IVF

Last September I started going through In Vitro process. It's quite the process. After going through all my shots, egg retrieval, etc., we were able to get 4 embryos. In October, they transferred 2 fresh embryos in me. I ended up miscarrying only a couple weeks later. I had what is called a biochemical pregnancy. It was really hard on me. The only thing that made me stay positive was the fact that they were able to freeze the other 2 embryos. Mike and I decided to wait until after the holidays and let my body get rid of all the hormones before we'd do it again. We decided on March. So, this last Thursday, the 29th, we had the last 2 embryos transferred. I've been on bed rest since then. (Thankfully this is my last day:-) I go back for blood work next Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Those test will kind of give us a general idea of what's going on. I don't actually do my Pregnancy blood test until Easter Sunday, April 8th. I'm praying that they both take, though, I would be grateful if I can get at least one to take! I've been wanting another baby for so long now! I'll keep everyone posted with what's going on!

2 year update!

Well, it's been almost 2 years since my last post...pretty pathetic:-) LOL. Here's what's been going on with each of us over the last 2 years:

Mike:  Has turned into Mr. Triathlon! He did his first triathlon last November and is currently training for his second one that he will do in April.  He purchased a Physical Therapy Practice almost 2 years ago. It has been one of the wisest (yet scariest) decisions we have ever made. It was always Mike's goal to have his own clinic, and things fell into place perfectly. We feel really blessed!

Sara: I have been crazy busy with the kiddos, the business, and my church calling. I am the 2nd counselor in the YW presidency. I love all the girls, but it is BUSY!! I've had more issues with my infertility, but have a different outlook than I used to. I'm currently going through my 2nd round of IVF and pray that it works:-) If not, I will love my 2 sweet kiddos to pieces and be grateful that the lord gave me them!

Madison: Sweet Madison! She is now in 2nd grade. She turned 8 this year and was baptized last Saturday, March 17th. She is so smart, and such a good sissy. She is playing soccer again (this is her 8th season). She does a great job, and loves it! She wants to start learning to play the piano! 

Luke: Little Lukey! He started Kindergarten this year! He will turn 6 in June. He is playing his first season of T-Ball with Henderson Little League and LOVES it! He is playing with his cousin/buddy Dominic! He is a little comedian, and makes us all laugh! I don't know what we would do without his little sense of humor! 

I'm going to try and be more diligent about posting, so I can look back and remember all the little moments. 

What we've been up to...

Let me just say, I absolutely hate the new way you upload pictures to blogger! It  has taken me over an hour to get these dang photos uploaded and in no particular order!

Madi and Luke both got a new fish.  Madi's is named Rosie and Lukey's is named Peter Pan! Lukey's is pretty smart, and Madi's is not the brightest fish around! LOL.   Madi's fish tank has already cracked and is pretty much falling apart!

Holy crap.....I turned 30 in March! Mike and I went to Town Square to eat at Brio!        

 We had a yummy Easter/Conference breakfast!      The Easter Bunny hit up the Russell household!              

We went over to Brad & Mandy's for Dinner and an Easter Egg Hunt!    We went over to

Grandma Melody's for Lunch!

That silly Easter bunny hid Lukey's basket in the dryer!    He left Madi's in the kitchen cabinet!

Lukey, Cadence, and Madi colored eggs the Saturday before Easter!

 All the cousins at Brad &Mandy's House!                                                                                  

Kerri, Tina, and I went to the Daughtry Concert! It was awesome! Lifehouse performed, too!

Lifehouse...man, he was a good lookin' guy!       Daughtry...also a nice lookin' fellow!  LOL.

Lukey at his first swim lesson class! He did great!                                                                                         

FINALLY!

I finally transitioned over to the private blog world...ANYONE READING THIS?  I've got a lot of catching up to do! I'll post pictures soon:)
It's kind of refreshing knowing not just anyone can read my blog...I feel like I can be myself more!   Awwww......peace of mind is wonderful!

Going Private!

The time has come my fellow blogging buddies! I'm going private. I won't go into details, but there are too many psychos out there!
So if you want to still read my blog either leave me a comment with your e-mail address, or
e-mail me at sarajrussell@hotmail.com.

Madi turns 6!

My little Madi turned 6 years old today! The last 6 years has flown by!

She had a little High School Musical Party on Friday.

Eating Pizza, one of her favorites.

The 3 amigos! My nephews, Christian and Dominic with Lukey. They are so funny together now! I have a feeling they're going to give us trouble in a few years....WAIT....they already do give us trouble! LOL.

Freeze dance to the High School Musical music.

My little sweetie!

The crew waiting for Madi to open her gifts!

Madison opening gifts!

Blowing out her birthday candles!

Today we took her and Lukey bowling! She has been asking to go bowling since she was about 2 years old, and today her dream came true! She kept telling Mike and I she was soooo excited she was finally going "balling!" We had to repeat it over and over to her that it was BOWLING, not Balling!

Madi with her Bubba.

Madi Bowling

Madi and mommy

Madison with daddy!

We are so lucky to have this little girl in our lives! Everyone around her loves her to pieces. Here are a few things about Madison:

1. She LOVES going to church and writes or draws in her little notebook (journal) every Sunday about what she learned about!

2. She loves her little brother Luke and would pretty much would do anything for him! (even though he can be a little stinker sometimes!)

3. She is very helpful with chores around the house and completes them to perfection! (sadly I think it is an OCD tendency that I've passed on to her....that is when I ACTUALLY do clean!)

4. She LOVES going to school and is doing very well in Kindergarten!

We are so lucky to have this little girl in our lives! She is so thoughtful and such a sweetheart!Happy Birthday, Madison! We love you!

My toothless Girly...

Madison finally lost her first tooth today! She's been waiting for this day for a long time. For those of you that know Madi, you know what a drama queen she can be. So her tooth was really loose and I got some dental floss and was pulling at it pretty good this morning (but in a gentle sort of way....wanted to keep the drama to a minimum!) Well, we went over to my moms this morning and let me tell ya Grandma Wendy has no shame! She wiggled it, grabbed a tissue and yanked that bad boy out! The drama lasted about 10 minutes, but after that Madi was soooooo excited the toothfairy would be coming tonight. She then asked me the following questions:
Madi: Is there only one toothfairy?
Me: yes???
Madi: Does she have wings?
Me: yes???
Madi: What does she do with my tooth?
Me: Hmm...Good Question???
Madi: How much money is she going to leave me?
Me: Hmm..probably a dollar???

I'm new to all this tooth business, so is a dollar the going rate for the tooth fairy? Or...am I a cheapo??

Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was a lot different than most. Typically, we spend Christmas Eve with my family and Christmas Day with Mike's. This year my mom and dad were out of town, so things were a little different. Mike's mom spent Christmas Eve with us, and the rest of the family came over on Christmas Day. It was kind of nice having everyone come to our house this year.

Madi Christmas Eve opening her pj's.


Lukey opening his pj's.


The kiddos in their new pj's!

Us!

Grandma and the cutie pies...

Grandpa Russell...(a.k.a. Mike's dad) came over on Christmas Day. He is so hard to buy for. I thought for sure he wouldn't have the shark mop...what do ya know...he'd bought one the week before! I need to start getting a little more creative with his gifts:)

Madi on her new bike!

Lukey on his new bike!

Madison

Madi and Luke's gifts to each other!

The family

Madi and Luke enjoying their bikes!

We had a fun Christmas! I hope everyone else did as well:)

Hawaii

Mike and I went to Hawaii last week and of course had a wonderful time! It was nice being away from everyday life and spend quality time together! We went for our 10 year anniversary (about 8 months early)! It was my first time going to Hawaii and it was beautiful!

We went to the Polynesian Cultural Center to watch the show and go to the Luau. It was pretty cool to see...but I do have to say now that I've seen it, I don't really care to see it again!


And of course we went to Pearl Harbor! It is so sad going there and knowing what these men and women went through....it was very touching! We went there 3 days after the 68th anniversary!

USS Arizona...soooo sad!

Our view from our room....Beautiful!

The sunset on the beach...it was paradise!

Our shuttle driver found out it was our anniversary and got us leis. On our shuttle drive over to the Polynesian Cultural Center, we stopped at the Dole Plantation. It was pretty cool seeing all the pineapple, and eating the pineapple ice cream...delicious!

My handsome hubby!

Me.

I know I hate when I read other blogs and everyone is talking about how wonderful and great their lives our....so I apologize if this post makes you want to throw up! LOL...I do have to say though that I am grateful that I have such a wonderful hubby and LOVED going to Hawaii!