2016 Year in Review

Raise your hand if you are as glad that 2016 is almost over. *raises hand*

Keep it raised if you really think 2017 will be any better with the new president (especially for women, LGBTQ, non-Christians, and people of color). *puts hand down*

Yep. That's all I'm going to say about that. (any rude or hateful comments will be deleted)

Moving on! Despite God deciding he needed better company in Heaven (Alan Rickman, Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher, Prince, David Bowie, Nancy Regan, my Nanna, and my friend Justin Whitney to name just a few), 2016 had some good days too!

The biggest event for us was finding out and announcing our little JellyBean.
I got my second tattoo in honor of my Nanna.
In April we celebrated 2 years of marriage and we got to witness my cousin's nuptials.
I decided to share my Infertility Story (part 1, part 2, part 3) and that we were trying to make a baby.
We traded in our Mustang for an SUV to prepare for our (hopefully at that point) expanding family.
I turn 30 and Hubs turned 30.
I got to visit my mom and see my Llama over the summer.
Our most adorable nephew was born on 10-11-16, and he turned out to be our good luck charm and we conceived that cycle.
It also has to be noted that I discovered the amazingness that is LuLaRoe. If you don't know what that is, ask me and I'll point you in the right direction.
We (basically) have finished the bathroom remodel. It's not photo ready yet as there are some small details that need doing.
Some dear friends (blogging and otherwise) had their babies or finally got "the call" for their adopted child.
Other dear friends and family announced pregnancies as well (I'm getting another nephew in March!)
So many amazing things. So many prayers answered. So many goals reached.

Yes. In spite of all the craziness that has gone down this year, I'm calling it a good one.

How was your 2016?

Wonders of His Love

This has been the hardest secret to keep, but the scariest one to tell too soon. We waited and tried and prayed for so long to finally get here, and now we are ready to share our news with you all.

That's right! Our little miracle will be joining us in July of 2017. We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas gift. I want to send a huge Thank You to everyone who prayed for us and supported us through all of the obstacles we faced getting here. And my heart goes out to those still on their journey to parenthood. You'll be in my prayers, always. 

Here's the story of the day we found out.

Even though I was experiencing some of the classic pregnancy symptoms, I was still very hesitant to take a test. I've been down this road so many times before to only get negative tests. But that day (11-11-16), I spontaneously decided to test. I had pushed the stick far away from me and slightly hidden behind the shower curtain for the duration of the wait time. I peaked only once and saw only one line from far away, and I steeled myself for the negative result. After 3 mins I tentatively slid the test closer. One dark line, and wait! Another lighter line!! Is this real?!?!

So I pulled out the ClearBlue Digital test and dipped it in the cup. I watched the blinking symbol for what seemed like hours until the result popped up. PREGNANT! A few mins later the weeks estimator indicated 2-3 weeks from conception. I couldn't believe it and burst into tears just thanking God for this miracle. 

It was only 11 am and I knew Philip would be home for lunch soon, so I texted him to make sure, when he informed me he'd be done for the day at 11:45. I had a more put together way of telling him planned in my head, but I didn't have the time to get it arranged in time, plus I had my nephew that day. So I pulled out all the little things we had purchased for this miracle child over the past year or so, and laid them out on the kitchen table with the tests and very impatiently waited. 

Grayson woke from a nap to eat just before Philip walked in. He walked into the kitchen as we made small talk and didn't even glance at the table. So I sent him back and told him to look around again. Then he saw it, said awww and then looked closer. "Are these yours?" I nodded. "Really?" I said really and started crying. He walked over to me and I saw his eyes getting misty. He kissed me and just couldn't stop smiling.

Merry Christmas!