Test: Negative. Life: Positive.

As instructed by my OB, I took a home pg test this morning. Since it read negative, this indicates that my hormone levels are back to a pre-pregnancy state and I can assume that everything is back to "normal".

It sort of feels like reading the last page of an intense book. A book that ends with an uplifting and forward-thinking last paragraph. As I have mentioned to a few people over the past few days, this entire event has been a challenge for us, but it really hasn't been a struggle. We have both felt that for the most part, the Lord has been lifting us over the waves, because He has heard and answered the untold many prayers that were offered on our behalf. If you prayed, even just once, please know that we felt it, and we were uplifted by it. Truly. I have never felt the effect of prayer on a personal level like this, and I can not adequately explain how extraordinary it is. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

That covers where we are emotionally. Physically, I'm doing well. Almost finished with "everything" that is involved with this process. (details are unnecessary, trust me).

Now, I'm set to enjoy life for a little while being neither pregnant nor nursing. :-) That doesn't happen much around here. ha! And as for the future, we are going to hold status quo for awhile. After "awhile" passes, then we will go where we feel led. We spent part of yesterday afternoon talking about some home improvement projects that need to happen - that's the kind of thing we're thinking about right now.

As odd as this may sound, I feel so blessed right now. I have seen a side of some people that I never would have seen, had this not happened. I have shared stories with some women with whom I *never* would have discussed this type of thing, had this not happened. I have been looked at with eyes of compassion and understanding that I never would have experienced had this not happened.
And, mostly, this experience has served as a strengthening knot in the fabric of our marriage.

God is good, and His love is so abundant. He knew from the foundation of the world that this would happen, and He has truly been preparing us all along for it. I believe that with every fiber of my being. (Thank you for that sermon yesterday Bro. David!)

And now? We have swimming today at 11:00. Life goes on, and little Poodle girls need to swim across pools. We are blessed.