The Next "Adventure"

So here I go….

Many of you already know that several years ago I was diagnosed with Severe Endometriosis (Stage 4).  I went through a surgery almost exactly 3 years ago in hopes that it would help with the pain and our efforts to get pregnant.  Unfortunately, it didn’t help in fact it has progressively gotten worse and we have not been able to get pregnant.  A few months ago, I was told that I would have to undergo a full abdominal hysterectomy (including both ovaries).  I was devastated to say the least.  Over the past few months, I hear my mom’s little voice in the back of my head telling me that God has a plan and everything happens for a reason….Some days it has been easier to listen to than others.

But it is beyond the truth!  I met the love of my life at a time when I never thought I would never love again.  And he happened to have these 2 gorgeous and amazing little girls that needed me in their life just as much as I needed them.  They welcomed me into their lives and we became a family.  I don’t think that it would be possible to love those girls any more if I had given birth to them.  They are my girls!  Everything happens for a reason, and they are my reason for everything!  This is just a little bump in the road and I intend to experience everything I can, as positive as I can.  Which is why the New Zealand exchange could not have been better timed.  My summer has been filled with laughter and wonderful memories, instead of focusing on this one little aspect of it.

Tomorrow morning, I will be going in for surgery and will be in the hospital for a few days.  I will be taking a medical leave from work for the first 3 weeks of school to heal.  If you know me at all, you know that not being there for the first few weeks is going to kill me, but I need to give my body time to heal. And I have nothing to worry about because my students will be in good hands with my friend Pat (they will probably be in better hands actually!). So while I am going through this, I will be holding on to the fact that everything happens for a reason.

I am so blessed with amazing family and friends.  My parents will be coming out for 9 days to help, then Meg comes out, and then Shannon.  Not to mention all of my friends who live here that have offered help in so many ways. And of course, I have my hubby and girls with me every step of the way. So if I don’t get back to you, know that I am appreciative but may be a little out of it .  Taylor will update the blog tomorrow when I am out of surgery, so that Mike doesn’t have to worry about making a bunch of calls.  Thank you again to all of my loving friends and family...you guys are the best!!!!

With that I leave you with a picture of what makes me smile every day…even on the bad ones!