The Worst Doctor's Visit Yet!

Today I had my routine appt., unfortunately I knew from the beginning this wasn't going to be all that pleasant. As you already know, even though Brandon was kind enough to have his blood tested he was RH+ which meant a Rhogam shot for me. : ( Let me start from the beginning.

When I got there this morning I had to tell them I was taking a gluco (blood sugar) test today and they needed to give me the stuff to drink. This stuff was an 8oz. glass of lime-flavored syrup. It actually wasn't all that bad to drink but it was VERY sweet. Upon the completion of the drink I began feeling a little light headed and nauseous. After a few minutes we were called back to the room.

There I spent most of my time lying down concentrating on keeping everything in my stomach. This lovely feeling was accompanied by hot flashes and the knowledge I still had a Rhogam shot on the way. After visiting with the midwife she gave me the shot. Although the shot wasn't pleasant she did a very good job giving it and Brandon gave me plenty of support. So, I made it through the regular visit - still not feeling well we headed to the lab for the blood work to be done to complete the sugar test.

When I was called back I assured Brandon I would be fine and he could just wait in the waiting room. Reluctantly he agreed. The Lady who drew my blood did a great job with the stick but didn't seem to be much of a people person. Upon entering the room I informed her of my nauseous/light headed state. She didn't say anything. As soon as she poked me and took the blood, my level of discomfort quickly elevated. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on breathing. She finished her thing and turned to the desk to start on paper work. I didn't move. Were finished she said. "Ok, that's great but I'm not leaving yet because I can't get out of this chair without either fainting or getting sick." I thought to myself. Obviously she wasn't too concerned, as she hadn't turned around to even see if I was ok. After another reminder from her that we were finished and no response from me she finally turns around.

"Hey! Are you Ok?" She asked. Now there's a thought, make sure your patient is ok before sending them on their way. Especially the ones that warned you they didn't feel good to begin with!!! Anyways, I informed her I was really nauseous and just needed a moment. Now she is actually acting concerned and gets me some wet paper towels. I asked for a bucket or something because I could feel the probability of me getting sick continue to increase at a rather rapid pace. She hands me the trash can.......from there is was not pretty. But afterward I felt a lot better. :) And the best part of all was I waited until after they drew the blood so the test was still fine. Next time Brandon offers to go with me I think I will accept. He is great! All that to say, I survived the shot and everything with the baby is still looking good.

Today is Jasmine's 1st birthday. We are going to her party tonight and will post on it soon.
Brandon and Rachael

It's Official...

I am sad to announce that I am RH+. Rachael will have to get the shot after all :( The results came in earlier today.

Rachael is having a lot more heartburn recently but she and the baby are still doing fine. Please keep us in your prayers.

More updates to come!

Brandon and Rachael

Birthing Classes / Donated Blood

Rachael and I have just started birthing classes to get ready for the arrival of our daughter (due April 27). Our classes are on Monday nights from 7-9pm at OU Medical Center in Everett Tower (which is where we plan to have the baby). It was pretty fun. We learned a lot of anatomy and some breathing techniques Rachael can use while in labor.

We are also excited about our 4D ultrasound scheduled for February 9th. This picture is not of our baby but is a picture of what a 4D ultrasound looks like (I will post our babies pictures as soon as we have the ultrasound).









Elizabeth is 27 weeks along now! She is about 14.5 inches and weighs about 2 pounds! She can now open and close her eyes and sleeps at normal times. Isn't God's design amazing? Only He could make new life such a miraculous experience!


Because Rachael is RH- blood type, she will have to get a painful shot every time she is pregnant UNLESS I am RH- also. This presented a problem for me because I do not know my blood type. The only way to find out your type for free is to donate blood. I do not like needles and blood but I went down to the blood bank and donated. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be but I still am not sure if I will do it again or not. Sure, I would do it is they issued statements saying they NEEDED blood... but when they just WANT it I think I will pass. :) Anyhow, I will find out my type soon. I'll let you know if I was RH- or not. :)

How do you do with needles, shots and blood?


Brandon and Rachael

Winter Ice Storm 2007

This is our first winter blast of 2007. When we heard the cold weather was coming, we decided to spend our "locked up" time with our families.

First, we went to my parents house. We played games, ate dinner, and drove around (my dad has a 4-wheel drive pickup and loves to play in the ice).



After spending the night by the fire at my parents house, we went to Rachael's house to spend some time with them. We played card games, watched movies, and fellowshipped. We are still out here now. I love ice storms like this where we can all stay home and relax with family.


Jasmine (our niece) is really growing up. She is saying words like "fish" and "hot". She is walking with help and will soon start on her own.







I taught Jasmine how to hold the XBOX 360 controller (picture). She sat with me for a while and we played together (she is a big mover so that was an accomplishment!).


How did you spend your weekend in the ice?

Brandon and Rachael

PS - Granny Tuter is in the hospital. She fractured her pelvic bone. Please pray that the Lord would heal her and that she would recover quickly. Thank you for your prayers.

CBI Reward Party!

We recently had a reward time for the children that were in Rachael and my group in CBI. The children memorized large passages of scripture, did daily devotions, learned the books of the Bible and more! To reward them for their efforts, we had a party at the church with pizza, games, scavenger hunts and more!

Grace and Rebekah finished all of the assigned task. They got matching T-Shirts from Mardel as a reward for their outstanding effort.

Rachael did most of the prep work to make it all happen. All the kids looked forward to the day with great anticipation and were not disappointed! Everyone that I talked with afterwards said they loved it!

I had a pretty good time myself. One of the most fun things we did was play statues at the end of the day (we are being Jesus, Mary and a donkey in this picture). It was a lot of fun and the kids deserved it.

Way to go CBI KIDS!

Brandon and Rachael

New Years Day Tradition

One of my favorite traditions with Rachael and I's families is the new years day get together we have each year.





We went to the river by the Tuter's house and shoot some guns. I enjoy shooting about 1-4 times a year.


Jonathan brought his shotgun. He loves to hunt and is a big time outdoorsman (at least compared to me he is). I was able to beat his known record of skeet shooting! He has shot 10 in a row and I shot 14! It was a lot of fun to beat him at his own game :) Next time he goes, he will keep track and probably beat me. It is nice to be on top for now though.







Dad taught Justin how to shoot a handgun while we were at the river.








We played lots of games at the house before watching the OU vs. Boise State game. Rachael nearly always wins every game we play out in Tuterville (she denies it but I say it's true).





While we were there, Smalls burnt $1200 worth of old, out dated school books. I wore the wireless headset to the TV and went out to keep him company. We had fun talking and listening to the game.




We enjoyed our time with our families and look forward to next years annual get together.


How did you spend new years day?

Brandon and Rachael

Land Ho! A New Adventure...

Rachael and I are looking for some property to move out onto. Our long term goal includes living on a few acres (4+) that we have a home on, a ministry house on (a small house we can use for ministry to others), and room for family to move out with us (parents, children, etc.).


We are targeting land east of OKC off I-40 or I-240. My dad went out to look at some off Anderson Road with us. We were walking through a field, he found some barbwire and ripped his jeans!

As we look for land, we are praying that God would show us His will. We desire to raise our family at a place that we feel safe and can serve the Lord for a long time. Would you pray that God would open doors to find the right place?


Brandon and Rachael

PS - Rachael and Elizabeth are doing great! We are all counting the days!

Happy New Year! (married one year)

Happy New Year (2007)! This marks one year since Rachael and I were married. We celebrated the new year together downtown last night.



At about 7:00pm, we went to buy tickets for the 8:15pm showing of "Night at the Museam" at Crossroads Regal. Then we went to Santa Fe to eat. It took to long to get our food so we went to the movie and skipped dinner. The movie was fun and we had a great time.



Then we stopped at Sonic to make up for dinner on our way downtown. Once we got downtown, we drove around and saw the New Year's ball, the Sheridan (where we stayed on our wedding night last year), and the Christmas lights.




Then we parked at Bass Pro and sat in the car waiting on the fireworks. We had a slice of our wedding cake from last year (which acctually saved very well) and a glass of sparkling grape drink (non alchoholic of course).




The fireworks were great and we enjoyed seeing the year 2007 in together.






How did you celebrate the new year?

Brandon and Rachael