Tough People

Just wanted to put in a quick post to update everyone on our journey for Baby Kunkel.

We met with a specialist in Austin last Thursday. She is awesome! She did an exam and had me go to a lab and do some extra blood work. On my exam, she saw a decent egg that she thought may grow this week and that there is actually a chance for us to still conceive this cycle even though this is later than a normal cycle. If we don't get pregnant this month, she wants to do the provera/clomid for two more cycles but with a higher dosage and for a long period of time. If those two cycles prove to be inadequate, we will move on to IUI - intrauterine insemination.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure that involves placing sperm inside a woman's uterus to facilitate fertilization.  This fertility treatment does not involve the manipulation of a woman's eggs; therefore, it is not considered an assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure. For more info:  http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/iui.html

Although we would love to become pregnant without IUI, we have faced the possibility that it may come down to that or even something more advanced like IVF. We have learned on this journey that knowledge is power and we will keep learning!

Speaking of infertility, have I told y'all how much I HATE that word?  I think it is an unfair label given to people. To me, infertile means you are not fertile as in NO eggs or NO sperm. Infertile in medical terms means you could not become pregnant within 6 months of not taking precautions.  Being told you are getting treated for infertility is a hard pill to swallow.  I never thought I'd have to go through this and it is very isolating. I hope that I can provide some sort of support for those in the same journey.

I'll leave this post with a quote I reference everyday - "Tough times don't last. Tough people do." We will face our challenge with courage and conviction.  Before long, we WILL have a Baby Kunkel!

Just a perfectly, lazy Saturday night

I just wanted to share part of our lives on a Saturday night. Here is one of the recent pics we took together at a park here in town. It has to be one of my favorite pictures of us and it was cheapest being that a friend took it with my digital camera!

Michael and I love nights where we can stay at home, be lazy, and just enjoy each other's company. Tonight it one of those nights. We've rented four movies, made some pizzadillas (basically a quesadilla but with pizze stuff on the inside), and had some caramel delights with milk. I have also worked on some more nursery letters for some friends of ours. I love my Crafty Kraut Creations! Here is my latest work:

I purchased tickets for the New Kids on the Block, 98 Degrees, and BoyzIIMen concert in June tonight. I cannot wait to go! My cousin Kalynn and I saw NKOTB and Backstreet Boys two years ago in San Antonio and we had a fabulous time on the Riverwalk and at the concert. Cannot wait to go again this summer with my sister, Kalynn (cousin), Sarita (one of my best friends), and Heather (co-worker). It is going to be an awesome time! 

Michael and I also took the next step in taking a trip of a lifetime this summer to Germany. We have not officially decided to go, but we are taking giant steps towards it each day! 

On a personal note, we are waiting to hear back from the Fertility Specialist in Austin that we were referred to. We have been praying constantly for God to give us hope and strength as we figure out our next step together. This whole situation feels like a blessing and a curse. We see the love and support from our friends and family which shows us how blessed we truly are. But, I have also found that friends of mine are struggling with the same situation. I absolutely hate that ANYONE has to go through this struggling journey, but it is nice knowing there is someone out there that truly understands the struggle.

We have chosen to start being vocal about our journey because we need all the prayers we can get and we hope to help those that are going through the same thing. Our hope is that God hears all of our prayers and grants us the desires of our hearts. If you have any words of encouragement, please feel free to share them below. If you know of anyone struggling with infertility, please feel free to give them my contact information and we can help support one another.

Turning over a new leaf...

I'm turning over a new leaf. I have not been quite the blogger I was hoping to be - I am changing that right now! My hope is that I will post daily or a least a few days a week. Here's a run down to get everyone caught up on the major events in the past year:

December 2011: We found out we were expecting a niece! Meghann and Brandon, Michael's sister and her husband, we expecting a baby girl in May!

January 2012: We got to ring in the new year with my parents, Michael's parents, and his Aunt Daina dancing in Rockdale listening to one of our favorite bands, Texas Unlimited Band.

February 2012: I started my first year coaching softball at BHS. Michael starts his track season.

May 2012: We finished our softball season on a disappointing loss to Kennedale 1-0 in extra innings. Michael coached Maci Schulte to a state championship in the 1 mile run. The very next day, Meg gave birth to Ally Kay McDonald on May 12. We also attended Michael's cousin, Randison's, graduation party after graduating from Tarleton. I officially lost 32 pounds since December after adjusting my diet and exercise routine.

Miss Ally Kay

June 2012:  We finally took our trip to the Dominican Republic! It was absolutely breathtaking. My only regret is that we didn't stay longer AND our awful trip getting home - storms in DFW and plane not having enough fuel to circle in air so we were diverted to Houston, delayed in Houston, finally got to DFW only for our shuttle to the hotel not to show up for an hour, rented a taxi (cost $30 just to go 2 miles!!), finally getting on the road just to break down outside of Bluffdale because of a busted water pump, getting a two to Stephenville, and then FINALLY making it to Comanche at 4:30 AM. At the time it was awful, but looking back on it, you can't help but laugh.

Enjoying the Dominican

July 2012: We celebrated 4 years of marriage!

August 2012:  I embarked on my first season as an interim varsity coach for volleyball. What an experience! Michael started his new job with Brownwood as a special education teacher at the MS. No more coaching! I started my 2 years as a coach at the HS. 

October 2012: We hosted our very Halloween party. A good time was had by all. We also went to Oktoberfest - I wish we could live in Fredericksburg. So pretty but so expensive! We started fertility treatments with a new doctor - Dr. Dan Stewart. He is amazing and I pray that God guides him and his decisions for us to have a baby.

December 2012: We got to spend lots of time during the holidays with families and friends. 

January 2013:  Texas A&M had a surprised 11-2 season in the SEC. I got to watch the Cotton Bowl, holed up on my couch because I was sick and enjoying the snow! Michael got a nice 10 pt buck. I tried to shoot my first doe - I clipped her but didn't kill her. We got a day off of school because of 3 inches of snow. Received news from Dr. Stewart that we will have to be referred to a reproductive endocrinologist because he is not getting the results he was hoping to get. Although disappointing, I'm thankful for everything he has done for us and we look forward to the next step in having a baby. I'm thankful that he is just as determined as us to make it happen. 

Trying to Understand....

I've always been a faithful person - to God, to my family, to my friends, etc. I've been tested before, but I feel like it's getting harder and harder everyday to understand my life.

Looking at me, most people see this happy, go-lucky, always smiling person. I am very blessed. I have an awesome family, a good job, and an amazing husband. God has truly provided me with everything I need. But deep down, I'm not sure where that girl is anymore. Why is it so hard to understand why He hasn't provided me with the one thing I want/need?

My faith is unshakable, except when it comes to a baby. Why is it so hard to believe that God is preparing us for our baby and preparing our baby for us when others are getting pregnant at the drop of a hat? Why is it fair that I have to teach 3 students (sophomores) who will all be mothers by the end of the year? How am I not ready for motherhood and these girls are?

It's really tough hearing people say 'O, its going to happen', 'Don't stress', 'Be patient'. There's that word again - patience. Trust me, I have patience. I teach 105 sophomores a day, coach my JV vball team, and deal with the school system in general. I been teaching for 4 years, and my patience is tried more and more every year and I haven't really lost it yet.

But when it comes to this baby, I am the most impatient person. It's really hard to stay patient when there's something you really want. Remember when you were a child waiting on Santa at Christmas, well, that's me now except multiply that by 1000 - then you may understand how I feel about having a baby.

A wise friend once told me that God would not have put this urge in my life to be a mother, if I wasn't going to be a mother. I believe that just like I believe that God will provide me with that opportunity. I'm just wondering when that time will come. The little doubt that I have makes me feel less of a Christian which makes me feel less about myself more than I already do. God is faithful to those that are faithful to him. I am on a journey to be more faithful and more patient.

I hope this is one of many blogs that I will post over the next few months describing my journey of becoming a better woman, a better Christian, and hopefully a better mother. One thing I must get better at doing is just being content with what I have - wonderful husband, family, & friends. I'm lucky to still have my job even though it seems more of a burden most days. I look for any help and guidance anyone has in any of those departments.

This is the first day of my journey of trying to understand everything I have, need, and want.

The Countdown is ON!

The countdown is officially on! Only 13.5 days of school left of the school year! My the year has flown (except for these last few weeks!). This got to me to thinkin': I need to find something memorable that happened every month of the school year! So here it goes:

August: First Day of School and looking forward to a great new year at school!

September: My volleyball team competed well in our first volleyball tournament while Michael's cross country teams racked up 1st places in all their CC meets.

October: We attended our first Oktoberfest in Fredricksburg. It was amazing! We had such a great time, even though I had walking pneumonia, at the Fest as well as our quaint B&B we stayed in! We have decided that Oktoberfest will happen every year in the Kunkel family!

November: We traveled all the way to Lubbock to meet up with some great friends for their wedding! Michael's cross country team made it to regionals also.

December: We were able to witness Brownwood make a deep run in the football playoffs. We got to visit our wonderful families at Christmas and got to spend a great Christmas vacation with each other! I enjoyed my first trip to Canton and I cannot wait to go back! One of my best friends, Malissa, gave birth to Baby Myla! My basketball team got first place in our own Brownwood tournament.

January: We purchased our new home in Brownwood! Pics to come soon!

February: We were snowed/iced in for almost a whole week! Crazy how three days can change in a blink of an eye!

March: Although Michael and I did not have the same Spring Breaks, we were able to spend time with each other. The Bluebonnet Relays came and went. We earned 1st place at our first track meet.

April: Attended my Great Uncle & Great Aunt's 50th wedding anniversary. The in-laws went to Thorndale with us for Easter to visit my entire family. Made our first trip to Green's Sausage House in Zabcikville - we will be returning very soon!!! My track season came to an end. Michael's track season was extended because some of their athletes made it to the state track meet! We signed contracts to be able to work again next year! MAJOR stress lifted off of our shoulders!

May: The official countdown to summer began! Michael is graduating from Tarleton with his Master in Kinesiology on May 14. I'm so proud of him! My brother from another mother, Matthew Galbreath, is marrying his lady love, Marsha. I get to take my Student Council kiddos to Fiesta Texas. May 28th - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!!! :)

Some Down Time

Well,
I was informed from a good college friend, Lindsey, today that I needed to get a new post on here because I haven't done one in a while. I almost forgot I had a blog! HAHAHAHA. But here we go -----

I am currently on spring break and its almost over while Michael is about to start his. :( I hate having different spring breaks - we never get to do anything exciting! I have been in Thorndale since Monday and have thoroughly enjoyed my time with my family and friends. It's hard living so far away from them, but I know that where I'm at in my life is all in God's plan. Today is my last day here and I'm headed back to Brownwood later this afternoon.

On Monday, I got to pick up my niece, Haleigh, from pre-K. What a joy! To have a child so excited to see you just overwhelms you. I love her like she's my own. :) Then I got back on my workout regimen and jogged all around Thorndale. It got me thinking - the more things change, the more they stay the same. I jogged all around and saw the homes of friends growing up, the tore up streets full of potholes, the high school kids still practicing baseball and softball, the little kids practicing t-ball, and it just brought back alot of wonderful memories. :)

Then on Tuesday, my mom, granny, and I all went to Round Rock. First stop was at Hobby Lobby. Gosh, I could spend a fortune in that store! I got baby Myla a new little bow (so cute!), a mold for my Scentsy wax, and some scrapbooking things. Then we did some errands for my Granny. We had such a relaxing day and I know the times I get to spend with them are very special. As soon as we got back to Thorndale, I got to pick up a special girl from school again. I'm telling you, that little girl absolutely melts my heart more times than I can count! I also got to take her to tball practice last night. I cannot wait to have a child of my own to teach and have fun with on the baseball/softball field! I also got to see one of my best friends, Malissa, and her baby, Myla, last night. She has changed so much since December. Probably one of the cutest babies ever! I cannot wait to have kids! I've got the fever pretty bad right now! When I got home, mom, dad, and I sat out on the front porch and just talked. The weather was perfect and its been a long time that were able to spend some alone time with each other. Later on, we got burgers from the beer joint and they were wonderful! Its been a very long time since I've had one!

Now its Wednesday. I'm about to make lunch for mom and go visit my Meme and Grannie Biehle then its on my way back to Brownwood to spend a couple of days with Michael before he goes on break. Plus, I just miss my hubby. God truly put the most wonderful man in my life!

Michael and I are looking to take a trip to the Dominican Republic - Punta Cana this summer. We are naming it our 'Early Birthday/Anniversary/Graduation (Michael gets his Masters in May)/Before we have babies trip'! We are so excited to try something out of our comfort zones but I think it will be good for the both of us to spend quality time alone with each other since we are so busy with our careers. Coaching is awesome, but since we both coach, that means no time during the year for each other. That's a new goal for us too - not to let our 'work' consume us. Maybe thats something everyone can work on! :)

Feelin Very Merry!

We are feelin' very merry today! There is so much to be thankful for today!
Here's a list:

1. Only a half day of school today and its hello 2 week break!
2. Enjoying our time off TOGETHER.
   
3. Pay Day!!!!!!
4. Hunting
5. Finishing Christmas shopping tomorrow
6. Date night with my husband tomorrow
7. Watching some high school basketball tonight

We hope that each one of you is getting prepared for Christmas and hope that everyone remembers the Reason for the Season! :) God Bless!