Wherefore, my beloved brethren, have miracles ceased because Christ hath ascended into heaven...? Behold I say unto you, Nay

Today Brian and I found out we are having twins! We have known for a while that I was pregnant, but we were told at our first ultra-sound that one of the babies wasn't going to make it, and there was some concern about the other one's heart. At my second ultra-sound we couldn't even see a 2nd baby, but we were happy to know that the other baby's heart was doing fine. So when we went in today to check on what we thought was just one baby, we were shocked to find that baby # 2 was alive and kicking. Both babies look great and seem to be healthy and are right on schedule as far as their size goes.

I don't feel like dancing!

I am such a boring person that I can never think of anything cute or creative to blog about. If I were a bolder person I would blog about how I really feel about the disaster that happened yesterday in our country. (As a conservative, I have very strong opinions on the matter). At least prop 8 passed in California--several members of my husbands family, especially those who live in California, worked very hard making phone calls and going out in the communities where they live to promote it.

Now onto a much lighter note: Brian and I have been home bound in the evenings of late due to me having to have a Inter-muscular shot shot in the rear end every evening. It is literally a pain in the butt! Every night after dinner Brian gives me my shot, then I heat the area with a heating pad for 15-20 min. After that we play Dance Dance Revolution for at least half an hour to so I can work the muscle. If any of you remember me back in my single days you may remember how much I loved to dance, and that I was a pretty good dancer. Well, I don't know what happened over the years because I am awful at Dance Dance. We have had the game for almost 2 years and I just got my first C on the basic level. Unfortunately, I also pulled a muscle in my hip. I guess it doesn't sound very funny, but if you had been a fly on the wall watching me act like an idiot, you would have found it very humorous.

Update

I can't believe I haven't written in two weeks. It has been a crazy two weeks. I was hoping to have a picture of our new living room furniture to post but the furniture store messed up our order so it won't be delivered for another week and a half. (We ordered it on September 6th). I was not happy when they told me that. I mean its not like we ordered custom made furniture--it's just from a big box store.
As for the IVF, things seem to be going well for now. Last week we got a call from our Doctor, he told us that things were not going well and we were going to have to stop and retry next month or in January. BUT... we went in the next day to go over our options, and after going back and forth over things ALL DAY, miracles just poured down from Heaven and we have been able to continue. We are both very grateful to all the nurses and our Doctor for thinking so fast on their feet and we are especially grateful to our Heavenly Father because we know that all blessings come from Him. I don't really have any news except to say there have been no further complications and our Dr. is happy with the progress. At this point I just feel like a pin cushion from so many shots. (Although if this works I will have to continue with the shots for another 8 weeks after I take a pregnancy test-yuck!)

The Cat is out of the Bag!

I wasn't going to say anything about this --but now that my entire ward knows, I might as well let everyone else know, that Brian and I are trying In-vitro again.

Shortly after we tried in-vitro last spring, my visiting teachers came over (by the way this was the 1st visit I had received since moving into the ward in December). Well one of them had picked a talk from the Conference issue of the Ensign on the joys of motherhood to give as the lesson. They kept talking about how wonderful motherhood was etc... and finally I couldn't take it anymore. I told them what had just transpired and that talking about motherhood was a very painful subject for me. What I didn't know is that one of them had just been called to the RS presidency.

A few days later the RS president came by to see how I was doing and to see if there was anything they could do for me. I said no. Fast Forward to a few weeks ago. My RS president called to ask me somethings and then she asked how I was doing and if Brian and I had decided to try in-vitro again. Well, Brian and I had decided to try again but I really didn't want anyone to know--but I didn't want to lie to her. So, I told her we were planning on trying again. I didn't say when or give any details.

Last Sunday while I was at a meeting for Relief Society we were asked to say something we were grateful for "today". I said I was grateful to my husband because he is really good at calming me down when I'm upset. Then my relief society president announces to everyone, "Betsy is trying to get pregnant and she is on hormone treatments because they can't get pregnant on their own--she had some genetic problems. And the hormones make her emotions go up and down." I just about died!

Truthfully, I am "in-cycle" as the doctors say. Which means I have started the hormone injections again. However, I really didn't want anyone but my family to know. I am extremely anxious about the whole thing. Brian and I prayed and fasted and we went to the temple before we made the decision to try again so we know we have made the right decision. But that doesn't mean I am going to end up pregnant. We prayed and fasted and went to the temple earlier this year before we tried it the first time. Going through it this time is even more difficult because I know how badly it hurts when things don't work out. Last time I was just filled with hope that it would all work out, and this time there is doubt. I am constantly having to exam my feelings, as to why I have doubt. Is it because I feel we made the wrong choice or because I'm scared. And every time I really think it out, I know it is just because I'm scared. It is just not something I want to discuss with random people I don't know that well.

Not only am I anxious about it not working, being on the hormones is just plain awful. They make me gain weight like crazy (I gained over 15lbs last time-which I started losing, but have now re-gained), they make me emotional and moody, they give me headaches, they are effecting my eye sight, and I have several bruises from giving myself the shots. Not to mention several other side effects that I'm not going to write about on a public blog. My husband is a complete saint about the whole thing.

I am not always negative about the experience. If it works it will be 100% worth it. Sometimes I allow myself to day dream and I pick out all the things I want to get, like baby furniture, and which car seat is best, and what kind of rocking chair do I want etc...

It's been a while--2 of 2 post

At the end of July Brian went to Georgia for a week for some Cocoa training (Cocoa is the programming language for Mac computers), and I was able to go with him for a few days. (Thanks to Brian’s parents). It was a great trip for many reasons. First of all I had been really down about the In-vitro not working, plus I was dealing with the stress of new owners at work, so I just needed a break. Secondly, Brian and I had never spent a night apart from each other, so it was nice that we didn’t have to spend the full 7 days apart. Thirdly, Cecily, one of my very best friends lives in Atlanta, so I was able to visit with her. And finally, I am truly a southern girl, and it felt so good to be back in the south, the humidity didn’t bother me at all, and I spent most of my time outside! It was a wonderful trip—and I just have to say that my friend Cecily is an amazing mother and a great friend, and I’m glad I was able to see her. One thing I did, that I didn’t get any pictures of was a zip line tour. It was so fun!

Here are some pictures from my trip:

Cecily took me on a walking tour of Madison, GA--It has a lot of pre-civil war homes.

Brian and I went out to dinner with Cecily and Ryan one night. We wanted true southern BBQ and I'm pretty sure we got as close to authentic BBQ as you can get at this place.

So, the last fun thing Brian and I did over the summer was go to a water park with my family. Few people know this about me, but I love water parks. I love to float on the lazy river and to go on water slides. It was really fun—I have 13 neices and nephews and we have never done anything like this before. We usually just get together and play games at someone’s house. Everyone one had a such a good time, and I hope we can do something like it next summer—Thanks for a great day mom!

Have you done it?

This was on my friend Kathy’s blog and I thought it would be fun!! You should do it too! Just copy and paste the 200 statements then bold the ones you have done!! Hope you enjoy it! Hopefully, in a few years I’ll be able to bold a few more things.

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone - verbal not physical
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four
106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe.
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog
190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

Brian and I are going to Hawaii for Christmas—so after that trip I will be able to bold that I have swam with wild dolphins and watched wild whales.

It's been a while--1 of 2 post

Well it has been a few months since I've posted anything on my blog. The truth is, I was just so down about the in-vitro not working that I just couldn't think of anything worth writing. It is sad really, because I did have some good times over the summer.

Here are some of the highlights of the past few months (in chronological order):

Brian and I took my niece Abigail and my nephew Benjamin to BYU's Stadium of Fire on the 4th of July. Some one gave Brian's grandma tickets and she shared them with us (they were on the 13th row). I was very excited because I had never been to a big 4th of July production before. My niece and nephew were EXTREMELY EXCITED because Miley Ray Cyrus was the guest singer this year. Brian was excited to see the Blue Man Group. And Brian and I were both pretty happy about Glen Beck hosting it. It was pretty fun, except the public bathrooms and trying to get out of Provo afterwards.

Wow! The are totally mesmerized by Smiley Miley!

I wish I looked that good in white pants.
They were pretty cool.
He gave a great speach (with no sarcasm).

2. Brian and I celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary. We went to Ruth's Chris and had a great steak dinner. Other than that it was pretty low key. Brian has always treated me so well--but he has been really good and patient with me these last few months. I am very lucky to have him as my husband.

3. I went to dinner with 2 of my closest friends from high school, Cori and Liz. It was so fun to talk and catch up on each others lives. I can't believe it has been 14 years! I forgot to bring my camera (of course) but I scanned this great picture from our Senior year yearbook. It was all of us in AGO (Associated Girls of Orem). All it means is that we planned Preference--which turned out to be a pretty awesome dance that year.
The bottom row is just the teachers who supervised us. On the top row there is a girl names Annette who on the very end on the left-we were really just friendly acquaintances. Then their is Cori, Liz, Cecily, and Alayne (Laney). These four girls were my closest friends at good ole Orem High. Finally, that is me on the end on the right, wearing tappered legged jeans, white socks and Birkenstocks.

Well I was going to finish up telling you about my trip to Georgia but I will have to do that tomorrow. Brian keeps asking me when will I be done and when will I go hang out with him, so I better go. But I promise I will write again either tomorrow or on Friday.

A very long week

Some of you may be wondering why I haven't posted for a while. Well I have been extremely busy watching all three of the Lord of the Ring movies with my husband. He has been bugging me to watch them ever since we got married and I finally gave in. Well we finally finished them, whew. Actually, I enjoyed watching them more than I thought I would--but I was still glad when it ended. They should have made it into 4 movies--the length of the last one about did me in. Of course Brian want's to see the extended versions (hopefully on Blu-Ray) now--hopefully it will be a while before that comes out!

New Blog

We accidentally let our domain, betsyandbrian.net, expire and someone bought it before we could re-new it. They wanted us to pay $200 to buy it back so I told Brian that I would just start a blogspot account. So for those of you who have my link on your blog be sure and change it to bjnbj.blogspot.com