Still Moving

So I felt the first movement on April 26th at 10:20am, and I have felt it move every day since then. Sometimes I forget for the first nanosecond that it is a baby moving, and I think "what is that?" Then, oh yes, there is a baby in there! Sometimes the baby hits me so hard that I can actually see it from the outside! But that is only sometimes. And I keep calling Brian over to see, but then nothing happens. So the other night Brian was talking to the baby and kissing my belly where I said the baby was moving. Then he laid his cheek there, and the baby kicked so hard that Brian felt it! Brian was really happy and satisfied that he felt the baby move too.
I'm in my 5th month now and I will find out in about a week and a half when I will get an ultrasound done. Hopefully then we will know if we have a girl or boy!

School is almost over for this semester/year. Brian will be working in June for the first time as a trial basis. They are changing up his program and he might be put on an 11-month contract in the future. This is really good and he is happy about that. I have applied for the full-time biology instructor position at WOSC. I have an interview on May 14th, so we will see what happens! I will be working this summer as adjunct instructor (part-time) teaching two biology classes. I'm looking forward to that.

First Movement!

Today I felt the baby moving for the first time! I felt a poke from the inside that could only be the baby. I felt it a few times today, and I keep waiting to feel it again. Yay!

16 Weeks

Well, I made into the fourth month. I've grown a little where a few people have asked me if I am pregnant. It depends on what clothes I am wearing. At my doctor appointment this week, I showed a 3 pound gain. The nurse said I was on track. Most of my regular pants don't fit me anymore, but there are still a few I can wear. I am still getting sick some mornings but it is not as bad. Sometimes I get really hungry and my stomach growls a lot when I shouldn't be hungry normally. I still have a really bad breakout on my face and I'm hoping it will get better soon. I am going to see my cardiologist for a checkup next month. I have been feeling cold. The doctor said that my heart may be compensating for the baby so I am having poor circulation to the rest of my body. I guess it's all going to the baby! The cardiologist is going to tell me if I need to start taking my medicine again or not. Brian and I got to hear the baby's heartbeat again this week. It sounded a little slower than last time and the doctor said it changes through the months of development.

12 Weeks!

Well, I'm at 12 weeks now. I decided to start taking pictures so all my family can see the "progress." I went to the doctor today. I had a physical, and we listened to the baby's heartbeat. It was really easy to find and the doctor said it was really strong. My blood pressure is good and I gained 3 pounds. Most people cannot tell I'm pregnant yet because I am not really showing. But most of the family can tell, so you guys can see in the picture that I have a little "baby bump!" Most days I feel pretty good, but sometimes I feel nauseous. Sometimes I get sick too. Mostly from brushing my teeth because of the taste of toothpaste. So lately I've been using Barbie bubblegum flavored toothpaste! That helps. Smells really bother me sometimes, too. On to a better subject....I am going to decorate the baby's room with frogs. I found a comforter set already that has frogs on it. It also has a duck, dragonflies, and a "snake" that the duck is looking at (which everyone else says it is a worm, but I say snake OK!). I'm planning on painting the room light green, yellow, and white. Those will be the main colors but I also want to use orange, purple and blue too. I know that sounds weird, but it'll be pretty. I won't be decorating until this summer though.

Christmas pics

Here's the pics I promised! Henry and Emma liked Aunt Lisa's snuggly blanket! Mom, Jenny, and I had a girl's day out while Jason, Dad, and Brian helped the kids put together a gingerbread house. They really enjoyed that. I have lots of pics of them opening presents but here's one that has both in the same pic. Of course they had a great time opening presents. Brian and I had a great Christmas spending time with our family! We love you guys.

News

I am teaching classes again this spring semester at WOSC. I will be teaching Biology and Medical Terminology. I enjoyed last semester. We had a great holiday break. We went to Jason's house for Christmas. We had a good time with Jason, Jenny, Henry, Emma, and my parents. I will put up some pics of our trip soon. After this we went to Nanny and Pa's (Brian's grandparents) in Checotah. We had a good time there too. That's what's new for now and I'll try to put up some pics soon. I hope all of you had good holidays!

God is Amazing!!!

Brian's friend/student was healed yesterday of a back injury that he has had for several years! (He is about the same age as Brian.) I met Paul last Sunday. He was walking very slowly, hunched over, and using a cane. He is taking Brian's class because he cannot work for the military anymore, or is on hold, or however that works. The doctors said he was not going to get better and he was on several medications. Yesterday morning he was praying at the altar and someone took his hand and asked him if he wanted to be healed. He said yes, felt tingling, and began walking with the man leaning on him. He said he realized there was no more pain and he started walking on his own! Then he started running around the church! He goes to another church, so we did not see this happen, but we went to church with him and his wife that night. It was so amazing to see him standing tall and walking around. He wasn't sitting in a special chair or using a cane. His medications and MRI's were at the altar. I am in awe of what God did. But should I be surprised that the same God who can forgive my sins and save my soul can also heal a lame man?
Praise God!!!

Heather and Nick

I don't think I ever put up pics of Heather and Nick for their engagement. Well, even if I did here are some more. These are some of the pics I took for Heather and Nick. We went to the Quartz Mountain State Park. The wedding was on July 14th. We had a good time and most importantly, Nick and Heather had a good time. I took some pics of decorations before the wedding but none during the wedding. So when I get some wedding pics I will put some up.
Congratulations Heather and Nick!!

What's new...

I will be a part-time (adjunct) instructor for Western Oklahoma State College (WOSC) for this Fall. I will be teaching 2 biology, 1 anatomy, and 1 medical terminology class. This will be on Tues. and Thurs. The med terminology class is online so I guess that is almost a daily thing with checking messages and opening/closing assignments and grading.
I got a call from the public library and they offered me a teaching job for adult education classes. It focuses on reading, writing, and arithmetic. I am supposed to meet with the supervisor and another instructor either today or tomorrow. Then I will decide if I want to do that. It is only part-time so I could teach at WOSC and for the library if I wanted to.
Well, what else is new? We have to get our A/C unit replaced. It will be done next week. The unit is rusted out on the bottom and leaking bad, which I guess it had been for a while but we didn't know. Also there are several things that are not "up to code" and will be fixed.
Brian's classes start next week and he's looking forward to it. Mine will start the day after his.
Brian's dad, Alan, was diagnosed with diabetes a few weeks ago. So he is on two types of medicines now. He has been doing well with trying to eat better and exercise more. I'm really glad he went to the doctor because Brian and I had been trying to get him to for at least a year now. We are trying to eat better as well. Actually I don't know if I'm more worried than Brian but I don't want either of us to get diabetes since it is both our families. Brian's BMI shows that he's overweight. He needs to lose about 30 pounds to be at a good BMI. I want us to join a gym together but Brian is dragging his feet. In another week I think I will just join by myself.
Well, I know I'm rambling on so I'll stop now.

I did it!

Yay!! I got through my thesis defense/oral presentation!! It went well and a big weight is off my shoulders. Thank you to all my family and friends for supporting me!

On my way to graduation!

Well, guys, I am finally on my way to graduating! I know it's about time, but it's going to happen! I turned in my thesis rough draft last week. I am working on some changes now and I turn it back in on the 20th. My thesis defense, an oral presentation, is on July 17th. Then the official graduation date is August 8th, but there is no ceremony. If I want to go, I have to attend in December. I'm not going to do that. Soon you will call me Master.....mu ha ha ha!

Finally updated!

Hey family!! Sorry it took me so long just to get the Christmas pics up! (Check out the "Montvale Hotel" post I just added along with all the Christmas stuff. It got mixed in between some previous posts, and might be easy to miss.) I've been working hard at school with my research and teaching botany labs. I also started teaching a biology class at the community college in Altus. Then to top it off, I decided to become a PartyLite consultant. What am I thinking!? I guess I thought I wasn't busy enough...Ha! I hope you all enjoy the new pics I put up. Love ya!

Fun in Lakewood

We had a great time in Lakewood with mom and dad. Mom and I went birdwatching. It was cold! We braved the weather as long as possible and saw a few good birds. I didn't get any pictures of birds but I did get a picture of the cool lichens growing on everything!
We also visited the science center. We saw the Dead Sea Scrolls, which was a great experience! We also saw lots of insects, including all kinds of butterflies. Some of the insects were giant plastic ones!! Hee hee....But most of them were real. I got some great pics of butterflies and here's a couple. It was also neat to see the Space Needle lit up at night.
Mom and I had fun at home playing Dance Dance Revolution. It was Mom's Christmas present from Rachel and James. I had so much fun that Brian bought for me when we got home!! I was practically addicted to it for the first couple of weeks. Then I got so busy, I was having withdrawals!!
Brian had a great time working with Dad at the computer store for a few days. He would have gone every day if I let him!
We had such a wonderful time in Washington for Christmas. Thank you so much Mamaw for making it possible. I miss all of you and can't wait to see you the next time!

Christmas in Spokane

Christmas at Mamaw's was so much fun! I think Isabel and Hope enjoyed passing out the presents. It was great staying with Mamaw and getting to spend time with her. (I miss you Mamaw and love you!!!)

Hope's Birthday

We were able to attend Hope's birthday party. I have the two cutest cousins ever! They are so sweet too! It was a blessing for us to be able to spend time with them. We love you and miss you girls! Oh, it was nice to see Uncle Kasey and Aunt Tanya too!!!!

Visit to Henriksen Family

Before leaving for Washington we were able to stop by and visit the twins. They are so cute! We had a fun time reading. Henry and Emma can both repeat the words after I read them. Emma liked to point out the pictures that she already knew the words to, like cake, cookies, present, shoes, and some others. Henry liked to show us how he can dance! They both liked showing us their toys, especially a nativity set and a new table with chairs. And they both liked to share their teddy grahams (cookies) with me.

Christmas in Altus

We had an early Christmas in Altus. Raddy got a new bed from the Chaney's and he is really enjoying it! From the start he knew it was his and he started using it right away.
Grandpa and Grandma Chaney came over. After opening gifts and eating we played games. We had a great time.

Montvale Hotel at Christmas

This hotel was great. The room was large and pleasant-looking. The atrium was great and decorated so nicely for Christmas. I took a picture of the Christmas tree in the center of the atrium. Breakfast was served in a restaurant next door that was connected to the hotel downstairs. Brian really liked this restaurant because of the atmosphere. The brick walls were decorated with hanging tapestries and there was a cozy fireplace. We had a really nice experience.

Holiday Trip

We had a great time in Washington! I have lots of stories and pictures to share so I will be posting them as time allows. This was the best trip that I have had to Washington, and I'm already missing my family so much!
Thank you again, Mamaw, for the wonderful gift of seeing all of you!

Prayer Request

Please pray for my advisor, Dr. Jon Scales and his wife Jennifer. She had a thyroid surgery Friday, and today she was not doing well. I'm sure they are both under a lot of stress right now and not feeling well.