Career Day!

Brian and I got the chance to speak at a Career Day at Rachel's elementary, Western Hills today. It was soo fun!! My kids didn't seem to care much that I was a play therapist, they just wanted to know when they were going to get to play with the toys that I brought. Brian, on the other hand, was a huge hit! Of course, because he's got such a sweet job...but he really got into it. He brought a contamination suit and hood for the kids to try on, he "contaminated" them with laundry detergent, then used a blacklight to show the radiation. He said the kids had a blast. They thought it was hilarious that radiation pops our popcorn and Brian doesn't in fact glow green because of the radiation. Brian even inherited a super hero name from one of the little girls, "The Nuculator", when she was talking about the equipment at the plant. He started laughing and said he wants a cape now with a big N and little atoms flying around it.
Everyone was telling us how cool they thought our jobs were and how excited they were to have us there. We thought that was really funny, because even though I love my job, I've never actually thought about others thinking it was cool. And it was fun seeing all the kids really getting into Brian's job, nuclear power is super cool.
Today was a great day, it made me that much more grateful that in these times, my husband and I both have jobs and that we have jobs we love!
Thanks Rachel! What a great day! :)

Redeeming Love

I am reading a book right now called Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers. It is a Christian fiction novel a sweet friend recommended to me, that is based on the book of Hosea. I recommend that if you have not read this book, you must get it and read it.

If you are not familiar with the book of Hosea, it is about a prophet that the Lord said to make a prostitute his wife. This prostitute left him over and over again, and the Lord told Hosea to go after her and bring her back, over and over again.

It was a love story to the Lord's people, written for them to see that even after the Israelites left God Almighty for idols and other nations, he would still pursue them and bring them back.
In Redeeming Love, not only is Michael Hosea and Angel the prostitute the main characters, but they also share the stage with two voices. The voice in bold letters is the voice of Satan, the voice in italics is the tender voice of God. Both are working overtime in these two characters' lives to bring about the conclusion that each is aspiring to. And it is chilling how Satan's voice is heard more often than the voice of God. But when the Lord speaks, it is quiet and still, reminding Michael to love her as God loves him, calling him beloved, and urging him to calm His lamb.

We've talked a lot lately about hearing the voice of God. Brian was surprised to hear that I have heard God's voice in my life more than once. I don't think I've always heard it though, I really think I've only identified it this last year with the searching, praying and growing I've been forced to do. God has spoken to me constantly over the encouraging and uplifting comments that I've received over this blog, through hugs and support given by so many, through His creation that he stuns me with at certain times, and even through gifts of songs on a wayward radio station in the middle of nowhere that disappears right after that specific song is finished.

I have one fear about God's voice. It is that I will confuse it for that of another voice, that sometimes tells me what I want to hear, other times fills my head with doubt, fear and anger.
I just pray that, like Angel, God will deliver me. That I will be able to differentiate the italic from the bold words. At that time, He will come for me, throw me on the back of his horse and ride me out of the filthy, dirty sin that clings to me like mud in a rainstorm.

I received this verse from my sweet friend, Debbie, at Hannah group Tuesday night. It seemed fitting for this message:
Proverbs 3:5-12
Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
Don't assume you know it all.
Run to God! Run from evil!
Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.
Your barn will burst, your wine vats will brim over.

Happy First Day of Spring!!

I totally forgot until I heard on the radio this morning that it is the 1st day of Spring!! I totally love this time of year & I had the most wonderful run this morning to celebrate today. It was a beautiful morning, cool with a great breeze. It made me so happy to be outside. I hope that you can get outside this weekend and enjoy the fresh beauty that is SPRING!!

And up we go...

Welcome to the Amy Magical Fun Ride! This week has been a much better week. Not only because it's been Spring Break, but physically it's just been a better week. I came to the conclusion that my mental health is completely connected to my physical health. Which, as a therapist, I already had an understanding of to some extent, but had never practiced with a case study so intimately...

I'm a control freak in a lot of ways and not being in control of my emotions has really driven me (pardon the phrase), CRAZY this last year. I've really tried taking a dose of my own medicine and started keeping track of my fluctuating feelings, identifying triggers and really preventing public breakdowns by letting myself stay home and recharge. I've always been an extrovert, (someone who gains energy from being around other people) but the last year or so I've changed a lot. I blame some of that on Brian, who has since marriage became more extroverted from his previous introverted (gaining energy from being alone) personality. He's stealing my identity. Good for him.

But I also attribute it to maturity and a natural reaction to the life events I've experienced in the last two years. I do not think being introverted is a bad thing, and I've actually begun to enjoy it. My favorite things to do now are curl up in my big yellow chair with a book, strap on my Iphone and go running (alone) to my awesome playlist of my all time favorite music, shopping for things for the house (alone), I'm sensing a pattern here. Don't get me wrong, I'm still all about hanging out, throwing righteous parties and going out on the town. (Having a Twilight party next weekend for anyone who's interested!! ) I just feel a little more balanced when I get some alone time too.

All this to say, I guess I've learned a lot about myself throughout this experience. I'm trying to get used to the emotional swings that comes from my medicine and the glorious experience that is infertility. And I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, all the while letting myself grieve if I need to. This post is a little scattered, but I guess it's mostly meant to let you know I'm ok, just doing the best I can as I click back up the coaster.

I haven't posted pictures in a while, so here's a couple from the Cowtown. We're running in the Granbury 5k Saturday and I'm really excited that Heather, a fellow run-hating/run-loving buddy will be running with me!

Brian pretending like he's working hard. He ran with me the whole way!
Around mile 2, still smiling!
Before the race started, OMG so cold.
After we ran, still smiling!! :)

And here's some pics of Lewis and one of our new bunnies, Hoppie. We realized Hoppie might have dislocated his shoulder, so we put him on the grass to walk around thinking we may need to put him down if he's in a lot of pain. And then he did the stinkin cutest thing ever and started posing with Lewis. Bad news is, 5 of the 7 (Hoppie not included) new bunnies got out the other night and have gone AWOL. I'm just hoping they've run into the trees and have found new bunny friends to hang out with. So before my bleeding heart breaks, here's some adorable pics to put you in a better mood...

Keep it together

I haven't really been in the mood lately to post anything. Not because there has been nothing significant going on, I just haven't really been in the mood to deal with it. I haven't been writing in my journal, I've hardly talked to anyone about it and I've finally been slammed with it this week.

I feel like I'm starting to understand some things about myself. We're reading a book by John & Stasi Eldridge in our Friday morning Bible study called Captivating. It is all about healing from past and present wounds and allowing God to romance you. I've started thinking a lot about my childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. I've been incredibly blessed by loving parents, a great family and a truly blessed life. But I've started to realize that my whole life, I've felt like my job was try to keep it together. To be the responsible one, the one that could be depended upon.

And I think this affects me in my adulthood as well. In a lot of ways, I think I chose my profession because I can keep it together, and I've kind of always been the one that people go to talk about their problems to, it started when I was just a little girl. These last couple of months it feels like I've just been tossed around by Satan. I haven't talked to anyone but Brian about it because I don't like to feel weak and I try to give the impression that everything is okay, that I'm strong and I can take it. This week it culminated with the start of another cycle and I just really couldn't pretend anymore.

So, I confessed it to Brian on Wednesday night, I confessed it to my girls in Bible study today and I'm confessing it now. I'm scared. I'm tired and I'm scared. I'm tired of counting cycles and taking hormone treatments that make me feel horrible and aren't giving me any desired result. It's been almost a year since I first started Clomid the first time, and my body has been on a roller coaster ride ever since. Every 14 days I'm either climbing a hill of anticipation and excitement, or slamming myself down almost to the ground with disappointment at another failed round. I'm also scared. My doctor wants me to try IUI this cycle and is doubling my Clomid. I'm scared because I'm not sure how my body will react to this double dose. We're also not sure if starting IUI is the right time right now, since it is about $600 a pop, non-insurance covered, of course. I'm not sure if I'm ready to start shelling out the dough, while trying to keep the faith that it will not turn out like the rest of my treatment has. I'm scared because I feel like we're almost to the end of treatment and what happens next?

The fear of the unknown combined with the exhaustion (physical and mental) that I feel right now is crashing down on me. I know some of you are saying, "But I thought you were doing so well. You said you are just going to wait on God's timing." And I feel like I am doing well. I feel like I can still be proud of myself that I'm not completely falling apart or giving up, that I can still feel God's hand on my back holding me up. But I also am not going to pretend that this is not the absolute hardest experience of my entire life.
In my despair Wednesday night, I pulled out the Bible, praying that I could find something to give me comfort. And as usual, God provides.

Psalm 40
I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.
Oh the joys of those who trust in the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols.
O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us.
Your plans are too numerous to list.
You have no equal.
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.
You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings.
Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand, you don't require burnt offerings or sin offerings.
Then I said, "Look, I have come. As is written about me in Scripture,
I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart."
I have told all your people about your justice.
I have not been afraid to speak out as you, O Lord, well know.
I have not kept the good news hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power.
I have told everyone in the assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.
Lord, don't hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles surround me, too many to count!
My sins pile up so high, I can't see my way out.
They outnumber the hairs on my head.
I have lost all courage.
Please Lord, rescue me!
Come quickly Lord to help me.
May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame.
May those who delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace.
Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, "Aha! We've got her now!"
But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.
May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The Lord is great!"
As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts.
You are my helper and my savior.
O my God, do not delay.

I will not stop speaking about what God is doing in me and for me. And while I am never going to be feeling great about infertility, and I may never say, "Gee, God. That was really great. Thanks for letting me go through that!", I can still praise him for his unfailing love and faithfulness. He has blessed me with the most amazing family and the greatest friends who have decided to each take a day and pray for us over these next two weeks. I don't think I've ever had that done for me in my entire life. I know I am blessed and I thank God for the work he has done in me.

I understand that I don't have to "keep it together". Why should I? I have a God who's really been the one who's kept me together all along. Now, I just beg that God keep me in his thoughts, that he continue to rescue me and not hold back his tender mercies from me. Please God, don't delay.

M.I.A.

I know I've been missing in action these last few weeks. I'm sure I have about 2 readers left, probably both of them my parents...

Things have been so crazy here these last few weeks. I started work in Granbury for the school district. The work has been much greater than I anticipated and I've already had to add a 1/2 day to my already 2 day schedule to get the work finished. My parents, grandmother, uncle, girlfriend and new baby all came to visit a couple of weeks ago. I love it when my parents come into town and I loved it even more that my Nanny got to come and I got to hold and hang out with my sweet precious new cousin, Tressie.

Brian's grandad has been very sick and in the hospital for the last couple of weeks as well. They finally figured out what was wrong with him. After treating him for heartburn, gallbladder and stomach issues, it was a hernia behind his heart. After a six hour surgery, he has been able to come home and is resting. I've talked with him a lot and he seems to be doing so much better, though the recovery is still going to be tough.

I've started my second month of Clomid. Today I had an appointment with the doctor and it looks like the Clomid did it's job this month. And they are adding a shot of HCG tomorrow to induce ovulation. I totally love my new doctor and her nurses. They are considerate and sensitive. I feel so blessed to be under their care.

I've also started training for the Cowtown 5k. I run every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, then swim at the Y Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. It has been so pretty lately, I've enjoyed being out in the sun and the warm weather with my dogs and my hubby. It has also been such a blessing to get to do this with Brian. I'm super nervous about Saturday, but I know, even if I walk the whole thing, I can do it.

I appreciate all of you who still check periodically to see if anything is up with the Tindells! I'll keep you posted on how my run goes on Saturday..aaagghhh!!!

Adoption Watch 2009

Thursday night I received a call from the adoption counselor of our birth mother. She said that earlier this week, she went into labor and had the baby. She did not however, give the baby to the other family who was interested. The mother ended up giving the baby to a friend of hers. So, that's the end to this exhausting process. Brian and I feel okay about the outcome, though we are just praying God's grace over this little baby and the life that he/she will lead, the family that he/she will have and for protection over her. Thank you so much for all of your thoughts and prayers throughout this whole month. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family. Please also continue to pray for us, as we are almost through our first month of treatment.