Jase Isaac Hoover

Many of you already know, however here is our beautiful baby boy Jase Isaac Hoover. 

Born Monday November 19, 2012 @ 5:37 PM weighing in at 8 lbs!

He is such a great little guy.  Sleeping and eating great!  Ashlee is taking to being a mother so well.  The updates will continue from now on!

Again, Thank you so much for all the prayers!

Love y'all

Still no baby...

Just wanted to update those who check on here for updates....

No baby! YET! After seeing the doctor on Wednesday we will wait until Monday before they induce me.

Please pray that I go before then. I'd rather not have to wait 3 more days and go through being induced. The doctor reassured me that it's not bad, and I'm sure it's not terrible but would still rather not go that route if I don't have to.

Thanks for all the love, messages & emails!

41 weeks

Oops thought that we had posted something in the last couple weeks but apparently I was too "busy" waiting for the baby to remember to write.

I was hoping to not have to ever write "41 weeks" but I've alway had in my mind that I would be late. My mom was 2 weeks late with all 3 of us so she warned me.

I have to say I'm feeling pretty good. I've been sleeping pretty well- in fact I was only up twice last night! That's success at 41 weeks!

We go to the doctors today where he will do a scan to see how the baby is doing. If things are okay he will let me wait until Monday and then be induced. If the baby is not safe and healthy then I would get induced tomorrow (Thursday).

I've really been hoping I wouldn't have to make a decision as to when to be induced. I pray that the scan makes things very clear. I trust my doctors wisdom but also know that a week over really isn't really that late.

One way or another we will have a baby in our arms on Thanksgiving and that's something to be thankful for!

Paddle for Poverty and Prayer

Here are some photos from last weekends Paddle for Poverty.

Registration... we were a little nervous as only 14 people had registered for the event before hand but we had over 80 paddlers on the day!

Lined up ready to go

Some people paddled the 10km themselves others did it in a team of 4. And I(Ashlee) did laps around the free snack table during the event. The locals boardriders want to see this happen every year and were grateful for the free treats after the paddle. This was really encouraging for the guys who organised the whole event. We feel like it was a great success, especially for the first year!

This Saturday and Sunday we have a fundraiser BBQ at a local surf competition. Please pray that we make positive impact on the boardriders we are serving and that everything goes smoothly. 

We're in the home stretch now. 39 weeks! Any day our baby could come. I currently have a cold, sore throat & runny nose. I got it from Jeremy (thanks Jer!). So we are hoping that it passes before I go into labor. We'd appreciate your prayers for quick healing of the cold!

Feeling very large this week!

Thanks!

2 Weeks Left!!

Some time in the next 2-3 weeks we will become parents!! We will keep you in the loop as the time gets closer. Please keep praying!!

Today is Saturday 27, Jeremy is working the shop and Ash is helping Christian Surfers QLD run an event called Paddle for Poverty.  It's a 10 kilometer paddle on a surfboard. Some participants do the whole 10 km themselves and some do it as a team, each member paddling 2.5 km. We are raising money for a Compassion project in Indonesia. Our goal is to raise around $8,000 for a water well and filtration system for a village of just over 100 families. Pictures to follow later in the week.

Also, next weekend we have a big BBQ that Christian Surfers runs at a local surf competition. It's all day Saturday and Sunday. The event has already been postponed once so please pray for good weather and waves to surf. Running the BBQ/concession stand is a great way to serve the local board riders and connect with the community

Love you guys!!

37 Weeks

The count down can officially begin...

37 weeks... meaning 3 (ish) weeks to go! There is something so relieving about knowing your baby is full term. Seeing the doctor is now a weekly event and today I was glad to hear everything is good! The baby is still in the correct position and it's(can't wait to say he or she!)just settled into the pelvis which I'm told is really good. None of that means the baby is coming soon but it's definitely reassuring for a first time mom to hear that everything is as good as it can be at this stage.

We've been so very fortunate to have had such a smooth and healthy pregnancy. It's easy to take it for granted until you hear all the stories of those who haven't had it this easy.

Please continue to pray us and the baby!

Much love & Happy Friday(or I guess Thursday for many of you) :)

Less than a month to go...

It's been too long since we've update our blog but what else is new, right? Here are a few pictures that our awesome friend Seth Snider took to help us document and remember this huge milestone.

With less than a month until my official "due date", I'm getting really excited to finally meet this baby. We'v now had a hospital tour, another scan and an active birth class (that Jeremy did very well in!) and feel more prepared for the labour and birth.

Things here in Australian hospitals are much different than in US hospitals, or at least it seems. We haven't experienced a birth in the States so we can't say first hand but from what we've heard it's quite different. They discourage the use of drugs and medical intervention, if at all possible. It's still totally up to the mom and what she wants. They recommend you being off your back and to stay active while in labour. They don't mean running around but using different techniques to help you cope with the pain. I have no idea how I will do but I feel fortunate to be encouraged and supported in that way. I very well may have an epidural and/or end up needing a c section but I appreciate that I can be empowered to go the "cave woman" route while still being in a hospital. 

I'm sure I'll look back on this post in a couple months and think... "wow, I was ignorant and naive!!" I pray not but God is in control and knows what is best for baby and me.

I'm going to continue to work up until my due date and then if I go late I will enjoy a couple days off to myself. I also have decided that if I go over my due date I will distract myself by decoration for Christmas early (that is if I feel up to it). I love Christmas and without having Thanksgiving here it seems more acceptable to decorate a bit prematurely. And who's going to tell an over-due pregnant woman she can't!

We covet your prayers as we enter into the last few weeks of what we know as normal and enter into a whole new chapter of what will be the new normal. Thanks for reading :) 

Back to Oz!

Soooooo sorry we havent been updating this blog while in the States.  That said, let us catch you up on what's been happening...

First we flew to Nashville, Tennessee. Meeting up with Jeremy's lifelong buddies.

We spent 4 days with them and then flew to Jacksonville. We had a great time with family and friends in Jacksonville!

Finally got to meet my stunningly beautiful niece Ella!

We even got to enjoy time away with family at our wonderful friends beach house! Thanks Woods family!

After Florida we flew up to PA to spend time with more friends and family.

Our little on is next!

Yay for Ashlee's whole family being together!

Oh and Ashlee had two baby showers. So here are some photos of that. 

Thank you all so much for your prayers while we were away.  Now its back to real life.  Love y'all!!

The Move & The Clean

We are out of our old house!! WOO HOO! Finished cleaning yesterday but the big inspection is Thursday. We are really praying everything is up to par. This is the only picture I have available right now....

Jeremy was a trooper and climbed up a ladder to clean the windows. 

We moved into our new house and it's starting to feel like home. I'm hoping to finishing most of the unpacking tonight and tomorrow night. We went from living in a 5 year old house to a 60 year old house so it's been a bit of a "culture" shock. I am so grateful for the new place and love the location. Falling asleep to the sound of the ocean isn't too bad either :) 

There are a few issues with the house that we have requested maintenance for. The owners don't seem to want to put much into then house (understandably so, it's old and will probably get knocked down one day). Pray that they would give us favour!

Hope you're having a great week! Less than 3 weeks until we are heading to the USA! 

The Beach Shack

We got the keys to our "new" house. And wow it was in even worse condition than what I remembered. We didn't notice a lot of the little things with all the previous owners stuff everywhere. My biggest concern was the pink bathroom. That's now at the bottom of my list. Jeremy has graciously agreed to do some painting in the the rooms that were in bad condition. One room half done and I can already tell it's going to be just fine!

Windows not opening and broken screens are really my only concern. We are hoping and praying the owners will be kind and fix these. With no air conditioning in the summer and a new baby on the way, these two things are high on my priority list. Wow I'm really sounding high maintenance now!

We had a good laugh as we were leaving the house today..... the owners had the front porched fixed and repainted. We thought it looked nice but noticed that it must not have been the correct paint as it showed EVERY foot print. We put the bad paint job behind us and just thought oh well! Until it was raining today.... apparently it was definitely NOT outdoor paint.... every move we made brought up the paint. and showed the white paint underneath. We laughed knowing that this is just the start of what we are going to find. Now we are just hoping they'll come back and fix it!

Pictures to come shortly!! Right now there isn't much to show... they weren't kidding when they called it a "beach shack".

We got the House!!

Well it is official, we have been accepted for a house in Mudjimba. It is about a minute walk from the Surf shop and is a great little beach shack.  We will post up photos when we start the move.  We have around 3 weeks before we move.  Thank you so much for the prayers!  God has definitely hooked us up with this place.

We love you all!!

A new HOME!

We are in the process of home hunting. We need to be out of our house July 19th so time is a tickin'. There is a great little "beach shack" a couple blocks from the surf shop in Mudjimba. It is by no means fancy or nice but it's perfect in so many ways. We both feel like it's "the one". We've applied but now have to wait to hear back if we've been accepted. 

As you can see... it's a beauty!! :)

You're prayers would be much appreciated in the next couple days!!

Indoor Skate Park

"The Woods" indoor skateboarding park by the Boardstore is now open. This has been a dream of the YWAMer who started the Boardstore skate shops and surf shops for over 10 years.

It's been amazing to see God's faithfulness through so many trials and to now have the indoor park open. Below is a news clip about the opening of the park.

We also had this weeks usual Monday morning corporate worship time with YWAM at the indoor park. We spent time worshipping there and praying over the park and for all the kids and parents who come and go through out the weeks to come.

Rob doing a little trick of jumping over 3 people. Skate ministry started years ago with Rob going into schools and doing this trick. It open doors for kids to listen to what he had to share! Love how God uses our gifts to further his kingdom!

Worship

NEWS CLIP

Life this week

Jeremy's cousin has been visiting the last couple weeks & leaves Friday :( We are sad to see her go! We're sad that we didn't get to spend more time with her - work and life commitments kept us busy the last couple weeks but we're so glad for the time we did get to hang out.

Saturday we welcome the Leaman's! A family of 5 from our church in PA. We are super excited to have them here and show them around our life.

Lastly, I've gotten some sort of cold. It started Friday with a sore throat and now I have no voice(Jeremy secretly probably is loving it!). I came home from work today to rest. If I wasn't pregnant I wouldn't be worried at all- just let it run it's coarse- but I know I need to be careful and not let it escalate. Prayers are appreciated :)

Last week's 17 week picture....this picture is a bit generous of the belly- don't think I'm actually that big!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

News Clip

Here's the link to the news clip about the accident!

Click here!

Accident at the Boardstore

Check out this link.

There was an accident at the Boardstore/Kai Coffee Bar yesterday. It's a miracle that no one was hurt. Just minutes before our good friends were in the area that the car ran into. They were in the shop when the car hit but only got hit by the skateboards & racks.

Angels were truly protecting the shop yesterday and the Naus family, Seth & Ray. Everyone is so grateful for God's protect!

Birthdays & Babies

It seems the last few months have been filled with birthdays & babies. I love both so I'm not complaining. 

 Last Friday we had a small birthday party for my dear friend Tiffany's 30th! Just appetizers and dessert!

Banoffee Pie for the birthday girl! (if you've never had Banoffee Pie & you love bananas and caramel- you must make one- now one of my favourite desserts!)

Happy Birthday Tiffany!

The girls!

Then Saturday was Leanne's Baby Shower! I had fun planning this one at a local cafe called The Velo Project. It's an vintage and eclectic cafe that was so kind to stay open late for the shower.

The even listed the special menu for Leanne

Yummy crepes, fruit & coffee to celebrate

Lots of baby boy presents

Writing notes on the diapers for Leanne & Cam to be encouraged

Kathy shared some great advice... isn't that cafe cute? 

Praying for Leanne

Me, Leanne, Kristin & Tiffany

Cooking & the bump

I'm a couple weeks late in uploading these but enjoy....

Meet Baby Ivy! Our friends Sean & Emily's latest edition to their family. What a sweet baby girl!

Here are just a couple pictures from the retreat I cooked for.

23 of us total

It was such a great time! The students were so grateful it made cooking all day so worth while.

This hardly a "bump" picture but some have been asking. 15 weeks here. Not sure I'll ever be able to beat the snorkelling 13 week shot!

More "RE" stories!

So two weeks ago I gave all my RE students a New Testament Bible.  When I returned the following week, several kids told me that they have been reading Matthew. One kid told me he is on page 60. haha Also one of the teachers told me his son has been reading it a lot and has a few questions for me!  I am loving what Jesus is doing through Ash and I at this public school for his kingdom.  Please continue to pray with us for these kids.

In other news, Ash and I are just plugging along (more like trying to rap my head around being a dad this year!!).  This is going to be a game changer for me.  Most of the time I feel like I will fail miserably. However, I know that through Jesus all things are possible.  The great news is Ashlee feels great, she hasn't been sick or anything, so we are praising the Lord for that!!

Thank you so much for all of you who read this and pray for us!  and like Ash said we are stoked to be coming back to see all of you round August/September.

FLIGHTS BOOKED!!

We can officially say we are coming home this summer! YAY!

We booked our flights for August 2nd- September 13th!

We'll be in Jacksonville first then onto Pennsylvania. It was a bit of a mess trying to find a ticket that was "cheap" and allowed us to fly back August 2nd but God made a way! I'm so grateful!

We look forward to seeing YOU this summer!
xoxo

First batch of Bibles go out!!

As a base of YWAM Sunshine Coast we have committed to giving out prayerfully 10,000 bibles in our ministry areas.  Ashlee and I have ordered 150 as step one.  So last week I had the opportunity/privilege to give all my Religious Education (RE) class students their very own (most their very first) Bible!!

I handed out around 80 bibles total in two classes.  They were so stoked to get them.  Please pray for them to actually read it and for Jesus to be drawing them to himself!  

Bali Wrap Up

While in Bali, there was a group, from our base here on the Sunshine Coast, of DTS students there on outreach. It was the same group of guys Jeremy spoke to a few weeks ago on Relationships. Our time overlapped so we were able to spend a bit of time with them.

Aaron and Nato looking a little silly on a pink motorbike together! 

Breakfast with the boys

One last surf at famous Uluwatus 

And here are a few random pictures from our trip...

While were on our flight Jeremy found our ticket from 2 years ago to Jamaica! Fun co-winky-dink! 

flying in to Bali

An authentic Indonesian food court where you eat for 2 dollars including a drink

For those who heard about Jeremy's devastating board break, he's happy to say he has his friend back! The guy on the left put the 2 pieces back together and it looks amazing! I have very happy husband!

We ate lots of yummy Mie Gorang- fried noodles & Nasi Gorang- friend rice!

You never know what you're gonna see on the streets!

A&W Root Beer float---- DELICIOUS! This was such a treat since we don't have Root Beer in Australia!

Thanks for all of you who have been praying for us while we were away. We feel really blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to go back and visit. 

I leave Sunday to cook on a YWAM School of Biblical Studies retreat for 3 days. Pray for me and for the people who eat my food :)