~ Our journey to parenthood ~

Matt and I knew from the moment we got married that we wanted to have a family. We did want to spend some time on our own before we set out on this journey. We never imagined how long that journey would take. Over two years ago we thought we were ready to have a child and start the next step in our lives. Unfortunately month after month went by without the news we thought would come so easily (those of you who know my sisters well, understand what I am talking about).
We were very lucky to find out early on that we had fertility issues. It was very hard to swallow and put our minds around. We kept this to ourselves for quite a while hoping that a miracle might happen for us and we could surprise our families with the news we hoped and prayed for so badly. As things progressed and things became more difficult to deal with on our own, we revealed our fertility issues to all of our family and friends. We never realized how much we would need them over the course of the next year or so. They became our best supporters and what I refer to as our prayer circle!
We started with the "cheap" version of fertility assistance...IUI. Three attempts later, we still had no success. After this, we knew we would hear the words we so badly hoped we wouldn't....In-Vitro Fertilization. Fortunately we were referred to a world renown doctor and started our process right away. With the support of our family and friends and most importantly our faith in God we pushed on and started our Mini-IVF treatment in March. By May we found out that our first attempt was unsuccesful. That day was a day we'll never forget. It definitely made us realize how much we really wanted a baby. The loss was huge but our faith pulled us through and we never gave up. God definitely tested our patience and helped us grow as people and as husband and wife. We were reminded that day and many days following how lucky we were to be going through this together.
We immediately wanted to know when we could try again. We truly believed that God would take care of us and provide us with a child and family. In late August we started conventional in-vitro treatments. Our emotions were high but we definitely felt confident. The morning we were to find out if the procedure was successful or not was excrutiating...I think I cried the whole way to the hospital and multiple times throughout the next few hours. When I called our doctor to get the results and found out that YES, we were pregnant, the uncontrollable sobbing began and I was speechless. Matt thought we got bad news. I could barely form the words "YES" to him as I sobbed and sobbed. What an amazing day!
We truly believed that God was in control the entire time. He knew what was best for us. Some day I will understand why we had to wait and go through such an emotional journey to start a family. All I know is I will not stop thanking him the rest of my life. I am already overjoyed and completely happy.
I want to thank all of you for your prayers and support throughout the past two years. It has been amazing! God is so powerful and it is amazing the number of people he had working for us through personal prayers, church prayer chains, phonecalls, cards, etc. God bless each of you for caring so much for us!