Growing up, my family always had at least one dog. So when I bought my first home in 2009, it didn’t take much convincing when my then boyfriend (now husband) told me that his chocolate lab needed a friend. All I knew was that I didn’t want a puppy, so I started scouring petfinder.com. I came across a picture of D3, a 1.5 year old Siberian Husky/German Shepherd mix at a shelter about 30 minutes from my house. A few emails later I learned that he was a sweet dog, loved to be outside, and was very smart. He had figured out how to sneak under the gate that kept him in his kennel. They couldn’t figure out how...
Infertility :: Tell Your Story
First of all, I just want to say thank you to the many of you who have responded to the posts this week. I have received emails, texts, Facebook messages, etc., and the feedback and response has been overwhelming. It is so great to know that there is a huge community of support out there. Here here for more of my story, how to cope with infertility or learn how to be a supportive friend.
I know first hand what so many of you are going through. Looking back at my journey, I realize that my infertility story was extremely, mercifully short compared to what many of you are currently experiencing. But the ache and hurt...
For the many of you who are reading this blog series (here is Part 1 and Part 2) who have never struggled with fertility, chances are that you know someone who is. Infertility affects between 10% and 15% of couples trying to conceive. You likely have a friend or a relative who is currently dealing with this issue. Knowing the right things to do or say can be tricky because you don't want to walk on eggshells, but you don't want to be hurtful either.
Based on my experiences, here are a few suggestions for what to say and what not to say.
Things you should try to avoid saying or doing:
Don't tell her to "just relax". This was one...
Infertility :: How to Cope
I shared my story of my journey through infertility. What I failed to share, however, was the deep agonizing pain that I went through in that journey. I didn't share about the endless nights when I would cry myself to sleep, or when I would wake up in the morning with tears covering my face from crying in my sleep. I didn't share about the times when I would have to rush to the bathroom to be sick and then return to a room full of my friends and their young babies with a smile plastered to my face. Or the times when I would hear a song on the radio that triggered deep pain...
Our son William was baptized on Sunday.
I was so excited. I had been planning it for weeks. My husband and I were hosting a brunch for our families at our house afterward. He had an adorable outfit picked out. A close family friend was going to baptize him. It was going to be perfect – my son’s first big event in his short three-month life.
The day arrived and by the end of it I learned a valuable lesson: there are no perfect moments in life. At least, not the kind of “perfect” that you often hope they will be. Having a child has redefined what having a meaningful experience is for me – and it doesn’t always involve everything...
Around Baton Rouge
Wearin’ of the Green :: Baton Rouge Goes Wild {and Green!}
Wearin' of the Green :: Baton Rouge Goes Wild {and Green!}
Every March, Baton Rouge flips a switch. Suddenly, the streets aren't just streets anymore—they're...
