Greetings! It's finally the last month of our prenatal journey! Thought I'd share some pictures with you all and give you an quick update on things. I am due on Thanksgiving, just 10 days away! But I am expecting to wait until at least a week after the due date, which is when the doctor will induce if I haven't delivered by then. Since we moved, we have gotten to see Matt's family and our friends in his hometown quite a bit. It's been great.




This is a buffalo at the local auction. It was a unique experience. The average buffalo sold for $800-1200. Not bad, huh? Matt's parent came up for the auction and had a great time.




The longhorn, as well as elk and buffalo roam freely, sometimes into the road. These are just feet off the roadway. Beautiful creatures.

This is me at about 8 months. Matt and I took the dogs on a sunset walk. The sunsets here are just incredible! Well, I posted as many photos as the site would allow me. Stayed tuned for more. I will post pictures of the baby as soon as I can.

Matt and I want to thank each of you for your support and prayers. God is good. We are still praying for His guidance on finding a church. I pray each of you are well. I hope to bring you good news about the baby soon! Take care.

All Settled Into Our New Place

Here I am at seven months big! It’s taken in our new house. It’s been one whole month since we moved in. We really lucked out. The moving company unpacked every single box for us. That was great since I’m starting to slow down a bit. I have 8 week left till delivery and I feel a little bigger and slower every day, like a slow, heavy train. The house is so incredibly awesome. God is faithful to provide for His children. Matt and I have been so blessed in this life, I can hardly stand it. We live in a new housing development in a very small town. The great thing is that the city is only a few miles away, praise God! We hired some guys to build a privacy fence and they finally got to start it this past weekend. However, as I stare out the window at the drizzle and fog, I am inclined to think it will not get finished today. It’s cool though. It’ll get done this week. They’re gonna build it so we will still have a good view from the patio. It’s really an incredible place to live. Matt and I are such outdoorsy types; I don’t think there’s an area more suited for us.

That’s one of the things I really admire in Matt; what an amazing man God made for me. It’s funny. When we met, I respected the things we had in common like work ethic and Christian values. After five years of marriage, God has led me to appreciate some of his other character traits. God really knew what I needed when He led me to Matt. God has used the things that just come so easily to Matt to strengthen me with areas with which I struggle. I tend to be too compassionate and trusting whereas Matt sees through the facade. I tend to be flaky and non-committal, whereas Matt is steadfast and grounded. I become bogged down with details and can’t see the whole picture. But, Matt has the uncanny ability to step back and conduct circumstances in a symphony-like manner. He is a natural leader, teacher and planner. It’s amazing how God created men and women with uniquely different traits to complement one another. It can be tempting to see those differences as barriers rather than complementary and helpful to the growth of the other. But, when we put it in God’s hands, we start to see God’s plan for marriage; a harmonious union which He planned from the beginning.

With Matt Gone

Well, it’s been a little over two weeks since Matt has been gone. He’s out of town with his job and due to come home Sunday. I am so excited. I’ve tried to “Hope and Stay busy” (Abba May Alcott) in hopes the time would go by unnoticed. Fat chance. I miss him like he was an appendage. But, I got to catch up with the “fam”. I visited my family for a few days with the pups at my side. That trip was interesting. Before I could get out of the city limits, Roxy vomited exorcist-style about 7 times, in the span of ten minutes, all over the front seat of my car. Thank God I had a towel under her, which caught most of the mess. I decided it was best to turn around and head home. The stench was just horrendous! Being pregnant and easily nauseated didn’t help either. I was lucky to make it back to the casa, without upchucking myself. I learned later that day, after a trip to the vet and a pretty penny, that Roxy had Hookworms. These nasty little buggers attach themselves with teeth-like structures to the inside of the animal’s intestines and feed on its blood. She was treated that day and started feeling better. We headed to visit my family the following day, with better results.

While I was there, my family gave me a surprise baby shower! It was unexpected and super fun. My sister also gave me a ton of things for the baby, which will help out a great deal! When she said she was putting some things aside for me the past few years, she wasn’t kidding! So glad I had some guidance in that realm. I felt completely lost on the subject of baby equipment. I even asked a young mother in Babies R US what the difference was between a crib, a bassinet and a pack and play, and why all three were needed. I felt really dumb asking. But, who knows this type of stuff, anyway? Unless you have children, of course. But, there’s always that initial feeling like you should know something, but don’t when you enter a new arena. And believe me, this baby thing is definitely a new adventure for me and Matt, one which we plan to fully embrace.

Matt’s last trip was extremely difficult for me. This time has been much easier. I’ve found the more I rely on God and draw closer to Him, the less anxiety I feel about everyday problems. God amazes me everyday with His faithfulness to keep His promises to me, even when I am not a “model” child. What an incredible adoptive father! The amazing thing is- As much as I don’t deserve it or even appreciate it at times, He chose to pass down His rich heritage. It’s so awesome to know that even if we don’t know or embrace our earthly lineage, we can have confidence in our heavenly one, which is one of royalty. The older I get the more God reveals the truth in His Word. It’s just more real to me now than it was as a child, or even five years ago, for that matter. I have so much for which to be grateful. Well, thanks for your support and love. We pray God guide your lives and blessings of God reign down in your life. Until next time…

23 WEEKS

Well, I am officially a BIG girl now, huh? I have gained about 17 pounds in all. I went to 100% maternity clothes four weeks ago. It's been a crazy past month with all the weight gain and travel. We took a trip to scout out new houses and meet the people Mat will be working with. After much looking and prayer, God led us to a great house, for which we are now under contract. Praise God! Looking at houses in 109 degree temperature is in no way fun. The good thing is that I am very mobile, very active and don't feel weighted down (yet). This past week, I had a bout of HORRIBLE heartburn and reflux of acid, like I've never felt before. Some ginger root pills helped out tremendously. Wish I would have tried it in my first trimester.

These images are from our 20 week sonogram. I have a nickname for the picture on the left. But, Matt doesn't like it as much as me, so I'll refrain.

I think the second one looks like me when I do yoga :-) These are the first pictures in which you can see the baby's bones. They are hard now. Which brings to mind our newest little pregnancy gift---feeling the baby move inside my tummy... What an incredible feeling. It is one which I can never fully describe. Let's just say that I could sit for hours and watch our little one do cartwheels in my belly. It's so cool. At first, I'll admit, it was weird. Now, it's 100% awesome!

Matt has felt him move several times now. He is just as amazed as I am. Maybe more.

This last one is a picture of his face. I think his nose got a bit smashed down for the shot :-) But, he's still cute as ever! He moved so much during the sonogram, the nurse had problems getting him to be still long enough to get a clear still shot.

Well, I had to do some work the past few weeks that kept me from updating this blog. We are so grateful for our friends and family. Thanks for your prayers. We pray God will bless you and keep you safe till we meet again. chy and matt

We're Going to Have a Son

Praise God! We finally had the sonogram done today, which showed a little boy! It was such an awesome experience. Whew! Was my bladder sore after an hour of prodding. The baby kept moving the entire hour. It's funny because I have been able to feel him move for the past two weeks. I just wasn't 100% sure that's what I was feeling. You'd think it'd be clear as day that the baby is kicking. But, at 5 months, he's still so small that the movement is also small scale. But, now I am certain what it is.

Wow, I feel so blessed that God's entrusted me to carry this child. It'san incredible feeling to know I am being used as a vessel, literally. I must apologize for not having the sonogram pictures to post. I am out of town and I let them at the casa. I promise to post them as soon as we get back, around the 20th or so.

Okay, second big news story: After serious prayer and seeking God's direction in a job search, Matt has taken a federal law enforcement job. It will be close to family and it really is the perfect job for him. The last thing we want to do is think about another move, since we just moved four months ago. But, this next move will be our last for a loooooooong time (God willing). We'll finally be able to settle down and more importantly raise our son in one location. We are incredibly thrilled! Thanks to all of you who prayed for us in the past few months. We have felt God's presence and comfort during our times of uncertainty. We're very grateful for supportive family and friends like you! Stay tuned....

Truckin' Along at 18 Weeks

Hey everyone!!! It's been a while, I know : -( I was hoping to be able to write you with the gender of our baby by now. But, the sonogram was not done, like we thought it would be, at the last appointment. The 20 week sonogram (where you can tell the gender) is scheduled for July 9th. So, I promise to keep you posted. I was very disappointed to learn we'd have to wait because we are so very excited to learn more about our little impending progeny! Whatever God blesses us with will be just fine.



Matt and I are doing well. Matt is busy with work and the pregnancy has kept me pretty busy myself. I am thrilled to report my nausea is now gone. Unfortunately, it's been replaced with sore feet and an achy back. But, Praise God! I can't complain, really. We are so grateful to be where we are in life right now. God is good.... all the time! We have been been blessed to be involved in an incredible couples group through our church. We meet on Thursday nights in a member's house and share God's Word, along with the Christian fellowship Matt and I so desperately desire. With the amount of town hopping Matt and I do, we don't often get the chance to build ties like we want. It's the closest connection we've had with other Christian couples and it's been a tremendous blessing to us both.

Well, God's been using this time in my life to develop me spiritually. I am currently reading, "Sacred Marriage" by Gary Thomas. The premise of the book is, "What if God designed marriage to make us holy MORE than to make us happy?" It reveals marriage for what it is-a lesson in self-sacrifice. It will most certainly be added to our list of recommended books (See at the bottom of our blog).

Week 15 of The Pregnancy

It's week 15 and I weigh the same as I did pre-pregnancy. Since week 6, I have have had extreme heartburn, mild but constant nausea and various other minor aches and pains. This has caused about 80% of my diet to be low-fat cereals, crackers and raw fruits and vegetables. However, this week has been amazing! I have been able to eat normal food for for the first time in over two months. Praise God! I had begun to worry about the lack of weight gain, as I am nearing the four month marker, even though the doctor said the baby's growth was normal and that all was okay. Of course, I still worry.

As many of you know, Matt and I have a terrible traveling bone. This has been hampered somewhat of late. We've tried to stay local. Mostly within the confines of our apartment, which seems to be getting smaller with each passing day! But, this week was the beginning of something wonderful. Wednesday, I woke up with so much energy I couldn't help but work out (well, a watered down version of one, anyway). The past few months, the off and on queasiness and tired feeling have kept me from being my normal active self for this time of year. So, I plan to get out more and stay as active as I can.

I felt so good this weekend, I asked Matt to take me to Austin. It was a blast! We discovered a small swimming hole at McKinney Falls State Park and gave Roxy her first taste of swimming. We decided she's a big wuss in the water and on the trails. We've considered getting one of those baby carrier thingies Matt can carry her on his chest with when she gets tired. Cuz when she's had enough, she just lays down in protest. She did all right I guess. But, nothing like Fudge. Fudge took to the water, the trails and the outdoors, in general, like a professional trail dog (if there is such a thing). She's starting to show her age a bit lately, but still jumps at the chance to do a little hiking with us.

We went to my favorite place to eat in Austin, Shady Grove. It is an awesome outdoor eating experience. We spent the evening relaxing, eating some light, healthy fare and studying the wildlife, which consisted mainly of hippies at the joint! Afterward, we went to Amy's Ice Cream and had Vanilla, Reece's and banana mix (called the Elvis) cone. We both loved it. At Amy's making an ice cream cone is quite a show. They throw the ice cream scoops in the air. It's similar to a Japanese steak house where they prepare the food before you. We ended the night with a stroll on Lamar Street Bridge and a late night visit to the capitol grounds. We sat on the grass in true hippie fashion and enjoyed the cool evening weather. Austin's such an incredible place.