A Baby for Juliane & Cory (IVF)

Dear Family & Friends,

As you all know, it has been our deepest desire, and most challenging quest, for the past 10 years to have a baby. To have and enjoy what we think is the best thing in life; Family.

This journey has felt sort of like being at sea a really long time, with our destination in plain view but not quite enough wind for our sail. Most days have been sunny with steady hope, a few cloudy days here and there, but nothing that sunk us. Mostly, how we feel is, "Get me off this ship!"

Cory and I have done everything we know to do, both spiritually and physically, with the exception of one last thing. We decided in February of this year that we were going to do In Vitro. We found a doctor we loved and declared, "Full speed ahead! Let's do this thing!" We began appointments and tests immediately. We were so close, so excited to be cruising along, but came to a screeching halt when we were denied our loan. It felt like an anchor, the size of our ship, had been dropped. Our goal and prayer has been to get pregnant in 2012! We couldn't let another year go by! Not another Christmas with no baby in this belly. We were determined to find another way. Not to mention, turning 36 in July was a big kick in the pants to get creative!

"FUNDRAISER" is what came to mind. I thought about the countless fundraisers in the world, from buildings and research, to Girl Scouts and animal rescue; and I thought, "Why not for a baby?" I assumed we'd be the first to do such a crazy thing, but after researching online it was comforting to find many successful IVF fundraisers out there! Go figure!

So this is it; our Baby Fundraiser. Our invitation to family and friends to help us cut the anchor and set sail! Babies for Juliane and Cory!

The nitty-gritty is we need to raise $19,000. I know:.. It's seems big, but it's OK. I've done the math over and over, and with the many friends and family we are so blessed to have, this really is a cinch!

Everyone we personally know has had success with this procedure. We feel very confident and excited! We're about to land this ship!

In the beginning it felt scary to make our private world so public and it's never easy to "ask", but when I pictured all our loved ones gathering around us, bringing their gift to help us, suddenly love and warmth washed over me. Being denied the loan had seemed so unfair, but now I realize having everyone play a part in our dream is so much sweeter. Your gift is the gust of wind we needed. Thank you!

Soon to be Mommy and Daddy,

Cory & Juliane