Hopeful Hoopers

I once heard "If going through a storm draws me closer to God, then bring on the rain!" We all go through bad times in life whether it comes in a loss of job, a divorce, or something even worse like cancer or death of a friend or loved one.  No matter how much joy and happiness we experience, we cannot escape the trials of life. I had a patient a couple weeks ago who I was telling him what all his wife needed to have done-- he began to tell me they would just sell their house & live in a tent to afford her dental work, then he went on to say God hates him.  That really struck a nerve to me--all I could do was smile & say well it could be a lot worse. I don't understand  how anyone no matter how bad of a storm they are going through can say that God hates them, after everything he has done for us. There will always be times when it all looks hopeless but that is when we need the Lord the most, whenever we are facing one of life's storms we need to turn to the L...

It's been a while since I have posted anything on my Blog-- having two kids each day passes like a whirl wind. On August 21st, Bradley & I, along side Bro Jon Powell dedicated Owen & Nora Kate to the Lord. We promised to keep them in church and to raise them up knowing the Lord.  This awful temporary home that we call the world won't teach them about God, so we must teach them.  Although Bradley & I fail daily we will always teach our kids to trust in the Lord & to put everything you have in him.  Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 

  It's 4:30 a.m., as I sit here watching Nora Kate sleep I am having a hard time fighting back the tears. Today is my last day of maternity leave before we enter the weekend & reality hits on Monday. Although I am thankful for my job, I would gladly take 9 more weeks of maternity leave!! I never imagined I would have two children, I thought Owen was going to be my one & only- but God had NK planned for us and she is the perfect addition to our family. God has blessed me over the years and continues to bless me daily, but two of my biggest/greatest blessings are the two that call me/will call me momma. It's hard being a mother, there are days where nothing seems to go right. Days where I feel judged for every little thing I do, Days I want to call my mom & tell her I get it now, Days where I am terrified for my children's future, Days where I don't care if I have a social life as long as I'm with my family, Days where I am so exhausted I don't think I...

 It was my last weekend to be pregnant, praise God!! I had went to my last Doctor appointment and was scheduled to be induced at 40 weeks on Tuesday, May 31st. I had talked with my husband a few times about how I have thought about having natural labor with no pain meds, neither him nor I ever thought I could do it. Well Sunday we went to church and went out to eat with some of our church family- we then came home and worked in our pool to get it up and running. Later that night my back begin to hurt. Something told me to get our bag completely packed, so Bradley helped me get everything together. I told Bradley that I wouldn't be surprised if my water didn't break, he asked if I wanted to go to the hospital but since we live an hour away I didn't want to go and it be a false alarm. As the night went on I tossed & turned and finally got out of bed at 1:15 and realized that I may be in labor. Still unsure I called my mom and my mother in law and agreed to go ahead and go...

Music has always been a huge part of Bradley's life, wait- music has always been Bradley's life. Ever since Bradley & I got back together, almost two years ago, Bradley has not played music outside of our home or church. Since Our daughter Nora-Kate will be here in 7 short weeks (or less) I told Bradley if he wanted, he could play music some on the weekends to save some extra money for Maternity leave. Since making the decision for Bradley to play music, I have constantly prayed that this would not be an opportunity for the devil to wreck what we have going.  Last night Bradley played music at a local restaurant- In the past while playing music Bradley would drink too much & stay out way too late & I would wake up the next morning feeling uneasy and questioning the night before. I have always had trust issues and never fully trusted anyone- including Bradley,  especially in an environment where alcohol and music were present.  Bradley was offered alcohol m...

Bradley & I have celebrated a few anniversaries together but today marks a special one. A year ago today Bradley & I got remarried and decided to restart our life together.  I would like to tell you it has been all butterflies and fairy tales but it hasn't. But I can tell you that our life together now is WAY better than any life we had 5 years ago. Today I am praising God for all the good and the bad times Bradley & I have been through-  It's hard to be appreciative when your going through a struggle. I don't remember one time thanking God for our divorce when we were going through it. Although I do remember thanking God for the divorce three months after it was final (when we started rebuilding our friendship/relationship). We wouldn't have made it this far without trusting in the Lord to help us center our marriage around him. Granted we both fail him daily- but that's just how amazing he is, God forgives us!  In the past I wasn't confident that w...

  We were told the week of Christmas that we were having a girl but we didn't announce it since we were told Owen was a girl at 16 weeks. Today we went to the baby Doctor for my twenty week check-up and it was confirmed... We are having a GIRL!! Everything is going great & she weighs 15 ounces. Even before I knew I was pregnant Owen has said he was getting a sister, as soon as it was confirmed she was a girl Owen said " Aw! I wanted a brother!" Seriously? Lol!! We are all so excited- now if only we can come up with a name!

This pregnancy has flown by... Somehow I am already at twenty weeks. Everything has been so different this time around than when I was pregnant with Owen. First three months with Owen I had morning sickness, I have had ZERO morning sickness with this baby. (Praise God!) I had tons of cravings with Owen, I have had hardly any with this baby. Owen was the best baby and an easy delivery, does this mean baby Hooper will be even better and easier? We find out what Baby Hooper is going to be one week from today. I'm so excited to find out that way we can start the nursery. Since before I even knew we were expecting Owen told us and everyone he was getting a little sister, although I don't think he will mind getting a brother. Whatever baby Hooper is we will be excited- Lord knows we have enough trucks, tractors, and boy toys for another boy. 

This year has flown by... I never start Christmas shopping until after Owen's birthday (Nov 15th) since we always throw him a big birthday party. This year I didn't start shopping til Black Friday. I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy brain or what but this year Christmas snuck up on me- We didn't get any Christmas pictures made, didn't send out any Christmas cards, nothing!  I wanted this to be a big Christmas for Owen since it was his last one as an only child. Although we did slack on a couple things this year, Owen said this was the best Christmas ever!! And he was right! I don't think there was one thing that any of us wanted that we didn't get.