Tyson Hugh Hooper

Tyson Hugh Hooper
Our son, Tyson Hugh Hooper, was born with coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic arch, and a transitional avsd. His first open heart surgery reconstructed his aorta and was on day 9 of life. His second open heart repair was not anticipated to be needed until two or three years of age. Ty had other plans. We spent the vast majority of his first 3 months of life at Vanderbilt as he went into heart failure and was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension. As a result, the medical team concluded that he needed the repair much sooner than usually recommended, and at just shy of 3 months old Ty underwent his second life saving open heart surgery. God has already worked so many miracles in Ty's life and the life of our family and we know he is using our story. Because of this, we are grateful for Ty's special heart and feel beyond blessed that God chose us to travel this road. We ask for prayers as Ty continues to heal. We are praying for a full recovery and life without restrictions for Ty. We are praying for God to use our family and Ty for His glory.

Thank you to each and every person who supports us through prayer, giving, or just by loving on our family! We are humbled and blessed by all of the ways the Lord is providing for us and know that he is using Ty and his story to do great things!

Monday, March 31, 2008

Spring Has Sprung

Today it was "back to the grind" because I had to return CMS to impart knowledge on all my babies (who are actually pre-teens), but it turned out to be a pretty good day. TWO WEEKS UNTIL TCAP and we still have LOTS to cover, but we haven't buckled under the pressure yet!! Spring break helped everyone get back into the right frame of mind!


Let's rewind... yesterday I decided to have a "sofa service" instead of actually going to church. It was nice to have quiet time of scripture reading, prayer, and reflection to myself to get ready for the coming week. I was piddling around the house when I got a call from my dear friend Web (Megan Hutching's husband). He, Megan, and Vance were at Cracker Barrel and wanted me to join them for lunch - which I did! As always, spending time with them was pure pleasure and I enjoyed every second. After lunch I spent the rest of the day at home... I caught about half of "16 Candles" on TV and watched that, learned how to add music to my blog, broke out some of my spring clothes, and did all kinds of other random little things around the house... it was nice!

Today I had a pretty good day back at work. When I was driving home from work I stopped at one of the 4-ways on the square and the wind blew white blossoms from a tree all over my car - it was like it was snowing, but better because it's SPRING! It just lightened my heart a little bit! I got to thinking about all the things that I love about spring!

For one, the flowers! It is SO nice when everything turns green again and is alive and young and new - it just puts such energy into the air and into life! I love Tulips... pink ones specifically, but tulips in general are my most-favorite of all flowers!
I love that I can get outside and pretend that I know what I am doing at the driving range or golf course. My swing is getting better, but that's not what really matters... it's getting to be outside and move and enjoy something different! I just recently got a PINK Titleist hat!!! Similar to this one, but mine is a lighter pink! I love spring also because it means grill and chills! Me and my amazing friends grill out all spring and summer long at each other's houses! We have so much fun - everyone brings a side, the host grills the meat, we just relax and laugh and talk and enjoy being in great company! A lot of times we break out games - we are pretty much all game people except for maybe Jules. Our most favorite game at the moment is Scene It Squabble! It's the best. Some of our all time favorites include Catch Phrase, Taboo, and scategories. We almost always keep the score boys against girls! It's an inexpensive way to socialize - it's my favorite! Just thinking about all the fun times we have had and all the fun times yet to come makes me smile!

Something else I look forward to this spring is getting to see a competitive game or two. Of T-ball and soccer that is! My niece Bentlee, who recently turned four, is already extremely competitive and very into her sports. She also loves the color pink.... she's a girly-girl, but she'll get out there and compete baby! Here are a couple of shots from last year... notice the PINK bat and the PINK helmet! Gotta love it! (That's my brother with her on the field.) She is signed up for T-ball again this year and has already started Soccer!!! I can't wait to see a game!

Well, I certainly can't top these cutie-pie pictures and I all this talk of the joys of spring is making me want to get out there and enjoy it. So I leave you now to go join a bottle of wine, my patio, and what's left of the sunshine today! Tomorrow is bringing more rain, so I need to go enjoy being outside while I can!

I hope everyone has an amazing spring evening!! Feel free to leave comments - I love hearing from family, friends, and other bloggers!











Saturday, March 29, 2008

A Fabulous Friday

Yesterday turned out to be a fabulous day! It started with sleeping in, a slow relaxing morning, and ended with shopping and BUNCO! I went shopping yesterday for some necessities, but ended up, of course, buying myself a couple treats!
I was buying some essentials at Target when I suddenly felt the need for a new bag, so I picked up this little number for the fabulous price of $9.99!

I also found some super cute shorts and a couple tops along my shopping venture - loving all the new shopping options here in the 'boro! Overall I was very well behaved and stuck to my list of needs, not wants... but what's a girl to do when faced with fabulous deals... on spring break! I deserved it!


Last night was an even better time when I headed to a friend's house for Bunco! This months theme was "Pizza, Beer, and Sweatshirts" so we all threw on our favorite sweatshirt (I only own 3, lol) grabbed our favorite brew and headed to Angela's house for pizza and some serious competition. Okay, so it is competitive, but there is no skill involved! Just tons of fun. Here are some shots from last night:

Here is the whole Bunco gang!


Me and my two favorite galz at Bunco (plus little man... who was just along for the ride!)

All in all, I couldn't have asked for a better "last" Friday of spring break! Now I am working on making today a Super Saturday! It's rainy and thundering outside and it just makes me want to curl up on the couch with a cup of coffee and a good book... I might just do that right now!

Friday, March 28, 2008

A quiet day at the end of spring break!

Well, this morning I have accomplished very little… slept late, zoned out watching food network for a few (I am an addict), ate a quick breakfast, and then hopped on here to check up on the whole blog thing. :-) I ended up reading several other blogs (linked to them from Moo’s – that would be Megan Hutching’s – blog) and thoroughly enjoyed the reading! Some of them even brought me to tears (this is not unusual, however, I cry a lot (lol)… happy, sad, mad, watching a movie… doesn’t matter).

Today is Friday of the last weekend of my spring break! How is it possible that spring break can go by so quickly when the last couple weeks of school before the break drug by at a barely tolerable pace? Such is life! I am just thankful to have had the break. And to tell you the truth, I have done a lot of nothing… but I think that is exactly what I needed. I went to see a movie (Vantage Point – I recommend it, I was on the edge of my seat), I went to Chattanooga to visit family and the dentist (fun, fun), I spent time cleaning and working a little around the house, and then poof – here I am, break almost over!

On a lighter note, it’s SPRING! My most favorite time of year! Beautiful weather (even spring storms are beautiful), summer in sight (an even bigger thrill for us teachers), flowers in bloom everywhere, time to grill out and chill with friends… I just puts a “spring” in my step! I love it!

I will leave you today with a favorite recipe for any time of year – but I think of it especially during the spring! Sangria! There are millions of ways to make it, but here’s my personal favorite!

1 bottle of red wine
1 cup tequila
¾ cup sugar (add more if you like your sangria sweeter)
1 pt. strawberries pureed
1 cup orange juice
1 cup grapefruit juice
1 cup cranberry juice
sliced fruit (I use oranges, lemons, and limes)

Cheers! Enjoy your spring weekend!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

My First Post

After being very much inspired by my friend Megan Hutchings and her blog, and very much encouraged by her to start my own... here I am... blogging for the first time. So, today's will be short and sweet... this is just me, learning the ropes!

Have a blessed day!