TTC Update

Well our last IUI was in June and it failed. That makes 3 failed IUIs. We found out in July that I had 3 large cysts on my right ovary and 3 small ones on my left. So the doctor put me back on birth control to get rid of them. I am now at the beginning of a new cycle and the doctor wanted to see me back down in San Antonio tomorrow but I asked if we could take this month off. They said of course, that a lot of people do. Its a very stressful process. But there are a few things I would like to take care of first before doing another round.

I think the cysts are still there I can feel them every once in a while so I am choosing to continue birth control this month. If I went down to SA and they saw the cysts were still there they would just tell me I have to wait another cycle anyway... but that's my life lately, the waiting game.

I found out about a week and a half ago that the pain I have been feeling in my chest was not cracked cartilage as the doctors have been trying to tell me but its actually a dislocated rib! Feel on the right side your collar bone. Then feel down about 3 ribs and that is the one on me that is popped out from the rest and dislocated. My new chiropractor is determined to put it back in place but says my body is the most stubborn he has seen. Apparently my muscles contract faster than he can push it back in place. He said in 10 years mine is the first one he hasn't been able to fix the first time! He even fixes UFC fighters when they get cranked out of place and he can't fix me? But he said he will get it if its the last thing he does. This has been like this for 3 and a half years so I don't expect a miracle overnight. I know it will take time. It usually pops once each visit but its not back in place yet.

Another bit of good news!! We found out the other day that our chiropractor also does acupuncture!! Now Tricare doesn't pay for any of my visits with him but Sergio and I have built a great relationship with him already that he loves us like family and said that he would do acupuncture on both of us for FREE!!! This would hopefully help with our fertility issues!! I have done some research that people who go through these treatments with acupuncture have a higher success rate than those who don't! I am just so excited!!

You are probably wondering why our chiropractor fell in love with us so quickly? Because he found out Sergio does Brazillian Jiu Jitzu and he is a big fan of the sport, used to do it himself and actually knows Joise Gracie (probably spelling the first name wrong) but anyway he the one who reshaped the UFC back when it first started by introducing BJJ!! This guy is like a brother to our chiro and he is going to be coming to visit him to go Hog hunting soon and our doc said he would call Sergio so he could meet him. Now J Gracie is also fighting in October in Rio Di Genaro, Brazil and said he is going to see if he can take Sergio with him because Gracie asked our doc to be his ring side doc!! How cool is that??

Anyway that is enough rambling for now, this was supposed to be a fertility update and it turned into much more, lol. Oh well there is a full update for you for now!

We Moved!

Well I guess this post is overdue but we have been soo busy! May 6th we moved on base, we got offered a 3 bedroom two and a half bathroom house on base! With a two car garage. I know that it was God's doing! We didn't know what to do, we were even deeply considering just buying the house we were renting. April 18th I prayed and asked God to give us wisdom, the Bible promises that if we ask for wisdom God will give it to us. I told Him that we didn't know what to do and only He knew our future and what would be best for us. I asked Him if it was His will for us to buy that house that we would have a peace about it, and if it wasn't that the housing office on base would offer us a house that we couldn't refuse! Well the morning of April 19th (my birthday) He did just that! The housing office called to say they had a house for us to look at! So since I had just had my surgery grandma came down to help me pack up our house and move. I literally had to pack the whole week right after I had my surgery to move the very next weekend. Check out my facebook page for the pictures!

Another month come and gone...

Some people live their lives by the day, the week, but me... I live mine by the month. At least I count them by the months. Because each month brings me new hope. I don't know how after 36 months when a new one starts I still hold out hope that maybe THIS will be MY month. You probably wouldn't understand this unless you have suffered through some type of infertility before. But since we don't have a solid diagnosis on why we haven't gotten pregnant, I hold the hope that it happened before and it can happen again.

So the IUI obviously failed... again. That makes two but we are learning I guess, learning the right timing... at least I am. My last cycle produced about 7 "good" sized follicles which turn into eggs if released and if they aren't released, fill up with fluid and turn into cysts. I was so hopeful that out of 7 surely we would get at least one! Nope, instead I ended up with probably half a dozen cysts on my ovaries. I knew they were there, I could feel them. Suddenly I would get a sharp stabbing pain that would last a few minutes on either side just inside from my hip bone - right where the ovary sits. So the doctor put me on birth control to get rid of the cysts and take a month off from the IUI as to not make it worse or cause more.

When I go back to the doctor we will discuss the surgery for endometriosis again. He didn't seem sure he was going to do it but said if it was causing pain he was open to it. And I just know its back so I am going to push for it. I want to start fresh, a whole cycle where I don't have to wonder at the end if THAT was the reason it didn't happen. I am about a week away from seeing the doctor again and I still feel that stabbing pain in the ovaries.. I really hope the cysts are gone. I hope new ones didn't create this month, clomid can stay in the system for a few months afterwards and that is what caused them in the first place.

So because of all that I quit my job at JCP. It was getting too hard and stressful to try and guess ahead of time what days I would need to be taking off to head down to san antonio when they would tell me just one or two days ahead of time. So it was causing me to have to call in too much. I feel so much better not having to worry about working and I am still making money too! I am selling things around the house, had a garage sale in which I made over $300 in two days, a lot more than I was making at JCP! And I am still selling Mary Kay. I am going to try and broaden that business now that I have more time to do so.

Oh yeah and to top all that off. I go to see the orthopedic doctor this week to do an MRI probably and tell me that yes, I need surgery... AGAIN... this will make the 3rd time on that knee and 5th all together.

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

Living in Italy for 3 years we travelled a lot! We have been to so many places I couldn't possible put them all on here. So here are just a few of the more recent trips we made. To see all of them go to my facebook albums!

 Rip cord in Orlando, FL

 Bahamas on a cruise! We are standing in a pool but just past those people it goes to the beach and then the ocean!

 In Germany on our way up the big hill to see the Neuswanstien castle.

Ireland outside our hotel for St Patrick's Day!



Well, I wanted to upload one more from Slovenia but it won't let me so I guess you will have to check it out in my facebook "Last Few Months in Italy" album.

Day 1

Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

These are in no particular order and I will try to make them as interesting as possible! More just facts about me.

1. I was promoted to supervisor in just 2 months while working at JCP.

2. I am a miscarriage survivor and battling everyday with infertility.

3. My parents got divorced when I was 5 years old and it was the best thing to happen to my life.

4. I recieved Jesus Christ as my personal savior when I was 6 years old.

5. I got married at age 21 in South Carolina.

6. I have lived in 3 states and 2 countries (including the USA). Michigan, South Carolina, Texas, and Italy.

7. I have had 4 knee surgeries in 4 years. 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.

8. I have had 8 cars in the 10 years I have been driving. 1989 Dodge Caravan, 1984 Chevy Blazer, 1983 Chevy Chevette, 1989 Oldsmobile 98 Regency Broughm, 1999 Chevy Malibu, 2004 Chevy Cavalier, 2003 Ford Escape, 2006 Ford Escape.

9. I have visited many countries, Italy, Slovenia, Austria, Germany, Ireland and stopped briefly in Switzerland.

10. This is the 3rd base I have been to with Sergio but its his 4th base in the 7 years he has been in.

11. I currently take 4 medications a day but in Jan/Feb it will be 7 medications!

12. I lived in my grandparents basement for 14 years of my life! And I have the best memories there!!

13. I have my associates in Criminal Justice - Corrections.

14. My cat and my dog are my babies, they are spoiled and I love them so much, they make me laugh and they are always there for me!

15. I would love to live in Germany and Japan sometime while we are still in the Air Force, but for now I am enjoying the states and would like to stay stateside for at least the next 5 years!

30 days of me

A few friends have done this, so let's see if I can keep up with this too! I will do my best and if I skip a day or two I will catch them up as soon as I can! I will post them in a new blog.
30 days of me


Day 01- A recent picture of you and 15 interesting facts about yourself

Day 02- The meaning behind your Blog name

Day 03- A picture of you and your friends

Day 04- A habit that you wish you didn’t have

Day 05- A picture of somewhere you’ve been to

Day 06- Favorite super hero and why

Day 07- A picture of someone/something that has the biggest impact on you

Day 08- Short term goals for this month and why

Day 09- Something you’re proud of in the past few days

Day 10- Songs you listen to when you are Happy, Sad, Bored, Hyped, Mad

Day 11- Another picture of you and your friends

Day 12- How you found out about Blogger and why you made one

Day 13- A letter to someone who has hurt you recently

Day 14- A picture of you and your family

Day 15- Put your iPod on shuffle: First 10 songs that play

Day 16- Another picture of yourself

Day 17- Someone you would want to switch lives with for one day and why

Day 18- Plans/dreams/goals you have

Day 19- Nicknames you have; why do you have them

Day 20- Someone you see yourself marrying/being with in the future or about your spouse.

Day 21- A picture of something that makes you happy

Day 22- What makes you different from everyone else

Day 23- Something you crave for a lot

Day 24- A letter to your parents

Day 25- What I would find in your bag

Day 26- What you think about your friends

Day 27- Why are you doing this 30 day challenge

Day 28- A picture of you last year and now, how have you changed since then?

Day 29- In this past month, what have you learned

Day 30- Your favorite song.

I love you...

Have you ever thought about the weight those three words have? The impact they have on someone? Remember when you were in a new relationship and you would wonder "when will he say those three words?" Or maybe you thought "When will I say those three words" Or maybe you remember dreaming of the day you would "fall in love". Its a blissful feeling. We hear it a lot, in passing as our days get busy its a hurried "I love you" as we run out the door. But when you really sit and think about it, love... God says Love is the greatest of all. So it must be something powerful, is it powerful enough to save a life? When someone is at such a low point in their life that they are contimplating suicide, they often say "nobody loves me." What if you told them "God loves you and I LOVE YOU?" Would it be enough? When two people are getting ready to split they often say "I will always love you but I am not IN LOVE with you" Does that even make sense? Is it strong enough to renew a relationship? When was the last time you told your spouse "I love you" in a meaninful way? When was the last time you hugged your children and told them "I love you." Those probably come easily to you, right? But when was the last time you told your grandparents "I love you"? When was the last time you told your parents "I love you"? Maybe you say it at the end of each phone call, or every so many phone calls. When was the last time you told you siblings "I love you"?


Well for me, I just told my husband on the way home from dinner "I love you". I try to tell my grandparents and mom "I love you" when I end each conversation but sometimes it goes unsaid. My sister hears it less often than my mom does and that makes me sad. Why are we in such a hurry that we don't say it more often?


But for my brother it had been probably 5 years. I can't believe that much time has passed! I remember the last time my brother and I told each other "I love you". We had gotten into an arguement, a huge one and I was moving out of my dad's house (I was living there alone until my brother, his girlfriend and 3 kids moved in) but I had had enough. I was fighting with his girlfriend and that made me fight with my brother. I packed up all my stuff and I was moving. It was November 2005. I had my car packed to the max and I was grabbing the last few items out of the house and he came up to me and wrapped his arms around my neck and said "I'm sorry things turned out like this. I am going to miss you and I want you to know that I love you." This was an emotional moment for the both of us and I said "I'm sorry too and I will always love you."
My brother and I were always close growing up, we told each other everything. But all of that love seemed to instantly go away less than a year later. Another baby was born, a baby that didn't belong to my brother and his girlfriend's violent behavior got worse. Many things had led up to this point, but all it took was one phone call from my brother to me in a panic about the threats that were being made to his young son. I told him "You better do something about it!" A week later my sister picked up two out of four of the children and they told graphic stories of "what mommy did". All it took was that and one phone call and one day later and I had 4 babies on my doorstep. That next year my husband was deployed to Korea and I became a "single mother of 4" overnight. Two weeks later the baby who wasn't my brothers child was taken to a foster home and I had the oldest 3 for an entire year. The year before we moved to Italy. That year was filled with pure hatred from my brother, anger, and him blaming me for what had happened. After a few weeks of unkind words from him and threats from his girlfriend we stopped talking to each other. Now here we are, so ironically, almost exactley 5 years later from the last time we said "I love you." I don't know what it was, but I felt like I needed to reach out....


I took a shot in the dark and said what has been on my heart for 5 years....




The only way I knew how to get a hold of him and I sent him a message....




 and I told him "I love you and I will always love you!"




and he reached back....




and said "I love you too"....

If you really knew me!

Ok, so if you have never seen the MTV show If You Really Knew Me you should watch it. Its a show where speakers go to high schools, have an assembly where everyone learns that they have so much in common. Tears area always guaranteed for the high schoolers participating and the viewers. The speaker will make a statement such as "If your parents are separated or divorced cross the line" those students walk to the other side and the ones remaining will hold up the sign language sign for "I love you". After this is done multiple times and the students realize they have a lot more in common with the person sitting next to them in class than they thought, they break off in groups and each person starts with "If you really knew me...." Old friendships are rekindled and new friendships are made, cliques are broken and bullies apologize. Its very touching and every high school should have it. But I wanted to just jot down a few things for myself.... maybe tomorrow or in a future blog I will expand more on each one.

So, if you really knew me....
You would know that:
At age 5 my parents got divorced and it was the best thing to ever happen to my life.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
At age 6 I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior and I remember the day like it was yesterday.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
When I was younger I wanted to be a veterinarian, then an elementary school teacher, considered becoming a police officer, then decided to get my degree in Criminal Justice: Corrections and am still undecided where to go from here.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
I left everything thing I knew to marry into the Air Force and I don't regret a single second of it.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
I lived in Michigan for about 23 years of my life, South Carolina for a total of 8 months and Italy for 3 years.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
When I was younger I had my whole life planned out. I would get married at age 21, have a baby at age 23 and be done having all 3 of my children at age 30.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
God had other plans for my life. Because although I got married at age 21 and I got pregnant at age 23 I suffered a miscarriage and lost my baby along with my dream.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
Losing my baby was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with and the pain is still haunting.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
I had to undergo two D&C's just 5 days apart to remove the remains of my baby.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
Its hard for me to be around pregnant people, its harder for me to see people "undeserving" (in my eyes) of children.

But if you really knew me, you would know that:
I am strong enough to handle the news of your pregnancy and you don't have to tip toe around me.

If you really knew me, you would also know that:
Complaining about your horrible pregnancy, screaming child, or saying things like "I wish I wasn't pregnant", "I am not happy about this pregnancy", make me want to slap you across your ungrateful face.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
Infertility isn't just a label the doctor has placed on us, its something we fight, suffer with and battle daily.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
I have been poked, prodded and exposed to more doctors than I can count to find a cause for our "unexplained infertility".

If you really knew me, you would know that:
I have been diagnosed with endometriosis and insulin resistant PCOS.

If you really knew me, you would know that:
I have gone through an IUI procedure in October and it resulted in a devastating failure.

BUT if you REALLY knew me, you would KNOW that:
Through all this, I am not an unhappy person. I have not given up on my dream to have my own child and I have not given up on or lost faith in God.

A Day Off!

A day off, if there is such a thing. Today was my day off from working at JCP but they don't ever last long enough. Here I am at the end of my day off thinking of going back to work tomorrow. Last night I dreamed.... of work! So it was nice to wake up and realize I could go back to sleep and not get ready for work. I am very thankful for having a job in this economy and thankful that I can help supplement our income, but I feel like I never have enough time for what I want to do! Sergio has been on mid shift working 12 hours. That is rough! For him and me, because we barely see each other, especially with me working 40 hours a week. But hey, there is money to be made and bills to be paid!

So what did I do on my day off?
I slept in of course!
I got ready and went to lunch with a good friend!
We then did a little shopping!
Then we separated ways and I did a little more shopping! (grand total spent today was under $20!)
Then I went home and got on the computer!
I changed the kitty litter!
I put away my clean clothes (something I hate when I work in retail and do this all day, so did I have a day off?)
I made rice for dinner (yeah we don't have much in the house, glad he ate at IHOP with coworkers!)
I redownloaded Sims 2 but have yet to play it!
I got on facebook, decided organize an ornament exchange!
I decided to check in here and write a meaningless blog on what I did on my day off!!

So now you all get to see how productive I was on my day off! Oh yeah and I got a call from work today... "can you come in at 9am instead of 945am?" so I replied "Sure!" Why not, I mean what else do I have to do?

I don't know...

I want to blog, but I just don't know what to blog about... I have a lot going on in my life right now but not a whole lot I can talk about publicly - just yet.

I started selling Mary Kay and I really want to make it work, but I have been so busy working at JCP that I just don't have time to do much with it. For my Italy friends, I will ship for free to APO addresses, so let me know if you want anything. I do have a website http://www.marykay.com/rachelhrndz10/default.aspx where you can go and place an order. I do have to charge TX state tax as it will be shipped here and I have to pay tax on everything. But I will ship for free. I know how some companies rip you off being over there or just plain won't ship to you at all. Speaking of work, with my new position - M.O.D. is my title (Manager On Duty) things get crazy sometimes but I do like what I am doing now. I liked the shoe department too and really miss it at times but I like being able to get around the store and get to know the other employees. The one thing I can't stand is that a lot of times I feel like a babysitter. Its the young kids that don't really want to be working that just goof off all day. Not really understanding the importance of work ethics. We have another one who is trying to get herself fired because her mom won't let her quit... which of course makes work harder on the rest of us! Its just immaturity.

I have the day off tomorrow and I really just want to relax all day. I am going to sleep in, get lunch with a friend and then I am not sure what. I need to clean the house, its the small things... like get the clutter off the kitchen counter and put my clothes away off the couch, but working all day, where all I do is put clothes away and fold clothes, I don't want to come home and do it! I am really looking forward to having a Saturday off - this Saturday I was scheduled off. I don't know how I got so lucky! I have been wanting to have a garage sale but that requires a lot of work. I don't think I have time for that, but maybe I can get it together by this weekend?

So many changes are about to come, I just know. And we need a lot of prayer. Prayer that God will lead us in the right direction and making the right decisions. I just have so many mixed emotions right now and don't know in which direction to go. I promise to blog about this situation as soon as I can. God has already proved Himself in a huge way in this matter, but what do we do next?

Life in Texas

Well I think my last blog was about our moving to Texas. I can't remember exactley where I left off in that one but I will start with finding our house.

We found a house to rent that is about 15 minutes from base and just 3 minutes from the mall. Its in a nice cul-de-sac neighborhood that is very quiet and made up mostly of military people - active duty and retired. Our house has a huge privacy fenced in backyard that Skye just LOVES! Its 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms with a 2 car garage. I really like the house but the landlord doesn't seem to want to do any upkeep or maintanence on it, which is really frustrating. Because our rent is right at our cap we are having to pay for all utilities out of pocket, so to help out I decided to get a job. I started thinking about working at JCPenney's when I was back in MI and I was shopping in there one day and the girl at the customer service said she really liked it and the discount was nice. So I thought, why not? And I applied at the one right down the road at the mall, just 3 minutes from our house. I got a call back for an interview that week, which was a surprise to me considering I didn't have my car yet. We were still waiting for it to arrive off the boat from Italy. So I got hired before I could even start. I started working there the first week in August as soon as my car arrived!

About two weeks ago I got called into the boss's office and offered the holiday job of being MOD (Manager on Duty). Basically what I do is walk around the store with a phone and a list of everyone working that day and the department they are working in. I make sure breaks are covered and lunches are scheduled and covered and multitask everything that is going on or needs to be done in the store. Its a little difficult since they don't want me to be behind a register. So when extra help is needed in another department I need to know who I can pull from another one without leaving that department empty, while keeping on top of the dressing rooms and answering that phone with all the calls of questions and help that is needed all around the store. Its a little crazy at times but I actually like it. I like to be able to get to know everyone else that works there and interact with them. With the new job comes more responsibility and more hours! I am working 40 hours a week, but its good to get out of the house and help with the income!

I like it here in Abilene, its a nice area and the shopping is good. I mean its great compared to the online shopping that I had in Italy, haha. I like being able to go into a variety of stores to find what I am looking for!

Julia and Gary came down to visit and stayed on base one night and we had about two full days together, it was really nice catching up with them and getting to spend some quality time together. We went to the historic Buffalo Gap Village and it was really cool being able to walk into buildings and homes that were built in the 1900's-1950's. I am planning on going down to San Antonio this weekend to see them and let them show me around their town!

Well thats about all I can tell you for now. Hopefully I will have more news to share soon!

In between homes

Well, its been forever since I posted so I figured, why not?

I guess you could say right now we are homeless, lol. We left Italy June 5th and headed for Michigan. We have been having fun visiting my family and hanging out with friends. Its nice to not have to worry about the everyday requirements of life when Sergio is working.

We went on a vacation to Florida, first we went to Ft Lauderdale, where we met some awesome people that turned into great friends! I truely believe that God brings about circumstances into your life to meet certain people or for certain things to occur and its not until later that you see the whole picture and realize just what the purpose was. So then we went on our cruise to Grand Bahama Island and went snorkling - wow, what a beautiful world down there! If you have never done something like that - do it!! Then we spent the rest of the day at the Lucaya resort which has its own beach front, and wow, I could have stayed a whole week there right on the beach!! After our cruise we drove to Orlando where we met back up with our friends and spent another 2 nights just having fun!

We are just now getting to the end of our time in Michigan and will be heading to Texas. I am so excited about Texas too because the good friend that we met in Florida lives only 1 and half hours from where we will be!! AND the amazing retired Air Force couple I met in Italy lives just 4 and a half hours from us and we are already planning a visit with them. They are a younger version of my grandparents and I love them dearly! So we have a lot in store for us in Texas. I am really looking forward to finding a house and get settled in.

I loved the time we had in Italy and am very blessed to have had the opportunity that most people dream about their whole life. I can honestly say we came away from there with no regrets and got to explore everywhere we wanted to see (in Europe anyway). But I am also glad to be back in the United States with all of the conviences it has to offer!

I have a little bit of other news too but right now its too soon to make public knowledge! (and no I am not pregnant...yet).

Contact me!

Find me on Facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/chachel02?ref=profile

Shop my Partylite website!

www.partylite.biz/rachelhernandez

E-mail me!

chachel_02@yahoo.com

Lots of new blogs!!!

Hey, just wanted to let you all know the new blogs I have been posting are actually old blogs from Myspace. I am deleting my myspace and didn't want to lose all my blogs in the process, so browse them if you like, they are now all categorized, by year and then by what they are about, ex. life, family, TTC journey, ect...

I hope you enjoy reading them, for some this is all old news, for some it may be new to you and way to get to know me better. Enjoy! All original posting dates are in the blog.

Here is a little update for me.

December 11th is approaching fast and its the day that I am going in for laproscopy surgery to see if I have endometriosis. I have most of the symptoms of it, so this will confirm if it is in fact what I have. The only way to know for sure is to do this procedure where they go in through the belly button with a camera and fill the abdomen with air and look around. If they find it they will be able to burn it off at that time and then chances of concieving are much greater. Please pray that this will go well and pray for my doctor doing the procedure.

Also, I have been getting weekly massages on my shoulders for the past 4 or 5 weeks and I really think its helping. I have been able to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night, rather than waking up 100 times a night and then feeling tired in the morning. I wake up feeling rested and ready to get out of bed. I also was waking up before with a stiff back that was very sore. However after the first few massages I was waking up with absolutley NO back pain and it felt great!! The problem I was having on the right shoulder, has moved to the left, so I am hoping that means its on its way out! I thought I was crazy at first as its been in my right shoulder for almost 2 years and the exact same pain and symptoms have now gone to the left side... so weird!

That's about all for now!

Making progress...

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Making progress...

Some of you know, some don't. We weren't really going to make this public knowledge so that is why this blog is going on the preferred readers list. We started testing for infertility. Yes it happened before so it can happen again, however it hasn't yet. Since we have been off all forms of birth control since May 2006 when Sergio left for Korea (going on 3 years now) and the one time we got pregnant it ended in miscarriage the doctor felt it was enough time to start the tests. Yes Sergio was gone for a year in Korea but since he has been back its been almost 2 years. It has already been almost 1 year since we found out we lost the baby and 9 months since given the OK to try to conceive again (TTC). Still nothing. I have tried charting, OPKs (ovulation prediction kits) and even Preseed (which acts like fertile cervical mucus), nothing has been working for us. I am textbook - 28 day cycles with a 14 positive on the OPKs. For a little while my cycles were slightly off 27-29 days but nothing major and the past 4 have been dead on. Some of this may be foreign to some who don't know the TTC lingo but bear with me and I will get to the point, haha. I am no newbie to the signs of ovulation or when to time intercourse - that is what I am trying to portray. So about the testing - I went in for blood work on December 18th and again on December 29th. Just today 2 of 5 results came back! The two that came back were Progesterone and Prolactin, both within the normal range of 10.5 so this is good news. Both are checked for infertility problems. If you want more detailed information look them up at webmd. Anyway, we are still waiting on LH, Thyroid and I can never remember the other one. Thursday we will also do the semen analysis. That shouldn't take too long to get results back since they do it in-office. If all that goes well, and I start another cycle this month I will go back between day 5-11 of my cycle and have the dye test done. This is where they inject dye into the cervix and up through the uterus and fallopian tubes. This will show if there is any blockage. If this comes back normal as well, the doctor will start me on Clomid. Its a pill that causes ovulation. We already know I ovulate so this means that my chances of twins are greater, they say less than 4% of twins and less than 1% of triplets or more. However I believe this is the reason we have so many twins on base. But its something that I am willing to do to have a baby. So I will update you all when we get more results. But this is what has been going on with us. We are just so ready to start the next chapter in our life and we pray that it is God's will to give us children. I also believe that He expects us to pursue it so that is what the testing is for. Its not in any means to try and rush God but He has given doctors the knowledge to find all this out and I believe He doesn't expect us to sit back when there is a problem that can be fixed with simple means. So pray for us on our TTC journey!

CHRISTmas spirit!!!

Thursday, December 11, 2008

CHRISTmas spirit!!

I love this time of year. All the lights, all the decorated trees, all the holiday cheer. I have my house decorated and finally got the lights up on the outside of the house - thanks Tiff for your help!

I love CHRISTmas time. I hate when people write X-mas, call me old fashion but why do we have to try and save 1 second of writing or typing by taking Christ out of it. After all HE is the reason for this season!

I have mailed out half of my Christmas cards. The other half I am trying to find my box full of them so I don't have to buy some more. For some reason they weren't with all the decorations! So if you haven't already please leave me your address here so I can send you one. And if you would like to send us one here is our address.

Sergio and Rachel Hernandez
PSC 103 BOX 3267
APO AE 09603

Sending us a card will only cost one regular stamp, there are no extra fees even though we are in Italy.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and let's not forget the reason for the season. Christmas is Jesus' birthday and the main gift is salvation. We are all sinners and without a savior we are lost and going to Hell. His gift is free and all we have to do is accept it. It's so simple, yet so many people don't reach out and take it. It costs nothing, it takes little effort and it will change your life forever! I am so thankful that God gave this gift to us and we will never forget that JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON.

This Holiday Season

Saturday, November 08, 2008

This holiday season.

Category: Life

This holiday season is going to be just as nice as last I am sure! Last Thanksgiving my grandparents were here and it was really nice to be with family. This Thanksgiving my mom and sister will be here and its going to be great to get to show them around.

What we have planned for them:
They arrive on November 18th around 2pm our time.

That week after they get over the initial jetlag we will show them around the area - the base - the natural springs - Lake Barcis and Piancavallo and maybe some of the local castles.

November 24th-26th we are headed to Garmisch Germany! Where we will be staying at Eidlewiess Lodge and Resort. While there we will shop the Christmas markets and drive the hour to Munich to show them around that beautiful town! We will also stop at the Christmas market there!!

Then Thanksgiving time!! Tiffany - I think our plans have changed, Sergio heard some new news. So I don't know if we will just hang out here or what yet. Either way it will work out alright. That night we will get to put up our tree and all our Christmas deco!! Can't wait. I love the Christmas season.

We will also have a little Christmas here with my mom and sister and just give them what we bought - nothing big just a few things we picked up here and there. My moms gift I have had for so long, I just decided Christmas was a good time for it!

We also are going to put a trip to Venice in there somewhere, since that is an easy trip.
Another place they would like to visit is Verona, that one is pretty easy too so we will do that as well.

As for Christmas we decided that we are not buying gifts for each other, we are going to save the money from doing Christmas and our Anniversary and instead try to go to Paris for New Years and call that Christmas and our Anniversary.... Sounds good to me!!

We survived Oktoberfest!

Monday, September 29, 2008

We survived Oktoberfest!

Ok, so WOW. I will start with that. The bus ride wasn't bad. Of course everyone was getting drunk on the ride up, some were already drunk when they got on the bus, but it was all good. No one puked so I was good! There was beer and wine and snacks on the bus, included in the trip. I slept most of the way there. We stopped for breakfast at about 5am and then changed and freshened up for the day. We then drove a little more and got to Oktoberfest probably around 7am, it was pretty early so the time may be a little off. We were told to push, shove and claw our way to the front and into the tent. The only way to get served was to be sitting at a table and it gets packed fast! So we waited for about an hour and a half until the doors opened, probably longer because they didn't open the doors right at 8:30 like they were supposed to. Luckily we had chosen the right doors to stand infront of even though there were a ton of people ahead of us, we were pretty close to the front.

So we knew it would be bad but we didn't expect what was coming next. Me, Mason and Tiffany locked arms. Sergio and a few others headed to get closer, Nick was near us. When the doors opened immediatley whistles started blowing from the security guards and instantly we were being crushed. And I don't mean just pushed up against people, I mean CRUSHED! So tights that I could almost not breath, so tight that I felt my ribs being pushed together and waiting for them to crack any minute. You just cannot imagine unless you are in the midst of it. So they shut again fast. Sergio and a few others from our group made it in at that point. Me and Mason had gotten separated but I was still holding onto Tiffany. We were then being pushed to the only door they had open now. They were letting people in one at a time, of a mob of thousands! Literally! We were really close, yet stuck behind the security guards backs and trying to get around them to get in their sight so they would push us through the door. Well, a big guy was next to me literally pushing all his weight against me out of his way to get around the guard, which he did, I was able to get close enough to the guards side that he seen me and literally pulled me, I was still trying to hold onto Tiffany but we were cut off by other people instantly, and they literally pushed me through the door and once in about 3 more guards on either side grabbed me and pulled me in the doors and out of the way. Tiffany came in just a few seconds later and then followed by Mason.

You just can't believe how crazy it was unless you go. But a lot of fun. I will post more of the days events later. Until then, check out the pictures I am going to post and videos to come as well.

Whats new with you?

Monday, September 08, 2008

Whats new with you?

Category: Life

Well what's new with us? The puppies are now 7 weeks old and they all have a home, we do still have two, Dakota who is being picked up on the 15th (girl) and Elvis who we have been watching for a few days to see if Lillian is allergic to him. He is going back home Tuesday. They have been a lot of fun but a lot of work!! Overall it was a good experience and we will do it again next year. Next liter we will be keeping one for sure! Skye is losing all of her hair! I feel so bad for her, we are going to have a hairless husky!!

We are going to Oktoberfest the weekend of the 26th of this month. Its in Germany of course. We are taking a bus there overnight and getting there about 6:30am then that night we will stay in a hotel and leave sometime the next morning. Nick and Tiffany are going with us. I am really looking forward to it!

We also have been kicking around the idea of going to Ireland July 2009 probably over the 4th. I can't wait for that either. It will be a lot of fun! Also coming up is another trip to the beach - I just hope its not closed... I heard that it closes, who ever heard of a beach closing?

Last night we had a twister come through and touch down on base, that caused a lot of damage! So many uprooted and broken trees all over and building lost shingles and it even ripped up some concrete and the cart returns in the BX parking lot. Not to mention the half a port-a-potty that was in the parking lot. The golf course is tore up as well really bad! The huge tree infront of the hotel that they light up and decorate at Christmas time broke in half. It was beautiful last year! Sergio said at work today they spent all day cleaning up. Walking the parimiter (sp?) of the base and picking up debris from all over. I am sure they all had a lot of clean up duty on the flightline as its not safe for the jets. I wonder if they had to delay flying because of it? I watched it go right around our house. The sky was crazy! Behind our house it was beautiful like nothing was going on and to the mountains it was dark and gloomy!

Heres the videos outside my house, putting the links in here is not working so I will just give you the direct links.
Video of sky
another video of sky
Direct links below
http://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k197/chachel_02/?action=view¤t=MOV02754.flvhttp://s88.photobucket.com/albums/k197/chachel_02/?action=view¤t=MOV02751.flvOther than that, not much is new!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

If you have been wondering...
Category: Life

Well as just about all of you know, we have been trying to get pregnant again after the miscarriage. Back in Feb when I had the D&C's the doctor told me to wait two full cycles before trying again. That was in April. Well we have been trying since April and back then, I thought I didn't care when it happened as long as it was before September. Once again as most of you know that would have been my due date. Well, here we are August 27th and AF showed up today. So it doesn't look like I made that mark! I am exhausted month after month getting negatives. Now I know that I haven't been at it as long as some people have. And I give you guys a lot of props for sticking with it year after year. I think I am ready to take a break from TTC.
Sergio had two resolutions for this year. One to have a healthy baby - that should have happened this September 3. The second to make Staff, and as some of you know he missed that by .63 of a point. This year has brought a lot of disappointments for us. The one good thing that came out of this year is our new neighbors. Good friends moved into our neighborhood - Tiffany and Nick, Emily and Mike and Deena and Daniel. Emily had Baylie! and we had 6 puppies. So for now I am thinking I am done TTC until Thanksgiving/Christmas time. Which is when it happened last time. I dont really want the same due date but that just seems like a less stressful time of the year for us. So we will see what happens!