Exciting News!

It has been too long, since I have updated our blog! We do have some exciting news to share with everyone!

WE ARE ADOPTING! 

Yes, we are so excited! We have started ALL of our paperwork to start our home study soon. We have already completed our background checks - fingerprinting & all!

I have already started our portfolio that will be shared with prospective birth mothers. The portfolio is precious! We are so excited and looking forward to meeting our future baby!

Please be praying for our birth mother! She has a very hard decision ahead of her and we are praying that she knows how much we will love and cherish the baby!

Love Y'all!

Karilyn

Change of Plans

A sweet friend posted this today. This spoke to me this afternoon and I hope that it touches you as well!

When You Have a Change of Plans

Love y'all!
Karilyn

Where do we go from here?

This has been the question going through our minds for almost three weeks!

There are so many options: another IVF cycle, adoption, or just wait some time & see where we are led.

We are currently on the third option. Derek and I don't want to rush into something unless we just know that it is God's plan for our lives! Even though the first IVF cycle didn't work, I know that some day Derek and I will be parents! It will not be in April like we thought or it could be through some unknown plan!

So to answer all of your questions about what's next, we have no idea! We are just waiting on God's perfect timing and trying not to dwell on what seems like such a defeat!

Thank you to ALL of our friends and family who have loved on us through these past few weeks!!! We love y'all so much and are so grateful for the hugs, smiles and sometimes sweet surprises!!!

Love y'all!
Karilyn

Each of you have been my Lifeline!

This has been an emotional week and one that I will never forget! (I'm already crying writing this! Bless!)

I can't explain what all of the prayers either in person or from the other side of the country have meant to me! I can't believe how many people have rallied around us. God always knows what you need before you know it. I know that God knew I would need each of you for your kind words, hugs and notes of encouragement this week! God also knew that I would need to see the sweet families and students today who I have taught over the past seven years to warm my heart!

It has been a tough week, but I maybe down but I'm not out! Thank you for all of the calls, texts, Facebook messages, emails, notes and thoughtful surprises!

This is an excerpt of a sermon that a sweet friend sent me! We all have something that we are struggling with each day, so I hope this touches your life as well!

"I invite you today to look back over your own life. It is strange that we live our lives moving forward, but we understand them only when we look back.

Look back and look for those places where some small step of faith, some gentle act of love, some moment of compassion turned into a far greater blessing than anything you could have imagined at the time.

I also invite you to look back, and to look for those moments where someone’s words to you, their open arms to your trouble, or their open heart to your struggle made all the difference. Like a lifeline thrown out at just the right time, you were pulled in to a safe shore, and found again a good place to stand up.

I invite you to think of those people along the road who loved you, mentored you, stood by you at the right time – and they do not know how much difference their faith and faithfulness made in your journey. They do not know, but you know, and God knows how much more came out of that than they ever imagined.

God is always able to accomplish more than we can ask or imagine. That line saves the day for me. Because I have seen, over and over again, that it is true."

Thank you to each of you who have been my lifeline this week! You are truly a blessing!

Love y'all!
Karilyn

My heart is breaking but I know God has a plan for us!

I received the call that my bloodwork came back negative, which means that I'm not pregnant and neither of the embryos attached.

My heart hurts!!!

I know that God has a perfect plan, but it is so hard to see right now!

Love y'all!
Karilyn

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!!!!

Tomorrow morning at 7:30am, I will have blood drawn to see if I'm pregnant!!!

I don't know where to start with my emotions that I'm feeling!

Nervous,
Excited,
Petrified,
Happy,
Exhausted!!!

I'm praying so hard that my beta levels are high to show a pregnancy! Thank you to everyone today for the hugs, prayers, and support!

Love y'all!!!!
Karilyn

Love & Support!

I have always thought this, but today (and really this whole journey) has made me realize that I have the best family and friends!!! Thank you for loving on us and praying for us through this journey!

The day started off with a slight scare, but NO WORRIES! Everything is fine!!! :) My sweet family & friends sent encouraging messages and even called to check on me!

Beth was given the responsibility of another shot this morning! She did a fabulous job of taking off the cap this time!!! :)

I have felt completely exhausted today, but my sweet friends at work were such an encouragement today! All of the hugs and support mean so much! I really do work with FABULOUS PEOPLE!!!!

Then, my wonderful friend, Lindsey and her sweet little boy, Hamilton stopped by to see me! It was so good to spend time with Lindsey and Hamilton is just absolutely precious!

Thank you to everyone for all of your love and support! It has made the 12 day wait so much shorter.

My next appointment is Tuesday, August 14th at 7:30am. Pray that my blood work shows that Parker Baby or Babies are there to stay!!! I will not know the results until later in the day when my IVF Coordinator calls back with the results. Pray for peace for myself and Derek (and probably the rest of my blog readers) as we wait for the results!

Love y'all!
Karilyn