2 Corinthians 12:10 says...

"Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong." This has always been my favorite verse, but it seems as though I've had a hard time remembering what it says these past couple of weeks. They have been weeks of tests, papers, homework, work, youth group, special events, and sickness. They've been those kind of weeks during which you constantly tell yourself, "after this week, things can only get better." It seems that I have the hardest time spending time with God during those kind of weeks, though it is then that I need God the most...I know, how ironic.

I wish that I had more time to write, but...ahem...the week isn't over yet, and I'm still on the run. Aaron and I are doing well, despite the pressure of school, work, and life in general. We ask (as always) for your continued prayer. I hope to write again soon and give everyone an update on Baby McDonald. He/she is almost 12 weeks old now, and continues to grow at a rapid rate. We have our next ultrasound next Wednesday, after which I hope to write that exciting update :).

I see you...

Last Wednesday, February 9th, Aaron and I took a trip to our local Open Arms center and had our first ultrasound. I've had an ultrasound before (it was discovered last year that I have an ovarian cyst) but this experience was quite different. They took multiple pictures (I'll post some soon) in which the little being, his umbilical cord, and his living space were visible. We were also able to see our child's first movements as "it" wiggled. It was incredible to see the tiny human being growing inside of me.

After taking pictures, the doctor did a head-rump measurement, which determined that the baby was around 9 weeks old (about 10 now). We were also given a new, more accurate due date of September 13.

Aaron and I ask that you continue to keep us in your prayers. My morning sickness (aka all day sickness) has continued and even worsened over the past week, and eating has become quite the chore. Peppermints, which are said to calm the stomach, have become my constant companion, and it is rare to see me without one in my mouth. I constantly worry about the health of the baby (it's starting already!), especially since I am having a hard time eating. Aaron is doing a wonderful job keeping me as comfortable as possible. He's constantly running to the kitchen to keep me well stocked with drinks and food (when desired), and running to the bathroom when I need comfort as I empty all that he has stocked. We are obviously all in need of your continued prayer, and thank you all for your prayerful support thus far.

The technical stuff...

Since my last post was more of a "formal" announcement, I thought it would be nice to let everyone in on the more "technical" side of our pregnancy. When we became quite sure that we were pregnant, we made a trip to Open Arms, a Christian crisis pregnancy center in Columbia, MO. Doctorless and stuck with insurance that doesn't cover pregnancy, it seemed like our best option. While there, we worked with Julie Koffarnus, my boss's daughter-in-law. She was great! She gave me a test confirming my pregnancy, and walked us through our insurance/doctor options. She also told us more about the things that Open Arms offers, such as free ultrasounds for the first 13 weeks, and free parenting classes, where you can earn "baby bucks" while you learn (as much as this sounds like a commercial, read more about this awesome program on their website, http://www.openarmscpc.org/EWYL.html). Julie also told us that the estimated arrival date of our baby is September 23, 2005. We will know a more precise date when we have our first ultrasound done, which we hope to do on Monday.

Aaron and I have already begun to rearrange our house a bit to make room for baby McDonald. I figure it's easier to work around my sickness now than it will be to work around a big tummy later, so I'm getting as much work done as possible. We're also doing what we can to make preparations financially, mentally, and spiritually. Aaron and I ask that you keep us in your prayers and we go through little changes in preparation for a big change. Please also pray for my health and the health of our baby. And last, but far from least, please pray for Aaron as he does his best to make me comfortable and keep me in good spirits.