RETIRED

CONGRATS to my dad who is not only selling his house, but also retiring this week! He has been at UPS for 23 years and is finally ready to move one with his life. Moving to the Southeast region of the U.S by the water where he can enjoy his beautiful wife and God's creation outdoors. I'm so incredibly happy for you both and what you have accomplished. What an exciting time. So much newness and also being able to travel and be with grandkids. (FYI We are booking our next vacation now) Thinking about retirement seems so far away, but it's such a great feeling. I know they will both find lots of hobbies and things to keep them busy. They are invested in their eternal home and know this life is short. We know God still has amazing plans for you both! We love you and are so thrilled for your next steps!!

We were supposed to have our Campus Pastor and his wife over for dinner tonight, but he had to do something unexpectedly. We decided to make plans with them on a Saturday since the weekdays are so tough. I'm kind of glad it happened because I reached out to my neighbors and invited them over. They are a sweet older couple who are actually both retired. So now I have something to talk about! Glad things happen for a reason and I hope we can be a blessing tonight. Praying my kids don't act up and are a blessing as well!

Micah is meeting his new teacher on Thursday morning, Mrs. West. He keeps talking about his old teacher Mrs. Parker and how he wants to see her again and all his classmates. I am not sure he will see any of them this year, which makes me a little sad. He doesn't seem too worried yet. I'm hoping he connects with some kids on Thursday. Honestly, I really wish he was going to school more than two days this year. I feel like he needs way more school than home....but soon he will be gone all the time and I will miss these days. I'm still over here debating 5 year kinder or 6. I know my decision will come when it's right. Trying not to stress over it yet.  When I asked Micah when he wanted to go...5 or 6... he responded with "5!"

This girl keeps getting cuter. I love her smile and how much she enjoys book now. She LOVES flap books. It's the only thing she will read right now. She just opens the flaps and turns the page. It goes along with her personality of a busy body. She don't have time to read...

I think we may be going to a pool party today. Since all the pools are closed now it will be nice to go to someones house and be refreshed since it's still smoldering outside!!

Love you all

Audition update

Audition went well and tonight I had ANOTHER part to it. I had to learn the alto part to the songs for the week and go to the rehearsal with the other singers. It went well....but I can tell he makes it a long process. It's hard when you've waited so long to be in another long process. I know how it works and I know I have to start from the bottom... pretty much like any job. So I'm ready to put in my time to get out the joy I receive from it and giving to others. Another update is that I am feeling ALL back to normal and am so relieved. I can't even tell ya'll how scared I was. It was definitely life changing to check your priorities in life.

I have been really busy with a book club on Tuesdays, Choir practice today, tomorrow we have a meeting with the core team leadership for Richardson Campus and Saturday I have an all day training to be a MOMS Connections Discussion Group Leader. Then on Sunday it's the start to a new year at LIFEGROUP. We are staying in ours again because we have started so much we want to keep something the same and familiar for a little while.

I'm still trying to figure out how to get certified for cycling/spinning. I am so loving this type of workout and want to keep going and push others as well. I don't know how much I should be jumping in with  responsibilities for one year... but I've just been waiting so long to jump and do something. I want to do it all at once.

This cutie potootie keeps me on my toes, but oh so much fun these days!

Perot Museum today!!

Popsicles pretty much everyday when it's this hot out!!

Cannot wait until it gets a bit cooler out!!! It's crazy how we moved from the coldest to the literal HOTTEST place on earth. sheesh

Audition

The last few days I have been feeling more normal. Still getting lightheaded, but not constantly all day. Some days I still feel like I'm in a cloud. Today I am going to the church to FINALLY audition for the worship team at the new Richardson campus. It has taken almost a month to get in contact and get a date set to sing for this guy. I know it's a big church but sheesh. Really doesn't make you feel good when they don't have time for you. I know it's all worth it in the long run and hopefully I can be on a start up band that has a strong bond together. I've got a lot of new "starts" coming up for me this fall. Becoming a leader at MOMS, leading worship (hopefully) and helping with production at the new campus. Craig has accepted to be the team lead for production. May be a huge step for us. It's really always been me who has stepped in a role at church because I could. I'm really excited for Craig to be involved from the start. He is such a vital role in this campus and it will be a lot of sacrifice for both of us, but we are willing and ready to serve. Doing this together will not only grow our love for God and his people, but for one another.

So for the past few months I've been trying my best to write down Micah's quotes or funny things he says to me. I think I've posted many of them on here but I thought I would write them all in this post today to give you some laughs....


"Momma I just want to watch a little apple sode" (referring to an episode of netflix)

"You are my best friend in all, love you" (to his sister in the morning)

"I DON'T WANT DINNER.....I WANT LUNCH" (having a meltdown when it's dinner time)

((playing with his handcuffs)) "I'm a bad guy, I came from Florida." (ummm???)

"She said she wants to call her baby birthday ass." (what he thinks sister said)

When I told Micah my head still hurts one morning laying in bed. He was next to me and said, "Momma maybe Jesus is blessing you. Sometimes blessings can hurt."

When I asked him his full name today...."Micah Joy Hooker" haha He took his sisters middle name.


I know I've posted these quotes before, but I thought I would write them all down in one spot right now. Also I've been listening to my favorite pastor from The Bridge Community Church on his podcast. He posted his sermons and you can click here to listen to them. And if you have time listen to them all!! He is an amazing speaker and is so real to life. I have also made a compilation of his quotes from sermons that I have taken with me and try to remember.

Know your intent before giving the content

Don't let the immediate come before the important ((as a mom I love this one))

ASSumptions make discontentment

We can miss what is because we are stuck in what was

Grace doesn't erase but it can displace

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I'm sure one of these can help you out today. If you have time to listen to his podcast...please do!! I am so grateful he is such an inspiring preacher and friend because I love listening to him and gives me so much to ponder and pray about.


I hope you all are having a wonderful week and can't wait to update you all soon on the auditions!!

He got a big boo boo on his forehead

Oh YES and this!!!! I'm playing volleyball Thurs. nights with my friend Camille and it's amazing. We won our first game last week and I can't wait to play again this week!!!

And these sweet kiddos started kinder last week!! I can't believe they are so grown up already!

Liam/Riley

Positive thinking

Nope... I'm still getting lightheaded a ton... but I'm trying to be as positive as possible. Here's my positives for the week: I have gone under my weight goal (which I didn't think was possible) and now trying to get even farther. What if I could get where I was when I got married? Wow. That would be such an accomplishment for me. I had put it off for so long thinking it wasn't possible, but now I realize I can achieve anything if I set my mind to it. The last 12 weeks I have seen my body transform and I am so excited and motivated to keep going.

More positives.. Noelle is sleeping like a champ. She's always been a great night sleeper, but her naps are ON POINT. She is going down a bit later around 12:30-1p.m. and sleeping until sometimes 4 p.m. Then she's ready for bed at 8p.m. again and has been sleeping in. Yesterday she slept until 9 a.m. and today too! (That's why I'm writing this!) She has been so wonderful. Seems like more sleep she gets the more she sleeps right now. I think she's transitioning into the toddler stage more. She is starting to talk to me all the time (just like a girl should). Just jabbering away and I love it because no one knows what she is saying. Last week I took her to her 18 month (19 month) appt. She was 33 inches tall and 23.8 pounds. Over 70 percent for height and about 50 percent in weight. What a perfect little girl! She is getting easier these days, still cries whenever she doesn't get what she wants....but a bit easier to figure it out now.

I took them to the trampoline place this week and we all had a wonderful time. Thought I would share this cute video with you all.

More pics from the day.

Look at this sweet boy. I have been trying to ask him his favorite part of the day, what was the hardest part and what he is looking forward too. I loved this idea from a friend. Every time I've asked him so far what his favorite part of the day is he says, "You Mom. I love you. You're my favorite." I'm not sure he gets the question, but I love the response!!

This girl is obsessed with these babies!! She loves them so much and is such a good mommy.

 Micah says this is his "cool dude face"

Anyways, I love life and am enjoying every second I can with these adorable kids God has given me!!

Love you all

Head Update

I'm sad to say my head is still not right. I am hoping it's an inner ear problem and the steroids just didn't work. I'm going on 2 weeks of this now and really trying to stay positive. There's nothing I can take or do to make it better. It's really getting hard to not lash out on the kids when I'm having a hard time. I get mad easily and am constantly asking for forgiveness. I will be calling the doctor again tomorrow and seeing what the next steps are. I am asking for more prayers for patience and healing. I am sad that I haven't been myself lately and will be so grateful once I get this figured out.
The other morning when I was laying in bed I told Micah I still wasn't doing well. He said, "Momma, maybe Jesus is blessing you. Sometimes blessings can hurt." Oh man.. I love how this little guy thinks. I know this is a blessing and I will learn and grow from it. Even through the pain, he is Lord over all.

I thought I would post some cute pictures to help with your day and mine!

Richardson Campus first gathering

We had a pool day on Friday!

We did have a fun date day yesterday at Lakewood Brewing Company with some friends. 

And Noelle being silly with her babies.

She cracks me up! Such a little personality and starting to say more words. Right now it's, "Micah, and Mine" I would say are most popular.