tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post4075174424606909764..comments2023-10-21T06:25:18.294-06:00Comments on Calling All Angels: ChoicesRyan.Kendra.Makenzie.Trackerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06190931045172497736noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-21543251931428978772011-09-23T08:07:46.102-06:002011-09-23T08:07:46.102-06:00I will be praying for you guys to come to the righ...I will be praying for you guys to come to the right decision for your family! Whatever you decide, I hope you feel peace and joy in the decision and you are able to not care about any negative comments that may come your way. LOVE YOU!debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11152404010568943839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-46594804316279399482011-09-23T02:13:26.501-06:002011-09-23T02:13:26.501-06:00I know I have already commented on this, but I tru...I know I have already commented on this, but I truly believe whatever other spirit/spirits that are supposed to come into your lives will, no matter how it happens, they will make their way to you and Ryan. Just like Makenzie and Gracie chose you two to be their parents, your next precious child has already chosen you too and they will make the journey to your family, no matter which way that may be. I know so many people have different opinions and different views on what you should do and what isn't the "right" way, and I too had hesitations about what decision to make, but the Lord has a plan for all of us and he will show you the way. You shouldn't have to feel any guilt for any decision you feel is right for you guys just because some people might not agree. It will happen how it's supposed to. I know it!Tracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11343454100745184293noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-52072466373874228062011-09-22T05:13:25.821-06:002011-09-22T05:13:25.821-06:00I just recently read a post about embryo adoption ...I just recently read a post about embryo adoption that I found really touching and you may like. Good luck in your decision. Just remember whatever you choose, you will have a wonderful healthy child who is yours no matter what genetics say. http://www.keeperofthehome.org/2011/09/embryo-adoption-a-unique-option-to-give-a-child-life.htmlAllisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06497567211918987289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-58090020337597802382011-09-21T20:18:15.913-06:002011-09-21T20:18:15.913-06:00Oh Kendra, this makes me sooooooo happy and excite...Oh Kendra, this makes me sooooooo happy and excited for you and Ryan both! You have lots of choices but they are all wonderful choices that will get you guys closer to that little family you want and need to share all that love you guys have with! I have cried many tears for you guys and could never even begin to imagine the pain you guys have endured. It makes me smile to read about the strength you and ryan have not only separately but the bond and strength you have for each other and together! I admire the both of you so much. Just reading this post makes me smile cause even though the choice might be difficult I can feel your excitement of the possibility of not only having another child in your home but maybe even being pregnant again and experiencing that wonderfulness all over again! Many thoughts and prayers coming your way that you guys will be guided to make the right choice for your family!! God Bless you both!!!Tiff@nyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13065718522083001558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-59154013514908168582011-09-21T12:47:38.767-06:002011-09-21T12:47:38.767-06:00kendra,
is is obvious that you are an awesome and...kendra,<br /><br />is is obvious that you are an awesome and loving mother. as hard and as trying as it must be to face these choices, we sure are lucky to live in a time where these options are available. i'm sure that you and ryan will decide what is right for you and you will have more children. <br /> i wonder if you have a sister or if ryan has a brother who is not a carrier for SMARD? if so, if they were willing to donate (egg or sperm), you could have a child that is the most genetically close to both of you. maybe, it doesn't matter to you at all, but some times, i've found it interesting to see my kids resemble their grandparents. <br /> of couse, we don't need to be genetically related at all to our children, we just need to love them fiercely, which i'm sure you two will have no problem with. good luck with whatever choice you end up making.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-43273189682043391382011-09-20T22:29:02.627-06:002011-09-20T22:29:02.627-06:00You are forsure in our prayers! BIG BIG decisions....You are forsure in our prayers! BIG BIG decisions. I feel ya. We are trying to make similar ones and they are hard and scary. But I know what you mean about the wanting...it truly is aching. Good luck!Aleshahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17329787388902240892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-49330064005106965322011-09-20T22:05:47.491-06:002011-09-20T22:05:47.491-06:00I found your blog recently through another SMA mom...I found your blog recently through another SMA mom's blog. We have Nicholas who is three with SMA and a healthy daughter, Ella, who just turned one. We concieved Ella naturally and she is not affected and not a carrier but it was a surprise pregnancy and knowing the risk of SMA we were terrified for the first four months of my pregnancy. It is a feeling no couple should have to endure so I asmire your courage in posting so candidly about all the options you are considering. We, too, face the tough choice of how to grow our family as we would like to have at least one more child and the decision of how to concieve is not an easy one. You are right to pray about it and just listen for the answer. Your children will come to you however they are meant to. Someone once told me that our children are just waiting for us in in Heaven and they choose us. I wish you and your husband nothing but peace and clarity as you make this most difficult decision.Jessicahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01338561762584570600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-66742272622031060552011-09-20T10:16:52.073-06:002011-09-20T10:16:52.073-06:00I hope things work out whatever way they are suppo...I hope things work out whatever way they are suppose to. Thinking of you ((Hugs))Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16070112399406592271noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-87278563902300606922011-09-19T22:09:54.766-06:002011-09-19T22:09:54.766-06:00hi I know you don't know me but I love reading...hi I know you don't know me but I love reading your blog anyway i was a nanny / mommies helper for a couple years the mother adopted a little girl then got pregnant through embroy adoption with triplets I love all of them to death but the mother faced many critism against her i know she wouldnt do it anyother way and loves her decision but you have to be ready for hurful people who will judge you! I am 100 percent for embroy adoption your care for the child in your womb and you have that special bond with them! iknow what ever decision you make will be great and you will love the child or children no matter what!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-43383247122476362502011-09-19T21:11:28.929-06:002011-09-19T21:11:28.929-06:00My sister gave me a link to your blog. I have been...My sister gave me a link to your blog. I have been going through something very similar, and she thought you may want to talk to me or ask for advice or just complain to someone who really understands. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to do any of the above. I sincerely hope that you find happiness. http://harrisheadquarters.blogspot.com/2011/08/tale-of-woe.htmlRachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13289414488094503873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-48593362159444532612011-09-19T19:59:28.252-06:002011-09-19T19:59:28.252-06:00Hi Kendra,
You don't know me, but I have found...Hi Kendra,<br />You don't know me, but I have found your blog through another one and my heart aches for you and Ryan. I cannot say that I have experienced what you both have been through. I have been blessed with four healthy children and I count my blessings daily. I have however watched as some of my friends and family have gone through some similar experiences as yours. And it has brought me to tears several times as I have watched them suffer the loss of their children. We have one sweet, wonderful family that lives in our community that has gone through some difficult times. Both the mother and father are carriers of a genetic gene mutation. They have been blessed with 6 beautiful children, with three that are still here on earth with them. Their oldest died at the age of 10. Their second child was born healthy. Their third child is 13, and then they had triplets. One died at 18 months, one passed away last year at the age of 10 and the other is now 11. The five that had the disease were all wheelchair bound with no movement and no use of their voices. I share this with you, because it has been a wonderful learning experience for me to watch them as a family. Knowing that they were carriers, they too had to make a very hard decision on how to proceed with their family. I don't know if I could have made the same decision that they have made, but they are the first ones to say that their lives have been blessed beyond measure. They understood that the life their children would live would be a difficult one. They understood that they would have to bury their children, but the joy that each of those kids brought them has been the biggest blessing that they could have asked for. I am not saying that you should take the same route as them. Only you and Ryan can make that decision. It will not be easy! I do know though that the Lord knows you and Ryan personally and he loves you and will direct you down the path that you should follow. Any route you take will be worth it. And by reading your blog, any child would be blessed to have you both as parents. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that you will find the peace and direction that you are searching for.<br /><br />All my best,<br /><br />RobyneAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-66373557327869836142011-09-19T19:27:51.065-06:002011-09-19T19:27:51.065-06:00Kendra - you and Ryan have to make the decision th...Kendra - you and Ryan have to make the decision that is best for you. God will give you the answer I have confidence in that. We had 4 born to us children and 2 adopted After our 4th. child was born of horrendous heart problems and died at 5 days. Any way you hear from God is the right way will be the right way for you. You are in my prayers. You don't know me, had commented occasionally and read your blog often. BlessingsLea and her Mustangshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10081978031741002235noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-41540313738486679242011-09-19T19:27:44.610-06:002011-09-19T19:27:44.610-06:00I stumbled on your blog and I am so sorry that thi...I stumbled on your blog and I am so sorry that this is a trial you are facing. Sadly, my sister is going through the same options and it sounds all too familar. She has lost two darling little boys to SMA (you can read her story herehttp://harrisheadquarters.blogspot.com/2011/08/tale-of-woe.html). I pray that you will receive the comfort and direction you need.Jamie Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14291682005166372690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-43250395251660453732011-09-19T19:24:15.720-06:002011-09-19T19:24:15.720-06:00Mike and I felt desperate too! We so wanted that ...Mike and I felt desperate too! We so wanted that beautiful precious child - one that would stay with us. We chose to take the risk for our own reasons. I prayed hard in those first couple of months. Praying that I would learn that Aria didn't have SMA. She didn't and for that I am grateful. If you ever want to hear our reasons I'd be happy to share them with you but I really believe that if you have faith you and Ryan will make the best decision for YOU. ((((HUGS))))Kristenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08328560091665447803noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-86285862369772063092011-09-19T16:27:16.839-06:002011-09-19T16:27:16.839-06:00if you care for my opion i would do first the sper...if you care for my opion i would do first the sperm doner one than the egg doner one so you each hae a child that has something of you in them.shelandmattsnyderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14047829581196973849noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-20380966102601339102011-09-19T15:40:55.504-06:002011-09-19T15:40:55.504-06:00This comment has been removed by the author.Tyler & Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15219567623209054506noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-37547012940836638532011-09-19T12:20:22.720-06:002011-09-19T12:20:22.720-06:00I know this decision is a hard one. I'm sorry ...I know this decision is a hard one. I'm sorry you have to go through it. We struggled for years to get pregnant or keep a pregnancy (lots of miscarriages) and were waiting on an adoption list the entire time. We amazingly were able to have our two daughters but were told we probably wouldn't be able to have anymore. We were Foster Parents to four amazing kids last year that just recently went home to their bio family. Miraculously while going through that process we found out we were pregnant with our third little guy who will be here in December. No matter what you do, you will be wonderful parents and I wish you luck in your journey.Chantelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02738388962110780388noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-69996212766597881862011-09-19T11:13:34.064-06:002011-09-19T11:13:34.064-06:00I know my opinion isn't much since you do not ...I know my opinion isn't much since you do not know me at all. But I hope you will consider it. In the matter of the genetic testing on your unborn child. You see as Christians we believe that Life begins at conception. That all life no matter how early is from the Lord. Choosing to simply not use an embryo because it is genetically damaged isn't an option. I do not mean to sound harsh or disrespectful and I pray that you do not take it that way. You have a lot of options to you and though I understand how powerful it is to give birth to a child that is fully yours and your husband a complete piece of the two of you this comes at great sacrifice.<br />My husband and I fostered for eight years we had eight-teen different children in our life's and though each one impacted our life's and blessed us greatly we were unable to keep any of them. The Lord has blessed us with seven healthy babies and we feel greatly blessed. I highly recommend embryo adoption. Some clinics will implant donor embryos without an adoption for as little as $3000. You save a life from being destroyed you are named Mother and Father on a birth certificate and there is absolutely no risk of losing a child to birth parents, they simply have no rights after you become pregnant. I believe you should pursue both Foster care and Embryo adoption together, I gave birth to three of my children while doing Foster care and although it doesn’t take away the pain of losing a child you’ve loved it does help. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm sure many people have an opinion that opposes mine but spiritually and financially I strongly think that these are your best optionsAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-25967963614057815222011-09-19T10:47:15.220-06:002011-09-19T10:47:15.220-06:00My cousin and his wife used a sperm donor due to h...My cousin and his wife used a sperm donor due to his vesectomy not being reversible. Their little boy was born in July and I honestly can't tell that he isn't biologically Drew's child. It's not for everyone though....it's a big decision. Keep having faith and you will be led in the right direction!summergibbshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08547662490915194336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-88382229736484396692011-09-19T10:32:51.883-06:002011-09-19T10:32:51.883-06:00That's a lot of options. Keep your faith, He&#...That's a lot of options. Keep your faith, He'll lead you in the right direction. But I still wish it wasn't this difficult for you. Can't wait till Wednesday!!Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17807238490395570269noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-89676330541036883952011-09-19T10:23:24.874-06:002011-09-19T10:23:24.874-06:00Your family is in my prayers too. I hope you can f...Your family is in my prayers too. I hope you can find the answer to what is best for your family and you won't have to wait to long.Amishkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07434851872679280419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-22270690956724761022011-09-19T10:21:19.257-06:002011-09-19T10:21:19.257-06:00Technology is so amazing these days! I'm so gl...Technology is so amazing these days! I'm so glad you have these options and that you guys are ready and willing to pick one. And truthfully, any of these options would be so so great! Excited to watch you guys go through this process, even if it is a little stressful, you are expanding your family and that is such a blessing:)Kami Satterleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01867809049598928992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-3915314819317181872011-09-19T10:18:25.492-06:002011-09-19T10:18:25.492-06:00Kendra - We foster adopted 5 beautiful girls. The...Kendra - We foster adopted 5 beautiful girls. The first four are full sisters who came to live with us when they were 7 3 2 and almost 1. Our second foster adoption was 18 months old when she was placed with us. <br /><br />If you ever want to chat about it just ping me. We did this for just about 10 years. We have been through the good, the bad, the ugly and miracles. <br /><br />Much love,<br /><br />AngAnghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08236442520594125121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-57826318651277186272011-09-19T09:43:44.687-06:002011-09-19T09:43:44.687-06:00Hello Beautiful! I am a foster Momma. I have had 7...Hello Beautiful! I am a foster Momma. I have had 7 long term-ish placements in the past year and a half. The first five when home and I am pretty sure our current angels will be going home next month. We are also looking to get matched through private adoption. I would love to talk to you about foster care, adoption, we even looked into embryo adoption. e-mail me heather.nichole.roberts at gmail.comHeatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07163718285392986081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3926880480919201378.post-91711599386775286442011-09-19T08:57:43.746-06:002011-09-19T08:57:43.746-06:00Ahhh! So many options to go from. Weighing the pro...Ahhh! So many options to go from. Weighing the pros and cons for each is difficult. We had a lot of those same options. Several people wanted us to go one way, while others wanted a different one. We carefully prayed about each one and then it was clear where we had to go. The hard part was the What Ifs of each choice once we made it. The choice we made took us 2 and 1/2 years which was hard. What if another choice didn't take as long? It can drive you crazy. Hope your true path is clear to you. Good luck.Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17101043637028307240noreply@blogger.com