A little bragging....
This year at our Professional Photographers Association (PPA) convention I received my degree for Photographic Craftsman! I know! AMAZING RIGHT!? What can I say, amazing is what I do. (by the way, isn't amazing such a good word for all things photographic?!) Oh wait, you don't even know what a Craftsman is. It is the result of all the presentations me and Trisha have done throughout the states in the past year or so combined with some print judging I've done and other service given to PPA and the photography industry. I kinda downplay it, but really it is a lot of hard work. I'm super happy I actually got it and surprised too. I am terrified of getting in front of a group to teach them, so I actually thought I'd never do it (especially to have it completely done at this age). Come to find out, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be & people really enjoyed our programs.
Dustin before the ceremony
Dustin giving me my medallion
Me & Steve Nissle, a AZ photography friend together. We both got our craftsman that night.
All my AZ friends who were there to support me & Steve
The family who was there
The celebration meal! Bananas Foster!! It was soooooo good!
A little happiness...
Five years ago last November, Dustin and I were married. (Holy cow! Five years!?!? I know!!!) This is the anniversary we've been waiting for since that day. Finally, last Saturday (5 years and a couples months later) we were sealed in the Gila Valley Temple. It was a super good day and I couldn't believe 5 years went by so fast. We were lucky to have a ton of family there and a few besties as well! I STILL think back to the time Dustin and I met and can't believe we're at this point. We've seriously had a hell of a history and even a hell of a last 5 years. To say our marriage has been perfect would be stupid. It certainly hasn't, but we still hang on and get through the tough times. I couldn't be happier that we made it to this point.
Friends & I. I was so happy they All could make it. Luci came down from Utah.
Me and Joce...the child we should've had sealed to us lol (sometimes she calls me mom)
A little help....
Ok, so finally we did our 3rd and final IVF procedure. In the past, we haven't really told many people that we were doing the procedure, but this time, I'm shouting it from the rooftops. Why you say? Well, why the heck not!?! Ok, no really...because this is it! After this we have no money left lol. We can't continue to put money that we don't have into something that isn't happening, so as I like to say, we are "balls out" this time!! Let no rock be left unturned! (or whatever that phrase is) We seriously need all the prayers, good vibes, positive thoughts, crossed figures, toes, legs, eyes etc we can get. I've never wanted to involve too many people because then everyone is waiting for the answer as to whether it worked or not and when it doesn't work, I hate to have to tell everyone and if it does, I'll be so terrified of miscarriage I won't want anyone to know. But heck, at this point, I've got to let go of my self sufficient stubborn nature and ask for all the help we can get.
I meant to get this post up sooner but because I'm a slacker, I did not. So, we did the embryo transfer yesterday. I went in with a plan. I was going to beg for 4 embryos in hopes we can compromise at 3. I lectured Dustin immensely on how to keep his game face on and not look panicked when the dr tells us all the possibilities of multiples. I compared it to poker for him so maybe he'd relate and channel his poker face. I had my speech lined out as to all the reasons we had to go big. We got to the office & I again reminded Dustin "poker face" as we walked back to meet with the Dr and embryologist. The dr starts and says, "ok, you might think I'm crazy" I say, "no you'll think I'm crazy" he asks and I say I want 4. He says no way but we are doing 3. I was like really!? Well that was easy. I was going for 4 in hopes to compromise on 3. Him and the embryologist had already decided 3 was good. I said bring it! I was super happy we were on the same page & this time the dr didn't even care what Dustin thought lol. Two of the embryos the dr was pleased with. They were a higher quality than any in the past. The third was about what we've had in the past. And the past 2 procedures we've only done 2 embryos. Since those 2 procedure was over a year ago there are now about 3 new discoveries that MAY help us this time (PLUS, I bought a Fertility Voodoo doll when we were in New Orleans and Mandy made me some special fertility oils....I really wanted to cover all options. lol) So hopefully, with all this new stuff (including a new kidney!!!!) we can maybe make this happen dangit!!!!!
The procedure went fine (there's really not much to it). With all we've done, if it works there is about 50% chance of twins and 18% chance of triplets but I'm just concentrating on one. Stacey says 6 Is a good number (all 3 have potential to split to twins) but she's nuts. I'm now on bed rest and going nuts already. The Dr says 48 hrs but I think I'm going to go the distance and make a weekend of it...if I can stand it. We now have the dreaded two week wait til we know the results. I have a better feeling about this one. Better than any in the past. I do hope that is a good sign
