Support

I know I've said this a million times already, but I can't thank everyone enough for the support we have received!  In the 3 weeks I have had this blog posted, I have had over 500 hits!  It really warms my heart because that's a ton of people reading about infertility and sharing their stories with me.

Tonight my husband and I attended the Fertility and Family Building Fair in Carmel and got a lot of valuable information and resources.  I got 2 different books for free and I can't wait to read them! 

We also attended a very informative session with Pete the Planner.  He talked a lot about financial planning for starting a family whether or not you're going through fertility treatments.  But he really talked about the importance of setting goals with it and how to avoid going into an immense amount of debt with some simple saving tips.  We learned in what areas of our lives we can cut corners and if we do need to finance, what the best options are for that.  He also talked about the importance of "scrapping" and finding little ways to make more money like having a garage sale or selling things on eBay.  We have already been doing some of that.  Ryan has been mowing a lot of yards and we put that money in our little fertility fund and we have also been selling some things on eBay that we had laying around since it hasn't been nice enough for a yard sale yet (and we work conflicting schedules to be able to sit outside all day on weekends).

One thing that really hit home that Pete said was that he asked us, how many people have been offering support to you and you don't know what to say?  I raised my hand b/c so many of you have said "i support you, let me know if there's anything I can do".  And I usually ask for prayers, which I still believe nothing is greater than.  But I finally figured out what resource I have that people can use to physically support our journey. 

I would and will not ever ask for donations, to borrow money from people or anything like that.  But while we were sitting there and Pete said "tell them they can support you by providing you financial assistance in some way".  Ryan typed a text msg to me that just said Thirty-One.  Of course!  I have been selling Thirty-One products since August and have been pretty good at it, but this year I hit a slump and with all the stress I've been under, I just kind of stopped trying as hard.  Pete said that the goal is to raise and earn money, not to borrow money. 

So I guess what I'm doing, is reaching out to all the people who have hit this page over 500 times to consider helping me expand my Thirty-One business, thereby helping me to add more income and resources into my fertility savings. 

Fertility treatments cost 10s of thousands of dollars.  Ryan and I don't know how far we will have to go in this process, but while we're at it, we might as well save a lot.  We have already invested and spent a great deal of money on it, to this point.  If at some point we conceive and don't need the funds, we can use it for supplies for our new child or put it into a savings account for our child. 

What I want to do is take the time to tell you my Thirty-One "Why" as we call it.  Thirty-One is a faith-based company founded on the concept of proverbs 31. The Proverbs 31 woman was the wife of a city elder (verse 23) and a respected figure in her own right (verse 31). Some of her many responsibilities included buying and selling merchandise.  You can find the entire proverb here: http://www.esvbible.org/Proverbs+31/  but it describes the virtuous woman who does what she needs to do to help provide for her family and be an ideal wife.  And that is what I am doing.  Trying to be an ideal wife by creating a family for myself and my husband and doing what I need to do (selling Thirty-One aside from a full-time job in the court system/addictions) in order to provide!

I decided last year to become a consultant for Thirty-One to help save for fertility treatments.  So far the money has helped, but as I have lost focus of my task here, I've also lost some potential income. 

Now I'm not begging or asking anyone to spend money on things they don't need.  I happen to love the products myself and use them daily.  I think they are practical.  But above all, I love what the company stands for.  I receive a commission on products I sell and that commission goes straight to helping my fertility costs.

So my dearest friends and family, while you may have seen my many posts on twitter or facebook about specials, it's really not to spam you, but to help my future and help "fund a family" so to speak. 

So for those of you who have offered support and have asked how you can help, you can definitely help me by hosting a party.  You can have some friends over or do a catalog party.  You, yourself, are under no obligation to buy anything as the hostess as you will receive free products depending on the amount of sales your party achieves.  But you will also be offered specials and half price items.  And while you earn those free products, you will greatly be helping me.  If you can't have a party, consider purchasing some products from me the next time you catch yourself remembering that you need a new lunch box or need to buy a baby shower gift, graduation gift, or wedding gift.  I will be gratefully indebted to you and will in turn continue to keep you updated on our fertility process.  I would never ask for money directly, make me earn it! 

I hope this blog did not offend anyone and that I will not lose any followers.  But Pete really inspired me with his words about not being to proud to ask people to help support you in the way you feel you need to be supported. 

I will leave this post at this:  If you want to know more about Thirty One products, you can email me at rkthomas99@gmail.com  if you'd like to view an online catalog or order you can look at my website at www.mythirtyone.com/kirathomas  i am willing to travel to all over central Indiana, especially b/c I'll get to see my wonderful friends and supporters!

Much love,
Kira