Roll Call - Pls Reply

[Regina V]

Here's the roll call I mentioned in my previous post. We'ld love to know what you are up to these days, so please take a few minutes to post an update. Thanks, Regina

[BC-Roo]

Umm, didn't see your update Socks!!!!

We are busy getting ready for the end of school. Lots of parties and events to organize, both for school and soccer. I am not the most organize person these days, so it is an effort for me.

The boys are growing like weeds. If I find one more worm in their pockets I am going to scream! LOL They are both doing well in soccer. Chase is definitely a standout on his team and soccer, for now, seems to be a passion for him. Jayt enjoys it as well and people call them the dynamic duo on the soccer field. Of course Jayt still takes time out to pick me a few weeds and buttercups.

I have been working in my garden and I am afraid the weeds are winning for now, but I am not giving up.

I think about all of you often. I wonder and hope for the ones we haven't heard from in a while, like Bub, Connie, KarenH, Jolene, Carmen, KCDana, and many more that comes to mind. I wish you all well and if you find yourself drifting over to HJ, please let us know how you are doing. We would love to hear from you.

[Belle]

Originally Posted by BC-Roo

The boys are growing like weeds. If I find one more worm in their pockets I am going to scream! LOL They are both doing well in soccer. Chase is definitely a standout on his team and soccer, for now, seems to be a passion for him. Jayt enjoys it as well and people call them the dynamic duo on the soccer field. Of course Jayt still takes time out to pick me a few weeds and buttercups.

Roo, I absolutely love hearing stories about your boys. High fives to Chase and Jayt on their success with soccer. I would have guessed Jayt was stopping to pick the flowers (or weeds), lol!

This week, we're getting ready for Madison's first dance recital. She takes tap and loves it. She's dancing to the mambo and the outfit is way over the top, but so her since she's my little drama queen. It's actually perfect, lol.

Roo, I'm not sure if I ever told you that Zoey did arrive last week at a whooping 9lbs and 13ozs, two weeks early. My newest neice.

Speaking of family, my dad is very ill. I'm hesitant to post much since so many have had ill parents in the past and dealt with tremendous loss. Unforuntely, it does appear he'll have major surgery again in the coming weeks. If you have an extra prayer, I'd be grateful.

Thanks for asking for updates. I really miss everyone.

[Regina V]

Alright Roo, you twisted my arm so here's my update.
We're all doing OK, just working very hard and trying to hang in from day to day. I work three days a week at a major hospital in Boston, and it comes with a long, hard commute. It's very challenging work, not just emotionally, but physically and intellectually, as well. I see so many sad things there that sometimes I can get pretty depressed and I have to try very hard to not bring it home with me. I also have a per diem position at a private fertility clinic, and I do that a few days each month. It's enough to keep my busy, LOL When I get a chance, I've been working on my herb / rock garden, and I'm looking for some pretty wildflowers to plant on the hill behind it.
Jenna is growing up so fast, will be 12 in June and I've been seeing adolescence rear it's ugly head, LOL. We deal with PMS and mood swings that try every drop of patience I have left!! But in spite of that, she is a good kid and an honor roll student. She has a dance recital on Sunday and is getting so excited and nervous. I can't wait to see her in her costumes, (she's in two classes this year, Irish Step and Hip-Hop), and we plan to all go out to dinner after the show.
Tom is twenty- three now, still at home and working hard at Trader Joe's Market. He has a year of school left, but is not in this semester. He has always done a semester or two then works a semester or two, which has been working out well for him. When he's in school he always makes the Dean's list, so we're very proud of him, too. He is still with Tiffany, ( next week makes three years), and Charlie and I couldn't be happier. She is such a beautiful, sweet, intelligent girl, we really love her and hope that he has the sense to marry her someday. He's driving around in a new Camaro Z-28, which has been his dream car since he was a little boy.
Charlie is well too, getting his vegetable garden going and driving me crazy as usual, LOL. Can't wait for the first summer squash!! He's just lost 45 lbs, so I'm very proud of him , too.
Well that's what's new with us, I'm looking forward to hearing from everyone else. Peace, Regina

[Trina]

Belle, I am not at all surprised that your daughter dances the mambo in an over-the-top outfit! LOL! Does she get that drama queen stuff from you? hee, hee!

I'm sorry about your dad, sweetie -- I've been there, so I can pray for you with empathy.

Roo, we are entering the last week of school here too -- Daniel is finishing up baseball season today with the final tournament game, and then getting his finals and honors projects finished. My niece is getting married June 4 in my hometown, and Vance and I are photographing the wedding. The following week, Daniel has baseball camp at the local park, then June 10 he is leaving for his first mission trip, to the New York School of Urban Ministry ( http://nysum.org/ ). He will come home June 18. I'd appreciate y'all's prayers for him (and for me, too -- I'll miss him!).

I am working part-time as a receptionist (nights and weekends mostly) at a rehab/skilled care facility in Louisville. It is a beautiful place, and I really enjoy my job. I was thinking about going to real estate school this summer, but I'll have to wait for a while -- can't afford it right now.

Vance is still working as a programmer/analyst for a university about two hours from here. He has to go in for the staff meeting once a week, but otherwise works from home. He's not crazy about his boss, but it's a job until either he or she finds something else!

Regina, how in the world can Tom be 23 already!? And little Jenna is 12 -- my, time does fly. I'm sorry you have such a nasty commute to work, but I'd be willing to bet that you are fantastic at your job.

Tell Charlie congratulations on the weight loss! I lost 48 lbs, but I've gained back around 15 -- not good! I really need to get back on track with that.

Let's all try to keep in touch more often, OK? I miss you all!

Trina

[Bub]

Hi Girls,
okay..I know I been very very quiet, and many times I have come in and have read the posts and have wanted to post up about myself, but didnt want to depress anyone. But..its not fair to those of you who have asked about me. And I know Beth has been in and asked about me too and I feel really badly that I have not gotten in contact with her either.
So..here I am to do my update. Well..its like this. As some of you know I have 6 embryos frozen. my little eskimos as I always called them. And each year, every August, I pay the fee to have them stored for another year, until I have made a decision as to what to do.
Ive had to come to a very painful decision, which I had to make because of several reasons. I havent yet done it. But..I will in the next 2 months.
Im going to take my frozen embryos from the clinic and let them perish. Everytime I think of it, it makes me want to be overcome with grief, because as you all know too well..the scars of infertility are deep and lasting. The pain of which only people like us can understand. But there isnt an alternative for me.
Im glad that I am speaking with you all..telling you, I wish I had told you sooner, because I feel that Im telling my oldest friends who understand what it feels like.
I have an ileostomy, and Im 46 next week. My illness which nearly robbed me of my life, took a lot out of me and left me with a lot of physical problems. All of which I can cope with thats not a problem. But..and here is why I made the decision..if it was just me to think about, I would run down that clinic and have FET straight away, but there isnt just me. There is Frank also. And he doesnt want me to put myself in a position that could cause me to be ill in any way. He is terrified of that. So I cant knowingly do this to myself, have an FET. Knowing that if I did become ill, then I would have done it to myself.
I dont want anyone else to carry them for me. I know that sounds silly maybe..but its just that I cant cope with having a surrogate, emotionally cant cope with that.
I cant give my embryos away...I just cant.. its impossible for me to do that. no..I want them to be with their mother when they perish, it will be with me, and then I will put them somewhere close to me.
Im having periods now,which I didnt use to have before for a long time...and they come regular as clockwork each month. If God wanted me to be pregnant now, then he could do it. That way I would not have done it to myself..if he wants me to be pregnant in my situation then I would be. I dont give up hope on that..and never will. I still have your stone on my windowsill Roo....hope. Thank you for that, each time I look at it, it reminds me of you. And I have a little dog..that you sent me Belle, and I love him loads..he is beside my bed. Im so sorry to hear about dad and I will remember him in my prayers too.
I dont want you all to think that I am not happy, because in so many ways I am very happy. But I need some closure on my infertility. I have to do something with my embryos because I cant keep hurting each time August is coming up..I see the way Frank looks at me, and I know that I cant store them again for another year. Although Im telling you all this, Nottingham..where my embryos are..is a long way from my house, and Im not so sure that I will make that journey...maybe not even this year. I dont know. Just know that Im not sad..girls..really Im not. Its the infertility..Ive not changed my wanting for a child..and Im practically 46..and have wanted this for over 20 years now.
I wanted to answer your roll call, cos I just love you girlys sooo much as you must surely know. Roo, Belle,Regina, Trina, Nancy, Bev TX. Bev, my sweet Beth, Jolene, Cindy, Connnie, Kandi, Maite, helen mk...and so many many more. You are all my sunshines.
from across that warming up nicely sea~~~~~~~~in England
bub
xxxxxxxxxx

[fanCbeth]

Yoooo Hooooo !!

Yes, it is me
Just wanted to drop in quick to say HiYa !!
Pleas feel free to contact Regina for my update....or she is free to post from the email I sent her, if she still has it.
Mentally and emtionally I am drained and really (not to be rude) am not into typing everything out.
Just please understand I will update when I am able to......email me anytime as I check my email quite often now that Roger bought me a laptop
I love you all and miss you like crazy !!
All I ask is that you keep Roger and I's precious baby (due August 16th) in your prayers


LOVE TO ALL
*HUGZ*
Beth

BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUB.....I MISS YOU !!

[BC-Roo]

HI Beth,
I just emailed you and I am sending you lots of hugs, good thoughts and prayers.

[JoaniK]

Where do I start? It's been a long road...and sometimes when I think the end is in sight...something else happens.

Not sure how many of you remember....but this past September we lost a lot...almost everything...when our house was flooded. We lived in a hotel for 3 months while everything was cleaned and disinfected...and starting to be rebuilt. We actually had to gut the whole first floor. Our second floor has Jacob's room and a spare room...everything else is first floor and basement. We moved back home approx. 2 weeks before Christmas. And when we moved back all that was functioning was the bathroom. Of course Jacob's room was fine...and Ken and I had a mattress on the floor in the spare room. But little by little things started to take shape. We're almost done fixing the house now. All that needs finished is: the powder room, front door needs replaced, sliding glass patio door needs replaced, a couple of interior doors need hung...and a few other little odds and ends. Any other time this would seem like a lot...but considering everything..it's minor.

Then in January we had another bad rain storm. With sump pumps we were able to keep the water level in our basement to approximately 3 feet. But the brand new washer and dryer were ruined

In April I had to have a hernia repair. The hernia was discovered the day of the flood...and I lived with it until April. It was hard enough trying to make a normal family life while living under the above mentioned conditions. No way I could have done it if I would have had the surgery.

Now we find out that Ken's job is going to be done away with..just not sure when.

So enough of the bad stuff.

Jacob is almost 6 years old already (as he likes to remind me on at least a daily basis!) He graduated from pre-school last week and will be on to full day kindergarten in the fall. Though I'm excited for him...I'm sad for me. But life goes on and children grow. And it's awesome to watch him learn and grow! He is such a blessing to me!

So that is my update.

joni and Jacob...8/16/99

[bev in Texas]

Howdy Gals!,

This is bev in Texas..checking in after a long, long time away! Life is busy around here with my girls. Morgan is 4 and Mackenzie is 2. They are beautiful little girlies. Morgan is mild mannered, polite, gentle and elegant. Mackenzie is a spitfire, fiesty, spirited and the life of the party.

Mackenzie had a hard time sleeping last night (she has a cold and so do I). So, when I finally got her to sleep, I couldn't get back to sleep..so I thought I'd see if you were all still around! It was nice to catch up with you all.

I'm a sahm and trying to maintain a schedule with these little ones. Crafts and playtime and such. Somedays it's harder than the finance world that I used to belong too, but much more rewarding! I never got sweet kisses and "I wuv yous" from the corporate world!

Duane and I will celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary this year. We aren't doing anything extraordinary since our girls are a lot for my folks to handle. We hope to do an Alaskan cruise (with the girls) for our 25th! We are going to DisneyWorld next year with some of our Adoption pals.

You can see some current pics on our homepage at http://www.damonville.com The website isn't updated if you click on the links on Morgan or Mackenzie's pages on the left, but the front homepage shows a few current pics.

Bub..I think of you often since you were always such a positive soul, precious sending cards and sweet thoughts. I've often thought of your Eskimo babies and your shark bite surgery. It was good to read a current update on both your FET future and your health. Keep the faith, Sweetie!

Belle..Mackenzie wore that sweet pink shorts outfit that you sent Morgan a few years ago! So cute..thought of you when she wore it!! Sounds like Madison is a spitting image of Mommy! Fun and over the top!! Said a prayer for your dad, Hon!

Roo...my youngest loves worms and bugs and such. My Morgan isn't so fond of them! Can you believe I still have that Peace Lily? I'm the most un-green thumb gal on the planet, but the gift from you gals when we lost our last angel still lives on! Your boys sound wonderful.

Trina...wow, 48 pounds! great going! I'm working on my weight (again). so tired of hanging around this size. Our church just opened a rec center/gym, so I've been taking lots of classes (yoga, pilates and cardio). Feels great and the girls get to play with their pals while I play with mine! I've joined a volleyball league with my Sunday School class (which is comprised mostly of Barbie Dolls!!..hope I don't bump into one of them..splat!!) I'll pray for Daniel (and you) as he goes on his mission trip. That will be a forever memory for him!

Regina..busy and making a difference as usual! Way to go! I love that you love your future daughter in law (thinking positively) That is a biggie!! Glad to read that you love your work..I'm sure the patients love you too!

Joni...wow, wow..what a year! Bless you. I can see your Mommy glow when you talk about Jacob..what a blessing!

beth..

Svijie (sp?) adopting from China! How wonderful and dear to my heart! The White Swan is wonderful, you'll enjoy that! If you want to read about some adoption stories (ours and others) you can log into our website at http://www.damonville.com Click on adoption trips and read all about the experiences. Mostly China adoptions, but some other countries as well. Ours are the first two..Morgan and Mackenzie (jan 2002 and Nov 2003 travel). Give India a big hug from us. We left Morgan at home when we traveled too, personal decision, the best for our family. Which adoption agency are you using? Praise God for Stephen Curtis Chapman! Wow..he's really a great guy! Congrats on the grant!

Kary..I might check out the parenting board myself. Our youngest is a lot more challenging than our first. Maddy and Jake are beautiful!

Others...hope to pop in more often and learn more about y'all. Gotta run now, the whole household is up and wanting to play! Nephew spent the night last night.

Out and about, but will check back soon,
bev in Texas..no time to preview what I typed, sort of distracted with my "cathy chatterbox" 4 yr old! (takes after her chatty Mommy!!)