waiting

I am learning that waiting is part of life we just cant avoid. I am also learning waiting is not fun but is when we learn so much. Our infertility journey has forced us to wait, wait and wait so more! While waiting I have learned what a precious husband I have, patience, contentment, I am not in control, God's perfect timing, always have faith, always have hope, and God's plan for our life is so much better then we could ever imagine. Mary Grace was such a surprise I never thought we would have trouble with having a second child. Through this experience God has shown me Mary Grace is a miracle. God has led us to fertility treatments. We did our first cycle of intrauterine insemination before Christmas and was not successful. We are in the middle of our second cycle. We added follistim injections this time. I had such a great response to the medication we almost cancelled due to so many follicules. We decided to move forward and are now in the two week wait to see if this is the month. While this wait has not been fun I know this season is temporary and we will get through it. I am thankful God has walked through this with us. He has opened doors, provided in amazing ways, and encourages us everyday!

Happy New Year!

The holiday season went by so fast! We had Thanksgiving dinner at our house with Jon's family this year. We had lots of food and lots of fun! We were in South Carolina with Dee's family for Christmas. We really enjoyed visiting family and friends, looking at Christmas lights, going to church, Christmas parties, and lots of yummy food! Christmas morning was really special. Poppi and Nana made a yummy breakfast! After breakfast we opened presents and enjoyed watching Mary Grace and her cousin Ella have fun with all of their new surprises! We are back in Arizona now and getting settled back in routines. I thought I would give an updated on our fertility treatment. We went through a cycle of intrauterine insemination before Christmas and was not successful. Our doctor told us that it takes an average of three cycles. I guess I was still hoping it work the first time. This was hard but we know God is in control and He has a great plan for our family. This infertility journey has been painful but has helped me realize that Mary Grace is our precious miracle. I am so thankful for Jon! He has been so supportive. He has loved me even when I have not been so lovable. I am also thankful for our family and friends of have loved on us during this time. The support of our family and friends has been so encouraging. We are planning to start a second cycle of intrauterine insemination with follistim at the end of the month. We will update again soon. Happy New Year!

We are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary Grace and her new cat named Tiger!!!!

Jon and Caleb always have fun together!!!!!

First day of the cruise and everyone is all smiles!!!!

Mary Grace catching some sun and enjoying the fun slide on the ship!!!!!

Mary Grace trying to fit in with the locals in Mexico.

Mary Grace on Catalina Island. What a beautiful Place.

Mary Grace and Ella relaxing!!!

Our new home. We know God has blessed us with this home and give him glory for everything we have.

Hey everyone,

Sorry we have been away for a while. Here are some pictures from Spring, Summer and Fall. Hope everyone is doing great!!!! Here are a few of our adventures...

We bought our first house in February. We feel so blessed with our home.

We visited Dee's family in South Carolina in the spring. We started the summer with a cruise with Jon's family on to Mexico. So much fun and so much food. We finished the trip with a few days in San Diego.

Dee's parent's and Caleb came to visit for Dee's birthday in July. We had a great time. Lots of nice dinners, shopping, movies, the lake and we ended with some fire works.

Summer was hot but so nice to feel settled in our home. We enjoyed painting, decorating and finishing our back yard. (Harder project than we thought)

In August Mary Grace started third grade at her new school. She loves it. What a blessing. She has a great teacher, lots of new friends, and loves walking to school now that the weather is a little bit cooler. We are really enjoying our new neighborhood. We have enjoyed the pool, meeting new people and we love the area. We have some new neighbors who are gamecock fans. They moved from Greenville, South Carolina last spring. We watched a game with them:) Go gamecocks! On August 15 our precious Mary Grace turned eight years old. Its really hard to believe. We went to Disneyland for her birthday! What a great time. Aunt Jana joined us.

This fall we have decided to start a new adventure. We have be unable to have a second child on own. After lots of prayer and consideration we have decided to move forward with seeing a fertility specialist our doctor highly recommends. Our first appointment is October 30. We will update on this soon. Happy fall!

Merry Christmas

Thanks Nana, Poppi and Caleb for all of our Christmas Presents. We love you and miss you.
Flagstaff, AZ December 23, 2008
Looks like a "White Christmas"

We had so much fun playing in the snow!!!

Mary Grace was so excited to make a snow angel.

Keeping warm together!!!

Mary Grace could not stop smiling in the snow

I am planning on throwing a snowball at Daddy!!!!

Thanks Lesley for making me this special pink scarf.

This keeps me warm and stylish.

Jon was very proud of his Crown Roast.

He made it for a Christmas party with family.

Jon and Dee pose for a holiday moment.

Mary Grace was all smiles after opening her high school musical

purse full of goodies. Thanks for the gifts uncle Daniel, aunt Lesley and Ella.

Ready. Set. Open!!!!!!

Dee, Jana and Mom enjoying a nice dinner before a play.

Thanks Randi for planning this fun girls night.



We hope you enjoy looking at our pictures. We have had a lot of fun this holiday season. Everyone is healthy and looking forward to the new year. We have lots of friends and family that we care about and feel lucky to have all of them in our life. We would like to wish everyone a very special Christmas and want everyone to know that we will be thinking of each and everyone of you.

With lots of love,

Jon, Dee and Mary Grace Rich

Mary Grace enjoying cookies and milk

Here is a picture of Mary Grace enjoying cookies and milk after school. This time of year reminds me of the many wonderful memories I enjoyed as a child. Growing up the holiday season was always full of Christmas parties, shopping, baking, reading the Christmas story, lots of decorations, and of course the hopes that Santa clause would stop by our house on Christmas eve(he always did). I am so appreciative that my parents always made this time of year so special. Now I am enjoying those same traditions with my husband and daughter. With all of the excitement and chaos of the season I am trying to slow down and remember why we celebrate Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season! Happy Holidays!

Mary Grace Christmas Picture

Mary Grace getting ready to decorate the Christmas Tree

Jon and Dee at dinner (Mary Grace took the photo)

Dee after a long makeover by Mary Grace

Mary Grace and Dad after visiting Santa

Mary Grace

December 2008

Mary Grace