Chop, Chop, Snip, Snip

So you may remember a few weeks ago, a blog in which I discussed cutting off my hair and donating to locks for love. Well, mission accomplished!

Short hair is really no easier, in fact to me, it's harder. And I have the neck burns to prove it. But, there are some pretty sweet benefits. Thus far:

A- saves money! I use NO conditioner now. I use to go through about a gallon a week to keep the hair moisturized and split end free(ish). Plus I use about half as much shampoo! Sweet!

B- 10 minutes and it's dry! No, not slightly damp, or dry enough, DRY!

C- I can't get tangled in my hair sleeping. I use to wake up in the night because my hair was literally wrapped around my body! Not any more!

D- cooler! I'm trying to get my butt in gear and I've been walking during my lunch hour, which just happens to be 2 o'clock! Needless to say short hair is really nice for Augusta summers!

E- looking younger. Remember when you'd do anything to look older? Well as I'll hit 27 this year, which is unavoidably LATE TWENTIES, I'm all about NOT looking my age. I'm pretty sure I'll get carded the next time I purchase alcohol!

F- best of all: the husband loves it!

Up-and-coming photographer extraordinaire Lesley Anne Fenton took this picture during a joint photoshoot we did with the husbands on Wednesday (more to come on that later).

I figure even if I decide short hair is not for me, Sam will have pictures to remember me by.

Starting Over

Well, believe it or not, it's been three months of not trying to conceive. Weird! My sabbatical is over and we are officially trying again, but just regular old fashioned: no meds, no science (beyond the trusty thermometer), no doctors. We have to wait until I've received the "all clear" from my doctor before we begin any new treatment. I'm hoping to go in for an ultrasound at the end of this month and praying for good results!

For now, I have a really positive outlook on this process. I say 'for now' because I know in 6 months if there's no baby and we've spent all our money, it's going to be REALLY hard to stay positive. But for now, I'm feeling better than I have in a long time.

You know how when someone gets sick or hurt, you want to trust, but it's so hard to believe that God is in control and He's working it all for the Good? Well, I think I've actually witnessed that process and seen "the good" for myself. Three months ago, I was devastated. How could I have such huge cysts? And how could the doctor actually expect me to go on birth control? It seemed so overwhelming! But now, on this side of the three months, (hey, hindsight is 20/20) I think I see the purpose.

Three months ago, I was starting to lose it. My heart was so broken, my head so confused, my spirit so crushed. I really believe that the Lord saw my need and gave me a break. It's something that either I couldn't or wouldn't do for myself.

I've already written of how wonderful it's been to enjoy caffeine and brownie batter and other such delicacies, but it's also been wonderful to sleep in with no alarm on the weekends (no temp check), pee when I want (no opk tests), and generally just live life without monitoring every nuance of my body each day. I think that removing all the rules has really allowed me to simply live.

This down time has given me rest. Rest for my body, mind, and soul. I've taken up yoga, and though my balance is atrocious and my body is just not that bendy, I have to admit that it really is nice to allow yourself time to take some deep breaths and let it all go. I've also read some great books lately about living in the moment and accepting the blessings of today instead of waiting on tomorrow's (more on this later). I think a culmination of all of this has helped me arrive at a much better place. I'm ready to start fertility treatments in August with a positive and open attitude. I'm trying to have no expectations. I'm sure once I actually start I'll be hanging on to every moment hoping and praying for my miracle baby. But I'm really trying to hang on to this current state of being.

So here's to trying again, with a refreshed attitude... Maybe this well be all the fertility treatment that I need! : )

Home in the Classic City

This may be extremely premature as Sam hasn't received confirmation back on his last clinical, but I am so excited to announce that it looks like Athens will be our home very shortly. We don't know when exactly we will be moving back to Athens; obviously I'll need a job before we can start house hunting. But regardless of our physical landing spot, we are so pumped to be in the area this fall!

First and foremost, we are thrilled to be able to return to our church home, Athens Church! My heart is so full of anticipation for the first Sunday we'll be back! And yay for making it back in time to start a community group through GroupLink! We are so blessed to be rejoining a church community where we feel known, understood, accepted, and nurtured!

And let's also not forget the perfect timing of returning just in time to kick off the 2012 Georgia football season. Sam and I will definitely be on the hunt for some cheap/free tickets!

As I said, we aren't sure when we will officially become residents of the Classic City. There are a lot of unknowns in the Greavu household right now. Our parents have been nice enough to offer us a place to stay during Sam's clinicals while we figure everything out. Our hope is to be able to purchase our first home in the Athens area sometime next summer. We'd love to settle in the Watkinsville area, but I have a feeling that area will be a smidge outside of our price range, so we are looking at the northeast side of Athens, maybe even the Jefferson area. Whether there's an apartment, rental home, or cardboard box in our future before the first house, we are thrilled to be rejoining the Athens community and look forward to creating a home for ourselves in the city we've come to know and love!