12 Weeks and Counting!

So we have finally made it past 12 weeks! We had our 12 week ultrasound on Wednesday and everything looks great. The baby was wiggling around so much that the doctor actually started laughing as he pleaded for him/her to be still so that he could get a measurement. At 12 weeks, they do a Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan to assess whether or not the baby is likely to have Down's Syndrome, and our baby passed the test with flying colors.

Michael was most surprised to see a formed hand, with fingers waving at us! While I was most surprised to see that the baby had flipped around since our last scan. I guess it is just strange to have something inside of you tumbling around, yet you can't feel it.

After our ultrasound, we went to dinner and then walked through the mall. I told Michael that I wanted to buy something for the baby. Of course those of you who know us well would not be surprised to hear that we bought a cradle! Of course it was on sale and a really could deal. So let the buying frenzy begin!

It's A...

...Boy or a Girl!!!If you haven't heard by now, Michael and I are expecting a baby on November 24!
We are almost 11 weeks and last week we were able to see our baby moving around, flailing his/her arms (Michael said, "Look, 'he's' a lefty!") and were able to see and hear a strong beating heart. I cannot even begin to thank those of you who have supported us through this difficult time. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful friends praying for our miracle.

So I guess this means Macey will now have to share the spotlight on the blog! She and Michael are wishin' for a rambunctious boy. While I am hopin' for a precious little girl! Mostly we are praying for a healthy baby!

It's Raining! It's...

Pouring would be a HUGE overstatement! We had some drops of rain yesterday and today!!! What a surprise to all! Everyone was calling and texting each other to make sure they got a quick glimpse! By the time I got my camera, it was already dried up!!! lol

I have caught some slack for not updating lately, but since I have been working that seems to be all of our excitement! We wake up, go to work, come home, eat dinner, then go to bed and do it all again! Maybe I can get Macey to come up with some posts for you!

Right now we are counting down, eagerly awaiting our summer trip home!

First Catholic Church Opens in Doha

Last Saturday, the Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary opened in Doha. The Rites of Consecration was conducted over about a 5 hour mass and there were thousands and thousands of members in attendance!

I know some of you are wondering how this is the first church when there have been Catholic masses going on for some time. I guess the location of the masses was not considered a church but more of a place to worship. The Emir (ruler of Qatar) donated the land to any religion wanting to build their religious institution. So far the Catholic Church appears to be the only one.

So my friend, Lucy, and her kids and I met at the church for The Rites of Consecration. First of all the church is in the middle of nowhere, dust and dirt as far as the eye can see! There were people coming from everywhere, by foot, car and bus! It was amazing. There were a large amount of security, police officers, special forces, and metal detectors. I got there an hour early and there was not a seat to be found. I found us a spot right by the door, you can never be too safe! It was truly something, at some point they stopped letting people into the church yet broadcasted the mass outside. To be honest we probably would have been better off out there. We couldn't see anything and had to struggle just to hear.

After about 3.5 hours, I left as I had a million and one things to do now that I am teaching. Lucy stayed until the end and the traffic to get out once mass was over was a nightmare.

We are looking forward to going to church more often! ;-)))

Working 9-5

That is right, I am back to working once again. The school had a teacher resign and so I will be filling in for the remainder of the year. So posts may seem a bit infrequent!

Texas A & M in Qatar?

You all know that we have been here a year, but it is a bit strange for me to watch the blog repeat itself!









We went to the Texas A & M Boot Scoot last weekend! I know you aren't going to believe this but this event sold out in like 10 minutes! We were so lucky to have some wonderful friends who included us at their table!

Of course, it was a lot of fun. Mexican buffet, and two steppin'...can't get much better! The most noticeable difference between last year and this year was that we knew so many more people! Last year we still had that deer in the headlights look to us! ;-)

BTW-Lucy, I know you are going to kill me for including the picture of us with you looking a mess, but I love it!

So We're No Picasso

Well we have finally finished painting. I know that some of you may wonder why we just didn't pay someone to come and paint for us. Now come on, that would have been the easy thing to do! Michael and I LOVE doing these little projects together! Luckily for both of us, the rest of the painting in the villa will require the use of very tall ladders...so looks like we are done for now!
Okay, well we still need to hang some pictures and drapes! We are almost done!

Remember that our villa was fully furnished. So while the paint does help things seem a bit more Western, there will always be an Arabic sense to it! ;-)