Woohoo!

I am now off of a majority of my medications! All I am still taking is my heparin injection twice a day and my pre-natal vitamin. Hooray! This is going to save a lot of money and hassle. :)

Christmas Shopping?

My brother in law, Allan, and his wife, Christine, were down for Thanksgiving and they brought this amazing gift catalog from Samaritan's Purse. This is a compassion ministry run by Franklin Graham and you can make donations to a variety of truly compassionate causes on behalf of someone. If you are trying to think of a gift for someone who really already has more than they need, consider this ministry. They will send a card notifying the recipent of the gift made on their behalf.

Here is the link for their online catalog:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ (Then click on Giving and Gift Catalog)


You can choose from a variety of needs:
Feed a hungry baby for a week
Help children (particularly girls) in Afghanstan learn to read
Help purchase transportation for traveling preachers
Give Bibles
Purchase livestock for families to support themselves with
Help provide vocational training for impoverished people in poor countries
Provide clean drinking water for families

I had never heard of this ministry before and my heart often yearns for a way to help the truly needy and to give a cup of cold water to Christ. Thanks so much Allan and Christine for showing me the catalog!!

I'm thankful for...

...pants that fit! I went to Old Navy last night got two pairs of pants off the clearance rack. Hooray! I'm so much more comfortable now. The Grinch's shoes were two sizes too tight and we all know what happened to him.

...my precious baby! How good God is! He has made the impossible possible. Brian and I were just reflecting on how wonderful it is to be able to take care of the baby from the very beginning and to protect it from the risk of drug and alcohol exposure. (Not that all birth moms do that, but some do and I'm glad that won't happen to our baby.)

...my dearest husband! So much is encompassed in that word husband: friend, protector, leader. It is that rare ability to be gentle and strong at the same time.

...my loving Savior, who is wiser and kinder than my dear husband and who never forgets His people.

I am so blessed.

A happy milestone

As of yesterday, I am 12 weeks pregnant! Hooray! Brian and I are very pleased to have made it through the first trimester. I am still sick and tired, but I'm hoping that will begin to fade soon. It is such a relief to know our little one has made through those crucial formative weeks. In honor of this momentous occasion, we've decided to share our names. We chose them for their meanings.

If it's a boy:

Iain Zechariah Douglas

It means "The Lord is gracious, he has remembered me"

For a girl:

Sophia Joie Douglas

"The Lord's wisdom brings joy"

We're so very excited!! Any thoughts on the sex of the baby? Both Brian and I kinda think it is a girl (which is a guess based on nothing but facts and logic, but I can't reveal my secrets--ha ha). But my Mom thinks it is a girl too, and she has a perfect track record of always being wrong. Care to offer your speculations?

Hurricane Wilma Pictures

Here's our house:





This was the view from our back door:



Here's the back yard:



And here's me doing laundry sans power. My back was sore the next day! Who needs to go to the gym? Just get rid of all your appliances.



This is Brian's parents' roof!



Here are some "around town" shots:





We were very thankful we had no damage since we don't have windstorm coverage. (It is CRAZY expensive.) The Lord was very merciful. I was also thankful that P-nut, aka Trouble, aka Precious Baby was safe in Mommy's belly and not in a freezer somewhere dependant on a generator for life.

Blessed and Blessed

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope for His lovingkindness,
To deliver their soul from death
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
Because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness O Lord, be upon us,
According as we have hoped in You.
Psalm 33:18-22


The Lord was so very kind to us this week. Last Wednesday I started to bleed and had to leave work. The doctor put me on bed rest for two days, and I was able to get appointment with my OB on Monday. I spent the weekend quietly at home, waiting for the appointment. We went to the doctor and we delighted and so thankful when the Dr. found the heartbeat. Praisee God from whom all blessings flow. That was very scary and we are so thankful we didn't lose our last little one. Thank you all for your continued prayers for Baby.

I'm due on the 6th of June. It seems far away now, but the first trimester is almost over already and now the holidays are coming so I'm sure it will come quickly. My clothes are already starting to get tight! Is that normal?

Well, I will post the sonogram pictures and the hurricane pictures soon. I promise! Life has just been a bit crazy lately.

The Twelve Days of Wilma!

We got power back Saturday night after 12 days of darkness! We were so happy!!! Unfortunately, there are still people without power-- including Brian's parents. This storm has been quite a disruption, but thankfully no major damage occured to any of our family or the seminary. We have been very blessed. I will post some pictures soon-- there is much to tell! We had a great vacation, rode out a hurricane, and had two sonograms. More updates will come soon, but I wanted to let you all know that I am still alive!