First, I had a good night of climbing. The routes are still up from the comp two weekends ago, and it’s a lot of fun to try all the routes. The Recreational routes are super easy, the intermediate routes are very do-able, and the advanced routes are definitely a challenge.

The mood in the gym tonight was really positive, encouraging and friendly. Lots of helpful hints from other climbers as we puzzled over some of the routes. I really enjoyed it.

Whenever someone gives me a tip, I feel obligated (in a good way) to work hard and try to use that tip to get to the next move. It’s great motivation that I might not otherwise have.

After climbing, Tiffany and I met up with Lisa at Ruby Tuesday. Our conversations, as usual, ran the gamut from kids to life before parenting and everything in between.

Somehow we got on the topic of infertility/miscarriages/pregnancy. It’s been so long since I talked about our struggles, and it still stirs up my emotions to remember that time in our lives.

I don’t think blogging even existed then (2000-2002 timeframe), but somewhere I have email conversations throughout that experience.

The infertility, 2 rounds of clomid which resulted in 2 miscarriages, and a diagnosis of “unexplained recurring miscarriage.” Then I found Brenda at www.infertilityworkshop.com and made a commitment to change my diet, followed the shutdown/cleansing program, and 3 months later, I was pregnant with Zander. Unwilling to go through that experience again, we explored adoption and surrogacy for our next child. Not long after enduring colic with Zander, the 2nd miracle of all miracles occurred. A mere nine months after Zander was born, I got pregnant with Zevan.

My life perspective shifted dramatically during those years.

And looking back on those times again now, gives me even more perspective on my life as a mom now.

A reminder of how lucky I am. And how thankful I am.