Welcome

To help share our boys with our ever expanding family, Mark and I have decided to create this blog. Please keep in mind that both of us are "technology challenged" so this blog will be an ever evolving learning experience.



Meet the Crew:



Mark is 39 - very close to the dreaded 40! He is a wonder husband and a devoted, loving daddy. When he gives the boys their good night kisses - he says "I love you as high as the sky and as deep as the ocean." He is co-owner of an independent insurance company. He loves to be outdoors - especially our 80 acre farm. We have had alfalfa hay for 7 years but this year we harvested a nice wheat crop. I like to say that Mark has 2 speeds - going or sleeping - there is no in between for him.



Andrea (myself) is 34. I love being a mom. Before we had children, I couldn't imagine my life any more complete or my ability to love to be endless. Of course, all that changed when I saw Dominic's heartbeat on ultrasound the first time and changed even more when I heard his first cry. Even before leaving the hospital with Dominic, Mark and I knew we wanted more children. I am a respiratory therapist at our local hospital but I definitely define myself as a mother. When I give the boys their good night kisses, I say "May God bless you and keep you safe. I love you with all my heart."



Dominic Brian - miracle baby #1. Dominic was born Nov 5, 2004 - that was when he took his first breath but was actually conceived in Nov 2003. Dominic was one of our frozen embryos from our first round of IVF. Dominic has a special connection with his late Uncle Brian - and just not sharing a name. While I was under anesthesia for the egg retrieval (10 days after Brian's death), I had a vision. While I don't recall this vision, Mark said I spoke very adamantly about it. I told Mark that Brian was with me during the procedure and told me that we shouldn't worry about having children because all would work out according to God's plan. The fresh embryo transfer was unsuccessful so we had to wait 3 months before transferring the frozen embryos. We were very excited and cried lots of happy tears with the positive pregnancy test. We were actually completely speechless when the doctor told us the due date - Nov 4, 2004 - exactly one year from Brian's death. So we send out "big thank you's" to Brian for helping to send this miracle angel boy into ours hearts and arms.



Dominic is nearly 3 years old and such a little man. He is full of life and too smart for his own good. He loves playing with all his cousins, swimming at the Baring Lake, and digging holes in the sand. He is a fantastic big brother and loves and protects Luke "with all his heart and as high as the sky". For his 3rd birthday we are going to surprise him with tickets to the "GO DIEGO GO LIVE" show in Kansas City.



Luke Robert - miracle baby #2. Luke took his first breath on Feb 28, 2007 but was conceived in Dec 2005. Luke was one of our frozen embryos from our 3rd round of IVF. He is 6 months old and the light of every one's heart. Luke is so easy going - not a great sleeper - but easy going none the less. He loves Dominic and smiles and looks all around whenever he hears Dominic's voice. Dominic can get Luke to laugh so hard that he almost snorts! Luke has recently learned to roll over and now loves to sleep on his tummy - I think he actually does it to scare me to death!

We have yet decided if we will venture down the IVF road again. We would love to have more children but that is such a roller coaster ride.

We look forward to sharing some of lives with all of you and hope you will do the same.

Andrea