Eric & Lauren

For years leading up to our wedding, Eric and I dreamed of having a large family of our own. It never crossed our minds that we would be in the situation we are in now - unable to get pregnant. 

 

​We became worried, soon after we were married, when I still was not pregnant after 6 months of trying to conceive. I went to the doctor, but was told many women experience this wait and that I should not be alarmed, nor would my doctor take action, until we had been trying for a year. After waiting for what seemed like an eternity, that year finally passed, and I went through a series of tests to identify what was wrong. Test after test produced no diagnosis. 

 

My husband and I had just about given up hope for conceiving when a family friend passed along a prayer card to Saint Gianna Beretta Molla. We prayed to her every night, asking to conceive. Four weeks after receiving the prayer card, we found out we were pregnant!

 

What a miracle! After 1.5 years of trying, we were finally having a baby. A few days before Thanksgiving, I went in for my first ultrasound. As I became overwhelmed with joy after seeing my child's heartbeat, I was given the news that our baby wouldn't live longer than one more week. We lost our baby, Gianna Ethan, at 9 weeks old. A few months after the miscarriage, I was diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis and underwent a laparoscopy.

 

Even after surgery, my doctor said that my chances of conceiving are narrow. This prospect saddens us, but we are excited and hopeful to be adoptive parents. These past years have made us realize the importance of a family and how committed we are to adoption.

 

Although these past few years have been difficult, we are now, more than ever, ready to start a family. God has worked in a wonderful way through all of this by making us a stronger couple, strengthening our faith, and preparing us to be the most loving, patient, and accepting parents. We hope this day comes soon.