Crossfit and Sawyer

Recently Marc and I have been doing some Crossfit. We both joined Crossfit 71 a few weeks ago and it has been so fun working out together again which is something we used to do a lot in College. I started it back in September (with a few months off here and there) and it has helped my back tremendously. I feel so much stronger and have way more energy. If I could just diet, then maybe I could get some of my weight off...

If you live in NWA, you should definitely check it out. Crossfit 71 is a new gym that just opened a couple of months ago and the people that opened it are super nice, plus your first week is free!

Here is Marc about to do some ring dips

  
The other night we were at The Henry's and Sawyer saw Marc doing a burpee (a crossfit term and move) It is basically a pushup and then you jump afterwards. So Sawyer decided to try one out all on his own I might add. It wasn't prompted at all which makes it even more hilarious!

This next video I was trying to get him to say our names. If you listen carefully, you can hear him say "Mawc" and "Up,  Aunt Chelle." He is semi-obsessed with me, really not sure why but I love it. He is so sweet and loves on me all the time. It melts my heart and always makes my day. I'm sure he won't love me this much forever so I'm soaking it up while I can! I have always loved  him like my own, maybe because he was the first born out of all of our friends kids!
Anyways, please watch this, he is precious.

I wish I would have asked him his name on the video, because he calls himself "saucy." Hilarious!
Thanks for making a precious kid Katie!

Guess What?

It's NATIONAL INFERTILITY AWARENESS WEEK!

I know, don't get too excited, you thought I was going to have some exciting news or something. It might not be the not be the most exciting news, but I do feel like it is important to me and especially right now at the stage where we are at. I found this website RESOLVE and it helps promote awareness about infertility. This week they have asked bloggers to help spread the word by busting some infertility myths.

Before I do that, I would just like to say that infertility is something that really isn't talked about much. Many people like to keep hush, hush about it. Obviously I'm not one of them. I have found it to be so helpful and freeing to talk openly about what I'm going through. Often times people feel so alone going through something like this, when really they are not alone at all. To have a support system is key to helping you through a difficult time (or at least for myself). I now will forever understand others who have walked down this journey and hope to always have a voice of support and awareness for this awful, miserable thing we call INfertility.

MYTH #1: Just Relax and you will get pregnant.
I wish...
I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have actually heard those words. They are all meant well, but unfortunately that is just not how it works. Over 90% of people diagnosed with infertility results from a physical problem, such as PCOS (aka what i was diagnosed with), endometriosis, blocked tubes, bad sperm, etc. All that to say, RELAXING has NOTHING to do with it. So please think twice before you tell an infertile that, because it really is the last thing they want to hear. It is also pretty much impossible when that is on the forefront of your mind and you are having to count days, and go to several scheduled doctors appointments. Although I'm sure some relaxing techniques couldn't hurt and maybe it has worked for some, but that will not help us.

The best way to help an infertile out, is to not try and FIX us or the problem at hand, just tell them you love them, you are sorry and pray for them while they go through this not-so-fun journey.

To find out more information or read more myths, you can go to:
http://www.resolve.org/infertility101
or
http://www.resolve.org/takecharge


Thanks for listening!

Happy Easter!

I hope you all have had a Happy Easter! Marc and I ended up staying home and laying low. We have been quite lazy considering all the rain we have received. Yesterday we had some friends over for brunch and it was a blast. It has not quit raining since last Thursday and it is pretty much flooded everywhere here.
Today we went to church and had a super yummy lunch with Marc's mom and stepdad!

I always love reflecting back on good friday and easter sunday. I'm in awe of the ultimate sacrifice that was made for us and so thankful.


Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
~ John 11:25-26.

Doctors are Draining

I had no idea how exhausted I would actually be after 4 days of constant doctors appointments. It seriously takes a lot out of you, physically and emotionally. I have been poked, prodded, etc and I have just about had all that I can take. I won't go into too much detail but it does all pertain to fertility stuff.

We are putting our faith in the Lord and leaving everything up to Him. I'm really trying to focus on the positive through all of this. One of the things that I'm so thankful about is that I have a job that provides awesome infertility coverage which allows us to be aggressive in different treatments and procedures. I'm also so incredibly thankful for a supportive husband who is there for me and supporting me every step of the way while we are in this together.
As we move further down this road and journey we are on, we are feeling so blessed by all of our friends and family. I just don't know how you go through the hard stuff in life without God and without a huge support system. So again I just want to thank everyone who reads this blog and has lifted us up through prayer, left a sweet comment or has sent me an email or fb message. It truly means a lot and helps us a ton through this process.
Although there is no end in sight, we are hopeful!


"but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
Isaiah 40:31

All things Happy and Springy

These are a few "worldly" things that bring me moments of Happiness! Spring is just so wonderful and I think all around makes me happy.

Just got some new TOMS wedges and loving them. Super comfy and go with everything!

Just got a new TCBY back in NWA and it is amazing. I may or may not go there for lunch some days...

Sonic Happy Hour. Enough said.

I love playing tennis in beautiful, spring-like weather!

What are some of your favorite spring things?

Shellac is where its at!

I'm so dead serious. This stuff is just simply amazing! I've been hearing about it for over a month now, and finally got to do it this past weekend in Little Rock. I had been dying to get it done.

So if you haven't heard about it yet, you are about too!

 It takes the same amount of time as a regular manicure. The only difference is, in between each coat, you stick your hand in this uv light that dries the polish quickly and hardens it. It's actually a gel polish and the light cures it. After 5 minutes under the light after the last coat, you are on your way to digging in your purse and driving. The only difference is you get NO scratches. I just keep looking for scratches everyday, and can't find a one. I'm on day 6 and there isn't one anywhere. And I got a french manicure, those always go the quickest! It is also supposed to come off super easy with regular nail polish remover. It cost about $15 more than a normal manicure, but I think worth it because it stays on so much longer!

I really would like to invest in a UV light and some cnd shellac polish and do it myself! So if you are treating yourself to a mani or pedi try you out some Shellac and see what you think!
Guys- You should buy your wife a gift card (wink...wink)!

I'm not getting paid for this... Promise!

Happy 50th Birthday Mom!

Yesterday I had the privilege of throwing my mom a 50th surprise party! This is something I've never done before and I had a blast. My mom is amazing and does so much for other people so I was excited to do something great for her!
I also wanted to give her a memorable gift, so I had all of her old & new friends send in letters and notes and then I placed them all in a scrapbook. She loved it and was super surprised. (little did she know there was a lot more to come!)

After being very difficult, we finally got her there! She was shocked!

 and so cute

 food table

 the banner I made: "50 & Fabulous"

 my wonderful fam!

this was her nice little bday present from my dad!

                                                                      oohing and awing

                                                          all her sweet tennis friends

her mom even got to come! Another secret surprise!

Well I think she was truly surprised and loved it, even though she had repeatedly said she did not want a party. I just hope some day I can look as good as she does at 50. I definitely did not get her beautiful legs or skin. But maybe there is hope!

I'm so thankful to have such a wonderful mom. She has sacrificed so much for me and I will forever be grateful. I'm blessed to have her as a mom and this was the least I could do for her. She most definitely deserved to be loved on for the day!

Hope you had a wonderful birthday Mom! Love you.

This free picture collage created with Smilebox

Peace or Numbness?

I'm not quite sure which one I'm feeling. I was feeling real great, and more on the peaceful side of things last week. This week has a bit of a different tune. I think coming back from an amazing vacation is just hard no matter which way you look at it. I always seem to experience a little bit of vacation blues. This time has been no different. I think reality has this way of gently slapping you right smack dab in the face.
Monday afternoon I got a lovely call from the women's clinic I go to. We had Marc tested for some different things and there is another problem that is causing infertility, so not only do I have something wrong, he also does as well. Therefore, resulting in a double whammy for us. It provides a few more answers which is good, but it also means we will move on to other treatments such as iui or ivf. For those that have never dealt with infertility or have had a friend that has had it, it means- iui=artificial insemination and ivf= invitro fertilization.

While I got the call, I was prepared to just bust into tears afterwards at any moment, but I didn't. I think I'm just getting numb to the whole situation. I mean what is one more thing, right? I almost feel like laughing about it at this point. Definitely tired of crying my eyes out every single month. So for now, I think I will enjoy the numbness and continue laughing my way through this while I wait on HIM!

Last week as I was meeting for discipleship, I read this devotional from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.

WAITING ON ME means directing your attention to Me in hopeful anticipation of what I will do. It entails trusting Me with every fiber of your being, instead of trying to figure things out yourself. Waiting on Me is the way I designed you to live: all day, every day. I created you to stay conscious of Me as you go about your daily duties.
I have promised many blessings to those who wait on Me: renewed strength, living above one's circumstances, resurgence of hope, awareness of my continual Presence. Waiting on Me enables you to glorify Me by living in deep dependence on Me, ready to do My will. It also helps you to enjoy Me; in My Presence is fullness of Joy.
 (Lam. 3:24-26; Isa. 40:31; Psalm 16:11)

Thanks for all who have already lifted us up through prayer. We are humbled and thankful for all of them. It definitely is encouraging for us to know we are being lifted in prayer.

Our little Vacay

Marc and I just got back from Keystone, Co.! We had such a blast getting away and spending some time together. It was perfect, everything about the trip. We had a blast skiing together an we were able to keep up with each other the whole time. We had some amazing food and amazing ski weather. It actually had snowed the 3 days before we got there so we had fresh powder and nicely groomed slopes. The second day we skied was beautiful, it was sunny and about 50 degrees . We missed all the spring breakers, which was fabulous not to have to wait in any lines and we had most runs to ourselves.

Funny side story about Marc- While we were waiting in line at the airport to go through security, there was a lady of another color and she said to me "honey, yo husband is HOTT, why don't you just come over here while I open this line up for y'all, oh and you're pretty cute too!" HA, that made me laugh so hard. I told her I though he was pretty cute myself and to back off (ok not really that last part)

 we love us some Colorado

 Another side story- the 1st night we arrived, we got there super late and got to where we were staying which is not at all what we thought it wold be. It was so AWFUL. First of all it had a murphy bed, you know the ones that fold up into the wall. It felt like a brick. Secondly, it was hot as a mug, no a.c. in Co apparently. Thirdly, it was so windy that the howling kept us awake all night. It almost sounded like a woman screaming. So at 6am, we called and said we have to move rooms, so they said for $15 they could upgrade us to a much nicer resort. Praise Jesus. It was the best $15 we could have ever spent. Seriously!
Before Upgrade:

After:

this little condo that was super nice and cozy.

 the view from our balcony

Our last night we went in to Breckenridge and ate at a yummy pizza place and then shopped around. The town is so cute and we found a super cute cupcake shop and got these yummy little treats for later!

All in all it was a wonderful trip. I absolutely love vacations and this was just what we needed. I feel incredibly refreshed and feel like I can survive another month of this battle with infertility.