John and I met at our local church in a divorce support group following two very troubled marriages.  We were both Christians and new that in any future relationships, this was the most important quality we could find in a mate.  We fell in love and married on October 26,1996.  From the beginning expressed the desire to start a family together, despite the fact we were both in our forties.  We sought the help of a reproductive clinic and on our very first attempt, found we were pregnant.  Sadly that and our second attempt ended in miscarriages.  We found after many tests that some immune problems were causing our losses.  We received treatment and decided to attempt our 6th and final IVF try.  To our joy on Jan. 1, 2000 we found we were pregnant again and this time things appeared to be going very well.  A few weeks later we learned the wonderful news that we were not only pregnant but pregnant with twins.  We were thrilled but very nervous that something might happen and again we would experience a tragic loss.  God answered our many prayers and on August 4, 2000 we delivered two very beautiful and apparently healthy twin girls, Kayla and Megan.  We could not have been any happier.

John and I have children from our previous marriages.  I have a son Jason who is 26 and a daughter Brianna who is 24.  Brianna has a son, my first grandchild named Jacob who is almost 2.  Jason has a son, my second grandchild named Wyatt who was just born in November.  So our girls are aunts already.  Plus they have playmates.  John has a son Kevin who is 10 but unfortunately lives very far away and due to severe custody disputes we have not seen Kevin in sometime.  A tragic loss but hopefully one day we will be reunited with him.

My son Jason, Julie, and their son Wyatt

Close up of Wyatt at birth

our second grandchild

November 22, 2000

7pounds 13 ounces, 20 inches long

My daughter Brianna and her husband Michael

Brianna and Mike's son Jacob, age 2

December 29, 1998

8 pounds 10 ounces, Our first grandchild

John's son Kevin at age 8

When our girls were just one week old we learned the tragic news that Kayla would not spend her life with us but would shortly be going on to stay with Jesus.  Despite this tragic loss we have been very blessed with wonderful kids and a wonderful marriage.  This along with our belief in Jesus is what has gotten us through some rather tragic losses.  We find comfort in the Lord and know that regardless of the trial we face, God can use it in some way to benefit His Kingdom.

This poem I wrote about our very painful experience going through infertility treatments.  A very long and stressful road where it is difficult to continue and difficult to stop, a very confusing time spiritually and emotionally.

The Journey

As we look at you both closely

with such wonder and awe

the pain of infertility

still present and raw

We started this journey

about 4 years ago

not expecting all the heartaches

and the pain we’d undergo

The barrage of tests and treatments

to try and make this work

the endless hours on the computer

to look for answers, we would search

Twice came the really awful news

this pregnancy just won’t stay

it seems my womb is not so nice

an immune problem is what they say

The hardest part for us to do

was to thank God everyday

to try and understand His will

and to keep our faith and pray

Despite the impossible odds

 we just couldn’t give up the dream

it’s a ride on a roller coaster

where all you want to do is scream

Somehow you find the money

after another cycle fails

the amazing perseverance

just one more time and I’ll prevail

Our sanity was tested

each day through this trial

but our e-mail support groups

cheered us through each and every mile

After an experimental treatment

we give it one more try

we can’t believe were having twins

and pray they will be fine

There here we finally get to say

our hearts burst out with pride

on this truly glorious day

we just hold each other and cry

God faithfully blessed us

our prayers finally have come true

twin girls who are so precious

so tiny and new

We wish this journey ended here

but the life of one twin ends

                                we learn a new pain that of grief

and another journey begins