Showing posts with label FYI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FYI. Show all posts
I don't really know where to begin. My mind most days feels jumbled with things I need to "get done," that literally make my heart race just thinking about it. In fact, just beginning to type this post has my heart pounding in my chest and I think my palms are getting sweaty haha. I think thats why I chose to post a pic of Chase and I at the beach, haha! It relaxes me. Anyway, I have been thinking about whether or not I want to blog my thoughts regarding fertility for months. After talking with my husband this week, we decided we are both okay with it. So here I go.
Chase and I have been trying to get pregnant since Chase's birthday in August 2012. A solid three years. We enjoyed our first year of marriage as newlyweds basking in the Hawaiian sun. I was 23, Chase was 22. We had plenty of time to think about babies and honestly, we weren't in any rush. But after a year went by we both felt excited and ready so decided, "Hey, let's do this and have ourselves a Hawaiian baby!" ;). All my baby dreams were going to come true.
Then a wall hit.
We had been trying for about eight months probably when I began to sort of wonder if we would be one of those couples who struggled. I had a pit in my tummy that made me worry. But after talking to some close friends and family I was reassured it was very normal to take up to a year for your first baby. So we kept at it and gave it some time.
Then August 2013 came and went. We still weren't pregnant.
It was that summer in 2013 when we started making some big decisions and saw our first fertility specialist. After research, talking to family, personal thought and lots of prayer, we decided a surgery was our best option. I underwent my procedure in October 2013 in hopes of bettering our chances of becoming pregnant.
The surgery went as the doctors planned and the main thing I remember was waking up with a crazy dry mouth. They were feeding me animal crackers but I couldn't even chew them because it felt like there was no saliva in my mouth, haha it was so weird. But the warm air puffy suit was amazing :) After a follow up consultation we were told we should be pregnant within five months. Of course there were no promises or guarantees, but we honestly thought we had solved the problem and were very hopeful for the upcoming year.
We moved from Hawaii to California in January 2014. It was this year that I struggled the most. Not only was the move from Hawaii to California extremely difficult for me, but my dreams of having a baby weren't happening as planned. I was just super sad. Not so much that anyone else could notice, it was mostly within myself. I think women who struggle with fertility can relate. But my personality is such that I tend to become an introvert when I'm truly having a hard time. Every day I would put on a smiling face and press on. There were many nights of tears and small moments during the day of utter fear as I felt like I was watching life pass me by. Today, reflecting back to last year, I know what pulled me through those hard times.
Gratitude for my many blessings.
I have so much to be grateful for. I have a beautiful place to call home. I have a wonderful family that loves me. I am an auntie to so many adorable littles that make me happier beyond explanation. My husband supports me and gives me the strength I need when I feel helpless. I have a roof over my head and a job that satisfies my needs. I have a hobby that pushes me, challenges me and helps me escape to my own creative world. I have friends. I have food and clean water which is amazing. I have a Heavenly Father that loves me and is always there for me to pray to and give me comfort. I have direction and a purpose in life and I know that I am extremely blessed.
At the end of the day I ponder these blessings and laugh at how I could ever be so sad. Positive thinking really can take you far. Although, I am a huge advocate of letting oneself be sad. It is only human nature and I find it healthy. So there are times when I allow myself to be sad and let it run wild for a little bit. But only for a little bit. Then you gotta pick yourself up and keep going.
Now jump to 2015. Chase and I have continued pushing through our journey by seeing more fertility specialists individually and together. Upon receiving more clarifying information, we both knew we had some hard times ahead. There's one appointment in particular that I will never forget. Chase and I were sitting together across from a doctor with beautiful snowy white hair. She explained to us kindly yet very matter of factly regarding our situation. And honestly, I needed this. I appreciated this. Because finally, I knew the reality. I didn't like the reality, I didn't want the reality, but it was ours. Chase and I walked out of that office quietly, hand in hand. I remember it was raining outside. I began to cry the second we got to our car.
The chances of Chase and I having a baby biologically are based on a sole miracle. But you know what? I believe in miracles. I know they happen. I know they are real. I know Heavenly Father loves us each so much he knows what we need. He knows our deepest desires and will never leave our side. Chase and I together know that he has a plan for us and how he wants us to build our family. We both believe he will bless us with what we need, when we need it. I know that for certain because I have seen Him do it in my life before with my husband.
Chase and I will not wait around for our miracle. We will be proactive, diligent, faithful and optimistic in building our family. It may not be as we had always planned and pictured, but it will be ours for the keeping. Not only for this life, but through the eternities. And we can't wait! We are both in this with full hearts.
With that being said, we are preparing to ADOPT! After months of prayer and talking with family and close friends, as well as meeting with people in similar situations, we have decided this is essential to our journey. We have received so many answers that it is undeniable. I have felt the Lord warm my heart and literally shape it into the kind of mama heart I need for this experience. My thoughts of sadness, fear, loss and disbelief have turned to thoughts of faith, joy, strength, belief and spiritual empowerment beyond something I can explain to others. There are babies in heaven waiting for Chase and I and I want them all haha, so badly! Okay, thats my crazy baby hunger talking. But for reals, I'm ready to get this ball rollin'!
So here we go. Chase and I are beginning our journey to building our family. I can't wait to meet our first baby someday hopefully soon. I feel well prepared after nannying for so many years and being an auntie to so many adorable littles. Thank you for sticking this blog post out if you did. I hope it can help you know and recognize the many blessings you have and how much Heavenly Father loves you, knows you and wants you to be happy. Because after all, happiness is a choice. And gosh dang it, I'm gonna be happy! :)
So back in February I was looking up flights to my dream destination, Bali. No reason really, just for kicks and giggles. But it must have been meant to be because I found a screamin' deal that we couldn't pass up! Within an hour, two round trip tickets were booked and I was smiling ear to ear! Annnnnnd the rad thing is, this trip falls during Chase's birthday and our fourth anniversary. Awe, it's going to be a dream. So now lets just look at how adorable the first house we will be staying at is {sighhhhh}.
Follow along our adventures via instagram:
@lisarondo
@chaserondo
@seamaidmarket
@travelingtriplets
@lisarondo
@chaserondo
@seamaidmarket
{the canvas sign my father in law and i made together}
{because spray painted pineapples are way cooler}
{kylie turley photo :) }
{wire wrapped rings, top seller}
{shell and sea glass rings}
{earrings are my fav}
{spring pastels}
{neckace display on the dipped bamboo}
{hawaii shells --- california shells}
Last weekend I was able to sell my jewelry at Queen Bee Market in Oceanside. I absolutely love doing shows, it opens so many doors! There is so much time and preparation that leads up to them, including a lot of stress. For months prior I spend my nights after work busy as a bee making jewelry on the couch, alongside fulfilling orders. Creating a free standing booth was the trickiest part, but with some help from family I was able to paint and create the perfect look with a homemade canvas and some bamboo!
My favorite part of selling at Queen Bee is talking to customers about what I do and why I do it. Sharing my love for the beachy life with others through jewelry helps me think I'm making their life just a bit more colorful and happy! At least that is what I am hoping for :) When I sit down to create I get so excited thinking of new ideas, I can never stick to one piece for too long. I jump around dabbling in all types of jewelry, from metal work, to stamping and wire wrapping. I have a huge variety of jewelry in my shop and each piece is one of a kind and truly unique. Something special I think only mother nature's treasures can offer.
Thank you to everyone for your love and support as I peruse my small jewelry business. It means the world to me and I love knowing I have people out there that enjoy my form of art. Creating makes me happy and I hope others can enjoy it too by wearing it on their finger or around their neck :) I have learned so much about business from being a vendor at Queen Bee Market. Some lessons were learned the hard way, but each time I feel more prepared to conquer the next step in my business. You can now find my jewelry in Ciao Bella Salon in Leucadia, The Printed Palette in Del Mar and AmBience Day Spa in Barona Resort and Casino as well as online HERE.
Enjoy a little discount when you shop by entering: RIDINRONDOS at checkout :) Mahalo!
Well, I'm a little late on this wagon but wanted to share the highlights of last year while memories are still fresh. Even though we are well into February, this year has already been a whirlwind of events, emotions, plans and even some un-plans. Time flies by so fast, I just feel grateful I can document some special memories here on our bloggy, because without it so many moments would be forgotten. So here we go, to 2014!!
JANUARY
After making the move from Oahu to the mainland, we stayed with my parents in snowy Idaho for a month before moving to California. Eep, it was cold but we got lots of skiing and family time in so it was worth every moment. And Chase snuggled with me at night for the first time in three years (since living in Hawaii is too hot) so I was happy :). Clearly, I love to cuddle. Or as Chase would say, "smother!" Can't stop me haha!!!
FEBRUARY
February was a whirlwind. My sisters and I were contacted via our travel blog for hair makeovers by celebrity stylist Ken Paves to prove to ladies everywhere that any woman can have any cut or hair color she wants! Because we are triplets and identical, it helped to show three looks on similar faces. This photo was taken before we hit up the salon and still had similar hair :). The makeover was aired on the Doctors TV show and was one of the most terrifying but exciting moments of our triplet lives. So glad we took the plunge with our insecurities due to "hair problems" and let the pros work their serious hair magic! It's been so fun evolving with our new looks :)
MARCH
We spent most of March crossing the street from Chase's parents house to go surfing. We were living with them for a while as we transitioned to life on the mainland and job searching. It was the best living a short walk from the beach!
APRIL
Kylie and Spence came to visit Chase and I and hang out over a long weekend. We had a mini photoshoot for our friends sunglasses company, watched general conference together, and then everyone put be on quarantine since the flu virus hit me out of nowhere and no one else wanted to puke next to me. Rude! Clearly this photo was taken pre-puke when Kylie still loved me.
MAY
My birthday is in May so the sisters and I took our annual sister trip and camped in Big Sur for our birthday. It was girls only camping up the coast and man it was the best week ever. Full of fun, food, sweets, and spontaneous exploring. Truly one of my fondest memories to date. And to top it off Chase gifted me a new surfboard and spring suit :)
JUNE
June was spent at the beach a lot. San Diego is known to have "June Gloom" but to our joy it never came this year, yay! Instead we had billions of awesome beach days with clear water that almost had me thinking I was back in Hawaii. It was dreamy :).We also went to Solvang in California to celebrate Chase's Nana's birthday and eat yummy baked goods.
JULY
We made the long drive to Idaho to spend the 4th of July with my family at our cabin :) It was worth every moment of the trek just to see my family for the weekend. We did what we always do in Cascade, rode four wheelers, hiked, went to the lake, saw the local parade, stayed up late around the campfire and played card games.
AUGUST
Chase turned 25 this month and we went on a killer awesome road trip up the coast. We spent time wake boarding at Lake Nacimiento with the Rondo fam and camped lakeside in Tahoe. Tahoe is by far one of my favorite mountain getaways I have ever been to. Absolutely gorgeous with the bluest and clearest water I have ever seen outside of Hawaii.
SEPTEMBER
Chase went on a guys surf trip to Nicaragua so I flew myself to Hawaii thanks to Seamaid Market sales!! It was the perfect trip full of endless beach days, lots of shelling, eating poke and catching up with friends. Soaked up every bit of it in my happy place. Chase loved surfing 3-4 times a day only stopping to eat or take cat naps. He came back exhausted and insanely happy. Surfing does good things for my hubby :).
OCTOBER
This month we both just worked pretty much straight through and nothing too eventful happened. Except that our cute nephew Matix was born and we just so happened to be matching skeletons for Halloween :).
NOVEMBER
I kicked off this month with my first craft fair called Queen Bee Market for Seamaid Market. It was a huge success and so much fun, I loved every bit of it! Although exhausting, it opened doors that allowed me to be a part of another bizarre in December and even get my jewelry in a local store in Del Mar. I will be at the next show this coming April and am very excited about the new product I'll be able to share! Towards the end of the month Chase and I headed to Idaho to spend Thanksgiving with my family. It was a true treat seeing all my brothers, nieces nephews and my cute prego sis Meg.
DECEMBER
Luckily, we got some chilly weather this month to help if feel more like the holidays! We watched Christmas movies almost every day, baked yummy treats and had holiday crafts with our niece and nephews, and enjoyed spending Christmas at Chase's Nana and Papas in Temecula. It was a huge family gathering as usual and fun to catch up with all the cousins, aunts and uncles.
So cheers to 2014 and excited to see what 2015 will continue to bring :)!
Feeling very blessed for the life I have been given and most importantly those I share it with.
{me, megan, kylie}
{pampering, as usual}
{meggie+baby girl}
My sisters are my best friends and without them I would be a sad little girl. I'm so grateful I was in Idaho for Thanksgiving and got to see them. Plus, I have some exciting news to share soon regarding our travel blog that we feel so blessed to be a part of, so stay tuned!
PS! See our guest post on Say Yes blog to get the ins and outs on our tripletdom HERE!
Photos taken in November 2014.
I love looking back to see how my shop Seamaid Market has evolved and all the things I have learned along the way. Such good memories and many more to come. My dream is to own a boutique someday on the coastline, where I can sell jewelry, clothes, art, home decor AND have a mini bakery with all healthy alternative desserts. Seems like a long shot, but I would love to make it happen. We shall see :)
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