Continuing the Journey we are on...

*Photos taken by Dana, Bella Blue Photography

This week is National Infertility Week - a week that affects so many couples. Couples in your circle of friends, couples in your church, couples in your neighborhood, many you don't even realize that are walking this difficult path to become parents.

I've shared my story on here before, but I thought I'd share it again. It's a great reminder to myself how faithful God is and He truly does give us the desires of our hearts.

Clay and I married in 2005 and if it would have been up to me, I would've started trying to have a baby right away. Clay keeps me levelheaded and reminded me of several things: I wasn't finished with school, we were in the midst of building a house, I needed to get a job and work for a bit, among many other things....it was best for us to wait. So, like any other newlywed, I went on birth control. A year after we were married, in 2006, we tossed around the idea of going off birth control, trying, and just waiting to see what would happen. Well, a month went by, 5 months went by, and then 10 months went by. I started thinking to myself,...shouldn't this be working by now?

Well, I did some research and made an appointment at Florida Institute for Reproductive Medicine in the beginning of 2007 to have some testing done. Test after test after test, it was determined that we both had issues and without medical intervention, we wouldn't get pregnant on our own.

Dr. Duffy first gave us the option of an IUI (artificial insemenation). It was the cheaper option so it was just common sense to start with that. Deep down, I knew it wouldn't work. But in May 2007, we tried, paid our $1000 and it didn't work. So, next option,...the most expensive, In-vitro Fertilization.

We were in a major time crunch (I had the summer off from teaching, and with all the doctor appts required for IVF, there was no way I could do it during the school year), prayed, the Lord provided a way for the money we needed (total was around $12,000) and started the process.

Many doctor appointments, blood draws, ultrasounds, shots, and medicines later, IVF was in full-swing. On July 17th, my eggs were taken from my body, fertilized with Clay's sperm and 3 days later, 3 embryos were implanted. TWO LONG WEEEKS later, I got the news that I was pregnant!

We were OVER THE MOON excited and thrilled. The Lord had a plan for us, He had not forgotten me, He provided for us and made us parents.

I often think back to all the emotions that invaded my body month after month that I wasn't pregnant, month after month that I saw friends and strangers get pregnant so easily, wondering it God had indeed forgotten me. Wondered if He hadn't heard my prayers, begging Him to make me a mommy.

The Lord answered our prayers. And we have our miracle Reese Taryn.

Here we are again, almost EXACTLY 3 years later, ready add to our family. We have been "trying" since Reese was born, praying for a miracle but it hasn't happened. We've been back to see our doctor and are well on our way to starting again. This time we will be using our frozen embryos - we have FIVE - but are only transferring THREE.

We are ready, praying for Him to once again show us how GOOD He is. Praying that His will be done in our family's life.