Jumping Back In...

TCIE's post about prayer buddies was just the kick start I needed, specifically the line that reads: "We also ask that all bloggers who are not "active" bloggers try to post more regularly during Advent, so that your Prayer Buddy will "get to know you" better."  I think that she actually wrote, "especially, you, Thankful the Slacker" and then erased it.  :)  

Here's a little intro to moi in case my prayer buddy is new to my blog (and a refresher for others).  I started blogging in August of 2009.  That summer was one of significant change for me.  My husband, Snicks, was away for most of the summer and I did a lot of soul searching... which lead me back to the doors of a distant friend, the Catholic Church.  I had stopped practicing during my sophomore year of college (there were too many parties to go to and boys to like to spend time feeling guilty) and, although I loved the Church, my choices were swaying me in a different direction.  We were married outside of the Church (there is a WHOLE other post needed for this... let's just say I am still learning so much) and he is a staunch Protestant ("my favorite Catholic is Martin Luther.")  With him out of town I felt free to explore the religion of my childhood and felt very much at peace.  

At the same time we were about a year into our concerted TTC efforts.  My doctors suspected PCOS but nobody had confirmed it.  An HSG showed clear tubes and Snicks' swimmers are strong and plentiful.  We were at the point where we needed to decide how we wanted to navigate the TTC waters.  Thankfully, one thing we agreed upon is that IVF was not an option.  I started to research Catholic infertility and stumbled upon some amazing blogs.  Namely, TCIE, Sew, and a dear former blogger from the South.  I decided to start blogging while in a hotel room outside of Madison, WI.  It was one of the best decisions I have ever made.  It was intimidating, for sure, but suddenly I became a part of this wonderful community of women supporting and guiding each other.  I am convinced that God works through this community continually.  

We conceived our daughter in April of 2010 (ahem, Lenten Prayer Buddies) and she was born at the end of December.  The journey since then has been a wild ride.  We are now living in a different state in our first home with a new job and school for the foreseeable future.  Honestly, my faith journey has taken a back seat to the complexities of life and that is definitely something I need a little help with - picking up the prayer and Mass attendance.  

So much has changed in this little community.  I am so grateful to have graduated from the subfertile group, but it is truly a bittersweet joy.  Reading the pain of my sisters certainly gives me cause to question God's intentions and plans.  As an eternal optimist with a baby in my arms it is easy to say that the day will come (or not) in God's time.  But that is so simple to say from where I sit.  So, the only thing I can do is pray, and pray I do!  

I like to end my blog posts with something I am thankful for: honestly, I am thankful for this crazy outfit that my MIL bought for AG.  Cracks me up!  Wish I could wear it, too.  :)