Founders and 3 Years TTC

**Warning to my IF friends, this post will be filled with pics and yes, many of them have kids & babies**
So sadly  thankfully, our TTC anniversary falls during one of my favorite times each year.  Our town's Founders Days.  If you read about two years ago and last year, you know that Jeff and I are very involved.  Jeff was President for the second year in a row and I was in charge of the 5 & 10K run.  Very busy weekend where we only see the inside of our house to shower and sometimes sleep.  **We sleep in a camper down in the park as we have "security" duty.  Also, most nights we get home at 2am and leave at 8am so there is only so much sleep.   I'm still recovering.  i.e. taking a two hour nap for the last two days.  
All that said, I had to fit in time to see one of my besties.  Brit was in town from Georgia for a dual baptism with my other friend (and her sister) Lauren.  I got to meet Brit's son Carter for the first time.  And was able to squeeze in a few hours on Friday and two hours for the after party for the baptism (I was in charge of the race then so couldn't go to the actual event.)  During the weekend I also sat with all my friend's and their children for the Fest's parade.  Barb told me she forgot her camera, and would I mind taking some pictures for her?    I soon turned into camera gal on all things cuteness between six kids...two of them age three, one age two, and three all eight months or younger.  I will not tell a lie...I did get a slight pang of sadness that all these kids got to enjoy Founders through the eyes of a child, and I didn't have a little one to share it with.  But the moment was fleeting.

Ellie, Carter & Addyson's ...Cousin's First Founders

Sofia waving to the veterans

Ellie praying for candy as Mom Brit fixes her hair

And come Sunday, I was prepared for the baptism party.  It's two close friends and their family.  They all know my struggle, but it was not about me and I love the babies so I knew I'd make it through it great.  What did I not count on encountering?  A friend of Lauren's also in attendance announcing they were PG just four months after their wedding.  Yep, que bitter, sad, and yes even crying Kati.  I made a smart ass remark once or twice.  (To the couple "Didn't you guys just get married last month?!!") and to Brit with couple in the room when talking about how it was a honeymoon baby "Must be nice" **dripping with bitter sarcasm.   And then I ate a BIG piece of cake, sat on the porch and cried for a good ten minutes.  Damn IF sucks when it catches you off guard.  You'd think going to a party with two babies as the center of honor I'd be all kinds of prepared.  I did have my "When, not IF" necklace on though, so I rubbed it to remind myself that I wear it as armor in my battle.  It helped a little.  Not enough though.

Brit, Ben, Ellie and Carter on Carter's baptism Day

But the best night of the fest?  Friday night was girls night for my friends.  They all got the grandparents to babysit, came down to the park and drank.  Since we so rarely get together, it's such a treat.  Yes, it's understanding that since their children are so much a part of their lives that there were many talks of diapers, sleep, cuteness, ect.  That I could not join in on, and felt a little left out.  But there was also much of the night laughing, singing to the band, and reminiscing old times.  I love and miss my girls.

Lauren, Barb, Brit and I for Girls Night Out!!

Saturday with Me, Cher, Jackie, Dottie and Arlene

The fest was awesome; we had the best sales ever for beer and now there is no more worry from two years ago's flood that we'd have to cancel the fest.
And so three year ago, as the fest ended, we started our TTC journey.  And three years later, we're still stuck here.  But I still have hope.  And no matter if years from now we even have to live child free... I will always have the fest to love.  The parade, the fireworks, the bands, the corn, the friends, and the good times.  So I think I am glad that our TTC anniversary is tied in with such a wonderful time of year.