God is GOOD

My dear friend & her husband received the BEST news yesterday.

Their 2nd IVF cycle WORKED!!! They are PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In about a week, they'll get to find out whether they are expecting one or two babies. I'm so over the moon happy for them.

So much to be thankful for this year....

100 Days

Next week will mark the 100th day since I've given up all soda pop. Something I never thought I'd be able to do!

I admit, at first, there were times when we'd be out to dinner & I'd catch a glimpse of that delicious bubbly beverage at the table next to us. And my mouth would water, and in my mind I could recall just what a Diet Coke tasted like. And how I craved it. But I held strong & kept on with ordering lemonade or iced tea.

Now, it's not even on my mind. It's just become so routine NOT to drink it, that I don't even think about it. In fact, I actually had to look back and count out the days because I really had no idea how long it had been, because it's just not a part of my life anymore.

I hoped to see some better results in terms of weight loss, but I am taking in more calories these days by NOT drinking pop because I've substituted with lemonade, teas, and fruit juices. I went from a 0 calorie Diet Coke, to a glass of juice with 100-some odd calories per serving. In the last couple weeks, I've tried to drink more water and less of the beverages with calories.

But let me tell ya ... when you don't drink a lot of water on a regular basis, and then suddenly start ... you may as well camp out in the bathroom. I feel like I have to pee every 5 minutes. I suppose that's something that I will adjust to over time; or at least I'm hoping!

Recipe - Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes

Black Forest Stuffed Cupcakes (thanks Kraft recipes!)

Ingredients:

1 package (2 layer size) chocolate cake mix (I used Devil's Food)
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
1 egg (*please note that you'll also need further ingredients based on the directions on the cake mix you pick)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 can (20 oz) cherry pie filling
1 tub Cool Whip

Directions:

Preheat over to 350 degrees.

Prepare cake mix as directed on box. Set aside.

Mix cream cheese, egg and sugar until well blended.

Remove 3/4 cup of pie filling for garnish.

Spoon 2 tablespoons of cake batter into each of 24 paper lined medium muffin cups. Top each with 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture. Then spoon a bit of pie filling into each (I did about 2 cherries plus the cherry sauce into each). Cover each evening with remaining cake batter.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool completely.

Top cupcakes with cool whip & remaining pie filling just before serving.

*Also note that these should be eaten with a fork as they are moist and delicate having filling inside them and can get a little messy.*

Baking, Photographing, You Name It, I've Done It.

Just this month I had my first paying photography gig. I've also got another one booked for next month. The one I just did was my cousin, but the next is just more of an online friend/acquaintance and it's a little nerve-wracking. Having the worry that they won't like the photos. I've got about a month to pysch myself up about it.

I've also been busy trying new recipes, and keeping up with the extreme couponing. The amount of freebies I've snagged is incredible!!! It's a total rush to see the savings at the end of a shopping trip. Truly fab! Perfect time of year to be saving money -- I've got Christmas shopping to start!!!

Couponing

I have become slightly addicted to couponing.

Just in the last couple weeks, I've managed to get several fantastic deals.

First, I got 3 containers of Glade Tough Odor Solutions carpet deodorizer -- regular price $1.99 each at Target, used {$1.00 off 1} and {$2.00 off 2} manufacturer coupons, stacked with 3 - {$1.00 off 1} Target store coupons == FREE!

Then, this weekend, I got 5 Tic Tacs -- currently on sale at my local grocery store (Woodman's) for 79-cents, used 5 - {.75cents off 1} manufacturer coupons == a total of .20cents!

Also, grabbed 6 Mentos Gum containers -- currently on sale at my local grocery store (Woodman's) for 99-cents, used 6 - {$1.00 off 1} manufacturer coupons == FREE!

But the best deal is probably the 15 Nivea lip care items -- on sale at Walgreens for $1.00, used 5 - {$1.00 off 1} and 5 - {$2.00 off 2} manufacturer coupons == FREE! (and these had a retail value of over $50!!!)

Fabulous!!!

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It didn't work. My friend's first attempt and it was unsuccessful.

Continued prayers for them, please.

Prayers for them to keep their heads up and their hearts open. I just know there are babies waiting for them.

In the meantime, J, I've got shoulders & ears so if you need them, let me know.

Lift Her Up

I've written before about a friend of mine who is trying to conceive. Her and her husband have embarked on the journey to have a bit of medical intervention to help them along.

Their transfer was done and are now in the 2 week wait. The big day is Monday, when they'll test.

I ask, if you are the praying type .... to lift them in your prayers; calming them over these next few (very anxious) days, and pray that come Monday morning, they'll finally be able to scream the words "WE'RE PREGNANT!!"

(after that, then we'll talk prayers about how many babies are in there!!)

To J & E -- May you find peace & patience these next few days. I think about you on a daily basis. I'll be anxiously awaiting your news & know that if you need anything, I'm here. All my love.

As the leaves change...

I feel like my life is changing....not drastically in which we'd feel our world was being turned upside down, but rather in a way that I feel like I will be a better person; a happier person.

I don't have answers to my medical questions and right now I can't be burdened by them. The rheumatologist was certain there is not auto-immune disease to worry of. So I won't. Unless there's a reason to worry, I just don't have the time in my life to give in to worrying.

I'm not going to let something out of my hands, hold me back. I have a life to live, and I will not let anything -or anyone- stand in my way.

I have recently gotten in touch (thanks to social networking at it's finest) with a dear old friend of mine who, last I knew, was living in California. It had been at least 12 years, more like 15, since we had last been in touch with one another. Imagine my surprise when I found out she's living back here in Illinois! I am thrilled and looking forward to getting together with her. We've got so much to catch up on!

I'm surrounded by wonderful people every day. Ones that take my breath away with their strength and positivity to continue forward when they were dealt an unfair hand; ones that I envy with their patience and good heart; ones that can put me in my place & tell me like it is, even if I don't like it; ones that make me laugh and ones that are there thru thick and thin.

I am a better person because of those amazing people in my life and I thank you.