Sometimes you just need to cry

Over the last 2 years I have avoided reading stories of infertility. I haven't joined any online support groups, read any blogs, bought any books. I have relied on talking to my friends and reassurance from my doctors to help me get through this. On Friday, a friend of mine who is struggling with infertility herself, recommended a book to me. Empty Womb, Aching Heart is a collection of stories from women and men who have dealt with infertility. Most of the stories made me cry, but a lot made me laugh as well. The stories are centered around God and how faith has helped these families keep a sense of realness about their situation. The book is not filled with "Trust God" stories, but makes you realize that this sucks. It is okay to be hurt, and angry, but that we are not always in control. I have struggled with this thought. I used to be the "every Sunday" church going Christian. Then I started working on Sundays. Now, 3 years after leaving that job, I have still found it difficult to get back into the routine of church. I have always struggled with the idea of organized religion but recently I have let my faith in Him lapse as a result. This book helped put into perspective all of the thoughts and bitterness and resentment that I have been feeling. It was also a little funny to read other people's stories of the idiotic things that people say. "Just relax" Have a bottle of wine" Go on vacation" One woman was told that maybe God knew she wouldn't be a good mother. Really! In my own experience, I have been told that there is no such thing as "problem" but that I am trying too hard. Most of the people just don't know what to say. Others just lack a sensitivity chip. For anyone that is going through this journey, this book will make you cry. But sometimes, crying is therapeutic. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for a Christ-centered perspective on infertility.

My view from here

Yum

Baked Beef Chimichangas

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of Vegetable oil
1 small onion, chopped (I omitted because I hate onions)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 1/2 cups shredded cooked beef (I used ground beef because that's what I had)
2 cups shredded cheese, divided
2 8 count cans crescent rolls
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cuup chopped green onion ( again, I did not use)

1.) Heat oil. Add onion and garlic powder. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. Add beef and cook until heated through. Remove from heat and add 1 cup cheese.

2.) Preheat oven to 350'F. Unroll crescent rolls and seperate into 8 rectangles. pinch preforations to seal. spread 1 tablespoon salsa over each rectangle to within 1/2 inch of edges.

3.) Grease baking sheet. spoon 1/3 cup of beef over each rectangle. Roll up dough from short end and press edges together to seal. Place chimichangas seam side down on baking sheet.

4.) Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Top with remaining cheese. Return to oven and bake until cheese is melted. Top with sour cream and green onions.

Photo courtesy of google images
Recipe courtesy of Easy Everyday Cooking

6 years

My aunt Annie is a 6 year breast cancer survivor! We are so lucky that she fought and beat her cancer. Every year we do the Race for the Cure as a family and it is incredible. I had signed up to run it this year, but for health reasons I had to walk it. Every year is awe inspiring to see the see of pink and know that we are all together, fighting for a cure for breast cancer.

Yum

I am tired of talking about doctor's and infertility stuff but I can only put up so many pictures of other people's kids before I start looking like a stalker. I figured I could share some of my favorite easy recipes and have something else to write about.

Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Ingredients:
2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1/3 cup of honey
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 clove of garlic, minced
4 Kaiser rolls
4 lettuce leaves
4 tomato slices
HONEY SAUCE:
4 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
serves 4

1.) preheat grill. Cut chicken breast in half and pound to 1/4 inch thickness. Mix honey, lemon juice and garlic in shallow dish. Reserve about 1/3 of the marinade.

2.) Add chicken to baking dish; turn to coat. Grill chicken, basting with reserved marinade. about 5 minutes per side.

3.) To prepare honey sauce, blend honey and mayo in a small bowl. Blend well.

4.) Split rolls into halves. Top the 4 bottoms with lettuce and tomato and chicken. Drizzle honey sauce over top.


photo curtesy of google images
Recipe from Easy Everyday Recipes

Happy Birthday America!

Pretty in Pink