For our first Christmas together nearly 5 years ago, Devan gave me a gift that I was SO excited about. I couldn't wait to show it off and display it proudly. Well finally 54 months later, I can finally dust that old box off and display it with even more pride than I ever thought possible.

That's right!!!! After 6 surgeries, 2 rounds of IVF, thousands of needles & dollars, and even more prayers our second miracle is on the way.

I saved the "expensive" test for when I knew it was worth it.

Never thought I'd be so excited to hold a pee stick.


Can I just say WOW!!! Life is great. First we have the amazing miracle of Jamis joining our family and now he gets to be a big brother!!!! In December we had finally saved enough money to go through IVF (our only option for conceiving) and were completely confident it would work. When the we got the blood test back, it was such a blow on so many levels. We had put everything into that try. I had had it.
I have an amazing husband though, that is able to always pick us both up and we decided to try it one more time, despite the fact that we had no $$$ (and you have to pay in full up front before they will even see you and of course insurance pays nada). I truly thought we were crazy, but Faith proceeds the Miracle right?!?!
While looking into all our financial options and not getting far, we received some random checks and refunds we weren't expecting. And what would you know, but it was nearly exactly what we needed to cover the expenses of another round of IVF. I still get chills thinking about it. I know Heavenly Father was testing me (more me than Devan). Anyone that knows me well, knows that I'm a penny pincher and a little stingy with my money. The way I see it, HF was trying to see what I valued more. Would I be willing to give up everything I'd saved for all my Adult life for a chance to bring a child into the world and when I lost BOTH, would I still have faith in him that he would keep his promise to me. I'm so glad I "passed." A miracle in itself, I was able to jump ahead to the next step trusting everything would work out, and it did. I am so thankful to a loving Heavenly Father and Husband who really showed me the way and are the ones that truly have made all my dreams come true.
I don't mean to sound cheesy, self righteous, or make it all about money, but this was a lesson I know I needed to learn (and hopefully will only have to learn once).

So introducing Baby G #2!!!!

#2 at 5 days post fertilization, right before "he" was introduced to his new uterine home.

6 week Ultrasound!

7 week ultrasound!! What cute fingers and toes

8 Weeks!!!

I'm now 11 weeks and nausea has never felt so good. January seems an eternity away, but we are so excited for this journey. Jamis has already learned to pat my belly and say baby. I can't wait to see the two of them playing together. OK, OK, I know enough already, but I've been avoiding this blog for awhile now, knowing that I'd blurt something out before it was really time, and it feels so good having it out.

If this wasn't enough, we had another miracle I'm just as grateful for. A few years ago we found out Devan was missing part of one of his heart valves and has to go in for a yearly Echo to check on things. A few days after we got our Baby news he went in and was told that his Pulmonary Hypertension was so bad that they wanted to do some additional tests, but it looked like the valve transplant we were looking at in twenty years would be this year. Oh, ya, I was dying. The day I went in for my first ultrasound, he went in as well. The tech did the test and was confused and what he was looking for, so he called Devan's Cardiologist in and she did the test and thought it must be equipment error. They brought in a new machine and still Nothing. He was still missing a part of the valve, but his heart was functioning COMPLETELY NORMALLY. Everyone there was amazed and we still are. The power of prayer is real my friends.
Now that I feel like I've turned into an Ensign writer, I'll bid you ado, but know that I have a testimony of the Power of Heaven and the love our Heavenly Father has for us. The Gospel is true and I am SO glad to be apart of it.

Match Day

Today all Devan's dreams of becoming a Plastic Surgeon are being realized. We matched in Plastics at an awesome program in Chattanooga, TN. We don't move there until next summer, but hey, I've already scooped out all the amazing places to live (cheap too). So 4 years of residency down, 4 more to go (1 of General Surgery and 3 of Plastics)!!! Sooooooo proud of you Devan and all your hard work. Love ya babe.

Hip Hoppity Easter everyone!!!

The older Jamis gets the more fun Holidays are becoming. We were able to get his Easter Pics done with real live bunnies (coming soon) and he was invited to his first kid party, an egg hunt.

For awhile now Jamis has been into carrying a basket or bucket around and putting various things in it. When he discovered that there was chocolate in the Easter eggs, there was no stopping him. Still I think I had more fun though just watching him.

We shared a wonderful Easter dinner with our Wilmington family at the Arne's house, and as usual Devan was on call.

Jamis always likes to share water with Carley the dog, so this time Beckie gave him his own watering dish.

Of course it didn't take long before there was a small pond on the kitchen floor, so we just stuck the bug in the hot tub with the big kids.

This poor kid never gets any attention.

The best part of the day though was Conference. I don't know if Conference talks are really just getting better or if I'm finally maturing enough to truly enjoy them. How lucky we are to have a living prophet on the earth today and a savior who died for us. What a marvelous time to be living.

I'm a Big Kid now

This past week Jamis has gone from my "sweet go with the flow" kid to my "not so sweet pre-Terrible Two year old." What a strong will we have discovered. All of a sudden he doesn't need help changing his diaper, eating his meals, opening doors, or even swimming (drowning or not, he is going to play just like the other kids). Temper tantrums rule the day and not so great fake crying is our communication of choice.

See I can do it myself Mommy.Told ya so.

One morning I while I was getting dressed Jamis decided that he was going to help himself to some Shredded Wheat.
Glasses and all, he's just too cool.

After he enjoyed his handful, without me saying a word, he went and put the cereal back (yes I know there is a lot of junk food in my cupboard). I guess I really can't complain if he's going to clean up after himself.

Nothings better than hanging with Daddy.

I say my prayers now

Random pics through the week

Jamis has discovered the amazing wonders of the Juice Box!!!

Now that's satisfaction!
Oh, no naked boy! This is what happens when Daddy is in charge.

Jamis the Camper

So this past weekend Daddy was out on interviews so Mommy and Jamis packed up the car and went CAMPING. I was a little nervous at first to take Jamis on his first camping trip by myself, but since I wasn't really by myself (we had our Wilmington Family with us) we went for it.

We went down to Myrtle Beach State Park. What a great car camping spot. You feel like your in the woods, but your really right on the beach. They had clean bathrooms, hot water, and several playgrounds. Doesn't really sound too much like camping huh.

Jamis loved his camping clothes

It didn't take but a minute of getting there before Bug had fallen into a mud pit. Dirt, tears, and scrapes couldn't get this happy camper down.

It was beautiful all day and then dropped to freezing at night. My floppy fish sleeper really struggled to stay in his mummy bag.

He had the right idea though of constantly knocking on the McGills camper door. Warmth!!!

It was sad to not have Devan join us on such a momentous occasion in a young lads life, but now with his feet wet, I think he's ready for some backpacking camping.