Millie Turns One! ! ! !

Well, it is a new year and Millie turns one year old today! I think we can all say, "Where has the time gone?" She is walking, well...running (out of control) really. She smiles most of the time. She still doesn't sleep through the night. You heard me. She doesn't sleep through the night, but she is sleeping more so we will thank God for it, right?

She had a great first Christmas which would have been her second Christmas, but as you recall she chose to wait a couple extra weeks to make her entrance. Kyle never lets her forget his lack of a tax break last year. I failed to post any pictures from Christmas, but I promise before the end of the year I will. That's the best I can do right now, lol. Her party will be on Saturday and I will certainly make
sure that every cake smashing moment is recorded for all to see. It should be a blast.

Here is a little reminder of this past year. What a doll. A very photogenic doll at that.

We love our sweet Millie girl and are so blessed to have her in our lives and a part of our crazy family.

Millie at 11 Months

Here is the girlie girl at 11 months. I am not upset that I won't be trying to get this shot of her once a month anymore. She is a wiggle worm on her best day. Sheesh. But she is our wiggle worm and we wouldn't have her any other way.

Her favorite things are dancing, eating, pulling books off of the shelf and trying to walk. She also follows Buddy the Elf's mandate and says "Smiling is her favorite." We're excited to share our first Christmas with her. It's gonna be a hoot- a hoot in which she likes the boxes and wrapping paper WAY more than the actual gifts.

Oh, one quick thing. We're about to send out a new newsletter. If you are wanting one and haven't received anything in the past then we need your email. Send it to us at internationalhoovers(at)gmail(dot)com Much love and Christmas blessings! The Hoovers

She's Walking and We're Walking By Faith

Well, we all knew it would happen someday despite my attempts to knock her feet out from under her. Yes, Miss Millie took her first steps this past week. She is wobbly at best and she still holds tight to her old faithful (and quick) mode of transportation; crawling. However, she is well on her way to joining the ranks of the rest of us two footed folks. I'll update with pictures soon.

In other news we are putting together a new print letter and e-newsletter. Look for that in your mailbox and inbox very soon! We are continuing to walk in faith toward our calling at Equip. We ask that you prayerfully consider walking with us. We hope to be at Equip full time by the end of this coming March. Gulp.

That means some big steps in the near future. A few points of prayer if you don't mind.

• Ministry Partners (both individuals and churches)

• Housing (We need a place to live in...obviously. We also need wisdom to know if we should buy, rent or depend on a temporary place that is low or no cost.)

• Finances (We are depending on God to make our ends meet both now and in the future) 

• Energy (Energy to do all we need to do in the next few month to prepare for the ministry ahead)

 We are praying that this season of Advent is proving to be a time full of expectation and joy over the King who came in swaddling clothes and over the same King who  is coming again. Look for more pictures from all our holiday adventures in the near future!

The Thanksgiving Round-Up

We joined Kyle's family the weekend after Thanksgiving and enjoyed good food and I think it is safe to say that everyone enjoyed watching Millie. The wee one ate her share of the turkey and loved every minute of it! She is so close to walking it is painful! Here are a few pictures from the day as well as a couple of shots from Thanksgiving Day. We went to the playground and shared dinner with friends that evening.

All smiles with Nana (and Uncle Jay lookin' creepy in the background)

Hangin' with Poppi

Clappin' with Mimi

Swingin' with Daddy

Slidin' with Mama

Again, we are thankful for each one of you. Your support makes these holidays that much sweeter. We hope to see you over the next few month or at the beginning of the New Year.

Millie at 10 Months

Millie hit the 10 month mark on the 9th! It really doesn't seem possible, but her mobility, cheesy grin, and clothing size beg to differ. Usually I do a photoshoot each month. I did one this month, but the little monkey was in no mood to stay still. She isn't normally, but somehow in the past I managed to get a couple smiling shots before she grabs the paper and crushes it to smithereens.

Here are a few shots to enjoy!

Mission's Conference, Halloween and Exhaustion

Hi Framily (Friends and Family that is!)

This is a quick update. We are finally in a bit of lull...right before the holidays hit of course! The three previous weeks found us at our first official mission's conference right here in our little burg' of Stanley. Thanks so much First Presbyterian Stanley for loving us well and welcoming us to share our hearts and hopes for ministry! You were a true blessing and we look forward to sharing more with you in the coming years!

Millie and I took to the skies on a grand adventure to Pennsylvania. We were both sick, but we survived thanks to the Lord's grace and Aunt Jenn! Thanks again Jenn! We've recovered almost fully and we've got a bit more energy than we did a few weeks ago. It was rough! We were still sick when we got home so we stuck close to home for Halloween, but Millie was the cutest tutued ladybug around!

Aunt Veronica sent a Halloween goody box with a cute bib and some other goodies. Thanks Aunt Ron!

We look forward to seeing many of you over the holidays. I'm sure I'll have my camera in hand to catch those memorable moments. If you haven't met Millie...well...brace yourself!

Thanks to those of you who have committed to praying for us. We can feel the prayers as we move closer and closer to moving to Marion, NC and joining EQUIP International full time. Please consider supporting us financially if you haven't. We want partners in ministry. We want to be linked arm and arm with all of you in the Gospel. Thanks for the ways you've linked arms with us already!

Love to everyone! 

Millie at 9 months!

9 months today? Say what? It has officially been 9 months since Amelia Grace Hoover made her grand entrance. That means 9 months since her mama has slept 8 consecutive hours. She's not a great sleeper. There just isn't any other explanation.

What kind of things is Millie into these days? Other than the easy answer: EVERYTHING!  She is crawling and cruising. She insists on feeding herself. She never stops moving. NEVER. Not even in her sleep. She has a new pal, Katniss, her lion that Mimi and Poppi got her on her first zoo visit. She cut her first too this past week. She is a fan of swinging and riding on daddy's shoulders. She also sings...video to come.

She is a constant source of joy and entertainment! Happy 9 months Millie Grace!

Punkin' Patch

It's fall, so what else do you do but visit the pumpkin patch?

Here's some pictures to make you swoon.

 

As the weather gets cooler and we break out the sweaters I hope we all take time to slow down and enjoy the sweet things in life. For me that involves a pumpkin spice latte, but different strokes for different folks, right? 

I'll post more pics. later this week after Millie's 9 month photo shoot. Can you believe it? 9 months?!

She Belongs in the Zoo

This week we've...

had snack like a big girl...

visited the zoo...

with Mimi and (not pictured) Poppi...

learned about the physics of a toilet paper roll...

drop kicked a lioness...

and after all that, who wouldn't need a nap?

Millie is nearly 9 months old and her life is quite full for a 8 and 3/4 month old. She really does belong in the zoo...if by zoo you mean an enclosed habitat in which she can't hurt herself or anyone else. She is her mother's daughter and she has the bumps, bruises and brilliant sense of humor to prove it. She wears me out.

We're hoping to share an update with everyone on how we are doing support wise very soon. We're waiting on an update from the lady that handles all of the finances for Equip. Remember if you are wanting to partner with us --------> there is a link to online giving on the right hand side. Thanks to all of you who have spoken with us about the ministry ahead and encouraged us toward the calling God has placed on us. It is a blessing to be journeying with you all.