This week we officially switched the light to green, all systems go.
During the month of March 2015, we are beginning many medications and tests that will get us ready for the IVF process. We may not share the official days and times on this site as it is still a personal journey we are on - and sometimes having all the specifics posted can create more stress and expectation for both us and others.
As we walk through this, we are trying to relax, trust God and continue to fill up our hope tank!
We ask for your prayers and continued support as we move forward. Learn more about our whole journey on our other website Josh-n-Jenn.com (in case you found this blog and want to know more)
Just wanted to post officially on this blog - IT'S GO TIME!
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Friday, January 23, 2015
What To Do About Polyps?
Feeling a little drowsy still after spending a few days recovering from a minor surgery to remove some polyps from my Uterus. Yep, not your typical surgery but one that is needed for me (and us) to keep moving forward with our decision to do IVF this year.
It still doesn't really seem like this is happening! Are we really doing this! Yikes!
This week, I had three polyps removed as these kinds of things can get in the way when doing the IVF procedure and the doctors don't want anything causing trouble with the implanting process.
This is the first time, that I remember, having to go under for a surgery. Such a weird process to wake up knowing people had been doing stuff inside you. Very weird.
Overall the surgery went well with no complications. So thankful for a God who protects and heals in the most intricate ways.
We continue to hope as we look forward and are glad to have one more thing marked off the list of "to dos".
We continue to hope as we look forward and are glad to have one more thing marked off the list of "to dos".
Friday, August 1, 2014
Return & Forward
July of 2014 was a whole ball of feelings. After a year of caring for Adam, as temporary guardians, we returned to Missouri to leave him in the care of his mom. This was a heartbreaking transition as our hearts expanded in so many ways during the 2013-2014 school year and we learned what it meant to parent a teenager and see God's love in a whole other way. At the same time, we couldn't keep Adam as the whole agreement was temporary. What a hard mix of feelings to see the events play out.
While Adam, isn't our biological son, he became very much of our family during the year and sending him "home" was one of the hardest, most gut-wrenching experienced we have faced as a couple.
In the midst of feeling this major loss, we could still see our fertility journey waiting for us. We had been filled with hope, just a few weeks before Adam came to our Nevada home. Not wanting to wait a moment longer (and realizing we weren't getting any younger). We scheduled an appointment with the fertility doctor the week after we returned from Missouri.
On July 9, 2015, we sat across from our doctor and talked about all the angles and options that sat before us. We sought to better understand what In Vitro (IVF) would look like and if it was for us.
This was not something we actually had considered before - so there was much to consider.
We left the doctors office and had many, many conversations as a couple. We took a few more months to weigh the costs and risks and decided officially to continue pursuing IVF.
Throughout the fall of 2014, we worked on building our savings, and getting our lives prepped a little more for the next part of this crazy and weird adventure.
In the midst of feeling this major loss, we could still see our fertility journey waiting for us. We had been filled with hope, just a few weeks before Adam came to our Nevada home. Not wanting to wait a moment longer (and realizing we weren't getting any younger). We scheduled an appointment with the fertility doctor the week after we returned from Missouri.
On July 9, 2015, we sat across from our doctor and talked about all the angles and options that sat before us. We sought to better understand what In Vitro (IVF) would look like and if it was for us.
This was not something we actually had considered before - so there was much to consider.
We left the doctors office and had many, many conversations as a couple. We took a few more months to weigh the costs and risks and decided officially to continue pursuing IVF.
Throughout the fall of 2014, we worked on building our savings, and getting our lives prepped a little more for the next part of this crazy and weird adventure.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Distractions & Additions of Guardianship
It's Official: Our Family Is Expanding-- in a way that came as a BIG surprise.
Last week, my uncle in Missouri called and asked if we would consider letting my second cousin, Adam, who is 12 (turning 13 in November) come live with us. Based on his current living situation my uncle has watched the hope fade from Adam's life. Because of this less than positive impact and chaotic living situation my uncle could see unfolding yet again in Adam's life, my Uncle shared that wanted to provide an option to his daughter (my cousin) for her son -- that option was us. He hoped to talk to Adam's mother about the whole thing that week but wanted to see if we would be willing before saying or doing anything! Josh and I spent the evening and next day praying over this and decided, we were in.
Hope is something we are always looking toward! And what an opportunity to share hope with a young man seeking this so greatly! We moved forward thinking "we're willing but what are the odds of the mom wanting to do this and the 12-year-old son also wanting to do this. I mean Nevada is pretty far away from Missouri."
Less than 12 hours later we got a call.
We had an emotional conversation but...
Mom wants to do it.
Adam wants to come live with you.
It's a go.
Wow! This is really happening.
Over the weekend we spent time video chatting with Adam. As we got to know him even a little over the computer - it was clear he is looking for hope. He wants to climb a mountain (which works out since we live in the mountains) and is eager for people see him, and care for him in a new way. (His mother was pretty overwhelmed and his biological father was just sent to prison.)
By the end of Labor Day weekend 2013, plane tickets were purchased and everyone agreed this would be an incredible opportunity for Adam at a crucial age.
So here we are, less than 5 days later, and I admit Josh and I are freaking out! As of September 28 we will be guardians (till at least the end of the school year) of a 12/13 year old!
As I sat outside tonight praying - "Lord I'm not ready!" I felt His comfort surround me saying - "yes you are! I've been preparing you."
I'm leaning into that still small voice! And am encouraged by a scripture that has been following us around all summer: "Be Strong and courageous, do not be afraid, for the Lord Your God is with you where ever you go!" - Joshua 1:9
Our family is growing.
It's exciting yet terrifying to be where we are at this moment. We've dreamed about how our family would grow for years and what that would look like, and yes this is a different angle than I expected. But here we go. Let the adventure begin, we're starting with a preteen!
Last week, my uncle in Missouri called and asked if we would consider letting my second cousin, Adam, who is 12 (turning 13 in November) come live with us. Based on his current living situation my uncle has watched the hope fade from Adam's life. Because of this less than positive impact and chaotic living situation my uncle could see unfolding yet again in Adam's life, my Uncle shared that wanted to provide an option to his daughter (my cousin) for her son -- that option was us. He hoped to talk to Adam's mother about the whole thing that week but wanted to see if we would be willing before saying or doing anything! Josh and I spent the evening and next day praying over this and decided, we were in.
Hope is something we are always looking toward! And what an opportunity to share hope with a young man seeking this so greatly! We moved forward thinking "we're willing but what are the odds of the mom wanting to do this and the 12-year-old son also wanting to do this. I mean Nevada is pretty far away from Missouri."
Less than 12 hours later we got a call.
We had an emotional conversation but...
Mom wants to do it.
Adam wants to come live with you.
It's a go.
Wow! This is really happening.
Over the weekend we spent time video chatting with Adam. As we got to know him even a little over the computer - it was clear he is looking for hope. He wants to climb a mountain (which works out since we live in the mountains) and is eager for people see him, and care for him in a new way. (His mother was pretty overwhelmed and his biological father was just sent to prison.)
By the end of Labor Day weekend 2013, plane tickets were purchased and everyone agreed this would be an incredible opportunity for Adam at a crucial age.
So here we are, less than 5 days later, and I admit Josh and I are freaking out! As of September 28 we will be guardians (till at least the end of the school year) of a 12/13 year old!
As I sat outside tonight praying - "Lord I'm not ready!" I felt His comfort surround me saying - "yes you are! I've been preparing you."
I'm leaning into that still small voice! And am encouraged by a scripture that has been following us around all summer: "Be Strong and courageous, do not be afraid, for the Lord Your God is with you where ever you go!" - Joshua 1:9
Our family is growing.
It's exciting yet terrifying to be where we are at this moment. We've dreamed about how our family would grow for years and what that would look like, and yes this is a different angle than I expected. But here we go. Let the adventure begin, we're starting with a preteen!
Monday, July 1, 2013
Renewed Hope with Unexpected Recovery
Talking about SHOCKING NEWS! Here's the latest ...
During the past few weeks we visited a new fertility doctor in Reno, NV. Doctor Scott Whitten. He encouraged us to have many tests done again (since it had been more than 5 years) to just see if Josh had had any recovery. While it would be very unlikely it wouldn't hurt to try before we started investigating IUI or using donor sperm.
We all (even the doctor) were amazing and shocked to learn that Josh had recovery. Not only did he have active sperm but in fact there are enough of these little guys for us to move forward with some options. We believe, this is a story of healing.
Between 2007 and 2008, we were told that Josh was sterile, because of the amount of chemicals he had pour into his body during two bouts with cancer (age 15 and age 25), it would be very unlikely that he would ever have "stuff to work with" for growing our family biologically.
What an exhilarating feeling to be listening to a doctor in Reno, NV (who would have thought Nevada?) - sharing with us that there is hope and healing.
The next part is what do we do now. Dr. Whitten shared while there is not much stuff, it would be possible to pursue In Vitro Fertilization using my (Jenn's) egg and Josh's sperm so we could potentially have children using our very own DNA. This is a new dream that we actually had thought was dead.
We are once again filled with HOPE as God as restored in a way only he can. What's next? We will see, but for now many more options have opened up to us.
During the past few weeks we visited a new fertility doctor in Reno, NV. Doctor Scott Whitten. He encouraged us to have many tests done again (since it had been more than 5 years) to just see if Josh had had any recovery. While it would be very unlikely it wouldn't hurt to try before we started investigating IUI or using donor sperm.
We all (even the doctor) were amazing and shocked to learn that Josh had recovery. Not only did he have active sperm but in fact there are enough of these little guys for us to move forward with some options. We believe, this is a story of healing.
Between 2007 and 2008, we were told that Josh was sterile, because of the amount of chemicals he had pour into his body during two bouts with cancer (age 15 and age 25), it would be very unlikely that he would ever have "stuff to work with" for growing our family biologically.
What an exhilarating feeling to be listening to a doctor in Reno, NV (who would have thought Nevada?) - sharing with us that there is hope and healing.
The next part is what do we do now. Dr. Whitten shared while there is not much stuff, it would be possible to pursue In Vitro Fertilization using my (Jenn's) egg and Josh's sperm so we could potentially have children using our very own DNA. This is a new dream that we actually had thought was dead.
We are once again filled with HOPE as God as restored in a way only he can. What's next? We will see, but for now many more options have opened up to us.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Lost in our Minds
Figured it'd be good to post an update...We finalized all our initial paperwork with a local private organization but have since had a slight change of thought/heart. Thinking now about going through social services, which would cost very little compared to the thousands it will cost to go through a more private agency.
We also have been praying lots about whether this is God's plan for us. Is adoption something God really wants for us or just something we want. Logically it makes sense to have a family, to love on needy children, etc. but when it comes down to it, has God set us apart of something else? We don't know exactly. So that has been our continued prayer for the past couple months. "God we love the idea of children and think we'd be good parents but is that really what you want for us? Would you rather have us serve on the other side of the world in a place that would be hard for kids? Lord, give us wisdom"
We've been on this kid-seeking journey now for about 5 years (having been married for 10 in May). And it has not been smooth or easy which makes wonder. So far I don't think we've really gotten clarity on our big question but it has become more and more clear that the need for adoptive parents through the local social services or foster to adopt system is great.
I still wonder in the end of all this, what our family will look like. And still, even through the ups and downs we trust His soverignity and keep moving forward.
We also have been praying lots about whether this is God's plan for us. Is adoption something God really wants for us or just something we want. Logically it makes sense to have a family, to love on needy children, etc. but when it comes down to it, has God set us apart of something else? We don't know exactly. So that has been our continued prayer for the past couple months. "God we love the idea of children and think we'd be good parents but is that really what you want for us? Would you rather have us serve on the other side of the world in a place that would be hard for kids? Lord, give us wisdom"
We've been on this kid-seeking journey now for about 5 years (having been married for 10 in May). And it has not been smooth or easy which makes wonder. So far I don't think we've really gotten clarity on our big question but it has become more and more clear that the need for adoptive parents through the local social services or foster to adopt system is great.
I still wonder in the end of all this, what our family will look like. And still, even through the ups and downs we trust His soverignity and keep moving forward.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
New Year Renewed Hope
It is now way beyond New Year wishes--as it is February. However, we are still dreaming of new year's plans and setting 2012 goals.
We finished off 2011 by submitting most of our adoption paperwork (still working on that crazy photo book!--and we are creatives who love taking photos--it's ridiculous I know).
Our full batch of paperwork included a ridiculous amount of essays questions on why we think we'd be good parents, and what we think are the biggest problems of children today and in the future, a full listing of our debts (yikes), medical history, bank verification, and employer references, to name a few.
It was great to officially deliver the majority paperwork to actually the wrong office in Roanoke, but it got sent on to the right one anyway. During our brief "review of the paperwork meeting"
I mentioned that getting the paperwork finished was a task, to which the case worker responded, "that is the easy part". I then asked, "what's the difficult part?" She responded? "The waiting." I didn't really respond but wanted to say, "but we've already been waiting, what's new?"
After the "big delivery" I checked back a couple weeks later to find out that we needed to mail off more forms and money, including a $100 money order to help process our finger prints (you know to make sure we are not criminals). We are now waiting on the results to come back. (Should be okay I think) Our next step will include scheduling an official first interview with the caseworker and scheduling our home study.
As aways, the adoption process is an interesting one. We have found encouragement in so many ways. It has been humbling as friends have offered their financial and prayer support when we least expected it and needed it most. There are days when their hope keeps me hoping. Of course, there are also times when I wonder if other people want us to have a baby more than we do. (Okay that sounds weird I know but I don't know how else to say it.) Yes, we want kids to raise, nurture, and love as part of our family but God has also blessed us with an incredible marriage and we love that too.
So as the new year kicks off (yes it is still kicking off) we are excited and anxious to see what 2012 will bring. In the process, I know my faith in God and many others around me will find new meaning.
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