Long Time No Blog

I feel like I have abandoned the ole blog. Sorry for the very long hiatus. Just a little update:

We moved into a new house, I have a new job (been there for almost a year), and we are trying to have a baby. The first two speak for themselves, but I am thinking that I might want to talk about the news on the baby front.

In November 2012, Ben and I decided we wanted to try to have a baby. After all, we have been married for 5 years and been together for a total of 15 years. It was time. Four months went by and no positive pregnancy test. I had used ovulation predictor tests and they showed I was ovulating. Still nothing. All of a sudden after having regular cycles, everything changed. I went to my OBGYN and he ran some tests and confirmed that I had low progesterone and didn't ovulate. He started me on a fertility cocktail of Clomid, Premarin, and Progesterone. I took the 1st cocktail and no baby. I am about to start the 2nd round. Even though I took the cocktail at night, I still had every side effect known to man. I even had to apologize for my moodiness and attitude several times. If they only new what I was going through.

Ben and I decided that we would talk about our struggles with trying to conceive. We want everyone to pray for God to bless us with a child of our own. Having issues with trying to conceive is nothing to be embarrassed about, it's just the road we were sent down. We intend to go as far as the road will go. We haven't ruled out adoption, but we want to try for as long as my body will allow for a biological child.

It is devastating to go into the doctor's office and see all of these pregnant ladies. I long for a child so bad. I feel like we are financially stable, are good people, and would provide the loving and nurturing home a child deserves. Don't get me wrong, I am sooooo happy for my friends who announce they are pregnant. I am also jealous because I want what they have. If my friend's complain of nausea, back aches, etc. I can't help but think, I would give anything to be in your shoes. I would gladly be nauseous, have a back ache, get huge. God has a plan for Ben and I. We can't wait to see what He has in store.

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

I was never really one to send Christmas cards mostly because I get so overwhelmed by holidays because they are crazy. Last year I sent out our first Christmas cards in the four years Ben and I have been married.

Shutterfly is my new go to site for all of our Christmas card needs! They have Christmas cards, greeting cards, holiday cards, Christmas photo cards, calendars, and gifts.

These are a couple of ideas I am tossing around…



I can’t wait to take the picture/pictures for our card and get them in!

I love receiving Christmas cards and love receiving them. It always brings a smile to my face when I go to my mailbox and I have a new card to open. This makes me very happy to endorse Shutterfly!

Are you a blogger and want 25 free Christmas cards? Go here.

SUYL-Side Dishes

Linking up with Kelly for SUYL Side Dishes. My husband likes all sorts of food, but we have some staples at our house.

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

1lb of Finglerling Potatoes (the ones I get have purple potatoes in it)
3-4 tblsp of GOOD Olive oil
6 whole, peeled garlic cloves
3 stems of fresh rosemary
3 stems of fresh sage
6 stems of fresh thyme
Onion Salt
Pepper

Preheat oven to 500 degrees. Wash and chop up potatoes into bite size pieces. Mix all incredients in a bowl until everything is coated well with olive oil. Pour and spread on baking sheet (you made need 2). Place in oven and decrease oven temperature to 400 degrees. After 15 minutes, shake pans and leave for another 7-15 minutes. VERY GOOD! Recipe easily doubles.

Enjoy,
April

SUYL- What do you make?

I make wreaths! For any occasion! Christmas, Easter, any season, football, etc.










I know all of these are Christmas, but I am blogging from my phone and don't have any other photos on here. Sad:(.

Any ways I have done gorgeous ones for Church doors with beaded crosses, Ole Miss themes, baby, etc!

I just love decorating in general!

If you would like one, email me and we'll work it out.




A diaper cake for my Colt (my nephew's baby shower)

Just something for you to smile at.....


Gadget Ann just insisted on me taking her picture!

April

27 Years with a Congenital Heart Defect

Linking up with Kelly today over at Kelly's Corner! (By the way this is a great way for support, knowing that you are not alone in your journey.)

In March 1984, little did my parents know that their seemingly healthy baby girl was about to turn their lives upside down. I was born between 7-8 a.m. via c-section, I can't remember the time off hand. I was pink and screaming my head off (at least that's what my mom says). 2 days after my birth my parents were informed that I had a heart murmur. I was in Meridian, MS where at the time we didn't have a cardiologist. All of my sats were fine. I was immediately whisked away to UAB in Birmingham, AL to Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Bargeron (my original doctor who has since passed) was the most well respected doctor in his field. After all, he did perform the very first open heart surgery on an infant. After a couple weeks in ICU it was determined that I have Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries.

To learn more CLICK HERE.

I had a heart catherization and it was determined that the defect corrected itself! This was a blessing seeing as though my parents were prepared for the worst. The Catherization also determined that I had several holes in my heart, but Dr. Bargeron was confident that these holes would close on their own. It was also determined during my extended hospital stay that I was born without a spleen. I was then put on penicillin for the next 6 months of my life. At which time it was determined that I had in fact formed/grew a spleen. (Crazy, I know) Currently, I still go to my pediatric cardiologist (Dr. Edward Colvin, Dr. Bargeron's student) and he said that I could go to him or someone in the practice for the rest of my life.

Fast forward.....I grew up playing sports. I was an avid softball and soccer player. I played on tournament teams for both sports. In high school I played slow pitch softball, fast-pitch softball, and soccer. I was all-state for all three sports. While maintaining a 4.0 GPA. I graduated and went to Ole Miss and graduated with a 3.5 GPA (I was on the 5 year plan). Now I am married and we are looking to expand our family.

I know everyone is wondering about the side effects or what can I expect for years to come. Well, I was told to be on the lookout for shortness of breath, spells where I pass out, rhythm changes. Long-term, I might have to have a pacemaker. On the Baby front, I can have children. Of course me and the baby will have to be monitored by my cardiologist. There is a 20-30% chance that my child will be born with a heart defect. Of course all of the necessary precautions will be taken so that me and my baby will be healthy and happy. If anything were to happen, I know that God would not give me and my husband more than we could handle.

The picture above is a bachelorette party on the Ocoee!

Thanks for stopping in!

April

Show Us Your Life....Desserts!!!

Chocolate, Brownie, Heath Bar, Strawberry Trifle

2 Box's Chocolate Instant Pudding (made as directed on box)
1 Bag Heath Bar Bits (in baking isle)
1 Box Walnut Brownies (made as directed on box)
1 Tub of Cool Whip
1 pint of halved strawberries (optional)

Layer brownies, pudding, heath bar, cool whip, strawberries, and repeat until all used. Should end with strawberries on top. Then put in refrigerator to cool 1-2 hours (optional)

This is very quick and easy to make. It's a favorite everywhere we go.

Red Beans and Rice

2 Cans Dark Red Kidney Beans (1 drained, the other not)
1 box of Chicken Stock (low fat low sodium kind)
1 Green Bell Pepper (diced)
1 Yellow Onion (diced)
3 Celery Stalks (chopped)
1 can diced tomatoes (drained)
4 Garlic cloves (diced)
1/2 tsp of cumin
4 Bay Leaves
Pinch of crushed red pepper
8 Shakes of Tobasco
Salt and Pepper to taste
4 shakes of ground thyme
3 Tbsp of Olive Oil
1 lb of Conecuh Smoked Sausage or your favorite smoked sausage (chopped and cooked in skillet)
Mahatma Rice (2-3 cups)

Heat oil in Medium size stock pot. Add celery first, cook for 3 minutes. Then add onions, bell pepper and garlic. Cook until soft about 6-8 minutes. Then add 2 cups of chicken stock. Mix well. Then add the rest of the ingredients EXCEPT RICE. Adding more chicken stock as needed. The mixture SHOULD NOT be VERY thiCk. It should be medium thick (like gravy). Turn heat down to low and simmer 30 minutes.

Make Rice as directed on package.

This generaly feeds 4 comfortably. Takes around 45 minutes to make. One of the husband's favorite dishes!