TTC Greeting Cards.

July 27, 2015July 27, 20157 Comments

Two things that most people know about me: 1) I love mail and 2) I love encouragement. So imagine my delight when I learned of a gal who designs cards on Etsy for those specifically try to start or grow a family. You guys, you have to check out Kristy’s site HERE.

Even better, we are teaming up to host a giveaway for 2 FREE cards from her shop! The drawing winner can select any two cards of your choosing from her Etsy store to be sent to you. You can then choose who to spread the love to! WINNING!

All you have to do to enter is hop over to Instagram and “like” the giveaway photo on my account (@chels819) and follow both her (@ttcgreetingcards) and myself. Then, to earn extra entires, repost the giveaway photo using the hashtag #TrialsBringCards. You can earn even more entries by tagging a friend on the giveaway photo, one tag per comment, unlimited entries. The giveaway will run today (Monday, July 27) until Friday, July 31. Don’t have an Instagram account? Then just “favorite” Kristy’s Etsy account – it’s so simple – and leave a comment here on my blog that you have done so! Can’t wait to see who the winner is! The great thing is that anyone can enter because it these cards will be passed on to someone in need – so you don’t have to be necessarily TTC to win! (But I’ll be honest, they are so pretty I am tempted to frame them haha!)

Even better? These cards are beautiful quality, so even if you don’t win, I encourage you to order some cards from Kristy. There are so many varieties, all PERFECT. (Plus, ordering supports Kristy and her husband in their long journey to growing their family too! There are an unending amount of wins here!). Trust me, you won’t regret checking out all the varieties of cards on her site. I’ll go on the record to say that receiving one of them in the mail would brighten my day SO much – I know others will feel the same way!

Happy entering! :)

lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.

July 20, 20157 Comments

Nat King Cole once sang “Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer….” and here we are, right day smack in the midst of summer and it feels a lot crazy, a little hazy and not enough lazy. I always seem to hit a blogger slump in the summer. When the sun is shining and the patios are open, the inside of a coffee shop just doesn’t seem as tempting as it does in the winter. I can’t seem to figure out a way to write outside while being able to see my laptop screen and so instead, my notebooks are scribbled in and my computer is tucked away. I have SO much to get out and am enjoying the days of processing and building. Watch out fall, it’s gonna be a good one. :)

In the meantime, I do keep churning out work, just not as frequently as I’d hope. I am excited to share with you a sponsored piece today that ran last week on EmpowerHER. Yes, this is a shameless plug. (*cringes*). If you’d like, pop on over to the article and give it a read, a share, a comment. I’ll forewarn you there will be another piece in another month, an upcoming podcast with Beat Infertility and a devotional launch in a few weeks. I KNOW! It’s been a crazy summer even if this blog only has once-a-week love. Thanks for bearing with me.

Article link: Are You Dealing With Infertility? Remember You’re Not Alone

So what am I learning in all of this crazy?

That there are seasons. So many seasons. There are days and hours where I feel like I am peeking through and gaining upward momentum. Other days I feel like my patience has been drained. Moments where I am over it all, other moments the ache seems more real than ever before. All in all, life is beautiful, good, stable and invigorating. Being off of hormones makes me feel like I am waking up a little more each day. My body is confused, having gotten used to the added progesterone, estrogen and hormonal supplements. The cold turkey shock has it going through its own version of mending, but here I am, 30 days clean and finally breathing a little more slowly. Often times I reach this mountain top and wonder how I make it through a medicated cycle. Feeling not-crazy is so so nice. (Granted, my not-crazy can still be crazy.)

Real life is messy. Messy. A popular word we read often in posts, devotionals, blogs. We relate – oh, yes, messy – but what does that even mean? Is everyone’s life THIS messy? Do certain relationships seem this difficult for others? Does the idea of meal planning seem too much? Are you too failing at maintaining friendships, house chores, errands? Does your brain ever get going on the hamster wheel late at night? Do you question ‘what is next’? Does your quiet time go through ebbs and flows? This is messy. This is LIFE. It’s beautiful and it’s painful. The hard moments and seasons makes the good ones even more special. Keep going. Acknowledge the messy. Define what messy means to you and embrace it. Continue to fight. Keep seeking God in the mess. Find a few moments to be quiet and listen. Listening makes the mess seem less intense, even when it’s still there.

Even in the busy, even in the mess, even in the days where life seems a bit harder than you remember, press in. Join me in continuing to move forward, even when it seems like you are being pushed backwards.

Until next time. XO!

Chelsea

miss conception coach.

July 14, 20156 Comments

I am so excited to be a part of Miss.Conception Coach’s Online Fertility Conference! This conference is hosted by Chiemi, aka Miss Conception Coach, where TTC bloggers are rallying together for 3 weeks to share our stories, perspectives, popular blog pieces and offer support to those around us. Basically it’s three weeks of inspiration, hope and sisterhood all within a community of women that bless me every day. How could you go wrong??

Today is day 2 so you’re not too late! And I am honored to be featured today on the website, sharing a popular piece from last year, reminding those struggling to start or grow their family how normal they are. I would love it if you would click over and check it out! And while you are over there, I encourage you to look at all of the wonderful resources available as well. You won’t be disappointed!

To Read More: Click Here

Can’t wait to continue reading all of the blog pieces that are ahead of us! And check out Elena’s day 1 piece from yesterday too – a great one! If you are looking for more ways to connect, check out Miss Conception Coach on Instagram (@missconceptioncoach) for support and resources as well! (And while you are there, connect with me too! I’m @chels819!).

Happy reading! :)

jaws.

July 9, 2015July 9, 201515 Comments

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a healthy fear of sharks. And by healthy, I mean I am worried about sharks attacking me in swimming pools, around water vents, in lakes or rivers, most definitely in the ocean regardless of the water height, and yes, understanding that even fake sharks could become dangerous and deadly.

I believe an early viewing of the movie Jaws may have had something to do with it, although like all good parents, mine fast forwarded through so much of the tv-version movie that I had just enough to worry about in an excitingly obsessive way. (And also had a total meltdown the first time I saw the non-fast forwarded through version). Sharks have always intrigued me and I have written many papers for school, collected shark teeth and can give you detailed run-downs of all 4 Jaws movies. (skip Jaws 2 and never waste your time on Jaws: The Revenge.)

Riding the Jaws ride at Universal Studio in Florida when I was in elementary school was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life, but one I was determined to overcome. (I did say my goodbyes beforehand though. One kid at school told me someone got thrown off the boat by mistake and the fake Jaws munched her up before they could retrieve her. I was certain my death was near.) But thankfully, despite some hysterical sobs and an offer to stop the ride, I did make it through.

All of this being said, last week Josh and I ventured down to sunny Florida and spent the day at Universal for our anniversary. I knew the Jaws ride had closed much to my dismay. However, I wasn’t anticipating him to be hanging by the Universal “lake”. As a nearly 30-year old adult, walking close to him was terrifying. I likely sounded like a shrieking dying varmint. Thankfully our walk by him was early and the park area was nearly empty.

Take a picture with him!

Josh and the park photo attendant cheered.

No thanks!

My football field length viewing of him was more than close enough and I was sweating more than I should have been for 9:00 am.

Honey, just get a little closer, you can do it!

Josh kept cheering, standing on the other side of the big killer while I would take one step forward and run 3 steps backwards. I was painfully aware that this made no sense at all. I could see the confusion on the park attendants face as she watched me do an awkward side dance between the plastic Jaws and the freedom that the street 100 yards away was bringing.

You got this, just get a little closer. He’s not gonna get you. Come on babe!

Josh was giddy at the thought of me overcoming this fear. I wanted to throw up in my mouth. (Disgusting I know. Fear will do that to you, right?) Finally, after 100 mini mental pep talks and Josh chanting in the background, I made it to the beast. I stood about 5 feet away and smiled prettily for the camera. Except neither Josh nor the attendant would take the picture.

Um, move in closer.

I can’t.

You can. Just don’t look at its really sharp teeth. (Park attendant – not helpful.)

(me wheezing)

Finally I got close. I mean, really close. I don’t think I was breathing and I was certain at any time 1) another shark would jump out of the water behind me and pull me in; 2) that this plastic Jaws was mysteriously animated somehow and would lurch at me, accidentally catching my hair in its teeth and kill me; 3) it would fall off the hinges and crush me. An unexpected way to die by shark but very possible in my world.

Now touch it!! Go on honey! Just put your hand up and touch it!

Josh was shrieking out encouragement and hysterical watching this entire thing take place. Again, can I just mention how thankful I was that no one else was around? Except that park attendant who had nothing helpful to say.

Whooooa, be careful! He’s looking at you!

I couldn’t touch him until said unhelpful park attendant shouted out three insanely helpful words.

Close your eyes!

My hands flew up to my face. I was wearing sunglasses! No one would ever be able to tell if my eyes weren’t open! And with that, my eyes quickly closed and I was mentally moved away from the situation that I was about to touch Jaws. My hand came up and rested on his cold, clammy, killery cheek and the camera’s clicked.

Boom.

I walked away with a pride. I did it! I overcame my fear! I was still alive! And I had proof! Of course Josh walked up to him and made a visit to Jaws seem like he was saying hi to a minion, but I was on a high. In fact, they even talked me into another picture, this time with Josh, and I fell naturally into a runners stance. HA!

All of this being said, I learned an important lesson about fear. Sometimes you just have to close your eyes and do it. That thing that you are certain you can’t overcome – the move, the doctor’s appointment, the battle towards weight loss, the reconciliation phone call – just close your eyes and do it. When we stare the problem in the face for too long, it grows and with it, the fears grow. The “what if’s” become so long, engulfing us in worries and anxieties and almost always, the thoughts of failure. So let’s eliminate those from our peripheral vision. Let’s only lay our eyes on the prize – what do we need to do to overcome it? Is it making a phone call? Is it saying “yes” to something that scares you, yet you know you need to do? Is it finally scheduling an appointment to get that mole checked out or looking up the lab results the doctor’s office posted?

Isaiah 41:10 (GWT) beautifully reminds us: “Don’t be afraid, because I am with you. Don’t be intimidated; I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will support you with my victorious right hand.” We don’t have to be afraid because He is next to us, supporting us, strengthen us and walking with us. Close your eyes today and feel Him. He is there! Slow down your mind long enough to realize His hand has never left you and never will. The thing you fear may not be easy. All things considering, my visit to Jaws is minor in comparison to real fears – fears of diagnosis’s, miscarriages, lost jobs, divorce battles, dying parents, difficult bosses. If you are at one of those draining crossroads today, be encouraged that you can go forward. It may be by closing your eyes but don’t stand still and soak in the terror. Grab His hand, listen to His encouraging words and move closer to that Thing. He will protect you in all your ways!

Okay, now back to Shark Week …

little life update.

July 1, 201510 Comments

How’s your summer going? Can you believe it’s JULY already? I can’t! I haven’t been posting as much frequently but not without good reason! There’s been some exciting things happening over in our house!

Writing. So many of you have encouraged me by sharing your dreams of me writing something in print. God has been so good in blessing me with an opportunity to do just that! I am excited to share that I have been part of an exciting collaboration with some amazing Godly women to create a 6-week devotional based on finding God in the wait. It’s an all encompassing devotional (not just infertility driven) and I think if you are breathing and a woman, will find it an incredible blessing. My time has been pulled away recently as I work on pouring my heart and soul into that project and can’t wait for the time to share more with you! More information will come out later this month, followed by pre-sale hitting the online world mid August. Thank you to those who have pushed and encouraged me to seek how God wants to use me in this time. I hope and pray that if you check it out, you will be blessed. God is good!
Living. I have been working on living intentionally, embracing the moments and enjoying summer. Often times, that’s away from my keyboard as I have been working on getting my head out of the clouds. It’s working! Slowly but surely.
Celebrating. Tomorrow is Josh and my 10 year wedding anniversary and I can’t help but feel incredibly blessed. Marriages have ups and downs and require significant investment, forgiveness, communication and unconditional love. I am beyond grateful to have partnered up with Josh over the last decade to do all of that. We are also celebrating Josh’s birthday next week (33!) and so the days have been filled with a little extra sparkle as these fun days approach.
Reading. I love the fact that summers can be a little lazier and slower and have appreciated all the reading I have been able to do. Right now I am reading “Every Bitter Thing is Sweet: Tasting the Goodness of God in All Things” by Sara Hagerty. All I can say is “yes”. All of it. It’s so good and I know that you will be hearing many more thoughts of mine tied into this in the coming weeks.
Healing. The road of infertility is never easy. I love the reminders that people share with me that infertility doesn’t define me and I would be the first to agree with that. However, infertility can influence every part of our lives and it is hard to separate ME from my disease. I’m tired of it getting in the way of my goals, dreams, plans, future. I am tired of the unknowns, the what-next, the why’s? I am so thankful that God hasn’t left my side as I have brought all these questions to His feet and asked for direction. But healing takes time. He works through it with us and I am grateful that this particular season of self-care and healing can happen when the air is warm and the sun is shining. That being said, my engagement with others has been less than ideal and I have been a little withdrawn and guarded. I am working to reconnect, be better at texting, emailing and calling you back, set up those coffee dates we talked about and bringing a me to the table that has enough energy and cheer to really listen and engage. Thank you for your grace and know that I am making a rebound.

With all of that said, I am still here! I am excited to be entering into final edits and drafts for the devotional, freelancing some articles, and embracing today. I hope to hit the ground running mid July with new posts, thoughts, and updates!

Have a wonderful 4^th of July weekend friends!