Hope

This week is National Infertility Week. There were many times when I would just lay in bed and cry thinking that I would never be called "mom." Now, all I hear all day long is "mama, mama, mama."

Our infertility journey started about a year after we were married. We had 2 IUI's done, 2 IVF's done, got pregnant with what they thought was twins after the last IVF and then miscarried within 1 week. After that last IVF and miscarriage I remember feeling like a failure. I was heartbroken and saddened. I cried for many days and prayed to God for some guidance. Jason and I spoke about adoption and our mind was made up. This is what God had in store for us, this is what was going to help make all of our dreams come true. Ten months after starting the adoption journey, Isaiah was home. My sweet, precious, little boy made me a "mom." I will never forget the feeling of arriving in the airport at home with Isaiah in my arms. It still brings tears to my eyes. Three months after Isaiah arrived home, I found out I was pregnant with Addison Grace. My beautiful, little dancer that they said I had miscarried and couldn't find a heartbeat, had danced her way into our hearts. Three months after Addison was born, I was pregnant with Kate. I was on birth control when I was pregnant with Kate and I remember sitting in the bathroom crying after taking the pregnancy test because I had no clue how we were going to be able to afford 3 children. Kate is our spunky, loving little girl, who we couldn't imagine life without. Our family is complete, our prayers answered. God is good!

For those of you struggling with infertility my hearts and prayers are with you all.

To my dear friend struggling with infertility (no name needs to me mentioned, you know who you are): You are an amazing person, a loving individual and my thoughts and prayers are with you always. I am here for you every step of the way, stay strong, have faith! Love ya!

And now a picture of my 3 miracles that call me Mom!

Until later,

Melissa

For The Love of Rolly Pollies

They searched and they searched for Rolly Pollies,

and when they were found they ended up in one of their hands.

They all really enjoyed looking for them and finding them, but Addison really loved them!

She loved them so much that she had a handful.

Or a dressful.

She didn't want them to crawl away so she put them on her dress so she could watch them.

She wanted to take them to her room to keep,

but we finally convinced her that they needed an outside home.

So now our large oak tree is home to many new friends,

Who are forever thankful that they aren't spending another hour in a 3 year old's hands.

Until later,

Melissa

Gotcha Day

My Sweet Isaiah -

Happy 4th "Gotcha" Day Isaiah! Four years ago today, you arrived home! I will never forget that plane ride to the US with you in my lap, just waiting to get you home and show you to everyone. I finally became a mother, a mother that got to hold her baby in her lap and not have to return him to his foster mother. Our difficult journey to become parents was over, and all our dreams had come true! Your smile is contagious and your laugh infectious! Mommy and Daddy are so blessed that God chose you to be our son. You are a blessing to this family. We love you!

Isaiah's referral picture:

There were many times I wanted to put him in a suitcase and just take him home!

I love this picture of him!

He has grown up so much!

We love you,

Mommy & Daddy

Family

"A family portrait is only complete with love to fill its frame."

- Wes Fessler

The Shred Update

So, out of the 12 days since I started the video, I have missed two. I missed last Thursday because I really wasn't feeling well and I had absolutely no desire to work out. I was pretty down about it when I went to bed that night, but I just couldn't find the energy to do the workout. I also missed my Easter day workout. We visited both set of grandparents and by the time we got home I was exhausted.

I have completed 10 days of the workout and I certainly can see a change. I'm not sure how much weight I've lost because we don't own a scale, but I have lost some. What I notice the most is how much flatter my stomach has gotten and how much more muscular my legs are. I have always had large thighs, I think it was all the soccer growing up, but it is nice to see some muscle back in my large thighs.

I must say that I really do enjoy the video. I alternate between Workout 1 and Workout 2 for the variety. There are some of the activities that are still really hard for me (like jumping jacks), but everything has gotten much easier.

Day 11, here I come! Can't wait to see how much my body changes after 20 more days of the video!

Until later,
Melissa

Jazz N' Blooms

We attended the City of Farmers Branch Jazz N' Blooms last weekend. The city always does such a wonderful job with their events, but this one has to be one of my favorites. The weather was beautiful and the kids had a great time.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day:

The kids got to shovel dirt in wheel barrow and dump it in a flower bed. Addison really enjoyed this, we had a hard time getting her to leave this activity.

The had turned a haystack into a ladybug. It was really cute!

There was also a painted "river" that the kids pretended to ride boats through and at the end they got a treasure.

Isaiah was pretending to swim.


The petting zoo was a hit with the kids. Kate in particular, just loved the animals. She's going to be the child that brings home all the stray animals. She is a girl after her Papaw's heart!

There was a pair of ducks that really hated to be parted and one kept trying to go over and "snuggle" with the other one. Kate was very upset by this and couldn't understand why her duck would want to leave. So she put her hands around the duck's neck to keep him from moving. She was trying to be sweet, but it really doesn't look sweet. Don't worry I made sure she didn't hurt the little duck.

Eventually, Kate let the duck reunite in the lap of her older sister.

Yes, the little chick pictured below is blue!

Isaiah loved feeding the goats.

There was also this really neat life cycle of a butterfly exhibit. It started with the cateripillars.


As the caterpillar grows and sheds it skin it encloses itself in a chrysalis.

Then it becomes a beautiful butterfly.

It was very well done and as a science teacher, I loved it!

Over by the Life Cycle of a Butterfly exhibit were these cute little flowers that had ladybugs on them.

Kate was just fascinated with the ladybugs and even though I told her no (See that sad face?),

she proceeded to pick some,
and then count them.
Don't worry she only took two and I was able to get them away from her and put them back without her noticing.

The kids enjoyed eating popcorn with Papaw and Gramma.

And last, but certainly not least, Isaiah and Addison (Katelyn wanted nothing to do with it.) enjoyed meeting the Easter Bunny.

We all had such a wonderful time and can't to go again next year.

Until later,
Melissa