Infertility after Pregancy: My Story

In August 2005 my life joyfully changed forever with the birth of our daughter.  I had a non eventful pregnancy with no trouble and had our daughter via c section, which I recovered from easily.  Three months later, I started on a journey that has also changed my life forever.  Due to scar tissue build up (referred to as adhesions) I started having pain in my left side; this led to a hysterectomy (after the birth of our son), which I though would be the end of the complications.  Unfortunately, I now have nerve problems in the incision site, and this is painful.  So, a week ago I had a procedure done by a pain management specialist; I should know in about 6 weeks if the procedure worked.  I am keeping my fingers crossed because if it works I will be able to spend a lot more time chasing around my kids!

I will never regret the decision to have the c section because it led to a healthy birth.  However, I run into pregnant women all the time who want elective c sections or think it is easier than delivering normally and I hope my story gives them pause.

If you are struggling with any type of fertility issues, check out http://practicalkatie.com/  This is also a great parenting blog.

Essence of Now

The past few weeks of August have given us our first soccer practice and our first day of first grade.

This post is being linked up with Mama Track and My Time as Mom as part of their photography based Essence of Now link up.

Shar Dimick Book Review

Gal in the Middle and I have recently figured out how to lend ebooks to each other. Needless to say we have been like kids in a candy store.

Gal came across a book by Shar Dimick, a great new romance writer.  The book, Take a Deep Breath, is a heartwarming story about a single mom who is reunited with her old friend, Cam.  The two characters embark upon a summer romance that leads to more.....

To learn more about Shar or to download the ebook click here.

Beyond the Job

Last week was the local county 4-H fair.  To most people, the 4-H fair is a fun filled,family time of   4-H, animals, rides and games.  As a 4-H youth educator, the 4-H fair is part of my job responsibilities.  This means very long hours away from my kids and husband and dealing with complaints.  And this year is it was lots of complaints.

Now, to try and forget how truly mean people can be about competition, I am trying to remember the most important part of my life is beyond the job with my kids, my husband and my awesome friends and co-workers.  Oh, and maybe I can get my new hydrangea bush to survive the drought.

Goin' Hog Wild

For 4th of July, we beat the heat at the National Junior Swine Show Spectacular in Louisville.  Our daughter has been showing pigs for a few years with her older cousins, aunt and uncle, who are great with her.

Rosalind and her pig, Lucy, got tenth place in their class.  And big smiles were had by all as we watched them have a great time together.

Some Summer Reading Picks

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult was released a few months ago and is an intense story of a family trying to make decisions about their father who is unconscious.  One of the main characters is a wolf researcher; so the book is chalked full of interesting tidbits about wolves.

The Fools Gold Series by Susan Mallery is a lighthearted, funny series about a town with a man shortage. 

Love You More by Lisa Gardener is a book I recently finished and it is wonderful.  It has complex characters and a mystery that keeps you turning the pages and burning the midnight oil.

Happy Reading!

Things I Will (most likely) Never Do

1. Give up diet coke.

2.  Like the Nicholas Sparks novel Dear John. The heroine drives me crazy! (And no I have not nor ever will see the movie).
3.  Become super mom.  How do you accessorize a cape anyway?
4.  Lose my "Catholic Guilt"  (If you are Catholic you KNOW what this means.)
5.  Stop reading the hard copy version of books.  I have read a couple of books on my IPAD.   But I don't have to worry about charging my hard copy of books or dropping them in the bath tub.

Pieces of Amy Link up