Blogger Biographies - Part 5

Catholic Mutt

I am Catholic Mutt and I am a single Catholic in my 30's.  In many ways, life is a lot of fun, and I've recently taken up new hobbies like skiing and rock climbing, so many of my married friends wish they had some of the freedoms that I have.  However, my friends and I all know that they would never give up their families for my opportunities, and I would gladly give up my activities for the chance to be a wife and mother.  

My blog is about all of that, my Catholic faith, and whatever other randomness appeals to me at any given time.

You can stop by catholicmutt.blogspot.com or email me at catholicmutt@gmail.com

Infertility Options

Simone writes: I have been through so much it amazes me that I have the strength to keep going. At first I was so lost. Most of the women around me did not understand bc it happened so easily for them. I went to the ob for a year and then I saw an RE for a year. He told me that I was unexplained and I had to do IVF. I searched and searched but I could not find any alternatives.

About 2.5 years after I started ttc, someone mentioned NaPro and my whole world changed. I found a napro dr and properly diagnosed me with more than one issue. I have not had success but at least I have peace knowing what my issues are and that IVF would have never worked. I am thankful that my dh was able to be stronger than me and stopped us from even trying IVF.

I know that many women out there were like me, lost at sea without any direction to go in. I created my blog to help others find options and get the proper treatment. I also use this blog to help me deal with the pain of if. I have been a part of the blogging community for about two years now.  I rely on the many wonderful women out there for support and information. I could not have made it this far without them.

I have been TTC for 5 years in all. I have had many surgeries. I have been diagnosed with endometriosis, LUFS, immune issues, and blood clotting issues. I have seen 4 doctors and one consultant who has a PhD in immunology. I am a member of the yahoo catholic if forum, the yahoo immunology forum, and yahoo MTHFR forum.
-Simone

You can visit Simone at http://simone-perseverance.blogspot.com  or email her at leapfrog72@yahoo.com.

St. Henry II

Hi, I'm Mary, a thirty-something childless Catholic woman.  I blog about prayer, spirituality, books, and the occasional snappy comeback over at St. Henry II.  My DH is an atheist and I sometimes blog about living in a mixed marriage as well.  The photo attached is a tomato plant flower; gardening is one of my favorite hobbies and hopefully I'll be able to post some pictures.

Why does the blog have a male saint's name?  Well, I went over to Jennifer Fulwiler's Saint's Name Generator, and asked God that if He wanted me to start blogging, he give me a saint related to childlessness or infertility.  Lo and behold, I got St. Henry II, a Holy Roman Emperor and a married man who never had children.  (His wife, Cunegonda, is also a saint.)  Thus, the blog was born.  Thus far, it's been good to see I'm not the only Catholic women with no children, and hopefully I can show my readers (and remind myself) that you can be denied your heart's desire - a baby - and still have a good life.  

Blog address: http://sthenryii.wordpress.com

E-mail: henryandcunegonda@gmail.com

Megnanimity

My name is Meg.  I am a former political junkie with a law degree and a propensity to talk about things that are socially taboo- religion, politics, moral theology.  I am a wife to an Army Officer and mom to five great kids in the process of moving to the Washington, DC area.  I usually blog about stupid and funny things (but I don't do photos because I am terrified of people using them nefariously), and in a perfect world I would be hitting heavier topics and actually practicing my writing skills which seem to have atrophied in the last ten years.
 
Stop by and say hi to Meg at  www.megnanimity.blogspot.com or shoot her an email at megnanimity@gmail.com .
 

Joy Beyond the Cross

My name is Marie and I blog at Joy Beyond the Cross.  I am Catholic and after almost 3 years of struggling with infertility and experiencing 2 miscarriages, we have been blessed with our daughter Elizabeth who was born on 12/26/11.  I am married to Mr. B and I blog about a lot of different things, including motherhood, the Saints, prayer, interesting books, infertility and its lasting impact, getting more organized, etc.  I enjoy reading, blogging, doing crafts, learning about the faith, playing in the snow (yes, I enjoy winter!), cooking and baking.  I work 4 days a week as a finance analyst and my background is in accounting.  I am a cancer survivor.  I love interacting with other bloggers and readers and am excited to learn about other blogs with similar interests!  

My e-mail address is gaudium08@gmail.com.  

Second Chances

I'm a 34 year old Roman Catholic wife and mother. My husband and I have been married for 12 years.  After our son Mikey was born in 2001, we experienced 7 years of secondary infertility.  We sought treatment from the PPVI Institute, and have since been blessed with two more boys! Dominic Paul was born in September 2010 and Joseph Anthony was born in January 2012.        Although I'm a little sleep deprived these days, my blog is generally about secondary infertility, the Catholic faith, and motherhood.
I blog at secondchancesblog.blogspot.com and can be reached at reneespez@hotmail.com

Blogger Biographies - Part 4

Blessed and Broken

I am a 33 year old wife, mom, foster mom, adoptive mom and FertilityCare Practitioner.  After 5 years of infertility, and while waiting to adopt, we conceived our first miracle.  With secondary infertility we became foster parents.  We adopted miracle #2 last July and are hoping to adopt miracle #3 in the spring.  

www.blessed-and-broken.blogspot.com

 Magnify the Lord with Me

“Magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together.” summarizes the purpose and mission of our marriage and this blog. Through our marriage and family, we hope to magnify the Lord and bring glory to His name. We married in June of 2006 and thereafter began our journey of infertility and adoption. After three unsuccessful adoptions, we brought home our baby girl, Abigail Chiara, in September of 2010, followed by our precious girl, Gianna Luce, in November of 2011! This blog shares my heart, my life, and what I am learning.

You can visit Lauren and her family at  www.psalm34-3.blogspot.com and can email her at  psalm34.3_magnifythelord@yahoo.com

Knowledge Hungry

My name is Jeanne G. My blog is Knowledge Hungry. I am 33, I've been married to Brett since May 2009, and we don't have children yet. I am a cradle Catholic and a novice Lay Dominican. I love to learn, so I blog about things I learn: books I read, Church teaching, cooking, NFP, natural homekeeping, and sometimes crafts.

Visit my blog at http://knowledgehungry.wordpress.com or email me at pineconejg@gmail.com.

Women for all Seasons

My pen name is January. I'm 27 years old, and my husband and I have been trying to conceive (without success) since August 2010.

I blog mostly about my infertility, but also about Catholic things and random goings on. My blog is a little different because my friend November blogs with me, and she's a fertile mom of two beautiful little ones. My picture is of a pie because I love making and eating pie, and my dream job would be to run a pie shop! 

January writes at: http://womenforallseasons.blogspot.com or you can email her at  novieandjan@gmail.com

My Heart Exults

I writes:  My blog documents our journey through five years of infertility (PCOD and endo), one devastating miscarriage a year ago, and our blessing beyond belief, our son, John Benjamin.

My blog allows me to discuss my feeling about my loss, which I struggle with daily, and the joys of our precious baby - all while trying to live my Catholic faith the best I can. I have a separate, private blog dedicated to the cuteness of little JB, which then allows me to focus MHE on my thoughts and experiences as I attempt to figure out His Will for me. 

My Blog Address is http://myheartexults.blogspot.com and my email is myheartexults@gmail.com

Surprise of Unfolding

A writes: I have recently decided I really need to blog about what I am really passionate about right now, and that is my journey with God.  It still feels strange for me to be 'religious' in this way, given that my parents are not!  I find so much to learn about and love in many faith traditions, and I follow the Catholic faith as that one is the most nourishing for me.  

DH and I have been through some hard times together, including some years of the heartbreak of IF.  We welcomed our son (now 7 yo) and our daughter (now 5 yo) with such joy.  Our struggles now come about due to financial hardship - DH was let go from his high-ranking job back in about 2008, and since that time has done several things.  Right now he is working away from home about 3 weeks, and then home about 1 week.  We are thankful for him to have the work but it is hard also, as I am working full time in teaching - which I love, but I am in a new role and have a lot to learn.  So, I have a great deal to do with work, home, looking after the children; and DH has less responsibility but is not able to spend the time with us that he would like to do.  I don't mention my kids often as most of the blogs I visit and comment on are IF-related.

I have a special place in my heart for IF'ers, and IF'ers who have taken the child-free (child-less) path, and singles who feel called to marriage but haven't found their partner.  I find so much courage, tenacity, and character among those who have gone through so much - or are going through so much - and how they find peace and a way to keep on living life to the fullest despite the tragedy of their great desire going unfulfilled. Sometimes their faith plays a role in this, and sometimes not - either way I consider many of them to be heroic (though that is unrecognized by most). 

I love to think of God's light shining throughout the world, through all people who are seeking him (in whatever faith that might be).  I desire to be as clear as I can be every moment (and sometimes I am very murky indeed) so that His light may shine through me.  Perhaps at different times in life, different parts of his light shine through.  I wonder, as we become older and wiser, how much of his light can truly be transmitted through us??  All these beautiful miraculous colours, I hope!

You can visit me at http://surpriseofunfolding.wordpress.com.  I don't check my blog email so often but I check comments frequently!

Blogger Biographies - Part 3

The 411 on the 418’s

Hi! I'm Ania McDonnell and I'm happily married to my husband Chris of (almost) 3 years. We've been TTC for about 2 years now and I've been diagnosed with PCOS. I started blogging to keep in touch with far away family, but the majority of my posts revolve around our journey through infertility and our battle with PCOS. I've found a great support community online here and I can't wait to meet more of you!

My blog address is mcdonnell418.blogspot.com  and my email is mcdonnell418@gmail.com.

  

Why, yes, I AM crazy. Thank you for asking!

I'm Mary Kate and I am a Catholic wife of 18 years, mother to 6 earthly souls ages 2-16 (with #7 arriving in 2 weeks!), 3 Heavenly souls. I live by the seat of my pants, hounded by vague ideas and a purse full of receipts.

 I blog about being a "large" family in our crazy Western culture.

You can find my infrequent posts at http://whyyesiamcrazythankyouforasking.blogspot.com/ and I can be contacted atcelticfamily@comast.net 

Open to Life (and God’s plan for it)

I'm Lisa with Open to Life (and God's plan for it).
I was married in 2004 and TTC from the beginning. We learned early on that there was a serious mess in my reproductive tract. We started working with a FertilityCare OBGyn to find and fix the problems. We started researching adoption in early 2007 and finally decided in August that we'd pursue both avenues...fertility and adoption.

God was apparently ready for us to open that adoption door because we got a referral (from a counselor friend who knew we were considering adoption) before we even had a chance to call an agency! We met the birthmom, rushed through a homestudy and became parents in the next two months. We returned to fertility fixing when our daughter was a year old and also started a new homestudy about the same time. We've now been waiting three years for baby #2 but remain confident that God has a plan that includes another child in this family. We are trying very hard to remain patient and wait on Him.

You can visit Lisa over at www.pursuingparenthood.blogspot.com or can reach her at her email,  cook1137@gmail.com.

 Home Sweet Hjelmstad

M writes:  I'm an incredibly blessed mom of 3 beautiful miracles here on earth and two tiny blessings in heaven. This Lent is one of transition for me: completing my service in the Army, moving across the country, and embarking on the adventure of being a stay-at-home-mom for the first time.

I blog about our life--the joys, the struggles, and the wonder of God's plan through it all! 

You can say hi to the Hjelmstad family at www.hjelmstadhome.blogspot.com

 No Longer Waiting for Baby Blondie

After 3 years of infertility and 2 surgeries with Dr. Hilgers, my daughter "K" was born in April 2011.  Now I mainly blog about her updates and mom things like cloth diapering, breastfeeding and baby led solids.  We plan to start trying for a second child once my cycles finally return, so in the near future I will either return to blogging about trying to conceive (possibly secondary IF) or about pregnancy.

Mrs. Blondie blogs over at http://mrsblondies.blogspot.com/

Email: mrsblondies@gmail.com

The Feminine Gift

I'm Sarah and I write over atwww.thefemininegift.blogspot.com and my contact address is thefemininegift@gmail.com.    

It was only recently that I discovered that I love to write when my best friend started her own blog - and I began lying awake at night with blog posts floating around in my head.  That coupled with my borderline obsession with all things feminine resulted in my blog. I thoroughly enjoy seeking out topics that intrigue women of all ages and vocations in order to encourage women to re-discover who they are at their very core.  I spend my days working for Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, a small Catholic college in Northern Ontario, and my nights writing and listening to the loon calls over the water (in the summer) with my husband.  

***If you are interested in having your blog profiled, please send an email to thehendersonstory@gmail.com!

Blogger Biographies - Part 2

True, Good and Beautiful
My name is Meg and I started blogging about being a Catholic woman journeying through infertility (alongside my husband Ryan) a few years ago. After nearly 5 years of infertility and being 3 weeks away from adopting a baby girl, I became pregnant and just had my son in August of 2011. We have no idea if I'll ever get pregnant again, but are hopeful for biological and adopted children in the future. I am very active in my parish doing music and youth ministries and always seem to have a home improvement project going. And I blog about all of the above. :)

You can visit Meg over at http://truegoodandbeautifullife.blogspot.com (formerly Complicated Life, so you may know her from that name) or email her at truegoodbeautifullife@gmail.com.


This South Korean’s Got Seoul

I'm Roxy over at This South Korean's Got Seoul. Most of my blog is probably only interesting to the handful of people I know in real life who feel obligated to read it but once in a while you'll find a decent recipe or a funny picture/story about my life as a wife, mother, Catholic, and engineer amongst other things...but not necessarily in that order. You can reach me at rsin83@gmail.com. (questions pertaining to me and compliments only please!) I'd love to hear from you. :)

Go say hi to Roxy over at http://tskgs.blogspot.com



8 Little Arrows

My name is Colleen. I'm a Catholic, homeschooling mom of 8. I started blogging a couple of years ago as a way to record and process (and share with anyone else who was interested) my attempts to incorporate my faith into my parenting, homeschooling, holidays, and daily life. I also use my blog to pass on great resources I have found that have blessed my family.

Visit Colleen at http://8littlearrows.wordpress.com/ or shoot her an email at cobfree@gmail.com



Bright Love: Living Large in a Big Family

D says: I am a housewife and mom to 5. I am an "older parent," a cook, a little "green," a committed Catholic and non-political for the most part.
I blog on four topics: Catholicism, life family, life coaching and weight loss/healthy lifestyle. I also blog professionally for adoption.com.

Since all my blogs have links to the others, you can visit D at any of the blogs below:
Bright Love: Living Large in a Big Family
Bright Catholic
My blogs for Adoption.com


This Cross I Embrace

TCIE writes: I am a 30 year old Catholic woman experiencing primary infertility (5 1/2 years) as well as a somewhat unique inability to adopt or foster at this time. As I navigate through these crosses with my husband, I
blog about the struggles, the joys, the hope, the pain, and the love
that has met us along the way. I hope that through my words and
experiences, others can come to love the faith, know the Truth, and
find hope themselves in whatever life brings to them.

Check out www.thiscrossiembrace.blogspot.com or email her at thiscrossiembrace@gmail.com


Crowley Coupledom

J writes: I became Mrs. Mark Crowley in June 2009, and my blog follows my life as a newlywed! From learning how to be a good wife to first experiences to shared advice and more, my blog is my chronicle of all things Crowley coupledom.

You can visit J over at http://www.CrowleyCoupledom.blogspot.com or email her at jen0414@gmail.com


***If you are interested in having your blog listed, shoot me an email at thehendersonstory@gmail.com. You never know where you might meet your next friend!

Blogger Biographies - Part 1

The Happy Hubbard’s

I am a joyful young woman- striving for holiness and to do something beautiful for God with my life.  I am a Youth Minister and working on a Master's degree. Between that and wedding planning, life is full. I am living a beautiful life as I prepare to marry in June.

This blog is the story of all the crazy adventures along the way as we become a family together...The Happy Hubbards :)

Patty blogs over at  www.thehappyhubbardfamily.blogspot.com  

You can reach her at smileybreen@gmail.com

_________________________________________

Grace in My Heart

Hi there!  I'm a former 1st grade teacher turned stay-at-home wife and mama. I carry the cross of infertility, but the beautiful gift of adoption has healed my heart. My husband and I adopted our son, E, in November 2009 and we are excitedly on the waiting list again. :)

My hope for blogging is to connect and share with others about the joys of adoptive motherhood, Catholic life, and I also love writing about activities that make me smile such as home decor, teaching/learning, arts/crafts, and cleaning...(yes, you read that right!).

Visit my blog over  at  http://www.graceinmyheart.blogspot.com 

Or you can email me at  graceinmyheart@gmail.com

_________________________________________

Almost There, On the Way

I'm a 24 year old stay at home mom to my 5 month old son, Theodore.  After struggling with PCOS for two years and having one miscarriage, God blessed us with Theodore.  My husband has an MA in Theology and works as a youth minister/director of religious education for two different parishes in south east Wisconsin.

I mainly blog about the randomness that is our life these days. :)  

My blog address is http://almostthere-ontheway.blogspot.com  or you can email me at  justine.bator@gmail.com

_________________________________________

A Star of Hope

J writes: I've been married since 9/01/01 to my wonderful husband, Collin. We have 4 children: Elanor Mary (age 7), William Joseph (age 4), Violet Elizabeth (2 on 3/5/12) and Gabriel Keith (born 11/26/11). We also have two babies we lost via miscarriage, "Noel" in December 2006 and "Chris" in March 2009. Both Collin and I are lifelong Lutherans who converted to Catholicism in May 2003, and we've never been happier!

I primarily blog about my family and also in defense of the Catholic faith.

You can visit J at  http://a-star-of-hope.blogspot.com or e-mail her at jrwahlund@gmail.com

***If you are interested in having your blog listed, shoot me an email at thehendersonstory@gmail.com. You never know where you might meet your next friend!

130! In-credible!

A huge thank you to everyone who signed up for Lenten Prayer buddies!

We had 97 women sign up for General prayer buddies and 33 women sign up for the IF prayer buddies.
SO AWESOME! I am telling you, there is nothing quite like the power of praying women!

TCIE and I have a fun little project in the works, so keep an eye out for our request for your contribution.

Have a great Sunday!

Lenten Prayer Buddies!

I can't believe it is time for Lenten Prayer Buddies again!


I am so excited to be organizing the "General Prayer Buddies" for all women who are interested (Mamas/Expectant Mamas/Singles/Etc).


So, here's the deal- You tell me a little bit about yourself and I will match you up with a prayer buddy!


We will need the following information:
Your first name or initial
Your blog address (**If you don't have a blog, we will pair you with another non-blogger!)
Your intentions


Optional:
Your full name
Your address (for gift/thank you exchanges)


As in the past, you will be assigned a Prayer Buddy to pray for starting Ash Wednesday, February 22nd, lasting through Easter Sunday, April 8th.


You will receive your prayer buddy assignment on Ash Wednesday. Throughout Lent, you can offer prayers, novenas, rosaries, lighting candles, offering up suffering, etc, for your secret Prayer Buddy and their intentions. Sometime on or shortly after Easter, you can email your Prayer Buddy and let them know that you were praying for them!


This is my second Lent participating in Prayer Buddies and I have been looking forward to it for months! Powerful things happen when women pray together, especially when we are praying for each other!


Those interested in participating can email me at thehendersonstory@gmail.com

DEADLINE FOR SIGN-UPS IS: Sunday, February 19th


**If you are looking for the IF Prayer Buddy Sign-ups, you can find them here!**

Pathetic....that is my middle name!

I know...I am a pathetic excuse for a blogger!

I have so many wonderful and supportive people out there praying for me- the least I can do is let them know that I am alive.

Yes, I am alive!

Things in La Casa de Henderson is hippity-hop-happening as always. We are happy, healthy, and totally in love. No other updates needed, right?

I could lie and tell you that I am totally peaceful and spending all of my days prancing through fields of wildflowers with no worries on my mind! But, that would be a lie.
The last few months have been difficult for me. Yeah- that retreat high I was telling you about. Definitely not feeling quite as optimistic these days.
No one told me that with the flood of hope that comes with surgery there would be a storm surge of despair unlike anything I have experienced yet along this journey. I apologize if that sounds incredibly whiny (especially from someone who knows how blessed she is to have had the opportunity to have had the surgeries).

I am scared to death. Happy? Yes. Scared out of my mind? Yes.
I am so scared that this period of waiting will never end.
I am so scared that I will never look into the eyes of my miracle.
I am scared that I will never be a mother and my husband will never be a father.
I am scared that our Christmas card will always be just the two of us (again, pathetic is my middle name. Though I will include our Christmas card from this year for your viewing pleasure. I scored such a handsome husband!).
I am scared that my parents will never get to see our parents as the grandparents of my baby or that our siblings will never be the aunts/uncles of my baby.
I am scared that I will never get to have play dates with my friends' children and that I will spend the rest of my reproductive years welcoming my friends' children into this world, yet never welcoming one of my own.
I am scared that pregnancy announcements will continue to take my breath away but that I'll never experience that breathlessness from a pregnancy announcement of my own.
I am scared that Facebook will always break my heart.
I am scared that I poured my life savings into seeing Dr. H and nothing will change.
I am scared that I will always be one of the ones left on "the island".
I am scared. So very scared. So tired and scared.

These are the things that run through my mind on a regular basis. See, now you probably regret that you read this post. There are a lot of people I know who read this blog and I don't want to freak them out. I also don't want to lie and say that I am one big bag of happy bones over here!

I am trying to take this fear and entrust it to the Lord. My husband is such an incredible support for me. I have a mother is who is offering up her cancer for my fertility (seriously...she woke up from surgery asking if I had taken my Clo.mid yet!). I have so many family members and friends who are loving me through this funk, so I know we (because let's be honest...our poor, poor husbands) will make it.

I know that I am blessed.
I know things could be a lot worse.
I know that trust is not a feeling, but an action.
I KNOW that God does have a plan for us.
I know that God's ways are so much grander, fuller, and more beautiful than our own.
But man- if it just didn't have to hurt so much. Heart, take note...and get it together.

To quote my sister: "God is never done with us. And the reason we are wise to put our future in His hands is because he dreams big, much bigger than we ever could."

Thank you for praying for me and sticking by me. I am so humbled by the love and the prayers. If it doesn't make me sound greedy- Please keep them up! I am praying for you all.

I promise that I am back. I think I might start posting about non-pathetic/whiny/fearful topics for a few weeks.

Like our Dining Room do-over that is about to take place. Yes! That will be awesome!

Look at all the room on that card! We have room for 10+... Bring em' on, Lord!

Coming off of the retreat high...

In an effort to get out of my blogging rut, I wanted to post something...anything...to get me out of my funk. I realized that I really haven't posted much about my time in Omaha. I know that I could write out every little detail of every little procedure, but I figured that was boring. If you want that info, feel free to ask, but I won't force it upon you all!

Instead, I figured that I would share more about what God was doing with my heart during that time. I thought I would share an email I sent to a family member while I was out there.

I wish that I could say that my heart was still so peacful content, but I would be lying if I said it was. I kinda feel like I am coming off of the spiritual high of an incredible retreat. I am praying that God would renew me, because Lord knows that lately I feel like I am gasping for air.

I wanted to write you guys to share a little bit about what has been going on here in Omaha. I know that I am a talker, but I don't think that I always do an adequate job of verbalizing my feelings. A lot has been going on in my little heart, and I thought I would just share while I was being brave enough. (I might post part of this on my blog later on- don't judge me!).

I have realized over the last few weeks that this journey has been one that I, personally, needed in order to know the Lord.
I am a girl who wanted nothing more in life then to be a wife and a mother. I don't need a fancy car, the newest boots, the cutest house, the thinnest figure, or the largest bank account to be happy- I just wanted a loving husband and a houseful of children to adore. I definitely lucked out in the husband department (and the family department!), but not being able to have children was not in the cards for me.
I have realized lately that this is the path that I needed to walk for the Lord to draw me closer to Him. I wish this meant that I could just be all joy and happiness, all the time, but I know that isn't the case.

The last four weeks have been so very long and lonely, but the Lord has really done something special to my heart. My phone has not been ringing- at all. No one coming to the house. Nothing to clean (I really hate that!). No commitments in the evening. Nothing- I sit in the basement of someone else's home. The human contact that I have each day, is just two very gentle and humble people that have been Jesus to me in ways I can't explain. My daily outings have been Starbucks (No, I haven't changed that much!), Adoration, and Daily mass.

I am not saying this to sound sad or to sound like life back home is awful- that isn't the case at all!! But, I believe that the Lord needed to take this area of my life- the children I so desperately pray for- and use them to heal my heart. I believe that the Lord knew that this was one thing that I would travel across the country for, stay away from my husband and family (both of whom I adore) for weeks on end, and sit totally alone for. That these children were the thing that I was willing to be the MOST radical for, and I think the Lord wanted this time to ask me to give Him my broken, tired, ratty heart. I think that the Lord wanted to let these children play a role in getting me to heaven, before I ever knew their names or their precious faces.

I hope that Omaha is the place that brings healing and life to my womb, but I can tell you that I can already see that he is bringing healing and life to my fragile heart. He now holds the tiny pieces of my broken heart, and I trust that He knows how to put them back together. He is, after all, the great Healer.

Thank you, Pintrest.

A Grateful and Thankful Heart...

...I know that is the key to happiness.

This morning, Mr. Henderson and I attended a Thanksgiving Day Mass, and the priest said something that hit both of us in the gut:

"The seeds of despair cannot take root in a heart of gratitude."

We have so much to be thankful for- so very, very much, and the seeds of despair have no place in this heart of mine.

I am so thankful for the gift of my salvation, and for God who loves me more than I could ever imagine. I am a whiny and ungrateful being at times, yet He loves me fiercely and provides for my every need. I am so excited about entering into this Advent season and celebrating His birth!

I am thankful for a husband who loves me and makes me feel like I am the most amazing and beautiful woman in the world. Even though I tend to feel like I have failed him in so many ways, he has never once made me feel like I am broken. He is one of the most compassionate and gentle individuals I have ever met, and I truly feel like I am the luckiest lady in the world. 

I am thankful for my family. I couldn't have been born to a more amazing mother and father. They have given me seven of the best friends a girl could dream of. I am so grateful for my mom and oldest sister, both of whom love me through my pathetic, tear-filled texts asking them if I will ever be a mother. I am grateful for the way they walk with us on this journey- allowing me to open up my heart whenever I need and never treating me as though my broken heart cramps their style. Not only am I blessed with an amazing birth family, but I married into a wonderful family as well. My cup overfloweth.

I am grateful for life. I am grateful for my parents' openness to life (I am #6), I am grateful for my husband's parents being open to life and raising him to be such an incredible man, and I am grateful for God being so generous with life to my family- we are so blessed by our nieces and nephews, and my heart fills so full of love for them that at times I think it might bust. This next year will bring so much new life for our two families- new babies that will increase the amount of love within our family walls.

And lastly, I am grateful for the gift of my infertility today. I am grateful for all of the lessons it has taught me, for the friends that it has brought me (especially my blogging buddies- you girls are the best!), and for the blessings it has brought to my marriage. Some people might think that this is the most terrible cross in the world, and some days it feels like it is, but my husband and I are so grateful for all of the gifts it has brought to our marriage. Our trip to Omaha, which in and of itself was an incredible blessing, was like a second honeymoon (minus the two surgeries and all that went with those- ok...it was nice just being the two of us!). I know that Mr. H and I are not who we once were when we started this journey, and we also know that we aren't done becoming who God wants us to be- we are clinging to the promise that God is not done with our story.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

(P.s - I know I have been an AWFUL blogger lately. I needed to get my head on straight after the month-long trip to Omaha. I promise I will write this week about Omaha and catch you all up on my life! Please don't lose any sleep over it!!)

Thank you, Thank you!

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and prayers over the last few days! I feel so very blessed to be covered in prayer during this time.

Surgery went great! We have been praying from the very beginning that Dr. H would be able to help us gather answers for why we aren't conceiving, and God does not disappoint...right?!

This was my third surgery in three years, so I was sure that it was just another "thing" to check off our list. One more surgery to come out of and be told that "there was nothing unusal" going on inside of me.
In fact, I spent the morning of surgery telling each person that came and introduced themselves to us- "I am so sorry, but this is bound to be a really boring surgery. I don't think there is going to be anything to see inside of me!". Well, I lied to every one of those poor med students!

At our follow up appointment yesterday, we were informed that I need to go back in for more surgery. To be honest, I don't even care! I am just so relieved that there are reasons for what we have been walking through the last 3.5 years. I know that there are so many people who think my husband and I are crazy for doing what we are doing, but we have finally found a doctor who is finding real answers for us.

When I asked Dr. Hil.gers point blank "Do you think we will ever conceive?", He answered "I don't see why not! Once we get these issues taken care of and the right medicines on board, you shouldn't have any problems at all." To hear those words have been worth every penny we have saved, humility we have endured, every heartache we have lived though. Worth it all. (I mean, to know we are ACTUALLY pregnant will be amazing, but this works for now.)

So, on October 24th, I am going in for the real deal. I will be having the large amounts of endometriosis removed, a cyst on my left tube will be removed, each ovary will get a nice little wedge resection, and my nasty, little appendix will come out. I asked for a tummy tuck while I was in there- Dr. H said he didn't think I would want him doing that on me. Oh well, worth asking!

So thank you again for all of your prayers. I will probably be begging for more in another week. But for now, I just have to thank you all. I feel so blessed to have found this community of encouraging women!

Please know that I am praying for as many of you by name as I can remember. I have been offering up this time of recovery for all those woman carrying children (especially my SIL- woot, woot!!), for all those waiting to be matched for an adoption, and all of those women who are trying to find good doctors to help them find answers. And I am a wimp...so I have lots of prayers going up!


P.S- The Rosary that my sister posted the pic of yesterday was blessed by Pope Benedict XVI. As I was wheeled into the operating room, the sweet little nurse asked if I would like a Rosary in my hand, and when I woke up it was taped there. Too sweet. Memento #1 for the baby book!

Sweet JoJo Update

Hello faithful readers!

This is Mrs. Testosterhome cracking the code on Joanna's blog.

Joanna is out of surgery and doing great. Her hubby said they will meet with the doctor tomorrow to get a better understanding of what he found and where they need to go from here.

In the meantime, I am working on posting a beautiful picture Jo sent me -- doctors taped a rosary to her hand for surgery. The rosary was blessed by the Pope and while I'm not sure which Pope, we are waiting with expectant faith and hope for his intercession.

D- Day

Tomorrow is my surgery with Dr. H.

After nine months of saving, slaving, and praying, we are finally here. I am all excitement, no fear (ok...maybe a little...but I will live). It isn't the type of nine-month waiting I would like, but I know it is the next stop to get me there.

I spent last week going through Phase I of the Cr.MS Practitioner program, so I had no time to think about how very close I was to making it to this goal. On Sunday, after that week was over and I had a second to breathe, I couldn't help but choke up- over and over. Finally. We are here.

I am so incredibly grateful for all of the prayers, support, and encouragement this community has given me. I know that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you all. Please know that I will be offering up any pain or fear for all of you - especially for those women who are trying desperately to find good doctors to help them.

I am praying that tomorrow is the first day of a new, exciting chapter of our lives. A chapter in which are hearts are bursting with happiness and not breaking with heartache. One in which our mourning is turned into dancing, and our sorrow into joy.

If you have a prayer or two to spare tomorrow, I would be most grateful.

Prayer Buddy Reveal

First of all, I have to apologize for being so absent on the blogs lately. I have been so insanely busy- I often forget what day it is! I hope that once I am done class here in Omaha, that I will be able to get back to blogging and commenting.

I had the honor of praying for My Heart Exults during this season of prayer buddies!
I have been praying and fasting for her intentions and that the Lord would protect her and her precious baby, especially as she prepares for Baby Boy's arrival.
I, I will continue to lift you and your family up in prayer! It was a privilege to pray for you!

And I have to give a huge shout out to my prayer buddy, JellyBelly.
Girl, you have helped prayed miracles into my life that you wouldn't believe. I know that your prayers played a part in my husband and I have the opportunity to get to Omaha- when I (not he) thought it impossible (note: He is the saint...I am the saintmaker!). People have given so generously to us in so many ways, and have made the dream of getting to PPVI a reality.
We also found out as I was leaving for Omaha (I got her yesterday!), that our insurance company accepted our appeal letter. So, we only have to pay for PPVI and not for the hospital...such a miracle. That is another story for another time!
And on top of that, I got my bloodwork back from my hormone series and I am all kinda messed up (which I was totally praying for!). I don't doubt for a second that your prayers have contributed to the beginnings of answers for me and my sweet husband. Thank you from the bottom of my teeny, tiny, broken (and cautiously hopeful) heart.
Please know that I am praying for you as you prepare to make your trek out to the Institute. I will be behind you- praying for you and rooting for you!