Busy December (in all ways but one)

When I first typed the title to this blog post, I typed, "Busty December!". Apparently my mind is in the gutter.

I'm sure it has absolutely nothing to do with my 24-day dry spell... Yes, it's been that long since we have done "it". Poor Buster. And poor me!

In my defense (ha) we weren't "allowed" to after the embryo transfer. And since then, I've been a) worried that it would mess something up, and b) distracted beyond measure. I'm sure someday we may be intimate again...

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In other news, Buster and I closed on our first home last weekend. It's a pretty small house (1,500ish SF), but it's bigger than the apartment we currently live in! It's not somewhere I'd like to live forever, but it's definitely a start!

Buster and my FIL have been painting over there every day since the closing. We are hoping to start moving stuff in this weekend. This will definitely keep us busy!

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As if buying a house and moving before Christmas isn't enough to do... Buster and I leave for Las Vegas in two weeks!

And this is a pretty amazing story. 

As many of you who have been reading my blog for at least a couple months are well aware, I have a friend whose 6-month-old daughter was in desperate need of a heart transplant. Baby Jasmine was diagnosed with Dialated Cardiomyopathy, and was admitted to Loma Linda University Children's Hospital back in August. While her family lives in Las Vegas, Jasmine and her mother, Naycee, stayed in California for 92 days awaiting a new heart.

On November 28, 2011, Jasmine received that heart. And she is positively flourishing. 

It's only been a week and a half, but the doctors are shocked and impressed with her progress. She continues to amaze everyone. Jasmine is an inspiration. And so beautiful!

Jasmine post-surgery, looking healthier by the minute!

Back before Jasmine received her precious gift, I was posting her story a lot on my Facebook page. The more people I could get to "like" her page, the more supporters she had, and the more likely it would be for her story to get out.

A friend of mine saw my posting on Facebook. She actually works at the corporate office of my company (I'm a contractor, so I work on-site at the government lab). She brought Jasmine's story to the attention of the upper management and owner of the company we both work for. And here is where it gets pretty amazing.

My company decided to "sponsor" Jasmine's family for the holidays. They typically adopt a local family and provide Christmas for the family. And when I say "providing Christmas", they go ALL OUT. Jasmine's story touched them, and they decided that regardless of where the family is located, they could stand to not have to worry about affording Christmas. And that Jasmine's older brother and sister (15 and 8) shouldn't have to have a meager Christmas.

Obviously I was beyond thrilled with this development. I excitedly relayed the news to Naycee, and she was just shocked that people she didn't know could be so compassionate. 

A couple days later, my friend at the corporate office called me again. The point of this phone call was to inform me that the owner of my company wanted to hand-deliver the gifts to Jasmine's family. And she wanted Buster and I to accompany her.

I instantly started crying. What an amazing offer. Not only will I get to participate in bringing so much joy to a family, but I get to meet my friend Naycee in person! She has been such a wonderful friend to me, supporting me through all of my hard times. And I like to think I've done the same for her. And finally, we will get to meet.

When I called Buster to tell him the news of this generous offer, he cried. Our airfare and hotel room (at a BIG casino on the strip!) are covered. I will also be getting paid my normal wages, since the trip takes place during the week. We are also going to see a couple basketball games, as our home team is in a tournament there during this time.

We come home on Christmas Eve. I could not be MORE excited for this trip.

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And one final update. I have another beta scheduled for Monday the 12th. I have also scheduled my first ultrasound! It is on Monday the 19th. I will be 7wk1d pregnant. We'll be leaving for Vegas on the 21st. 

This is shaping up to be the best Christmas ever.