This Is My Italy

Little Sisters

2011-03-13T17:38:00.000-07:00

There seemed to be a little sister section behind the field at the soccer game yesterday. And, what also seemed to be a very important lesson. There was very little talking, yet Eden was bossing just the same. First, the little girl picked her nose. Then Eden showed her how to properly dispose of a booger...i.e., wipe it on the front of your dress. ;) Turns out, she is even opinonated about nasal hygiene.

Snow Day Project

2011-02-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

Well, it was project time today. We were stuck in the house again today, so we decided to get ready for Valentine's Day. The kids have parties in class on Monday and needed boxes to put all their Valentines in. And, of course Eden had to have one too. :) We used red duct tape for Gaven and Eden's and wrapping paper for Vivie's. We made bouncy hearts out of pipe cleaners, but the kids' favorite part was definitely the glitter glue. After about 30 minutes, I had to cut them off. Right now the boxes are drying, and glue is running down the sides. Oh, well...at least they will be unique.

Fourwheeler Adventures

2011-02-09T14:46:00.000-08:00

The country seems to be talking so much about the recession. Today, the Hooper family enjoyed lots of family entertainment (and bonding) for only $5 in gas. It is not about the expensive snowmobiles or skis - it is about time...and today we had all the time in the world. It was snow day #5 for this school year. And, like usual, we tried to make the most of it. We borrowed a four wheeler from Lloyd and Tina, and Jer drilled some holes in a trash can lid....like I said, making the most of it = home made fun. :) Vivie did her little squeal the whole time, Eden was more interested in riding with dad, and Gaven turned into a dare-devil. He got dad to go so fast that he flipped multiple times - and laughed hysterically the whole time. :)

Over the past couple weeks we have been looking at properties all over town. And I must say, our property tops them all when it comes to a view. Just look at those mountains! Beautiful!

Washington, D.C.

2011-02-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to be home from my D.C. trip. Any chance I have to go is a must for me. It is absolutely one of my favorite cities. The whole atmosphere makes you want to be involved. It gives me the desire to speak up and make a difference. So many times we hear about our responsibility to vote, and people are happy if we do that much. But the responsibility does not end there. We have opportunity to get to know our Senators and Representatives, and let them know what is important to us. On this trip my concern was an Educational Technology Bill. With most schools going completely digital, many blind students are unable to access their schoolwork. It is important for them to have equal opportunity to excel. Unfortunately, many times that standard for blind students, as well as other disable students, is much lower than "normal." That should not be the case. We should expect a blind student to do every bit as well as a sighted student, and to ensure that, I will speak out about this legislation that will give them the chance. I encourage you to find out who your Congressmen and women are, find out what committees they are on, and what they have agreed to sponsor. It is not that difficult to do, and it is very worth the effort.

Two and a Half

2011-01-26T09:07:00.000-08:00

Lately the phrase I have used to describe Eden is "Very two." Her personality is hilarious. She is very opinionated and has no trouble expressing herself at all! Every day is a new process of discovery...usually accompanied by a lesson in obedience. I have come to the conclusion that two-year-olds are much smarter that we give them credit for.

I have to admit that my favorite past time right now is to watch her play "pretend" while she doesn't know anyone is watching. I get more delight in watching her tend to her babies (and boy, do those babies cause her trouble...she get on to them with gusto...wonder where she gets that from) and dance around in her tutu singing her made-up songs than I get having the most profound conversations with her. Maybe it is because we haven't experienced this "make believe" world with either of our other children. Vivie made up a lot of stories, but she never interacted with her dolls. Gaven was three when he came into our home and was all about trains. He would sit and play with his trains for hours, but he never really narrated the way Eden does right now. Each child is truly unique...a special gift. And, I am coming to understand more and more how each season with each child is a gift. Some people stereotype toddlers with the term "terrible twos." I will never use that phrase. This is a fantastic season of her life, and I will not stamp that title on her. I will enjoy it as much as I can, because it will be gone way too fast.

Uncle

2011-01-11T13:31:00.000-08:00

Adoption is a precious word in our family. Not only was our son, Gaven, adopted a little over four years ago, but we have now also welcomed our "nephew", baby Noah, into our lives. Our very dear friends, Jeremiah and Susan, surprised us all with the news of the adoption of this adorable little guy in November. He is the very best baby. We all anxiously wait our turns to get him in our arms whenever he is around. His cheeks have the ultimate level of squishyness and kissability. :) When he was over today for a visit, Gaven couldn't wait to sit with him. When Susan put Noah in his arms, she commented on his little cousin. Gaven was quick to reply, "No, Suzy...I am his uncle!" :) Gaven has this amazing nurturing spirit. He cannot wait to teach Noah all he knows about football, hunting, and all manner of little boy things.

I am continually thankful to the Lord for bringing our son into our lives. We set out on a sort of mission to change his life, but he has undoubtedly changed ours in a million ways. There are so many crazy aspects to adoption that I cannot explain them all in one post. But I can tell you this today, the pride of my son claiming his spot as uncle is a small glimpse of a peaceful, strong heart that is secure.

Snow...Day Two

2011-01-10T17:37:00.000-08:00

I am glad to report that we had a much happier experience in the snow today. Jerr got off work early, so we bundled up again and ventured out as a family in search of the perfect hill. And did we ever find it! It was everything you could ask for in a sledding hill...long, steep, slopping, tightly packed with snow, and, most importantly, FAST! Gaven was the first to try it out with no abandon. He jumped on the tube and flew down the 100 yard hill yelling "whooo hoooo" the whole way down. Once the four wheeler had he and the tube safely back up the hill, Vivie was ready to give it a go. Now, I don't know if any of you have flown down a snow-covered hill on a tube with your eyes closed, but you can just imagine what this was like for her. I was pleading for her to ride with Jeremy the first time to make sure she wouldn't be terrified, but that independence that I spoke of previously prevailed and she rode it alone. She laughed and cheered the whole way. :) Eden tried it once in bubba's lap, but that was all she wanted of it. I think she was pretty much there for the cocoa.

To our hosts, Jesse and Andrea, thank you oh so much for redeeming snow day for the Hooper Family.

Snow

2011-01-09T15:08:00.000-08:00

I am completely amazed at how such a simple thing like snow can bring such pure delight to the hearts of my kids. They were bursting at the seams waiting to get out and play in the fluffy white cold that was blanketing our yard.
Unfortunately, I am also amazed at how such delight can be turned into the biggest tantrum ever thrown by an unnamed two year old in a matter of minutes. She went from enjoying her snow angels to screaming in cold pain so fast I barely had time to sit down the camera. Now, for you mothers out there, you know in your gut that snow simply means there will be half an hour of preparation (including digging out hats and gloves and extra socks) for only 15 minutes of play, only to be followed by another half hour of work cleaning up the sopping wet clothes and dripping snow that gets tracked inside. And I say mothers, because fathers tend (at least in my experience) to be nothing more than grown up kids who require just as much of the preparation. :) But all the work and wet and whimpering goes away as we are all warm and dry again by the fire. Our delight has now turned to the fluffy white marshmallows in our hot cocoa. For those of you who have braved all the "delights"...I lift my mug of warm goodness...cheers!

Change

2011-01-08T07:50:00.000-08:00

Vivie is growing up so much lately. Her personality has changed from "little" girl to "big" girl almost overnight. She has moved from being totally dependent on me and others close to her to being charged with independence. She will walk through the house and go where she wants as she pleases. Most amazingly to me, she will sit and read an entire braille book in one sitting now. I get teary just watching her giggle to herself as she discovers a funny story. Time really does go by so fast. And even though I do not anticipate my baby growing up, I do have so many wonderful expectations of the woman she will become. I am making every effort to enjoy every season...because inevitably, they change.

Happy New Year

2011-01-03T08:25:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe it is a new year. I simply love the feeling of starting fresh. One of my friends told me that she was not doing resolutions because they just set you up for failure. Well, isn't the risk of failure what makes something worth striving for? If everything you want to accomplish in the new year was easy - it would be called a "to do list" and we all have those every day of our lives, and they do not inspire me to get off my tushy and do something new. No, a resolution is something you "resolve" to work toward. The dictionary defines resolution as "A resolve or determination; to make a firm resolution to do something; the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose." I confess the last one is my favorite...firmness of purpose. That means that what I intend to do carries some weight; it will take some effort. The risk of failure is what drives me to do better...to be better. We have all heard many times that "Without a vision the people perish." It is good to have goals. I think it is even good to have failures. Failures are how you learn.
So, I want to know - what is your vision for 2011? Do you have a firmness of purpose? Have you resolved yourself to do more that a "to do" list?

P.S. the Red Waldorf Cake mentioned in my last post was very good. However, I would not recommend their choice of Creamy Frosting. It wasn't' great at all. Next time I will stick with a cream cheese frosting instead. :)

Quiet Afternoon

2010-12-23T15:04:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful lunch with my best Suzy, I came home and put the little one down for a nap. Gaven and Vivie went into their room to read, and I had time to myself. I turned on "The Holiday" (which is only my favorite movie ever!), and baked a Red Waldorf cake for Christmas Eve. After a very hectic semester, this was a perfectly delightful afternoon.

I will let you know tomorrow how the cake really turned out. :)

Back to the Land of the Digital

2010-12-22T18:46:00.000-08:00

Well, after living here (in our "Shouse" shop-house) for over a year, we finally have internet. I guess I am back to the land of the digital. Honestly, I have missed blogging. College work has taken up the majority of my time. All computer time has been spent on research papers and online classes. I am glad to have the ability to spend a few minutes each day in relaxation and reflection by blogging. To anyone who is reading...It is good to talk to you again. All my love, Mika.

New Camera

2010-01-28T17:11:00.001-08:00

So, I have decided to learn to take good pictures. And with that, one of the first parts of that education involves tools. It takes a good cameral to get good pictures. So, tell me, blog readers...what kind of camera do you love?

Still Alive...but Still at Mom's

2009-09-26T13:56:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have not dropped off the face of the earth, even though I may feel a bit like it without internet service...uggghhh. We are still at my mom's. What started out to be a two week stay has now lasted five weeks with another two to go. Between weather, workers, and surgeries (Jerr and I have both had oral surgery, though mine was much more of a bad recovery) things have just not gone like we thought they would. But, I guess that is house building for you. REALLY can't wait to be posting from my new home. Our little cottage on the hill. :)

New Happenings

2009-08-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

The first picture is of the first "fruits" of my tiny vegtable garden in the back yard. Such satisfaction to grow amazing fresh food for the family. The next pics (are in wrong order) are of the walls going up for the shop...our soon to be home for the next couple of years. :) Very exciting!

Extra Large Ice Cream

2009-07-25T18:12:00.000-07:00

The girls both had ice cream that was WAY too big...but you can't resist. :)

Boys and Ice Cream

2009-07-25T18:05:00.000-07:00

I know that the shadows are crazy, but I love this picture...after a long day at Magic Springs, there was nothing more satisfying than going to Rod's Pizza Cellar and then to Scoops for ice cream. Here's to happy childhood!

Giveaways ?!

2009-07-24T19:43:00.000-07:00

I just entered in my very first giveaway! Maybe I will be a success at this blogging world afterall! :)

Storm Passing

2009-07-23T07:01:00.000-07:00

When the storm passed by the other day it left a beautiful picture out the front of our new property. We can't wait to get out there to have this incredible view every day! The house has sold. We are suppose the close on Aug. 12. So, right now we are trying to find a used mobile home to set out on the land to live in while we are building. I am really leaning on the Lord for this one. He knows what is best!

Eden's Dress

2009-07-23T06:50:00.000-07:00

I know it is the end of July, but I finally finished Eden's Big Flower summer outfit. Pretty cute I think as I pat myself on the back...for both the dress and the baby. :)

She Loves Books

2009-07-22T07:23:00.000-07:00

No matter where we are, Eden loves her books. Sometimes she can sweet "talk" big brother into sitting and reading to her (which he doesn't mind as long as he can pick the book...above is Cars). If not she is perfectly content pointing and babbling words to herself. Which is a nice change for the trip to Texas. Since my mom is actually a literacy specialist my kids are destined to lots of reading, whether it is braille, chapter books, or just pointing at pictures...we love BOOKS!

First Birthday and Vintage Shoes

2009-07-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

Eden's First Birthday was June 19th. Can't believe she is almost 13 months already. Gone by so very fast. We had her party at the house. I made her outfit to go with these great vintage shoes I got at a garage sale. And why not create an outfit around a great pair of shoes? Might as well teach her well to start with, right. :)

It was a great day. Very tiring, though. She slept until 10am the next morning! Jerr was 31 on the 20th, so we celebrated the two birthday's together.

Beautiful Home for Sale

2009-05-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick home located in a wonderful neighborhood.

Fancy Vivie

2009-04-08T07:42:00.000-07:00

Just one of the many pics of Vivie being Fancy at her birthday. It was such a blast!

Fancy Nancy Birthday

2009-04-04T20:01:00.000-07:00

Today we celebrated Vivie's 7th birthday with a Fancy Nancy Soiree. There were little girls in tiaras everywhere. I am exhausted, but it was so fun. Vivie was so excited. She "greeted" everyone in her fancy getup with "Bonjour." Such a good day. Now time for bed.

He Makes Me Smile

2009-02-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

I sure love you, Jerr. Thanks for all the smiles!

New Hobby

2009-01-27T18:26:00.000-08:00

So, for my birthday, Jerr bought me a sewing machine. It took me a while to get the hand of it, but now I really enjoy it. So far I have made Eden's bumper pads, aprons for Christmas gifts for mom, Jennifer, Suzy, Marleen,

and Jeremy's mom, and this cute little pin cushion caddie. Next I need to make a few more things for Eden's room. Then I am going to try to recover a rocking chair...big scary project. (Look at me getting to be all domestic. he he) I have found an artist that I really love. Anna Maria Horner. She designs amazing fabrics and just came out with a book "Seams to Me." It is really a big help and inspiration. She is a blogger, too if anyone wants to check her out...really creative.

Tree Popsicles?

2009-01-27T14:42:00.000-08:00

This pretty little red bird is just sitting outside my office window...right in the middle of the mass of trees covered in ice. Brought a smile to my face on such a dreary day. So cold with rain coming down constantly. Very glad to be indoors. About to cook a hot dinner...maybe watch a movie or play a game with the kids.

Brother is Funny

2009-01-09T14:57:00.000-08:00

Here is Eden laughing at Gaven. All he has to do is walk into the room and hit something (preferrably his self) or make a funny noise and she will belly laugh. I caught the tail-end of it here. (Notice Vivie not all that amused laying on the couch under the blanket. First graders are too cool...and too tired after a long day of school to laugh at such nonsense.)

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-19T11:33:00.000-08:00

Jeremy and I have never had Christmas at our home before, or any real tradition of our own. With the exception of our very first married Christmas, we have never even exchanged gifts at our home. We always just go to our parents' homes. We decided that our kids are getting old enough that we need to start something at home. Yet, we are trying to stick to our buget. So, this year we are doing "The Hooper's 12 days of Christmas." So far, it is going very well. Every other night the kids open one item that is something we do as a family...either a book or game. Then, on the opposite nights we are making projects for other people....trying to instill the art of giving and doing for others. And each night we have a special drink as we are doing this. Egg nog, sparkling grape juice, hot cocoa, wassil, etc. The kids are loving it. And we have found that by spreading it out like this, they really get to enjoy the gifts they do receive. Instead of just opening and then moving to the next one. We either read it or play it as a family. And, though we were afraid of not buying much for our kids...they are having Christmas for 12 days! And they have been just as excited about making things for others. We shall see how it goes as they get older. But this season has been very special. Jeremy and I are so blessed with our family....our little treasures. At the close of another year we look back and see how much our Heavenly Father has loved on us all year! Hope you have the time to see your blessings too!

Happy 30th Susie!

2008-11-14T06:57:00.000-08:00

Monday Susan, Jennifer, Eden and I went to Ft. Smith to celebrate Susan's 30th Birthday! It was a great "girl's day out." We went to Hobby Lobby, Bath & Body Works, Red Lobster, and of course Starbucks. Jeremiah said that Susan celebrated all week. Well, I can't blame her. Congratulations on such a great milestone. We love you!!!

Cruise in Feb. '08

2008-11-13T14:48:00.000-08:00

I know that it has been 9 months, but I am still having dreams that we are back on the boat. Our cruise in February was one of the best things Jer and I have done. It was our first vacation as a couple. We went with our close friends Jeremiah and Susan Brewer, and Jerod and Jennifer McPherson. These are just a few of the 300 pictures I have. But it highlights the incredible time we had. These are of the boat and in Jamaica. We also went to Grand Cayman and Cozemel. Lately, we have been wanting to go again...some day.

Tired Girls

2008-10-24T18:39:00.000-07:00

Both the girls are so tired right now. Vivie is flinging her glove. (her favorite pasttime) Eden keeps looking up at Gaven then burying her face in the blanket.

Last week was CMA's changing of the colors rally. Here, Eden was telling Marleen a very big story. She didn't seem to care that a man from Nambia was speaking...she thought she had something more important to say. Jerr wants me to note that she was wearing her razorback beanie. :)

Made you smile

2008-10-24T07:42:00.000-07:00

Eden is 4 months old now. Every day she is changing, yet one thing stays the same. She brings a smile to everyone she sees. What a darling. Her hair is starting to grow back in now...and she is going to be a blondie. Her eyes are now a precious baby blue. too cute

Gaven is mr. Soccer. His goal is to be faster than everyone else on the field. Sometimes when the kids are kicking the ball in, Gaven will start running to the other side of the field, just to be the first one down there. If he scores lots of goals...that is just a bonus. We only have 2 games left until next spring. Then he will be 6 and will move up an age group. Now he is the oldest kid on the team, then he will be the youngest...hopeully that will be a good learning experience for my VERY competitive son.