First Pumpkin Patch

Today was a beautiful fall sunny day...perfect for a trip to the pumpkin patch.


Lily's speech therapist planned a day at a local farm for all the children who participate in the speech program. Kristin has a special way with children and Lily just adores her!


Lily's therapy is part of a research grant specifically geared for helping children who have cleft lip/cleft palate. It was refreshing to meet other parents and children who have walked a similar road.


Upon arrival I got "the sign"...aka...need to go potty which happens frequently as we enter a new place. 

As we were coming out of the restroom several ladies stopped and commented on Lily.  They were there with a group of 10 other families who adopted their daugthers from China about six years ago.


I saw the girls later in the day (after surviving the Cow Train Ride) and they were all wearing "China Sisters" shirts. So fun...each family was from a different state and they still plan yearly trips together.


Rarely is there a day when I am out with Lily that I don't get stopped by a complete stranger who either has some connection to China or who just wants to know a little about her story.


We started in the corn maze thinking I would get some great pictures but unfortunately little 'Lils wasn't up for walking so I carried her. Reminded me of our days in China when my arms when numb.


As we neared the end she saw lots of baby pumpkins and decided she would get down and explore a bit.



Kristin helped Lily pick out the perfect pumpkin and she was quite delighted with her new find.






We headed back to the pavilion for some lunch and yummy treats that Kristin provided for everyone.



She also brought a tub full of fun gear for the kids to play with but Lily decided to pass on the hats and boas and go straight for the bubbles...



I have some great pictures of the other kids dressing up and having fun but don't have permission to share so...just Lily pics for now.


Lily saw the Cow train ride and kept saying "moo" so off we went to wait in line for what seemed to me like an innocent kiddy ride.


Not at all...it was more like a roller coaster through a Midwest dust bowl! Picture me (holding Lily and my camera) squeezing into a tiny cart shaped like a cow that is meant to hold a 5 year old. Each one was appropriately named...we road 'Cow Lick'.


At first Lily wanted out which wasn't an option after the squeezing that went into getting there. As soon as the fast, bumpy ride began (picture lots of crazy eights) she was tickled pink, laughing the whole way...as for me, let's just say I was glad to be out and my shower felt especially great tonight considering the layer of dust that covered us from head to toe!


We went back for some finger paining which Lily loved...Miss Kristin thought of it all.



Lily and I watched the Hillbilly Pig Races and then headed out to buy a few pumpkins on our way out.


I found a great wagon just the size I needed for the steroid injected pumpkins we brought home.   

Outside of the cow ride and bubbles...this may have been her favorite part of the day.







Oh how I missed my Sherpa today...especially as I was pulling the wagon up the hill to our car.

The other dads I passed just stared at me and smiled while I was pulling with all my might. (Really...not even a courtesy push or anything...perhaps they were spent from the day on the farm) 

I couldn't figure out why it was so difficult until about the 3rd man I passed (after I had made it up both hills) said...oh your back tire is flat! Guess I should have gone with wheelbarrow :)

I love Lily more each day and the joy she brings to our family is really beyond words. We are truly blessed.

Pediatric cancer...pancakes...and park day fun

This past weekend Michael and his brother Mark did a 40 mile bike ride to help raise funds for pediatric cancer. Over 160 riders participated in the inaugural Hoover Ride for Hope raising over $6,000 to help families with the unrecognized needs that come with the diagnosis of cancer.   


It was a beautiful day and Lily had fun playing with her buddy Gabriel while we waited for Michael to finish. 


The icing on the cake was watching her face light up when Michael came back...



After the ride my wonderful husband suggested that we go eat at my favorite lunch spot in Franklin...Merridees! His brother Mark, his wife Liz and our sweet nephew Zack met us there and we had a great time together sitting outside enjoying the beautiful day.


As you can see...they are so good to Lily and she adores all 3 of them and their hugs! So thankful for the gift of family.






Spencer is on fall break this week so we met up with Zack and Liz after Lily's speech therapy and went to the Nashville favorite... Pancake Pantry!


While we waited for our food to arrive Zack showed us his "thinking face" and I just love his sweet little grin! He is full of joy and love for others.




Lily loved her silver dollar pancakes...Spencer devoured his french toast (literally it was gone before I could snap a picture of it!)...and Zack sported his sugar box "booster" seat with pride!



Thank you Lizzy for treating us to a yummy breakfast! You are always thinking of others and doing random acts of kindness. I am blessed to have such a great sister-in-law!


After breakfast the kids had fun playing outside the restaurant before we headed to the park.



When it was time to head to the park (aka...the kids were over me snapping pictures of all of them!) Zack and Spencer took Lily in the stroller.


Spencer is laughing at Zack as he looks over to Lily and says, "Don't worry 'Wiwwy', we will take care of you"...doesn't get much sweeter than that!



We headed over to Dragon Park and spent the next several hours just watching the three of them laugh and play.  The weather was PERFECT (much cooler than the blazing hot day Lily and I went with Liz and Zack a few weeks ago!) 


Lily and her aunt Lizzy had fun experimenting with the leaves...



Zack had fun tackling Spencer (we have a future football player in the family!)



Lily got some hugs from her big brother and looks up to him like he is her hero!



Lily LOVES the swings (not sure this kind is really meant for her but it is her favorite!)



Caught a sweet innocent look of Lily that I loved...



And we ended up the day with a Spencer sandwich! By the look on all their faces they are about to crash from playing so hard. 



As I expected...Spencer and Lily both fell asleep in the car on the way home.

Lily is doing GREAT post surgery.  She is our spicy little survivor!  Thank you all for your prayers on her behalf.  We continue to see God's hand at work in every detail of her life. 

She is such a figther and doesn't let anything stand in her way of living life to the fullest.  She is teaching me a lot about finding JOY in the midst of challenges.  

We are headed to FL this week so Michael and Spencer will get to see Lily in action on the beach...looking forward to our time together as a family and being away for a few days.   

Surgery...bubbles...and thankful hearts

Lily had her third surgery in less than a year on Friday. Her courageous spirit and joyful disposition even in the midst of pain continue to amaze us.  This is truly an answer to prayer. 



We drove to Little Rock Thursday afternoon and arrived in time to have dinner with my friend Katie and her family.  They have been so generous and helpful to us throughout the past several months with Lily's surgeries.  I am so thankful for the gift of her friendship. 


Lily woke up the day of surgery being quite affectionate and wanting to be right by her Daddy.  Michael has such a calm spirit I'm sure she sensed this and felt safe and secure in his arms. 





Her doctor was running a little behind so we hung out with Lily for about 2 hours in her pre-op room.

Picture trying to entertain a hungry, thirsty, 21 month old with little to no toys in sight...

Actually in true Lily fashion she was quite the little ham and had fun playing with Michael







Doing her "meditation" pose...



Coloring with some crayons that her anesthesiologist gave her
{loved that her name was "Anna Maria" as we are headed there next month for a family trip!}



and listening to music on my phone



We gave some last hugs and kisses before watching her leave to go back for surgery {not sure this part ever gets any easier}



While Lily was in surgery I wrote in my journal and prayed for our sweet girl. 
Below is an excerpt of my thoughts I will share with Lily one day...


Lily girl...you are my joy and my light, my laugther and sweet miracle from God.  You are strong and brave beyond your years.  You are beautiful, you are treasured, you are sacred, you are His. 

What a gift it is to be given the privilege of being your Mom. My prayer for you is that you find your identity and worth in the One who will fill our soul complete- lacking in nothing. 


Your presence lights up the room and fills all the empty spaces with radiant JOY.  You are true to your name Yue Xin and I am beyond grateful for the gift we have been given in you. 


I pray that you would not hide behind any scar but let them be the story that points others to Christ.  Your smile is beautiful and your eyes sparkle. 

Your story is a beautiful one...one of pain and struggle but anything of lasting beauty goes through the refining process to bring God glory. 

You are my treasure and I love you...my earthly reminder of God's amazing grace. 


Lily has surprised us all with how well she is recovering from surgery. She rarely needs her pain medicine, she is good as gold when I clean her sutures 3 times a day and she did great on the 6 hour trip home.

Some yoga moves to stretch her legs and pass time in the car...



When we arrived home my parents had several fun things waiting for Lily. 
The highlight was the tub of bubbles that brought out lots of big smiles! 







The hardest part right now is keeping her on her back at night and making sure she doesn't fall and injure her lip. 

My parents are helping us take shifts during the night to keep our little Houdini wedged in her "cocoon" that Michael engineered in her crib using rolled up towels.   

Her doctor was super pleased with the results from surgery and she was able to accomplish everything without going all the way through her lip.  Her lip is healing well and looks great.  We return next Thursday for her to have the sutures removed.  After this...we should be surgery free for about another year.     

Thank you all for lifting up Lily and her doctor in prayer. 

We are humbled and so grateful... 

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for He who promised is faithful."   Hebrews 10:23

Favorite Photo Friday- future marathaon girl

I love this smile with her piggies and bubbles on her tongue.

It isn't very often that I capture this sweet smile straight on because she is always on the move and most turn out blurry!



Today was a beautiful sunny day with a cool breeze in the air. Lily decided she wanted to take her Elmo lawnmower on a walk.


What started as a little stroll turned out to be about a 3/4 a mile walk in our neighborhood! She was determined to keep going and NOT turn back.



Our golden "sunset" joined us for the adventure and about half way through Lily took a break to give her some kisses.



I love this one because it looks like they are both laughing! They are both very independent and lively!



Her little legs were tiring out so she decided to try out her knees.



Then she just sat down for a rest before making the long journey back home.



We took turns pushing Elmo on the way home as she walked ahead of me.



About half way home she started slowing down and gave me the "up" sign...of course I caved and carried her part of the way.



A picture of me holding her, carrying Elmo and trying to keep up with Sunset would have been quite comical.

She decided she wanted down again and then tried to pick up Elmo like I had done when I was carrying her.

Love her little tongue sticking out here working so hard to pick it up.



She finished off her walk with a big glass of water, blueberries and PBJ.
It doesn't get much better than that.

Happy weekend!  XXOOOXXX

Visit my friend Lisa's blog for some more favorite photo Friday pics!

Day to Remember {part two}

William Bond Hoover {Liam}...courageous hero, contagious smile, humble spirit, giving heart, brave warrior.


Son of my dear friends Brad and Michelle...







Big brother to Aubrey {and Gabriel}



Friend to many...





Boy at heart...



An inspiration to all who knew him...



Six years ago today Liam left the arms of his family to meet Jesus. Liam fought his battle against cancer with courage, strength and honor.

36 children are diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States.

TODAY a mother and father will receive the news that their child has cancer.


It could be my child...it could be yours.

Childhood cancer remains the leading cause of death in children by disease in our country.  Over 12,500 children will be diagnosed with cancer this year.   In the past 20 years only 1 new cancer drug has been approved for pediatric use.

Liam was the kind of boy that always wanted to help others. His legacy of giving and hope continues through the Hoover Hope Foundation. 


It is our mission to ease the financial burden by meeting the unrecognized needs of families in our community.  We want families to be able to focus on their child and not be distracted by the financial hardship that cancer can bring. 


September is pediatric cancer awareness month...would you consider being the hope for one? 


You can give online to our foundation or give to our Hoover Hope Angel Fund established at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt.  This fund directly assists local families by helping meet the unrecognized needs they face during their child's treatment.  


If you are unable to give perhaps you would consider joining us for our upcoming  Hoover Ride for Hope or the Hoover Run for Hope. 


TODAY I remember Liam. 

Michelle and Brad have never wavered in their faith even in the midst of great loss and pain.  Click here to watch their inspiring story of hope. 

The battle rages on but they are anchored in hope. 

”I am a mom who lost a son and I dream of the day

another mother does not hear the words,

‘your child has cancer’”.  ~Michelle Hoover (Liam’s Mom)

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."  Hebrews 6:19