Miscarriage

On Thanksgiving day we found out that we were pregnant! We were able to take Paul's parents and my mom on a walk and share the good news. We laughed and cried and hugged, it was such a sweet moment. I went to the OB two weeks later for my first visit and confirmation ultrasound. Since I measured early, they scheduled me to come back the following Friday for a follow-up ultrasound so that we could see the heart beat.

The next Wednesday, I had some heavy bleeding and clotting, so I called the OB. They had us come in and checked me out. They did an ultrasound where we got to see the heart beat! We were so relieved! They told me to go home and take it easy to try to get the bleeding to stop. Later that afternoon I started having severe cramps. I went to the restroom, where I passed a large amount of blood, tissue, and the sac. I just sunk to the bathroom floor and sobbed. I called Paul at work and he came home. By this time, the OB was closed, so the answering service had the doctor call me back. He told me to come in first thing that morning.

The next morning, we went to the OB. We had another ultrasound that confirmed what we already knew and prepared ourselves to see, an empty uterus. Paul and I burst into tears. Since there was still tissue and blood present, the OB gave me two choices; 1) to schedule a D&C, or 2) to use a prescription, Cytotec, to induce cramping to try to help pass the remaining "stuff", and schedule another ultrasound a week later. We chose the Cytotec. That night, before we went to sleep, I had to take the Cytotec.

We went back to the OB today and our appointment went GREAT! Everything is clear and my body is already preparing to cycle again, which is great, so NO D&C, PRAISE THE LORD!! Dr. Rush recommends that we wait at least one cycle, and when we are emotionally ready, to start trying again. At the first positive pregnancy test, I will call the OB and they will prescribe a vaginal form of progesterone that I will use once a day until about 12 weeks, and then I will get it in a shot form every week after that. I will go in at six and a half weeks for an ultrasound, and then again two weeks later, at that time I can decide to do the new pregnancy two hour appointment then or wait and come back after two more weeks for another ultrasound and then the appointment. I will also be considered high risk, and thankfully there are high risk doctors on staff at our current OB, so I will just continue to go there. My case is already being added to the high risk case load (which they meet every Tuesday to discuss), so whenever we are ready and do get pregnant, they will be familiar with our case. Dr. Rush was AMAZING! We are so thankful that God had us meet with her the last few times and for her plan of action! We both feel very much at ease and at peace.

Thank you so much, to everyone, for all of the thoughts, prayers, sweet messages, and most importantly prayers. God is so good, and we are so blessed by each of you!

All Saints Day

"United Methodists believe in saints, but not in the same manner as the Catholic Church.

We recognize Matthew, Paul, John, Luke and other early followers of Jesus as saints, and countless numbers of United Methodist churches are named after these saints.

We also recognize and celebrate All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) and "all the saints who from their labors rest." All Saints' Day is a time to remember Christians of every time and place, honoring those who lived faithfully and shared their faith with us. On All Saints' Day (usually celebrated in church on the first Sunday of the month), many churches read the names of their members who died in the past year (some choose to also ring a bell for each name read).

However, our denomination does not have any system whereby people are elected to sainthood. We do not pray to saints, nor do we believe they serve as mediators to God. United Methodist believe "... there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human who gave himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5-6a).

United Methodists call people "saints" because they exemplified the Christian life. In this sense, every Christian can be considered a saint.

John Wesley believed we have much to learn from the saints, but he did not encourage anyone to worship them. He expressed concern about the Church of England's focus on saints' days and said that 'most of the holy days were at present answering no valuable end.'

Wesley's focus was entirely on the saving grace of Jesus Christ."

copied from UMC.org

That "saving grace of Jesus Christ" is referred to as "sanctifying grace," which dwells in your heart and soul forever once you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.

Disney

It is easy to say that we have had a rough year, between my parents' divorce, Grace's emergency surgery, losing Noah, financial strain...it's been hard. But the Lord has shown us so many of His gracious mercies. We were blessed to be able to spend a week in Disney while visiting my sister Kristen, who is currently in the Disney College Program in Walt Disney World, Florida. She is currently working on the Rocking Roller Coaster. (I have to show a few pictures below of her in action, we had to go by and stalk her while she was working. ;) It was so great to see her!!...I miss her so much!!

It was a much needed "break from reality" so to speak. It was so wonderful to be able to spend an entire week in sunny Flordia (an using my sister's discount made it extra special and easy on the wallet), without a care in the world! This trip was truly all about Grace. We skipped most of the "big" rides and focused on chasing down characters and princesses. Grace LOVED them! She was good about waiting in line for her turn to speak to them, until she was next. It was like she couldne't wait any longer. As soon as it was her turn, she would run up to them and hug them. It was wonderful!

Our first day we slept in and spent a lazy day at the pool at the resort, then we headed to the Magic Kingdome at 4:00 for Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. At 7:00, the park closes to all of the other guests and the park completely transformed into a pumpkin and candy filled wonderland. We had never been in October before, so it was really neat to see all of the children (and adults, but not us...just Grace) dressed as their favorite Disney characters, and the parade...my all-time favorite! It was truly magical, and Grace was a trooper! We didn't leave until the park closed, at MIDNIGHT because she was having so much fun! Have favorite part, the dance parties (she is truly her mother's child.) The kids, and even us adults, got to Trick-or-Treat in the candy trails. It is an understatement to say that we got a lot of candy!

Our second day we spent sleeping in, hanging out at the pool, and shopping in Downtown Disney. Mimi let Grace build her own potato head for her birthday. HOW COOL!

Our third day was spent in Hollywood Studios, where Kristen works. We saw several shows, rode Toy Story Mania (one of our absolute favorite rides in all of Disney World) and Grace got to go to watch Disney Jr (Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Doc McStuffins, Mickey Mouse Club House and Sofia the First) and meet PRINCESS SOFIA! I think this made the entire trip for her. We also watched Fantasmic in the VIP section (thank you Kristen).

Our forth day was spent back at the Magic Kingdom. It is such a big park, it takes at least 2 days to do it all! Today we got to ride the Monorail and eat at Beauty and the Beast's castle. It was awesome! We also got to meet Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy and Pluto and get their autographs. (Insead of a usual autograph book, I took an autograph mat and had the characters sign it. Once we get home, I will add the stickers and a picture and voila! A fun memory to hang in Grace's room!) We enjoyed Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Dumbo, Mickey's Phiharmagic, the Country Bear Jamboree, just to name a few. Grace also got her very FIRST haircut in the Harmony Barborshop on Mainstreet. They did a great job, and they make a huge deal of it. She got a certificate, a set of Mickey ears, and her hair in a little keepsake bag with some Pixie dust. What a special memory. I think we set the bar pretty high for any future children, I guess we will have to go back each time.



Our fifth day was spent at Epcot. Today we spent the day riding rides, watching shows, and chasing princesses! We got to meet FIVE and get their autographs! Paul and I were also able to meet up with our sweet friends Angela and Andy, who lived in Raleigh for a little while and moved back to Florida about a year and a half ago. We miss them a lot, so it was great to catch up with them!

Our last day was spent relaxing at the pool, visiting at eating at various other resorts, and trading the last of our pins. We had so much fun and we can't wait to go back. Disney is magical and truly lives up to it's motto as the "Happiest Place on Earth!"