Free-Falling?

Story Time with Pa-Pa

Boating with Great-Grammy

Grammy Eats at Joe's

Robb & Matt Babysit at Temple Square

Cousin Jenna in UT

Picnic with Friends

YW Apple Picking

Stevie the Pirate, "RRRRR!"

Swabbing the Deck

Well, basketball practices started last month. That means I'm more than usually busy with my YW. We really feel like our entire family life is hanging by a thread as we await Alex's graduation and the changes that will surly follow thereafter. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am big on planning ahead and it's really killing me that we don't have a decision made as to what will happen after Dec. 13th. We are steadfast in trying finalize the solution that is right for our family, but so much of it depends on other people and situations that are beyond our control. FRUSTRATING! However, Alex has been so encouraging in his never failing energies for our family. Being a full-time student, full-time consultant, full-time dad, full-time husband and and active member of the church is no walk in the proverbial park! He has yet to take a "sick day," he doesn't ever stop being proactive when he is discouraged, he goes most nights without more than 3 or 4 hours of sleep, never takes "me time" and he does this in the face of all his trials. I am always amazed by his resolve to redefine the concept of "work" with his every endeavor. In the end, his having a MS will be worth it, but it is all to often difficult to see the end from the beginning.

October was a let down in the fertility treatments arena. I ovulated REALLY early, if I ovulated at all. We did our best, but it was a bust. The frustrating part was how sure I can make myself that "this is the month" even when all rationalization points to the other reality. Don't think we have given up though... I just survived another Clomid treatment cycle (and I didn't kill anyone) and we are ever hopeful in the weeks that follow.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go and testify before the Virginia Senate Advisory Commission as a proponent of a bill that would mandate health insurance coverage for infertility diagnosis and treatment. It was a really frightening experience because I didn't know what to expect. However, now that I have done it - I would do it again without breaking a sweat. The proceedings were pretty low-key and about as informal as a formal meeting can be. I really enjoyed being able to speak out and take action on something that is really important to me as well as learning and participating in a part of our political system that most citizens aren't even aware exists. In a month that has been so stressful for our country, it was incredibly rewarding to be able to say to myself at the end of the day, "I took action." An intelligent person could probably argue against the issue I was supporting, but I stood up and testified, I didn't just "talk" about it to cause contention. When is said and done, I feel good about my contribution and will continue to work as a volunteer for RESOLVE in the future.

There was also quite a bit of time spent having good ol' fashioned fun last month... Stevie was a Pirate (along with Mommy & Daddy) for Halloween and enjoyed a visit from the great pumpkin. On another note: Stevie, Grammy & I traveled to UT to visit Great-Grammy and PaPa (and Matt & Robb and other extended family!) It was marvelous (although I do wish it weren't so dry out West!) We spent a lot of time in family gatherings and having fun. I really enjoyed going to the Salt Lake Temple with Mom and Grammy. It was my first time in a live session and the boys played with Stevie around Temple Square while we were inside. Also, nice not to have to find a babysitter and 8 hours to attend the temple! I think Stevie's favorite parts of the trip were: PaPa reading her stories, playing with Matt & Robb, all of Grammy's "bebes" and our visit to Cabela's to see the stuffed displays and all the "rrraaa's." There was also a chance to see Emily Lineberry Gibby (plus husband!) and Emily Kotter Cheney (plus baby!) from my Old School SVU days. It's always great to go West to see the friends and family that I care so much about. Honestly, I don't know why they all want to be on that side of the continent. Wouldn't they much rather they relocate or visit the East Coast more often? Until that time, it was nice seeing everyone and enjoying their company.

One more thing cannot go without note in the month of October. Homecoming at SVU. We weren't really interested in going until we found out that Sara "Boo" Smith would be driving down. That was a deal-maker. We really enjoyed seeing her and Leah and Than and the Kohls (as well as their fabulous farm-stead). I think we met some of the highest quality people on earth while we were at SVU and it was really great to spend some time chatting with the close friends mentioned above as well as many of our old professors, their families and other alumni who hearken back to our near decade in Rockbridge County. Those memories are so sweet for us and we found that our Friday night "fling" and combined Orchestra/Choir Concert were energizing and well worth the sleep that was lost.