Happy Thanksgiving!

On Thanksgiving day, we are to sit back and reflect on what we are thankful for.

There are a hundred things I could sarcastically ramble on about but instead, today, I am taking a different approach. I am thankful for many, many things. Haydan being number one.

I make a lot of jokes about how she drives me absolutely insane, but that little hooligan has made me the woman I am today. Children are a blessing and unfortunately, not a blessing that comes as easy to some as it does to others.

For the two of you that actually read my blog, you may have noticed a new little picture on the left side of my page titled ‘Nursing Necklaces’.

This button will redirect you to an Etsy shop where you can purchase teething necklaces for babies. I’d like to give a small back story as to why I put that up:

I have a friend that I’ve known through life casually but we connected and established a relationship through writing. She inspires me with her amazing way with words and I look up to her in so many ways. She is brave, strong, hard working, and in my opinion, brilliant. Apparently, I make her laugh…and that’s good enough for her….and for me, too. 😉

Emily and her husband, Brandon, have struggled with infertility for far too long. My words will be an injustice to their situation so allow me pull a ‘copy and paste’ moment so you can really gauge the scope of what they have endured and continue to face:

Emily is a junior high English teacher. She loves working with kids, having summers off, and couldn’t be happier in her choice of career. She also enjoys playing the piano and guitar, running marathons and painting portraits. Brandon is a financial advisor with a film degree. He has also worked as a camp counselor for special needs children. He loves to play basketball, cook, and train our dogs to do tricks. 

We live in San Tan Valley in a quiet neighborhood. Our home is next to a park with a playground. We have rescued all our pets and currently have 2 dogs and 2 cats. We love animals and treat our pets like family members. Our children will have two adults who are patient, gentle, loving, and ready to make them our number one priority. 

We have been through a lot together in our years as a couple: moving, buying a home, graduate school, deaths in our families, and much more. We are a constant source of emotional support and laughter for one other. We are kind, affectionate and always respectful towards one other. We do not take each other for granted and are so lucky to have the happy marriage that we have. We are best friends first, and never tire of one another, whether it be: thrift shopping, throwing dinner parties, going for walks or hikes, or spending time with our nieces and nephews. We have an incredible support system of loving family and close friends who are excited to welcome a child into our lives. We are ready to fulfill a lifelong dream of caring for children in our home.

Unfortunately, this has not come easy for us. We have been trying to conceive since 2011. We have seen specialists and have endured numerous procedures and tests, including 2 surgeries. We are currently on our ninth round of assisted reproductive technology. Stacked against us are: one blocked fallopian tube, diminished ovarian reserve, polyps, insulin resistance, a genetic mutation called MTHFR which causes early miscarriages and severe vitamin deficiencies most importantly folic acid. But our biggest setback is money. We have already spent tens of thousands of dollars on our various treatments, and have been using donated medicine on top of that. Living in Arizona, our insurance covers nothing. The cost of adopting embryos is $8,500, the cost of one round of IVF is $16,000 and the cost of one round of IVF with donor eggs is $24,000. These are hefty sums to pay on a teacher’s salary and so we are asking for your help. Every little bit helps. Infertility is a devastating condition that affects 1 in 6 couples in the United States, and it is a painful and horribly sad thing for anyone to go through.

In the event that a pregnancy occurs naturally during the time of our efforts of fundraising, (although statistically we have a very low chance of this happening) the funds will be donated to another infertile couple in need. 

We thank you for your generosity and love!! – Emily & Brandon

 

Initially, Emily was reluctant to set up a Go Fund Me account. I couldn’t think of a better way to raise money, nor could I think of a better reason. There are people raising money for nose jobs, for Christ’s sake. Human beats nose job, every time. Every time.

So, my friends. I know Black Friday is tomorrow. I know we have hectic lives and funds can be tough from time to time. However, my hopes are that you can donate something, anything. If you can donate a few dollars, wonderful. If you can purchase a Nursing Necklace for your baby or for a friend who has a little one, wonderful! No truer words than: ’Every penny helps’.

On Thanksgiving, lets remember what we are thankful for and the amazing blessing that our children are to us. Most of all, let’s remember that helping one another out is what life is all about.

To Donate to Emily & Brandon’s efforts to build a family, please go to The Baby Apsell Go Fund Me or if you or anyone you know may be interested in a teething nursing necklace, please check out the wonderful Elizabeth’s The Quilted Crane Etsy Shop. Elizabeth is hand making each and every item to order and is also donating 100% of the proceeds to Emily & Brandon’s Go Fund Me account to help cover medical bills, medical tests, surgeries, and other potential options in hopes to expand their amazing family.

Happy Thanksgiving.