16 Weeks

It is hard to believe I'm in my 16th week of being pregnant. I'm so thankful to the Lord for this amazing blessing and experience. I have wanted to count the weeks of my pregnancy for so many years and it is actually happening. My growing middle is a constant reminder.

I can't say I'm sad to see the 1st trimester finished...it wasn't fun. The last week has been a turning point. I feel less nauseous and more "normal" everyday. I'm now enjoying the stretching and pulling of my abdomen :) However I do find that easier to handle than the constant nausea.

Just the last few days I'm beginning to think I'm feeling some movement. I'm still not sure what I'm suppose to feel but I have some weird, unique feelings every once in a while in my upper and lower abdomen which I'm now thinking are the babies moving.

We had an ultrasound at 14 weeks. Everything looks good. Both babies were measuring on track and squirming around. We didn't get very good pictures because both wouldn't stop moving. Baby B was more active than Baby A. The tech also tried to see the sex but couldn't see anything conclusive. I didn't want to hear "it could be a...." so I only wanted to know if the tech could really tell. We go back for another ultrasound at 18 weeks and hoping this time we'll see the sex and get some good pictures IF the babies cooperate.

Here is a picture of me and my "slight" bump (I still just feel fat) at 14 weeks....

At school I told the staff on our first day back but I didn't want to tell the students quite yet. I wasn't ready for all the questions that could be asked. However I did tell them I had a secret written on my trading card (each staff member has a trading card that the students can earn) and the first student to get my trading card would know my secret. It didn't take long for a 5th grade student to get my card. It was fun to watch his reaction. However, he didn't want others to know so he kept it quiet.

A 2nd grade girl got my trading card a couple weeks ago and it was the talk of the entire school that afternoon. She announced it to anyone on the playground that would listen. However she was adding that they were twin girls. When I asked her about this she said "I know they are both girls, you will see". So I will have many confused students if the results are different.

There is another student at school that every day says "you still don't look pregnant"....all I can say is "thanks". It has been fun to watch each students reaction to the news.

We received our first baby present from my amazing hair stylist Leslie. Leslie has cut my hair for as long as I can remember...these quilts are beautiful.

The picture doesn't do justice. For those of you wondering....I don't know what the nursery decor will be yet, waiting until I know the gender.

That's all for now!

Journey to Pregnancy

Over the last four years we have been hoping to start a family. We never dreamed it would be so difficult! Last summer we started entertaining the thought of seeing a fertility specialist to see if there was a reason why we were not getting pregnant. October 2012 we met with a fertility specialist (The Center for Reproductive Health) in Spokane and began the many months of testing.

In February 2013 we found out our difficulty was male infertility. Tim has lots of sperm and it is healthy but it has very low motility. The low motility makes it difficult to conceive. In the next 3 years we had about a 15% chance of conceiving on our own but you have to remember there is a 20% chance of miscarriage for all pregnancies but with IVF in 6 months (3 cycles) we had a 90-95% chance of conceiving. So, with the low motility our only option was IVF (in vetro fertilization) if we wanted to continue treatment. Due to the low motility we would also need to use ICSI (Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) with the IVF.

We were ready to have a baby and didn't want to wait hoping it would happen (we've already been there). IVF is an intricate, expensive and emotional process so it wasn’t an easy decision. After weeks of praying about specifically IVF and months for guidance with the whole fertility process we decided to move ahead with IVF. We trusted the Lord with the entire process and truly feel He was directing us to this path.

 

So in June 2013 we began our 1st IVF Cycle. June 5th-15th I had daily injections of 2-3 hormones and every other day trips to Spokane for 7am blood draws and ultrasounds!!! On Monday, June 17th I had 14 eggs retrieved. 12 of those eggs were healthy and fertilized. 5 days later (June 22nd) we had 2 embryos transferred into my uterus and 5 embryos frozen for later use. Then came the 9 days of waiting and laying low hoping 1 or both of the embryos would implant. 

On July 1st I headed to Spokane again for a 7am blood draw. The nurse called mid morning to let us know we were PREGNANT!!!! My beta (results from the blood draw) were at 202 and it needed to be at least 50! The next milestone would come July 3rd when that beta needed to double and it did it was 496! We went on July 10th for an ultrasound to see if 1 or both embryos had implanted. There were TWO! July 18th we had another ultrasound and saw two beautiful heart beats. July 31st was our last 7am appointment in Spokane and we heard two amazing heart beats. Everything was going great so the fertility clinic released me to my OBGYN.

On August 15th I had my first OBGYN appointment and we again had an ultrasound and saw 2 babies growing strong. One baby was resting while the other was doing summersaults! 

I know those 2 babies are growing because I've felt horrible for the last 8 weeks. Praying/hoping it gets better over the next couple weeks.

Our "official" due date is March 10, 2014 however with multiples it is very likely they will come early. The hope is that I make it to 37 weeks (which would be mid February).

We are extremely excited and thank The Lord everyday for the two amazing blessings He has given us!

**If you want more information about IVF or ICSI, just google it!**

Happy New Year!

I'm finding it hard to believe it is already the 17th of January. Time is going way to fast. I hear people say the older you get the faster time goes and I'm not sure how much faster it can go. There are days I'm delighted to see the time go fast and others I'd love to have a pause button.

Life has been uneventful since the new year started. Last fall while our church (Moses Lake Alliance) was without a Worship Pastor I stepped in and directed the adult choir. I had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of it. On January 3rd we welcomed our new Worship Pastor to Moses Lake Alliance Church. I'm delighted to be going back to being a choir member and very excited to see iShout (kids choir) start up again. Last Wednesday was our first rehearsal and I had 15 kids!!!!! Such a blessing :) Looking forward to to spending the spring with these wonderful kids.

Last fall I discovered pinterest....and now I'm hooked. I wouldn't call myself a crafty person or a person who can come up with crafts but if you give me directions I can follow them pretty well. I have seen on may different blogs coffee filter wreaths and have wanted to make one. So I got brave and did it. I think it turned out pretty good for the first time. Here it is...

I've also been looking for a white erase calendar because I'm discovering the calendars I buy don't have big enough boxes to hold our crazy schedule. Again pinterest came to the rescue :) I thought this calendar was pretty cleaver....I would have never thought of it on my own. 

All I needed was a frame and lots of paint samples! It now hangs in our kitchen and I can finally fit all our activities!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas 2011

We are still enjoying Moses Lake and love calling it home. Denise continues to work for the Moses Lake School District as an elementary music teacher. For the past 4 years she taught at Discover Elementary but this past fall moved to Larson Heights Elementary. She is enjoying the new school but still trying to learn (and remember) all 360 of her students names! Also this fall she took on the role as director of our churches adult choir. This has brought many new and exciting challenges but she has loved every minute of it.

Tim continues to work as an associate at the Moses Lake Walmart and enjoys the interaction with the community. He is apart of our churches adult choir and has enjoyed having his wife for a director!!!

Winter is our favorite time of year because we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.

"For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luke 2: 11-12

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Tim & Denise

Survived!

I am finishing my first day of winter break! The last month has gone so quickly. I can't believe Christmas is Sunday.

I have been working with an amazing group of individuals at our church to produce our churches Christmas program "Believe". Along with the producing I also directed the music. We've been working on this production since July and it is crazy to think it is over. We performed "Believe" on the weekend of Dec. 9-11th. It was an amazing weekend filled the the message of the hope we have when we accept and believe in Jesus. Many people were blessed and at least one person accepted Jesus!!!!! It couldn't get any better :)

Below are a few pictures of the weekend. To see more pictures visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/mlacproductions. Pictures taken by Aubrey White.

 The choir

 The entire cast and crew

   Me singing "Christmas In Heaven"

Ensemble Tim sang in.

When I wasn't preparing for the churches performances I was teaching my students at Larson Heights Elementary the music for their program. The Kindergarten - 5th grade students performed on Thursday, Dec. 15th (our anniversary!) Since I was directing them I don't have any pictures but they did an amazing job. I'm very proud of all of them.

Now I'm looking forward to a couple of weeks off to rest, relax and enjoy my family.

The Past Few Months...

...have flown by. I can’t believe it is the middle of October already and Christmas is just around the corner. So here’s what has been happening.

August

Enjoyed the last few weeks of summer vacation and spent some time setting up my classroom. In my 6 years of teaching I’ve set up my classroom at least 4 times due to various circumstances so I’m pretty good at it!!! My new classroom is in a portable and I’m all by myself. Which is good because we can be pretty noise in music class J The classroom next to mine is being used as storage so it is FULL of stuff. Below are pictures of my classroom.

My classroom from the door way. 

The front of the classroom. Each classroom has a "smartboard" which is an interactive white board. Like an oversized iphone or ipad. It is amazing what it can do. 

My desk area....since I'm in a portable by myself I've chosen an "Island" theme.

We also had to say goodbye to Tim’s sister Rebecca and nieces Sophia and Elise as they headed back for another year in China. Unfortunately, a few days before they were leaving. Elise tripped down a few stairs and fractured her lower tibia. While we were visiting I went with Rebecca to take Elise to the doctor to get her cast. Elise was very brave and did great! She has since gotten the cast taken off.

Rebecca chose purple "Go Dawgs!!!"

We miss them terribly but also know that the Lord has great plans for them there. We are counting down the months until next summer when they return for a visit.

September

I have a hard time remembering September because it was so busy and crazy. It started with a day trip to Ellensburg for the Kittitas County Fair and Rodeo. Tim and I went with my parents to the rodeo and walked around the fair. It was a fun day.

School began and so did the learning names, routines, rules and everything else that comes with a new place and people. It was very tiring at times but I can say I survived.

Last June our worship pastor and family moved on to North Carolina so we have been searching for a new pastor. Our church (Moses Lake Alliance Church) is still seeking the Lord’s guidance in finding the perfect person to come pastor at our church. I felt the Lord directing me to take over adult choir. I love choir and feel it is an important ministry in our church.

Our church has a history of putting on Christmas Programs that are pretty great! So, myself along with a team have been working on developing a Christmas Program. We have been leaning on the Lord’s guidance through the entire process and have written an original titled “Believe” a story about a father, son and faith and are getting excited to present it in December. It is an incredible story and I can’t wait to see what the Lord has in store. Please “like” us on facebook at www.facebook.com/MLACProductions to stay up to date on information also join us in prayer as we continue to prepare and for those that will be attending the performances.  

October

I’m starting to feel like life is a routine and not so crazy. Every day I’m feeling more at home at Larson but still learning many names and I hate when I can’t remember a kids name but 380+ names is tough to remember.

Last Sunday the adult choir sang in the church services and it was great! I’m so honored to be leading such a wonderful talented group of individuals in worship to our Lord.

Oct. 12^th I turned 30!!!!! I’m actually looking forward to my thirties. I can’t explain it but I’m happy with where I’m at in life. My mom planned a “Splurge” party for me at Maurices (a women’s clothing store) so last night family and friends celebrated with me. We started with dinner at Michael’s on the Lake and then headed to Maurices for the “Splurge” party. A splurge party is where you go to Maruices after hours and they host a party for you. We had the entire story to ourselves as we shopped! I had a blast. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to celebrate me! I’m honored to have each one of you in my life.

Today, Tim returned from a 2 ½ day trip to Greenville, IL for his 10 year college reunion (yes he’s getting old!!!!!) and a visit with family and friends. I’ve heard many stories about his weekend and I’m sure he’ll remember a few more over the next few days. Plus Tim's team the St. Louis Cardinals (baseball) just won so are headed to the World Series!!! 

Well, I think that about catches you up. I’m trying to make blogging a priority but I can’t promise anything :).

Denise

Already failing at blogging...

I didn’t want to be one of those people that had a blog way out of date but some how that has happened so I guess it is time to get caught up.

The school year ended in a blur of activities and mixed emotions. Our district is growing like crazy and a new elementary school is opening in the fall. I have known for awhile that another music teacher would not be hired so a couple of teachers would be traveling to cover all the students. I had been assuming I’d be traveling since Discover (where I’ve been teaching) is the smallest school. Well…I was wrong. I was reassigned to Larson Heights Elementary full time. This move is bittersweet. I love Discover and have some very dear friends that I’ll be leaving but I’m also excited to not be traveling and ready for a new challenge. Larson Heights has some amazing staff members and I’m looking forward to getting to know them and working with them. The biggest positive in the move is the PE teacher from Discover was also reassigned to Larson Heights. She and I work very well together and get along great. So in the next few weeks I’ll begin the process of setting up my new classroom. I’ll make sure and post pictures.

I had a week off to “relax” then helped with our churches VBS by teaching. It was a great week and I loved watching all the kids learn about Jesus. I had an amazing co-teacher that made the job so much easier. The theme was “SonSurf Beach Bash” so each classroom had a beach theme. My room was the Bonfire Beach and here the kids learned about the story of Jesus ascending into the clouds and His command to His disciples (and us) to tell others about Jesus! During the week an offering is taken to support a missionary (who had connections to our church) in Burkina Faso, Africa. This years project was to raise money to buy “Books, Benches and Bibles” for Burkina and the goal was $2500. It is always so fun to watch the kids faces each day and the total is announced for that day. Friday was the most exciting day of them all. The total offering for Friday alone was over $2500. The kids had raised almost double the goal for this project. It was incredible! Praise the Lord!

The 4^th of July weekend was spent in Wenatchee with Tim’s family and attending some friends wedding in Leavenworth. We had so much fun with Tim’s parents, sister (Rebecca) and nieces (Sophia and Elise). Rebecca and girls are home for the summer from China while Adam (husband/father) stayed in China to study the language and prepare for beginning is Doctorate in the fall in China! We are all so proud of Adam and his accomplishment and are praying for this new adventure. Here are some pictures from the weekend.

Sophia with Uncle Tim

Sophia playing in the sand box.

Elise playing in the pool.

Last week July 13-17^th was spent in Newberg, OR with Tim’s entire family at the home of Chad and Megan (Tim’s brother) and kids. It was a full house with 7 adults and 5 kids but was so nice to all be together and catch up. On Saturday Tim and I drove from Newberg, OR to Spokane, WA to attend the Shock arena football game that evening (thanks to my brother for the tickets). It was our first arena football experience and we chose a good one. The Spokane Shock won in the last 3.9 seconds of the game.

Brennan and Ava 

Sophia

Elise and Papa having fun at the park.

Now we’re back home with no major plans for the summer (if summer ever arrives…crazy weather this year). I’m looking forward to completing a few projects around the house and as I mentioned earlier setting up my new classroom.

Happy Summer!!!!