My Pregnancy Story (...or Lack Thereof)

Why Is This An Issue Now?
Well, for some reason, the topic was on BOTH our minds two weeks ago when Jim was out of town. I was coming to grips with the fact that I was ready to "call it quits" on trying. He, on the other hand was wondering if we should reconsider the "infertility drugs" and "adoption" options again.

Like we have every time over the past 4 years that we've been trying to get pregnant, we ended with: "Well, if it was meant to be, it will be. Let's just leave it at that."

Truth is, our latest discussion about having a child pretty much sealed the deal for me. I'm tired of the ups and the downs. Of the unknowns. Of the wondering... if THIS is the month. I mean, for the most part, there have been 45 months in a row that I've thought, prayed, wished, imagined, and even felt like "THIS is the month I'm pregnant... I'm SURE of it this time." That can wear ya down in a way that many cannnot imagine.

Add to that the fact that the all-too-practical side of me keeps saying that "we have to live more conservatively" now if we plan on entering children into this mix. And everyone knows we're much too haphazard and spontaneous in our day-to-day living to appreciate such a "common-sense approach" to life. :-)

Besides, in all honesty, I've come to grips with the fact that I'm soon-to-be 40. (Jim beat me there by just a few months.) That's not a bad thing. Nor depressing. It's not even about the "biological clock" for me. Heck, if our lifestyle accomodated it, I'd be bustin out babies til I was 50 if I could!

It's more the fact that I'm realizing that we're in a groove here... Where we are in our lives is so completely undefinable, and few would EVER choose the paths we've chosen, but that's EXACTLY why we're so content in our day-to-day roles right now. We are living our dream and we are two of the luckiest people on this planet to be able to say that right now!

But I often wonder if we are living "responsibly" enough to enter children into the equation right now. I mean, I would feel so guilty, so selfish that we had not prepared better and paved the way for them more.

I think I've stumbled upon a fairly deep issue that rests on my shoulders -- and mine alone. And perhaps I should just lighten up and remember that there is never an "ideal" time to do anything in this world. If we all waited for the "best" time to do something, then none of us would be doing ANYthing, cuz there IS no such time. Of that, I am fully aware.

Okay, then let me lighten this up a bit... What if, in fact, the following were true? What if, HYPOTHETICALLY, I said to you that my top reason for wanting to have a child at this point is:

That, my friends, was my wake-up call that this process has gone on too long. I've exhausted all of the "real" and "valid" reasons for wanting a child, and now I've resorted to superficial ones instead. Are ya with me on this? :-)

Okay, so our bubble has been burst, our balloon has been popped. Our dream for a child has been filed away for future generations (not ours) to grasp onto.

Oh, so sad it seems...

But no! Don't get the wrong impression. We are A-ok with this whole non-child thing (now). We've ridden the roller coaster long enough that we are now ready for the downhill ride for the rest of our lives... with our hands full in the in the air -- carefree and living by the seat of our pants!

Yep, that pretty much sums up our day-to-day life around here. And there's some comfort in knowing that that won't have to change in lieu of becoming "responsible" parents with "boring" lifestyles and having to find "babysitters" in order to do some of the things we enjoy together, or (gasp!) feeling "guilty" for wanting to do things without the kid(s) sometimes.

This is what was meant to be... for us. And we're good with that. In fact, that is what gives us the greatest comfort. It was God's plan for our lives. And, thankfully, we found each other along the way to share this path together.

Okay, I'll admit it, it IS heartbreaking to think about at times. Especially, to finally come to such a realization, and then to dot all your I's and cross all your T's and finally share this fact of life with EVERYone... That's a very big deal for me. To admit "out loud" that we will forever be "us as a couple" rather than "us as a family"... Ouch.

There have never been two people who, independently for years and years and years, have wanted children more than us. Trust me.

But instead of focusing all of our energies on making way for the future and making a difference in our KIDS' lives... Jim and I are now happily turning our focus toward finding what it is that we can do to make a difference in some OTHER way now instead. That, in itself, will be a quite fulfilling journey I'm sure. :-)

Here is what I will miss most: