Moving Forward

It has been almost a week since we heard the devastating news that IVF did not work.  I am so happy that I have such an amazing God so that I don't have to travel this journey in darkness.  Because of Him I know that this is not the end.  Because of Him I am not living in darkness after learning the news.  Because of His love I am given strength, comfort, and clarity.  Though I do not have all the "why" answers I cannot imagine going through something like this without Him.  He knows the bigger picture.  His plan is bigger than mine will ever be!  I have always been praying that this IVF journey was His plan!  I prayed that I would be on His path he as for my family and I.  I know that God answers all prayers!  We felt His presence and saw his answered prayers through each step of the way!  The IVF expenses were much lower than we were originally quoted.  Each appointment I heard nothing but "everything is perfect."  At the egg retrieval we got 13 eggs.  From that point I prayed for the perfect amount!  I prayed that we would be given the perfect amount of embryos!  I didn't know what the perfect amount would be.  We prayed and prayed and prayed and God gave us 5 very good quality embryos.  The doctor said she has never seen this good of quality of embryos before...  let alone FIVE!  Was five really the perfect amount???  If 5 babies was what God intended and 5 was the perfect amount then that is what it would be!  We continued to pray as 2 embryos were transferred.  We prayed for God's plan that it would still be this path.  God DOES answer prayer!  His answer may not always align with what our plan is but he does answer prayer.  God has told us that 5 was not the perfect amount.  It is not time yet.  This week as I fell into darkness on Monday I felt his hand reach down and pull me out.  He has surrounded me with so many wonderful people who love and care for me and my family!  We have received countless messages of encouragement and Jinae and Beth provided a couple meals for us as we gathered our emotions.  Austin has been so awesome. He was so sweet and told me that I don't need to be sad but that it is ok to cry if I want to.  He would ask me if I am doing ok.  He would hold my hand and sit on my lap and give me hugs.  I have continued to pray and while I don't know what the bigger plan is, I have comfort in knowing that He does and whatever that will be I will follow!

We still have 3 very good quality embryos just waiting to get their chance!  Perhaps 3 was the perfect amount?  I don't know.  But I will pray about it and trust in God and His plan.

So moving forward:
Ryan and I have an appointment on March 3rd to talk to the doctor about our options as we move forward.  She will talk to us about FET, Frozen Embryo Transfer.  It is a procedure that costs much less.  ($2200) The medicine for FET is a lot less as well as I won't need to have nearly as much.  My body won't have to go through as much with FET since they don't need to retrieve any eggs.  I don't know when we will do FET but I know that God will lead us to His path for us!

Thank you for continuing to pray for us!    

Walk by Faith

It is with a heavy heart to inform you all that IVF was not successful. Heartbroken has been my word of the day but instead I will use FAITH. It is with faith that I will find peace and comfort. It is with faith that I can continue to smile.  I have faith in God's plan.  My faith has been tested but I have not fallen. I walk with the Lord in faith! 

Thank you for your support.

Lara, Ryan, and Austin

Sent from my iPad

We Believe

We Believe
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http://youtu.be/FtPmX7e_Rpw

2015 is shaping up to be twice as nice!

This is the story of how Ryan and I began our IVF journey!
As all blogs, the most recent post is first so of you want to read in order,  please scroll to the bottom.

We truly appreciate all your love, support,  and prayers!

Look for an update after the 16th for official confirmation I am pregnant!  Thank you for praying with us!

Transfer Day

Today Ryan and I went in for my 11 o'clock appointment!  The doctor came in and talked to us about our embryos!  She asked us how many we had thought we would want to be transferred. Ryan and I had been talking about it and we decided that we wanted two to be transferred if possible! She said that two had already been frozen and that she also was thinking two as well!

2 Embryos were transferred!  Here are our 2 babies!!

2 were transferred and my body has to accept both in order to have twins.  We won't know if I am having twins until several weeks into the pregnancy.

A fifth embryo was also pretty good quality they are just watching it this morning and will probably freeze it this afternoon!  This means we had 5 very good quality embryos!  She was so excited about that.  They are ranked in different categories and she told us she doesn't see very many embryos as good of quality in all areas, let alone 5 good ones!!  The other 2 embryos are being watched.  They have a little more work to do before they can be froze.

We have been praying for the embryos to grow and develop and our prayers have been answered!  What a mighty God we serve!

The procedure was pretty quick and easy.  Ryan got to come in with me!  They used sonogram and a catheter to guide and place the embryos in my uterus.  Now my body has to accept the pregnancy!  We are praying for a healthy pregnancy and that my body accepts it!  I pray that God wraps his arms around my body and guides the embryos to implant in the uterus!  Thank you for praying for us!  

Here is the first sonogram picture!!!  The little white dot is where both embryos are!  

I go in for a pregnancy test on the 16th.  I can't do a home test because I have been pumping my body full of the hormone that home pregnancy tests detect and I will get a positive regardless....  so I have to wait for the blood test.  This is going to be the longest 2 weeks ever!!!  

I lift it all up to God!