Well here it goes.  We had a failed IVF cycle in March.  I was so excited about my weight loss and then I GAIN a ton of weight in the aftermath.  I'd like to blame it on the hormones (it seems everyone else does) but I know that isn't the whole story.  I went in yesterday for a follow up Sonohysterogram.  It was PAINFUL, but some of my previous problems have been resolved.  YAY!

I've picked up a job.  Actually it fell in my lap, and I'm so grateful.  I think it will be a wonderful fit.

We're traveling this summer.  Plus I'm trying to convince J he wants to go camping with me.  Maybe I should just plan a long weekend and surprise him...

We are going to be a one car family for the first time ever.  It's weird to say that out loud.  We've been so blessed to have 2 cars.  And really, we are so blessed to own both outright.  It allows us the freedom to make this choice.

And choices are everything.

fertility: I Swim For Better Days

"I swim for better days, Despite the absence of sun

Chocking on salt water, I'm not giving in

I swim"

"Just find the horizon

I promise it's not as far as you think."

Weight Loss

It's been slow.  I plateaued in January.  I also gave myself some time to grieve our canceled IVF.  BUT I am at a total weight loss of 19 lbs! Yay!  I am straddling the BMI overweight/obese line and I am so excited to leave the obese range forever!

fertility: Ovarian Resistance

Our January IVF was canceled on day 9 and I was diagnosed with Ovarian Resistance.  Ovarian Resistance has been known as Premature Ovarian Failure (POF) and Early Menopause. 


"Premature ovarian failure occurs when your ovaries-which store and release eggs-stop working before age 40. You may have no or few eggs. " Web MD I have few eggs.


How common is this?  Web MD says 1-4% American women are diagnosed with POF.

Is there anything we can do?  No, there is no cure or treatment. 10% of Women with POF will conceive naturally once after their body goes into POF.  

We are hoping to do one more cycle of traditional IVF.  Then we are hoping to adopt. 

I'm sure the Lord has a plan for us.  We are trying to listen for what that is.  This is something so completely out of our control.  There isn't much we can do except "Let It Be."

food: Fruit Filled Cookies

Let's be honest, I'm writing this post because I couldn't pin these cookies from their original location to Pinterest (no picture). And yes they are just that good!  A bakery I worked for made raisin filled cookies.  They were perfect.  Crisp flaky cookie crust with yummy spiced raisin insides.  I've been craving these raisin filled cookies.  

Last Sunday I made Million Dollar Cookies (which weren't that good) AND they sent me into a downward carb spiral.  No GOOD!  This week I made this: 

SUGAR Free, Fruit Filled Cookies.  YUM!  

Recipe adapted from here

PASTRY:

1C flour
1/2 C Crisco shortening
1/4 C sour cream
4 oz. cream cheese
1/8 TSP salt

1/4 TSP Agave Syrup (optional)

Zest of 1 lemon

FILLING:

8 oz. dried fruit (we did cherries but apricots and raisins would be really good too!) 
1/3 c. water

Filling: Cook fruit over low heat in water until thick. Let cool. While you prepare the cookie dough.

Blend cream cheese, sour cream, shortening and agave syrup. Add flour and salt; mix well. Blend in lemon zest.  Set in refrigerator until firm (30 minutes). Roll out the dough. Use a circle cookie cuter to cut out 80 circles (I know it's a lot). Line the pan with parchment and lay out 20 cookies.  Place a small dollop of filling in the center of each cookie (like 2 cherries small). Place another cookie on top.  Seal the two cookies together with fork along the outside.  Pierce the center of each cookie to let steam escape during cooking.   Bake at 375 degrees for 10 minutes or until top is brown.

Yield: 40 cookies

IVF Canceled

Our IVF cycle was canceled on day 9.  My overies just don't respond to the drugs and my eggs weren't maturing.

Weight Loss

I started exercising and eating better (less carbs more veggies) the END of September.  So far I've lost 15 lbs.  That is 7% of my body weight.  YAY!  Today I weight 5 lbs less then I did this time last year.  (yes that means I gained 10 lbs last year).  I haven't been perfect, November and December weren't great dieting months.  Even still I have had steady loss of 1 pound a week!!!!

fun: Pampered Chef Party

*We won't close the show until the end of January.  IF you decide to order that is when your CC will be charged.

I know what all of you who are far away are thinking, BUT this is a catalog party and you can order online and have it shipped to you!  How great is that?!  Here is a link to my super cool consultant's page.  All you have to do is enter my name and SHOP!

I wanted to share some of my favorite, affordable, can't live without, Pampered Chef products.

  

Can Strainer $5.00

It is great for all kinds of foods.  I need a second one because it is ALWAYS in my dishwasher.  I use it most on olives, tuna, and beans.  If you get only ONE item I'd recommend this one.

Mix and Chop $10.50

This is great for mashed potatoes, ground meat, making guacamole... anything really!  I just got this at my last pampered chef party and I AM IN LOVE!  How did I live so long without it?

Mini Spatula $5.50

This little spatula is just the right size for getting brownies out of the pan and cookies off the cookie sheet.   It is the ultimate dessert spatula.

Microplane $27.00

I really love this microplane.  It has a guard on it and it folds up small for my TINY kitchen.  I love that it can stand on it's own so I can grate hard cheeses like Parm.  It's also great for ginger, garlic and zesting fruits. 

Small Spreader $5.50 and Large Spreader $9.50

This is something I use anytime I need something smooth.  I uses this for frosting cakes and cup cakes and  this makes 7 layer bean dip a breeze to make (shhhhh).

Small $14.50 Medium $15.50 Large $16.50 Scoops

I have all three.  I use them all the time for cookies, muffins, chicken salad sandwiches, and pancakes.

And if you made it to the end of this post I'll tell you a secret.  Order with a friend and split the shipping!!  

Craft: Christmas Ornaments

I have done so much Christmas crafting this season, but by far my favorite are these bird ornaments. I was inspired by two sites. First Charcoal and Crayons post about Scrappy Sparrows (download and use the template), and Second Sister's Little Cher Ami post.

I found sheet music for "I Know My Redeemer Lives"  at the thrift store and used it to create these birdies.  I loved finding my favorite phrases and showcasing them on my tree.

Just a little catch up.   Things for us are pretty mellow.  

IVF

Our December cycle was also canceled.  Although not the news we were hoping for, it is not devistating.  I've been focusing on having the healthiest body I can so, hopefully, we can have a healthy pregnancy.  This cycle, some of my numbers were high, and that brought adoption back into the picture.  We'll have to see what happens.  Surprisingly, I'm  not stressing over this.  It has been a long, hard road and I know that there are blessings in store, no matter which way we go.  

Other News

Ok there really isn't other news.  I've been keeping busy watching friends' children and Christmas crafting.  We had a quiet Thanksgiving with Holy, Grace, and Garrison (aka G and Little G's family).  We are so blessed with their friendship and love.  The twins turned 2 this month and sadly we missed them on their birthday.  

Christmas shopping is DONE and all our presents have been mailed.  YAY!  I'm just enjoying my time with friends this Christmas season.  J is busy: work is stressful, church and other meetings take up a couple of nights a week, and the scouts have monthly trips.   I feel like we have 3 good evenings a week and I'm happy with it.  

To our family and friends, I hope this Christmas season finds you well and happy!