Couldn't pick just one . . .

Look closely at the one above -- there's two little teeth on the bottom row! You can click on the picture for a more detailed view!

Prayer of an infertile couple

I have two friends in the midst of an IVF cycle -- an adventure I know all too well. I know sometimes my story can be discouraging for people when they ask me how many times we tried IVF. Four. Four negative attempts. I try to encourage people, especially before we found out about Elijah. Don't worry. Not everyone is like me. Many people have positive results. I'm just not one of them.

I have so many friends who had positive results on try one. Try two. This is my prayer today for both of these women. One is getting ready for number two. Number one for the other. I pray for positive results -- for no pain in the outcome.

I flash back to one of our infertility support group meetings in Minnesota. My friend Roberta's friend just got a positive pregnancy test on her fifth, and final, attempt at IVF. I was just getting ready for number one. Number five? How did her heart travel that road five times?

And yet my heart traveled it four. I still don't know how I was able to get up, dust myself off, and have the strength to walk back into that doctor's office again. Each attempt slightly different than the others. Each one more tiring. Each one more wrought with the desire to not give up or to give up. Which should I do? I'd pray. Lord if this isn't for me, please take this desire. You can have it. I don't want it. I just want peace. Another phone call. Another negative.

I know in other ways our story can be uplifting. Despite four negative IVFs and four negative IUIs, a positive pregnancy test with no doctors present. (Well, unless you count my husband. Ha!)

I so do not want any other woman to get that call that their test is negative. Each of my result days is etched in my memory so deeply. May my two friends get the call that I never received. Positive! It worked! Parents at last!

I ask that you pray for my two friends and for so many other women who are grieving and waiting today. My heart is so burdened to pray for them, and I think of them so often throughout the day. I often don't have the words, only this longing to take from them any pain and give them only happiness. I wish that I had the power to give that. Even though I know God's plans are so much bigger and better than our human minds can comprehend, I want to say I know best. I want God to hear me the way I want to be heard. I want him to answer my prayer the way that I think they would best be answered.

I pray that they do not feel pain -- only happiness.

I pray that they do not feel alone despite how isolating this journey can be.

I pray that you give them the desires of their heart.

I pray that they do not have to face disappointment.

I pray that you surround them with people who can hold them up and support them.

I pray that their home is filled with children -- the children that you have destined for them to parent.

I found this prayer online. I pray it today for my two friends and for all the other women in the midst of their long waits. For me it was five years. In some ways, it feels like a lifetime. In other ways, when I kiss Isaac's chubby cheeks, I forget that I travelled it at all.

Prayer of an Infertile Couple

Creator of us all, only you know how much we want children. Please, please bless us with a child; a child to lavish our love on and care for in so many ways. It is our dream and I pray to you with an aching heart.

I assumed that when we were ready for babies, we would have them. How could it be that month after month I feel so sharply the pain and disappointment of that "failure." The Bible does not comfort with words like "barren" to describe that ancient disgrace.

I am happy for our friends who call us with the joyous news of their expectations, but it is like another pain in my heart. I want to be there to celebrate with them but my battered emotions are numb to the joy of another baby shower, another baby gift.

Give us the patience to support each other in our sorrow and may this pain bring us together in the grace of our marriage. Bless us with ability to see more clearly where you are calling us to serve in this time in our life, when our sorrow sometimes outweighs our generosity and our self-focus lets us forget others. Be with us, heal us and let us feel your love blessing this marriage.

Amen.

Thanks Brandon & Kristen!

Our good friends in the Polar North, Brandon and Kristen gave Isaac these scrubs when we went for our visit. He is finally big enough to wear them. It's hard to see them in the picture, but they are sooooo cute on him! The pants are still a tad long, but his little buddha belly fits perfectly in them.

It's hard to believe that Isaac was this tiny when we took the trip to Minnesota in June. Wow -- time flies!

Speaking of our little Isaac's Buddha belly, both he and I went in for our check-ups yesterday.

First, Isaac. He is now nearly 20 pounds which is about 81st percentile. He is 27" tall (as compared to 20" at birth) which I believe put him somewhere in the 70th percentile-- but I actually can't remember. He still has a small head -- 37th percentile. His head doesn't look that small to me so the only thing I can figure is that there are some kids with some really big noggins out there!

Isaac did great at his appointment despite the fact that we were there a very long time. Doctor G. was late getting in, she asked if I would let a medical student practice on us first, and we had to do two appointments. All in all it was a 2.5 hour day! However, Isaac is never short on the receiving of attention. We gets tons of visitors during our trips to the Clinic, and Isaac never disappoints with his big grins for anyone who wants to hold him or play with him.

We are still waiting for a referral to go through the computer system to see the plastic surgeon regarding his ear. We are hoping to possibly secure an appointment today. I am nervous about having this done but know that it is best to have this taken care of before he can grab his ear at will.

As for milestones, he is at age with everything except rolling over. While he has rolled from his stomach to his back a few times, he has yet to roll from his back to his stomach. It appears he has the ability to roll but lacks the desire to participate in this activity. Dr. G. said we will give it another six weeks before discussing if anything needs to be done to see why he is a bit behind in this area. Quite honestly, his lack of rolling is probably due to Mommy's failure to put him on the ground enough. He sits all the time now but gets so upset when lying down, that I don't do the exercises enough. Dr. G. made me feel better though. She put him on his stomach, and Isaac did exactly what he does for me. He laid his head on the table and just cried. Dr. G. looked at me and said, "Okay. You're right. That is quite pitiful. I'd have trouble leaving him too." :)

Otherwise, aside from the rolling over, Isaac is the picture of health! We opted out of getting our shots done yesterday as it had already been a very long afternoon. We'll go up one day next week (when Daddy can be there too!) Daddy has consistently found an "excuse" to avoid attending the deliverance of shots, but we are determined that this time, he has to participate so Mommy can take a break from the tears.

As for Mommy, she is doing well. My weight is a little on the higher side so I have to try and watch it during the last ten weeks. Dr. G. also believes the continued pain I am having to the right of my belly button (or umbilicus as they call it in the doc. circles) is due to the umbilical hernia scar tissue that I have. As that gets stretched and as Elijah kicks and head/butt bumps it, it causes some pretty good discomfort.

She also suggested I wear a belly band throughout the day so as to prevent the discomfort I am having in the evenings. She said some women's uterus just "hangs" and hurts and this strap could help keep me "pulled up" and not uncomfortable. We'll give it a try.

My stomach is measuring at 30 weeks even though today I am at 29. Elijah's heart rate was in the 130-140s. Doing well.

So that's the baby and baby-to-be updates in our house. Have a great weekend everyone.

Taco ring:

I have had a few people ask me if the Taco Ring was easy and if they could have the recipe.

First of all, if Wendi cooked it, it was easy.

Secondly, I can't believe I am doing this since posting a recipe sort of goes against everything I stand for as a "typical jock", but here are the easy instructions, courtesy of my friend Erica!

Taco ring:

• 1/2 - 1 lb. cooked ground beef depending on how bulky you like it
• 1 pkg taco seasoning
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 2 Tbs water2
• 8oz pkg crescent roll dough

The rest are just optional sides:

• 1 med green pepper
• 1/2 head lettuce, shredded
• 1 med tomato, diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• Sour cream

Instructions:

• Heat oven to 375° F.
• Combine meat, taco mix, cheese, and water.
• Arrange crescent triangles in a circle with bases overlapping and points out.
• Sompe people leave a 5" circle in center and fill the pepper with salsa for display.
• Spoon meat on triangle bases. Fold points over meat and tuck under.
• Bake 20-25 min until brown.
• Cut off the top of the pepper. Fill pepper with salsa and place in center of ring (if want)
• Mound lettuce, tomato, onions, and olives around pepper. Garnish with sour cream.

Bunches of busy

There has been a lot going on around here. Too much to just write about in paragraph form, so . . . out come the bullets!

MONDAY

• I watched Jocelyn in the morning.
• I watched Keenan in the afternoon while Joia went to our "Moms in Motion" class. I decided that while she was at class, I'd take all the boys (Isaac, Keenan, and Scrubs) on a walk so that I was getting some "Motion for Mom" time too! I've done this twice now and really enjoy it. Keenan and Isaac seem to enjoy the stroller and petting Scrubs while we walk.
• JB hung out with a few of the guys he is working with after work. Even though it's hard to have him gone all day and then again in the evening, I know he enjoyed the opportunity to get together with some friends.
• I decided to get some work for RLSF done in the late-night while I waited for JB to get home. This was a great idea! Both Scrubs and Isaac were asleep, the house was quiet, and I was able to work without distraction for nearly three straight hours.
• Confirmation occurs that our little boy is indeed getting two teeth! You go Isaac!
• Scrubs continues to look out the window, wondering when he can play with his buddy Deuce again. His wound is healing but still has a few more days to go! Poor doggie.

TUESDAY

• I called Tiffany mid-day in a bit of a panic after every window in my house burst into a loud rattling three times in a row. "Bomb drills," she informed me. What is this? Do they think this is some sort of military base or something?!
• JB had the day off so he watched the boys for me while I had lunch with my friend Becky. I am so blessed by the friendship she and I have been able to develop. Our love for the Lord and our journeys with IVF have really united us! She is getting ready to start IVF. I am so blessed to be able to stand by her on this journey. It is very healing for me to be able to use what I went through to help someone else. It makes me feel like our road was not walked in vain.
• Half our evening is spent bringing our van to the shop. Things are not very close to base around here. Any trip seems to take about a half hour. Anyways, the van is still in the shop. Looks like it needs a new transmission. The good thing is, we had heard the 2002 Odyssey's can have transmission issues so we got them to throw in a free warranty when we bought the van. That's a relief!
• We get some major grocery shopping done after dropping the van off. Isaac loves the grocery store.

Wednesday

• Living with one vehicle isn't as easy here as it was in Minnesota when we were without children and could walk everywhere. A lot more planning is needed now to facilitate getting everyone where they need to be. I take JB into work in the morning which requires waking Isaac up to get into the car. Oh well. Good thing the kid goes with the flow!
• It is my turn to host the wifia lunch at my house which I do on Wednesday afternoon. I call on my great friend Erica to save the day, remembering the taco ring she made at my house when she came to visit. Mine wasn't quite as good as her's, but it did the job! I added a second ring to make sure we had enough. Sarah and Andrea weren't there so JB and I had some for dinner that evening. Here's a picture of my taco ring (courtesy of Joia):

• Scrubs is growing up more and more! He is especially good with kids. Here is a picture of him eating some treats from Keenan. Keenan lovvveeees to gives Scrubs his treats and could care less that this results in a lot of slobber. William, on the other hand, is a bit smarter. Forget that dog slobber, I'll just throw the treat and the dog can find it!

• Wednesday evening was Care Group. I really love our Care Group! I am just not so good at starting an activity in the evening lately. I really do "turn into a pumpkin" as Tiffany likes to say even earlier then I used to! I'm quite useless by about 7pm. Unfortunately, Care Group starts at 7pm which is after both Isaac and my own bedtime.

Thursday

• Thursday has just started but there are still bullets to share! Firstly, JB got paged early this morning as another one of his ladies has gone into labor. An early morning page is a good thing. You hope it will not conflict with your evening plans if all goes well. This is especially hopeful in today's case because we have our once-a-month ladies book club this evening and John is not only scheduled to watch Isaac but Keenan as well while Philip is on nights. Hopefully this gal won't take two days!
• Only bad thing about an early morning page when you only have one car? Having to get your sleeping baby out of bed to take Daddy into work. Isaac didn't think this was a very impressive idea at all, but he just snuggled into my shoulder and willingly allowed himself to be strapped into the car seat for an early morning drive.
• I have my OB appointment this morning. Isaac has his six month appointment as well. We are hoping to get him into the plastic surgeon this month as well for the beginnings of discussion about his ear tag. I'll update you on both appointments post-visit.
• I'm watching William today for a bit while Tiffany goes in to get her foot looked at. That gal is still in a boot! What an adventure that has been.
• More bullets to come soon . . . the week is just barely half over . . .

Nephew Nate funny

Aunt Gabbi: "Do you know where baby Elijah is?"

Nephew Nate: "In Aunt Wendi's tummy."

Aunt Gabbi: "That's right."

Nephew Nate: (Thinks for a minute). "Mommy, did Aunt Wendi eat him?"

Fun-ness

Today promises to be a great day, if only because it is Veteran's Day, and JB happens to be on a Clinic rotation which means the Clinic is closed, and he is home! Yipeeee!!! I am so excited to get to spend a day in the middle of the week with my husband.

Right now, JB and Scrubs are out training for their half marathon. I think today is a fairly short run -- 3 miles. JB trains 4 days a week, and Scrubs trains with him. Sundays are his long run. I've heard rumors that there are some other docs who are interested in joining him for the race, which will be in March. It'll be a lot of fun if there are a lot of people running together. I'm excited to watch him with all my boys in tow.

Thought I'd start your morning the way my morning started -- with Scrubs and Isaac bonding together in Scrubby's chair. I couldn't manage a good picture of both of them at the same time, but here's a few pretty good ones. I'm not sure Scrubs thought this was a good idea, but he was patient and loving at the same time. He is an amazing dog with kids -- much better than he is with adults.

Doesn't Scrubs look like he thinks this is the worst idea ever? What the heck are you people making me do now?

Speaking of Scrubs, he had a bad dog day yesterday which included throwing himself into the glass of our screen door when a new mailman came by in an attempt to say hi or bye or something! Other behaviors included eating a crayon and refusing to come in from the yard. I was so frustrated by night's end that I asked JB to stop by with Brandon, our neighbor and fellow dog-lover after they hung out together last night. So they did.

The doorbell rang, Scrubs sat in his designated "place," and when permission was granted,walked up to Brandon, accepted his treat, and laid down, as if this was how he always greeted new people! Are you kidding me?! It was like he knew he was being tested! Brandon looked at me like, "Why did you need me to practice door greeting with your dog?" I tried to explain the whole throwing himself against the glass and scaring the substitute mailman half to death, but it sounded rather pathetic after his stellar performance in front of Brandon.

In closing, here is a video capturing Isaac's new skill: leaf grabbing.

Have a great Veteran's Day everyone!

A bit of celebrations

***Disclaimer: this is a heavy post for anyone dealing with infertility/pregnancy loss. Please feel free to skip this post and return tomorrow if you are in a difficult spot right now. I'd completely understand. I almost didn't post this at all but decided a disclaimer was a fair compromise. I am sorry for anyone that this post may hurt. My heart knows the pain ... and remembers the pain.




Sunday morning sent Bara back to Boston! We had a wonderful visit and thoroughly enjoyed catching up. Bara is so great to talk to, and we always enjoy all the lessons and information we can share and learn from each other. So much of what we discuss is cultural, and this visit was no exception.

Speaking of culture, I have a question for all you blog readers. Is it culturally inappropriate to have your guests take a cab if you are able to pick them up or take them to the airpor?. Bara really wanted to just take a cab to the airport on Sunday morning (we didn't let him!) because his flight was so early, but JB and I told him that for us to stay in bed while he took a cab would be rude. Is that true fellow Americans?! I believe our cultural tradition is that the only time it is acceptable to have a guest take a cab is when you are unable to pick them up or the distance is very great. Correct?

All right, back to the Sunday celebrations . . .

Sunday afternoon, my great friends here in Eglin decided to throw a triple baby shower for Andrea, Joia, and myself. Not only is it strange to be pregnant, it's even stranger to have a baby shower for me and this baby inside of me. I still remember when Joia and Andrea both sensitively shared their joyous news with me, still careful with my heart. What's so amazing is that while they were being sensitive, I was pregnant -- and just had no idea. What a strange turn of events.

The party was at Jodi's house. However, Andrea decided she didn't want to come and instead wanted to go into labor the evening before -- three weeks early. Little Chloe Christine arrived early on Sunday morning. Andrea wasn't able to make the shower (imagine that!) but we all headed to the hospital to bring some of the shower (and shower goodies) to her once we were done eating and celebrating ourselves.

Here are some pictures from the afternoon.

Tiffany and Jodi (the official shower host -- this is the third baby/bridal shower she's hosted since we've moved here. What a gal!)

Here's me and Joia sporting our winter looks.

Tiffany made each of us a BE-uuuu-tiful blanket for the babies. Mine is not quite done yet (thus the reason I don't have a picture of it.) But here is a picture of Joia's to let you see what the finished product will look like. Mine will be the same, only in blue. What an amazing gift!


Joia and me goofing around during the gift celebrations.

Brittney gave me swim suits in a plethora of sizes. Both my boys are set until they are two! What a great gift idea.

I decided to give Joia some newborn girls' clothes. She doesn't know what she is having and won't find out until the big day, so I thought, what the heck, if it's a boy, she can return them, let's let her have some pink stuff for a little while. Joia will be thrilled either way, but I know we are all silently hoping the little Dooley is a gal! (At least I am!)

The two gals who decided NOT to go into early labor and instead show up for the shower. Doesn't Joia look so radiant? I love this picture of her.

Here's a photo of our gang with Andrea at the hospital. We brought her a few of her presents, some flowers, and of course some food (chocolate!!!) Andrea looked great, her labor went great, and Chloe is doing great despite being nearly a month early.

My hubby!

Okay, tagged by Joia a few days ago, here is my attempt at being loyal to the tag.

1. Where did you meet? At Fort Lauderdale Christian School. I think I was about 9. However, the first time I really have any memories of him was in fifth grade or so when we were on the same basketball team together. JB doesn't remember this.

2. How long did you date? We started dating in December of 1993. We dated until February of 1994 and broke up for, a weekend I think. We got back together in February 1994 and dated until the summer of 1994 at which point we broke up again. We got back together sometime in late 1994 and continued dating until we were married on June 20, 1998. So I think in total we dated about 4.5 years.

3. How long have you been married? We were married ten years in June of this past year. That is 3,792 days or 10 years, 4 months, and 17 days. :) (I used some online converter to figure this out.)

4. What does he say that surprises you? When he shares how much he enjoys/loves Isaac, I am always surprised. Mostly surprised that we are parents and also surprised that he thinks Isaac is just as cool as I do.

5. What is your favorite feature of his? Probably his eyes. He has very cool green eyes.

6. What is your favorite quality of his? Probably his leadership. I trust him 100% -- even though he sometimes thinks I don't since I get a bit "worry-warted" and ask a million times about the same thing.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? Mostly he calls me "Babe."

8. What is his favorite color? I always think this is a weird question. I would guess some sort of green, but I actually have no idea. I don't even know what my own favorite color is.

9. What is his favorite food? He is a "foodie." He likes food of all sorts. But I would say currently he most enjoys sushi.

10. What is his favorite sport? If he were going to play a sport on a day for fun, he would want to play soccer. In the past, we have enjoyed playing some co-ed volleyball together and pick-up basketball. We also like to watch any sporting event if it is a "big game." Tennis, volleyball, basketball, anything.

11. When and where did you first kiss? Homecoming night in late 1995. We were at my house.

12. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Travel and anything active and outdoors.

13. Do you have any children? Yes -- finally. Isaac is the most awesome son ever! He's six months old! We also are waiting for the finalization of an adoption from China and expecting another son in January.

14. Does he have a hidden talent? Well most of you know he was a graphic designer before he was a doctor. He loves art and is very good at it but doesn't get much time to do it. His Dad is also a contractor so he has taught JB a lot of that type of work. I think JB can do/fix anything that isn't related to cars -- he doesn't enjoy that. He also hates plumbing, although he is pretty good at it if he needs to be.

15. How old is he? 32.

16. Who said "I love you" first? He did. Totally shocked me. Never saw it coming.

17. What is his favorite type of music? Christian of the more "modern" sort.

18. What do you most admire about him? I think I admire how good he is at everything he does. Being a doctor, mowing the lawn, cleaning the bathroom, being a father. He just does anything he puts his hand to well.

19. Do you think he will read this? Yep, although he isn't as good of a blog reader since we came to Eglin. The base doesn't allow access to blogs.

Saturday in the Sun

We took Bara down to Desitn today. Did some errands, went to the beach, and had lunch and dessert together. Here's JB and me. Thanks to Kristi who is the sole owner of every bit of my outfit!

Bara and JB

Most up-to-date picture of me. Twenty-eight weeks and counting.


Where's Waldo . . . er . . . Wendi? Well, that's me sitting on the steps. (Look very closely!) Isaac fell asleep in the stroller so I hung out while JB showed Bara the beach. I also like this picture because it shows the dunes really well.

Bara in the Gulf of Mexico. His first time I think!

Another one of Bara on the beach.

The most beautiful beaches in the U.S. (In my opinion!)

After the trip to the beach, we went for sushi at Sushi Siam. They had these great couches that Isaac could sit on while we ate. He loved it!

Isaac balancing while Daddy shows Bara how to use chopsticks.

A close-up of the chopstick tutorial. While he was learning, the waitress came and brought him the "kiddie chopsticks." But Bara didn't need them. He did pretty well for his first time really trying -- without the kiddie chops.

Isaac and Daddy chilling during lunch.

Bara comes to Eglin

On Thursday afternoon, Bara made his debut on Eglin AFB! We are so blessed that Bara decided to use some of his very limited vacation time from his surgical residency at Harvard to come and visit us here in Florida.

Thursday evening we took him to the Greek restaurant right outside of base. He said that some of the food actually tasted pretty close to Syrian food! Then last night, after JB got off of work, the three guys went to the grocery store while Scrubs and I took a nap. John made wonderful grilled paninis and vegetables for dinner. It was delicious!

Here are some pictures from our grill out time last night. Today we plan to head into Destin to show Bara some of the most beautiful beaches ever.

More six month celebrations

Here's a few more photos I took this morning of Isaac hanging out with me in the living room. Midway through taking photos, Scrubs decided to join us. The video is a bit long but has some great clips of Isaac laughing and the two of them hanging out together.

Six months old!

Hard to believe that our little man has been with us for half a year. Six months old! Wow!

Lovin' his books . . .

I thought I'd share a few pictures of my son, lovin' his books just like his Daddy! As if our house isn't over running with books as it is . . .

If you take a look at Isaac's swing, there are some leaves that spin around on the top and hang down. Our little boy has figured out how to grab onto those. This causes the swing to start making a loud shaking noise which Isaac thinks is hilarious! I've had to resort to not allowing the top part to spin and placing the leaves at exactly the right positions so he can't reach them. Stinker!

Today is an exciting day for us. Our friend Bara is coming in from Boston to visit us. If you are new to the blog or don't remember Bara, here are two guest blogs he did some time ago:

JB & Wendi School

English Language

Bara is a great friend, and we are excited to have him spend a few days with us here in good ol' Florida! Pictures to follow I promise.

Extremes of Emotion

So, first of all, JB is home! After a c-section . . . at long last . . . he made it home post-dinner. He was quite exhausted both mentally and physically. Hopefully not all his deliveries will take quite this long.

I've been a little cooped up in the house. Scrubs has a pretty nasty wound on his leg from his adventures at the bay. I am not exactly sure what happened and either is Bobbie. We are guessing he got impaled by a stick, but he never indicated pain so it's difficult to know when or how it happened. Either way, I think he is in quite a bit of discomfort since he has spent the last day and a half simply lying around. Is this what it is like to have a lazy dog?! Either way, there's no bay for Scrubs for sure for a few days at least, and he may take a slight break from runs and walks as well while we try to get this thing to heal.

You can see Scrubs wound (although it looks a lot worse today since he's been licking it like CRAZY) in the video below.

I tried to get a video of Isaac rolling over. Instead, he demonstrated his extreme dislike for being on his stomach. This is now coming in waves. Some mornings he will accept his fate and play or even roll over. But yesterday morning, there was none of that to be found:

To show you how content he is once rolled over, I stopped the video, rolled the babe over, and started shooting again. Looks like a whole new kid doesn't it?

Still husbandless

JB is still at the hospital. He got to come home this afternoon for a few hours to get some rest and to vote, but otherwise, he's been at the hospital since yesterday at 7am.

It's a bit difficult sometimes. You try not to get frustrated as you know this is the life that he (and I) have chosen. But when you think you are going to have a Monday and Tuesday evening together and you get neither, it can get a little bit frustrating. Not sure who you can be frustrated at. Just more at the situation I guess.

Hopefully he'll be home sometime this evening. We'll just wait and see.

Stolen from Rachel

I stole this from Hans & Rachel's blog. I love it!

While I have very strong opinions about this year's election (but attempt to refrain from political talk on this blog as much as possible), I think it is important that we all realize that no man is bigger than God. God will run our country whether we want Him to or not, no matter who is in office. My very strong pro-life feelings are a chief reason for concern since both presidential candidates have very different outlooks on this topic.

Rachel's Church Bulletin (from our old church -- Christ Community in Rochester, Minnesota) on Sunday brought this home when they listed the Top 10 Predictions of this year's election. I wanted to share them with all of you. I echo these sentiments precisely! It is so important that we remember that God is at the head of this election. He is at the head of our country. All we can do is pray and vote. The rest is up to Him. Let us not forget that when we watch the results come in this evening -- no matter which way things go.

Top 10 Predictions
No matter who wins the upcoming election:
1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love you.
10. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him.

Pain & Comfort

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." James 1:2-3

"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless." 2 Sam 22:31

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you." I Peter 5:10

These scriptures really jumped out at me when I did my devotions yesterday morning. They really got me thinking as well. In our case, I have been blessed to actually find some meaning in the five years that I dealt with infertility.

My meaning is Isaac. As I have written before, I am now an advocate of adoption to the millionth degree. Isaac has completed our family. Even without our China daughter or Elijah . . . we feel satisfied getting the opportunity to be Isaac's parents.

In my mind I see things having transpired differently. We never went through infertility treatments or five years of pain and disappointment. We have our biological children just as we thought we wanted. Then Bri gets pregnant. She doesn't even think to call us. She gives Isaac to another family. Or she does call us. And we say no. We direct her to another family where there are no children -- where we think Isaac is more "needed."

I can't imagine either of those scenarios. Thus, my reason for going through five years. We had to be childless when Bri conceived Isaac. We had to be. Was that really the reason? I have no idea. I can't read God's mind. But for me, thinking that Isaac is the reason makes everything we went through worth it.

But that makes me lucky. Lucky to have a reason for our pain. I know so many couples living in the midst of the years I went through. Some of them are getting ready to do IVF right now. Others have given up on infertility treatments, either as we had (for a time), or permanently. Some have lost babies either before, during, or after delivery. Some have made the decision to remain a family of two. Others are looking into foster parenting or adoption.

And that is just infertility and pregnancy loss. That is just one small piece of grief that permeates our lives on this earth. The list of other griefs and disappointments is too large to possibly go into on this blog. There are so many things that can pain us on this earth. So many heartaches that make us question the Lord or his existence and then cling to Him all the more.

The truth is, not everyone who goes through that unending pain will see a reason, be it accurate or not, for their pain. At least not on this Earth. They won't know why they had to hurt so badly when it seemed that others were getting the answers to their prayers.

And that's where these scriptures bring me comfort.

"Consider it pure joy . . . the work of the Lord is flawless . . . He will complete and make you what you out to be . . . He will settle you."

God has a plan. I can't promise that you will see that plan come to completion while you are on this Earth. But He is on your side. He has your best interest in mind.

I pray that I remember this the next time my prayers go unanswered. My prayer for a baby when I wanted it would mean Isaac wouldn't be here. I am so amazingly thankful that those prayers were not answered the way I wanted. Thank goodness God could see the whole picture and He knew better.

I pray we all remember this.

Stuck at the hospital

JB has four women scheduled to deliver in the next few weeks. Today is one of those lady's big day. Or actually, maybe it will be tomorrow. Either way, John has been at the hospital since 7am this morning, and it doesn't look like he'll be home anytime soon. I doubt he'll be home by tomorrow morning.

Isaac and I stopped at the Greek restaurant to pick up some dinner and bring it to him. We actually got to spend a few hours with him in between checks on his patient. The good news is, he may actually get some sleep if the labor goes long and then have tomorrow off since he'll have been on all night. So it's not all bad.

I'm happy for the lady who is having her baby, and happy that she gets to have her doctor there. I know that that is something I think about a lot. What if Dr. G. is not there when I go into labor? Which one of JB's male colleagues would be my doctor then?! Either way, it's just weird that my husband is the doctor she wants to have there. I often forget that he actually he is a doctor until I go visit him at the hospital, and he starts talking to other people in a language that is completely foreign to me. I wonder if he has to consciously turn off his "brain" when he comes home so he can talk to me in English again?

Speaking of my guy, it seems that Joia has tagged me to do a post on him. So maybe I'll do that tomorrow. For now, I'm heading to bed early! Just me, Scrubby, and baby Isaac.

Tomorrow is a big day. Tomorrow we have the opportunity to vote for the individual we want to lead our country. Go vote everyone!

Happy Birthday Aunt Karen!

Just a note to my great Aunt Karen to say "Happy Birthday"!

Bonding Time

It's Monday here in northern Florida. Monday is the day that Jocelyn comes to spend the morning with us.

If you are looking for Jocelyn or Scrubs, chances are you'll find them in one of these three places:

Under the coffee table. I think they were investigating something that was under the couch, but truthfully, I'm really not sure.

Playing with toys. Scrubs has really learned how to hang out with kids and not play with any of the their toys. I'm really proud of this as it was one of my biggest worries about having children coexist with my dog.

Watching a little TV. Well, Jocelyn watched while Scrubs recovered from his play date at the bay with Deuce. (I'm not sure why he looks so fat here!) Going to the bay is good practice for me as I use the double stroller and have to get two kids and the dog out of the house at the same time. (Although Jocelyn is very cooperative, and can walk, which Isaac won't be able to do when Elijah gets here.)

Still watching TV but with Jocelyn deciding to get a bit more comfortable.

Okay, onto a completely different topic. Let's talk chocolate shall we? More specifically, let's talk chocolate truffles, as illustrated in the photo below:

Yesterday after church a bunch of JB's fellow second year residents decided to go to the gun range. Afterwards, they decided to come back to our house for some pizza (and dessert!) Who brought the dessert!? Why Joia of course. She brought the chocolate truffles pictured above.

Folks, trust me on this one. They are every single bit as good as they look. I don't know how many I ate because I lost count after six. She says they were super easy. Not sure how anything that tastes that good be that super easy. Either way, how easy they were really doesn't matter. The things were AWESOME! I'd like to have them for my birthday cake next year. I'm putting my order in now.

Joia actually did a post on the guys' (and Kacey's) evening at the range and our last-minute dinner at our house. I'll refrain from reposting everything she's included and simply direct you to her blog for all the details.

P.S. On an ending note, please allow me to shift directions yet again and discuss the fact that Isaac still has no clue the time has changed. Five a.m. still feels like six a.m. to him. Not sure how we are going to get the point across that five is completely different than six. We pushed back feeding him when he got up to try to help. We'll see if that works. This is an important concept that we need him to come to understand as quickly as possible.

Proof!

This morning while JB and I were cleaning our bedroom, I asked him to keep an eye on the pup while I went to the bathroom. JB just laughed. "Wendi, you don't understand," he said. "This dog doesn't do anything while you are in the bathroom or any other room with the door closed. He just waits for you to come out."

Sometimes I can hear Scrubs scratching at a door when I shut him out of the bathroom or a bedroom, but I didn't really think he actually stood and waited the entire time. JB decided to take this photo above to provide me with proof that Scrubs is addicted to me. Here he is, waiting, for me to emerge from the bathroom. Can't a girl get some privacy?!

It may seem like it is wonderful to be loved. And I suppose it is. But sometimes a dog following you to every single location in your house is a bit annoying. He helps me do laundry, brush my teeth, empty the dishwasher. Everything. Sometimes its nice to have the company, but sometimes, it gets a little bothersome to have him completely under my feet. JB bought the dog so I would never feel lonely, and I guess Scrubs has done a good job making sure that is the case. You can't feel lonely with a Scrubs in the house!

Good dog.

Newsflash:

Babies and Dogs have NO idea that 6:00am is actually 5:00am when it is time to change your clocks. No idea at all. Bummer!

Ear hair is bad!

Actually . . .

Actually, I was not a solider girl or an airman. JB and I stole this idea from a photo we saw once on Rachel's blog. We are "upper and lower GI."

Here are some other pictures from the evening. For a more complete view, jump over to Joia's entry.

Happpy Halloween from Tigger!

More pictures of our fun Halloween Party at Rob & Sarah's to come. But for now, here is our boy in his first Halloween costume.