BEATING THE ODDS!

Introducing Our 2% Odds!

Actually, I should say, "Introducing the LESS than two percent odds!"  You see, in the Fall of 1998, a very important doctor at the Genetics and IVF Institute outside Washington, DC, looked at Dan and said the following:  "You have a less than 2% chance of EVER fathering children on your own without the help of science!"

Sound crazy?  Thousands of couples like us have found themselves in similar situations as they sit in a doctor's office, following numerous tests,  for news on how they can conceive a baby.  It's not like we don't know "where babies come from;"  but, why was it that, for Dan and I, it.just.wasn't.happening?! 

And it wasn't for lack of practice, I can assure you!  It's funny, you know... I'm not much for practicing anything at all.  I prefer improvisational drama over countless rehearsals;  I thrive on multi tasking; I can't follow the same recipe twice; I don't work out because the repetitiveness bores me to tears.  But ask me to practice making a baby and I'm all ears!  This was the most fun goal oriented "practice" I ever encountered.

Except we weren't meeting the "goal". 

Funny thing... science.  It sure can answer a whole lot of questions.  And that doctor had it right down to something crazy called an acrozome reaction.  He was certain that the answer to our unmet "goal" was something called ICSI; or intra cytoplasmic sperm injection.

Now that's a mouthful, isn't it!  But guess what?  With all the science, research, and education of those doctors we saw way back in 1998, no one can answer how it is that today, Monday, October 25th, 2010, the Hott family is celebrating the birthday of this little guy:  Isaac Daniel Hott! 

So, happy birthday to you, Isaac!  Seven years ago this very day at 8:01 a.m., I burst the blood vessels in my eyeballs delivering you and your enormous head; all 8 lbs 14 oz of your 22 inch bundle of joy!

"Joy; an additional reason why the name Isaac was appropriate for (our) child. LAUGH……… In other words rejoice with me!"  In the Bible, the name chosen for their son of promise was an unusual name, Isaac, meaning "laughter." It was an appropriate name, however, for every time they would speak his name, they would remember how they had laughed at God’s promise (Genesis 17:17;18:12), a laugh of amazement in Abraham’s case, and of doubt in Sarah’s case. They would also remember the great joy they shared when Isaac was finally born."

Like the Bible tells us about Sarah and Abraham, Dan and I (not the youngest parents in Berkeley Springs) were amazed to find ourselves expecting; especially after the odds given to us.  So, it too seemed appropriate that we give our son the name Isaac, meaning laughter.  Not only is it Dan's middle name, but it is also ingrained in the character of this little man.  Laughter!  Joy!  Rejoice!  And Praises for a gift that beat all the odds.

"Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say,
'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?'
Is anything too hard for the Lord?"  Genesis 18:14

Like Sarah, I laughed with God when he told me that I was carrying baby Isaac.  I celebrated the miracle of these odds as I heard him say "I have a baby for you!"  even before I bought that first pregnancy test.  Somehow, I just knew.  Isn't that crazy?  I must admit, I was in denial for a few weeks trying to figure out what was going on with my body and why my boobs seemed not my own.  Unable to ask this question to our family doctor (whom I went to high school with), I googled the possible options.  About seventh on the list was pregnancy.  Still unwilling to call "Dr. Paul" (and unwilling to show him my boobs), I continued to  hear, really, God "laughing" with his secret. 

When I finally called, Dan was headed to Atlanta for a meeting with Chevron.  I had to drive to Hagerstown and tell him the results in person.  It was hard to believe!  So, as he left for the airport, I went back to Berkeley Springs, WV, with confirmation of our mystery.  It was a long three days until he got home so we could celebrate. 

When we brought Isaac home from the hospital, Verna (my midwife) asked us what we wanted for birthday control.  Dan and I just looked at each other.  "Nah.... we don't need that!  This (Isaac) wasn't supposed to happen.  We'll be fine!" 

And fine we are.  Because 15 months later, Levi was born!  So, I guess you could say that "practice makes perfect," right? 

Or..., there really is NOTHING too hard for our Lord!

Makin' Miracles!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SbH-L1lrJ0

Lately, the Hott House has had a little trouble in piano paradise that has just been making this Hott Mama a little crazy (zier than normal)!

Let me tell you this, if I may, that a very important doctor near DC told Dan there would be a >2% chance that he would ever be able to make a baby. Something scientific to do with the acrozome reaction of sperm reaching eggs. Dan was around some environmental hazards when working around radiation in the Arctic. I'll tell you this, it wasn't for lack of practice; but new babies we were not producing... for nearly five years.


Well, little did this doctor know that God had another plan for the Hott House! Only after we spent $20,000 on the American Express Card! We underwent a treatment called ICSI, or intra cytoplasmic sperm injection! Nine months later, our dear little Violet was born! Around three years later, we made a trip to the Florida Keys and guess what we brought home for a souvenir?! Isaac Daniel Hott!

When Isaac was six months old, we made another trip to the sunshine state. Guess what?... yes, our adorable freckled Levi Nathaniel Hott was born! Alright, by this time, I am 40 years old and Dan is the ripe ole age of 48. What's going on here????? We were living proof of Sarah and Abraham!
Presenting... the Hott Family:
And no, it's not what you're thinking! But remember what Jesus told us in Matthew 17:19-20 when he said "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, `Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Salvation can do miracles, and I'm a witness to this. Caity and I met my hunk-honey Dan in 1995. I was a single Christian mom with a five year old brown eyed, curly haired mop-top! Not like there wasn't a line at my door; because there was. Among them were plenty of believers. But there was my Dan; an environmental engineer, raised in a large farm-family, a successful business man, and a non believer in God.

What was I thinking? For someone reason, and I still don't know why, but Caity liked him. And you know what? She got him to come to church with us! I think he really just came along for the ride or to go out to dinner after. But he came nonetheless! And in the Fall of 2002, Dan became saved!

Now, he NEVER told me of this! Within three months of God's celebration for Dan, I was pregnant. And in 15 months, again! I had no idea what was going on (well, you know what I mean.....) until Levi was about 8 months old and Dan revealed to us his salvation story! That year, we skipped going to Florida!

Makin' Miracles? Oh yes we are! And each day is a mystery beyond what I can wrap my head around. Sure, we're dealing with life just like the next person with PD and genetic heart issues; but each day brings us a celebration, literally, of heaven on earth! Caity has depth of wisdom beyond her 20 years; Violet can soar "like an eagle"; Isaac is too smart for his own good; and Levi is the first kindergarten "Star" of the week!

I see a glimpse of holiness in the little things; and here's one to share with you. How does a new six year old play piano like this?! I have been involved with music and can not comprehend the process of hearing a song and just playing it on the piano. At 3, Isaac would listen to Ode to Joy and just play it. He could hear a note and just say it. He could play a song, and just transpose it! Sound crazy? Well, it is! Check out this pretty typical Hott House fun:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2uxuo8PnNw&feature=related

Now, even crazier; Isaac will do everything he can to avoid playing the piano! And it is making me crazy! But when he finally does, we see Miracles in the Making!

"Now thanks be to God for His indescribable Gift!"

2 Corinthians 9: 15