Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from the Bice family!



When Brandon and I got home from the race yesterday morning our homemade tombstones were "smoking" like dry ice! The sun had just started to warm them up and the wet dew was making the smoke! We were impressed with our natural spookiness!

This year Brandon and I did NOT partake in dressing up. I worked on some homemade costumes for us, but in the end, we were both pleased with taking it easy last night! And just in case you were wondering (I know you were not) Brandon and I were going to be a Sperm (him) and an Egg (me). We thought it was a pretty funny jab at our infertility issues....and we both laughed pretty hard at the idea of our costumes. Not sure how others would have reacted (awkward?), but in the end we left our funny (to us) joke to be used another year.

Today Brandon and I plan to take it pretty easy. We are doing our family pictures for our Christmas cards, watching football, and preparing for the ghosts and goblins to come knocking on our door tonight. I taped Clue (the movie) last night and can't wait watch this while we hand out candy!

Happy Halloween to everyone! Hope you enjoy this wonderful holiday!

Done!

Well, I did it! I don't know my official time chip time, but I actually did better than I had expected....so yay!

That's me, with the dark green shirt...in the middle.


That's me on the left!


My bib, pre-race!


*photos courtesy of Brandon...my cheerleader!

It was a cold fall morning here in Knoxville, but there was still an amazing turn out at the race!

Congratulations to everyone who joined in today!

Race for the Cure

This weekend, tomorrow to be exact, is the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Knoxville. This is a pretty big race/run/fun walk in Knoxville, as I am sure it's big in most cities.



The last time I ran in the Race for the Cure was in 2008. In 2008 I was still training (somewhat) for half marathons. I think my last half marathon was in early 2009...and trust me, I did not train enough, and it was NOT pretty.

Anywho...
I am nervous about tomorrow's race. I have not been running much lately and I am definitely not in the shape I was in two years ago. And, yes...I realize it's ONLY a 5K. But- I am extremely competitive! Although I am not sure who I am competing against. Myself, I guess? It would be great to beat my 2008 time (Ha,ha ha), but that's not going to happen. So I set myself a new goal time....and I laugh at that one, too. I guess I will just tell myself over and over again "It's less than 30 minutes of your life...just run!" I wish I could say that would make me run faster, but it will not.

This year my race bib will be "tattooed" with the names of my family and friends who are survivors. These are the names of women who have faced cancer, some more than once, and fought with everything they had. These women are everyday heroes! MY everyday heroes! And I am proud to know each and everyone of them.

Maybe while I am out on the course instead of telling myself it's only a half hour, I should remind myself that I am running for them, not for a time chip. I will be running for my family, friends, and all women who have yet to face this monster, for the ones who lost their battles, and the ones who continue to fight. Breast Cancer is a nasty disease and finding a cure is so important for our futures, and the futures or our families and friends.

The race is always fun and in the end, very emotional! Thank you to everyone who participates, not matter how big or small. And good luck to all participants! It's only 30 minutes of your life, right?

My Heroes: Aunt Laurie Ann, Aunt Bunny, Nannette K., and Cousin Brittany

Autumn Joy

What have I been doing? So much(said with big hand gestures). This is just a busy time of year for everyone (I think), and Brandon and I are definitely included in that everyone.

October is probably my favorite month of the year. Each October my brain sends a signal to my heart that summer is officially over and my body can begin to prepare for Autumn. Ahhh, sweet Autumn. Between the leaves changing colors, Starbucks pumpkin chai latte (my newest obsession...you have to ask for it by name because you won't find it on any menu-at least not here in Knoxville), and Halloween; October is packed full of my favorite things. *Sitting here at my computer I just did a little rendition of "My favorite things" from The Sound of Music, which by the way happens to be another of my favorite things.

October and Halloween are like the Gate Keepers of the Holidays. After standing in line all year long, Halloween finally ushers you to the front of the line and lets you get your foot in the door. Once inside, it's a landslide of Holiday Blur. Where time goes way too fast and before you know it you are trading in your Halloween costume for New Year's Eve party hats.
*Speaking of Halloween Costumes- Ours are going to be homemade this year and super awesome- at least for those of you with (really) open minds and (really) good senses of humor. That is your official warning. Pictures will be posted in the near future.

Halloween is my favorite holiday AND YES I CONSIDER IT A HOLIDAY. Each year I add a little extra to our decorations and agendas and hope that when we have kids, they too will enjoy scaring the neighbors and getting into this wonderful time of year.
I don't have any pictures of our decorations right now, but will add some soon.

One of our favorite October events is our Annual Pumpkin Carving Party. Each year we get our friends and family together and....bake brownies. No...we carve pumpkins (and no, the name of the party is NOT deceiving).

That's my "B" for Bice


Group shot (only missing a few at this point)


Living in East Tennessee has many year 'round benefits. Each fall we get to watch, basically from our front porch, as the mountains change colors. Taking advantage of the changing leaves is made simple by our easy access mountains.
Just 20 miles from my driveway is House Mountain. A beautiful spot to hike anytime of year, although I would not suggest going in July/August, unless you just enjoy sweating through your clothes and fighting off bugs. Last weekend I enjoyed a less sweaty and less buggy hike with a good friend and was charmed by these gorgeous mountain views.







Today, I adventured up to Max Patch right along the NC - TN state line. Although a little longer drive than last week this place is spectacular. Once you park the car it's less of a hike and more of a casual walk to see views most people only experience through books, the internet, or blogs (ahem). I am not sure I have the proper words to describe this place, so instead....I will just show you the pictures.















And finally.....some pictures from a beautiful wedding Brandon and I attended a few weeks back and our evening at the Pumpkin Patch.

Brandon and I at the VA wedding


October is also the month of my Dad's Birthday! Happy Birthday Dad! We love you! My Dad and Brandon look so handsome....


Look how cute my Mom and Dad are....












Lovely October! I am going to miss you once you go. I am a little sad about it already, but I plan to squeeze every ounce of Autumn Fabulousness out of you before Winter rolls into town. Thank you for always making me feel good and never letting me down, I certainly can't say that about Summer (I scoff at you, Summer...and I am giving you the stink eye).

Creative ways to make a baby

A friend of mine recently suggested I read the Fall 2010 edition of Conceive Magazine (yep..they have a magazine for it). She had read it while in the waiting room at the doctor's office and thought there was a story in there I could relate to.

In reality I feel like I can relate to the entire magazine. Although I was unaware of it's existence, the magazine is basically a tool for any woman thinking about having children, actively trying to have children, with children, or struggling with infertility. I qualify for each of those categories, if you count my dogs as children! And honestly, most women qualify for one or more of those categories.

During our process of "trying" to get pregnant I read every website or blog I could find regarding the matter. I learned what all the abbreviations stood for (TTC, BFN (knew this one all too well), BFP, DH, SA, AF, IVF ICSI, IUI,etc, etc). I went to babycenter.com, a helpful tool for women. This site helps to track all those lovely ovulation "patterns" and gives you every early pregnancy symptom you can imagine. They even have an open discussion section for women who are TTC- Trying to Conceive. In the beginning I went to this site often. I stayed glued to the early symptoms and other women's accounts of what did or did not happen to them early in the process.

I became very aware of what the struggle of TTC can do to a person. Not only did I see major changes in myself, but I read about these women who obsessed that every little twinge could possibly spell out pregnancy. Initially I thought they were crazy. I thought to myself..."When I get pregnant, I will know. It won't be a guessing game or a early symptom checker...it will be obvious". But, as time went on and we continued to be crushed by our BFN's, I, too, found myself praying each little thing might mean we got pregnant. Eventually I had to say goodbye to babycenter, vowing to not revisit until we were indeed pregnant (because they can tell you each week what you baby looks like and how it is developing..it's really awesome).

Anyway...(I really got off topic)- I read through this magazine and could relate to most stories. Women who are struggling to get pregnant. Women who feel like they are failing at something that is supposed to be fun and easy. Women who get naturally envious about others who are getting pregnant, then feel completely guilty and awful for feeling that way. Women fighting the anger and sadness of not getting pregnant, both openly and behind closed doors. And finally, families struggling to find the financial means to have the children they have wanted for so long.

The final story in the magazine was like reading about my own life. It was a couple who, after TTC for nearly two years, learned that IVF was their only option. Everything was the same, even the reason for infertility. I felt like I knew this woman just by reading 10 paragraphs about her life. I felt like I should pick up the phone and call her and say "I know. I know what you experienced. I'm sorry." When this family learned that IVF was their only option, they didn't sit around and cry about it (for very long). Instead, they started a website to share their story and struggles with others suffering from the same problems. They decided to take donations to fund their procedure. The goal was to get anyone who visited the website to donate $1 to their cause. They hoped to get 20,000 visitors who were willing to donate! After one year of receiving donations and saving money on their end, the couple was able to have the procedure! It was successful! And less than a year later, they welcomed a beautiful, healthy little girl! The best part about this story was it's happy ending.

Don't worry. We don't plan to ask for any donations from readers. For a few very simple reasons-
1). I only have about 5 readers (if that) and that would require a very substantial donation from each of you.
2). Most of my readers are my friends....and I already know where you stand financially, it might be best for you to hang on to that money! Haha!
3). Brandon and I are confident we will have what we need to get started early 2011.

I just thought it was really inspiring to see a couple be so creative with their situation. Sometimes it seems silly for me to be upset over this process and then I read stories like these. It is such a nice reminder that it's okay to be sad and and angry sometimes. And it's okay to sulk (a little). And even though I hate it more than anything right now, it's okay to have some envy. Best of all, it's okay to continue to dream and hope that things will work out for the best. I try to remind myself that it could be worse. We haven't been told "it's not possible" and I am thankful for this every day. I hope this time next year I will be writing about our happy ending. And maybe, someone else struggling with the same issue will find comfort in our story.

*It lived.

Brandon and I drove up to Virginia this past weekend to attend the beautiful wedding of family friends. Driving through Virginia in early October was probably one of the most pleasant drive experiences (aside from the time in the car). Interstate 81 runs parallel to rolling mountains and valleys throughout the entire ride. Although it was a little too early to catch the brilliant fall leaves, some trees were just starting to change colors. And even though we did not catch the vibrant leaves, I bet this drive is gorgeous anytime of year, through any season. Poor Brandon had to hear about it the WHOLE way, too. Every 15-30 miles I would point out a section of rolling landscape and say "Let's move there! I can see us living there!" Had it been up to me we would have been purchasing property and packing boxes before the weekend was over. Unfortunately (or..more accurately, fortunately) we do not leave the big (and spontaneous) decisions up to me.

These pictures below are from I-81. Please note I did not take these pictures, this is simply to show how gorgeous the scenery is along the interstate.







As we were tooling our way North through beautiful Virgina, Brandon and I shared our first near death experience together. Earlier in the ride we had both commented on the fact that we would probably see deer and that we needed to be cautious of any deer wandering onto the interstate. Obviously, because I just mentioned all that, we saw a deer.....on the interstate. A large buck (I think...it all happened so fast) strolled onto the right side of the interstate. He stood there for a brief moment and then darted out into the road. Naturally, I yell "BRANDON (the caps...because I am yelling)- DEER! WATCH OUT FOR THE DEER!" We were driving in the right hand lane, there was a car about 100 yards in front of us and a car about 50 yards or so in front of us in the left hand lane. The car on the right managed to miss the deer, unfortunately the car on the left, a minivan, was not so lucky. The deer RAN directly into the front passenger side of the van. Ramming it at full speed and shattering the glass and denting the passenger side door.

It looked like the deer was attacking the van, but we all know the deer did not win. Once it rammed the passenger side door the deer catapulted into the air, spun around and came down on the back driver side. Where it again had full contact, but was not actually "run over". Glass lay all across the interstate. The van quickly pulled to the side of the road. There was a passenger in that seat and he or she had a front row seat to the amazing attack. The car in front of us pulled off to ensure everyone in the van was okay.

Brandon and I watched in shock. It all happened so fast, yet seemed to move in slow motion. The deer darting across the street, the passenger side window shattering into a million pieces, and then the confused and injured deer stumbling on the side of the road. *It wondered off to the woods and out of harms way!

During this entire event Brandon and I are yelling. OH MY GOSH, WATCH OUT. CUSS WORDS, lots of CUSS WORDS. HOLY *MOLY. Screaming. Loudly. Like you do when you see something completely insane or stunning. More cuss words and finally more Oh my gosh's.

You might be thinking....So what? Deer are struck on the interstate every day. But, I failed to mention that throughout this entire ordeal, I was on the phone. Yep. I was talking to a verizon wireless representative, who had not two minutes earlier explained to me that our conversation was going to be recorded as a learning tool for the future. Needless to say my loud screaming and cussing into the phone had startled the VW representative. She was silent and I had completely forgotten I was on a phone call. Finally, she spoke in a mousy/tentative voice..."I can certainly call you back at another time." No, no..I said. This was the fifth time someone from VW had tried to reach me. I managed to avoid their calls for two weeks, we were getting this taken care of today, violent deer accident and all.

I assume she was curious at this point and asked if we were okay. I would say the loud screaming and cussing had tipped her off that something was not right. I explained the situation to her and she again offered to call back at another time. Once she was convinced I was no longer distracted by the fact that miraculously, no was injured by the outrageous events that had just occurred....she explained that she was ready to upgrade my phone plan. Wow. Really? I told her I was not interested in the upgrade she was offering. Then I proceeded to tell her she was lucky to have said events recorded, because I was sure it would be a wonderful learning tool for her co-workers in the near future. There is no doubt in my mind she was glad to have the accident on tape, too. I am certain that message was listened to by her and her co-workers....where they probably laughed and laughed at the crazy lady who lived through the deer accident and refused to get off the phone. That's life! Now please, VW, stop calling me...I do not want your upgrades or whatever it is you are trying to get me to buy.

Also, visit Virginia...it's gorgeous! Pictures from this beautiful wedding to come!

*indicated words or things that may not have necessarily true or are not known, for certain, that they are true