Full Update on the Harrell's

Okay, so I realize that it's been a while since I actually wrote about the important things in our life. SO I thought it was about time that I caught everyone up. First, there's our jobs. Chris is still doing fantastically (don't think that's actually a word) at Granite Contracting. Fortunately, his job is not in jeopardy so far during this "economic downturn" - they're still doing fairly well given the circumstances. My job, however, is not so secure. While I thought we were doing fine, I was told otherwise last week. It seems that there are so many companies that we have done work for that our struggling financially right now and cannot pay us for the jobs that have been done. Our accounts receivables are in the red by approx. $700,000 to date. This means many things for our office. In light of our industry being hit hard during this "recession", the Partners of our firm do not foresee it getting any better for us in the near future (we're talking potentially 3rd quarter of 2009). Therefore, as a means of maintaining staff and not being forced to lay off employees (especially at the holidays), the managerial staff made the decision to cut back hours/salaries by 10% beginning this week. In addition, we cannot count on our annual holiday bonus or salary raises next year. YIKES!!! It's an adjustment for us all. So, my new schedule at work will be a 4 day work week alternating between taking off Monday's and Friday's. Now, I know this seems quite nice - having an extended weekend every weekend - but it also means that, as a result of everyone having to change their schedules, I'll be required to take back on a lot more responsibility that is currently distributed across my whole team to ensure that all staff are covered by an admin at all times. So, not only will I continue on with my current rsponsibilities (that are so numerous I can't even begin to write them all down), but I'll resume team work and reception duties as well - all in a condensed work week. I do not see this going well for us, me especially, but if I want to keep my job, it's something that I HAVE to do. Ugghhh!!! The super good news is, every 2 weeks I'll actually have Friday AND Monday off!!!

Now, on to the "juicy" stuff :) We have completed 3 rounds of fertility treatments (intra-uterine insemination) and sadly, none have been successful. No one can tell us why it's not working. Every time we go in for the procedure they tell us both that we're looking really good and everything is in place for a successful insemination. We have one last try beginning this week. Many of our friends who have gone through the same procedures have had success on their last try. This, by no means, ensures that we will experience that same success - but we are hopeful. We have already begun receiving the paperwork and portfolio's from many local adoption agencies in case our last round of treatment does not work. My doctor will meet with us at the conclusion of our treaments to discuss where to go from there. Per my discussion with a nurs on Friday, we still are several steops away from In Vitro, which only means that there are still other options for us to explore if we are willing. 2 options that she briefly mentioned were taking another type of fertility drugs or we could proceed on to another kind of fertility shots. So, we'll know in about 4 weeks if this is an avenue we'll be walking down or not. While Chris and I are both extremely open to the idea of adoption (either domestic OR foreign), it can cost anywhere from $16,000 - $50,000 per child and that's the part we are most fearful of. Not to mention how long the process can take. If we were to adopt, it is highly likely that we will not be placed with a child while it is a newborn . . . we will miss out on those firsts few precious months of life. That makes me sad, but I can move forward from that. In all honesty, one of the things I am most fearful of is that this adopted child will not be as loved or accepted in our families as would a biological child. This is a common fear for all prospective adopting parents - but it's also a very legitimate one. We feel the prssure from our families to have a child of our own, but sometimes that's just not the Lord's plan. And my biggest desire is that our families will grow to love and accept our adopted baby just as if it were our biological offspring. If you ask us, adopted chidren are sometime more special than biological children. It will be such a privilege for us to have the opportunity to embrace and raise a child that was otherwise be discarded from someone else who would not be able love them like we would. After all, we are called to look after the widows and the orphans in this life. We know it would please God for us to accept this calling.

We are looking forward to the holidays. It's been a while since we spent any real time with our families and we are certainly anxious to get away and do just that. For the first time in a long time, I am actually excited about Christmas! I've already got the Christmas music going and the "spirit" in our house (much to Chris' demise). I'm sure it will be lovely holiday season for us this year (despite all the items mentioned above).

Tummy Time!!!

I attempted my first baby blankt project today. It was fun! It actually took much longer than expected, but again, it was my first time and I was learning as I went along. I did note some things to do differently next time, though - like, add several more rows (to make the blanket bigger) and add more batting (to make the blanket fluffier). But, all in all, not bad for the first try. It will do just fine for any baby wishing to enjoy some tummy time :) Oh . . . to be a baby again!!!

"I Would Just Like to Thank . . . "

I would just like to begin my day by publicly thanking the Lord for the people that He has purposely placed in my life for specific seasons such as the one we have been going through for the last 3 ½ years. While I know that I have numerous friends and family who are constantly praying on our behalf, I’d like to point out two individuals specifically who have overwhelmed me with their love and support throughout this process.

First, there’s my big sister, Harmony, who never ceases to amaze me. She has always been my best friend, even through times when we’ve been far away from each other (both physically and emotionally). But as we’ve grown into adults and began our lives as wives and mothers (obviously only on her end there), she has become my strength, my confidant, my prayer warrior, my encourager, and an amazing example of how to live a life of service and faithfulness to our God. Almost daily she will send scripture, cards, gifts, and reminders of her love as a means to uplift my spirit and reiterate that I am not alone in this process. One thing that speaks to me the most is that even though we live in 2 different states, separated by 7 hours in between, she has never allowed that to be an excuse or reason to not be there for me every time I need her (and even during those times when I don’t realize how much I need her). She has proven her dedication to me relentlessly, and for that I am humbled and most grateful.

Secondly, there’s my sweet and dear friend, Kelly. Having only met Kelly and her husband Rob a short while ago, they have moved in like a freight train in our life and we have been changed for the better as a result of it. I have found throughout my 27 years of life on this earth that true and genuine friends are very difficult to come by. For the most part, people are always looking for ways that their life can be enhanced by your presence in it – and not in the best ways. However, Kelly has proven to me that there are still people out there who genuinely care for others with no expectations of anything in return. Not only is she super fun to be with, but she is constantly caring for me and loving me in ways that I haven’t felt from friends in a very long time. Just this morning she sent me an email that brought me to tears explaining how she feels led to begin fasting in prayer for Chris and I until our last round of treatment. She has vowed to give up all sweets so that when a craving or temptation comes she will begin to pray for our future family instead. What an amazing sacrifice! I don’t know what I could have possibly done to merit such a friend, but my life has truly changed because of her and the example that she is to me.

It goes without saying that we feel more than blessed by these women (and others) in our life. We cannot thank God enough for surrounding us with these dear people during the most difficult season in our life thus far. What we can do is continue to praise God for them daily and show them that they are just as important to us as we are to them and that we intend to do our part to deserve such sweet and wonderful friendship.

We love you so much and thank our God every time we remember you! (Phil 1:3)

Craftiness!

My friend, Sarah Tucker, has this wonderful new blog ("Create") where she features all sorts of wonderful homemade crafts (click on the link on the right side of the page). Well, needless to say, she has inspired me to bring back my creative side! I don't have too much time to allow to being creative, but I do love to be crafty, so I give it whatever time I have available. I find that mostly I enjoy creating baby items - pace clips, burpie cloths, onesies, bibs, etc. Perhaps because there's always someone having a baby and these make for such great gifts! My friend, Jaime, is having a shower this morning and here are some things I made for her.