Oh, those three little words....

Three little words. Yet a whole world of possibilities. These three words have brought hope to the hopeless, miracles to every people, and blessings into lives. What are those three little words?

In vitro Fertilization

Yesterday we found out that my company will be offering coverage for infertility starting in 2007. This news was a shock, and the word "happy" doesn't convey how we felt to learn this. Due to the rising health care costs, most companies do not offer riders for infertility coverage. I guess we'll just thank our lucky stars that my work is thinking outside that box. We found out that we'll be covered at 90% for 4 IUIs (inter-uterine inseminations) and 2 IVF attempts.

Right now, we've been paying out of pocket for the IUIs - and doing them on a very low medicated level because the stronger meds aren't covered under our current insurance. But come January, all that will change. We'll be able to move to the stronger meds and not have to pay for the insemination. And if we want to go straight to IVF, we can do that too.

We've been told that our chances of getting pregnant with the IUI are still only 20%. But with the IVF, they jump up to 55%. Unfortunately, IVF is hard on your body as well as emotionally. But we are willing to try it if it means that we can have our baby. We know it will all be worth it in the end.

Project Bathroom: 2006

God bless my husband who spent the majority of his vacation week working on constructing our basement bathroom. And God bless my father in law, who is patiently guiding my husband in the bathroom construction.

I came home Tuesday to 2 of the 4 walls framed. We finished the third wall that night. Wednesday I found myself driving a little faster than ususal (which is ususally fast as it is!) to get home and see what else had been done. The fourth wall was added and some electrical lines run as well as preparing to run the plumbing. Who knows what I may find when I go home today! But it feels so good to finally have this project underway since we'd been talking about it for so long.

We had to pick out some wall lights and a mirror the other night and figure out what is going where. It's hard becuase we don't have a lot of room above the sink, nor a lot of ceiling height which eliminates putting in a light in the ceiling. I'm trying to think of what color we'll do the bathroom when the drywall is put up. I find myself going to Lowes on my lunch hours to check out tile and faucets and shower heads. If I could totally max out a credit card, it would be at Lowes. Or Ann Taylor or PotteryBarn, but that won't get me far with bathroom remodeling!

Oh - before I forget, please send any extra prayers / vibes to Dave for his interview on Tuesday next week. This is for a supervisor position in his office, which he really deserves! We'll be sure to let everyone know how it goes, but that won't be until about Thanksgiving, knowing how slow the government moves!

Thoughts on parenting

While what I am about to say is probably obvious to most parents... holy cow are kids hard work! I say that with great love and admiration for parents. This past weekend Dave and I watched our niece who is 1 and nephew who is 5. And they are angels - really they are. They make it easy for us, but even "easy" was "hard" for two unsuspecting adults!

Friday we watched them so my brother and Kelly could go out for a night on the town. When they came home at the end of the evening, more than just the kids were asleep! Dave and I had passed out in the living room. These kids are so well behaved, but they need constant stimulation and attention (as any kids would). I think most of all, I was surprised at how hard it was with both of them. Individually, we're cool as cucumbers. But together, each left for us to figure out why Kadence wouldn't go to sleep, or if Nate had to eat veggies (or just only if he wanted to) -it was obvious that we are lacking in the parental skill department. I think I am disappointed in myself - that I went through the night doubting what I was doing. That it just didn't come as natural to someone who considers herself a nurturer. I guess the important part is that we made it through and the kids were fine. Heck, they might have even had fun!

Saturday we took the kids to Trax Farms for hay rides and to pick pumpkins. They were great but the crowds started getting to me by the end of the day. There were people everywhere and I just felt so confined. I learned that I have a long way to go in the patience department.

I think overall, it just makes me worry that I'm not going to be a good parent. I am hoping that my theory of "being pregnant for 9 months allows one time to adjust and ease into not putting yourself first / growing patience" is true... I'm eager to find out, but honestly, I can admit that now I am a little scared. If this is how I feel with "good" kids, what happens when my kids are screaming at the top of their lungs and I am sleep deprived? Oh, what a roller coaster it will be!

Hunter Pierce Mayer

I'd like to introduce my newest "nephew" - Hunter Pierce was born on Monday, October 9th at 6:04 AM. He weighted 6 lbs, 12 oz and was 17.5 inches long. Heather, Frank, and baby Mayer are all doing great and resting at West Penn.

We stopped by to see them yesterday and I just can't get over how small he is! He turns beet red when he cries which is amazing to see so quickly, but he seems to just be taking it all in. They should be released on Thursday and then the fun begins! God bless the Mayer family!

Hair & The Hyeholde

No, this post isn't the name of a new best selling novel at Barnes & Noble... Just an update post-anniversary. Our anniversary day was really great. We went to 7-Springs autumn-fest for lunch and to view the beautiful fall foliage. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't nearly as nice as it was back in Pittsburgh. But we still had a great time!


When we came home, Dave had arranged for a special delivery of flowers for me. They were beautiful! We proceeded to get dressed and went out to dinner at the Hyeholde Restaurant in Coraopolis. It is a historic landmark and quite a beautiful place. Dinner was excellent!

Thank you to everyone who sent us cards and emails for our anniversary! It was very thoughtful and we enjoyed remembering the day with you. A few of you have asked about my short hair cut. Pictures are here for you - thus, the "hair" portion of this update.

1st Wedding Anniversary

It was 52 weeks ago today that Dave and I were married. While tomorrow, 10/7, is our date anniversary, I woke up this morning flooded with memories about from a year ago.

I remembered how I went to Sunnyledge with Angie and Molly the night before and we all slept in the big bed there. But I couldn't sleep, so I woke Angie up at 5 AM and we decided to have a pillow fight with Molly. It was so wonderful to giggle and anticipate the biggest day of my life with my friends!

We then went back to our house and had breakfast with my mom and all my bridesmaids, then gathered up everything (which was a lot!!!) and headed back to Sunnyledge to start to get ready. Honestly, this is one of my favorite moments of the day. Being with my four best friends and my mom before the wedding was relaxing and fun and just plain pampering. We had our hair done, our make up done, and a nice leisurely lunch before getting dressed. We took a ton of pictures and the anticipation was just building and building and I just was so excited to see Dave very soon!

Seeing Dave prior to the ceremony was one of the best decisions of the day. I instantly felt less nervous and we could share in the happy anticipation of being married in a few hours. I had told our photographer that I wanted him to capture the moment Dave saw me for the first time. So I stood on the stairs and waited for Dave to round the corner to see his bride... and wow did he look handsome! Though the professional photographer captured the moment, the best picture was from my bridesmaid Heather. I think it just shows the emotion better.

And let me take this moment to say that we had the absolute best looking wedding party I've ever seen. Everyone looked so glamorous and ready for a good time! After we finished pictures and arrived at Heinz Chapel, I started to get nervous again. I could hear the organ music and see the chapel being set up and it started to get very real for me. Not having Dave there, I got a bit on edge. Thank God for my bridesmaids and mom - they kept me sane and as calm as can be. And while I forced them to scrub the mud out of my dress hem, they took it all in stride and seemed to understand that the nerves were just getting to me and that I wasn't a bride on the brink of sanity....

Preparing to walk down the aisle, the music just gave me chills. I was so happy my dad was there next to me to give me away. I just felt so emotional from the organ music and my nerves and the excitement / anticipation of what was about to be! When those doors flew open and I heard the trumpets sound, I felt like a princess! I was so shocked that I didn't cry down the aisle (coming from someone who cries at certain commercials), but all I could think of was getting to Dave at the end of the aisle.

The ceremony went off fine and had some great moments that we remember - primarily the homily where Pastor Brian (Dave's cousin) talked about us having sex that evening! Yelling "bouquet!!" to my maid of honor, laughing at the ring exchange, hearing our family do our readings and sing the Ave Maria. But we both recall looking out into the chapel and seeing so many people that we love there to witness the beginning of our marriage. Words can't do justice to how it felt in our hearts.

Our reception flew by! It was short to begin with (only 4 hours) but we didn't want to keep guests up very late since we were already having an evening ceremony. Mark and Angela's toasts were heartfelt and humorous and set the bar high for their own ceremonies the following year. We got to see just about everyone at the reception, and even snuck in a few dances together. We really did enjoy ourselves! If only receptions weren't so darn expensive, we'd have a party like that once a year! The night was amazing overall and we have the video to prove it! (the reception people! Not the wedding night at Sunnyledge!!) It was the perfect start to a fantastic year together.

Before finishing, I just want to wrap up my thoughts with saying what an amazingly wonderful man I married. Dave is so loving and patient to me always. And sometimes we just laugh and laugh over the silliest things, but I think it is just another way that our hearts are in sync. This past year has brought us some struggles as well as joys, but through it all, I've never been afraid because I have my better half next to me always. I can only hope to love him and support him as well as he's done for me. I know the future will be wonderful for us, and I thank God daily for our shared blessings.

Tomorrow we're spending our first anniversary going to 7-Springs to hike and go horse-back riding. Some wine, a nice lunch, and just enjoying the fall leaves with my amazing husband will make for the perfect day. And he has some thing up his sleeve for a fancy dinner, but he won't tell me where. I'll have to report back!

Finally, I have a few friends whose first anniversary is this weekend or next weekend. I wanted to wish Jessica & Robert, Suzi & Greg, and Michelle & Hank a very happy 1st wedding anniversary! Can you believe what a year it's been!?!
XO
Beth

Merlin 3/7/97 - 10/3/06

Yesterday our dog Merlin unexpectedly crossed the Rainbow Bridge to Heaven. Merlin, or Merls as we often called him, was 9. They were nine wonderful years that ended too suddenly. There was no time to prepare - mentally or emotionally - but it was the most humane decision we could do for him.

Merlin had recently had trouble walking; the past week, he'd walk a few steps, then have to lay down. Then he could walk a few more. He seemed fine outwardly, but an x-ray showed that inside, he was in a lot of pain. He had a large tumor in his front leg and cancer had detoriated his upper leg bone to almost nothing. We could have tried to amputate his leg, and then use chemotherapy, but the vet couldn't promise that he'd live for much longer, and his pain would still be intense.

Unfortunately, I wasn't with Merlin at the appointment. Dave was able to leave work early and go with my mom to help her load him into the car. I'll always feel guilty about not being there to say good-bye to him, and I hope Merlin understands. The last time I saw Merlin was 2 weeks ago when we went to help my mom with a few things around the house. Mom and I gave Merlin a bath (which he loved) and after we were done washing him, he'd run around outside so excited and happy. I never would have thought that he had terminal bone cancer in his leg; he certainly didn't seem like he was dying. Sure, he'd slowed down over the years, but I didn't think I'd have to say good-bye so soon.

I was there the day we picked up Merlin from the breeder's home. It was summer and he was 3 months old. I held him the whole way home; he was so excited (or maybe he was scared) that he got sick in the car. But once we got him into our big back yard to play, he was all energy!
The picture to the side is from the day we brought him home. He was so small he would play inside a plastic sweater box - one of the small ones you slide under your bed. We had little idea that he'd grow into our 100 lb joy.

Merlin loved people, and he was such a good dog. When I'd pull up to the house, he'd always be at the door with his tail wagging. If he wasn't at the door, he was laying on the back porch and would run up to me to greet me. I'd always give him a treat when we went inside, and if I forgot, he'd sit in the kitchen and look up on top of the fridge where we kept the treats until I remembered to give him a biscuit. Merls loved to run outside, and he'd run sideways through the hedges so that they'd scratch his body. Back and forth he'd go getting his free scratches. He was a really smart dog.

He knew many commands, and over the years, we found we could play a trick on him by saying "You stink!" and he'd bark like we said "Speak!". He knew when he made us laugh because he'd get that special gleam in his eyes and do it again. He would often lay in front of the TV when you were watching it so that you'd be looking at him, and him at you, while you were catching the program on the TV. In the summer he'd love to lay in his baby pool with water. He'd always circle three times before laying down to cool off. In fall, he'd steal the mini pumpkins off of my mom's porch and run with them in his mouth to make you chase him. And in winter, he'd put his nose in the snow and run along, pushing snow up into the air and running through it.

He was a beautiful dog. His fur was the color of a Hershey's chocolate bar, and he had the absolute softest ears. His "velvet ears" we'd call them. Over the years he started to get grey under his chin. He was getting older, and he certainly didn't have the energy that he once did as a puppy, but I thought we had years left to experience together. I keep trying to remind myself that he isn't in any pain any more, but it's hard because outwardly, he didn't appear to be in any pain anyways. He was always there for me; a lot has happened in the past 9 years, but Merls was my constant source of joy when I visited the home where I grew up. I hope he knows that I'm sorry he is gone, and that I will miss him as much as I loved him. Maybe he is running around in Heaven or walking with my Gram until we all meet again. Then I can tell him what I'd always say before I'd leave:

Good night sweet boy - I love you. You're a good, good dog.

2007 - Year of the Pig

I received some exciting news this past Friday. One of my best friends and her husband - Angie & Matt - are expecting their first child in June 2007. Of course we are thrilled for them; they've been trying since this summer after their marriage. To be honest, the news did make us a bit sad because we discovered that this cycle, again, didn't work out for us. It is a really awful feeling to be so mixed up emotionally - to be so happy that someone you love is getting what they want - and to be so sad that yet again, the same thing just isn't working for you.

But love always wins out over "adversity", and a few tears can't keep us down for long. We know it will one day happen for us. In the mean time, it is with much love that we are counting down the days until the littlest McKelvey arrives next June, in the year of the Pig. I did some research on this Chinese sign, and here is what I found, courtesy of ivillage.com:

Contrary to its rather negative reputation in the West, the Pig of Chinese Astrology may be the most generous and honorable Sign of the Zodiac. Pigs are nice to a fault and possess impeccable manners and taste. They have so much of the perfectionist in them that others may be inclined to perceive them as snobs, but this is a misconception. Pigs are simply possessed of a truly luxurious nature, one that delights in finery and riches (in surroundings, food, lovemaking and otherwise). This Sign believes in the best qualities of mankind and certainly doesn't consider itself to be superior. Pigs also care a great deal about friends and family and work hard to keep everyone in their life happy. Helping others is a true pleasure for the Pig, who feels best when everyone else is smiling.

Pigs are highly intelligent creatures, forever studying, playing and probing in their quest for greater knowledge. They can be misinterpreted as being lazy, however, due to their love of reveling in the good stuff; this Sign could happily spend hours on end making love, napping, taking a long bubble bath or dallying over an incredible spread of rich foods. Pigs tend to make wonderful life partners due to their hearts of gold and their love of family. Even so, Pigs can be rather exclusive, choosing to spend time with those who will appreciate them most and ignore the rest of the populace. Pigs would do well to realize that there's more to life than being needed. When they open up their world to a diverse group of people, they will truly bloom.

Sounds like Angela's child already!