Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Carefree

I stole this picture from my friend Rachel's blog. I have never SEEN this photo but instantly remember it and where we were. It was taken at Mayo Clinic's Medical School ball. This would have been November 2003. We had only been living in Minnesota for a few short months. This was also right around the time that we realized something wasn't quite right with me and I started seeing specialists for the infertility issues. Seeing this picture makes me both happy and sad. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband, but I was also instantly reminded what life was like before all that "stuff." We often wonder if we should have skipped infertility treatments altogether and just moved forward with adoption. It would have saved four long years of heartache and hormones.

But here we are now, 26 weeks away from our first child!! (Check out the new counter to the side of my blog.)

Thanks Rachel for this skip down memory lane!

10 comments:

Rachel and Hans said...

Well, that picture was just supposed to make you HAPPY, Wendi! 26 weeks away? That is going to come fast, for sure!

Tara said...

Awww...I feel the same when I look at pre-infertility pictures. But pretty soon you won't be able to STOP looking at your/pictures of your new baby!!

AW said...

Wendi, you look positively gorgeous in that shot! Oh to be tall, blonde and beautiful...short, stumpy, Japanese chick here. :-S

As for moving straight into adoption instead of fertility treatments...a couple things:

That's what we did. Trust me. It does not save you heartache. It's just different heartache.

Besides I believe your path is exactly as the Lord would have it. Because it's not about you. Or us. It's about how He is using you/us to glorify Himself.

Also, if you had started adopting back then, you would have missed out on the EXACT child (or children) that God had in mind for you.

If we had not lost our pregnancy last year, Jon Kai would not be here today. And I cannot imagine my life with a different child other than this sweet little monkey!

Wendi Kitsteiner said...

I think short, stumpy Japanese women are the BOMB!

And Rachel, it did make me happy too!!!

Anonymous said...

You look beautiful!!
I heard something yesterday that really hit me. "What shakes us makes us!". (Beth Moore).

I went through a major hit in my life lately. I thought things were good. I could have lived in that 'grey area' for the rest of my life and been fine..In comparison to most around me,things were good. The shaking was painful but I found the foundation was strong and I can rebuild. I need to kiss the past behind...not live in regrets or what ifs but knowing God has an awesome plan.

Everything you've gone thru has not been fun but you have been refined. You are even more beautiful now than you were 4 years ago. You are refined and coming out like gold.

What a blessing you will be to your children. What a blessing to those around you. I am excited for you!

Anonymous said...

This was right before you hit two deer and ran into a field if I remember correctly.

Also, I don't think that any of us would want you any other way than how you have been for the last four years. You have taught us all a little something about gracefullness, strength, and faith in our Heavenly Father. If you hadn't allowed the Lord to use you then so many people would have been without so many lessons and examples on how to be a Godly person.

It may be hard right now, but trust me when I say from my own hard life experiences that you will count it all joy some time in the future.

Anonymous said...

i agree with all... you look gorgeous, and i love the baby counter. how long ago that was at the ball!

Wendi Kitsteiner said...

you guys are all too nice.

Anonymous said...

oh i just love that picture (and your love!!) -I think it has to be your Christmas picture you send out to us all!!!!!!
I love what everyone wrote --and feel similar....at the same time, i do understand the thoughts and feelings...there is true negatives to going the fertility route....and you have truly suffered -there is a grief and loss to that....
at the least, tho, you have experienced the gamut!! and will be able to honestly tell others who ask advice, medically or personally, to really consider carefully what the infertility treatments would put them thru/their marriage thru -and help others have something to help them make good choices, or the best for them.
plus we are still praying with re your the next steps in that part of your story.
love you so much...
so proud of you both...

David and Lesley said...

I love the May baby counter! And I agree with what everyone said in the earlier posts, so I won't repeat. :)