Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Not sure what to title this post...


             Back in October of 2013, Andrew and I decided that we were ready to start our family and that we would have my birth control removed in December.  If something happened, I would be graduated and ready to take on a full role of being a mom without the headache of adding school to the mix.  December came and we went to my OB appointment together.  Not bad at all, and they told us they would see us again when ever we found out we were pregnant.  January, February, and March passed and nothing had happened.  Then April rolled around and I started to feel a little different.  I decided to take a home pregnancy test, and it was a faint positive.  I started to cry; I was so excited.  I took a picture of it to show to my neighbor, Brittany, when she dropped the kids off that morning to see if it was true or not.  She was so excited and said yes that it was right.  Later that night I went to the Dollar Store and bought 4 more test and took 2 more once I got home.  They both were positive.  By this point, I had told my mom, Cathy, Laura, and Carlie.  Every one of them asked me what did Andrew say.  Well, Andrew was in Nashville working on the new lighting designer for Martina's upcoming tour.  I did NOT want to tell him over the phone.  I really wanted to see his facial expressions when I told him we were pregnant.  So, I told a few white lies when we talked and told him I would see him Saturday morning.  In the mean time, I asked one of my neighbors to make a shirt that said "Daddy's Little Buddy" to take with me so I could tell Andrew that way.  I was so excited to tell him we were finally going to have a baby.  It killed me not to tell him over the phone. 
So Saturday, April 12, I get packed and ready to see Andrew, whom I haven't seen in almost a week and a half.  I cry when I leave because I can't believe that we are finally pregnant.  I also took another test that Friday night before to make sure.  I drove for 3.5 hours and make to the shop where Andrew was working and called him to come out side to meet me.  I had the shirt hidden in one of our Advocare boxes that I had to bring to him.  He looks through the box and stopped at the shirt.  He stared at it for a minute then looked at me.  I told him we were pregnant and he gave me the biggest hug.  He was like me, couldn't believe it happened that quickly.  We then told Mike and Grandma, and then told my dad and Brooke on Sunday.  Everyone was so excited.  
At this point, we were waiting for our new insurance to take affect and had to wait to see the doctor until after May 1.  I also wanted Andrew to make every doctor's appointment that he could.  So, due to scheduling we finally made our appointment for May 19th.  I was so excited.  I really loved May 19th because it was the day I graduated High School and the day that Andrew proposed.  We both get up really excited because at this point I was 10 weeks along and we would have been able to see toes and fingers.  
We got to my appointment early and they saw us rather early as well.  We go back to the back and talk to everyone and told me the things I should and should not be doing while pregnant.  Next was the ultrasound.  So excited to finally see the baby, I have been praying so hard for.  Andrew and I were taken to the room and I got on the table.  By this point I was so excited my blood pressure was really high.  She placed the wand on belly and began to move it around to find the baby.   Then she began to measure the womb that she saw.  Andrew and I were looking closely and we don't see anything.  The lady decided to do another form of ultrasound, and we still do not see a baby.  She walked out to tell the doctor something, and I immediately started to cry.  I had felt all the pregnancy symptoms but not anything too bad.  I was doing fine on the nausea if I ate every three hours or so.  They asked us to walk back to another room and the doctor came in.  She said that there was no baby and wanted to do blood work to check my pregnancy hormone levels and to come back on Wednesday to redo the blood work.  Once we got outside, I lost it.   I cried all the way home and put myself in our room for the rest of the day.  Andrew cried with me and held my hand. 
So, Wednesday we go back and they tell me that I am not pregnant.  I could choose to let my body take care of it on it’s own, have a D&C, or take a pill to get the process going.  Andrew and I decided to have the D&C and they would call me Thursday with the results and would we would go from there.  That was the longest 24 hours of my life (and I have had some serious medical issues in the past).  They called me and told me that my hormone levels had dropped and that I would be getting a phone call about the date and time of the D&C.  I posted a status about what was going on and several women contacted me through private message and told me their stories of this every same thing happening to them.  I cannot thank these women enough for their support and love that shared to me.  Their words of wisdom really helped me in my decision to go through with the D&C.
Wednesday May 28, I had the D&C.  I cried when they started asking me questions, when I saw a pregnant nurse that was going to be caring for me, and once they wheeled me back into the room to have the procedure done.  I hated this experience and do not wish this on anybody.  Once I woke up, I felt like a huge weight had been lifted.  I was in a little pain but nothing I couldn’t handle. 
Today as I’m typing this post, I’ve cried and thought about all the emotions that we have experienced in these few short weeks.  I know God has something bigger in store, and we will have to wait.  I am still going to Thailand, which means we leave Sunday! I need this get away.  On top of this experience, we’ve had trouble getting ready to move to Nashville.  I know all good things come to those who wait! (And trust me, we are definitely waiting!).  I’m to finish this post with a verse that a dear friend shared with me during this experience: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
-Psalm 34:18
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Graduation!!

Finally, on May 10th, 2014, I walked across the stage of the Jackson Avenue Center of the University of Mississippi Campus to receive my degree! I had one more class to finish after graduation and decided to take it in May Intersession to get it over with.  I have finally finished something that I have worked so hard to achieve, which I will not receive my actual degree until September since not all the the requirements for May graduation were completed before actual graduation.  In September, I will have a Bachelor's Degree in General Studies with Minors in History, English, and Education.  Andrew ended up having to travel with Martina and was unable to attend, however, having all sides of the family made it worth while. 
























It was a great day and we met the rest of the family for lunch at Harvey's afterwards!

Friday, March 14, 2014

Update!

We both have been really busy the last few months.  Andrew seems to be traveling the world with Martina, and I could not be happier for him.  We both are about to start the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.  I can't wait to see what happens.  We have also celebrated our 6 year anniversary last weekend.  We hung out with family and did our taxes.  Really fun, hun? I guess that's just life as we are getting older.  Graduation is getting closer but still can't get here fast enough.  I went last week for my last advisor appointment to take my last class after graduation.  I'm also ready for summer.  I will be going on a mission trip to Thailand with our church and can't wait! I haven't been that far out of the country.  I'm excited to see what God has in store for all of us. Spring break is almost over and Carlie has come to visit for the last few days.  So far we have shopped the boutiques in town and will maybe go to Wolfchase tomorrow.  Just wanted to give a brief update with what's going on in our world! Hope all is well with you!



 

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Happy Birthday Zoey!!

Zoey turned 2 yesterday with her party on Sunday.  It is so hard to believe she was born 2 years ago.  She can count, knows all of her letters and colors, and is starting to remember Andrew and I when we are around.  She played with us for a short time at the party.  It melted my heart to watch her play with Andrew.  He will be a great dad someday!  Here are a few pictures from her party:

















She had a Dr. Who party! Laura does a great job of decorating! Zoey, we wish you many birthdays in the years to come! We love you! 

Friday, December 27, 2013

End of the Semester and Christmas!

This year's Christmas seemed different.  Andrew has been traveling with Martina and has been gone pretty much the entire month.  Home just long enough for me to wash his clothes and send him off again.  I have become one step closer to graduation, which is 4 months, 1 week, 5 days, 2 hours, and 5 minutes away! Yes, I'm counting down by the minute thanks to an app.  I have 5 classes between me and graduation and I can't wait! I'm really proud of myself that I have stuck with school so long.  I did well on my 8 page paper that I was dreading all semester which my professor really liked.  I passed with all B's.

I got my Christmas present early this year, and I have to say that I'm really proud and excited about it.  We traded my car for a 2014 Ford Explore.  I now can't imagine what my life would be without it now.  I love it!! He out did himself this year.  I have to say it is a very close 1st between it and my KitchenAid mixer he gave me the Christmas before we got married.


Mike, Andrew's dad came down with the flu.  It felt strange not going to their house on Christmas Eve and have tenderloin and the fixins.  We did go to Laura's, Andrew's sister, and had pizza with everyone.   Zoey was on gift overload.  I really enjoyed watching her and her excitement over the little things that she got like the crayons and coloring books we gave her. 


On Christmas morning, we went over to my parents and opened presents.  Then we went to Grandma Lee's.  I have to say it's not Christmas to me unless we go to her house.   I really have enjoyed going over there and can't imagine Christmas without it.  We have so much fun talking, laughing, and enjoying each others' company.  We also talk about how ready we are to go back to the beach.   Yes, we already have our reservations made for 2014.  Here are some pictures of the day! Enjoy! I hope you all had a great Christmas as well!
































As you can tell from the picture above, we had a great Christmas and enjoyed all of our time with our families! Until next time! Merry Christmas and Happy New year!