New Members of the Freedom Team

Just this past Thursday, Freedom announced it's newest members - the Pyle Family - Gabe and Krista, Ava, Karsyn & Blakeley! We are so excited welcome them into full-time ministry :)

Growing Belly

Kurt & I started measuring my belly at week 23. Of course, Kurt's measurement is smaller than mine :) He's only 32 inches.

23 Weeks - 37 inches
24 Weeks - 38 inches

Pregnancy Changes

It's been so nice not being sick that I've barely noticed some of the other changes that have started to happen. For one, I'm getting swollen ankles almost every afternoon. I realize that I'm eating too much sodium & not drinking enough water. I've been doing my best lately to keep my feet up & constantly be drinking. Another thing I noticed is that I've started to have problems with burping in my throat. It's the weirdest thing! I mentioned it to Kurt the other day, & he diagnosed me with acid reflux. Of course, it all makes sense now, but it happens all the time. I just told Kim today, & her response was that it's because the babies have lots of hair. How gross!! We had a good laugh :) However, I'm going to forever think of that each time I burp from my throat... not cool.

Fourth Appointment

We made it to yet another appointment. Nothing interesting happened. Everything was normal, & we are grateful for that :)

Weight - 131 lbs

Next appointment we have an ultrasound & some blood work scheduled.

It's Beginning to look like a School!

The main entry way from the inside.

Our first poured classroom floor.

The front of the school.

What you see when you pull into our property.

The school from the back side.

We're Having Twin Boys!!

Kurt & I knew that some day we wanted to be parents. However, it always was something of the future until about a year ago. We decided that we weren't getting any younger & that there is no "perfect" timing to have kids. So started the never-ending process...

After several months of researching & deliberating, we decided that we would have our baby here in the Dominican Republic. We found a doctor in the capital that we felt comfortable with & purchased Dominican insurance for me. Four months later, I was pregnant. No surprise there :)

I went to my first appointment on November 27th. Kurt & I weren't sure exactly what to expect, but everything went really well. The doctor said that I'm healthy & scheduled me for an ultrasound & blood work. Some of you already know what follows, but I'll share for those who haven't heard.

I actually went to the ultrasound by myself because of time restraints, & Kurt was busy with a group. Of course I could walk you through that whole appointment, but I'll spare you all the details :) However, I will share one thing that stuck out the most. As I walked into the room & saw the ultrasound machine, I thought to myself, "This should be fun to see what the picture shows. Too bad Kurt isn't here to see it." Next thing I know, I'm hearing the technician say, "Well, that's interesting." My initial thought was that I'm not really pregnant. Little did I know it was quite the opposite. Instead, he says, "There's two." Definitely a surprise! I was completely shocked. Never in my wildest dreams had I thought of having twins. I even clearly remember talking to Pam, another missionary with Freedom, about how I wouldn't have twins. Silly me, I forgot that nothing is impossible with God :)

I went home to tell Kurt the exciting, yet very strange news, and his reaction was disbelief. The first words out of his mouth were, "That's not funny. Don't joke about something like that." (Yep, this is how prepared we were to have twins - not at all.) However, after a little more convincing he was just dumbfounded.

No matter how much of a surprise it was finding out we were not going to have the standard 1 baby, we are both very excited to have two little boys come June 2014.

How Time Flies

I just realized that I haven't written on our blog since November, Yikes! Everyone is probably thinking that nothing important has happened over the last few months. Funny thing is, SO MUCH has happened & that's probably why I haven't written!!

Well, now is as good a time as any to update everyone with all the amazing things God has done in our lives.