We are the .1% – with a Vasectomy Fail

Has life ever thrown you major curveball? The kind you wonder how you’re going to work your way through it, yet you survive and come out the other side changed and transformed?

It was 2019; we had a house full of 3 growing little boys (ages 5, 7, and 9). We were out of the sleepless nights, terrible 2’s and diapers. I was finally able to enjoy watching my kids play sports (without chasing a toddler) and I was about to turn 40. I was ready for growth in my career, ready for more traveling with our kids and staring at a potential trip to DISNEY WORLD (Yeah! No more height and age restrictions!)

Then came January 2020 and a positive pregnancy test. You know the “<1% vasectomy failure rate” statistic? Well, we had just become one (and yes, we had the follow up all-clear).

Next came COVID lockdown, quarantines, and homeschool. I was in a very dark place. The idea of homeschooling 3 kids with a newborn overwhelmed me with anxiety. The idea of having a baby (at 40!) in a hospital alone (COVID) gave me anxiety. The unknowns in my “plan-oriented” world gave me anxiety. Starting over with sleepless nights and 4 kids gave me anxiety. AND I was very sick the first 3 months. Flu A, B, and who knows? Maybe even COVID. A normally active person, I was knocked down mentally and physically.

My 2020 word of the year was Grace and I thought for a moment, maybe God’s finally giving me a little girl to call Grace! Then my ultrasound showed a (thankfully) healthy baby……boy.

It was a moment in my life when I was busy planning and God said, “My plan is bigger”. That year as I struggled along, I learned to be resilient, hopeful, and I held tight to all the silver linings I could find. I learned that anxiety is the fear of unknown and that I had to stop worrying about the future and look at today. 

Our youngest was born later that summer and he was the light our family didn’t know we needed. The world needs more love, positivity, and kindness – and our little guy reminds me of that daily. He’s happy, funny, and so sweet. I’m thankful I get an opportunity to do all the “firsts” one more time (even if I’m an “older” mom). He motivated me to take better care of myself because ONE boy is very active, and now I have FOUR. He’s been the very BEST surprise blessing.

I won’t deny that it’s hard having 4 kids or that it’s hard starting over. Now I chase a toddler around at sporting events as he grabs strangers’ pears, sunflower seeds off the ground, and runs for the parking lot. It’s stressful, but I try and find the humor in it. I’ll admit I’m struggling at times and I’m learning to give myself grace. THIS is the Grace God wanted to give me, just in a different way than I thought.

When life throws you a curveball, cry and mourn if you must, but don’t stay there too long, as it’s harder to get out. Then: look for the silver lining. Those silver linings will save you. Don’t worry and be anxious about the future, but focus on and conquer today. 

We do the most growing when we are uncomfortable.

 

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Richelle Byrne
Richelle is originally from Minnesota and moved to Oklahoma in 1998! She now resides in Arcadia with her husband of 15 years and 4 boys (10,8,6 and 1). She also has a stepdaughter who is 23 and is getting married this year! Richelle is going on her 20th year in the real estate industry and enjoys helping many families obtain the dream of owning or selling a home. In her free time, she enjoys being outside exploring with her family, having movie nights, lunch dates with friends and working out at Orangetheory. One day she hopes to live on some land and own a cow!

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