Check-up and Thanksgiving Blessings

Tony and I went in to the female doctor Friday afternoon and I did a lot of blood work and a few other tests'. We have not heard back from those yet, but trust everything is okay. I have been having a LOT of morning sickness throughout the day and continually tired with some mild cramping, but I am so THANKFUL for this opportunity. God has truly blessed us and we are so thankful for family and new beginnings this Thanksgiving holiday season. I bought the book "What to Expect When You are Expecting" and look forward to reading that in the coming weeks. A few nights ago we got two "onesies" for our baby. We got one that says "My First Christmas" with a cute stocking on it that could be for a boy or girl and another one that talks about Santa and grandparents. It was really cute too. I wonder how many outfits we will have by the time he/she comes into this world! As of last Friday, our little bundle of joy is due July 6, 2008! We will have our first ultrasound where we get to see our baby and hear his/her heartbeat December 8th. Please keep us in your prayers during these last few weeks of the crucial first trimester. I hope that everyone will enjoy their time with family and friends during this Thanksgiving week. Let us all pause for a moment in the hussle and bustle, to remember all the gifts that God has given to each of us. We take so much for granted. God bless you all and Happy Thanksgiving.

Tony and Amy "plus one"

Wow is the first word that comes to my mind as I am starting this blog today. Just yesterday Tony and I were going about our day to day hectic lives and thinking that it was not our time to conceive a child naturally and we were having our hopes set on adopting in the near future. To my GREAT surprise, I decided that I would need to take the two dreaded preggo tests' to see if indeed it was negative, like it has been other times. I just said a prayer and asked God to give us the comfort that we needed in going through the tests' yet again. Much to my surprise the white and purple "Equate/trusty Wal-Mart brand" test said positive. Tony had just gotten into the bed and I went in there and said "You will not be able to comprehend this but it is positive. We both were shaking all over and I was crying because I was really deep down scared it was a misread. So about 30 minutes later I went back to the bathroom and tried the second one. Positive AGAIN! Well, we thought that we may really be pregnant this time, but were still of the mindset that the home pregnancy tests' may or may not be truly accurate. I could not sleep at all, but for 2 and a half hours. But this morning we went to Well-Quest, the most awesome clinic in NW Arkansas and Misty the Nurse Practitioner asked me my symptoms and said I definitely needed to take a test. I was so scared as I went into their laboratory restroom, but luckily the test was finished and the waiting began. We waited, and we waited, and we waited for her to come back in the room and indeed she did. She had the test in a ziploc bag for us and had a huge smile and said "Congratulations, you are going to be a mom and dad". We all cried together in total awe of the surprise that had literally struck us speechless. Tony and I were just, and still are truly amazed. I had all the symptoms, but thought I would not be able to conceive a child because of the PCOS. Well, then the fun began! First, we drove to Tony's work and dropped him off for the day and I then got into the driver's seat (sorry so much detail) and called Pastor Erik, my dear pastor that just recently accepted a call in Nebraska. I just needed to tell him first. He was so excited for us and it was just great to get to hear his voice and chat for a bit. Then, I got to go into the office and tell my best friend Lesley and other co-worker friends and they were all truly shocked and excited. The next fun part came when I called my other best friend Meredith and she was substituting so had to be so quiet. It was so fun to hear her though because she was literally shrieking into the telephone, but had to be quiet so she wouldn't get in trouble. She was so happy, and is so happy. Speaking of Mer and Russell, they have a new puppy that is a precious addition to their family as well! Well, here I sit still in awe of the many, MANY blessings God has given to Tony and I. We will get the true joy of calling my parents and calling his family members. I already got teary knowing that Tony will not get to verbally or physically tell his parents that he is going to be a father, and a wonderful one at that, but we have the confidence that they are in Heaven with our true Father and watching after us, and I'm sure that they are truly watching over us now, and are so happy for us and our new little one. I have a fun way of telling my parents. My dad is picking up a package at Family Christian Stores this evening I called him about and I told him that it is a "gift for someone" and not to open it until I told them where it needed to go. So, when Tony gets off work and comes over here to the church for choir we are going to call them as they open the package that will be a Willow Tree Grandmother and Grandfather and then I found the most awesome book called "For this Child I Prayed". I know that will be a memorable moment. We just ask for your prayers for a healthy child and that everything goes smoothly. I am due in early July (which will be around my birthday, my mom's b-day, our anniversary and my grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary). I am going to the OBGYN Friday afternoon for my first appointment. The dr. at Wellquest thinks I am 6-8 weeks along already! God is awesome! Keep checking the blog every day for updates, pictures of our going on's, etc. Blessings to you all! Tony and Amy :)