Update #3 (..and the best News of ALL)

We are officially scheduled for our IVF cycle. Jan 7 is the first appointment. This will be a quick flight up on Sunday for a Monday morning appointment and an injections class in the afternoon then a quick flight home. We will then leave here that Friday just 4 days after we get back as my next appointment will be that Sunday Jan 13 and then a second one on the 15th. They said that at my appointment on the 15th we would be told if we need to come everyday, every other day or every third day (all depending on how my body is responding to the hormones). They estimate egg retrieval to be Jan 23rd w/ a 3 day embryo transfer on Jan 26 or 5 day transfer on the 28th. Of course we will keep everyone posted as we move through the cycle.

We are driving to DC for the second trip, this is why we will be leaving the Friday before my appointment on the 13th. We are too excited and feel very blessed because Chad was able to get us a TLF room on base that will allow us to bring the boys. They really are world travelers. The TLF is more like a little house that is fully furnished rather than a hotel room. It will just be way more comfortable and give us more space for the long 2 week trip we will be there and of course it is always nice to have the boys w/ us. They are good travelers and love being w/ their mom and dad :-). The cost is only $2 more per night for the TLF room vs. the regular hotel room. Can't beat that.

Through this whole process I think my challenge has been trying to find some perspective, anything that can help me understand or feel better or give me a reason for why we have had to endure the pain of infertility. Not that we are above hardship, I think it is normal to ask why. Maybe not right in some perspectives but normal by any standard. I would just like to share some of the thoughts and conclusions I have drawn. Let me just start by telling you that when I met Chad, I knew pretty much from the beginning he was "the one", as I got to know him better and better I was more and more confident that I had met my soul mate. However, I was very overwhelmed w/ the prospect that God could have chosen such a wonderful person for me to share my life w/ so much so that I questioned whether I deserved him or not. Instead of focusing on if I deserved him or not I took to prayer and asked God to mold me into the wife he created me to be for Chad, the wife that I knew Chad deserved (I am sure he is still molding :-) ). I say all of this because when Chad and I first made that decision that it was time to start our family of course I was terrified wondering what kind of mother I would be. Again I turned to prayer and prayed and prayed that God would mold me into the mother he created me to be. The mother that He would want me to be to the children he blessed me with. I can only think that this just may be part of the molding process as I can promise you that I will now and forever be a different mother than I would have been two years ago when we first began this journey...and how can that be anything but a blessing. I continue to pray for our little blessing or blessings and for the mother I will be to them. Thank you to each one of you for your support, love, and prayers as we have journeyed and continue to do so in hopes of fulfilling our dreams to become parents. I know that we would not have been able to do this w/ out each of you. If I could so selfishly ask that you continue to pray for us as we begin our first cycle in January. As much as we are excited it is very scary too.

Love to all you and if I don't post again before then, have a Happy Thanksgiving.

G&C

Update #2 (Nashville)

We had a great trip to Nashville this past weekend. The only downside to the trip is the Titans lost :-(. We had a wonderful time though. The boys were a hit at the hotel when they walked through the lobby in their Titan's jersey's, everyone kept asking if they were fans. Chad enjoyed being in Titan's Country and especially the stadium. The fans there were jealous of his throw back football helmet hat that he so proudly wore throughout the game. For me the highlight of the trip (besides seeing how giddy Chad was) was our trip to the Opryland Hotel for dinner. It was wonderful, and beautiful and we had a delicious meal at the Italian restaurant complete w/ wine for dinner and coffee w/ almond cake for dessert. Chad was as equally impressed w/ the hotel as I was the first time I saw it. This is a trip we definitely want to repeat in the near future.

Update #1 (Boise)

We got back from a great trip in Boise a couple of weeks ago, I have been a little lacking in my timing of posting updates but did want to get a quick note on here to say how much fun we had w/ Mom and Dad in Boise as well as w/ Uncle Bill and Aunt Terry. Chad had fun romping in the woods looking for deer. Unfortunately this year the hunters came home empty handed but had a great time none the less. Mom was gracious enough to throw a very successful stamp-a-stack for me (basically we rubber-stamped a bunch of cards). From the money I was able to earn I bought my very own craft table and organizers and now have my very own craft corner in one of our extra rooms. I am very excited and I am sure Chad is too as now the mess is confined to one room instead of which ever one I worked in last :-). Really the stuff can easily take over the house.

We also learned about the joy of DVR in Boise and now have moved into 2007 and have our very own. Which means I can record Dr. Phil and Oprah while at work. These are small victories in my life :-).

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Hugs to everyone

Off to Boise We Go.....

...well in 5 days that is. Only 4 days of work this week wooohooo. Work has been crazy and I could certainly use the break. Chad has officially started training his replacement for the exec job that he has been filling for the past 18 months. We are too excited about that too. His hours have been crazy long for the past year and a half and I know he can use the break from that too. The down side is now he re-enters the deployment rotations.

Switching back to Chad for just a moment, he should be getting promoted to Maj very soon. We don't have an exact date for this yet but expect it to be before the end of the year. Right now it is just a bit of paperwork that the Guard has to complete. This is very exciting news for us and I know Chad has been anticipating this for awhile.

Right now we are just looking for our time with Mom and Dad in Boise w/ the guys hunting and the girls stamping (cards that is) and shopping and I am sure many other fun girl activities what more could we want...well maybe I shouldn't ask that question :-) but for now it is good :-).

Chad's Birthday

Just wanted to share a picture or two of Chad from his Birthday which was this past Wed. For those who don't know....Chad absolutely looooooooooovvvvvvveeessssss petit fours. So I went to his favorite place for petit fours and bought him 32 to celebrate his 32nd birthday. It was a lot of fun to surprise him w/ these :-).

On a Lighter Note....

We have three very fun trips coming up. First it is off to Boise for Chad to hunt w/ Dad and me to get some relaxing time w/ Mom. Which I have also heard whispers of Aunt Terry and Uncle Bill showing up for one of the weekends which I am so stoked about :-). I can't wait!!!!! After that is a trip to Nashville. A couple of years ago we went to St Louis to see the Rams and Titans play. It was a blast but it was in St Louis and of course the Rams won (wooohooo) so because Chad was such a good sport we are off to see the Titans play in their home stadium. Chad has not been to a home game, so we thought we would make a weekend of it over Veteran's Day. We've planned a nice dinner at the Grand Ol' Opry Hotel which is absolutely beautiful. I remembered going there w/ Dad when he was in Nashville for one of his conventions and I was fortunate enough to be invited to tag along. I was very impressed and thought it would be fun to go there w/ Chad. Too expensive to stay but perfect for a nice evening out :-). As if this wasn't enough fun to be had we are off to play in the snow w/ Chad's family for Christmas. They have planned a very fun ski trip to Angel Fire NM. I have heard many of stories from Chad about his childhood trips to the snow for Christmas. I am so excited to be able to share such a fond past time w/ everyone. I am not much of a skier but I am sure I will make due. I think Kallie and I may just have to hit the local shops :-).