Campaign Story

We started our fertility journey in 2018 when Emily was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). We’ve undergone fertility treatment on and off for the last several years, and our doctor has now recommended we proceed with IVF to grow our family. We’ve spent time praying about the right next step and are excited about this next adventure.

What’s particularly exciting about our chances with IVF is there is a 60-65% chance IVF will work in the first three cycles. The program that we’ve chosen also has a money-back guarantee! If for some reason we don’t end up pregnant within 3 cycles we get every penny back, which we will then use toward growing our family through adoption.

If it’s on your heart to support through donation we would be grateful, but we also know this is not an option for everyone. We ask that you continue to pray for us as we pursue our growing family.  If you want more details about our adventure, keep reading otherwise this is your TL; DR.

Chapter 1:

Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. -Hebrews 4:16

In 2018 we started to pursue pregnancy on our own, but after 6 months of trying with no success, Emily’s doctor recommended seeing a specialist due to a lack of ovulation. Emily was quickly diagnosed with PCOS, which is largely driven by insulin resistance. Doctors are unsure of what causes PCOS, but it is one of the leading causes of infertility. We spent 2019 working with a fertility clinic to learn about PCOS, attempt pregnancy through medication, and then a few rounds of inner uterine insemination (IUI). After 4 failed attempts of IUI, we were both tired. The physical and emotional toll that infertility takes is akin to waves of grief. On Thanksgiving, in 2019 we felt God was putting it on our hearts to readjust, put everything on hold, and work on our finances. We pushed pause.

Stayed tuned for Chapter 2 in our next update.

Chapter 2: 

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, pleasing, and the perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2

Many are not aware, but from January – March 2020 we both worked extra jobs and restructured our priorities to begin aggressively paying off debt. We were both bummed when the shutdown occurred, but we were going out less, working less, paying off more, and gaining more rest. we savored every moment of downtime and grew together during the stay-at-home order. The debt we paid off felt so good, and it still feels good. That’s why when we began considering IVF we spent time in prayer and conversation because we didn’t, and still don’t, want to go back to that burden of debt we were carrying. However, we know that we are meant to be parents. If any of you have seen Craig with kids, maybe even your kid(s), you know that man is meant to be a dad. He has a patient and playful heart that kids notice and are eager to be around him. Getting to watch him invest in the children of our friends and family has been such a gift and only furthers our desire to replicate that with our own child(ren).

As we had time to reflect during our time at home, we knew that our finances weren’t the only thing that needed changing and growing. We decided our bodies also needed some work, and we needed to be more mindful of how we take care of the one body that we are given. It was time for a lifestyle change, and it was awesome! We can’t wait to share Chapter 3 with you!