I'm Back!

That's right, I am back and in full effect! I have been on a 9 month hiatus (no pun intended). After my last post I decided that I would take the advice of my doctor and fully commit to trying things naturally. So, in the past months that is exactly what I have been doing. No medications, no doctor appointments, no blogging and no obsessing (well I tried at least). One might ask, "what in the world have you been doing to not think about the obvious?" Well for starters, I took up running. That's right you read that correctly. I have been running. I started this after my surgery and to my surprise I fell in love with it. I even started running in a real running group after school... for real! It has honestly been a huge stress reliever and a fabulous way for me to take out my frustrations.

Secondly, I have really been focusing on my career and professional development. In August I received a new position, End of Course Facilitator, which has been an incredible experience. However, I recently was given word that the position has been cut due to the financial woes of our district. I do still have a job and for that I am very grateful! I will just be back in the classroom full-time and honestly, I don't mind in the least. I also found out in November that I received my National Board Certification!! Woo-Hoo! I am in the process of finishing up my Masters and will be done in May, only to start my +30 hours this summer. My goal is to have at least 15 done this summer.

Lastly, Mr.B & I have been busy looking at houses, lots, floor plans, etc... My hope is that by the end of the year we will be in our new house! Fingers Crossed.

I have lots to update on my status and will do so tomorrow, but for now...

Cheers to me blogging again!

"Good News"

So, after the last IUI...you know the "false positive" one? Mr. B & I decided that we would go through with one more and then go ahead with the Lap. So, on May 3rd we went in for our 3rd IUI. The same nurse that did it the last time, did it again. Again, this time she was overly positive; telling us that the 3rd time is a charm and how she had gotten preggers in the same room on her 3rd IUI. This time, after the last time, I had no expectations. Good thing because on the 17th, I got another BFN. This time, it wasn't nearly as upsetting I guess because I didn't have any expectations going in. I have become not only sensitive, but very skeptical as well. I am one negative Nancy these days! Anyhoo...I was scheduled for the Lap. and that did give me a wee bit of hope. Hope that we would have some answer(s) for our infertility. So, I had the Lap. done this past Friday; and, it was finally confirmed that I did have the big E! Thank you God!! I know it sounds crazy that I am thanking god for a disease, but now we finally have an answer. My Dr. even told Mr.B during the post-op conversation that he had "Good News"! Yes, we finally have a little something to hold onto. So, as I recover each day is getting easier and easier; possibly because I know God still has me on the books to be a Mother some day. I am so thankful for the sign he sent me! Now, I just need to go in this week for a post-op. appt. with my fabulous Dr. and find out what our next steps are! Until then...
Cheers to the Big E!

More Pics from The Derby!

Derby Day...placing bets...acting like we know what we're doing:)

We thought we had planned our outfits; but we had forgotten the ponchos! Luckily Focker went out and grabbed us some day of! There was NO way we were wearing anything but clear ones:)

The one and only...Churchill Downs!

The guys realizing they aren't very good at the betting thing!

The beautiful horses!

The One & Only...The Kentucky Derby

Our seats for The Oaks (Friday's races of Phillies)

As close as we could get to the winner's circle:)

The red carpet...sort of. It was pink for The Oaks Breast Cancer Awareness.

Night out on the town!

Crusin' America...in the RV!

A couple of years ago, right after Mr.B & I were married, we were talking about how much fun it would be to go to the Kentucky Derby. One of my cousins owns race horses and I decided to call her & inquire about possibly getting tickets. She told me that it would be possible, but it would cost us an arm & leg for decent seats at that point in the year. Well, time passed and we didn't think much more about it, since Mr.B was not going to drop that kind of money. Then right after we returned from Mexico my cousin called me and asked if we could use their tickets for this year!! Of course we could...duh! So, after we gathered our crew and worked out the sleeping arrangements (found a hotel 12 miles from Chuchill Downs) our next big task would be the travel arrangements. My friend, Heidi, had the brilliant idea to rent an RV. Sounded great at the time...didn't think about how big it would be and that it might not ride so smooth. Our bad! Or at least it was my bad! Let's just say that it wasn't my favorite part of the trip. What was my favorite part? Let's see...the big beautiful hats we got to wear, the equally amazing shoes, the delicious much anticipated Mint Juleps, and the ever amazing seats (3 rows from the track) on the fence line. I absolutely loved the entire experience!! Mr.B & I had no clue what we were doing when it came to betting...our driver to the Oaks even told us to go with Calvin B. and we failed to remember that. Needless to say...the atmosphere and witnessing the beauty of the horses was a win for us!

Cheers to Big Hats, Mint Juleps, Good Friends, & My cousins for the tickets!

A Teeny Tiny Glimpse...

This past Sunday Mr.B & I had just the teeniest glimpse of what it would feel like to find out we would be parents. As I have shared previously, I went in for my second IUI this month. We went in on Easter Monday and my nurse told me that "this will be the time it takes". Even though she was pretty confident; I was not. In fact, I was not even going to take the damn test (yes I said damn), but my doctor's office requires I take it on a certain day. Well anyhoo you might see where this is going. I took the test and yes it digitally, blatently, and surprisingly said, "pregnant". The only choices are "not pregnant" or "pregnant". I about threw up, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I quickly snuck into the next room and pulled out the card I had bought for Mr.B 2 years ago when we started this journey. I walked in, gave him the card and told him "Congratulations, you're going to be a father." We both hugged and cried tears of joy...we couldn't believe it. FINALLY, it was happening to us!! God had heard and answered our prayers. That day we shared our very exciting news with our parents and they were equally excited as you can imagine. That night when we went to bed, we were both still in shock. Our shock wasn't near as extreme as it was on Monday. Monday morning I woke up with cramps. As I laid there I just kept thinking there was NO way I would have "cramps". I took another test, and just like that our glimpse vanished. I got a BFN. Needless to say, Mr.B & I were devasted.
I called my doctor's office and they were very supportive. They said that it was most likely a false positive. It took every ounce of me to hold it together while taking the call...in class. The doctor said that he wanted to do one more IUI this month and then proceed with the surgery. I went home that night and all I wanted to do was lay in bed and have myself a sobfest. And that is exactly what I did. I needed it so I could pick myself up and move on. While I wasn't sure if I wanted to share this or not, I am still a bit wounded and needed to get the last remaining tears out so I can focus on this month. So, that is where we stand. Please keep praying that I will be patient and that God will continue to guide our decision making process!
Cheers...because, I guess, I can still drink!

A Sweet Surprise+Good Friends=Great Memories!!

The Heidi Trolley Invitation
D-TROIT in the house!

Mr. B and his "peeps"!

The signature cocktail...White Russians!

14 years ago I went to college and didn't know anyone. Even though I was scared to death, I was very excited to go away and meet new friends. I went to CMSU the week after I graduated from H.S. and lived on a floor with some obnoxious boys. Regularly throughout the week the boys & I would head to the pool. One day, I met some girls who would become my lifelong friends. Eventually, I joined their sorority and met even more lifelong friends. Today, 10 years later, we almost all live in different cities. While there are a few of us that live in the same cities, we still find it difficult to get together. Wedding festivities and baby showers allowed us to reunite; however, those are starting to dwindle down. Last weekend one friend's new BF decided to throw her a surprise birthday party and we were all able to come in for it. While it was really a gift for her, I am pretty sure we all appreciated it. It was a fabulous time of drinks, laughs, dancing, and even more laughs.

Cheers to my BFFs!!

Sun, Fun, and Love in Mexico

One month ago today I was sitting poolside sipping on Mango Margaritas...ahhh those were the days! Mr.B & I traveled to the Riveria Maya, Mexico for my cousin, Julie's, wedding. We stayed at the Grand Sunset Princess. It was unbelievably beautiful and super relaxing. The first night we had the Bachelorette Party, the second night was the Rehearsal Dinner, and then the big day! They were married at X-Caret Park, an eco-park, in Playa de Carmen. Never in my life (my whole 32 years) have I been to a more beautiful and breath-taking wedding ceremony. The chapel they were married in sat at the top of a cliff which overlooked the ocean. The chapel was open so you could see the spectacular view from the alter. I told Jeff that if we renew our vows someday...that will be the place. To all my single ladies out there...if you are looking into destination weddings that is the place! Throughout the entire place you felt the Lord's presence and spirit. It was for sure awe-inspiring! After the wedding we enjoyed a very swanky reception back at the resort. Then Saturday-Sunday it was nothing but pool, margaritas, and beach fun:) While not all of my family could make it, I certainly enjoyed the time spent with those who could. I love that our family is so close:) We definately had many laughs by the pool!! Depending on where our situation has taken us next year, we may be back at the Sunset Princess very soon:)

Cheers to Julie & Ryan on a healthy and blessed marriage, thanks for letting us come and be a part of it!!