Welcome Sara, I remember your story, as one of our family members asked me if I would carry her baby...lol. Did not happen, as I was way past bearing age. ( not really but that is my story) lol
I marvelled at your family's story....Today our Pauline from Quilt n Queen
who was our cheerleader in residence for Holiday Lane will be sharing her review with us all today!
Bringing in Finn by Sara Connell
I love a true story...be it a book or a movie and some times they really hit close to home. This is an surrogacy story, an extraordinary one that there are no limits to what one can achieve. It is said one in eight couples will face a fertility issue when trying to start a family.
I love a true story...be it a book or a movie and some times they really hit close to home. This is an surrogacy story, an extraordinary one that there are no limits to what one can achieve. It is said one in eight couples will face a fertility issue when trying to start a family.
This is a memoir of Sara Connell's journey to motherhood. She shares with you her relationship with her parents, how she and her mother did not have a 'close' relationship during her young adult life. She goes into detail how she feels and what her body has to endure as she goes through IVF, not once but 5 times. Statistically losing a child can be devastating to a marriage...their marriage was tested but remained strong. When all else fails they consider adoption and even surrogacy. Her husband, Bill had just turned 40 and for adoption it could take years and was very expensive also, he said "I don't want to be in my seventies when my children are graduating from college". To consider surrogacy the cost was even more...they experienced a "financial freakout" but got past that too imagining hilarious surrogacy scenarios. Bill still did not like the idea of a stranger as a surrogate but did not rule it out completely. One day Bill and Sara received a letter from her mother...she rarely, if ever wrote a hand written letter to them and it got tossed on the desk, buried and never opened. Her parents came for a visit and asked if they had read the letter. No....they hadn't, they found the letter...buried. It was a proposal....to be their surrogate. This book is full of emotion and you feel both Sara's and Bill's pain as they experience one devastating loss after another. They pass the box of Kleenex in the Dr. office many times. You feel the joy as mother and daughter experience a transformation in a relationship. You feel the love her father shares in supporting Sara's mother as she pursues her dream of 'being called to do something heroic'. This book touches all emotions. You feel, despair, hope, forgiveness, love...it is heartwarming, spiritual and a beautiful story of one giving life ....unconditionally.
Kristine Casey delivered the greatest gift to her daughter Sara. Finnean was born at 37 weeks, 7 lbs 3 oz and 18" long. She is the oldest woman ever to give birth in Chicago. Kristine was 61 years old.
Quilt'n Queen
Way to go Pauline...great review and thanks for sharing your story with so many of us Sara....
This book will be gifted today!
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All the posts have been set up for weeks..
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Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
YOU ALL MATTER!
there are thousands with YOU- our followers
and subscribers. I so appreciate
your comments and we will still
be choosing daily winners through R.G.
All the posts have been set up for weeks..
I have family arriving very soon
and have plenty to get ready ....
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!
YOU ALL MATTER!
Wow -- what an incredible story she has to tell! I'm familiar with many young women who are struggling with infertility and several friends who also experienced the heartache of it. I bet this was a terrific read! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful review Pauline! This sounds like a fantastic read. Happy and sad all rolled into one. What a beautiful gift, to receive from your mother, Sara.
ReplyDeletejbechosend at sbcglobal dot net
What an amazing gift to give a daughter. I just can't imagine the emotions going through this. But it did have a very happy ending (well, really a new beginning)!
ReplyDeletewow, this sounds like a really amazing story. I can't imagine being the mom....going through pregnancy at 61...yikes! I'lll have to look for this one too.
ReplyDeleteI'm already choked up reading about this story. How moving. Where's the kleenex???
ReplyDeleteWhat a joyous story - any time of year! I myself had fertility issues and 33 years ago we did not have the options that are available to us today. My doctor did not think that I would ever conceive a second child. After much prayer and fertility drugs, I have a wonderful daughter in addition to a son. In September, my brother just became grandpa to twins - IVF. And they have a 2 1/2 year old sister from the same process. They also have a cousin from the same process. It is much more talked about today and luckily folks have options and giving people and support in their lives. Every child is a miracle!
ReplyDeleteWhat a super review and an amazing story. I have friends that have done IVF and they were Blessed with twins. I'm so glad this story had a happy ending!
ReplyDeleteThank you and All our Sponsors for the awesome giveaways and the chances to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
It is really a wonderful and a very surprising gift from a mother to her daughter. A wonderful and beautiful story. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWhat a journey! Great review Pauline! I'll have to look for this book. I, too, love a true story. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWonderful review Pauline. Makes me really want to read this one. Sounds like an awesome story.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound like a really great book but because of my own personal experiences and journey to motherhood, I think it would be too hard for me to read.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great review Pauline and the book sounds amazing. Thank you! blessings, marlene
ReplyDeleteI am sitting here in tears just reading the review!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely act of love and faith, and such a happy result!
ReplyDeleteThis is a book I would love to read! What a touching thing for Sara's mother to give of herself in this way!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story of giving for us to read about this Christmas! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI am going to put it on my list!!!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic...and a bonus that it takes place in my hometown. Fertility issues are so difficult. I'd love to read this story. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGood morning Samm and all, babies and family are very special to me, this sounds like an amazing story, I would love to read it..
ReplyDeleteBesides an interesting and (I'm sure) touching story of love -- the title of this book warms my heart. Our only grandchild shares the same name!
ReplyDeleteNo need to reply -- family first -- always.
Wonderful review, Pauline - very interesting topic. Thanks to our great authors and sonsors. judy c
ReplyDeleteWow! How difficult and devastating those years "before" must have been. But what joy! at the end.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great review Pauline! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect Christmas story! hope today is my lucky day!
ReplyDeletePauline, thanks for the great review. What a wonderful story and definitely a book worth reading!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a book I would really love and when reading I better have a box of Kleenex next to me. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDelete\ohhhhhhhhhh what a story!!
ReplyDeleteRosemary B here:
ReplyDeleteWOW... just wow.
This is a beautiful story. I think all of us know plenty of friends that just could not have babies for one reason or another. Some pursued adoption and others IVF which is brutal. This is amazing.
Thank you so much for the review, Pauline. well done!
Happy "Freaked Out" Friday (12-21-12) everyone ♥ ♥ ♥
Sounds like a wonderful story. Great review. I will be reading this one.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI have just discovered your blog and will become a follower in a few minutes, but I just had to say - What an awesome story you have brought to my attention - Thank you. I also think it is a great thing to do in reviewing books for women by women.
SO being a reader and a quilter I look forward to my new friendship with you all.
Merry Christmas and God bless.
Kate form Sydney Australia.
The books you are sharing with us are all true gems, thank you so much to the authors, publisher and ,of course, our Madame Samm! :D
ReplyDeleteHip, hip, hooray!!!
Woot, love all the books. this looks great.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds amazing. I can't wait to read it. Thanks for the wonderful review.
ReplyDeleteGood review. I think I do remember hearing about this story. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an amazing story. I hope to read it soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review and the opportunity to win.
Hooray for a happy ending! I grew up in Chicago ... still live within 75 miles of my birthplace. This story was on the local news and also in the Chicago Tribune.
ReplyDeleteThis review brings tears to my eyes.It is such a happy story.Daughter #3 had fertility problems and had to go one step below IVF.She now has two sons 5 and 7.I love happy endings.
ReplyDeleteWow! What an amazing story.
ReplyDeletegreat story and a great review!!
ReplyDeletePretty incredible. 61 years old. Good for all of them!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing and emotional story.
ReplyDeleteWell...I am speachless! I'm not sure how I feel about that story, but it is certainly making me think.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very touching story and one I would love to read. thank you for sharing it with us all. My list is growing longer every day with a lot of books that sound llike they are good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you all as it is just around the corner.
in stitches
I think this is a story that I would love to read. I want to donate a kidney to my daughter who is not doing well on dialysis but she won't take it because she says I might die. That is a small worry but I would rather she lived because she has a six year old that needs her. Love and blessings and Merry Christmas Sandra
ReplyDeleteThank you Sara for sharing your story with us in your memoir...Bringing in Finn...you bring hope to everyone struggling with fertility issues. A few years ago my SIL shared a similar story of her DIL. She was a surrogate for her brother and his wife...a healthy baby girl...another happy ending and amazing story.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds right up my alley. I might have even read an excerpt of it somewhere.
ReplyDeleteWhat and amazing thing to do for a Daughter,thanks for a great review, this book is on my list to read .
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and a blessed New Year for you and Family
Laura
I would love to win this book to read. Janita
ReplyDeletea great review ... an unusual journey that ends well.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing your review on this heart-touching book and bringing it to my eye. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThis is a amazing story! What a special family!
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds like an amazing story and interesting read!
ReplyDeleteSounds very interesting. What a wonderful gift to give of oneself. I will keep this in mind when I go to purchase another book for my nook. Thank you so much for your review. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the sharing the perfect Christmas story!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
Thanks for a great year of entertainment!! see you next year!
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing this review,what an inspiring gift.
ReplyDelete