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!

Sunday, April 27, 2008

What a weekend...

I had a most fabulous weekend!!! My weekend started off with a bang! It was the last Friday of the month and you know what that means.... Bunko!!!! Ali hosted this month. Her home was beautiful and she fixed a delicious dinner of Chicken Alfredo and Mandarin-Walnut salad! She also served WONDERFUL fruit and chocolate dip AND chocolate brownies that were still warm! YUMO! Here I am with all the Bunko gals (a few of our "regulars" had to miss this time, so the groups a little small)! We always have such a fun time!!!!



Saturday morning I got up nice and early (although not early enough to make my niece's soccer game) and headed to Chatt-town!! I ran home and pick mom up and we went straight to Couch's barbecue of course for one of these...



...that would be the best barbecue sandwich you have EVER had... TRUST ME! La was also in Chatt-town this weekend and although we didn't cross paths, she sent me a text that said, "I just had a couch's sandwich and hot slaw! I don't feel like I'm home unless I have some." That's right folks, if you ever head down toward Chattanooga, TN, you've gotta check out Couch's!!!!! Random fact: To my memory, until moving to Middle Tennessee, I had never gone more than one week without a Couch's meal!!!

After a yummy yummy lunch. Mom and I hit the shops. When we get together (especially when Jenni is with us) we usually have what we call "shopping magic!" However, lately we have been in a "dry spell" and have not had good shopping luck at all! Well, the dry spell's over and the magic's back! We didn't go to our "usual" places (Ann Taylor for me and Cold Water Creek for mom, to name a few) but opted for some bargain hunting! We hit Kohl's, Steinmart, Marshall's and Ross' and both got some great stuff!!!!


After shopping we headed home from some relaxation. This is the view I grew up with... the one from my mom and dad's front porch.

Can you say, "peaceful?" It was wonderful just sitting on the porch enjoying mom's company and the view. After we "had a sit" we decided it was time for dinner. On the menu... lemon-herb crusted chicken (with herbs fresh from mom's garden), pancietta wrapped asparagus bundles, and three bean salad.

This was a Rachel Ray meal that mom saw Saturday morning and decided we would make. It was absolutely delicious and very easy and quick to prepare! I highly recommend it! We rounded off the night with some TV and relaxation!
Sunday I slept in - it was wonderful! After a relaxing morning me, mom, and dad headed to "the deli" (our favorite Sunday lunch spot) to meet my brother Ken, my sister-in-law Sarah, and my niece Bentlee for lunch! Here are Sarah and Bentlee - she is "reading" to us after the meal.
Here are mom and dad - had to snag a picture of them for the good 'ole blog! Notice mom's new hair cut! Short for the summer - it looks great!

And, finally, Ken and Bentlee as we left the Deli and said our goodbyes!

Bentlee is sporting her good cheezin' smile for the camera! lol.
That is my weekend in a nutshell. It was wonderful and relaxing and all things that weekends should be! Hope yours was just as great!

5 comments:

Sarah said...

As much as I enjoyed my drive through the scenic back country of northern California and the Oregon Outback.....lunch at Couch's, shopping with Mom, and the fam. at the deli sounds so nice. Sorry we missed it.
I didnt' see in there where you went to the dentist.....wasn't that the reason you went to Chatt?

Meagan said...

We are having a billing/insurance issue, so I cancelled my appointment! It mad the visit even more enjoyable! lol. :-)

Leigh Ann said...

Okay, I think I NEED that sandwich! That looks sooo good! That view from your parents' porch is AMAZING!!! How lucky to grow up and see that every day! It sounds like you had such a great weekend. Nothing like family! Bentlee is a doll!

Megan L Hutchings said...

I love you friend! I am so glad you had a nice time in Chatt-town with the familia. Friday night was absolutely WONDERFUL...especially the sangria...YUMMY!

Lauren said...

How is it that you can be homesick for a place that was never actually your home? That picture of your front yard makes me remember being at your house and playing touch (tackle?) football! I miss it! And I am totally diggin' on your mama's new haircut...very chic. And thanks, my mouth is now watering (again) over the sandwich. Couch's should FedEx barbeque around the world.