Autumn Winds Bring a New Baby Game Plan

I have an excuse!  I do!  I know it's been forever since I've posted (again), but I have an excuse!  It is this:  we cut off our internet.  Multiple reasons went into this, the final one being budget cuts.  (Who knew owning a house could be so pricey?)  Another major one was the time we both--especially me--wasted on the computer.  We live only a few minutes from some free hot-spots, so if we REALLY need to get on the internet, we can go there (in fact, I'm writing this from the Whataburger down the road).  Obviously, I haven't "really" needed to get on the internet very often, and when I do, it's a quick in-and-out, so to speak.

We're having a series of dreary days here, but I'm grateful, because rain came along with them, and we desperately needed some (though not as badly as Texas).  The relief from the heat has been welcome as well:  I'm cozy in my flannel shirt today. Yey fall!

Since I last posted, a couple of things have changed.  The most major change is that we stopped training to become foster parents.  The training class was called "Deciding Together" and was aimed at helping hopeful foster folks decide if this unique situation is right for your family.  We decided after prayer and discussion over several weeks that in this time, it is not right for us.  The aim of foster care is to reunify the children with the parents if at all possible, and we knew that we could not wholeheartedly work towards that goal while we were so desperate for children.  Foster care, I imagine, is still in our future, though it is more likely that it will be after we've had/adopted children and they are either older (high school) or we are empty-nesters.

We have also all but ceased fertility treatments; they were just too expensive, and we absolutely could not afford them.  We are saving as hard as we can this year, in hopes that perhaps next year we can start again.  However, there is some good news!  Towards the end of July I ovulated...WITHOUT medication!  It (obviously) didn't result in a pregnancy, but boy was I thrilled to learn that my body was still capable of doing so "on its own."

So this is our game plan:
#1.  Pray for natural ovulation, conception, and a healthy pregnancy.  Pray also for ourselves as we deal with all the emotional, spiritual, and physical challenges that are involved in trying for a baby with continued negative pregnancy tests.  (In fact, I took one this morning "just in case," and was confronted by a single pink line..again.)  Would you join us in these prayers?

#2.  Radically change our diet (I type as I sit in Whataburger).  We are trying valiantly (though not always successfully) to cut out sugar, gluten, and dairy from our diet, not to mention all processed foods.  So what are we eating, you ask?  Well, lots of organic... fresh vegetables and fruits; lean meats and legumes; oatmeal, brown rice, couscous, and quinoa; nuts and seeds; and fresh carrot juice.  We're also going to be experimenting with gluten-free flours, because we both love baking.
I'm also continuing to exercise 2-3 times a week at Curves.

So we'll see what happens.  I know it is in God's hands, whether we change our diet, take medication, or do nothing at all.  Right now, though, I'm thoroughly enjoying every moment of it being "just the two of us."  Trevvor is my best friend, and though I am eager for children, I don't mind not having to share him for a little while longer.  ;)