Drama Queen...

Ok you guys! This baby is going to be traumatized if it's a boy with all your drama queen comments!!! Just remember this when I have a dramatic boy in April!

Really, we won't know what we're having for another 6 weeks, but I've been thinking that it was a boy all this time. It just feels like a boy, but we'll see! I've heard first-time moms are horrible at predicting!

We have a baby in there!

I went to the doctor on Thursday and heard the heartbeat! It was amazing, and it was in the 160s. I still don't feel great, but I'm starting to show a little bit and my clothes are tight. When I wear a dress, you can really tell!

Anyway, on Friday morning I went back for a triple screening and ultrasound. Justin wasn't able to come with me on Thursday to hear the heartbeat, but he was able to come on Friday. However, because the ultrasound was a "test", he couldn't join me in the room. I've uploaded some pictures, but they don't really do what I saw justice. I saw fingers and toes, witnessed a hiccup (though I still can't feel the baby move) and saw the profile of our baby. It was wonderful and, yes, I cried through most of the time that I could see the screen. The technician was excellent and showed me so much! I was sad that Justin missed it, but glad that I have pictures.

Right now, the baby has arms, hands, feet, a profile that you can see clearly and a big belly! So, I don't think I can call it a Lima Bean anymore 'cause it's a real baby in there! The pics below show that the baby has it's left hand draped over the forehead, and another picture shows it's legs are crossed at the ankles, but it wasn't clear so I didn't upload that one. Enjoy, and let us know what you think!!!

We've got power!

A quick update:

My school was cancelled all week, so we stayed with Justin's parents thorugh Tuesday night and made the long journey home in Justin's new truck (see below) to discover that our house still didn't have power. My school doesn't have power as of today, but we're slated to start school again on Monday.

Manly, huh?

We're blessed to have friends that live near the front of our development that let us come eat and hang out at their house since they got power on Sunday. Thanks to Melissa, Neal and Abbie for letting us invade!

Well, who would have thought that one could be SO HAPPY to have such a simple thing as electricity? Our power came back on at 8:00 pm last night, and I was so happy! I washed all the shelves in my fridge and went bee-bopping through the aisles of a far away Wal-Mart that is stocked with wonderful goodies, like milk, cheese, eggs and meat! I have to say that we're blessed beyond belief that our house is intact, but it's so nice to have power.

Other than that, I caught a few pictures of some of the weird things that happen during a hurricane. Here are three for your viewing pleasure.

1) I don't know if you can see it very well, but that Outback sign is precariously perched on it's original stand. The Outback was open, and there were people standing below this sign!!! I couldn't believe it. I would have been so nervous!

2) It's far in the background (although that sign is supposed to have something in it), but you can see that four sections of Reliant Stadium were ripped off the top of this monstrosity. What else is there to say? It's just plain weird!

3) Finally, this is on our street. Our fence is leaning a little bit, but these people certainly took the brunt of the fence destruction.

Our neigborhood has a lot of trees down, but most of us got power at the same time last night. There is a lot of fixing up that has to take place, but many people didn't have to go to work this week and have been home, fixing up and camping out. Overall, I praise God that we're safe, that our house has no damage and that He's provided wonderful weather to make this week so much more than tolerable. It's been fun to see how people come through times like this, and we've definitely seen the best in so many of our friends!

Philippians 4:19 states: "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. " We have definitely seen God abundantly supplying our needs, and even giving us our desires. Praise God for His mercy and His lavish love.

We're

Thanks so much to all of you who have called, sent text messages and emails to see if we're safe. We did arrive at my parents' house safe and sound. Justin had to go back for a shift (don't worry, he's essential medical personnel so he didn't get pulled over because of the curfew) and we're going to meet in Abilene tomorrow to get him a new truck. Did we tell you his car woes? Well, if you don't know, we'll save you the sob story, but we're getting him a new car! A truck, to be exact! My school was cancelled Monday and Tuesday so we're using the time to go get his truck from a dealership in Ballinger, where his parents live. He's getting a new black 2008 GMC Sierra crew cab (he's got to have a door to put Beanie in his/her seat). We're really excited, but please pray that we'll have a safe trip.

Justin was able to spend the night in our house for two nights, but our neighborhood still does not have power. Praise God that there is no damage to our house, just a slightly leaning fence, but Justin says it's REALLY hot there. He's going to try to update his blog from the hospital before his shift ends, as that's the only place he has power to do so.

Other than that, things are really good. I'm feeling good in my air-conditioned parents' house, and we've got plans to see the rest of the family and get a new car! What could be better?

Goodbye Summer and Hurricane Ike

Well, summer seems to be officially over. :( To celebrate the end, Justin and I went to the Texas A&M versus Arkansas game. Although they lost, we did have a great time!

We stayed with Lindsay and Timothy, and we so enjoyed getting to spend time with them. I love what Lindsay has done with her house; it feels so much like a home, and we appreciated their hospitality!

Lots of you have called and emailed wondering about Hurricane Ike. My school is closed tomorrow and Justin will get off work about 7:00 am tomorrow (Friday, September 12), and then we're headed to see my folks in Fort Worth. I can't wait to see them, and hopefully we'll be guaranteed electricity (and we'll get some REALLY good food). Thanks for all your concern. Justin and I talked and can't remember what kind of hurricane insurance we have, so we'd appreciate your prayers for the safety of our house!
I went to Target today to get non-perishable food for our drive tomorrow, and it was boarded up! The city we live in is out of gas, so it's really weird to drive around. There aren't many people that are boarding up their houses, but I couldn't resist taking a picture of Target. Take a peek!


WEIRD, HUH?!?! Anyway, we'll post again when we know more about the weather and let you all know when we get somewhere safe!