Boy has it been an interesting few days! DH and I left last Friday to make the 12 hour drive up to Boone, NC. We were heading up to attend the wedding of dh's cousin. We left 90 degree weather only to land in 30 degree weather. I can usually handle the cold but it was such a temperature difference and I was wearing a dress that I thought I just may freeze to death. I'm a Florida girl through and through. I just can't take that temp in May. It just isn't right.
On Sunday we got up early to drive the two hours to Asheville, NC to go to Mass at the St. Lawrence Basilica. IT WAY BEAUTIFUL! When you walked in you could do nothing but think of God. It was so amazing that I almost forgot that it was Mother's Day. Surprisingly the Mass didn't center around mothers. The only thing that was an indication was some women had corsages on their dresses. When they said the intentions they said included mothers, grandmothers, and godmother. I thought, "well...somehow I sneaked in there...I'm a God mother to two." Then at the very end when they were making some announcements they did what I dreaded. They asked all the mothers to stand up to receive their blessing. Then they did something I wasn't expecting, they asked the Godmothers to stand up as well. DH looked at me encouraging me to stand. But I couldn't. My legs just would not lift me up. I felt like a fraud. This blessing was for mothers, and I thought "I'm not a true mother." I know it sounds silly but I just couldn't bring my self to do it. When the blessing began I felt my eyes well up with tears. I tried so hard to hold them in but I could not control the hot, steamy tears from rolling down my cheek. DH was such a great comfort. He just silently put his arm around me. With out words I could feel him saying "I'm sorry."
After Mass and lunch we decided that we would only drive as far as Charleston, SC and we'd stay there for the night. It was fun. DH and I rarely ever do things like that on a whim. Charleston is just so beautiful. By far one of my favorite places. It was nice to get away and to get my mind off of things for awhile. While walking around we found a beautiful Cathedral. It was another place that I could do nothing but think of God while I was in there. The weekend was so stressful (the wedding wasn't exactly something the family agreed with) it was so nice to have two days filled with church and God.
To make things even better both on the way up and the was back DH and I listened to tons of cd's of Scott Hahn's talks. If you guys haven't heard this guy I highly recommend him. Such an amazing speaker! We got hooked on him by picking up some of the Lighthouse CD's at church. Now DH downloads all kinds of things. We listened to his Conversion Story, to one titled The Fourth Cup, and one that I believe was called The Seven Last Saying of Christ (or something along those lines). I used to hate listening to people talk in the car but lately I can't get enough of it. I feel like I learn so much. It really can help to make a long drive go by much quicker and it gave DH and I something to talk about. I love having conversations like that with dh.
There is nothing really to report in cycle news. I'm on post peak 8. I've had two HCG shots so far and will get my last one tomorrow. I never go longer than post peak 12 which I guess will be Saturday. I'm cautiously hopeful. In the instruction thing that Dr. G gave me about my HCG injections it says to wait until peak + 17 to test. If I only ever make it to peak + 12 (this is with HCG, without I only get to 6 to 8) should I really wait until peak + 17? That seems a bit excessive. If I only have an lp of 12 while on the HCG by body obviously isn't hanging onto it too tightly. I also don't want to get a false positive. I'm confused. Any suggestion?
Here are some pictures of the two churches we went to. Sorry they aren't great but I always feel strange taking pictures in a church.
St. Lawrence Basilica, Ahseville, NC
There were the most beautiful rose bushes outside the front of the basilica.
To the left of the alter is a small chapel with a beautiful statue of Mary. To the right of the alter is the Adoration Chapel.
The Alter. I have no words to describe it's beauty. This picture does it no justice.
St. John The Baptist Cathedral, Charleston, SC
The Alter. I love how it's almost all white. So pure and simple and yet the detail is amazing.
Close up
The wood beneath the pews was original from the 1700's.
Stained glass above the alter. It was impossible to capture the whole thing but you get the idea.
I am glad your weekend and the mass were mostly good to you! I am sorry for the stressful parts. As far as the peak plus 17 testing rule, I know now it depends on your dosing and the days you take it. They told me a full seven days after my last shot on my dose, but I am on half as much as most. I am told to test on P+16 and I called and got permission once to do P+15 and got it. For both the rule was the same-poas will give false pos so only test at a lab (hcg quant) and anything over 50 is false pos. I followed the rules b/c I didn't want my hopes up. I think if you want to test earlier, you should discuss this with your doc and see if it is okay. That's what I would do anyway.
ReplyDeleteOh I love beautiful, traditional Catholic churches! My husband has been to the one in Ashville, but this is my first time seeing it. Thanks for sharing!
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