thevanhookfamily.blogspot.com

We have changed our blog to

thevanhookfamily.blogspot.com....


a new beginning ;-)

Getting a new camera tomorrow and I'll be back!!

New Camera??

I am wanting to get a new "big girl" camera soon. I've been trying to read reviews but I find the best way to really find out about something is by asking. I don't want it so expensive that I'm afaid to use it or take it anywhere but I want something that you can change the lenses out if you want.

I got a recommendation from a fellow blogger of a Nikon D40 but if anyone else has any suggestions please let me know.

I love a lady that can throw some ZINGERS!!!

Ok just a little recap of last night.... I would post my favorite quotes from Sarah Palin's speech but I would end up posting all if it so I'll spare you.... just google it if you missed it.

I've never been a feminist or an activist for women's rights or anything like that. I think it's ignorant for people to vote for anyone based gender or race but I must say last night I was proud of the fact that she is on the ticket and she is a woman. When McCain chose Gov. Palin I had some reservations like everyone else, but the more I know about her the more I really like her. She's real and she's living the American dream!!
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Also, Mike Huckabee, Arkansas favorite son, (or whatever they say) also had a great speech with some great quotes.

Great night overall at the RNC!!

p.s. if anyone reads this that has any pull please tell Ms. Palin her hair looks better down! :-)

I know, I know... never talk about politics or religion

I've always kinda been into politics just because of certain issues that I find important to me and my value system. Since living in DC though, I have come to love it and keep up with it on a daily basis. Many of those who know me can guess that I am a staunch conservative. No, I don't think that GWB has done a perfect job by any means but I do think that he has accomplished many good things that have been overlooked on by the media and others because of either a) the war has sucked bad news always comes before good, b) they are extremely liberal and bias or c) a combination of the 2 and I tend to lean toward C.

One of my goals is to never to look down on anyone because their views are different than mine. I may get frustrated but many of my good friends are Democrats and I love them just the same :-) (you know who you are!!) Yes, I might role my eyes at some of the things people say on TV and want to throw the remote through the TV (especially Keith Olberman....errgghh!!) or think how in the world can someone who was raised here in the good 'ol USA like me think the complete opposite as I do on so many important issues. I do find it intriguing and have to remind myself that they may be just as passionate as I am about the complete opposite view.

So I know it will come as no surprise to you then that I am supporting John McCain. I think that he is the only choice we have, but then again that's me. And no I don't think that Barack Obama is a muslim or he's unpatriotic or anything like that, it just comes down to the issues for me... and you can't blame a girl for that!!
I have been enjoying the RNC convention tonight and thought I would post some of my favorite quotes from tonight's key note speakers....

Fred Thompson:

"Some Washington pundits and media big shots are in a frenzy over the selection of a woman who has actually governed rather than just talked a good game on the Sunday talk shows and hit the Washington cocktail circuit."

"Being a POW certainly doesn't qualify anyone to be president. But it does reveal character. "

"But a man who never quits is never defeated. Because John McCain stood up, our country is better off."

"Our country is calling. John McCain cannot raise his arms above his shoulders. He cannot salute the flag of the country for which he sacrificed so much. Tonight, as we begin this convention week, yes, we stand with him. And we salute him. We salute his character and his courage. His spirit of independence, and his drive for reform. His vision to bring security and peace in our time, and continued prosperity for America and all her citizens."

Joe Leiberman:

"Sen. Obama is a gifted and eloquent young man who can do great things for our country in the years ahead. But eloquence is no substitute for a record — not in these tough times."

"Vote for the leader who, since the age of 17, when he raised his hand and took an oath to defend and protect our Constitution, has always put our country first. So, let's come together to make a great American patriot our next great president."

Oh, and one of my modern day heros:

Love, love, love her -- I know if we hung out we would be best friends

(if anyone knows how to get tickets to "The View" let me know :-))

First day of school.... kinda

Finley embarked on her first day of Mother's Day Out today at our church. She has been having a little bit of separation anxiety lately so I was worried about it last night and this morning but she marched in there like a big girl and immediately stole one of her friends dolls so I knew she was A-okay. (we are working on sharing right now :-) ) We had a photo shoot before we left and the pictures almost made me tear up cause the little stinker looks like such a toddler and not a baby anymore... can I get an amen!?!?! Anyways here are a few....

BTW- I sent these pics to some of my friends earlier and my friend Jordan wrote this back:

"I was worried that her backpack looked a little overwhelming, but remembering your no-textbook rule in college, I'm sure you didn't have it filled too full for her :)"

I thought it was funny and those who knew me in college know just how true that is!!

GO HOGS!!

Football season has officially started and Richard and I went to the game this weekend with my brother and his wife Shannon. Although it was a short trip, it was fun and thank goodness we pulled it out. (Shannon and I would have not enjoyed the car ride back with those boys!) We stopped and picked up one of my brothers friends who lives in LA and we had so much fun hanging out with him. He literally kept us laughing the entire car ride there and back.
Finley stayed back with my parents and thankfully so because I was way too hot to be chasing her around. (which seems to be all I do these days :-)) I hope that we'll be able to take her to at least one game this year but her attention span has been in the negative here lately so we might just have to wait till next year .... or the next .... or the next. We'll see??

Starting From Scratch

You don't know how many times I have wanted to start back blogging over the past few months but when you wait this long you think... "where do I even start?" or "will my blog friends ever forgive my for this long hiatus?" So I'm just biting the bullet and doing it. My friend Amber started a blog and she has inspired me to begin again. She is such a great blogger and hopefully I'll be as good as she is at keeping it updated. And I hope all my friends who have been on my case will be happy now :-)
Finley Grace is just learning or teaching us something new everyday it seems and since I can't bottle it up I just need to write about it. ENJOY AGAIN!!

This is Finley's most recent monthly pic at 17 months

Real Good Friday

Friday we had a really Good Friday last week. Not only was it the day that we remember our Saviors sacrifice but I got to spend it with my 2 favorites on a beautiful Spring day.

We started off the day by going to The Wonder Place in LR. We had so much fun and Finley was loving every minute of it. I never thought I would have such an active baby, and maybe they are all like this, but I don't think she can sit still unless confined by a car seat or stroller. She loves to be on the go!

After we played out there we went to Richards Favorite BBQ place, Whole Hog Cafe, and did take out and went to a park down by the Arkansas River. Finley didn't see the park.... she had enough fun for a while so she slept in the car (see pic below) . Here are a few photos from our playday:

1st Birthday Party Pics

Okay... so maybe I went a little overboard for Finley's First birthday but a girl only turns one once, right? We had so much fun and here are just a few of the pics we got. We were so blessed to have all of our family and friends here to help celebrate her special day.

Front doors dressed in pink flowers

Chaos while opening presents

Evie Kate enjoying the party

Drewbug

Not wanting to wear her birthday hat

Singing Happy Birthday

Mailbox dressed in Pink balloons

Grandmary and Finley Grace

Entry table with the party favors

Pink goodies and party hats

Finley loves balloons so we made sure we had plenty

More balloons on the mantel


My precious hubby risked his life to hang these pinwheels for me

The table

After Finley decided to sit in the mud in her birthday dress

Daddy and Finley
The guys and their gals
Tom, Brooke and Emily

Decorating the sidewalk with chalk
All the presents

Happy Birthday Baby!

"I Prayed for this child and the Lord granted me what I asked of Him." 1 Samuel 1:27

I can't believe that a year ago almost to the hour we were meeting Miss Finley Grace for the first time. I get very emotional when thinking about that day. I was very fortunate to have a scheduled birth so I remember so vividly the feelings I felt leading up to her birth and what exactly we did. It's so cliche to say but it really does go by so fast and it just seems like yesterday we were on our way to the hospital. Oh what a year!!

Finley is such an amazing little girl and so full of personality and energy!! She loves to have all the attention on herself and is a total ham. It is an understatment to say that she is independent. She has been walking since she was 91/2 months and running since 10 months. She is such a happy baby and I love it when random people walk up to us on a plane or grocery store and are amazed at how happy she is.

I want to be the best mother. I have never struggled with wanting to be the best at anything. It's kinda sad but I never cared about excelling in school, career, sports ect. but motherhood is something that I want so badly to be not just good at but great at. I want her to see Christ in all that I do just like I see and have always seen in my own mom. I strive to be a better person everyday for her.

I love to see her excitement when she sees a balloon, gets to pet a puppy, or sees her daddy come in the door. I love that she reaches for me when she wants to feel secure but that she runs in the nursery at church with excitement and doesn't look back. I love how she learns something new everyday it seems and claps with joy when she realizes that she's done something good. She loves to blow kisses and we have never had to teach her to hold her baby doll close. She is already such a nurturer! I love to see her try and get someones attention when they are not looking at her. She loves to dance and take baths. And I love the way that she loves me back and the sound of her lazy giggle. Needless to say I love everything about her.

I am so blessed, not only with a sweet little girl, but also a great and loving husband who strives to be the best father to Finley. He loves her so much and reguardless of how tired he is he will run around the house tirelessley and let her chase him just to hear her giggle. He can make her laugh like no other. I love to hear people say that she looks like her daddy and I hope that she gets his gentleness and patience.

This year has been the best year of our lives . We are constantly reminded of God's mercies. We are so humbled by His grace and pray that she will always desire to keep Him first in her life.