Pain

People respond to pain in different ways. For Jay-R, the answer was to run. His dad took both him and his sister to the doctor tonight for their flu shots. Dad had his and then sis. When it was Jay-R's turn, Kory told me Jay-R decided the best thing to do, was to run. So, he ran down the hall away from the nurse with the needle. Kory went running after him and had to hold him down. Jay-R was not the least bit interested in getting a flu shot. I think the reaction has to do with a bad experience at the doctor's office shortly after he came home from the Philippines. I don't think he will ever forget the bad experience he had.

For me, my response to pain as been to sit in my recliner all night on my laptop. I have not had a good day-there has been a lot of pain. There are knife like pains that mirror labor pains and a dull, burning sort of pain that hasn't really let up all day. There are dishes that need done and a load of laundry to do but I lack motivation. So, I have been on the computer all night. I have managed to order pretty much the rest of my Christmas presents online so it was not a lost cause. I am looking forward to surgery next month. I know that sounds a little strange, but I long to be pain free. I try to keep it in perspective...I know there are others hurting so much more both physically and emotionally, but it's hard to look beyond your own pain sometimes when you are dealing with it day after day. I feel for those who live with pain and deal with it daily. At least I know there is light at the end of the tunnel for me.

"Mommy, how much did I cost?"

This was the question that was asked of me the other day while at lunch. Totally caught me off guard...no idea where that one came from. I laughed and told him a whole bunch, but he was worth every penny. I told him he didn't actually cost money but the adoption did, just like paying the hospital when a baby is born. He has been asking more here and there about his adoption. It's amazing how their little minds work.

Happy Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving, I have much to be thankful for...

* my family
* my awesome kids
* our wonderful exchange student daughter Leigh-Anne who is staying with us for the school year
* our jobs
* our wonderful small town community
* finally having answers to the reason behind my pain and knowing a solution is in the near future


Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Enjoy the good eats, the football, family, fellowship, and shopping!!!

Bittersweet Acceptance: Finally Some Answers

Today, I finally received some answers. After being in pain for 5 months and probably longer than that (I have a high threshold of pain and tend to ignore aches and pains as much as I can), I have answers. I have had test after test with doctors trying to figure out the cause of my pain, my nausea, my discomfort, the reason for my weight loss. Over the past few months, I've completely changed the way I eat. Most nights, I have pain, I'm exhausted, and I've been on sabbatical from my Internet social world except for quick catch-up times. But, after my test today, I finally have answers and it all makes sense.

I have endometriosis and adenomyosis. I had adhesions attached to things that didn't belong attached to each other. My fallopian tube is blocked and my uterus is a mess. So, this explains the pain, the nausea, the discomfort, and the infertility we have experienced.

How do I feel about all this? 1) Relieved to finally have answers. I was beginning to think people thought I was crazy. 2) Relieved to know what it is so I know how to treat it. 3) Thankful.... thankful you may wonder? Yes, thankful. I truly believe Romans 8:28 that all things work for the good of those who love God according to His purpose. I have always had a heart toward adoption, but the infertility gave us the direction towards adoption. In 2003, when I cried myself to sleep because I couldn't get pregnant, half-way across the world, my baby boy was born. We can not imagine life without Jay-R. 4) Bittersweet acceptance. The next step is scheduling my hysterectomy. No, Kory and I do not want any more babies, but it is the acceptance that I can never have babies again. I'm okay with this especially knowing in my heart that I want to adopt older children. The irony of this all...to find out in November...National Adoption Month. God's plan is greater than I can imagine and this I can accept with my whole heart.

The Adoption Connection

Some things have the power to connect and bond people, people whom you have never met face to face. Adoption is one of those things. My bloggy friends Renne and Brian who have been waiting a looong time for a referral finally received news of their little boy. I am overjoyed and excited for them. It also brings back memories of the day I received the news of my own son. Adoption is such a miracle!

Seven!

Yesterday, our baby turned seven. It's hard to believe he is seven already. Just a little over 2 years ago, we first learned of our son half way around the world. At the time, he was four, almost five, and looked little in his pictures. Now, he has grown...45 inches...only one more inch to go to be able to ride the Iron Dragon at Cedar Point this summer. He's gained a few pounds. He's learned a whole new language and is reading. But what he has gained the most is the unconditional love of a family...the same goes for us....we have gained the unconditional love of this amazing little boy.
We celebrated with a few boys too many over in the afternoon...no, they were fine. Just noisy! And then the family came over last night for a celebration. After church today, we journeyed to Chuck E Cheese with friends for the ultimate American experience. What a weekend.

"Do I look 7?"

The spider gift from the sisters...that thing is creepy! His "fighting" face in his new Lego Star Wars pjs.

His new Michigan shirt. No, Daddy, die-hard Ohio State fan did not buy this. Mommy did. Jay-R is now the only one in the family to sport the blue. Should make for a fun Ohio State Michigan party in a few weeks!

No Allergies!

Jay-R went through allergy testing a week ago. No allergies! The hardest part was that he had to sit still for 15 minutes lying on his belly. The doctor said his break-out must have been viral. When his Daddy picked him up from daycare after school, he told him with a rather cocky attitude, "It didn't hurt, and I'm not allergic to nothing!" Thank goodness!!!

I'll try to post pictures soon. Three kids in sports keeps me busy.