disclaimer... Asheley wants it to be known that I was pushing out my stomach in the above photo. She's slightly disgusted by my stomach expansion abilities. I'm slightly impressed.
This is a post I've been trying to write for the past three weeks. The right words never seemed to flow, so I found myself on Facebook. And Instagram. Ooo, I haven't checked my email in 3 minutes. Procrastination at its finest.
For the past two years and change, I've been wanting to share some good news with you. But the good news didn't come.
Asheley and I had a very simple plan. Get married. Have kids. Live happily ever after.
I wanted 2. She was leaning towards 3. Asheley, you really want to be outnumbered? I'm adamantly in the camp of desiring a 1:1 ratio of parent to child in our home.
Our simple plan has been anything but... simple.
Over two years of trying. Of medical tests and procedures. Of countless prayers.
Over two years of frustration. Of sadness. Of anger, disappoint, and hopelessness.
Over two years of watching many of our friends be blessed with children, while we were left... waiting. Wondering. Hoping for our little miracle.
And after two years and three months, we have been... incredibly blessed. God revealed His faithfulness to us in a huge way. This June, our family of 2 will become a family of 3.
What we learned through all this, what I think we had to learn through all this... is that we need to stop clinging to our plan and start living in His plan. Because really, what He has in store for us is way better than what even my super Type-A planner personality can think up.
To all our family and friends, thank you. You have been there for us through all the pain, dissapoint, and puddles of tears. Thank you for your constant support and endless prayers. It means more to us than you'll ever know and more than we can ever express.
To all the women out there that have tried again and again to start a family, Asheley knows your pain way too well. The frustration. The anger. The hopelessness. Over two years of trying, ridiculous amounts of tests and medical appointments, and countless prayers all revealed the same thing. Nothing. There was no medical explanation why we were unable to conceive.
To all you fellow guys out there that are struggling, I feel your pain way too well. We are used to being able to provide help when our wives need it. To be able to fix whatever is broken. But this. This is tough. To not be able to provide what your wife so desperately wants. To get the text or the phone call that another unsuccessful month has come and gone. To have no words to console your bride in tears. I know man. I know.
For Asheley and I, these past few years have been a tough period of time. But we know that for so many, infertility isn't just a season of pain. It's a lifetime of sorrow. Please know that we truly are praying for you. For peace, for comfort, and for your little miracle.
We are incredibly excited for 2015. Although I know there's less sleep in my near future, I can't wait for the added joy and happiness this little bugger is going to add to our lives. If you feel so inclined, please pray for Asheley and our little foodie-in-training... we'd really appreciate that. Thanks y'all, and a very Happy New Year to you and your family!
"He gives the childless woman a family, making her a happy mother. Praise the LORD!" (Psalm113:9)
Valerie Tanaka says
So excited for you both and to meet this little one and spoil him/her rotten
Sandra says
So happy for you both! Congratulations, you guys are going to make the best parents. Only advice I'm going to give you is....get all the sleep you will need in the next few months 😉 Enjoy the journey!!!
Kevin | keviniscooking says
What fantastic news, congratulations to all Three of you!
I so agree with you said. I've found if I just stay out of my own way and forcing my will on something that the right thing will come to pass. Sometimes its never even what I thought I wanted, but it always seems to be better than my plan. For all of your efforts I am happy things are going in the direction of your dreams. Keeping good thoughts and prayers for a safe, healthy and happy Asheley and your little foodie-in-training. Oh, and you too my new found foodie friend. Happy New year! #WolfpackEats
Alyssa says
A million congrats, Chris and Asheley! What an incredible blessing, I'll be keeping you all in my prayers. Here's hoping your little future foodie has a robust appetite! Happy New Year to you guys!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
I'm so happy to know that your dreams are finally becoming a reality! Even more so now that I know what you've been through over the last few years. Congratulation and God bless!
CakePants says
Wow, congratulations!!! What exciting news - looks like the new year already has big plans in store for you!
Sarah says
I am so so happy for you two! This baby is going to have a wonderful sense of humor and be super well fed. I'll keep you two in my thoughts over the next few months! (PS. I also have the same stomach expansion skills and recently tricked my friend into thinking I was pregnant by holding my stomach like that for about an hour while we were out to dinner and ice cream until she noticed...muahahaha).
Arman says
Congrats, Chris! Relatively new reader here but been loving all your blogging tips and of course your recipes- Here's to an even more successful 2015 with a new addition!
Nicole says
Congratulations Chris and Ashley! As a mom of a 21 and 18 year old I'm so excited for the adventure you're about to embark on! Enjoy every minute...it goes by in a blink of an eye! 😉
Melanie says
I'm so incredibly excited for you guys! So awesome. You're going to be awesome parents. I'm so happy that God has blessed you. Enjoy every moment. They do go by all too quickly.
P.S. I vote for 3. 🙂 (As a mommas of 3)
David says
Congrats, dude! I am so happy for you and Asheley! Now that you are a growing family, you should probably move to the suburbs. I know a really nice place in upstate New York that would work. Seriously, though, congrats...that is amazing news! #wolfpackgrows
Oriana says
Congratulations Chris and Asheley!! This is going to be a great year for you guys. Happy and healthy pregnancy!!
Helen says
Oh, Chris, this post brought tears to my eyes, both because it encouraged me greatly (more than you can know ;-)) and also because you got there in the end!! Just the kind of stories I long to hear.
If you don't mind me asking, did you resort to any kind of medical intervention or did it just happen in the end? Anyway, I am so so happy for you and wish you and Asheley a healthy and joyful pregnancy ... what a wonderful way to start the year!
Chris says
Thank you SO much Helen. I truly appreciate your kindness! Yay 2015!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
Chris, you're making me cry today with this post. . I knew about this from your friend's post on Facebook and just wanted to say how happy I am for you and Asheley!!! I've had a lot of friends also struggle with infertility and years and years of waiting and some, still with nothing. . but God is good and I love the verse you shared at the end! Blessings to you and Asheley!
Chris says
Aww thanks Alice! God definitely is good. It's been a tough struggle, especially for Asheley, and I'm just so incredibly thankful for His faithfulness!
Ashley says
Aww Chris, congratulations to you guys!!! I'm so happy for you!! Cheers to 2015!
And PS I love Ashleley's disclaimer about the picture - ha! That cracked me up!
Chris says
Thanks Ashley! Hahaha yea she wanted it to be known that I'm not that gross!!
Beth says
Chris, this is a fabulous post. I'm so excited for you and your wife and that this is finally happening for y'all! Sometimes it's hard to make yourself give up on a plan when it isn't working, and I often have to make myself to stop and let God do his thing. He's pretty good at that. 🙂 Congratulations to you both!!
Chris says
Thanks so much Beth! Yea, I'm a control freak, so it's so tough to let go!
Marcie says
Congratulations to both of you! My husband and I had to wait a while too, and I only made it that much sweeter for both of our boys. So happy for you!
Chris says
Thanks so much Marcie... yea, we definitely appreciate our little miracle a whole lot more because of it.
Kelly says
Aaaaw, congratulations Chris! I'm so so happy for you guys! You and Asheley are going to be amazing parents and I'm so glad that you've been blessed with the most amazing gift. 2015 is going to be the best 🙂 *hugs to you both*
Chris says
Thanks so much for your kindness Kelly! Much appreciated 🙂
Karen says
Hooray hooray hooray!! I'm so excited for you! My sister has PCOS, and they thought they might never have kids, but now they have 5, the last 2 born without any iui or shots or hormones. Here's hoping Asheley's body figures out this baby making thing so you guys can have your 2 1/2 children. 🙂 🙂
Bianca says
Congratulations to you and the wife! What a lovely post. Happy New Year!
Chris says
Thanks Bianca! Happy 2015 to you as well!
Kathy says
Congratulations!!!!!
Chris says
Thanks so much Kathy!
Laura | Fork Knife Swoon says
Ahhhhhh! Can't believe I missed this! Congratulations to you both!! What an emotional journey - it takes bravery to share this struggle, and what wonderful news to finally be expecting!! So happy for you both. Happy New Year!
Chris says
Thanks so much Laura 🙂 I really appreciate your kind words. It's been a long road, but the destination has been well worth it 🙂