OUR STORY....... Touching Lives.........

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When one of my Pastors told me some time ago, that my struggles will one day help others, I did believe him, but I had no idea to what degree.

I wrote in a post recently, how a friend, in a telephone conversation acknowledged us for a fight well fought. She was speaking about our Infertility struggles and how we came out of it with two beautiful children.

I am happy to report that the acknowledgements continue to come in. The other day my husband ran into a former teacher of his, and when the conversation turned to his family life, he mentioned that he had great struggles to have children, but after approximately a decade long of struggling, he now has two. His former teacher was so taken by this and remarked how incredible it was that we held out hope for so long, as he knows of cases where people have simply given up after struggling for a much shorter time. He then asked of my husband, “Can I use your story?.”

On another recent occasion, a Church sister asked my permission to hold our daughter, shortly afterwards, I heard her said, You and your husband’s story is a testament to the fact that where there is faith, God  keeps his promise. I was at a lost for words and was deeply moved. I did write in the first post of my ‘Grateful Wednesday’ segment that I am grateful for my infertility struggles and this is one of the many reasons.

Let me not hesitate then, to use this opportunity to encourage those of you who are facing challenges in your lives. Though you are probably not at the point where you can see the good in your situations (Yes, I can attest to the fact that there is, most times, some good in your struggles), just hang in there and remain expectant because sooner or later, it will be revealed to you. In the mean time though, ask yourself, what is this struggle teaching me and in what way will this knowledge make me a better person to the point where I can even use it to help others.

BE ENCOURAGED, THEREFORE.





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'GRATEFUL WEDNESDAYS' POST 3 - JUST SO YOU KNOW

As a people, we are very ambitious and this is good, there is however a downside to this. We can lose
our selves in pursuing self-advancement; a bigger degree for that bigger salary, a bigger house, a newer car, and find ourselves wondering, why am I not happy, why does my life feel so dull. The thing is, we forget to be thankful for the little things that we already have, without which, our lives would not mean much. Our relationships, our health, our faith, our freedom, I could go on.


There are times in my life when I feel I could have achieved more in certain areas, and as a result I beat upon myself and take on a 'woe is me' attitude. Thankfully, I am soon reminded that less I be accused of being ungrateful, I do have things to be thankful for.


In my pursuit to become a more thankful and happier person, in general then, I am urged to add a new posting feature to my blog, a segment dedicated to being thankful, which I have decided to call ‘GRATEFUL WEDNESDAYS', where I will post all the things in my life that I am thankful for, regardless of how small.

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Post 3

Today, I am grateful for my precious family. What would my life be without you? What would my children's life be without cousins to interact with, without grandparents to spoil them and without kind aunts and uncles to love and dote on them, which at times helps so much when our resources come up short.

We do not always see eye to eye but we continue to touch and enrich each others lives even though some of us are afar. 

When everything around us change, our family is the only constant because nothing can change the fact that their is a common chord that binds us.

I love you family, each and everyone and thanks for the unique way in which each of you touch my life.





N.B. I am not dying, just sending you flowers while you can appreciate it, not when you can't.

“Study tests new IVF Device”

There is more good news for persons considering Invitro-Fertilization as the option to have children. A recent study is evaluating a new way of incubating fertilised embryos. This process is geared at decreasing the environmental stresses involved in this process, thus increasing the embryos chances of survival and resulting in more successful pregnancies.

For more on this, follow the link below:-

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/03march/Pages/ivf-isolator-improves-embryo-selection.aspx

From the article

"In conventional systems, the embryos had to be transferred between different devices to perform all the various stages of IVF treatment, but the new system allows a range of functions to be performed in a single sealed unit that regulates the temperature and quality of the air around them. This research found that in the conventional system 30% of embryos successfully developed to the ‘blastocyst stage’, which is seen five or six days after fertilisation, compared with 40% in the new system. The new system was also associated with an increase in clinical pregnancy rates during the period that it was introduced."

Post image by: http://www.fmverbumdei.com/familia/images/stories/formation/IVF.jpg

TWO SPECIAL ANNIVERSARIES..........

'Wowee,' Happy 5th Birthday to our darling son, its like it was just yesterday.

On this day, 5 years ago, you came into our lives and have added so much. Your joyful laughter, and infectious smile makes life that much better, especially on some  of those challenging days.

There is hardly a day when you do not remind us that, as parents, we have to be the best that we can be at all times, because there are blank canvases of special, innocent lives, that have been entrusted to us, which we have to create beautiful pictures of.

We love you, big guy  and cannot imagine our lives without you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                               
                     

On this day, 5 years ago, while we welcomed our son, the mother of a dear friend slipped away from this earthly life, to be with her Lord and it is my pleasure to use this space today as well, in memory of her.

"Your life is full of kindly deeds, a helping hand to all in need, sincere and true in heart and mind, a memory sweet you left behind. The pain still hurts, the memories are still clear, we wish in our hearts you were still here. You are not just a memory, or part of the past, you will be loved and missed as long as life lasts."  Author unknown

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http://crooksandliars.com/files/vfs/2011/12/in-memoriam.jpg  http://crooksandliars.com/files/vfs/2011/12/in-memoriam.jpg
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LIGHT MOMENT FRIDAYS FEATURE - 38 - Oh Pop

Little Johnny is way ahead of himself. Had to borrow this one.......enjoy!!!!!!

Oh Pop

A father asked his son, Little Johnny, if he knew about the birds and the bees."I don't want to know!" Little Johnny said, exploding and bursting into tears.Confused, his father asked Little Johnny what was wrong. "Oh Pop," Johnny sobbed, "for me there was no Santa Claus at age six, no Easter Bunny at seven, and no Tooth Fairy at eight. And if you're telling me now that grownups don’t really have sex, I've got nothing left to believe in!"

'GRATEFUL WEDNESDAYS' - POST 2 - "All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above ....................."

As a people, we are very ambitious and this is good, there is however a downside to this. We can lose our selves in pursuing self-advancement; a bigger degree for that bigger salary, a bigger house, a newer car, and find ourselves wondering, why am I not happy, why does my life feel so dull. The thing is, we forget to be thankful for the little things that we already have, without which, our lives would not mean much. Our relationships, our health, our faith, our freedom, I could go on.


There are times in my life when I feel I could have achieved more in certain areas, and as a result I beat upon myself and take on a 'woe is me' attitude. Thankfully, I am soon reminded that less I be accused of being ungrateful, I do have things to be thankful for.


In my pursuit to become a more thankful and happier person, in general then, I am urged to add a new posting feature to my blog, a segment dedicated to being thankful, which I have decided to call ‘GRATEFUL WEDNESDAYS', where I will post all the things in my life that I am thankful for, regardless of how small. 

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POST 2

Today we took the baby for a doctor's appointment and decided to just stay out until it was time to pick up our son. We grab a bite to eat and still had time, so we went to one of our popular spots for hanging out.

As we sat on one of the park benches, there was a cool, strong but welcomed wind (as the summer heat is certainly on) blowing   The baby sat on my lap sleeping and I thought to myself, this is really a great way to pass some time. My husband remarked almost immediately, "it is funny, we can hardly find time any more to do things like this. I instantly agreed, thinking how we have become a people so busy and stuck in survival mode.

I felt so grateful that we could afford the time today to just enjoy some of the good gifts that God has afforded us by way of His beautiful creation.

FOR THIS I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL

“Safe, Effective, and Inexpensive Way of Identifying Healthy Eggs For IVF”

Many couples who have resorted to IVF to have a family, have to deal with a gruelling wait to find out if they have achieved a successful pregnancy, after implantation of their embryos. This is because only a few eggs per IVF treatment cycle are able to produce a pregnancy as many eggs have the wrong number of chromosomes. If the egg is missing a chromosome or has an extra chromosome it is said to be abnormal. This problem exists in older women.

There is great news which could help alleviate some of this anxiety as according to Medical News today, a new study performed by Yale School of medicine researchers, have identified the chromosomal make up of an egg. This new discovery may soon make it possible to avoid using abnormal eggs and instead use healthier eggs that would result in a higher success rate of pregnancy.

Read more by following the link below:-

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/246138.php







http://cdn.hivehealthmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/in-vitro-fertilization.jpg
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LIGHT MOMENT FRIDAYS - FEATURE 38 - Emergency Room Humour

Emergency Room Humour

A doctor examining a woman who had been rushed to the Emergency Room took the husband aside and said, "I don't like the looks of your wife at all."

"Me neither, Doc," said the husband. "But she's a great cook and really good with the kids."

Source: Sustain Jamaica Sunday Humour

              Like them on facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/sustain.jamaica

As a people, we are very ambitious and this is good, there is however a downside to this. We can lose our selves in pursuing self-advancement; a bigger degree for that bigger salary, a bigger house, a newer car, and find ourselves wondering, why am I not happy, why does my life feel so dull. The thing is we forget to be thankful for the little things that we already have, without which, our lives would not mean much. Our relationships, our health, our faith, our freedom, I could go on.


There are times in my life when I feel I could have achieved more in certain areas, and as a result I beat upon myself and take on a woe is me attitude. Thankfully, I am soon reminded that less I be accused of being ungrateful, I do have things to be thankful for.


In my pursuit to become a more thankful and happier person, in general then, I am urged to add a new posting feature to my blog, a segment dedicated to being thankful, which I have decided to call ‘GRATEFUL WEDNESDAYS', where I will post all the things in my life that I am thankful for, regardless of how small. 

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I choose to begin this segment by being thankful for my Infertility Struggles. Yes, you read right. I am grateful for my struggles with  infertility because without it, I would not be the person I am today, a more patient, empathetic and less judgemental person. 

I remember when I was at the darkest in my infertility struggles, one of my Pastors who from time to time checked on me to see how I was doing, mentioned that my struggles would one day help others. My struggles took on new meaning as helping others became my goal, which gave me added strength to come out of these struggles victorious. Finally a Mom became a reality approx. 2 years after our son was born and I am satisfied that its purpose is being achieved, as I am seeing the fruits of my labour.

FOR THIS I AM FOREVER GRATEFUL






Feel free to join me in this effort and Post things that you too, are thankful for.

GETTING PREGNANT WHILE BREASTFEEDING

Have you ever heard that a woman cannot get pregnant while she is breastfeeding, I have. Well, this is really not so at all, as pop star Britney Spears and actress Tori Spelling can tell you. Britney Spears became pregnant again in 2006, just three months after giving birth to her first son. Tori Spelling became pregnant recently in about the same time frame as Britney, with what will be her fourth child.

"Yes. In general, you're less fertile, but not infertile, while breastfeeding. Although you may not menstruate for months after giving birth, your body usually releases its first postpartum egg before you get your first period. So you won't know you've ovulated until two weeks later — when you menstruate."  according to article courtesy of baby Center.

Check the link below for more on this:-

http://www.babycenter.com/404_can-i-get-pregnant-while-breastfeeding_7093.bc

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ65G4haY-VwXAPav-iXQ8jdAF7iOr_1Lyp5rfpWrLXYxClGiGUQlED5wmd

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LIGHT MOMENT FRIDAYS - FEATURE 37 - HUMAN RESOURCE POLICIES

This is so funny, I had to borrow it.........

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

      Company Policy:

      Effective: MAY 2012

      Dress Code

      It is advised that you come to work dressed according to your
salary. If we see you wearing Prada shoes and carrying a Gucci bag, we
assume you are doing well financially and therefore do not need a raise.

If you dress poorly, you need to learn to manage your money better, so
that you may buy nicer clothes, and therefore you do not need a raise.

If you dress just right, you are right where you need to be and
therefore you do not need a raise.

      Sick Days

We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If
you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

      Personal Days

Each employee will receive 104 personal days a year. They are called
"Saturday & Sunday".

      Bereavement Leave

This is no excuse for missing work. There is nothing you can do for dead
friends, relatives or co-workers. Every effort should be made to have
non-employees attend to the arrangements. In rare cases where employee
involvement is necessary, the funeral should be scheduled in the late
afternoon. We will be glad to allow you to work through your lunch hour
and subsequently leave one hour early.

      Toilet Use

Entirely too much time is being spent in the toilet. There is now a
strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three
minutes, an alarm will sound; the toilet paper roll will retract, the
stall door will open, and a picture will be taken. After your second
offense, your picture will be posted on the company bulletin board under
the "Chronic Offenders category". Anyone caught smiling in the picture
will be sanctioned under the company's mental health policy.

      Lunch Break

Skinny people get 30 minutes for lunch, as they need to eat more, so
that they can look healthy. Normal size people get 15 minutes for lunch
to get a balanced meal to maintain their average figure. Chubby people
get 5 minutes for lunch, because that's all the time needed to drink a
Slim-Fast.

Thank you for your loyalty to our company. We are here to provide a
positive employment experience. Therefore, all questions, comments,
concerns, complaints, frustrations, irritations, aggravations,
insinuations, allegations, accusations, contemplations, consternation
and input should be directed elsewhere.

I thought everybody could use a good laugh!!  LOL PEOPLE