On A Lighter Note

Yesterday's post was a bit heavy. I debated on whether or not to publish it to my blog. I wasn't ashamed but I was vulnerable. The amount of support and love that I received far outweighed my vulnerability. I received several e-mails from women telling me that they have experienced what I was going through. I really didn't know that I had that many people that read my blog! All I can say is "thank you." Thank You for the kind words. Thank You for understanding. But most of all, thank you for continuing to follow my blog. Now...on to the lighter things!

1. Ashish got a promotion! I am so incredibly proud of him. He is such a hard worker and I think he should be recognized for it!
2. My sweet friend, Ashley, had her 3rd baby girl two weeks ago. She is precious. She is perfect.
3. We are headed to the beach in exactly one month! This will be our first "real" vacation of the year!

I hope you ladies have a great day! Yay, it's one day closer to Friday (which means nothing to a stay at home mom)!

There is Power...

This post takes place over the span of 14 months. No, I haven't been working on it for 14 months but it is 14 months of emotions, all in one post.

If you read my blog, you know that Ashish and I have been trying for a second baby. When we first stopped using birth control we weren't worried about it. We thought for sure that it wouldn't be too long before we saw the two pink lines on the pregnancy test. We didn't stress about it, we were taking it one month at a time. Let me be clear...by no means did we think that it was going to be easy. Infertility is such a touchy subject, for myself included. We knew that it wouldn't happen overnight, or the next month, but we were sure that it would happen. Well, January turned to February, February to March, and still no pregnancy. As the months passed by, I was starting to lose faith. So many of my friends were getting pregnant. Most of which weren't really "trying." Ashish and I had been "trying" for several months at this point. With every pregnancy announcement my heart broke a little bit more. I was ecstatic for my friends but sad for myself. I was in a place where I didn't know how to balance being really happy for them (which I truly was) and sad for myself. I didn't know how to protect my feelings. I didn't know how to put how I was feeling into words (without sounding like a grumpy old troll). So, I didn't. I talked to one friend about it. I closed off everyone else. I didn't really bring it up.

January was a year since we started trying. Infertility along with some other minor health issues sent me into a tailspin. I became depressed and very anxious. I didn't want to leave my house. I didn't want to hang out with anyone. It was a dark time for me, for Ashish. Right before his eyes, his wife, who has always been strong, was falling apart. One day, in the midst of my depression, I fell to my knees, in my closet in pray. Tears pouring out of my eyes, hands high in the air, I prayed that God would just take this feeling from me. I prayed that God not let the devil get to me. I prayed specifically for what I wanted and what I needed. I pleaded with God to heal me.

In that moment, something happened. I was given a strength that I hadn't had before. I picked myself up off of that floor and I decided to proactive and reactive. God gave me strength, what was I going to do with it? I started seeing a therapist once a week, she is amazing. Talking it out definitely helps. It's so much easier to talk to someone that doesn't know you. Along with talking to a complete stranger, I started talking more with  the person that knows more about me than I know about myself, God. Somewhere in the midst of life, I lost sight of the person that gives life. I had a regular prayer life, attended church regular, but had been skipping on my quiet time. I really think God was trying to get my attention. I had to realize that he brought me to this place not to leave me,but to lead me. All I had to do was surrender.

While that was a couple months ago, I still struggle with some anxiety. I am and will continue to be a work in progress. I am surrounded by a ridiculous amount of supportive friends. My family is amazing. I am not ashamed to share my story, this is all apart of my testimony. I know that his plan for me and my family is great. I just can't wait to see what's in store!

"There is power in the name Jesus...to break every chain, break every chain, break every chain."

"Doing" Marriage Alone

Happy Monday! I hope everyone is off to a great week! Ashish, Jordan, and I are headed out of town for a short trip on Wednesday and then back home for his first T-Ball game! Oh, did I mention that he was playing T-Ball? No? Sorry! We signed him up, as a last minute thing. So far, we've only practiced 3 times because of the cold and rain. I'm super excited to see him in his little t-ball uniform!

Let's talk marriage for a few minutes. Over the weekend, I was talking with a friend about husbands and marriage and she said "you and Ashish don't go anywhere alone. You two are always together." To which I replied, "yeah, we don't really "do" life alone." To which I got a blank stare. I didn't think that what I said was that thought provoking. I didn't think that I said anything really profound. The truth is, we don't do life alone. We make a point to spend time together a lot. Whether that time is as a family or just as a couple. We go to birthday parties together. We both go to T-Ball. We go to Target together. We shop together. We visit friends together. We even plan doctor's appts for days when we can both go.  We do these things together because we want to, not because we have to. There is a difference.

We make alone time a priority in our marriage. Both of our parents are nearby and always willing to take Jordan for a couple hours or sometimes the night so that makes it easier. But, even if our parents weren't close, we would find a way to spend time together. It's by far the most important thing in our marriage. 

Don't get me wrong, we both have our own interests and hobbies. We have our own friends. I go out with my girlfriends at least once a month. I meet up with a high school friend for dinner once a month. I purposely plan my nights out with my friends on the nights that Ashish works late. I'm selfish with my family and husband time. If he's home, I want to be with him. I don't feel bad for leaving him if he is home, but I would hangout with him if I had the choice. I don't want to do life without him. 

In small group we talked about praying for a spouse for our children. If I were to pray for a spouse for Jordan, I would pray that he would find someone that he wants to do life with. The good and the bad. Someone that will fight for him and fight with him. I pray that he finds someone that respects him for him but isn't afraid to challenge him. Most of all, I pray that he never has to "do" marriage alone.

So tell me, are Ashish and I in the majority or the minority? How do you and your husband "do" life?

Danielle Lately

I know, I know, it's been a while. I wish I had some grand reason as to why I haven't blogged but I don't. I've been lazy. I've been reading other's blogs and commenting but not really giving much attention to my blog. So, here is a little update on what's going on with me...lately!

Jordan turned four on Feb 5th. I still can't believe it. Yes, the time is going by so fast but at the same time, in my mind, he is still a baby. The other day he said "is that cool with you, mom?" My head almost did a 360. That was such a "big boy" phrase. I can't handle it!

I, along with two other friends, are hosting a triple baby shower on Sunday! Yep-three mamas, three babies! Our small group is awesome.

We are taking a mini vacation next week! Ask me where we're going! We don't know! LOL! We originally planned to head to Pigeon Forge but they have a good amount of snow right now. No thanks! We may head south.




We have an important doctor's appointment coming up on Wednesday! Please keep us in your prayers! I know that God has a great plan for us and everything is in his timing. I also know that I am impatient. Please pray for patience!

Thanks all I've got! Have a great weekend!

Girlfriends, God Moments, and Small Group..Oh My!

Good Morning! I haven't blogged in so long that I wasn't really sure what to blog about this morning. So much as happened in the past month and I want to catch you all up but I'm going to have to do that in several different posts! Today, I want to talk about girlfriends! Let me just say, I have the best girlfriends. Hands.down. I have so many great, God- fearing women that surround me. Whenever I bring my worries and concerns to them, I know that I am automatically covered in prayer. All I have to do is say the word and sometimes I don't have to say anything. Several of them just know me. They know my actions and my behaviors. They are fully of aware when I'm feeling out of whack.

Small group started back last night and as much as I was looking forward to it, I was dreading it. Ashish can't make it to small group this semester because of his work schedule so I am doing it alone. Luckily, our small group is like family to us. The men are like my brother in laws and the women are like my sisters. I really had no reason to be anxious, but I was. It took one look from a friend, and all of my anxiety faded away. God moment front and center! He brought me to this place and knew what I needed and delivered. He always does. I had a great time from that point on. It feels good to be with these people! I was even asked to be the "Social Coordinator" for the group! Fancy title right?!?

Tonight I am headed to dinner with those same girls for a "child -free" night out! I hope you have a great weekend!

Side note: Jordan will be 4 on Tuesday. I can't handle it! I remember when he was like this...

Stayin' Alive

We are still alive here in Atlanta! January has been such a busy month for us. I am going to work on getting back into blogging. Until then, I'll leave you with some pics!

Merry Christmas!

From Our Family To Yours!