Patience has never been a trait of mine. When Brandon and I first started trying to get pregnant I could barely stand the TWW. I can't tell you how many times I took pregnancy tests, long before it was possible to even know. But, pregnancy tests are expensive, so that had to end!
I used to pray all the time for patience. I would always ask the Lord "Please teach me to be more patient" and not just in the TWW, but with co-workers and friends, and God's general plan for Brandon and I. Patience and Lauren Bice don't generally go well together in a sentence.
About 6 months ago I was at the gym in the cardio theater room watching Evan Almighty (of all movies). I had never seen it before and although I love Steve Carell and found the movie mildly entertaining....I had no idea it was about to change my outlook on patience.
At one point in the movie Steve Carell's character is questioning what God has asked him to do (build an ark) and the decisions he has made. God, played by Morgan Freeman, says this during the movie......
Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If he prayed for courage, does God give him courage, or does he give him opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for the family to be closer, do you think God zaps them with warm fuzzy feelings, or does he give them opportunities to love each other?
I nearly fell off the treadmill. And I know I cried (so glad the theater room is dark)! It was exactly what I needed to hear and seemed to fit our situation perfectly. I have stopped praying for patience and instead have started praying for and embracing my opportunities to be patient. I can't say it's made me a more patient person, but it's changed my outlook on certain situations.....and given me lots of comfort. Who knew a silly movie like Evan Almighty could do that?
Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayers. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
They have arrived
The drugs that is (some of them)!
We had to order a bunch of our IVF medications (the injectables) from London. I picked the package up yesterday at the post office. CRAZY.
I read over the inserted documents, which basically only told me two things.
1. These drugs cause side effects including, but not limited to, migraines (I already get those), moodiness (check), bloating, nausea, tenderness, etc
*I have most of these side effects already...and I am not even on these drugs :)
2. These drugs can lead to multiple births (i.e. twins, triplets)
*Not sure why they had to add the example of twins and triplets (i.e. anyone taking these drugs already knows their increased chances of conceiving multiple births). One website I read actually said "You will have a 10 to 40 percent chance of conceiving twins or more with these fertility drugs". Ahhh...splendid.
We are counting down the days until we start our process (approximately 18 days) and it is quickly becoming real. I get more excited the closer we get to the start date. And now my nerves are kicking in.
One of the things I am a little (a lot) concerned about are the injections. I know we will get all the information and instructions we need to do this ourselves, but I am not really sure my steady (shaky) hands are capable of sticking a needle in my body everyday. And I am definitely not sure Brandon's gag reflect can tolerate injections. If nothing else, I expect comedy from the situation....and maybe a little pain.
Brandon has been a real trooper through all of this so far. I know he has some anxieties about the upcoming weeks, too, but he has handled it well. In typical southern style, I have to give him a preemptive "Bless His Heart".... because he is getting ready to have to deal with a woman who is not his normal wife. Once these medications are started, I will most likely turn into a she-beast...all hopped up on hormones and emotionally dysfunctional. Bless his heart, I know he will be amazing, as usual.
We consider ourselves lucky for the opportunity to try IVF. I always think about what couples did 30 years ago in this situation. I would assume they were told they could never have children and that was that. We know it's a blessing to have the technology available to give us a shot at IVF. We are hoping and praying things work out for the best.
It makes me laugh (nervously) to think that we may not even have a clue, at this moment, what the "best" situation might be for us. Who knows where this process takes us....all I know it that in the end, one way or another, we will be parents. Whether it be from a child I carry or one we are blessed with through adoption, either way.... I am ready. I know Brandon will be an amazing father and together we will make great parents.
Please keep your fingers crossed for us. Eighteen days (approximately) from now we start a new chapter in our lives. One we feel positive about! We are ready! I just hope the journey is ready for us!
We had to order a bunch of our IVF medications (the injectables) from London. I picked the package up yesterday at the post office. CRAZY.
I read over the inserted documents, which basically only told me two things.
1. These drugs cause side effects including, but not limited to, migraines (I already get those), moodiness (check), bloating, nausea, tenderness, etc
*I have most of these side effects already...and I am not even on these drugs :)
2. These drugs can lead to multiple births (i.e. twins, triplets)
*Not sure why they had to add the example of twins and triplets (i.e. anyone taking these drugs already knows their increased chances of conceiving multiple births). One website I read actually said "You will have a 10 to 40 percent chance of conceiving twins or more with these fertility drugs". Ahhh...splendid.
We are counting down the days until we start our process (approximately 18 days) and it is quickly becoming real. I get more excited the closer we get to the start date. And now my nerves are kicking in.
One of the things I am a little (a lot) concerned about are the injections. I know we will get all the information and instructions we need to do this ourselves, but I am not really sure my steady (shaky) hands are capable of sticking a needle in my body everyday. And I am definitely not sure Brandon's gag reflect can tolerate injections. If nothing else, I expect comedy from the situation....and maybe a little pain.
Brandon has been a real trooper through all of this so far. I know he has some anxieties about the upcoming weeks, too, but he has handled it well. In typical southern style, I have to give him a preemptive "Bless His Heart".... because he is getting ready to have to deal with a woman who is not his normal wife. Once these medications are started, I will most likely turn into a she-beast...all hopped up on hormones and emotionally dysfunctional. Bless his heart, I know he will be amazing, as usual.
We consider ourselves lucky for the opportunity to try IVF. I always think about what couples did 30 years ago in this situation. I would assume they were told they could never have children and that was that. We know it's a blessing to have the technology available to give us a shot at IVF. We are hoping and praying things work out for the best.
It makes me laugh (nervously) to think that we may not even have a clue, at this moment, what the "best" situation might be for us. Who knows where this process takes us....all I know it that in the end, one way or another, we will be parents. Whether it be from a child I carry or one we are blessed with through adoption, either way.... I am ready. I know Brandon will be an amazing father and together we will make great parents.
Please keep your fingers crossed for us. Eighteen days (approximately) from now we start a new chapter in our lives. One we feel positive about! We are ready! I just hope the journey is ready for us!
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