I know the subject of infertility seems like it has nothing to do with art and design…
But I promise there is a point to this story.
I hope you’ll keep reading…
Andrew and I were married in the Bountiful, Utah Temple in 2009.
Throughout the first few years of our marriage,
Andrew pursued his computer science degree
(while STILL working full time! What a trooper!)
and I worked a full-time day job
as well as worked to build my own design
business on the side.
Long evening hours were spent with Andrew slaving over homework,
and me slaving over my quilting machine and sketch book-
really honing in on my design skills.
Our goal as newlyweds was for Andrew to finish his degree,
and to have our own business on the side
so that when the time came,
I could devote myself to motherhood
while still generating a little extra income for our family.
Fast forward to now,
not everything has gone exactly according to plan
(as we all know in life, things rarely do.)
Andrew has now graduated and my design business is flourishing.
However,
we have not yet been able to start the family that we strongly desire-
despite the many months we’ve spent striving for it.
We are now that the point in our lives
that the only way we could have children is by means of
IVF medical assistance.
This process will cost us upwards of 10 to 30 thousand dollars.
Andrew and I have always recognized the importance of a balanced budget,
and we have always tried to live within our means.
While we have tried to be diligent in spending wisely,
coming up with the money to move forward with fertility treatments
would cause a significant strain on even the most conservative budgets.
I know what you’re probably thinking,
but to be clear,
we are not asking for hand-outs or donations.
Here is the amazing part:
Had we not started this small business a few years back,
we would not even be in a position
to consider these treatments at this time.
Looking back,
I never realized the success of this business
would play such a key role
in our opportunity to have a family.
So,
we just want to remind everyone who reads this:
When you support small businesses like ours,
YOUR IMPACT IS
GREAT!
If you have already supported my business in the past,
remember that your support is extremely appreciated.
I thank my Heavenly Father everyday for the opportunity I have to be a business owner,
and I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the love and support
I have felt from both friends and strangers,
near and far,
throughout my creative endeavors.
If you DO feel inclined to help us,
we hope you’ll consider supporting our little family business.
One small purchase will go such a long way
and we think there is something fun for everyone,
in every price range.
We have everything from
$1 printable designs,
$15 coloring books,
original hand-drawn art,
computerized quilting designs,
duvet covers,
custom printed tapestries,
and EXTREMELY SOFT
custom printed fleece blankets.
I also have some finished quilts and wall-hangings
that I am finally ready to part with.
(If you’re an artist, you know that feeling).
Also, if you use the coupon code
‘family10’
you will get 10% off on ANYTHING you purchase.
Lastly,
Andrew and I just want to express gratitude one more time
to all those who have supported us and our small business,
as well as to our close friends and family who have provided
emotional support, prayers, and words of encouragement
through this time in our life.
You all have helped us bear this burden
and made our load a little lighter.
For that we are always grateful.
Be great to each other.
-Karlee and Andrew
28 thoughts on “Infertility & Gratitude”
God bless you and your husband . I’m praying that you have the family that you want. You never know. God works in mysterious ways. I look forward to ordering your book soon.
Thank you so much, Diana, for all the kind words. Your prayers are felt and appreciated.
sorry, i don’t speak a good english but i haved read the story of your family and your difficulties having a baby – i’m a belgian, living in a country with a social security that allowes any person to receive such of help – I understant how hard is your situation –
I understand also it’s important to help artists, artisans and other to receive money for what they create, that money is a due for working, creating ….
I hope you’ll succeed …
Thank you for all your kind words. If only this process was more affordable everywhere. Luckily, I know that when there is a will to do something, there is always a way to do it! 🙂
Karlee, I have a friend who now has been successful with IVF..her twin daughters just turned 3…she has been very good about sharing the process with her friends….I am positive she would chat with you about it if you would like. I can ask her permission, and give you her name, if you would like it. It has opened many peoples eyes to the struggle some people have…and I am sorry to hear you are going thru that struggle. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Judy Holum
Judy,
Thank you so much for the support as well as her information. I have found that as hard as this has been to open up about and be transparent about this struggle, knowing that Andrew and I don’t have to go through this alone makes it so much easier.
I am so happy for the both of you! I am a supporter and will continue to be! Your designs are awesome! Good luck….Big Hugs! Helen
Helen,
Thank you so so so so soooooooo much! You are so sweet and your support really speaks volumes with us. <3
As someone who went through 6 years of IVF in a country that helps support the cost (to some extent, it still cost us $100,000+ to do it) I understand and know what it’s like to be in this position (as much as anyone can because it’s so unique to each couple). Keep the faith and keep working towards your goals – life is a many splendid and funny thing and you never know what’s around the corner. I wish you the best of luck and hope that the journey brings you closer together, whatever the outcome. <3
(We're currently snuggling with our IVF miracle under a quilt that's quilted with one of your patterns!)
Hi Angie!
Thank you so much! Not only for the support of my quilting business, but for all the kind words and empathy! Hearing success stories like yours just make every attempt soooo worth it! You are awesome!
Good luck to you both and hopefully your passion in life will help you fuel your dream of becoming a family
Thank you so much Naomi! Your kind, soft words of encouragement go such a long way.
My daughter had the same problem, took fertility drugs, IVF (eggs died), etc. She has PCOS, she went off all sugar and took a baby aspirin a day, and promethium, the only carbs she had was green vegetables, she ate protein mainly and was pregnant in 3 months and continued the diet until delivery and delivered about a 10 lb, boy and did the same 2 years later and had a girl. She coached a couple who had been married 20 or 25 years and they now have a son and send her pictures each year at Christmas time. Her name is Kelli Dawn Miller and email is kellimiller1@yahoo.com. Her phone number for call or text is 316-214-0140. She has spent hours researching and has lots of knowledge and she has agreed to chat, text, whatever to help you achieve your goal. She is a reading specialist at Enders Elementry in Wichita Kansas, I am sure you can go on to school site and verify as I realize it is scared in this day not knowing who you are dealing with.
Hi Rhonda,
Thank you so much for all the information. Through this whole struggle, I am thankful that I have felt the Love of my Heavenly Father through it all. I know that everyone’s paths are different, and finding the right one can be hard. I am grateful to feel that we have found the right path and just pray everyday that our desires are in line with God’s will for us. I find the intricacies of the miracle of life to be astounding! Our bodies can do amazing things!
Thank you so much for all the kind words!
I met you in Calgary,Ab… Loved my class with you…your spirit touched me as much as your talent!
I shed a tear reading this..know the desire to have a child took me 9 years! I will support you and pray for you
God Bless
Theresa! Thank you so much for taking the time to read as well as leave me a comment. It is the support from people who have been where I am that just helps me get through each day! Your words have not gone unnoticed. You are sweet.
Kale and Andrew, you are a remarkable two individuals and outstanding couple!
It is great to see you that you know what you want in life and that you both make sure that you follow through with the plans and the best of all – you appreciate your achievements and you are thankful towards the people that helped you – no matter how big or small!
I am impressed forI thought it was only people in my generation group that had the same mindset as you!
Well done !!
Thank you so much for all the kind words, Lorna! (I have been told that I have an old soul… maybe its from all the quilting 😉
I am thankful for all the opportunities God has given me this far, and I just pray every day that no matter what life throws my way, I can just do His will.
Dear Karlee (and Andrew), of course I don’t know you personally but I marvel at the wonderful work you do and I read your post with tears in my eyes. My daughter is just going through her first round of IVF! She was told this morning she has 8 embryos in a dish and that on Friday she will know if any of them have survived to be implanted. We are all so excited. We are so very grateful that she gets this chance because she lives in the UK and there you get 3 rounds of treatment FREE! After that you have to pay. Without the free “goes” at it they wouldn’t be able to afford it and would be in the position you are. I truly hope that you get your chance to have your baby and I will be buying something from your website just so that I know I may have helped you get a bit nearer to your dream. I will hold you in my prayers and hope your wait is not too much longer. Sending love and light to you both!
Hi AJ
Thank you so much for supporting me! It really means the WORLD! I will keep your daughter in my prayers! 🙂
Karlee,
I am a follower of yours on IG, and I love seeing your creativity. when I saw this post i was compelled to comment, even if I am not eloquent with my words. My husband and I also struggled with infertility. At the time, I felt very isolated. All our friends and family were in the stages of parenthood, and yet we continued to be denied this most basic function of human nature. Our outlook of the future changed. It wasn’t the path we expected. I urge you to find a support group. It made a huge difference for me to be able to talk to people that understood the day to day struggles of infertility. Those that have not experienced it, cannot comfort the way those of us, who have, can. I pray that you find the right path down this road.
P.S. We were told our chances were less than 2% even with assistance. After 8 years we were blessed with a healthy pregnancy via no intervention at all. Our story is rare, yes, that we would be given this gift. But always have hope.
God Bless
Lindsey,
Thank you so much for sharing your story with me! I find great comfort in the empathy and knowledge that I am not going through this alone. I agree, it feels very very isolated at times… especially when people around you simply have no idea that you are struggling. It can be heartbreaking to be asked “when will YOU have kids” when you are trying and trying. But at the end of the day, all we can do is get through it, and take things one day and one step at a time and just try to remember that sometimes people around us have all the love in the world, and very bad tact. :/
Thank you SO MUCH for following my IG. You are sweet, and I hope I can continue to share my love for art for years to come.
Do you still longarm? I have some quilt tops that need quilting.
Hi Joy,
I do sometimes take on new clients. Send me an email with some photos of your tops to info@karleeporter.com
Keep Trusting & holding HIS Hands… It’s all according to HIS Will… Trust that & your lives will never be disappointing… God’s Blessings as you both, continue to use the Amazing Talents HE has Blessed you with… Be Patient, HISLove is Never Ceasing…❤️
Thank you Sue! The one thing that has really gotten me through all of this struggle is my testimony in my Heavenly Father’s love for me. <3
To every thing there is a season and a time to every purpose under Heaven. There are no consequences in this life. Things happen the way they are supposed to happen. My daughter and son-in-law have been married ten years and after trying to start a family, only to be disappointed, just assumed that having a family just wasn’t mean to be. They just welcomed a daughter in May. A surprise and a blessing. I hope everything works in your favor. Just let it happen.
Thank you so much for all the kind words. I too, have seen the proof of there being a time and season to all things. I just pray everyday that our will for a family is synonymous with God’s will for what he has planned for us in this life.