Another Somer Day...

Ryan and Somer Chevrier (pre-kids)

(sorry most of these pics are with our point and shoot)

Like I shared yesterday, I would like to introduce you to my good friend Somer. 

Somer and I go way (well not that way) back.  Our husbands were best friends and roommates through college.  We met at that time and were aquaintences but, being a year younger than her (oh and I'm much taller too), we had different sets of friends.  We ended up being married two weeks apart and our husbands we in each other's weddings.  Shortly after being married we ended up attending the same church, The Chapel, and from there the friendship blossomed, along with meeting up with the rest of the usual suspects (who I will have to introduce to you too!  But they are our family since ours are far away- Ryan, Somer, Josh, Kelli, Jake, and Shari).  After about 5 years of marriage the hubs and I decided to start a family.  Somer and Ryan had already been trying for quite some time.  When we quickly became pregnant, it was such a joyous and difficult time for us, all.  We were so thrilled to be expecting but were hurting and hesitant to celebrate because of their hardship.  The were very gracious to us and were excited for us but it was still a very difficult time.  Soon after I found out I was pregnant we moved in right behind them, our backyards were connected so, before the husband's finally cut a door, we put up two ladders connecting our home.  I have very distinct memories of being very pregnant and climbing on over.  During our exciting time, and unfortunately their disappointment of failed inseminations, we clung to our friendship as best as we could.  In the winter Somer and Ryan decided to go for IVF.  I remember shortly afterwards Ryan giving Vince the call that it had been unsuccessful.  I don't think I have ever cried so hard in my life.  There were so many reasons behind my tears, but most of all I just wanted them to have their little one they so desperately wanted and deserved.  A couple days after that terrible night I happened to see Ryan and Somer walking up to our backdoor.  They had come to tell us, THEY WERE PREGNANT!  Somer had had some bleeding so thought her period had come but it hadn't.  Oh it was SO wonderful to get that news.  From then on we were able to share in the joys of expecting like friends should.  Here's where the story gets interesting.

Before they had gone through IVF they had started to look in to adoption and their family knew of this.  Well one day they got a call from Ryan's aunt who tells them she knows this young (21) girl, who already had two children that had become pregnant and did not want the baby and only trusted the baby to their family, otherwise was considering termination.  Somer and Ryan asked when she was due, October, same month they were due.  Although they hesitated it was only for a brief moment.  They knew God meant this precious baby for them.  Originally their due dates were two weeks apart, and then 2 days after an ultrasound adjustment.  With the logistics of living in Chicago and adopting in Florida and being due so close together, the best plan was for Somer to deliver in Florida so she could assure she would be there for the birth of their adopted child.  Soon they found out they were expecting a boy and adopting a girl!

Ryan and Somer came to our rescue when our little one came a month early! Just about to head into surgery!

Spent the weekend at Somer's parents cabin in Michigan as a "family", with just one baby!

 

The Usual Suspects the night we said goodbye to the Chevriers (sorry its a scanned picture)

I remember so vividly the day we said goodbye to Ryan and Somer as they headed to Florida.  I'm not sure why but it was a very emotional time for all of us.  We were so excited for their new additions, nervous about the adoption, and sad to not be with them to experience it all along side them.  Avielle Joanne was born first on October 10th.  This was a very hard time, again for us all, but especially for Ryan and Somer.  I remember just waiting and waiting between calls to find out if everything went through, are they keeping her or not, etc.  I remember one time it was particularly long between calls and all I could do was pray.  We all learned a great lesson of putting our faith in the Lord and just to trust Him.  We finally praised Jesus when Avi was officially theirs!  We talked several times via computer camera and got to meet and see Avi for ourselves.  Although it wasn't the same as being there it allowed us to feel part of it all.  

Here we are chatting over the computer and getting to see Avi!

5 days later Miss Somer went into labor.  Can you imagine having a 5 day old baby and then having to go and have your own!?  A long, beautiful story short Ryan and Somer came back to us at the end of October with two beautiful babies, Avielle Joanne and Anderson Dale.

Oh but friends the story does not end there.  Having "twins" was very hard for Somer.  Somer is not much for multitasking and, with twins, thats a given.  But Ryan and Somer had prayed so long to be blessed with children and the Lord had blessed them abundantly, so they were nothing but thankful.  Well when the "twins" were barely 10 months old, and Somer had gotten, taking care of two young children, down to a science, she unexpectantly found out she was expecting!  After trying for so long and having to do IVF they just didn't think it was possible.  So although the timing was not quite theirs they were thankful for another blessing.  So at the beginning of June we welcomed Ellison Cynthia, into our "family."  Unfortunately, immediately it was discovered something was wrong with sweet baby Ellie and she was taken to Chicago's Children Memorial Hospital.  And again, to make a wonderful story short, Ellie went from not breathing, to needing heart surgery immediately, to needing surgery in a couple months, to completely healed in 5 days (just went home on a little oxygen for 5 weeks)!!!  Apparently, although God heard their prayers for children, and answered them abundantly, it wasn't going to come easy!  It just makes each one of these blessings that much more of a.....blessing! : )  

So after trying and trying God blessed this wonderful couple with 3 children in 19 months.  If that doesn't give evidence of their faith, courage, and patience and that the Lord always hears our prayers,  I don't know what does.  If ever you feel like the Lord is not answering your prayers.  Just trust in Him, His timing, and His direction.  You never know what He has in store for you! 

Here are all the baby suspects (except brand new baby Stephanie)!  Our group went from 0 to 7 in just under 3 1/2 years!  6 girls and 1 lucky boy- it brings us great pleasure to match all the girls, now to get them to smile, thats a different story! : ) 

She just started up her own blog here and I hope very soon she'll share her amazing journeys to becoming a mother of three.  So jump on over to her blog and say hello!