heheh, someone just called me "cindicita" . :D i haven't heard that since my abuelita said it. (she would add "ita" to the end of all her grandkids names) i miss her all of a sudden. :(

in other news.... there's this kinda strange man who i think is stalking me where i work. it started after i talked to him one time, at the pizza place near the store i work at.... (he asked if he could sit down at my table, so he did and we chatted for a bit) now he comes in to where i work about every day. but never buys anything, just goes there. who knows though, maybe he just likes going there everyday. :shrug:

i've been spending too much money lately... almost all of it on books! i'm turning into a bookbuyingaholic!

just today i bought:

the five people you meet in heaven, by Mitch Alborn
His Passion - Christ's Journey to the Resurrection
Quiet Strength, by Rosa Parks

and the other day I bought
Jesus, Among other gods by Ravi Zacharias
The normal Christian life, Watchman Nee

there's a lot more, but..... no need to list em all. :p

/random stuff

cool avatar :)

ha, thanks! I was just thinking about changing it.... it's one of those avatars you cant have for very long. it's very Æ-ish, isn't it? :D

i like it better - the cats bigger and turntable slower. it looks more real i think. how the heck do you do that?

I just found it on the web. and someone did me the favor of resizing it, then Kraw let me use. :cool:

i think you gotta get a kitty avatar. ;)

i like cats

well, then you're alright in my book. :D

Originally posted by buttercup
heheh, someone just called me "cindicita" . :D i haven't heard that since my abuelita said it. (she would add "ita" to the end of all her grandkids names) i miss her all of a sudden. :(


Aw, that's a cute name.


in other news.... there's this kinda strange man who i think is stalking me where i work. it started after i talked to him one time, at the pizza place near the store i work at.... (he asked if he could sit down at my table, so he did and we chatted for a bit) now he comes in to where i work about every day. but never buys anything, just goes there. who knows though, maybe he just likes going there everyday. :shrug:


Now I'm going to be worried sick about your safety. :( Stay safe. Have somebody make sure you get to your car OK. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe not.


i've been spending too much money lately... almost all of it on books! i'm turning into a bookbuyingaholic!


Yeah, good books can be tempting and costly. Hope you utilize libraries so you don't have to buy everything.

On a side-note, a former co-worker of mine just got her first book published so I'm going to have to buy it to check it out. Sounds neat-o. The unearthing of an ancient Mayan civilization in California's Central Valley that turns into some kind of action-thriller. :)

BTW, your new DJ Kitty avatar rocks da hiz-ouse! :p

Originally posted by CCC

Now I'm going to be worried sick about your safety. :( Stay safe. Have somebody make sure you get to your car OK. Maybe it's nothing. Maybe not.

Thank you... it's nice that someone cares. :) but i think he's probably harmless. and yeah, when i work the later shift, i don't walk to my car alone. :)

On a side-note, a former co-worker of mine just got her first book published so I'm going to have to buy it to check it out. Sounds neat-o. The unearthing of an ancient Mayan civilization in California's Central Valley that turns into some kind of action-thriller. :)

wow, sounds kinda interesting.. let me know if it's good, i'm always looking for good books to read. although today was the first time i bought a novel in a long time. i read a lot of non-fiction these days.

BTW, your new DJ Kitty avatar rocks da hiz-ouse! :p

:D ok, i won't change it right away. it was gonna be one of my shortest-lived avatars.

i'm gonna go read now. i'll see ya later... i have tomorrow off! :w00t:

i like cats

well, then you're alright in my book.
So what happens if someone likes both cats and Clinton?

awwww. IIII wanna be a stalker!

Originally posted by buttercup
heheh, someone just called me "cindicita" . :D i haven't heard that since my abuelita said it. (she would add "ita" to the end of all her grandkids names)

:)


the five people you meet in heaven, by Mitch Alborn
His Passion - Christ's Journey to the Resurrection
Quiet Strength, by Rosa Parks

and the other day I bought
Jesus, Among other gods by Ravi Zacharias
The normal Christian life, Watchman Nee

there's a lot more, but..... no need to list em all. :p

/random stuff


as far as Christain literature, I'd recommend "the interior castle" by Santa Teresa de Avila, anything by Hildegarde, and the theological writings of Gustavo Gutierrez are quite illuminating.

"Ravi Zacharias" sounds like a Hindu name, well Ravi, anyhow, what is that, convert literature??

Originally posted by jonnyofthedead

So what happens if someone likes both cats and Clinton?

:p good question. they gain cool points for liking cats... but definitely lose for their lack of sense. or maybe it's not that, maybe they're just not well-informed. :shrug: they've never been to a certain site.


Originally posted by RightWingZealot
awwww. IIII wanna be a stalker!

good thing you live so far away. :|



Originally posted by BIG GABE

as far as Christain literature, I'd recommend "the interior castle" by Santa Teresa de Avila, anything by Hildegarde, and the theological writings of Gustavo Gutierrez are quite illuminating.

"Ravi Zacharias" sounds like a Hindu name, well Ravi, anyhow, what is that, convert literature??

Thanks for the recommendations. btw, I got a couple for you too... we'll talk about that later. :) Ravi Zacharias is a well known Christian scholar... and yes, he's originally from India, moved to Canada when he was 20, but he converted to Christianity a couple years before that. I just started reading his book, but it's interesting to hear from someone who grew up around eastern thought, and ended up choosing something that seemed to go against everything that his culture taught. Anyway, i'll let you know how the book is when i'm done, and i can send it to you if you want.

good thing you live so far away.

Im comming to california in march.

And I have your address.

Originally posted by buttercup
Ravi Zacharias is a well known Christian scholar... and yes, he's originally from India, moved to Canada when he was 20, but he converted to Christianity a couple years before that. I just started reading his book, but it's interesting to hear from someone who grew up around eastern thought, and ended up choosing something that seemed to go against everything that his culture taught. Anyway, i'll let you know how the book is when i'm done, and i can send it to you if you want.

I know Hinduism almost as well as I do Christianity. I'm a pluralist and syncretic cat so coversions aren't my thing. One interesting thing to note is that there are groups that absorb Christianity. I think the Brahmo Samaj is one such group. I think the Rama Krsna Missionary society does as well. And for sure, the self-realization movement does.

Hinduism is very flexable and absorbing. Thats why colonialism could not destroy it in the manner that some indigenous religions were.

I've never read conversion literature. I might accept your offer...if I can send you some pluralistic literature. Ya know....intellectual reciprocity, hehe

Originally posted by RightWingZealot

Im comming to california in march.

And I have your address.


ok, now you're scaring me.

;)

but anyway, you have my old address. :p


Originally posted by BIG GABE


I know Hinduism almost as well as I do Christianity. I'm a pluralist and syncretic cat so coversions aren't my thing. One interesting thing to note is that there are groups that absorb Christianity. I think the Brahmo Samaj is one such group. I think the Rama Krsna Missionary society does as well. And for sure, the self-realization movement does.

Hinduism is very flexable and absorbing. Thats why colonialism could not destroy it in the manner that some indigenous religions were.

I've never read conversion literature. I might accept your offer...if I can send you some pluralistic literature. Ya know....intellectual reciprocity, hehe

This talk about 'flexible and absorbing'.... it may sound good on the surface, but the reality is, it's precisely what truth isn't. This is why the new-agey view that 'all religions are true' is so misleading. If 2 religions contradict eachother, they can't both be true at the same time. and as I said, truth is not flexible or absorbing, it, by definition, excludes that which isn't true.

so, the eastern/new-agey way of thinking is just what Ravi Zacharias rejected. but we can still do the intellectual reciprocity thing...:p i've got some books i can send and thank you for offering to send me some. :)

But the bible contradicts itself. How can contradictions inside one religion be used to prove the truth of said belief structure?

Those so-called 'contradictions' are almost always a misunderstanding of the scripture, or something taken out of the broader context... and I think most of them can be easily refuted. Keep in mind that the Bible isn't one book, but 66 books, written by different people, from different walks of life, different places, etc. But it all tells the same message... so there is unity in the Bible, that's one of the amazing things about it.

I don't completely agree with you on the unity in the bible, but your point is valid enough that I will not press the matter. :)

new agey and eastern aren't the same thing.

but anyway, you have my old address.


DId you move again? no roomates anymore?

Originally posted by seekerofvisions
new agey and eastern aren't the same thing.

I know there are differences. I was talking about any religion or belief system that teaches that truth is relative or that all 'truths' are correct. But I'm interested in hearing what you have to say, if you want to elaborate. :)

Originally posted by RightWingZealot

DId you move again? no roomates anymore?

Yeah, I left that place a couple months ago. I don't want to get into the details here though. I can talk to ya about all this later, if you want.

yeah that'd be great. I'd like to hear it.
From what I recall I think you definatly made the right decision.
Livin with a bloody pan nazi can be trying. ;)

Originally posted by buttercup
This talk about 'flexible and absorbing'.... it may sound good on the surface, but the reality is, it's precisely what truth isn't. This is why the new-agey view that 'all religions are true' is so misleading. If 2 religions contradict eachother, they can't both be true at the same time. and as I said, truth is not flexible or absorbing, it, by definition, excludes that which isn't true.

so, the eastern/new-agey way of thinking is just what Ravi Zacharias rejected. but we can still do the intellectual reciprocity thing...:p i've got some books i can send and thank you for offering to send me some. :)


Sorry.....this is quite shortsighted. I'd like to point out some things.

equating new agey and eastern thought is your first mistake. If you wish to get all technical the Vedas predate the Bible and the Torah.

Secondly, by nature, Christianity can not be said to monolithic. its not christianity....its christianities So instead of an umbrella term like hinduism, christianity fractered into many sects and thats a sign of inflexability.

For some, like the great Ramakrishna, Hinduism and Christianity did not contridict.

Here's an advanced thought: In the study of mysticism....mystics are experiencing the same thing through different religious pathways. Due to historical and cultural contexts....they describe things in different langauge and words present different understandings of what the universal experience is.

Now, others take such words ( that describe the experience ), and develop a sort of anti-experiential dogma and of course, it seems to contridict with other traditions due to the experience framed in different linguistics/culture/etc.

You know, as far as Hinduism goes, it really isn't that much:

Hinduism: atman ( true-self/soul ) can feel at one with the brahman ( "god" )

Jesus: I and the father are one

there is a case for parallel experiences of the upanishadic yogis and Jesus.

You could kick down with the divisive sectarian game, or you could do time in the universal mind!


( Sorry so long ) :)

equating new agey and eastern thought is your first mistake. If you wish to get all technical the Vedas predate the Bible and the Torah.

When I said "new agey", I wasn't saying "new". And as I said to Marie, I know there are differences between eastern and new age religions... I was just talking about one similarity.

We can talk about the other stuff you mentioned later. :)



I've got some great news today that I have to share. :D :cool:



My sister, Diana, became a Christian today. This is something that I knew she had been getting close to, for the last few months. I went down to the Bay area, to go to church with her today... she wanted to try out a local church... she had never even been to a christian church... up to now she had only ever been to catholic churches, and she didn't want to go to a catholic church. So we found one that was really good, and afterwards she talked to the pastor... and then she talked to his wife, (about some stuff she's been going through).... and then she ended up accepting Christ, said the 'sinner's prayer' and everything. :) It was awesome!! She said that I played a part in getting her to this decision, so that was so great to hear. So I'm really happy.. I just hope that her husband also does... because this is a big turning point in her life.

So anyway, the angels were celebrating in Heaven today! :w00t: http://www.geocities.com/incindiaryonline/0010.txt http://www.geocities.com/incindiaryonline/002133.txt:eekdance: http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage06/5.gif

Wowzers! You done good, Cindy. :D :nice:

* Prayers for Diana * :)

is ur sister around my age? and Beautiful like you?

haha, j.k :confused:

Originally posted by buttercup
My sister, Diana, became a Christian today. This is something that I knew she had been getting close to, for the last few months. I went down to the Bay area, to go to church with her today... she wanted to try out a local church... she had never even been to a christian church... up to now she had only ever been to catholic churches, and she didn't want to go to a catholic church. So we found one that was really good, and afterwards she talked to the pastor... and then she talked to his wife, (about some stuff she's been going through).... and then she ended up accepting Christ, said the 'sinner's prayer' and everything. :) It was awesome!! She said that I played a part in getting her to this decision, so that was so great to hear. So I'm really happy.. I just hope that her husband also does... because this is a big turning point in her life.

So anyway, the angels were celebrating in Heaven today! :w00t: http://www.geocities.com/incindiaryonline/0010.txt http://www.geocities.com/incindiaryonline/002133.txt:eekdance: http://pages.prodigy.net/indianahawkeye/newpage06/5.gif
That's Great News!

(Luke 15:7 KJV) I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

is ur sister around my age? and Beautiful like you?

Married, gabe!

Originally posted by Banky

That's Great News!

Thanks Alan, John and Jim!! :) I appreciate the prayers for her, John!

Gabe... you're funny. gracias. :)

but yeah she's married.

wanna switch places?

Originally posted by RightWingZealot


Married, gabe!


I have selective reading I suppose
:(

cute pic, Terrapin! <3


random news update....

*waiting to find out if my sister is pregnant*

we should be getting the news any time now.

if anyone is reading this, prayers for her would be appreciated!

1st xian, then pregnant.
I guess that's better than the other way around.

Originally posted by buttercup

*waiting to find out if my sister is pregnant*

we should be getting the news any time now.

if anyone is reading this, prayers for her would be appreciated!

How 'bout that :)
If true, would this be the first time you being an aunt or are you already?

I think it would be awesome if she finally got pregnant, now, after becoming a Christian. :) But we don't know if she is yet. She took a blood test today. If this doesn't happen, they're going to adopt. I think I told you... they've been trying for 5 years, and her husband has some chromosonal problems. She flew out to the east coast a couple weeks ago, and they did a "doner embryo" transfer. So, if she does get pregnant, it wouldn't their baby by blood...

Originally posted by CCC

How 'bout that :)
If true, would this be the first time you being an aunt or are you already?

No, I would be a first time aunt! :D (if she is)

sorry, I didn't see your post before!

Originally posted by buttercup
No, I would be a first time aunt! :D (if she is)

sorry, I didn't see your post before!

S'OK, posted at about the same time. It happens. :D

I'm an only child and my mother's an only child, so I'd have marry into being an uncle. My family tree is pretty thin.
(although I know nothing of my father's side of the family, so who knows what's out there...)

I come from a big family. My mom's mom had 8 kids, and if I told you how many kids my dad's mom had you wouldn't believe me. :p (i'm serious) I don't really know his family well though... he is from Kansas, his family was very poor and he spent part of his childhood in an orphanage.

Oh, and my parents had 3 girls.

Anyway, I've got tons of cousins and relatives... although mostly I just know my relatives on my mom's side.

MY SISTER IS PREGNANT!!!!!!!!


ON THE PHONE WITH HER NOW

Originally posted by buttercup
MY SISTER IS PREGNANT!!!!!!!!


ON THE PHONE WITH HER NOW
:w00t: :nice: :nice: :cooldance :cooldance :w00t:
:w00t: :w00t: :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:
:w00t: :w00t: :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

Originally posted by buttercup
if I told you how many kids my dad's mom had you wouldn't believe me. :p (i'm serious)

You have never lied to me yet (that I know of :scratch: ). I trust you.:D

Anyway, your sister can get one of those 3D fetal images that I've been seeing ads for. Hooray for modern technology.

Wow... I got off the phone with Diana. I could tell she's been crying (good tears). If you knew what she has gone through in the last 5-6 years, you'd know how amazing this news is.

We have to keep praying though! It's very early in the pregnancy...

I'm happy though! :D :cool: I've been praying for her, my mom and relatives have been praying for her, even friends of mine have been praying for her.

I think God wanted her to become a Christian first... and another cool thing is that she was experiencing a bunch of little signs...(or amazing coincidences?) I could tell you a few.. I should just try to get Diana to come on DA and talk about it herself.

Anyway, thanks Alan!! :D

Praise God!!! :w00t: :w00t: :w00t:

Thats great. What a blessing.:nice:

Did you see it yet?

Originally posted by buttercup
MY SISTER IS PREGNANT!!!!!!!!


ON THE PHONE WITH HER NOW
That is wonderful!!




Psalm 112:2
His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 112 In context: Psalm 112:1-3)


Psalm 115:14
May the LORD make you increase, both you and your children.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 115 In context: Psalm 115:13-15)


Psalm 127:3
Sons are a heritage from the LORD , children a reward from him.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 127 In context: Psalm 127:2-4)


Psalm 128:6
and may you live to see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.
(Whole Chapter: Psalm 128 In context: Psalm 128:5-7)


Proverbs 14:26
He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge.
(Whole Chapter: Proverbs 14 In context: Proverbs 14:25-27)


Proverbs 17:6
Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
(Whole Chapter: Proverbs 17 In context: Proverbs 17:5-7)

Are you Jack Van Impe's son?

Originally posted by BIG GABE
Are you Jack Van Impe's son?
No, he memorizes all his verses he uses, I use a search tool :)

I am really bad at memory lately! :doh:

Babies are awesome. Congratulations!

Aunt Cindy!?!?! Sounds nice.:)

Thanks John! And Rudy and Jim and all of you. :D

I should be an aunt by November 1. :) :cool:

I'm trying to get my sister to come on here and post.... we'll see if she does. I know this may not be a big deal to other people, but she and her husband had been trying for over 5 years, and... well, I'll just let her tell the story if she signs up here and posts. :)

You guys will love her, she rocks!

Originally posted by buttercup


I should be an aunt by November 1. :) :cool:



*ahem* you mean tia. ur gonna be tia cindicita ;)

hah! you're right.... tia cindy. :p ;) that's what i call my aunts, btw. I have a tia elisa, tia carmen, tia ximena, etc. My uncles are mostly gringos, so I just call them 'uncle'. :D

Originally posted by buttercup
hah! you're right.... tia cindy. :p ;) that's what i call my aunts, btw. I have a tia elisa, tia carmen, tia ximena, etc. My uncles are mostly gringos, so I just call them 'uncle'. :D
Who you callin GRINGO????

http://www.nonstick.com/sounds/bugs_bunny/ltbb_246.wav

We don't need no stinking diapers! :P

Originally posted by Banky

Who you callin GRINGO????

http://www.nonstick.com/sounds/bugs_bunny/ltbb_246.wav

:rofl: YOU'RE a gringo!

;)


Originally posted by jojo
We don't need no stinking diapers! :P

heh, i'll probably be helping her out later this year... especially if she has more than one! :eek: they did an embryo transfer, and they tranfered 4 embryos, i think. but she doesn't know yet if it's more than one.

The reason why a woman in her third trimester eats every two hours is because her stomach is shoved up and back to the point that it is just a fraction of the size it usually is. The same lack of space issue causes her to urinate every 15 minutes.

:|

I did not realize that. [ /Wayne's World voice]

Yikes!

yeah - it sucks the life right out of a husband too. :| :p

Originally posted by buttercup
:rofl: YOU'RE a gringo!

Arrrrgh. I'm still holding out hope that my father, who I never met, is actually black (his name is Leroy, that's a good black name)...ah, who am I kidding, I know he's blond. Stooopid non-Mediterranean/non-African parents. :p



heh, i'll probably be helping her out later this year... especially if she has more than one! :eek: they did an embryo transfer, and they tranfered 4 embryos, i think. but she doesn't know yet if it's more than one.

I was wondering about that. Guess we still have to wait to find out how many. Would these embryos be related to each other?

Originally posted by buttercup


:rofl: YOU'RE a gringo!

;)

And yer a Gringa-Medio!! PPPBBBTTTTT! :slap:

(Hay! Gringa-Medio bonita, pero tu es GRINGA-MEDIO!)

:bang:

Originally posted by Banky


And yer a Gringa-Medio!! PPPBBBTTTTT! :slap:

(Hay! Gringa-Medio bonita, pero tu es GRINGA-MEDIO!)

:bang:

:stupid:

o estúpido if you prefer. :p

Originally posted by CCC
I was wondering about that. Guess we still have to wait to find out how many. Would these embryos be related to each other?

I just talked to her. She has an ultrasound on Thursday, so I think she'll find out if it's one baby or more. I'll let her answer your other question.... she said she'd sign up and post after Thursday probably. :)

Originally posted by Banky


And yer a Gringa-Medio!! PPPBBBTTTTT! :slap:

(Hay! Gringa-Medio bonita, pero tu es GRINGA-MEDIO!)

:bang:

Verdad! :p

Y gracias!

Originally posted by buttercup


Verdad! :p

Y gracias!
Ah, Mi Cielo..Es Cierto :)

Hmm I seemed to have gotten the gringos speaking odd spanich.....

:hmms:

lol spinach :)

Hey Buttercup,

Thankx for wishing me a happy b-day.

I have a question? What did you think of the passion? or have you not seen it yet?

I think she elaborated on it in the arts and culture section of DA under banky's thread.

Originally posted by Sperkmeister
Hey Buttercup,

Thankx for wishing me a happy b-day.

I have a question? What did you think of the passion? or have you not seen it yet?

Hi! :) I've seen it twice. I saw it again last night, with a couple non-christian friends of mine. (more on that in a bit)

I think it's a beautiful film, for me it was definitely an experience... not an ordinary movie. I had never really seen a film about Jesus before, definitely not one like this... so, like you said the other day, I always had the more 'sanitized' version of the crucifixion. But seeing so graphically what He endured for us (willingly) affected me. There's a lot things I want to say about all this, but it's hard to put into words.

btw.... my friend Marie, who is not a Christian, cried when watching it. (I didn't see her cry, but she told me afterwards) That kinda surprised me, but I'm glad it moved her. I'm hoping that she'll start thinking about these things.... I think this movie has done that, for a lot of people...it's making them think, and that is a good thing.

btw... did you see the article my friend Anna wrote about the Passion? I posted a thread in the Arts/Entertainment forum. http://www.discussanything.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=50862 I'd like to hear your thoughts!

Is it ethical for me to sneak into the Passion?
And/or film it in the theatre for bootlegs?


I must admit, I'd feel like Jesus turning over the tables at the temple... :o

Don't mind me, I'm just being a ****!

Originally posted by buttercup
btw.... my friend Marie, who is not a Christian, cried when watching it.

You took Seekerofvisions!!:confused:

I'm Cindy's sister, Diana.....she asked me to stop by and post a little note. First off, I'm so happy that she mentoned me in her journal, and am so impressed by your friendship and support of each other.

I've been married for 8.5 years (Cindy was my maid of honor) and we started trying to have kids 3 years later. Fast forward to 5.5 years later and we've gone thru 4 IVF's, etc., much heartache and pain, and then 3 "Donor Embryo" attempts, and moving torward adoption. During this process over the years we had mourned our "genetic link" so we were ready for DO (donor embryo) or adoption. We had 3 failed DO cycles in SF, and then finally went to NJ last month and were successful, on our last try. We were shocked and stunned that it worked, after so many failures. Now we are thrilled, but as dh says, "we still have a long way to go". I am more optimistic about this pregnancy, it's so exciting, but nervewracking too.

I had a first ultrasound 2 days ago at 5weeks, 1 day, and we were able to see one beautiful gestational sac! We were so happy and dh was so relieved - it's been harder for him to believe. We were happy that it wasn't triplets - lol, but twins would have been fun. But we are thrilled with a baby, and think it's just amazing and still surreal. We have another u/s next week where we will hopefully see the heartbeat - this is possible between 6-7 weeks. That is a big milestone, and when that happens the miscarriage rate goes down to about 5%.

Tia Cindicita has been awesome, and helped me find comfort through Jesus during my difficult journey. It's a long story but last Oct. I just "woke up" and got sick of myself for feeling sorry for myself for 5 years b/c I didn't have a baby. I wanted to be a better person and not be so selfish anymore. Cindy is such a believer that I started asking her questions and she ultimately helped me accept Christ on 2-1-04 right before we went to NJ for the cycle.

I did have a lot of "signs" and coincidences during this cycle. Since I've had more cycles then I'd like to think of, I can say that these were significant, at least to me. Here are some of them:

- 1st day of my cycle on my way to the dr. I prayed to have some sort of a good sign that this would work....anything. I get really nervous and get an upset stomach whenever I step foot in a fertility clinic so I needed some help.

- Later that day I find out from my dr that my procedure (transfer) will be on Fri the 13th. OH NO, that's an obviously bad sign, IMO, and I'm devastated.

- One week later Cindy takes me to a local Christian Church that I want to check out and it was great. We talked to the Pastor's wife afterwards and said a prayer, and I finally officially accepted Christ. I was reluctant before b/c I thought since I was still going through the fertility treatments that I wasn't resolved or still a "sinner"....but she (and Cindy) made me understand that it was okay. The kicker with this encounter was that she asked Cindy to pray for my dh and accidently called Cindy "Chris" which is my dh's name. She didn't know his name at all! I freaked and thought that was a good sign. Well, when we were leaving I mentioned that my transfer was on Fri the 13th and I was not happy about that, and she told us that it was a good day b/c she was born on Fri the 13th! Wow! I thought that was nice, but not a huge sign.

- A few days later at my last local fertility dr's appt, I told my dr about my transfer date and she said it was a lucky day, b/c SHE was born on Fri the 13th. OMG, that was big, b/c I really like her and have been seeing her for 3 years. She has tried so hard to get us pg and I really respect her (despite the failures). So, then I began to think that it was a good sign after all - not sure still.

- At the airport baggage claim in Philly/NJ my suitcase's front pocket was unzipped and a book was missing. It was the Bible that Cindy gave me for Christmas, with our names engraved on it. I was so upset and we searched and then headed towards the office to report it. On my way there I looked one last time at the belt and saw the bible just moving right along by itself.....I grabbed it and was so happy to find it. Later I thought, wow, imagine the chances of that. :)

- After the procedure I went to Boston to visit some old friends with my other sister and we had a great time. In the hotel elevator, my friend was telling me about her last vacation where really pg women wore 2 piece bathing suits. Hahaha. When we got off the elevator there was a hugely pg woman standing right in front of us! Haha! No biggie, but then we immediately went to the restaurant for dinner and our hostess/waitress was totally pg! We thought that was amusing, but then I saw her name-tag and it was Margarita. My middle name is Margaret but my family calls me Diana Margarita! We thought that was a kick!

- We returned home and finally got the call from the nurse a few days later. I WAS PREGNANT! We couldn't believe it. Well, and believe it or not, the nurse who called was named Cindy. Wow....

- I am probably jinxing myself by going on and on about this and maybe should have refrained from saying anything until the baby is born....BUT, it's nice to share all this with you all, I hope I didn't bore you to death. I do have a good feeling about things (finally) and am grateful for family and friends to help pull us through this really dark time. Hopefully now we can see the light! :) And change a bunch of diapers!

Thanks for reading....

Hugs,
Diana
5w3d
EDD 11/3/04

Pleasure to meet you!

Now, how can we get you on our e-mail spam lists???

JUST KIDDING!

Feel free to stop in here anytime!:)

By the way, I am sure she told you, several of us here are Christians, and Cindy asked for prayer for you so the pregnancy would go well.

Originally posted by buttercup's_sis
I'm Cindy's sister, Diana.....she asked me to stop by and post a little note. First off, I'm so happy that she mentoned me in her journal, and am so impressed by your friendship and support of each other.

I've been married for 8.5 years (Cindy was my maid of honor) and we started trying to have kids 3 years later. Fast forward to 5.5 years later and we've gone thru 4 IVF's, etc., much heartache and pain, and then 3 "Donor Embryo" attempts, and moving torward adoption. During this process over the years we had mourned our "genetic link" so we were ready for DO (donor embryo) or adoption. We had 3 failed DO cycles in SF, and then finally went to NJ last month and were successful, on our last try. We were shocked and stunned that it worked, after so many failures. Now we are thrilled, but as dh says, "we still have a long way to go". I am more optimistic about this pregnancy, it's so exciting, but nervewracking too.

I had a first ultrasound 2 days ago at 5weeks, 1 day, and we were able to see one beautiful gestational sac! We were so happy and dh was so relieved - it's been harder for him to believe. We were happy that it wasn't triplets - lol, but twins would have been fun. But we are thrilled with a baby, and think it's just amazing and still surreal. We have another u/s next week where we will hopefully see the heartbeat - this is possible between 6-7 weeks. That is a big milestone, and when that happens the miscarriage rate goes down to about 5%.

Tia Cindicita has been awesome, and helped me find comfort through Jesus during my difficult journey. It's a long story but last Oct. I just "woke up" and got sick of myself for feeling sorry for myself for 5 years b/c I didn't have a baby. I wanted to be a better person and not be so selfish anymore. Cindy is such a believer that I started asking her questions and she ultimately helped me accept Christ on 2-1-04 right before we went to NJ for the cycle.

I did have a lot of "signs" and coincidences during this cycle. Since I've had more cycles then I'd like to think of, I can say that these were significant, at least to me. Here are some of them:

- 1st day of my cycle on my way to the dr. I prayed to have some sort of a good sign that this would work....anything. I get really nervous and get an upset stomach whenever I step foot in a fertility clinic so I needed some help.

- Later that day I find out from my dr that my procedure (transfer) will be on Fri the 13th. OH NO, that's an obviously bad sign, IMO, and I'm devastated.

- One week later Cindy takes me to a local Christian Church that I want to check out and it was great. We talked to the Pastor's wife afterwards and said a prayer, and I finally officially accepted Christ. I was reluctant before b/c I thought since I was still going through the fertility treatments that I wasn't resolved or still a "sinner"....but she (and Cindy) made me understand that it was okay. The kicker with this encounter was that she asked Cindy to pray for my dh and accidently called Cindy "Chris" which is my dh's name. She didn't know his name at all! I freaked and thought that was a good sign. Well, when we were leaving I mentioned that my transfer was on Fri the 13th and I was not happy about that, and she told us that it was a good day b/c she was born on Fri the 13th! Wow! I thought that was nice, but not a huge sign.

- A few days later at my last local fertility dr's appt, I told my dr about my transfer date and she said it was a lucky day, b/c SHE was born on Fri the 13th. OMG, that was big, b/c I really like her and have been seeing her for 3 years. She has tried so hard to get us pg and I really respect her (despite the failures). So, then I began to think that it was a good sign after all - not sure still.

- At the airport baggage claim in Philly/NJ my suitcase's front pocket was unzipped and a book was missing. It was the Bible that Cindy gave me for Christmas, with our names engraved on it. I was so upset and we searched and then headed towards the office to report it. On my way there I looked one last time at the belt and saw the bible just moving right along by itself.....I grabbed it and was so happy to find it. Later I thought, wow, imagine the chances of that. :)

- After the procedure I went to Boston to visit some old friends with my other sister and we had a great time. In the hotel elevator, my friend was telling me about her last vacation where really pg women wore 2 piece bathing suits. Hahaha. When we got off the elevator there was a hugely pg woman standing right in front of us! Haha! No biggie, but then we immediately went to the restaurant for dinner and our hostess/waitress was totally pg! We thought that was amusing, but then I saw her name-tag and it was Margarita. My middle name is Margaret but my family calls me Diana Margarita! We thought that was a kick!

- We returned home and finally got the call from the nurse a few days later. I WAS PREGNANT! We couldn't believe it. Well, and believe it or not, the nurse who called was named Cindy. Wow....

- I am probably jinxing myself by going on and on about this and maybe should have refrained from saying anything until the baby is born....BUT, it's nice to share all this with you all, I hope I didn't bore you to death. I do have a good feeling about things (finally) and am grateful for family and friends to help pull us through this really dark time. Hopefully now we can see the light! :) And change a bunch of diapers!

Thanks for reading....

Hugs,
Diana
5w3d
EDD 11/3/04

Congratulations! (on all accounts) :nice:

Tell buttercup Notch says “what’s up”, darling! :D

Originally posted by buttercup's_sis
I'm Cindy's sister, Diana.....she asked me to stop by and post a little note.

Hello, Diana. I'm Cindy's friend Alan from San Jose.

It's an honor and a privilege to have you post your story here.

I'd say more, but I'm fighting a cold and I don't want you to get a computer virus or something like that :D

Take care and look forward to your newly extended family.

~ Alan

Congratulations Diana!

God Bless you and your baby. :)

congrats..!!!

DIANA!! http://www.geocities.com/incindiaryonline/love60.txt

Thanks for signing up and posting! But I hope this isn't gonna be your only post! I'm gonna call you tomorrow, btw.

LOVE
cindy

Originally posted by buttercup's_sis
Tia Cindicita


Hmm, I think I may have started something...

Allow me to introduce myself....I am the future Mr. Buttercup ( opps that sounded a bit limp wristed eh? ) Just Kiddin'

:nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono: :nonono:
Originally posted by BIG GABE
Allow me to introduce myself....I am the future Mr. Buttercup ( opps that sounded a bit limp wristed eh? ) Just Kiddin' :slap:

:P

:D lol

that made me laugh, thanks.

hey Gabe, i haven't been to the ebn lately, what's been happening over there? i noticed they have some new smileys..

Thats a Dancing Bananna celebrating the expropriation of the United Fruit Company....errr yeah.

Bah, its slow over there, we could use an agent provocatuer

My mom talked to Diana... she just had an ultrasound today (I think she just hit 11 weeks) and she said the baby is bouncing! :D :) She could see the eyes, fingers, etc.... so thank God she is almost out of the first trimester, which is the iffy period.

:)

i'm really thankful to everyone who prayed for her... and most of all thank you, God! this whole thing with her has been something else!

<3

Originally posted by buttercup
My mom talked to Diana... she just had an ultrasound today (I think she just hit 11 weeks) and she said the baby is bouncing! :D :)


What, the baby is made out of rubber? :| :D

She could see the eyes, fingers, etc....


That's gotta be such an awesome experience.



so thank God she is almost out of the first trimester, which is the iffy period.

:)

i'm really thankful to everyone who prayed for her... and most of all thank you, God! this whole thing with her has been something else!

<3

:w00t:

Hi everyone....

Thanks for the welcome and congrats when I first posted, I don't think I came back after my first post, sorry....I'm busy on my pregnancy bulletin bb. LOL!

As Cindy said, I did have my 4th ultrasound last Wed. It was really neat to see the baby actually look more like a baby (and not a gummy bear). I was able to see a cute nose profile, and face, and I could see fingers (arms & legs) and the spine and ribs this time, and the heart beating strongly in the center of the body....and it's only 2.5 inches long. The baby moved a lot (which my OB said was a good sign) and did flips, which I couldn't understand how since the umbilical cord looks like it's short and stiff.....but apparently it's like a bungie cord and is long. The previous u/s was 3 weeks ago and the baby was a lot smaller and not as developed so it's fascinating to see the growth difference. That's the one good thing about being an infertility patient, you get all the extra ultrasounds.

So, we are excited and relieved that things seem to be going well, except for the nauseau and tiredness. haha. I know that everyone's prayers and good thoughts have really helped us tremendously (please keep them coming)....I really felt so much support during this last fertility cycle and now in pregnancy and am so grateful. :) Learning that Cindy's friends who I don't even know prayed for me is so humbling and wonderful. Thank you! This whole pregnancy is a miracle from God and I am so honored to be able to become a mother.

Hope this baby talk isn't boring to you all......I know that Tia Cindicita will be an awesome auntie and can share pic's later if you guys want to see.

Thanks for reading my update!

Diana
11w4d - edd 11/2/04

Yay!!! Second trimester is going to be fun. The tiny tickles of movement turn to big bounces and bumping. Space is taken from your abdomen and many of your bodily functions will change in time and form.

I have known my wife to go through the process and delivery thrice and cannot say with certainty what goes on inside her mind and heart. I do recall both of us experiencing an uncommon feeling of total loss of control. This was particularly apparent with our first child. Why is it that when I look back I can say this is a very good thing? LOL.

Gods in control. He is making a son or daughter.

Peace

John

Originally posted by buttercup's_sis
Hope this baby talk isn't boring to you all......


Heck, some of us have no life (*cough*me*cough*) and we're living vicariously through your experiences. :D


I know that Tia Cindicita will be an awesome auntie


No doubt :D


and can share pic's later if you guys want to see.


Yes...must...have...pics (again, see point 1) :D

Originally posted by jojo
Gods in control. He is making a son or daughter.


Good call there jojo :nice: