Those Three Words

I've said those three little words before, but never really had a second thought about them. People have said them to me in passing but they didn't seem to mean it. Or they felt they had to explain themselves when they told them to me. Those simple words so simple and plain. And on Friday I began to realize their significance.


I came home from work on and there was a package in the mail addressed to me. I figured it was just another gift for our baby girl from a friend, but then I noticed that the return address was a book club in California. "Strange," I thought. I then began to rack my brain, trying to recall when I purchased something on-line. Since I've been ordering things on-line for the last couple of months, I was having a hard time remembering what this could possibly be. Curiosity was beginning to get the best of me, so I opened the package and found a book wrapped in bubble wrap. I began skimming over the package slip, looking for a message of some sort but I couldn't find one. But then it caught my eye. The buyer's name, our birth mom. I suddenly became anxious and couldn't wait to see what it was. I tore into the bubble wrap and saw the book: "Why Every Daughter Needs a Mother: 100 Reasons." Tears began to fill my eyes. I read the book description and I began to cry.


I quickly sent a text to our dear, sweet birth mom thanking her for the thoughtful gift and letting her know that this book would always be treasured in our house. And then she said it. Those three words: "Happy Mother's Day."


Our birth mom saying those words made what's going to be happening in two months even more real. In two short months I will be entrusted with a sweet, beautiful, pure, adorable baby girl. In two more months I will be a mom.

NIAW

Last week, April 24th-30th, was National Infertility Awareness Week. I meant to post a couple of blogs, but didn't' get around to it. Instead, I find myself sitting my at computer at 2 in the morning after have taken a late afternoon/early evening nap typing the morning away.

Better late than never. So, be sure to read the posts below.

Infertility

Plain and simple: there are no reasons nor explanations for my (our) infertility.

Nic and I did not choose infertility. Our infertility is not a result of postponing the start of our family "as soon as we're done with school," "once we have a good job," or "once we are out of debt," etc.

Nor are we infertile for poor life-style choices. We are both healthy individuals. And just because you tell me to add certain things to my diet (that I already include anyways) or stop being stressed or exercise more (or not as often) does not mean that I will get pregnant.

Adoption is a not a quick and easy fix to our infertility woes. If anything, the journey to adoption was just as emotional as the roller coaster of infertility. And just because we adopt does not mean we will forget about our infertility. We are however grateful for the Lord's guidance we felt in our decision to adopt.

Infertility is more common then people realize. Statistically it affects 1 in 8 couples. At Nic's place of employment there are eight couples (including ourselves). Two other couples have infertility problems.

Just because we do not have kids (yet) does not mean that we do not want them. Jokingly telling us "Are you sure want kids? You can have mine." Does not make me laugh.

The one thing I am grateful for that infertility has given me is the opportunity to build a stronger relationship with my dear hubby. He is a wonderful, outstanding man. We had a very strong relationship from the beginning, but going through the ups and downs of infertility caused us to rely on each other even more. He was my foundation, light, and hope when I was in my darkest hour.

Infertility will always be a part of me. But I will not let it define me.