Thoughts on infertility

This one has been brewing in my head for a while and I'd like to dedicate it to my friends Holly and Justin, who show humility and joy and sensitivity all at the same time.

So, as many of you know John and I had a 3 1/2 year battle with infertility. (I know it looks silly to put the 1/2 in there, but when you are in the middle of it the 1/2 can seem like an eternity.)

Last year John and I got to give a talk to the Young Married/Newly Wed class that we mentor on family planning and infertility. What we tried to impress most were helpful hints and suggestions on how to love those who are struggling.

#1 Please do not suggest adoption to us. Adoption is not something we have not already thought of and it is NOT a quick fix to get us a kid right away.

#2 Did you know that 1 in 6 couples have some kind if infertility issue? That's a lot of people. More than you really think. So be sensitive when discussing fertility and pregnancy issues in public.

#3 I want to hear about your news. I am excited for you. It is also a sad reminder of my own infertility issues, so it might be helpful to tell me prior to your announcing it so I have time to grieve privately. A couple of my friends did this for me and I will ALWAYS remember that kindness.

#4 Don't say "Just relax." If I had a nickle for every time I heard that one....

#5 Do be a good listener. We don't need someone to solve our problems (that's what we pay the doctors for), but we do need friends and listeners that love us and just listen.

#6 It's OK to go to counseling. Sometime it's too big and you need some help to remember that God is a good God.

That was just some of the highlights of the talk, but you get the idea. Infertility is real and it is really painful. But, I also know there was no sweeter time, that John and I leaned on each other, and it really challenged us to look to Jesus to be our comfort and not anything here on this earth.

Who does she look like?

Leave a comment with your vote.

Football with my Girl....

We had a great time together watching the Cowboys beat the Dolphins. And to my pride and excitement, I caught Charissa holding her in front of the TV explaining to Gianna the wishbone formation. (slow tear) It was a great Sunday.

This video is one Charissa took of the two of them developing rhythm.

Sticks and Stones

Did someone ever say something to make you sad?

How about now as an adult?

Someone said something to me and it cut me to the quick. I was caught off guard and surprised. I was even embarrassed to the point of shame.
Some people I know don't let things like that bother them. They are able to externalize the problem and rationalize it. I, however, am not able to do that. I take things personally and obsess over them.
You know that part in You've got Mail, when Meg Ryan's character says that she always thinks of comebacks, but only after the situation is over. I usually feel like that too. But not this time. I'm at a loss. I know confrontation will bring no resolution. And avoidance is well... Avoiding.
So here I sit typing on my computer, letting time go by as a healer.

new link

Take a second to look at the new link "Because I said so" It is HI-larious and I love to read it. It's a mom of six kids and how she does it!

And Look:

Gianna is EIGHT months OLD!!!!!! Can you believe it?

Warm Fuzzy

Do you remember in college when you had to fill out those bubble sheets on the professor when the semester was almost over? What ever it took to just get out the door faster? Did you take the time to fill out the comments part? I almost NEVER did.
I had to give them to my students at Blinn. I wasn't expecting too much from mine. Well, today I got to read mine from last fall, my very first professorship. And let me tell you I got all kinds of warm fuzzies! Most of them actually wrote something down in the comment section.
Four year olds don't always know how to say you are doing a good job. It does feel good to know that my 18 year old students did like the class and could tell I was passionate and excited about teaching special education to them.
So now Gianna is down for her nap and I am going to prepare for my next class.

Labor Day in Galveston

This Labor Day weekend we went to Galveston. This weekend, like most, we did our favorite things. We went to lunch at Bennos, good cajun seafood, dessert afterwards at Rainforest Cafe where we got a volcano and topped it off with dinner at Salsas. Next day we went to the beach, took a drive across the island, and of course showed off Gianna to all who took notice of our beach girl. Below are some pics of our great weekend.

New pics here.