, and read through her archives in about two weekends. She received a double lung transplant a couple years ago because of cystic fibrosis, and has been in chronic rejection for some time. A few months ago, Eva posted a vlog saying goodbye to her readers and friends because she was told that she'd be passing very soon. She's lived for a while since then.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sadly for her family, she passed away this morning. I know they had time to prepare, but it can't be easy to let her go. But she can breathe now, and is at peace. Please keep her family and friends in your prayers. Eva made a huge difference to a lot of people, raised tons of money for Canada's cystic fibrosis charities, and educated so many people about her disease and organ donation. Thank God for her life, her honesty, and her spirit. </span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-61598309433573437962010-03-26T13:00:00.000-04:002010-03-26T13:00:02.359-04:00Thank God...It's Friday!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This has been such a long week!! It's absolutely dragging by! Probably because I know that Brian has the weekend off and we have very, very little planned. Palm Sunday in "our new church" is the only given on the agenda. Oh, yeah, and some wrestling thing Brian will be parked in front of on Sunday...seriously, though, he's excited and that's cool. Anyone who is also planning on watching that and wants to do it in the comfort of our living room in front of the big screen instead of at BW3, call me! I'll try to arrange for some food if we get company. Incentive... I'm also going to try to convince him to see <i>Alice in Wonderland</i> this weekend. I need more of that 3D experience!!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">You guys crack me up! Apparently there are doubts about my ability to keep my mouth shut for 12 weeks..... Of course, I'm the one having the doubts, but I digress. Seriously, though, you guys will know after our parents and siblings. Heck, some of our family reads this, and what a un-fun way to find out you're going to be an aunt or uncle? So after they know, you will. Not immediately, because I'm just way too....anxiety-ridden? I'm so afraid that when it does happen, it won't last. Irrational, but true. I won't make you wait 12 weeks. Though I'm sure I could keep that a secret if I wanted <s> an aneurysm </s> a challenge! That said, some of you know that I planned 80% of our wedding in the car on the way back from West Virginia the day after we got engaged... Can you imagine how fast I'm going to put that nursery together when the time comes?! Please. You'll be seeing pictures. Of course, I may be geriatric by that time, but whatever. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />So, in response to comments from my last post:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Allison, I was reading the same blog you were. You sent me the link a few years ago, and I read through her entire archive. Then her little girl was born and I was so excited to "meet" her. And then, <i>poof!,</i> nothing. I can't imagine losing this outlet that way!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Samantha, your happy ending will definitely come! Maybe before ours! Have faith, girl! I know what you mean about Facebook pee stick photos. So...hard to see. My high school friends who are on Facebook and reading here have probably seen the newest announcement from one of our classmates. I am so happy for her. But also really jealous. I hate that feeling in myself, but there it is. Doesn't help that she literally <i>just </i>had a baby and then had her tubes tied. Obviously God wasn't through with her yet, but ouch for quite a few of us. Infertility seems to be rampant in our high school class, and I just wish more people knew to be gentle. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Anonymous, you need a log-in name. Or else I'll give you a bloggy name, and they are usually hokey. So getcha one. Rest assured, I'll totally be posting pee stick photos, ultrasounds, obsessive pregnancy posts on here. Are you kidding?! Otherwise I'll drive everyone I see every day completely insane. But not on Facebook. I really respected that you guys were discreet and thoughtful. Not secretive, just considerate. This blog is my own private forum, and if I wanna post "Hey, I'm Preggo!" posts every day, I'm probably going to! But on Facebook it just seems so....braggy? But no, there will be no belly photos anywhere. <i>*shudder*</i> I am <i>way </i>too modest for that, and seriously don't want to be responsible for blinding 10 or 15 people. Maybe I'll find some stock photos online and Photoshop my head on.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So, nothing is positive and I'm not getting my hopes too up for this cycle. But there's always next month, and the month after that. And, if my Mama is any example the next five years after that. But I'm hopeful. And always prayerful. Speaking of which.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Thank God...It's Friday</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Praises</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Big P had his surgery yesterday and it went off without a hitch. He should be headed home any time now, and then his mama gets to try to keep an active three-and-a-half year old "calm". Pray for them both!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Brian has the weekend off! Yay!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://sweetteaandmack.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The Bum</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> had a scary call at work this week. Seems Cuz and The Godson attempted to burn the house down making French fries. Only the kitchen was affected, and it probably looks much worse than it is, but I'm sure it was scary nonetheless. Thank God, no one was hurt, the landlord wasn't angry, and the insurance should cover it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Anonymous up there is going to be a mommy very, very soon. Please keep Mommies and Baby in your prayers! Yay!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Requests</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Teachers all over the state of Virginia are facing the cold reality that they could lose their jobs because there is no longer any room in the budget for public schools. In some towns, entire schools are closing. In my mother's side of our <i>immediate </i>family alone, we have four teachers. Only two have tenure. Many of my friends face unemployment as well, and I cannot imagine how they are feeling over this. Losing your job for no fault of your own is just plain Not Fair. Please pray that they will receive good news, that money will be reallocated, and that children in the public school system will not suffer because of the ignorance of our government. Please pray that anyone who does lose their job will go on to bigger and better (and better paying, for that matter!) endeavors. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">An acquaintance is facing some seriously hard times. Naturally, this affects their spouse and many friends as well. Please pray as led. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>Anything going on in your life that you want to give praise over or need lifted up?</b></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-46241758788547896282010-03-25T13:00:00.000-04:002010-03-25T13:00:07.549-04:00Two Week Wait via Facebook?!<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>I’ve been pondering this post for a couple of days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m in the middle of the dreaded “two week wait” (TWW), that time after ovulation before you can trust a pregnancy test.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>The two weeks when your body throws every weird symptom at you it can so as to mess with your brain.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>For two long weeks you feel as pregnant as you can imagine, and then a test crushes you fourteen days later.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Good times, as you can imagine.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I’m ignoring this as best I can.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Sure, I am.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just ask YaYa Princess how many texts she’s gotten in the past ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Obsessive texts.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m <i>so </i>very good at ignoring it, I promise.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Not.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So, anyway, an acquaintance knows roughly what our TTC schedule looks like.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She’s privy to when my doctor’s appointments are, and can count.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So she knows this is a pivotal time.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She makes it a point to ask me routinely if I’m pregnant and what we’re doing now, like Clomid or TWW, or a period. She knows way too much about my body.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But she’s positive and supportive, so it’s all good.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But she asked me this week when I was going to tell people if/when I’m pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Specifically, will I post it to Facebook<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Um…<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So it made me think.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Granted, Brian and I have discussed it, and talked through our thoughts on “when and how to tell people” </span><i>when </i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">it happens.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Heck, we’ve been doing this since early 2008, so we’ve had time to discuss everything.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our kids are named already, for crying out loud.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Just tell us </span><i>what </i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">it is, and we can tell you </span><i>who </i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">it is.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anyway, our parents will know pretty much instantly.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>My parents probably the day we find out, and Brian’s parents as soon as we could get there to tell them in person.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Our siblings will get phone calls sometime in the first trimester.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I have four friends who will know very soon, too, because I can’t keep a single thing from them successfully.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Everyone else, my bloggy friends, the Internet, Facebook at large, anyone not in the above list?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Pretty much after the first trimester.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>What really made me think was the whole question of posting to Facebook.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>When a good friend’s wife got pregnant, I asked if they were going to post pictures of ultrasounds and such.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>She replied that they would not be doing that, out of respect for their infertile friends.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>How nice is that?!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I think that’s just such a respectful thing to do for others and so empathetic of them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I am not bothered by other people’s ultrasounds, belly pictures, pregnancy talk, or baby photos.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I’m not even really envious, just wistful for when it’s me.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So I wouldn’t have minded seeing their bean in all his gray, fuzzy, ultrasound glory.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But I know that many, many people would have been crushed.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>So we’ll be adopting the same mentality when I do get pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No ultrasounds on Facebook, no constant “I’m so sick, whine whine whine” on </span><a href="http://twitter.com/AndreaBaileys">Twitter</a><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I will not be that stumbling block to someone else, causing them pain or envy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>However, while this has been a little bit of an “infertility blog” up till this point, it’s only been that because infertility has been such a big part of our lives.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s something that I’ve dealt with in my head since I was 16.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We discussed it long before we discussed marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>We ran through 80 million scenarios when I was still on the pill.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Since 2008, it’s been a constant focus for us at least monthly, if not daily.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Who am I kidding?!<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Daily.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But in reality, this is our </span><i>family </i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">blog.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>It’s where we post pictures of the things we do when we finally get time off, where you see what’s important to us.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>With three siblings in three different states, it’s how we keep in touch and keep them up to date (hi, guys!).<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>This blog will not end when I get pregnant.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>And, honestly, there will be ultrasound pictures and obsessing over the state of the pregnancy.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>No belly shots, as no one in their right mind wants to have </span><i>that </i><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">seared on their retinas.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>But there will be discussions of pregnancy. And probably baby pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Because it’s our family blog, and hopefully one day our family will be bigger than just two people and three cats.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Why do I mention this now, without actually being preggo?<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Because I know a lot of my readers are dealing with infertility, and I want them to know how it stands.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I never, ever want to alienate you guys.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I never want to offend or crush you.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I thank you for all you’ve taught me, and for letting me tell you things that are way too personal to tell everyone else in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>I want to be respectful of your feelings, but I guess I hope you’ll understand and stick around, even after the rabbit dies.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Now, I’m off to obsess about completely meaningless “symptoms” that I probably feel every month and just don’t notice until I’m focusing on them.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>Anybody got a stick to pee on?!!</span></o:p></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-82706763504971030052010-03-25T09:00:00.000-04:002010-03-25T10:43:33.518-04:00Duh, Bloodwork<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I totally forgot to tell you guys that my progesterone test came back just fine. It was a 15, whatever that means. It was 16 last month, so I figure it must be good. The nurse said "I guess you're just going to ovulate late in your cycle"..... Um, nope. I have a 32-35 day cycle so I ovulated right on time, thanks. Which is what I already knew from my 9 previous Clomid cycles. And which I've told them at every doctor's appointment since time immemorial. I've been late all my life. I will be late to my own funeral. If I hadn't been at the church by 7 AM the morning of my (3 PM) wedding, I would have been late to that, too. I was late being born, a little late walking, late starting this whole period thing, and late to get married. I'm late. It only makes sense to me that my ovulation (when it chooses to happen) should be late, too. *sigh*</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Anyhoo, that's the deal with the bloodwork. Have a great Thursday!</span></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-89389494630313516152010-03-23T13:00:00.001-04:002010-03-23T13:00:02.987-04:00Infertility Is...<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As we have traveled (and travailed) through our journey (ha!) with infertility, I’ve learned a lot from the infertility blogs that I’ve read, and from our family and friends. While I do have to put myself on hiatus from infertility blogs on a regular basis, I am so thankful that we have not been alone through this continuing nightmare. I had a conversation recently with my mother about my blog, and why I choose to make such a private issue so public by putting it all online. Well, if one person finds the Lord, learns anything about their own infertility and what to expect, or is helped in any way whatsoever, then this has not been in vain. That may mean just helping someone who is not infertile to understand what the people around them are going through. Or letting someone several years into this rollercoaster know that they are not alone, either. As others have done for me, I will do for them. This post is in that vein….</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b> Infertility Is...</b></span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <b>…Depressing</b>. There is no end to the feelings of failure, shame, and envy. Every Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or any other important holiday that passes without a baby in our lives is a kick in the teeth. Some days simply getting out of bed is too much effort. But we do it, so as to appear normal.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <b>…Frustrating.</b> To not be able to do something so simple is incredibly frustrating. We cannot do what our bodies were designed to do, and everyone around us can.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Humiliating</b>. Everyone has seen parts of me that should be private. Everyone knows intimate details of our sex life and feels that discussing them is totally acceptable. Our pharmacist is nosy. Our doctor asks questions that make me blush, and I am not easily embarrassed. There is no modesty in infertility. Even at our very thoughtful clinic, I am stripped from the waist down and given a sheet roughly a half yard wide to “cover” up with. My bare butt faces the door. </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Learning to laugh. </b> A man who loves you when Clomid makes you grouchy and when you have to prop your hips up afterward will love you through anything. If you can discuss cervical fluid and peeing on a stick, he’s a keeper. If we don’t laugh at the absurd, we will cry over everything.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Isolating.</b> Even though over 10% of all couples in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">US</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> experience infertility, you may never meet or talk to another. None of your friends can fully understand, and your family my not try. When your infertility is all you can think about, they may not feel comfortable talking about it at all. Our infertility is never mentioned for the prayer requests at church. It is the elephant in the corner at every baby shower. In the waiting room of our fertility clinic, no patients make eye contact, <i>ever</i>. Infertility is not something you tell folks about unless you know you can trust them with your heart.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <b>…A learning experience.</b> Not many things give you the chance to learn to self-inject medications and learn words like <a href="http://rmscva.com/fertility-tests-hysterosalpingogram-hsg.html">hysterosalpingogram </a>or <a href="http://www.ivf.com/drilling.html">ovarian drilling.</a></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <b>…Painful.</b> Physical changes make my body hurt. Side effects cause aches, pains, and headaches. Injections and blood draws hurt, internal ultrasounds and hysterosalpingograms are very painful. Childbirth actually sounds like a cakewalk after some of this.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Strengthening.</b> If I can handle this, I can handle anything. So can my marriage, and my faith. Infertility is <i>not </i>for wussies.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Taxing. </b> “Trying” or “practicing” sounds fun, right? Try it for about two weeks and see how romantic you feel. Don’t forget to time it just right and to prop your hips up afterward.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> <b>…Disappointing.</b> Every holiday without a baby, every month with a period, every new check up at the clinic because last month was a bust is a huge disappointment. Telling my husband we’ve failed again is miserable.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Scary. </b> Words like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premature_ovarian_failure">premature ovarian failure</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premature_rupture_of_membranes">premature rupture of membranes</a>, <a href="http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/incompetent+cervix">incompetent cervix</a>, and <a href="http://miscarriage.about.com/od/pregnancylossbasics/g/intrauterine.htm">intrauterine fetal demise</a> are terrifying for anyone to hear, especially when it’s <i>your </i>ovaries, cervix, or baby.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Hope. </b> Hope is new again each month, thank God. </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Expensive.</b> Having to give up on your dream to have a baby or having to plan your baby around your credit line is just sad. Especially when you’re paying good money for useless insurance.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …All-consuming</b>. If you don’t learn to stop and find other outlets, infertility will eat you alive.</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Unfair.</b> 14 year old junkies have babies they don’t want. People who lock their kids in closets get pregnant all the time. Why can’t I?</span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>…Eye opening.</b> Many men will leave you when they find out you can’t have babies. The extra-awesome one will stay, look you in the eye and say “That’s okay.”</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b> …Finding a way to trust God and His timing even when I am on the floor, crying and broken. </b></span></o:p></p>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-73687265747726798692010-03-22T13:00:00.000-04:002010-03-22T13:00:00.676-04:00Still Kickin'<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Hey, ya'll. We are still alive, I promise. I'm just currently suffering from a bad case of the Too-Much-To-Do-And-Not-Enough-Energys. My appointment with the </span><a href="http://www.rmscva.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">guru </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">last week went well, but I needed to do a repeat progesterone test today just to be sure that my ovulation was...wait for it...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">robust</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">! Bear in mind that any doctor's appointment around here involves orchestrating Brian's schedule and the feeding and nap schedules of 5-6 kiddos. Yeah, I love to do that once a month, much less twice in a week. But it's worth it, right? Can I have a nap now?<br /><br />I missed Thank God...It's Friday last week, I know. I'm occasionally a slacker like that, you may have noticed. Sometimes we don't have anything huge going on, and sometimes life is so crazy that it's Saturday morning before I realize that Friday is gone. Anyway, do me a favor and pray for Big P on Thursday. He's supposed to have his tonsils and adenoids out. Hopefully he'll feel better, speak more clearly, and snore a lot less once it's all done.<br /><br />I hope to not be such a slacker this week. For some reason I can't just can't seem to drag it off the couch these days. Yesterday getting up and getting ready, going to church, having lunch with Brian, and grocery shopping (by 2 PM!) wore me out and necessitated an hour nap...and two hours of sitting around time.... If anyone sees my Get Up and Go, please send it home!</span>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-5524889078645069632010-03-13T23:38:00.003-05:002010-03-13T23:44:08.351-05:00Baileys Basics News<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrhp7spL1t-0g49ObzOdooa7PdIPSol6s_pluReUgMkiMYBs-KFkCbzlZwnVR9UFeQ2IfxWALNhE4ZO9GfZfhzJT7ctDZFYgB27_dcl4iVuLweIsqSR7ouH2mR3fa46u6tPNi-GtUS3E/s1600-h/Rectangle+logo+no+info.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 170px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrhp7spL1t-0g49ObzOdooa7PdIPSol6s_pluReUgMkiMYBs-KFkCbzlZwnVR9UFeQ2IfxWALNhE4ZO9GfZfhzJT7ctDZFYgB27_dcl4iVuLweIsqSR7ouH2mR3fa46u6tPNi-GtUS3E/s400/Rectangle+logo+no+info.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448344356061753362" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">There is new information on my <a href="http://baileysbasics.blogspot.com">business blog</a>. Please pop over and check it out. It's what I've been working on that's kept me from here lately. I'm a bit sad. I will, however, be saving the vitriol that I have been spewing aloud for a few days and not post it all over the internet. As things change for my <a href="http://baileysbasics.net">business</a>, I'll probably be posting updates like this that ask you to head over there more often. If you subscribe to both blogs, you may be confused, but I hope not. I just like to keep my "business self" separate from our family blog. And, you know, the infertility stuff off my business blog. So when you see that ultra-cool logo up there, you know there's a post or something cool to check out over on my other site. Thanks!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Oh, and I'm working on a big, important-to-me post that has been rattling around in my head for a few weeks. I want to do it justice, so I've been a bit absent. Maybe this week, we'll see. Nothing life-changing, just close to my heart. Happy Sunday to you all!</span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-9268845126616539272010-03-02T13:00:00.000-05:002010-03-02T13:00:00.890-05:00Tuesday, Tuesday<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Today, please take some time to pray for </span><a href="http://shell10876.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">MadHat76</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">'s grandfather. He will be facing surgery to place a stent in his kidney today, and is scheduled to begin chemotherapy and radiation later this week. Please remember to pray for their whole family, actually, and not just today.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Many apologies to the folks who read my last post with baited breath or tears. I didn't mean to string you along or keep you in suspense. But look at it this way: that's exactly what I had to deal with in "real time". Imagine if my appointment had been on a Friday, like it usually was during our last round of clinic visits. I never got blood work results until the following Monday (or Tuesday!) afternoons. Kind of sucks, doesn't it?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Sorry so short today. I'm hoping to spend nap time working on new slings for </span><a href="http://ontheturtlesback.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On The Turtle's Back</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> (go! shop!), and am working on a few posts in my head.... We'll see when they shake themselves out. Have a good Tuesday!</span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-34772238925385346132010-02-26T13:00:00.000-05:002010-02-26T13:00:03.869-05:00Friday Already?<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Wow! It's been a week since I posted! Or rather, a week and a day. I had no free time to even think about posting this week, so be impressed that this is up today!</span><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">My doctor's appointment last Thursday was....interesting. I was pleasantly surprised by the change in my doctor's bedside manner; he was friendly and helpful, and didn't make me feel like a failure at all. However, my ultrasound showed no sign of ovulation. Dr. B and I discussed raising the dosage of Clomid that I've been on to the highest dosage they can provide. I asked about blood work, but he said it wouldn't make any difference. But I knew something was just not right. My body gives clear signs when it's ovulating, and they were all there this month. How could I be so wrong about my own body?! I asked Dr. B if the fact that I have a 35 day cycle and usually ovulate "late" around CD 20 would make any difference. He said absolutely, and I gave up some blood. But it was pretty clear that I had not ovualted, and that my body was no longer responding to Clomid as expected, no matter what I thought. I left the office and made it to the car before I burst into tears. I cried most of the way home, asking God why on earth this has to be so hard. I trust Him, but it hurts to get knocked down every month. And you'd think a nine month break would help, right? Nope. Not in terms of pain. Heading home last week it was as if my last appointment had been January, not May 2009. Hurts just the same as always. I spent the rest of the night incredibly depressed, feeling like a complete failure and feeling pretty much hopeless. I hate that feeling. How could I have been so </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">wrong</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Friday I called the patient messaging service about a million times for the results of my blood work. It was testing for progesterone, which would be present if I had ovulated. The results were finally in around 3 PM. And I ovulated!! I was right! I did know my body, and it was working like I expected! If I hadn't been determined that I knew what I was talking about I would have gone home and been depressed and sad, ready to give up. I would have raised my Clomid dosage to an insane level unneccesarily. Thank God I stood up for what I knew to be right. I've been so glad to see comments from other women dealing with infertility, women with PCOS ("cysters") and other people looking for answers. I'm so glad we can come together like this in such an unprecedented way. Today I would say to you: know your body. Be confident that you know it best. Doctors are great, and well-trained doctors are a Godsend. But stand up for your body and for what you know to be right. Demand blood work and the respect that you deserve. Thank God Dr. B trusted my self-knowledge enough to order a simple blood test. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So now it's CD 2 and we're gearing up for another month of this craziness. I have learned so much from infertility. I'll post about it soon, I promise, but just know that it's a learning experience for sure. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">For now, let's</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Thank God....It's Friday!</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Praises</b></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Brian's bonus check came. Let's just say that God hears prayers, and He is soooo good. We needed help and all we could do was trust. Turned out pretty good!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Both of our spare rooms are cleaned out and look lovely. That makes me such a happier person, and it feels like our house went on a diet. Ahhhhhh.....</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I am thankful for <a href="http://yayaprincess.com">YaYa Princess</a>, who is willing to answer my most disturbing questions and discuss the most bizarre personal aspects of our lives. Usually while at work. I love her and cannot image not having her to share a brain with! Rumor has it she's pretty darn good at her job, too. Top 5 or something like that. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Requests</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">On Monday, my Aunt Frances passed away. She was married to my dad's oldest brother, and she had been ill for a very, very long time. Please be in prayer for her family.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Aunt Margie, Daddy's third sister, was diagnosed with cancer Monday. I have no details on her prognosis or treatment, but I know it's not good. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Uncle Roy is Aunt Margie's husband. He was also Aunt Frances' brother (a brother and sister from one family married a brother and sister from another family). He's had a pretty sucky week. He could probably use some focused prayer in his time of grief. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Brian's family (mom, dad, and Nurse Baileys) are supposed to come down this weekend. However, they are also in the middle of a blizzard, apparently. So please pray that they can actually come to Virginia, and that their travels are safe. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Brian's life at work is going to get nuts for a while. Please pray for him and for everyone else there.</span></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-5293416343351318902010-02-18T13:00:00.001-05:002010-02-18T13:00:01.861-05:00Heading Across The Mountain<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I can tell that in the past nine months or so you've all just dearly missed hearing about all our reproductive nightmares. I know, I know. You just need to hear about periods, ovulation, cramps, and side effects. And whoa! The internal ultrasound details. I hear you, I feel your pain and longing. So, just for you, we're going back to the <a href="http://rmscva.com/">clinic </a>in search of a baby. You know, so you can hear about vomiting, nausea, cramps, and birth plans. Sounds like a win-win, no?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Seriously, though, this is my first month back on <a href="http://rmscva.com/clomid.html">Clomid</a>. Or The Clomid, as I like to call it. Like The Heroin. It's currently day 26 of this cycle, and it's a bust. But we're cool with that, because it was through no fault of our own. I'll explain in a bit. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">In case you are not completely versed in the ways of infertility and how one gets All Knocked Up Using Medical Science, lemme give you the run down. I'll educate folks, because I happen to know that my readership has doubled since the last time we were trying to get pregnant. You know, from two to four people now tortured by my drivel! It all starts (for me, at least) with 10 days of <a href="http://rmscva.com/fertility-drug-progesterone.html">progesterone </a>to start a period. Which worked for me this month for the first time since I was 17. Yay for small victories!! On the fifth cycle day, I started with 200 milligrams of Clomid. I take this nightly for 5 days (cycle day, or CD, 5-9). My <a href="http://www.clearblueeasy.com/clearblue-easy-fertility-monitor.php">fertility monitor</a> starts asking for test sticks around CD 8 or 9, and this month went to "Medium Fertility" on CD 10. Usually that's closer to CD 16 for me, so this was unusual. My monitor usually goes to "Peak Fertility" and I typically ovulate on CD 20, and then go to the clinic for an ovary check via <a href="http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/ultrasonography/hic_transvaginal_ultrasound.aspx">internal ultrasound</a> and blood work around CD 22 or 23. Except for this month....when my monitor failed to move past "Medium". It's CD 26 and according to the monitor I haven't ovulated and am not close. Which I am pretty sure is wrong, based on what my body is telling me. So, I'm off to the doctor to be poked and prodded, donate some blood for a progesterone test, and see what's up. Unfortunately, I don't get to see our <a href="http://rmscva.com/virginia-fertility-specialists.html">regular guru</a> this month, but instead will see his partner. Who is a lovely doctor and very knowledgeable. With no bedside manner. I always come back from visits with Dr. Williams happy and positive, holding out hope that maybe I'm pregnant. From Dr. Bateman, I come back home and wait for my period since he's sure I'm not pregnant and a complete failure. You get the idea.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So that's the process. Now, why is it not our fault this month is a bust? Because our involvement in this process is limited: Take medications. Pee on sticks. Do the necessary actions on Peak Day and the day after. Show up for ovary check a week later. Lather, rinse, repeat. We were ready, willing, and able to do all of that....except the Peak Day part. Because the monitor didn't give us any heads up, and your chances of becoming pregnant by happy coincidence is somewhere around 30%, if I'm not mistaken. I think the problem is that our box of test sticks is set to expire in March. So maybe they're too old to do the trick. We'll try again next month with freshly-minted <s>technology</s> pee sticks and see what happens. We're not too upset, and we're not really disappointed, because if I ovulated then we're on the right track. Besides -- we'll get pregnant when God wants us to, and not a moment before.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This afternoon I'll be off to the doctor, across the mountain. It'll be a short, quick trip so I won't get to see Little Bro and Sweet Lizzy (hi, guys!). Hopefully I'll be coming home to put up curtains in our bedroom. Yay for making a house look like you live there....after two and a half years..... Anyway, by the time you read this, I should be in the car and striking out for Charlottesville. Brian will be staying with the kids - pray for him.</span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-5106095931001253922010-02-11T13:00:00.000-05:002010-02-11T13:00:02.309-05:00A Day In The Life<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">As Brian and I were talking the other night, we realized that most of our friends and family don't have a clue how our days are organized. As people with non-typical jobs and non-typical hours, we sort of operate a bit differently than most folks we know. For me, this seems totally normal; my mother has had a daycare in her home for 31 years (apparently she started when she was 8 years old...), so my daily schedule is the same one I grew up with.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br />So, because I thought it might be entertaining, and because Snowpocalypse has kept me from doing anything any more entertaining, it's a Day In The Life. I'm using Tuesday as an example, with bits of Wednesday and Everyday.... This is in no way to say "look how much I do all day. You're a slacker". Rather, I find other peoples' daily routines interesting and thought you might, too.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>6:55</b> smack cell phone snooze button until 7:15</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>7:15</b> drag my carcass out of bed, check fertility monitor and perform required actions (pee on a stick! Yay!), get in the shower. Lately, I field calls and texts about who's coming or not, depending on the weather.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>7:30</b> dress, check fertility monitor results, and ask Brian to turn off his alarm clock that has been beeping since 7:25.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>7:35 </b>grab a bowl for the baby's cereal and head downstairs to open up the house for daycare.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>7:40</b> straighten up downstairs and shovel any snow that has gotten dumped on the walk. Salt the sidewalk to avoid lawsuits when someone falls.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>7:45-8</b> Baby E arrives. We play for a while.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>8-8:30</b> Big P, Miss A, and Mr. A arrive and begin playing. I organize bags and lunches, put away shoes and coats and anything else lying around.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>8:30</b> feed the baby, and change her diaper.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>9</b> Baby E goes to bed upstairs. I start a load of laundry, depending on which basket is full,and make our bed. I get milk cups for the kids on my way back down.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>9:15</b> change two more diapers and send Miss A to the potty. Fix my breakfast while the kids play (I found organic Pop Tarts! Yay!).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>9:45-10:30</b> Miss M arrives. Chances are Mr. A needs another diaper change. Tuesday we made bags for Valentine's Day. This involved supervising each child, one at a time, as they go nuts with glue, paper hearts, and stickers. While I discussed a cell phone and internet outage with Brian. Most days we also read books, practice counting/ABCs/colors/etc and I make mental note of any developmental stuff we need to work on. I also break up a lot of fights over toys and snarky three year old stuff.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>10:45</b> Baby E is awake. Change her diaper and warm water to heat her bottle. When I go up to get her, I also put the clothes into the dryer.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>11:20 </b>big kids clean up, and the baby takes her bottle under much duress and threatening. I micromanage clean up and answer 428,340 questions about what to pick up next.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><b>11:30</b> kids settle down to watch a little PBS while I pack up lunches to go upstairs and change 3 diapers. Take Miss A to potty and send both big kids (M and P) to potty on their own. Brian leaves for work if he works 12-10:30. I remind him to take lunch, cell phone, and keys. 258 times.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>12:00</b> I pop the baby in the highchair and settle the other kids with blocks in the dining room while I heat up their lunches, get nap spots set up, and start unloading the dishwasher.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /><b>12:15</b> call kids to the table for lunch. I micromanage lunch-eating, fielding a billion comments about who's done with what and who thinks they're full and assuring three year olds that they can't possibly be full after 1/8 cup of corn and yogurt. Eat your chicken. Spoon any food into Mr. A that he can't finger-feed himself. Feed Baby E, moving her fingers out of the bowl every .056 seconds. Unload the dishwasher and begin any dinner prep that can be done ahead of time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>12:45</b> clean hands and faces, wipe the table, distribute milk cups to kids. Clean off plates and load the dishwasher. Prepare snacks to save time later. Send Mr. P and Miss M to the potty. Change Mr. A and Baby E's diapers. Settle big kids for nap in the living room, Mr. A and Baby E in upstairs bedrooms. Start folding laundry after checking email, Twitter, and facebook via cell phone. Go back into the other room 234 times to flip Baby E over and tell her to go to sleep, and tell Mr. A to be quiet 182 times.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>1-3</b> Finish folding laundry and do any chores that need to be done to keep us on schedule. This is things like cleaning bathrooms (4), dusting, cleaning the kitchen, sweeping, or whatever. On Wednesday it involved making cookie dough to chill and sweeping the snow off the front porch. By 2 or 2:30 I'm usually eating lunch. Some days I sew.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>3:00</b> Send P and M to the potty, wake up the babies. Mr. A walks down the steps himself while I carry Baby M. If need be, I also start a new load of laundry that will get dried overnight. Change three diapers and send Miss A to potty (we're working on it!). Brush everyone's hair so they don't look like ragamuffins.Set everyone to their snacks, and finish dinner prep. Tuesday we had tortellini, so there was no prep. Wednesday was roast beef, green beans, and potatoes. I get it all in the oven and set the automatic oven controls to turn on while I'm teaching. I clean hands and faces, clean off plates, serve milk cups, sweep the floor, and pack up to go downstairs.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>3:45</b> The hoard goes back downstairs to put on shoes and put away their bags before their parents come. When everyone is ready, we play. During this time, I usually field a million calls or texts about lessons if it's Monday through Wednesday, and parents start coming to pick up kids. Baby E takes a bottle around 4, and she fights me. At least one child always melts down when their parents come. Ideally, toys get cleaned up.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>5:25</b> I send the last kiddo out the door. I clean up milk cups and head upstairs to change gears. I usually have enough time to go to the bathroom and get my chair set up and drink refilled before my 5:30 lesson comes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>5:30-8:00</b> Piano lessons on Monday-Wednesday. On Thursday, I usually clean or do some sewing during this time, unless I have make-up lessons scheduled.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>8:00</b> finish dinner preparations, change into pajamas, remove contacts, manage any laundry that is left in the system. If need be, I sometimes do some cleaning at this point. I eat dinner around 8:30 or 9 most nights.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>9 - 10:30</b> or <b>11</b>, or <b>11:30</b> or <b>whatever</b>: I read or surf the web, or do something crafty like sew, crochet, or embroider. Whatever project I'm working on right now. I watch a little TV or whatever until Brian gets home, if he worked the late shift. We usually head upstairs between 11:30-midnight and go to bed between midnight and 12:30.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Broken down, it looks like this:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">cups of milk poured: 11</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">bowls of baby food shoveled: 3</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">diapers changed: minimum of 12, more like 20</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">lessons taught: 5</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">questions answered, fights settled, judgments doled out: 9,428,750,245</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b>How does a Day In Your Life look?</b></span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-50853232891487213942010-02-05T20:00:00.000-05:002010-02-05T20:00:00.639-05:00Thank God...It's Friday!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: x-large; "><b>Thank God....It's Friday!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Praises</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I had a day off thanks to snow, and it happened to coincide with Brian's schedule day off. Yay!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So far, this cycle of Clomid is right on track. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We have a houseful of groceries, good heat, comfy blankets, and no real snow worries. Many are not as blessed.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Requests</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">MadHat76's grandfather was diagnosed with a rare type of bladder cancer this week. He is currently discussing treatment options with his oncologist. Please keep him and their entire family in your prayers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">It's pretty definite that Brian will have to try to get to work tomorrow afternoon in more than two feet of snow. He will probably have to stay overnight at the store. Please keep in him your prayers. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">One of my friends needs the kind of strength, understanding, and patience that only God can give. Please pray as led. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">The east coast is being pummeled by a huge storm and we're expected to receive 20-30 inches of snow. There are many people who are homeless or live in a less than cozy home. Many will lose power and have no heat, or can't afford the food that they would need to have stocked up. Please pray for them, and get out and help in any way you can.</span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-4748139273422072952010-02-04T10:19:00.003-05:002010-02-05T15:06:29.490-05:00I'm a Broody Hen<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">This past week, I started a new round of </span><a href="http://www.rmscva.com/clomid.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Clomid</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. It's the first time in nine months, and I had forgotten a few things. Or rather, was choosing not to focus on them. You know, things like the horrid headache that I get after a few days of Clomid. Or the cramps. Or the evil, snarky woman who speaks through my mouth for about two weeks. So far this cycle it's not too bad. I had one day of a headache, the cramps haven't killed me yet, and I'm remembering to watch my tongue most of the time.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">But one thing I had forgotten about has slammed into me full-force. For some reason, I get really lethargic during my Clomid weeks. I mean seriously! Most days it feels like getting up, showering, and watching kids is all the work I can possibly deal with. Nothing is getting cleaned or organized, and dinner may or may not get cooked. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I am officially acting like a big ole </span><a href="http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKBroody.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">broody hen</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">. I'm just hanging out on my <s>nest box</s> couch, incubating my egg<s>s</s>. Good luck getting me to move my butt except to go to the bathroom and get food. The good new is, this complete and total mind-numbing lethargy usually goes away the day after I ovulate. Thank goodness, because otherwise our house won't even be suitable for this kid I'm trying to conceive!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">So if you need a bathroom cleaned, a floor vacuumed, or any real work done, please find yourself another chicken. This one needs a nap.</span></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-37601341123704635332010-01-29T13:00:00.000-05:002010-01-29T13:00:03.253-05:00Thank God...It's Friday!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; ">Thank God....It's Friday</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>The Travel Edition</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Praises</b></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms'; "><a href="http://shell10876.blogspot.com/">MadHat76</a>'s grandfather is home. His Xrays and various scans are all clear. Pray that his lab report declares this "mass" as benign and he can get back to life as usual!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Yesterday was Brian's birthday. Yay!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Aunt Margie is home and apparently doing fine.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Requests</span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">We're headed to Elizabeth and Parkersburg to see Brian's family this weekend. We're praying for travel mercies and good weather!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I started a new round of Clomid last night. Praying it will be the last one I need!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Have a fabulous weekend!</span></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1111657428021747556.post-60746258287060609182010-01-28T13:00:00.001-05:002010-01-28T13:00:01.376-05:00Update from Monday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">I've been meaning to write this for about two days. Unfortunately, I'm slow. So, here's the update from </span><a href="http://whereiamhiding.blogspot.com/2010/01/please-pray.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Monday's </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">medical prayer requests:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://shell10876.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">MadHat76</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">'s grandfather came through his surgery safely. The doctors removed a mass and are testing it for malignancy. They also took x-rays to see if it had metastasized. Her grandmother's procedure went well. Please keep them all in your prayers.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';">Aunt Margie stayed overnight at UVA and is back home. No one seem to know what was up, but there's a possibility of a UTI and some further blood sugar issues. Either way, she's doing fantastic and is back home. Yay!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03900557599629300366noreply@blogger.com1