It's a...

GIRL!!!!

On Friday, January 30th, the Indianapolis Hoke Family grew by 4 tiny feet...

We adopted a new kitten, and we named her Sophie! Jenni is beyond excited that there is actually another GIRL in the house; however, that means that she will have to share her "Queen of the Household" title now with Sophie... but thinks that Sophie could be the "Princess" of the household. ;)

Sophie was born sometime in November, and was abandoned in a field along with 2 other litter mates. The other 2 didn't survive. The family that rescued her took wonderful care of her and bottle-fed her. She is eating normal food now.

We've forgotten how everything turns into a game for a kitten! Jenni found this out at 5a.m. this morning when she turned over & Sophie attacked her hand! Yes, Sophie slept with us. She is a snuggler!

The boys are so excited about Sophie, and are already making the shopping list at PetSmart for all of the toys she's going to need! This coming week, Sophie will take a trip to the vet - which I'm sure she's going to hate. However, we want to get her vaccinated & make sure she's healthy. We also want to ask how quickly her front claws can come out -- we also forgot how little kitties love to scratch!! We're hoping that with another "free" pet doesn't come a bill like with our dog, Kramer! ;)

Sophie is very feisty. The other cats aren't too sure what to think of her. They each had a stand-off with her last night. I'd have to say that Scout is just curious about her; the jury is still out on Boomer. However, Sophie is having none of it. She is the one that attacked both of the other cats! Maybe chalk it up to "small cat syndrome"... ;) Kramer has only seen the cat through a window... we'll do a face-to-face introduction soon. He's just so big & clunky that we're afraid he'll jump on her & not mean to! He just gets so excited to meet new people/animals & his first instinct is to jump!

Sophie LOVES to play...especially with a piece of ribbon. This has proved HOURS of entertainment for her!

Enjoy the pictures of our new baby girl!

Oh, and in case you're wondering what the pet count is up to now at the Hoke house, it is as follows...

1 Chocolate Lab - Kramer

1 Tree Frog - Spritz

2 Cats - Scout & Boomer

1 Kitten - Sophie

Maybe the Partridge in a Pear Tree is next... ;)

Love,

Jenni

Snow Day!

We finally had our first real snow day of the school year!

Wednesday, January 28th, we woke up to nearly 12 inches of snow!! Everyone was excited!

We bundled the boys up, and off they went...

Seeing as how I was still sort of "ouchy" from my surgery, I didn't go out in the snow & play. Which also means, no pictures were taken of the boys actually PLAYING in the snow. I'm bummed that I didn't send the camera out with Mike. BUT, the snow is still on the ground, and maybe this weekend, I'll make it out to play or at least take some pictures!

I did dodge a bullet... with my restrictions of lifting/pushing/pulling, my duties of snow shoveling were defaulted to Mike & the boys! Ha ha ha!!

They went out (all THREE of my boys!) twice for at least 2 hours each time. Needless to say, that when bedtime rolled around, NO ONE questioned it. I think the boys were asleep before their heads even hit their pillows! :)

The boys were out of school on Wednesday, and had 2-hour delays on both Thursday & Friday mornings. The reason for the delays was that with 12 inches of snow, it didn't have many places to go but on the curbs. When there are 12 inches of snow on the curbs, that doesn't allow many places for kids to stand & wait for the school bus... especially the older kids who stand out in the dark waiting for the buses. So, with the 2-hour delay, it was daylight for all kids waiting, and the buses could clearly see them.

However, the bus stop isn't an issue for OUR boys because mom is too much of a wimp to stand out in the cold most mornings... so I've taken to driving them to school in the morning! Aside from not having to brave the cold, everyone gets to sleep in just a little bit longer. Yay for more sleep!!

Here's to more snow! ;)

Jenni

It's OUT!

Yesterday, Jan. 16th, was the big day! They finally took out my gallbladder - and it wasn't any too soon.

The procedure went right as planned, and now my abdomen looks like a pin cushion! I have 4 incision sites, and 4 big band-aids.

I was able to come home around dinnertime yesterday & have pretty much slept until now! For once in my life, I didn't get sick from the anesthetic, and that is helping me so much recovery-wise.

Thanks for all of the well-wishes. I certainly appreciate them!
Jenni

Gallbladder - UGH!!

There once was a girl who inherited some bum body parts. No wait, that's not the way to start a story...

Let's try again.

There once was a girl who thought all of her non-essential body parts would be gone by the time she was 40...

Okay, skip the story. Cut to the chase. I have to have my gallbladder removed - plain & simple! I've been having attacks off & on for about 2 years now. It's one of those that you think about while you're having one, then forget about them once they're gone.

A few months ago, I started having gallbladder attacks quite often. I finally mentioned them to my general practitioner last month. After examining me, she sent me for an ultrasound. I had it done on New Years Eve morning. It was determined that I have gallstones. Or as Mike likes to say, "Jenni has a lot of gall..." Either way, my gallbladder is full of it!

I met with a surgeon yesterday. He concurred that my gallbladder needs to be removed. He had openings this week, but I couldn't make the moon & stars align quite the way I needed, so we opted for next Friday, Jan. 16th.

My mom is flying in on Thursday to help out, and we're very grateful for that! Mike is sort of in a bind at work; most of our guys are activated/deployed right now, and he's the only guy in his office - so taking time off isn't really an option right now. I won't be able to drive for a week, so having mom here will ensure that the boys will get where they need to be!

So in case you're wondering where my tally of removed non-essential body parts lies; I have no:
1. Tonsils
2. Adenoids
3. Appendix
4. "Girl parts" except for one ovary
5. And as of next Friday, gallbladder

That's the latest here!
Jenni

Happy New Year!

Happy 2009!!!

We had lots of friends over here on New Years Eve this year. It was a lot of food, eating, and game playing!

It was a lot of people - 23, I think was my last count (including kids), but lots of fun was had! The adults decided to try their hand at "Guitar Hero - World Tour". After a few attempts, the little ones felt they needed to show us "oldsters" how it's done! Ryan took over on the drums so we could all get through a song!

I had gotten noise makers for the kids -- and totally underestimated their ability in annoying everyone. ;o) Some of our friends had gotten "poppers" for the kids to set off... but since they set off confetti, we suggested the kids go outside. Our back yard has a nice coating of streamers now - but it looks really festive!

We all watched "Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve" and watched the ball drop. I think that was just an excuse for the kids to blow on those silly noise makers! I will definitely think twice before buying those again! ;o)

5...4...3...2...1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Ryan & his friend, Eliot (above)
My friend Tammy & me...My friend Gwen & I... Mike thought he needed to blow his noisemaker in my face. Thanks, hon!

The party was finished by about 1 a.m., and everyone was so ready for bed!! We're getting so old!! ;o)

We hope you all had a wonderful New Years Eve & here's to a GREAT 2009!!

Love, Jenni