Christmas Photos

This year wasn't a crazy Christmas at all and turned out to be pretty laid back! Meaning we didn't have a lot of get togethers on the same day and could spend quite a few hours enjoying each get together with no time frame! The week-end before Christmas we were able to celebrate with Jarod's family and my family which was really nice.   

On Christmas we usually do the same thing every morning! We get up whenever we feel like it (yeah), make breakfast together (usually try a different recipe every year), open presents, watch a Christmas story (who else likes that movie?) and relax till we have to leave. We had Christmas lunch at my g-ma Nelson's this year but weren't able to make it to the Schroerings Christmas b/c they were both at the same time which I was kinda bummed about:( 

Lots of pics. to follow that I posted from all the wonderful memories!!! We loved spending time with our family and enjoyed every bit of it. Now we are just trying to get back to the swing of things and get back to not munching on all those sweet goodies that have been sitting around the house. Hence "have" b/c we pretty much ate almost all of them. haha. They are always soo tempting! But we appreciate all the goodies we received from our wonderful neighbors! Thanks again!

 Our tree!

Khloe's present.....she hates when we tell her to stay. I was trying to get a pic. of her with her treats but she was wanting them pretty bad. haha

And now chowing down on it:)

This year I ordered Jarod a Dremel and he found the box before I got to it. He had no idea I ordered a Dremel but this is what the box looked like! I guess he knows me to good! I do love surprising him but it is sooo hard but then I see this and it just makes me love him even more for how he is. haha. I did surprise him with the other gifts I got him though......a new cooler, socks and this LL Bean led light you can strap around your head. I forgot the name of it?! 

My mom with her present....a gift card for a massage. So we can spend some more mother/daughter time together:)

My parents got Jarod an Ipod!!! We are so out of the technology loop and still have a lot to figure out about it. He loved it though!!!

Every year I buy an ornament in Memory of Lindsey! As the years past it is sad to see the ornaments adding up b/c that shows how many years she hasn't been here with us. We miss her sooo much!!! I do know she was with us and wathcing over us on this special day. I can't imagine what her celebration looked like above!

Our little family!

Maybe next year there will be one more person in the photo or in my belly!

Me and my mom and dad!

Me and my momma!

Jarod with our little nephew Dre'......he is such a cutie pie!

Hanging out.

I had to take a pic. of the yummy desserts. I know kinda odd but it is nice to look back at everything we did and had!

Dru and Aidan

Dru LOVES these remote control cars! So we knew exactly what we were going to get him:)

Opening gifts. We usually do a gift exchange but we all ended up just buying gifts for the younger boys. It was nice just to watch them.

Love spending time with this man especially!

We got my g-ma a rug with all her grandkids names on it.

My cousin's little girl Hope Lindsey. She has the bluest eyes!

My cousin Hannah and her boyfriend Steve.

My cousin Keith and uncle Rich and uncle Jeff. I don't think they were too thrilled with the whole picture taking. lol

Some of my cousin's kids.....they were wild! We had a lot of fun with them though!

Just look at their faces.....they were up to something!

Me and Jeff!

That is all of them!!!!

Cincy

Last week-end Jarod and I went to Cincy for a little Christmas getaway to see some Christmas lights, spend some time together and to enjoy this time of year!!! Oh, and to go to Jungle Jim's. Yeah baby! If you haven't been there before it is a huge grocery store that has foods from all around the world. We spent 2 hours in there and could have spent more time if we wanted. We have been there one time before and it is def. one of our favorite stores....too bad it isn't closer:(  When we were there it was snowing the whole time and it was so pretty! I always say if it is going to be freezing there might as well be a little bit of snow too, right! Here are some pictures if you want to see what we did:)

 

Getting close!

Our brochure of things to see and do....just a little excited. haha

We stopped at a look out and it was just beautiful! We could see so much of Cincy!

Inside Khron conservatory. A neat little place to look at all kinds of plants. And it was free!

Just outside Khron's. I thought this was so pretty. I LOVE the snow covered trees and the old bridge!!!

We went to the PNC festival of lights at the zoo. This was at the entrance.

My camera wouldn't take very good pictures in the dark but there are a lot of christmas light's back there. You can def. see the snow falling though.

I think they were shy;)

Reindeer!! Really where do reindeer live?? The only time I see them is around Christmas time! Is santa hiding them all. haha.

Trying to get a shot of Santa. Can you see him? I was cracking up when I seen this pic. b/c the little girl is totally smiling for my pic. lol.

Me and my sweetie! I love him soo much! 

I hope everyone is enjoying this time of year as well! Take in every moment and cherish it:)

Thankful

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow there is always that question: What are you thankful for? I know there is not a day that passes that I am not thankful! I do want to share a couple things I am thankful for and only a couple because I could go on and on if I would post EVERYTHING I am thankful for.

LIFE! GOD created this world for us to live and I am so thankful for that. I thank God every night for the life he has given me. Our God is a big God that can do anything and I am blessed to call him MY God.

My husband. He is the perfect guy for me and can always make me smile no matter what! Each day I love him even more and I am thankful for the man that he is! I love him with all my heart and I am going to love growing old with him.

Family. I don't know what I would do without my family. Even though my sister is in heaven and our hearts ache to be with her we are still a family without her here on earth but know that one day we will be together again in a better place:)

Friends. I love knowing the fact that I can trust them and can share anything with them and feel completely comfortable.

Memories. What would we do without memories. I can't imagine doing something and then forgetting the next day.

Work. I am glad that I have a job and a job that I love. I know some days can just flat out be crazyyy but I love having that interaction with other people that I am helping take care of.

Infertility. Now this is something that I don't want to be thankful for at times but I know this was planned for Jarod and I and we have to accept that....and we are. This has been ONE of the hardest things in my life but we have grown so much from this already and have grown closer to God. 

Difficulties. Difficulties are opportunities to better things; they are stepping stones to greater experience. When one door closes, another always opens

Chocolate. haha. What would I do without it....I know I am not the only one thankful for this;) Now Jarod on the other hand wouldn't know what to do without pizza. lol.

On another note. I wanted to update on our resutls from Jarod's testicular biopsy. We went to Indy last monday and found out the results of the biposy. It wasn't good news but it wasn't bed either. The results came back stating that Jarod is producing a VERY low amount of sperm. We do have some swimmers though:) So he doesn't have a blockage. The news didn't surprise me after talking to the doctor after Jarod's surgery a couple weeks ago. I just had a feeling that was what we were going to hear. There really is no medication to help with sperm production unless it involves abnormal hormone levels and Jarod's hormones are just fine! So Jarod went to a local amish guy and bought an herb and is taking some other vitamins that may help. Maybe in another month or two Jarod will do ANOTHER semen anaylsis to see if he has any sperm and if so we will try and freeze them. We have talked about doing IVF if we can use any of the frozen sperm but we don't know if that is an option right now. We have so many things we can do but it is just the thought of what is going to be the best for US. Whenever we find out anything I will be sure to update.....until then.

I hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving and gets stuffed on all that Thanksgiving food. hehe.

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough

Random Photos

My last few posts have been related to doctors so I figured I should post something NOT related to that. So here are some pics. from the last few weeks. We have been doing other things, I promise! haha. Here is proof:)

Jarod and our sweet nephew (Dre). Look closely at the shirt. haha. We got this for Dre when he was born and I am happy I was able to get a picture of them together with this on!

Dru was dressed as cop for Halloween and was having fun with his handcuffs.

Boys being boys. Dru's face cracks me up!

This was post 3 days no shaving. Thank god he didn't go 3 weeks without shaving like he had said. He was already a hairy mess. haha.

Mi Pueblo with a couple friends:) Fun times!

Buds!

Jarod's special at Mi Pueblo....now that is a HUGE burrito! And, no he can't eat that all. We love leftovers:) 

The birthday couple!

Trying out the hats!

Such a cute smile he has!

Ashton, Aidan and Dru playing wii! Kids love this thing and it is always the first thing they ask to play with.

So serious!

I got one picture of Jarod after his surgery. He was a trooper!

This is for our neighbors! I know it probably seems weird but I had to take a picture of our dog doing her business b/c I know our neighbors would get a kick out of this....I think. hehe. Don't you wish you were our neighbors?! haha. Khloe sure does loves the extra yard:)

 

Hope everyone is enjoying this great weather!!! I have the windows open as I type and I am living it!

Hubby Down

I know I have posted a few weeks ago that Jarod was going to have a testicular biopsy......well he finally had that done! This past monday we had to be in Indy at 7:30 for surgery and we were out of the outpatient surgery center by 11:30. I thought Jarod did a great job through everything and right after surgery he asked for a big cup of water;) If you don't know my hubby too well he drinks lots and lots of water and having to not be able to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before was hard on him.

We scheduled  the surgery when I would be off for a couple days so I could put my nursing skills to good use on my hubby. haha. I have been doing some pampering, cooking, trying to keep him comfortable, and just being there for him. He is still a little sore today but hopefully in a few more days he will be back to his old self!!! The doctor said, he will have to be off work for atleast 2 weeks and most people are feeling better after 6 days. I know this was something he wasn't looking forward to and is glad that it is over with. Now we just have to wait on the results to come back. These results can reflect what the future may hold and what decisions we may have to make. This month will make it a year since we have been trying. Boy oh boy how much we have learned and grew stronger through this all......but at times we think can we just have our baby now Lord?! I know it isn't that easy and I have learned to be a little more patient. I have such a loving husband to have at my side and he is more than I could have ever asked for.

Oh, and one more thing! If you happen to see my hubby around and it looks like he came out of the jungle. He didn't......he just decided he isn't going to shave for the next couple weeks and is growing his hair out!!!! Yeah......it is only day 4 and he has a beard. I am hoping I can convince him to shave sooner than that?! Sorry if he scares any of your kids. hahaha

Back to the hospital

Today my dad had his doctor's appt. and he said my dad may have to be on bedrest another month! He is just taking longer to heal. I know there is nothing else we can do except to let his body heal on its own like nature intends it to. So today my dad asked if he could go back into the hospital b/c he feels so crammed in his bed turning every 2 hours and he was getting more depressed with everything going on. Not most people ask to go back into the hospital but he felt like it was best for him. I thank everyone so much that has said a prayer for my dad!!!!! I think the doctor putting him in the hospital happened for a reason. Hopefully my dad will be healed by the holidays! With lots of love, Ashley.  

What bedrest can do to you

I debated about posting this but I am so confused on what to do that I just have to. I feel like I try and try and get no where.....and it just hurts. This post is about needing prayers for my dad. Like you know he had surgery September 28 and with it being a month later he is still on bedrest trying to let his body heal from the surgery. He was able to come home last week but in an ambulance because the doctors still don't want him out of bed. While in the hospital he got a little infection so that set him back healing wise but we were hoping he would have been able to get out of bed by now! I can't imagine having to stay in bed 24/7!!! We have to go by the doctors orders though and my dad HAS to stay in bed. The only thing is that my dad is getting so stir crazy that he said, no matter what he is getting up this week-end. He has a doctor's appt. tomorrow and I am a little scared to hear what he has to say. What if he feels he still isn't ready to sit up? What if something happens and then my dad has to start at square one again?

I know it is extremely hard for my dad but I try to encourage him as much as I can. I have been visiting him most of the days I am off work but it doesn't seem like it is affecting his mood/thoughts. Well.....I know it is a little but I just wish he would be in better spirits. This past week or two he has just been thinking so negative and just isn't himself. He gets upset about things easily and I try to talk to him about it but I feel like I get no where. My mom and grandma try to talk to him and still don't really get nowhere. This is what I was mostly asking prayers for. I pray that my dad starts to have a better outlook on things. I know only he himself can do this. It is ultimately up to him. The only thing is that it affects all of us and just flat out makes me sad. I hate seeing my dad like this! He knows this isn't long term and I keep saying each day is one day closer that he will be able to get up. I have really thought about having a counselor or someone talk to my dad. I have been in situation's trying to help before but this time it is harder and I am trying to do the best thing. My mom stays at home with my dad everyday and he will want to take his frustration out on her at times and it just kills me. The last time he had to stay bedridden was after the car accident 6 years ago and half of that time he was medicated and didn't really know what was going on. My dad has his times where being paralyzed gets to him but this is reallyyy getting to him and is affecting my mom as well.

Does anyone know of a counselor that will go to someone's home or even a counselor that they can go visit?!  This is just something really hard to deal with. At first I didn't even know if I wanted to bring this out in the open because it can be embarrasing. But I feel I need some advice or suggestions at this point. I hope the doctor gives the okay to my dad to get up because I know that will help tremendously but as long as he has to stay bedridden he is going to feel trapped. If you have any advice or suggestions please, please, please tell me!!!! I am ready for things to settle down for a bit between this and our infertility struggle! The holidays are quickly approaching. I keep reminding myself things will get better!!! Everyday is a new day:)


The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. -Deauteronomy 31:8     

1 doctor, 2 Doctor, 3 Doctor.....More?

Between Jarod and I and my dad it seems like we are always seeing doctors! My dad is STILL in the hospital and it we hit the 2 week mark yesterday. I know in my previous post I had said the doctor thought my dad would only have to be in the hospital 2 weeks. We were hoping but weren't counting on it too much b/c like I said anytime my dad goes in the hospital it is usually 3-4 weeks. It is weird saying, only 2 weeks b/c normally people are in and out of the hospital on average a week. But it is something we just prepare ourselves for and try to help as much as we can to get my dad back home. We don't try and push it though b/c we want my dad back home cured and don't want any reasons to be going back to the hospital again. At first my dad was doing okay but I think with anyone after being in the hospital for a while it will start to get to you. He was getting a little down but is back to his old self again. I think too if I had to stay in bed in the hospital all day and night I would start getting a little stir crazy too. haha. I am one that likes to keep busy!! When it was really nice outside I could tell my dad wanted to just be outside b/c he knows the winter is fast approaching. My mom and grandma have been going down there everyday and staying pretty much the whole day with him and I have been driving 2-3 times a week. Ugh....I hate that hour drive and after a while it just wears you out. But I want to see my dad and keep him company so I tough it out. He is still getting IV antibiotics and the doctor says, his surgery site is healing good but just a little slower then he wanted. As long as he is improving we are all happy!

As for Jarod and I. I have been putting it off to post about our most recent doctor's visit b/c I was so emotional about it at first and didn't really want to talk about if for a couple weeks. It hit me harder than Jarod but we are both doing better. We just have to keep reminding ourselves something will come of this all and no matter what does I know we will be happy! So here goes. A couple weeks ago we got the results back from Jarod's hormone levels, Semen Analysis (SA) and Urinalysis. Hormone levels were normal so that couldn't be causing his low sperm count. Urinalysis didn't have any sperm so he doesn't have a back flow of sperm into his bladder. And his SA was ZERO again!!!! Three weeks prior to this appt. his count was zero and 3-4 months ago his count was 2 million. I know things can change in 3 months with sperm production so that could effect the results every 3 months. So we are still in the process of trying to find out why Jarod's sperm count is low. The doctor said, the last test to do is a testicular biopsy. Do you remember me saying the other doctor wanted to do that?! Well now that we have had Jarod's hormone levels checked, his  urinalysis done and his couts are now zero I feel more comfortable moving forward with this option. Note how I said, I. Jarod is still a little scared but is willing to do it. Before I didn't want to jump into surgery until we had other things tested and just b/c surgery would be more painful for Jarod. Well I think we are at the point where this is the last option and if we can't find anything from this then we may not know whey Jarod's counts are low.

The biopsy will determine if Jarod is producing adequate sperm or just really none at all. The doctor said, 1/3 of the time the male is producing enough sperm but has a blockage and that is the cause but the other 2/3 are just not really producing. The way the doctor was explaining to us didn't sound good. But we want to know what is causing this and are hoping and praying, hoping and praying that is is a blockage. I want Jarod to be one that has a blockage!!!! The surgery was elective and it took us a couple days to decide exactly what we wanted to do. I know Jarod will be sore a couple days after the surgery and will be on bedrest but I told him I will take good care of him:) So the surgery is planned for the begining of Nov. I am happy I have a husband that is willing to go through this b/c not all guys would want to. No matter what we have to go through I know we will be at one another's side and will support one another. I have to say, I am one of the luckiest girls to have such an amazing hubby!!!!

Until then we will have to wait and see. And like I said, I had been putting this post off b/c when we heard the news I was thinking we may never be able to have a kid that is both ours. And that may be true! However, if we can't I can't let that get to me or us. I know there are other options out there even though I would LOVE for US to have a kid together!!!! Wouldn't most people?! I was sad at first and those first couple of days after hearing that news I didn't want to do anything.....I really didn't think I would be like that. I guess you never really know until it happens. And that saying is so true......when something does happen you never really know until it happens but you have to keep moving forward and thank God for what you do have. I know there will still be days where I will get down but I know that is normal. It is hard to believe next month will be a year since we have been trying and thinking we had thoughts we would be a family of 3 by now!!!! I hope 2011 will be the year a little Knepp will be made:)

Besides all that doctor business we really have been enjoying life and this awesome weather!! We took a drive through Shoals and to French Lick last saturday. I know some people would laugh but it really is pretty around there esp. this time of year!! We got to see the golf coarse at French Lick and that place is absolutely beautiful!!!! I could just hop in a golf cart and drive around and be completely happy. haha. It is gated but if you can get the chance check it out.....it costs a lot of $$$ though! Too much for me!!! We did sneek in though and looked around for a couple minutes and that is how we go to check it out;) Then sunday we just hung out at the house and some friends over and watched football. Typical sunday!

Surgery Update

My dad had his surgery and is doing very good right now!!! I know the prayers worked! He was in surgery for 4 hours yesterday and felt pretty good except for a stiff neck yesterday after surgery and still today. I think by tomorrow his neck will feel much better! So far the doctor says, everything looks great and maybe he will only have to be in the hospital 2 weeks. He loved hearing that and so did we! Driving to Evansville is a longg drive after you go a couple times a week. Blah! So hopefully no temp. will occur during that time frame and he will heal great. And he may be sucking up to the nurses a little too. He had my mom buy a big stash of candy for everyone. haha. Trying to make the  best out of being in the hospital:)

Also, I wanted to share a video we watched before surgery to give some laughs! I heard about it on the radio and so we had to look it up. Click on this link.... click on most popular....click 7 year old rapper Lil' Peanut. He just too cute!
http://ellen.warnerbros.com/videos/


Thanks again for the prayers!!!

Prayer Request

If anyone could say a little prayer for my dad tomorrow I would appreciate it soo much....and I know he would too:) He is having surgery tomorrow at 2:00 (3:00 our time) in Evansville. I won't really go into to much detail though. He has been getting IV antibiotics for around 6 weeks now everyday and seeing doctors which has been kind of tough on both of my parents. They have been managing their schedules pretty good though and listening to the doctors. That is what has kept him out of the hospital.....until tomorrow. We are guessing he will probably be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks which he is not looking forward to....and I don't blame him. So if you could just keep him in your thoughts it will help so much!! I hope everything goes okay tomorrow and there are no complications. Me being a nurse I always think of what could happen b/c you just never know. Life is so unpredictable! My dad has made it through A LOT already so I have confidence he can make it through a lot more!!! I don't know what I would do without my parents! I thank God everyday for them and I know Lindsey will be looking down on us.

 

"The Boat"

I just wanted to post a picture of our boat that we fixed up.....well we are still in the process of fixing it up! I think it might be one of those never ending things?! You know what I mean! We are going to do the rest this fall/winter when we can't use the boat. Still need to put a shiny coat on the outside and paint the inside. Until then we just want to get some use out of it and we have. Have you seen a boat taking laps around the Montgomery Lake?? That might have been us. haha.



The before- We sanded it all down and made the top front bigger. It is hard to tell in the after pic.

The after- We wanted to see the wood grains but I think we might put just a little more stain on the outside.

The HOT driver. hehe.

Me posing:)

Just enjoying our boat!

Oh, and I have been making more tutu's again! I kind of went through a slow period where I didn't really make any and I just made 2 this past week!!!  This is for a one year old when she welcome's her little brother at the hospital and then she is going to wear it around Christmas time too.

This is for a Boy! Joking!! Made for the fall time.

One of my best friends from college was celebrating her daughter's birthday last week-end and had these cute cupcakes. It was fairy themed if you couldn't tell;) 

And this is the birthday girl!! She is such a doll and did so good at her party. She even ate all of her cupcake....she LOVED it! She is already going to be a big sister next year!



Hope you enjoyed the pics!! If you have any suggestions on the boat let me know! I think we are going to paint the inside a bluish/green color. What do you think?!