Keepin’ It Real Rewinds 07
Question from readers: “Will you keep writing more REWINDS?”
Answer: Since you’re still reading, I’ll keep writing. After all, there’s much more to be told. I wouldn’t leave you hanging forever without closure, now would I?
Before I begin I must get this off my chest…
I have been completely humbled and blessed by “meeting” many of you who are walking this bumpy, beaten path of infertility. I am grateful that you have found us and that I have been able to share a piece of my heart with you. As my Rewinds take a turn from “empty womb” to “maxed out womb”, please know that I’m not leaving you behind. I’ve kept your emails and comments and I continue to pray for God’s grace in your lives. I long for you each to seek God’s mercy, guidance, peace, and sovereignty, as you face these uncertain times. Throughout your grief, pain, and hopefully future celebrations, I hope you consider me a friend in your journey.
Okay on to the “maxed out womb” part…
After the dream-like phone call with our nurse, we were giddy to tell our parents our long awaited news. We wanted to keep it a bit of a secret between close family until our first ultrasound, since I was at higher risk for miscarriage due to my PCOS. We met my parents halfway for lunch to share the news, and then with Brad’s parents the next day.
We wanted a creative way to tell our parents. We surprised my parents by throwing in a picture of the BFP (Big Fat Positive) test that I had taken hours earlier in with other recent pictures we had taken. Here’s a picture outside of good ole Pizza Hut shortly after breaking the news to my parents:
For Brad’s parents we took pictures of me “pseudo-pregnant”. (Can you guess the item used to make my fake belly?) Not exactly realistic, but they got the message!
It was sooooo amazing to see our parents faces light up in excitement for us. A moment not to be forgotten.
Here’s what I really looked like on July 21, 2006, wearing clothes that I thought I would be able to wear the entire pregnancy (insert chuckles). This was my official 4 week belly shot.
Not to leave the father out, here’s a picture of my man posing with a book from a section of Barnes and Noble that we could finally check out: “Parenting and Family”:
But this, my friends, was only the beginning….
I love reading your “rewinds!” I can’t wait for the next one! Don’t keep us in suspense too long!
I enjoy reading your rewinds, as well. I love it especially since we know how the story ends…I’ve never had to deal w/fertility issues, but I know so many people do, and my heart goes out to them. It is such a hard thing…
Love the pseudo pregnant photo… 🙂
Jen,
You and your family are so touched by God. Your love for our Father comes through in your words, your pictures and the way your boys have grown. Thanks so much for sharing so much of your lives for the rest of us. God Bless you, Brad and your fabulous four!
Thank you for sharing your story with us AND also for being so sensitive, caring, and prayerful for those of us who are infertile. I am brought to tears by your loving words!
jen- just wanted to say how much i enjoy reading your rewinds….i feel like it fills in the gaps (somewhat) since our time at butler! even though we aren’t in touch often, i do feel like reading your blog keeps us friends!
thanks for sharing!!!
love, emily 🙂
I love reading your rewinds. I really like knowing how the story ends, but it is still so exciting to see the story unfold 🙂
I love the rewinds!! I especially love that you have faith that brought you through and that you can be an inspiration and hope to many women out there. I’ve sent a couple of my friends struggling with fertility to your blog and they’ve been blessed. Thank you!
You are so good at keeping me in suspense!!!!
Veronica in CA
p.s. cute pic of Brad with the book. I got that for my husband the day we found out we were pregnant, too.
Jen,
Your candor in sharing this private part of your life is refreshing. I can’t imagine how difficult the infertility was…but, I’m thankful that it all ended just the way it did–with the reward of those four sweet boys!
Thank you for sharing all of this; it has been so wonderful to read, and God has been glorified in each and every post.
Keep ’em coming!
I enjoy reading these so much.
I just love your “rewind” stories! I’m so glad you are going to keep them coming! I love the “fake” preggo pic..too funny!
I cant wait to read more!!
you’re leaving me hanging! aargh. i need the rest of the story =]
Hi Jen,
I just wanted to say hello! Amanda and I were just talking about you! She was over visiting hte boys. I think she found your site through mind and now frequents it!
Jess
I enjoy your blog and your rewinds. I’ve been reading since I was on bedrest with twins last summer. You have a way with words that keeps me coming back for more (not to mention those 5 gorgeous men in your life).
susanb573.easyjournal.com
Yeah… love those rewinds!!! I wasnt dare gonna bug you to hurry into the getting one going, knowing 4 little ones gotta keep you on the go. I watched my two nephews the other day, (1&1 1/2), my goodness…how did you do that with 4? Now I know I trully mean it when I tell you God gave quads to a very unique couple. You rock!!
Again, I give God all the praise and glory for sustaining you with the necessary grace and strength to endure the parenting job x 4. I love that you share with us the journey that not many trod. We see the struggles and trials you have had to endure… and during those times you reached out to God and leaned on Him when disappointments and heartaches overwhelmed you. And all because you leaned on Him through all this, along comes those 4 little turkeys. I trully believe God is using your family to reach out…and Im trully blessed to be one of those. Thank you for sharing your blessings with us. I type this with a lump in my throat, Im always amazed at God's faithfulness and miracles!!
Enjoy the Holidays!!! Praying everyone stays healthy!
Love, Heidi Carrico
PS Brad, thanks for replying back to my question in the previous entry. I actually forgot I left a question int he comment section. Crazy ole 30 something me!!
Dear Jen and Brad,
Thanks for praying for all of us who are dealing with infertility in each of own journeys.
God bless you!
Thanks for the rewind. As a fellow PCOS-er I can identify and I so enjoy watching your boys. My own son is 22 months old which leaves me astoniched that you have four. Like a previous poster said, it is evident that God is in your life!