.....The
Hardin Family
|
|
|
|
|
|
~Journey to Courtney~ |
|
 When I quit work, Kevin and I planned on starting a family right away. Things did not turn out the way we had planned. After a year of not being able to conceive we went to the Doctor. We started doing infertility test and lots of blood work. I remember sitting in my Doctor's office when he came in and told me our problems and our options. My tears flowed that day as I was told I would not be able to conceive a child. I felt like my world was closing in. All I had ever wanted was a saved companion and a house full of children! My Doctor told us that she wanted us to go to Birmingham to the Doctor's there. He refered us to Birmingham to the ART (assisted reproductive technology) program. We went and spoke with Dr. Cecil Long. Dr. Long told us our only option was adoption or IVF(In Vitro Fertilization). IVF would cost around $10,000. Our insurance would pay up to $5000.00. Kevin and I just did not see how we could go through IVF. We knew it would be a emotional roller coaster. ( We did not know how big of a roller coaster until we went through it) I went through much emotions during the time. Kevin and I cried many tears together. I can’t explain the pain I felt every time I found out my friends were pregnant. I was glad for them but oh how I hurt for Kevin and I. We knew that God made our bodies and that God could move on our bodies and give us a child. You have to have strong faith for God to move. We did pray for Gods will. The longing for a child was almost unbearable. We prayed that God would help us to make the right choice. God worked some things out for us and we finally decided to go through IVF. Through all the shots,stress, Dr.appointments and much prayer IVF worked the first time. Many people don’t know this, but Courtney had a twin. The Drs could see on ultrasound where there was another baby, but for some reason it did not progress. We were so thankful when we found out I was pregnant. Six weeks into my pregnancy I got a bad report. I had to go for ultrasounds every week. On my six week visit my nurse and Dr. told me that I would loose my baby.The baby was growing, but the sac that held the baby was not growing. The ultrasound picture looked like the baby would burst through the sac. There was no room to move in the sac. Of course that was crushing to us. I cried all the way home. We are blessed to go to a church where the people are living holy and without sin. We are blessed to go to a church where we have unity and not strife. We are blessed to have people who will pray, and move God. Our congergation fasted and prayed for us. God gave me peace and I knew God was in control. I can not explain the peace that God gave me. Unless you have experienced that peace, words can not desribe the peace I felt. I did not cry. I just put it all in Gods hand. A week passed and I did not have any symptoms that I was told I would have. I went back to the Dr. When they did the ultrasound there was so much room in the sac. God had moved and allowed us to keep our baby. ( To God Be The Glory) There was so much room that we saw Courtney kick her legs out. The Dr. said “ She has some long legs” We knew everything was going to be fine. Courtney was born on March 24, 1998. Courtney weighed 5 pounds and 5oz.She was 19 inches long. Courtney was born with a head full of black hair and she still has a head full of thick dark brown hair today. Courtney has brought so much joy and happiness into our home. She is a daddy and mommys girl. We love her so much and thank God every day for our little miracle baby. 
| |
