You'd think on Monday after getting the official news from my RE that we are pregnant that I would finally believe it. Well, actually, I did believe I was pregnant. I just wasn't convinced I would stay that way. I know we still have a LONG way to go, but oh, how relieved I am right now after getting the number for beta #2.
I distracted myself by doing a little much needed Christmas shopping this afternoon after they took my blood, but that didn't last long. I wanted to be home for the phone call which I was supposed to be getting between 2:00-3:00.
They still didn't call by 3:00. I thought one of two things:
1. Nobody wanted to make the phone call because they didn't want to have to report the bad news.
OR
2. Since I already got the good news on Monday, I wasn't at the top of the priority list for phone calls today so was the last call today.
I prayed for door #2. At 3:49 I finally called Hubby to tell him I still hadn't gotten the phone call. I knew he was dying to hear the news also, as he'd already called bugging me for the report earlier in the day when I had no news. I didn't want him to think I'd forgotten to call him.
Finally at 3:53, I got THE CALL. And my HCG has more than doubled. YAY!!! It is at 1480. Praise the Lord, I am so relieved. It was such a relief lifted from my shoulders that as soon as I got off the phone I cried. I couldn't help it. Even though my first beta numbers were amazing, I still couldn't help but worry that somehow, they wouldn't progress. Now, I know the baby or babies are still growing inside of me. I guess they are not really babies yet since they're just more like a blob of cells at this point, but still....it WILL be a baby. Or babies. With that beta number it's hard not to think that there might be two. Holy Cow!
I also asked how we were supposed to calculate how far along I am, or when the due date is. I didn't know if we start counting from the day 3 transfer date, which would have been Dec. 3rd., only 16 days ago, or the fertilization date which was only 19 days ago.
I was wrong on both accounts. I am actually considered to be at 4 weeks and 5 days. What!!??!? That doesn't even remotely make sense to me since the sperm and the egg didn't even MEET until 2 weeks, 5 days ago! The nurse said something about the process starting before the egg retrieval even takes place. Huh. That just blew my mind. Maybe that is common knowledge to the rest of you, but I had no idea.
Wow. I'm 4 weeks, 5 days along. Just wow.
The due date is approximately August 23rd. You know what I first thought when I heard that? Softball. August 23rd is toward the end of the month. The USA/ASA Nationals are the first week of August. Maybe we can make it after all.
Highly doubtful though. Like I would be allowed to travel at that point. And if it's twins, chances of an early delivery are great. We'll just have to see what happens.
I absolutely cannot believe I actually have a due date. And I'm 4 weeks, 5 days along. Holy smokes. Unbelievable.
Our first ultrasound is scheduled for December 31st. I am so excited.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
A Thank You Note
Yesterday was already a great day because of our BFP, but it was topped off by something else really nice too.
A couple months ago, I wrote a letter of recommendation for one of our softball players that we have coached the past few summers. It was an honor for me to write a letter for her because she is an amazing young lady. She is a senior this year, and getting ready to go off to play softball in college in addition to getting her education. This girl is an outstanding student athlete that carries a 4.2 gpa, has been treasurer her first 3 years of high school, and is student body president this year. She is a 3 sport athlete that shines in all 3 sports. She has also been involved with several volunteer projects around her community.
Here is the hand written note I got in the mail from her yesterday:
Ambie Bambie Deer Suit, (awful nick name the girls gave me this last summer)
Thank you so much for writing me a letter of recommendation. Your words were exceptionally kind and brought a smile to my face. I miss playing for you and T, and to this day you are still the best coaches I've ever had. Thanks again for the great letter. Miss you!
Love,
K**** S*****
(forever your shortstop)
Hubby and I have been truly blessed to coach so many girls over the years. They all hold such a special place in our lives and in our hearts. As their coach, it is our job to be good role models and teach them. But there has been so many girls that we have had the opportunity to work with, that end up teaching us in return. This is one of those girls. What a great gift it was to find her card in the mail yesterday. It truly made my day, on top of everything else :)
A couple months ago, I wrote a letter of recommendation for one of our softball players that we have coached the past few summers. It was an honor for me to write a letter for her because she is an amazing young lady. She is a senior this year, and getting ready to go off to play softball in college in addition to getting her education. This girl is an outstanding student athlete that carries a 4.2 gpa, has been treasurer her first 3 years of high school, and is student body president this year. She is a 3 sport athlete that shines in all 3 sports. She has also been involved with several volunteer projects around her community.
Here is the hand written note I got in the mail from her yesterday:
Ambie Bambie Deer Suit, (awful nick name the girls gave me this last summer)
Thank you so much for writing me a letter of recommendation. Your words were exceptionally kind and brought a smile to my face. I miss playing for you and T, and to this day you are still the best coaches I've ever had. Thanks again for the great letter. Miss you!
Love,
K**** S*****
(forever your shortstop)
Hubby and I have been truly blessed to coach so many girls over the years. They all hold such a special place in our lives and in our hearts. As their coach, it is our job to be good role models and teach them. But there has been so many girls that we have had the opportunity to work with, that end up teaching us in return. This is one of those girls. What a great gift it was to find her card in the mail yesterday. It truly made my day, on top of everything else :)
Monday, December 17, 2012
It's Official! We got our BFP!
I arrived at my appointment 30 minutes early, expecting to wait. Apparently, it wasn't very busy this morning because I had my blood taken within about 5 minutes. I was told I would be getting a phone call around 2:30 or 3:00 this afternoon.
I'd barely gotten back to my office when I had an incoming call from my clinic at 11:14am. It was Dr. W calling to wish us congratulations. "You are definitely pregnant."
She was so excited for me she couldn't wait to make the phone call. They had been waiting on pins and needles all morning at their office to know the results. She said she's pretty sure she stole the joy from the nurses because they were wanting to make that phone call to me. So happy!
I told her that I was a little scared and just hoping that it sticks. Dr. W gave me some comparisons:
First of all, the numbers they are looking for on the first beta is an HCG of 100+ and a progesterone level of 20+.
On my first go 'round of IVF in March that resulted in a chemical pregnancy, my HCG was 52 and progesterone level was 11 at my first beta. Still a positive pregnancy, but not a very strong one.
This time, my HCG is at 636!!! and my progesterone level is at 40+. I am definitely pregnant! Dr. W said we won't know for sure until we do an ultrasound at about 6.5 weeks, but there is a good possibility that both embryo's took. We may be having twins!
I have an appointment for a second beta this Wednesday. I can't wait!
To be honest, it all feels a little surreal right now. I am beyond excited, but I am also a little scared at the same time. Now, I have some decisions to make. Our high school softball season will be starting in just 2 months. I'm not sure I should be coaching. I have been coaching for 20 years. That is a very difficult thing to give up. I'm not sure I need to, but....I don't want to do ANYTHING that could potentially be a risk factor. I have until after the first of the year to make a decision for high school ball. I'm going to wait until at least after that first ultrasound because, God forbid, what if there is no heartbeat. That thought scares the crap out of me. We were worried about getting pregnant, and now I'm worried about staying pregnant!
Then, we have our tournament team. The majority of that season is every weekend June through the first week of August. I obviously would be very limited during that time as the due date will be somewhere between the end of July/beginning of August. Hubby, who is the "Head" Coach for this team, is questioning if we need to find another coach. The baby would be coming right around the week of the National tournament. I told him we needed to not do anything too drastic right now, as we don't know what the next few months will bring.
If we were younger, and we didn't have the IF problems that we do, this wouldn't be such a difficult decision. It wouldn't be quite so scary. I wouldn't be afraid to be out on the softball field, doing what I normally do 10 months out of every year. But knowing this is basically our last shot at this, we don't want to do anything to mess it up!
Well, it's a very good dilemma to have. I am so glad we have a reason to have to think about it. Right now, I am just going to relish in the fact that I am officially pregnant!!!
I'd barely gotten back to my office when I had an incoming call from my clinic at 11:14am. It was Dr. W calling to wish us congratulations. "You are definitely pregnant."
She was so excited for me she couldn't wait to make the phone call. They had been waiting on pins and needles all morning at their office to know the results. She said she's pretty sure she stole the joy from the nurses because they were wanting to make that phone call to me. So happy!
I told her that I was a little scared and just hoping that it sticks. Dr. W gave me some comparisons:
First of all, the numbers they are looking for on the first beta is an HCG of 100+ and a progesterone level of 20+.
On my first go 'round of IVF in March that resulted in a chemical pregnancy, my HCG was 52 and progesterone level was 11 at my first beta. Still a positive pregnancy, but not a very strong one.
This time, my HCG is at 636!!! and my progesterone level is at 40+. I am definitely pregnant! Dr. W said we won't know for sure until we do an ultrasound at about 6.5 weeks, but there is a good possibility that both embryo's took. We may be having twins!
I have an appointment for a second beta this Wednesday. I can't wait!
To be honest, it all feels a little surreal right now. I am beyond excited, but I am also a little scared at the same time. Now, I have some decisions to make. Our high school softball season will be starting in just 2 months. I'm not sure I should be coaching. I have been coaching for 20 years. That is a very difficult thing to give up. I'm not sure I need to, but....I don't want to do ANYTHING that could potentially be a risk factor. I have until after the first of the year to make a decision for high school ball. I'm going to wait until at least after that first ultrasound because, God forbid, what if there is no heartbeat. That thought scares the crap out of me. We were worried about getting pregnant, and now I'm worried about staying pregnant!
Then, we have our tournament team. The majority of that season is every weekend June through the first week of August. I obviously would be very limited during that time as the due date will be somewhere between the end of July/beginning of August. Hubby, who is the "Head" Coach for this team, is questioning if we need to find another coach. The baby would be coming right around the week of the National tournament. I told him we needed to not do anything too drastic right now, as we don't know what the next few months will bring.
If we were younger, and we didn't have the IF problems that we do, this wouldn't be such a difficult decision. It wouldn't be quite so scary. I wouldn't be afraid to be out on the softball field, doing what I normally do 10 months out of every year. But knowing this is basically our last shot at this, we don't want to do anything to mess it up!
Well, it's a very good dilemma to have. I am so glad we have a reason to have to think about it. Right now, I am just going to relish in the fact that I am officially pregnant!!!
Sunday, December 16, 2012
Oops!...I did it again
Yep. I did it again. I peed on another stick. I don't know why this made me think of the Brittney Spears song, but it did. Maybe it's because I've been watching the X Factor and she is one of the judges.
But guess what!!!!! It says I'm still pregnant! Not only that, but I used the kind with the two lines and the second line is darker! The first one I took, it was only a faint line. Actually, this morning was the 3rd one of these I took, 4th test total as the very first one was a digital test. Sigh... Yes, I've become the pee on the stick addict. I was very proud of myself yesterday when I didn't break down and do it.
After the second double line test, of course I compared the two lines and I was afraid that it was even more faint than on the first test. When I went back and looked at it later, I decided it was probably the same. That was 2 days ago.
Now this morning when I took the test, both lines were all nice and dark! Phew!! Yay! Now I truly believe that yes, I am pregnant.
I have decided however, that the digital test is the way to go. It's so much simpler. All it says is either pregnant or not pregnant. There is no analyzing the pink lines. There is no guessing "well how pregnant am I REALLY?" It just says pregnant or not pregnant. I have one more digital HPT left and I am half tempted to go use it just so I can read the word PREGNANT!! But I won't, because I really don't need to.
I think anyone that has gone through IF issues, is always going to mistrust the initial results. I don't feel pregnant. Sure, there are things that I question sometimes if it is a symptom. But then again, it could just be a side effect of the meds I'm taking, which are all hormones. I think it's pretty safe to say that most ALL females experience getting hormonal at times. So if I am taking in extra hormones, maybe those symptoms are just side effects.
Tomorrow is our blood pregnancy test. I can't wait to get the confirmation call from the doctor or nurse tomorrow afternoon and actually hearing the words "the test results came back positive! Congratulations, you are pregnant!" Yay!!
Now, I may just die if it's the other way around and these tests have lied to me....
But guess what!!!!! It says I'm still pregnant! Not only that, but I used the kind with the two lines and the second line is darker! The first one I took, it was only a faint line. Actually, this morning was the 3rd one of these I took, 4th test total as the very first one was a digital test. Sigh... Yes, I've become the pee on the stick addict. I was very proud of myself yesterday when I didn't break down and do it.
After the second double line test, of course I compared the two lines and I was afraid that it was even more faint than on the first test. When I went back and looked at it later, I decided it was probably the same. That was 2 days ago.
Now this morning when I took the test, both lines were all nice and dark! Phew!! Yay! Now I truly believe that yes, I am pregnant.
I have decided however, that the digital test is the way to go. It's so much simpler. All it says is either pregnant or not pregnant. There is no analyzing the pink lines. There is no guessing "well how pregnant am I REALLY?" It just says pregnant or not pregnant. I have one more digital HPT left and I am half tempted to go use it just so I can read the word PREGNANT!! But I won't, because I really don't need to.
I think anyone that has gone through IF issues, is always going to mistrust the initial results. I don't feel pregnant. Sure, there are things that I question sometimes if it is a symptom. But then again, it could just be a side effect of the meds I'm taking, which are all hormones. I think it's pretty safe to say that most ALL females experience getting hormonal at times. So if I am taking in extra hormones, maybe those symptoms are just side effects.
Tomorrow is our blood pregnancy test. I can't wait to get the confirmation call from the doctor or nurse tomorrow afternoon and actually hearing the words "the test results came back positive! Congratulations, you are pregnant!" Yay!!
Now, I may just die if it's the other way around and these tests have lied to me....
Friday, December 14, 2012
Prayers to Connecticut
I absolutely do not understand why tragedies such as these happen.
First, the Clackamas Town Center mall shooting, which is only about an hour away from where we live. I know people that live in that area. I know people that shop at that mall. I've been shopping there myself on occasion. On Tuesday when that happened, I wondered what our world is coming to that we have to be afraid to go to the movie theater, or go shopping at the mall.
Then today...I simply do not understand how anyone could possibly even consider killing innocent children. Babies really. It is unfathomable to me.
The fact that 20 children and 7 adults were killed today is heart wrenching. I cannot begin to imagine what those parents are feeling right now. I can't imagine what the community is feeling. I know that everyone I know personally has been feeling the need to hug their children and keep them close today, and we live clear across the country from where this happened.
Both of the gunmen this week have ended up dead. Forgive me, but if both of them were going to kill themselves, then they should have done just that! Killed themselves!!! They don't need to take everyone else down with them.
In addition to that is the trauma that every other person at the scene and in that community have to deal with for the rest of their lives. It is not fair that these kids have had their innocence ripped away from them in such a horrifying way.
My heart and my prayers go out to all those affected by both the shooting at the mall in Oregon and at the elementary school in Connecticut.
First, the Clackamas Town Center mall shooting, which is only about an hour away from where we live. I know people that live in that area. I know people that shop at that mall. I've been shopping there myself on occasion. On Tuesday when that happened, I wondered what our world is coming to that we have to be afraid to go to the movie theater, or go shopping at the mall.
Then today...I simply do not understand how anyone could possibly even consider killing innocent children. Babies really. It is unfathomable to me.
The fact that 20 children and 7 adults were killed today is heart wrenching. I cannot begin to imagine what those parents are feeling right now. I can't imagine what the community is feeling. I know that everyone I know personally has been feeling the need to hug their children and keep them close today, and we live clear across the country from where this happened.
Both of the gunmen this week have ended up dead. Forgive me, but if both of them were going to kill themselves, then they should have done just that! Killed themselves!!! They don't need to take everyone else down with them.
In addition to that is the trauma that every other person at the scene and in that community have to deal with for the rest of their lives. It is not fair that these kids have had their innocence ripped away from them in such a horrifying way.
My heart and my prayers go out to all those affected by both the shooting at the mall in Oregon and at the elementary school in Connecticut.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
To Pee, or Not to Pee
To Pee, or Not to Pee. That WAS the question.
And the answer was: to pee!
On our first IVF, I refused to do a HPT because the clinic had highly stressed that they did not want us to. I was a good girl and followed the rules, even though Hubby tried to convince me otherwise. I wanted to do it right.
Well, this time around, especially after reading so many bloggers talk about their peeing on a stick addiction, I pretty much knew from day one that I wasn't going to hold out this time. I was able to wait a full week before I broke down and bought a box with 2 tests in it.
Hubby and I talked that night, which was Monday, about when we thought we should do it. I didn't want to do it too early, as I wanted the test to be as accurate as possible. So the debate was should we test on Wednesday/Friday or wait till Friday/Sunday? We decided to compromise and do it on Thursday.
Weeellllll.........
We had the tests in the house. I broke. I peed on the stick on Tuesday. I didn't tell Hubby what I was doing, but after I was done I set it on the counter and left the bathroom. I went to the living room and asked Hubby to come wait with me on the couch for 2 more minutes. He was confused. I told him we had 2 more minutes to wait, and then we would know. The light bulb went off and we impatiently waited on the couch, telling each other not to take this too seriously and reminding each other that there could be a false-positive or a false-negative. We didn't want to get over excited if it was positive, and we didn't want to get too depressed if it wasn't. It still might be too early. It was only 8dp3dt (8 days post 3 day transfer).
I got the HPT that either says "pregnant" or "not pregnant" in a digital readout. Very simple. When we went into the bathroom to look at the test results together, I saw that it said PREGNANT!!! Hubby couldn't read it. LOL! It was sideways on the counter and he didn't know what he was looking for it to say! So I turned the stick so he could read it better.
He gasped and got tears in his eyes and gave me a gentle hug. As he was hugging me he said "I need to hug you. But not too hard." hahaha! I laughed because he meant he didn't want to squish me and the baby. It was really sweet.
And then we reminded each other not to get too excited again. We still need to wait until Monday the 17th to find out for sure.
And the answer was: to pee!
On our first IVF, I refused to do a HPT because the clinic had highly stressed that they did not want us to. I was a good girl and followed the rules, even though Hubby tried to convince me otherwise. I wanted to do it right.
Well, this time around, especially after reading so many bloggers talk about their peeing on a stick addiction, I pretty much knew from day one that I wasn't going to hold out this time. I was able to wait a full week before I broke down and bought a box with 2 tests in it.
Hubby and I talked that night, which was Monday, about when we thought we should do it. I didn't want to do it too early, as I wanted the test to be as accurate as possible. So the debate was should we test on Wednesday/Friday or wait till Friday/Sunday? We decided to compromise and do it on Thursday.
Weeellllll.........
We had the tests in the house. I broke. I peed on the stick on Tuesday. I didn't tell Hubby what I was doing, but after I was done I set it on the counter and left the bathroom. I went to the living room and asked Hubby to come wait with me on the couch for 2 more minutes. He was confused. I told him we had 2 more minutes to wait, and then we would know. The light bulb went off and we impatiently waited on the couch, telling each other not to take this too seriously and reminding each other that there could be a false-positive or a false-negative. We didn't want to get over excited if it was positive, and we didn't want to get too depressed if it wasn't. It still might be too early. It was only 8dp3dt (8 days post 3 day transfer).
I got the HPT that either says "pregnant" or "not pregnant" in a digital readout. Very simple. When we went into the bathroom to look at the test results together, I saw that it said PREGNANT!!! Hubby couldn't read it. LOL! It was sideways on the counter and he didn't know what he was looking for it to say! So I turned the stick so he could read it better.
He gasped and got tears in his eyes and gave me a gentle hug. As he was hugging me he said "I need to hug you. But not too hard." hahaha! I laughed because he meant he didn't want to squish me and the baby. It was really sweet.
And then we reminded each other not to get too excited again. We still need to wait until Monday the 17th to find out for sure.
***************************************************
Then yesterday, I went to target and bought a different brand that shows either 1 or 2 lines, 2 lines if you are pregnant. I wanted to compare it to a different brand, to see if it would also say pregnant. I took that test last night. It had 2 lines = pregnant. However, the second line is not as dark. I'd say it's faint, but it is definitely visible.
I allowed myself to temporarily believe it is actually true and just allowed myself to be happy. Notice I said temporarily. Because I have nothing but doubts and questions and worries now.
Was it too early?
Do the medications (PIO and Estrace) I'm on cause an HCG surge that will read as a false-positive?
Is it just a chemical pregnancy like last time?
It's only a faint line, so it can't be real, can it?
While I am SOOOoooooo incredibly happy that we still have hope, I really, really, don't want to set myself up for failure. I am so thankful that both tests showed a positive, because I was super afraid of seeing "not pregnant." But I am still afraid. I think I will still be afraid even on Monday after they tell us we are pregnant. I'm afraid of a miscarriage. I'm afraid that by the end of the week, assuming they have me come back for a second beta, that I will find out it was another chemical pregnancy.
I am holding out on doing another test now. I was going to do it again maybe tomorrow or Saturday, but I'm afraid of that too. I don't want the stupid pee stick to change it's mind. For right now, I want to blissfully keep on hoping that it's really true and that we will have it confirmed on Monday. Maybe blissfully isn't a good word to use. It's hard to be blissful when you are so full of worry at the same time. But we are at least hopeful.
I want to be a mom so badly. I want Hubby to be a daddy. I know we'd be good parents because we are the BEST Auntie and Uncle.
This 2 week wait is killing me.
Only 4 more days to wait. Sigh.....
Monday, December 10, 2012
First a Rant, and Then Thankfulness
First off, I just have to tell you how frustrated that I am that my sister got a phone call today from the billing department threatening to turn her into collections if her bill goes more than 120 days unpaid. ARG!!!
We have been dealing with this from day one of this process. Sis was getting the bills. We complained that in the very least they should be in MY name, although I shouldn't be getting bills either since all this is supposed to be covered under my ARC loan. Then, I got the bills with Sis listed as the patient.
On the day of embryo transfer, a week ago, I made sure to arrive early so I could talk to the financial guy. Again. I confirmed that they did in fact receive the payment from ARC and that I could just ignore these bills. It will be taken care of. That's all fine and dandy, except for the fact that Sis then gets that phone call today. I have talked to the financial guy on 4 different occasions about this matter. I told him it was extremely frustrating to have been making payments on our loan, and to also be getting bills for what the loan was supposed to have covered. I am NOT paying for this twice! And my sister shouldn't even be getting the bills in the first place. ARG!!! (yes, the pirate in me is coming out)
We have been dealing with this from day one of this process. Sis was getting the bills. We complained that in the very least they should be in MY name, although I shouldn't be getting bills either since all this is supposed to be covered under my ARC loan. Then, I got the bills with Sis listed as the patient.
On the day of embryo transfer, a week ago, I made sure to arrive early so I could talk to the financial guy. Again. I confirmed that they did in fact receive the payment from ARC and that I could just ignore these bills. It will be taken care of. That's all fine and dandy, except for the fact that Sis then gets that phone call today. I have talked to the financial guy on 4 different occasions about this matter. I told him it was extremely frustrating to have been making payments on our loan, and to also be getting bills for what the loan was supposed to have covered. I am NOT paying for this twice! And my sister shouldn't even be getting the bills in the first place. ARG!!! (yes, the pirate in me is coming out)
*********************************************************
Okay, on to something better. I figure that I have had plenty of things frustrating me the last two days and I feel a little bit at my wits end. (poor Hubby) After yesterday's venting, and now this, I feel like this will be a good reminder of all the things I have to be thankful for. For the month of November, I participated in the 30 Days of Thankfulness Challenge on Facebook. I always think there are plenty of people posting negative things on FB, I was going to focus on the positive. I thought I would share my list here. I also thought it might be a good way for you to get to know me better. It's pretty long though, so if you don't want to read them all, I understand.
Day 1: I am thankful for my life. Every day truly is a gift, because truly, that can change in the blink of an eye. Life can sometimes be difficult, but I am going to spend the next 29 days appreciating all the awesome things I have to be thankful for.
Day 2: I am thankful for my husband, who loves me at my best and still seems to love me at my worst as well. I am thankful that I have someone that is just as competitive as me (if not more), I can play games with, coach softball with, watch Beaver games with, be silly with...and the list goes on....
Day 3: I am extremely thankful for the little people in my life, all my nieces and nephews: Jade, JayCee, Eliana, Steven, Nathanial, and Urijah. They all melt my heart and I love them to pieces.
Day 4: I am so very thankful for my sister. We have been best friends and we have been hated enemies at times. She put up with me mothering her when we were little, punching her in the arm when I was mad, yelling at her....But we have also shared many great moments of silliness (mostly me being very dorky). We've had many fun spontaneous photo shoots. I coached her one summer in softball. I took Lamaze classes with her for Eliana and was there for the birth of her 2 boys. I would go to the ends of the earth to protect her. Most importantly, I also know the lengths that she will go to in order to be there for me and help me when I need it. I am very thankful for my sister and I love her so much!
Day 5: I am thankful for my in-laws. They are two of the most generous people I know and are willing to drop whatever they are doing to help when someone needs it. Hubby and I have been on the receiving end of that help many, many times. They also might be the hardest working people I know! I am thankful that I got so lucky to have such great in-laws in my life!
Day 6: I am thankful for the rest of my family! My brother, my Mom, Grandma, all my Aunts and Uncles, all my cousins, my brother-in-law and his wife, and the rest of Hubby's family as well. I could spend all 30 days appreciating each and everyone of them. Family IS the most important thing in my life! I don't know if they all realize how much they mean to me, but I absolutely love when we get to spend time ALL together.
Day 7: I am thankful for having a warm house with food in the cupboards and a cozy bed to sleep in at night. It's an easy thing to take for granted, but the fact is that not everyone has that and I am so thankful that I don't have those worries!
Day 8: I am thankful for my job. I really enjoy my co-workers and their dedication to helping people. It's amazing to work in an industry that is all about helping people achieve their health and fitness goals. I have AMAZING clients that I absolutely love spending my time with. I LOVE being a part of their fitness journey and being a part of each new goal that they achieve.
Day 9: I am thankful for my 20 years of coaching softball. Softball is probably the biggest part of my life and I have been blessed to share most of these years with Hubby. The girls are family to us and I remember EVERY single girl I've ever coached from my 9 years as an assistant coach at Central, to my 2 years as Amity's Varsity coach, the past 8 years of being the Varsity Coach at Central, and all the numerous summer teams I've coached. (Fury, I am talking about YOU tomorrow) I think it's been an incredible thing to be able to coach these girls starting when they are about 10-11 years old and be with them all through high school. Being a part of their lives and watching them mature into the beautiful young ladies they are is an amazing experience. I also have been blessed with SO many awesome parents over the years, and am thankful for the friendships that have formed because of softball. I have now spent more years as part of the Central high school softball program than years I have been alive! (scary)
Major highlight of my life: winning the state championship in 2007.
Taking Amity to the State playoffs my first year coaching there was also a pretty incredible experience with another fun group of girls.
Major highlight of my life: winning the state championship in 2007.
Taking Amity to the State playoffs my first year coaching there was also a pretty incredible experience with another fun group of girls.
Day 10: Softball has been such a major part of my life, and something that I have gotten to share with Hubby. Today I am thankful for our Fury softball family that was born 2 summers ago. I am thankful to be a part of something that has been SO special, and you really can't understand what I mean by that unless you've been a part of this team because it is just too hard to describe. We have been able to take the Fury teams and help those girls play to their highest level, qualifying for the USA/ASA National tournament the last two summers. The first year we earned our trip to Nationals in Tennessee, played some great softball, and experienced real Southern hospitality first hand. It took a LONG time for the girls to stop speaking in a southern accent once they got back home.
This past summer was another special group that became best friends and LOVED to hang out together on AND off the field. We had 11 girls from 11 different high schools, but you never would have known. We qualified for Nationals in Alabama and experienced top notch softball, along with a great history lesson in the era of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Then this Fall we started over with another new group. I have never experienced as much high level talent on one team! I can't wait for what next summer holds.
I have SO MANY awesome memories from our Fury teams. I am so very thankful for the experiences I've had with my Fury family.
This past summer was another special group that became best friends and LOVED to hang out together on AND off the field. We had 11 girls from 11 different high schools, but you never would have known. We qualified for Nationals in Alabama and experienced top notch softball, along with a great history lesson in the era of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Then this Fall we started over with another new group. I have never experienced as much high level talent on one team! I can't wait for what next summer holds.
I have SO MANY awesome memories from our Fury teams. I am so very thankful for the experiences I've had with my Fury family.
Day 11: Today I am thankful for all the Veteran's who have served our country, past and present. Yesterday I watched my first ever Veteran's Day parade and felt very proud and thankful for all the Serviceman I saw go by.
Day 12: Today I am thankful for exercise and sports. I went to college and majored in Exercise and Sports Science because my favorite class in school was P.E. haha! I always loved sports and being active. I am thankful that I have been able to experience completing a marathon and running in the Hood to Coast Relay 7 times. I've competed in the Oregon Racquetball tournament circuit a few years, played softball one year of college, and then started coaching the next year and haven't stopped since. I am thankful for my health and the ability to participate in all these athletic adventures.
Day 13: I am thankful for my new car. Actually, it's not so new anymore since I've had it going on 2 years, but I am so thankful that #1. I have a mode of transportation to get me to work and everywhere else I need/want to go. #2. I am thankful I have a car that I feel safer in since it is bigger. One of my worst fears is dying in a car accident so I am very, very thankful for having a car I can feel safer in!
Day 14: I am thankful for the technology that keeps me in touch with everyone - my cell phone, which we finally broke down and got texting, which adds a whole other dimension to my life. Facebook, which keeps me in touch with people like friends from high school and my softball players and parents. Pinterest, which gives me a whole lot of ideas that I will never apply or do but like to dream about. Although I HAVE used a few of the recipes and fixed my hair a different way once thanks to Pinterest :) Modern technology is a whole new world from even just 10 years ago, and I am thankful for what we have available to us today (although I do spend WAY too much time using it! haha!!) *And now I am also very thankful for the blogging community I have added.
Day 15: I am thankful for books! And I'm thankful for my eyesight and my ability to read them. I love a good book - one that can make you laugh, cry, think....I am thankful for being able to escape into someone else's story, even if it is only temporary (and fiction! lol)
Day 16: I am thankful for movies! One of my favorite things to do is going to the movies. Just like reading a good book, it lets me escape into someone else's story for a bit.
Day 17: I am thankful for electricity. Can you imagine having to use an ice box instead of a refrigerator? Or a fire instead of an oven? Or no heater to turn on in the winter?
Day 18: I am thankful for being able to go to church and hearing a good message straight out of the bible, but applied to today's world in a funny yet heartfelt way. I am thankful that when I go to church I always leave feeling more at peace and hopeful for what the future holds.
Day 19: I am thankful for warm, comfortable clothes. i.e sweats. I like the fact that I pretty much get to wear sweats and a t-shirt to work everyday. Then I come home and get in even more comfortable clothes and snuggle in for the night!
Day 20: I am thankful for the strange conversations I can have with both my husband and my sister. I asked both of them today who they would pick if they needed to have super human powers: Superman, Batman, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle? The consensus is Superman for all of us.
Hubby said "can you imagine what I could do in sports if I was Superman?" I agree, but if Spiderman were an option it would be a no brainer. I would have to go with Spiderman.
Hubby said "can you imagine what I could do in sports if I was Superman?" I agree, but if Spiderman were an option it would be a no brainer. I would have to go with Spiderman.
Day 21: I am thankful or my KitchenAid mixer which is going to come in handy tonight and tomorrow as I prepare our Thanksgiving meal. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for the wedding gift 15 years ago!
Day 22: Day of Thanksgiving: I've used other days to be thankful for them already, but I really, truly am thankful for my husband and my sister today. This morning Hubby helped me do chores around the house, cleaning the bathroom, pulling the fridge out and mopping under it, sweeping the cobwebs off the front porch... And now he is doing the cleaning up of thanksgiving dinner! Sis helped by making a dessert and coming early to help me prepare the Thanksgiving meal. She peeled the potatoes, did dishes, and helped me put an amazing meal on the table! I absolutely LOVE that we got to cook together. How could I not be thankful for both of them? Love them both!
Day 23: I am thankful that I can officially start listening to Christmas music, the most uplifting music there is. Really, is there any other music that gives you such warm and fuzzy feelings? I am thankful :)
Day 24: I am thankful for college football, and the Oregon State Beavers in particular. Even though I am disappointed with the outcome of some games, I am a Beaver Believer, win or lose. I am thankful for the season tickets that Hubby and I have been able to have since we got married. It gives us something to do together that we both really enjoy.
Day 25: I am thankful for my 2 feet which are about to take me on a nice walk before it gets too dark outside, on this November day of no rain!
Day 26: I am thankful for pictures. I love looking at old pictures and reminiscing the people I love and wonderful memories of certain events. I love that I can look at a picture of my Grandpa and conjure up sweet memories. I love looking at pictures of my nieces and nephews and getting warm fuzzies because I love them so much. I love looking at pictures of all the softball teams I've ever coached and the trips I've been on with those girls, and of course the state championship pictures. Pictures are a great reminder of all the things I have to be thankful for in my life, both past and present.
Day 27: I am thankful for living in Oregon, where we have just about everything: the ocean, the mountains, and even almost desert like Eastern Oregon. We get a lot of rain, but that is what makes our state so beautiful. We don't have to worry about hurricanes or tornado's. Yes, we had a small tornado in Turner, but that is NOTHING like they get in the midwest. We don't have blizzards or 20 below temperatures. We do get some flooding, but even that is minor in comparison to those states that get it EVERY year! Yes, we get some of these things, but on a MUCH smaller scale than other places across the U.S. I am very thankful for where I live.
Day 28: I am thankful for holidays. I am especially thankful for Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving because they give us a special reason to spend time with family. I like nothing better than getting together with family - seeing Aunts, Uncles, Cousins... These holidays remind us to be thankful for what we have. Christmas is my favorite because of the Christmas music, all the lights, Santa, the spirit of giving, and of course the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. I love December :)
*and hopefully I will have another reason to love December this time next week.
Day 29: I am thankful for indoor plumbing. For someone that has to pee constantly, it is a major plus to not have to trudge outside each time, especially in the middle of the night.
Day 30: I am thankful for God, who gives me hope in all things.
*************************************************
If you've made it through to the end, thank you for sticking with me :) I feel like I am in a much better place now after reviewing all these things I have to be thankful for. In addition to this extensive list, I want to also add how thankful I am to the opportunity that we have had to pursue infertility treatments. That is not something I would have posted on Facebook, but it is definitely something I am thankful for. Now, if it will only work.....
One week from today, we will know for sure if those little embabies inside me have attached and are still growing strong. 7 days. That seems like so long from now.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)