[dragonfly1234]

This is the place to voice how to toughin yourself up from family and comments.

[turtleheadfred]

I'm just waiting for YOU guys to give me "words of wisdom"!

[dragonfly1234]

Just having trouble getting beyond the turtleheadfred....lol Curious as to what it means! One(me) who does not live close to any water....lol

[bajj]

I'm not over 40, but I'll join in, if that's ok!

[dragonfly1234]

Ani anyone is welcome!

[turtleheadfred]

Ha! Ha! Ha!

It's not the FIRST time I've been asked about my name!

When I was little, my parents used to call me "turtle" - just one of those nicknames you get - nothing to do with anything to my knowledge being that I was EXTREMELY hyper and am VERY tall! Not very turtley!

So when I started trying to think of "online" names, I decided to go with something that "flowed"... Turtleheadfred - aka DropDeadFred! It just sort of seemed to "go together"!

You should see me try to explain to people that I'm NOT a guy!!!

It also probably helps that I LOVE LOVE LOVE the ocean - though I don't live by any. Everyone says the minute I get near surf... you can almost see an attitude/inner soul change and peace come over me! I swear it's where I belong!

[dragonfly1234]

Thank you for sharing how you came up with your user name. I don't live anywhere near an ocean but love the ocean. I love the sound of the waves crashing onto the rocks(beach) and to watch the sunset in the evening. It is so peaceful so I can understand.

[Becki_in_IN]

You know. I will join. No ideas on how to do it though.

[Bug-n-Bears-Mommy]

I guess my thing with family is that I always tell them (especially the ones who can HAVE children) that THEY could NEVER understand the emotional issues that come with dealing with infertility, therefore they could never understand the real miracle of adoption!

Sometimes the ignorance of family members just galls me. For example, I just received a financial settlement that allowed me to do some great things for my family that I have always wanted to do. The ONLY reason I received the money was due to infertility. My SIL (who has 2 children of her own) looked at me and said "gee, I need to get me a settlement like that". You ignorant moron...there was a time in my life I would have sacrificed EVERYTHING to be able to have a child of my own as easliy as you can! Maybe if you would stop gambling YOU could provide the same for your family!

Hindsight has shown me that infertility gave me the strength to deal with "the stupids", the value to REALLY appreciate my children, and even the knowlege to be able to spend the money (I never expected to ever see, and could have cared less if I ever did) ON my family and giving us things that ulitmately brought us closer.

[bajj]

OK guys, pray I grow some thick skin fast. MIL will be here at the end of next week!

[Becki_in_IN]

Sounds scary!

[dragonfly1234]

Oh Ani is she that bad?!!!

[kelceesmom]

Ani,
Kill em' with kindness. You will also feel better doing it.

[bajj]

Yes, she can be that bad! I usually am kind, Denice, but sometimes, I lose it with her! Of course, this is after hearing:

You hold him too much. You don't hold him enough. You don't read enough to them. You read too much to them.

You don't let him have enough freedom. You let him have way too much freedom!

And, btw, I am not exaggerating!!!!!!!!

I can do this. Just like Phil 4:13 says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

I can do this...I can, I can, I can!!!

[dragonfly1234]

Ani sounds like my mom!! ((((hugs)))) on the upcoming visit. I know you will be great!