Merry Christmas to All!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Happy Birthday, Madeline Olivia!

Twelve years ago, we welcomed into this world our firstborn: Madeline Olivia Hooten. We knew she was a "she" as I HAD to know ahead of time! We couldn't wait to meet our "Maddie", named after my beloved mamaw, Madeline June Grady. After 34 hours of LABOR, she arrived on her due date. (I made a note to myself about her being stubborn, yet punctual!)

She has been such a wondrous addition to our lives. She is independent and opinionated, yet kind and compassionate. She has a great sense of humor, but HATES surprises. She's inquisitive and questions everything. So, I've learned that "because" is NEVER a suitable answer! She's intelligent, yet I worry about common sense skipping a generation! She loves to take care of little kids. She has tutored & mentored fellow students. She's learning to be responsible with chores and lots of homework. She challenges herself to try new things (except for riding a bike!) She dove right into cross country this year and we were so proud of her endurance and hard work.

Her favorite word is "No" (at least it's the one I hear the most!)

Her favorite color is Pink
Her favorite food is ice cream or chocolate or bread
She loves to watch winter ice sports! If there were a curling school nearby, she'd apply!
She loves the rodeo -- that's MY girl!
She loves school and her friends
She LOVES Jesus
She loves being quirky!

We love her!

Happy Birthday Maddie, MaddieMoo, MadHatter, Mad, Maddazzle!

Here's a photo tribute to Maddie through the years:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Happy Birthday, Jacob Sterling!

Today is my baby boy's 9th birthday! How the time flies! He has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives over the last nine years. He's our "Mr. Happy-Go-Lucky"! He is the most pleasant and content child you'd ever want to meet. I honestly can say that I've never witnessed a single tantrum! He loves to sit on my lap and hold my hand. I treasure his sweet and gentle nature.

He loves sports of EVERY kind! He gives each one he plays 110%! He works hard to improve at each one. He can often be found practicing hoops, throws, hits, kicks, etc. in the back yard -- all year long, no matter the weather! He loves to watch the PBR bulls and cowboys with us too! I treasure his enthusiasm for action.

He is our little patriot. He loves military history. He loves to learn about the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln. He loves to study about World War 2. He loves to watch shows about the Marines boot camp. He dreams of attending West Point. I treasure his respect and love of his country, even at such a young age.

He loves time with friends & family. He loves his new school. He loves going to church. He loves Jesus. He LOVES to sing! (Journey's Greatest Hits is a current favorite!) He loves to have mock battles in the backyard. He snores. He's a good little brother. He's a nightowl. He loves Westerns. He could eat his weight in cranberry sauce or popcorn! He giggles at EVERYTHING! His smiling face makes my day!

I am so thankful to God for the blessing of getting to be his mom!

Here are some pics of my beautiful (uh-hem, "Ruggedly Handsome"!) boy through the years:

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2Bme @ SOCC -- It's On!

This is a slideshow of the wonderful girls in the tween ministry that I lead at Sherwood Oaks Christian Church.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Cool Colors and Cooperative Children

I took advantage of the beautiful day yesterday and took the kids to Brown County State Park to take a few(hundred) pictures. We had a great time in spite of the swarms of dive-bombing ladybugs!! I LOVE the Fall in Indiana and, of course, I LOVE my kids! Check out the slideshow!

http://s671.photobucket.com/albums/vv77/hootiemama/Brown%20County%20-%20Fall%202009/?albumview=slideshow

Spectacles!

Last week was a BIG event for Jacob! He is now the proud owner/wearer of some stylin' spectacles!

After receiving a letter from school that the IU School of Optometry screening indicated that we follow up with an optometrist, we made our appointment for an exam of the ol' eyeballs. Sure enough! Glasses were in his future. The vision in his left eye is "spot on" according to Dr. Horner. Just shy of 20/20. But, his right eye was significantly near-sighted: +5.00!!! He couldn't even read the big "E" at the top of the chart! I was concerned that this had never come to our attention with the annual screenings that the kids get at school. Dr. Horner said that most kids overcompensate with their other eye.

Jacob was the model patient as he went through 2 hours of exams at IU's School of Optometry. Anthony, the resident that performed Jacob's exams, was excellent. Jacob was completely at ease -- even with the glaucoma test! He didn't care too much for the drops to dilate his eyes, but who does?! He's a trooper!

Then, the fun part: getting to pick out new glasses! He tried on a bunch of pairs and kept coming back to these. He felt so big getting to choose by himself. He could hardly wait for them to come in! So, after waiting (im)patiently for about a week, we went to pick them up and get them fitted. Needless to say, he can see much better! We think it may even improve his baseball swing! He is still my beautiful (um, ruggedly handsome!) boy!Then, the fun part: getting to pick out new glasses! He tried on a bunch of pairs and kept coming back to these. He felt so big getting to choose by himself. He could hardly wait for them to come in! So, after waiting (im)patiently for about a week, we went to pick them up and get them fitted. Needless to say, he can see much better! We think it may even improve his baseball swing! He is still my beautiful (um, ruggedly handsome!) boy!

Waiting for the tech to bend his glasses

Trying them on for the first time

Stylin' and smilin'

Chillin' in his new eyewear

Sweet Sixteen!

My, oh, My!! Where does the time go? Ross and I have been married for 16 years today! It seems like yesterday (well, maybe the day before yesterday!) that I met and fell in love with Ross while visiting my dear friend, Craig Williams, at Wabash College. It didn't take very long for us to realize that we were meant to be together. (I don't think the girl he was dating at the time saw it that way!) But, oh well, when it's meant to be, it's meant to be!

Our first official date: dinner @ Lennie's and "JFK"

October 2, 1993 @ Beck Chapel

Date selected because it was the only weekend in October with no home football game! Ross' favorite story about our wedding is that he's not sure it's legal because he never officially proposed! Now, let me set the record straight: while he never got down on his knee and asked "Will you marry me?", we had talked about marriage often. We knew that we wanted to get married in the Fall and I had always wanted to be married at Beck Chapel. We had limited dates to work with, so I asked, "What do you think?" He agreed. End of story! ;-)

We've always been the unconventional pair! (Of course, that resulted in 9 toasters as wedding gifts, but that's another story!)

Our wedding party: Jennifer, Nan & Julie -- Tom, Paul & Jeff

Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Jacob Hooten III (no, he doesn't call me "Lovey"!)

16 years and counting! I am looking forward to 16+ more!

Like any marriage, ours is not perfect, but I couldn't have picked a more perfect match for me to love and travel this highway called "life" with. I love you Ross with all my heart! You are truly my beloved, my soulmate and my best friend.

Happy Anniversary!