Hoke Family

changes...

2012-01-16T18:09:00.000-08:00

dear reader,

Life always brings change...and unless I want the change I DON'T like it!! Simple things like my favorite grocery store closing, friends moving, etc.. can shake me a little and remind me that nothing in the world is forever. It makes me cherish my little children that much more knowing that all too soon they will be gone and instead of bickering, laughter and smiles my home will be filled with silence. True most days i wish for the silence..but i know I'm sure not going to like it when its an every day thing.

In our extended family we had a big change..wont' go into any detail because it didn't affect me personally but all day I've been thinking about change and the choices we sometimes make that cause them. It has been on my mind all day how people can change so much..though it this case i don't think it was really a big change...just people admitting they are not who they should be. It's funny how change has such a ripple effect for good or bad. I wish we could control the change life brings but i know that is impossible. I just hope i can be strong and roll with it and stay on the Lord path so that i am guided to who i am meant to be...and i know that involves change...but at least its for the better!

Lord let me get through this day....

2011-03-14T13:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Reader,

Ever have one of those days when you wonder how you are going to get to the next minute without losing your mind??? Today is one of those days....correct that....the past few weeks have been like that. I do not know what the heck is up with my twins, but they are hell bent on driving me right to the mental hospital.

The consent bickering between them is mind boggling and the competitiveness is crazy!! We can't do ANYTHING without there being a winner! Who gets out of the car first...who gets upstairs first, who poops first! (ok, maybe not the last one but it sure feels like it). I remember this age being very difficult with my son as well. honestly I don't remember motherhood getting "easy" until around the age of five. Our nine year old is AWESOME!!! Sure he isn't perfect but he is a great kid and we as his parents we enjoy him sooo much.

I know this soon will pass and my little girls will be big...though I am afraid there will always be drama because they are girls and well....twins.
I had a major breakdown after a ill fated trip to target..Thankfully, my great neighbor somehow sensed something was up and came over. So embarrassed that I bawled like a baby in front of her. but she took the kids out so I could gain my composure! it was a help even if just for that moment. Poor girl...i swear after seeing motherhood through my eyes she is never going to have e kids!!!! She sees the good, the bad and the ugly of it all!

I love my girls so much and gosh they are just so cute and I feel so lucky to have them and be with them that i hate when i have these days that I feel like I just would like to runaway and never look back :( So instead of doing that I'll just eat a bunch of homemade cookies...

I'll regret it later...but today is most defiantly a chocolate cookie day!!!

kristen

How would i be remembered??

2011-03-09T18:23:00.001-08:00

This week has been a real "thinker" for me. As most of you know, Kim Mendal passed and though i only knew her through my sister-in-law and two years at tot-lot... I've come to admire who she was through the thoughts of others. It was made me ponder , "How would I be remembered if I passed to the other side today?" I can tell you this much, from all that I've read about Kim...I am nothing like her!!! Now I know, I"m sure she wasn't perfect and struggled with things but i have found myself thinking of her often and wondering how i can be more like her.

When I get impatient with my children , I think of how she is the same age as me and will no longer get to hold her children in this life, when I feel like the day is just dragging on, I think of how she will no longer enjoy a nap, a hot bath after a long day....a good book or the simple laughter of her family.

Death always does this to people, it is the true reminder of what is important. THings like those extra 5 pounds that are driving me crazy...are not important. (though i will still keep working them off, having just the right outfit isn't important etc. What is important is how i spend the time with those around me and how i effect those who know me.

Kim, seemed to really get the important stuff in life. I'm happy that even though she died young seemed to live her life well. My heart aches for her children and family who are left behind. I have no doubt that she is alive and well on the other side doing what is being asked of her.

I hope that i have many, many more years with my children and family, i hope that I caN be an old woman, with wrinkly hands, a leaky bladder and that slight smell of medicine and perfume that older people have. I hope I walk slowly because of ripe old age, I hope I die "warm in by b ed" (Titanic) THis blessing I yearn for...but most of all, i hope that when I pass i will have become that type of person kim seemed to be. Loving, warm, selfless, full of service ....I want to touch peoples lives the way she did...of course with my own special touch that only "kristen HOke can provide!

Im still me after all but today I am grateful that Kim has taught me a lot in her death...and I didn't even know her that well. I can't imagine the imprint she has left on those close to her.... I part of me is extremely sad that I never really knew her...for I know that she would have blessed my life.

I'm so thankful that people like her on this earth to teach the rest of us how life should be lived.

Thank you Kim...

kristen

Feeling spiritually nourished...

2011-02-13T13:03:00.000-08:00

What a great day at church i had! Aaron stayed home with our crazy girls so i was able to bring Coby and actually hear what the speakers were saying!! It was a dream! I know i only have a few more years until every Sunday will be like this...and then i may be hoping for a distraction!!
A convert to the church spoke about her conversion. She has only been a member for six months and her faith in the gospel just blew me away. It was amazing and made me want to be that much better!
It was such a great part to such a beautiful day. The weather out here in southern California puts me in such a bright mood. I feel so blessed to live where I do, have the family I do, and have the testimony that I do.
Sorry that this blog is a little spiritual today...it's just what was on my mind.
I"m sure next time I"ll be talking more about the craziness of life but I'm going to soak in this little moment of peace and clarity :)

blessings

2011-01-30T08:36:00.000-08:00

This week I have a received an much needed answer to prayer. Having the weight of the problem lifted off my shoulders had been wonderful. The minute I received the much needed news it seemed as if the world was shinning that much brighter. The birds were singing that much louder and the air smelled that much sweeter.

It's funny how news can change your outlook on life. I quickly thought of all my blessings and gave a much needed prayer of thanks. My life, though crazy and complicated is wonderful and perfect. Things are as they should be and I'm secure in that knowledge.

Trust in a Heavenly Fathers will is extremely hard for me to do. even though I am NOT a control freak...when it come to his will or mine...I kinda become one. It's hard for my human eyes to see "all" that my father in heaven sees. But though i may do his will "kicking and screaming" i DO it in the end.

I know he can make my weaknesses strong...as there is many , and I know i can do anything with his help...i"m just thankful that this time...my will was his will!!!!

Kristen

new year going well....

2011-01-23T09:17:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to say that we are going into the third week of January and I"m not yelling!!! Okay, well sometimes, but I've toned it down A LOT, says my son. I think the warm sunny weather has been helping. I love winter, snow and the rain...but when we have a week of 80 degree weather i realize how much my body and mood crave the sun!

Every morning I've heard the birds chirping away and it almost even smells like summer! My kids have played outside a lot which doesn't happen when it's cold and rainy. Though soon I will get sick of the hot sun and enjoying it now!

My only wish would be that our pool was warm enough...that would keep the kids busy for hours!!!

kristen

A New Year....

2011-01-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

I'm going to try really hard to be more consistent in writing this blog so that hopefully at the end of the year I can print it out and have a great memory book. We will see how that goes. Life is going well. 2010 was a great year. Girls got bigger, and easier in some respects, Coby had a great time in school and sports, things were ...well just great!

I can only hope that this year is just as good. So far it has been...but then again it is only January 11th! I'm looking forward to summer vacations, coby's basketball games and the girls turning 4 years old. I pray every day that my mind stays sane while i raise these kids! I don't know how others do it? How do some mothers seem to have it all together? I used to believe that i was a person with lots of patience...these kids have taught me differently. I may SEEM to have patience because i don't "freak" out often...but inside I'm boiling!

Needless to say, 2011 will be a year for me to work on my "anger". When I asked Coby how i could be a better mother this year he said. "Not to yell so much"! WHAT! I yell a lot? i thought. To be truthful, I had noticed over the past few months that the tone of my voice was getting higher and higher...but i justified it because my girls are so darn noisy and scream sooo much that I have to "yell' to get their attention.

But Coby is right. I do not want to be remembered as a mother who yelled all the time. So the very next day I hit the Temple! I figured it was a good place to start. And you know what? I didn't yell for three straight days!!! Yea! ....I did last night though :( But at least i am aware of it and i am determined to work on it all year long.!

Here's to becoming a "soft spoken" parent...well at least not a yeller! Ha:)( that's not even a word, i know...but it works for me)

kristen

2009-09-23T18:52:00.000-07:00

Photos taken on our recent Chicago Trip! Sept 2009

2009-08-04T21:03:00.001-07:00

MORE FAMILY PICS FROM THE BEACH HOUSE!!!

2009-08-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

2009-07-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

OC Mud Race with my sisters! So much fun!. By the way that is mud under my arm pits NOT hair! :) July 18th 2009

2009-07-19T14:37:00.000-07:00

Coby's Baptism!

2009-07-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

Our new Family pictures!!! My Friend Amy Jarrett (ugh..Hill i mean ) is an awesome photographer! We had the best time with her. This is our week at the beach so I think everyone looks pretty good since we are all tanned!

2009-07-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

2009-06-17T21:25:00.000-07:00

Some new pics that I have yet to publish of the girls over christmas break. Plus Aaron and his dad at the super bowl.

2009-06-17T21:18:00.000-07:00

2009-02-17T12:59:00.001-08:00

Some new family photo's. My sister-in-law Stephenie is an AWESOME photographer. The session we had with her was very "painless". She was fast and great with the girls. Thanks Steph!

2009-02-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

2009-01-02T14:19:00.000-08:00

I haven't added any thing new is sooo long!! We just got back from a christmas trip to utah. It was a lot of fun. Having a white christmas was a blast. Coby made his first snowman! I'll have to post the pics soon. Of course our camera died christmas morning...so i'll have to get the pictures from family. We had fun hanging with family and friends but we are so glad to be back home. Hope everyone has a great New Year!!!

2008-10-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

I had to get my wedding dress out for a Young Women activity. I had fun running around the house in it! I had the girls laughing very hard. I loved when I let them put the veil on. Okay, maybe just sydney loved it. As you can tell Paige wasn't that crazy about it. I wish I could be a bride again!

2008-10-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Our Halloween Party was a blast! The kids had a great time and the parents were able to sit and talk. Though it is a lot of work, I look forward to doing it every year.

2008-10-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

2008-10-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

We went last saturday to Oak Glen with the Child's. It was a perfect day, perfect fall weather! The kids never sat down the whole time. Of course running after Sydney every five seconds got old, but hey it just worked some cardio into my day. We hope to return every year for more fun.

2008-10-16T21:01:00.000-07:00

2008-10-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Aaron took Coby to a Monday night football game in Pittsburg. Chris was starting and it was a great game! ( I watched on t.v.) Coby has a blast.

2008-10-16T20:54:00.000-07:00

2008-09-07T16:17:00.000-07:00

coby is now an offical football player for the Placentia Steelers! I think football runs in the "Hoke" blood. He loves it. Everyday he asks me if it's time to go to practice and when I pick him up from practice it takes me forever to get him off the field. Go Steelers!!!

2008-09-07T16:07:00.000-07:00

We had a fun summer. We ended it with a whole week at the beach with the child Family. Lots of fun. We enjoyed bike ride, Brian making a HUGE pancake breakfast, nights on the pier, and long days on the beach.The boys were exhausted by the end of the week, as were the parents.

2008-09-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

The girls are finally a year old!!! The party was great. I can't believe that they are already a year old. Time has gone by so fast. They are the best! I'm so grateful the Lord finally blessed me with them.

2008-07-18T23:12:00.000-07:00

I love being a mom. Today Iwas was thinking about how I am truly blessed to have these children in my life. I just can't get enough of them (okay..maybe I still crave bedtime) but I know it gets only better as they get older.

2008-07-18T23:11:00.000-07:00

2008-07-18T23:06:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our trip to Hawaii with the Mac's, Minors and Weavers!! We took Coby and the girls stayed home with grandma and grandpa. It was a fun trip. Coby went non-stop the whole time. On the last night there, he was sooo tired he slept from 5:30pm to 6am the next day. He never woke for dinner or even to have birthday cake!! If you know coby it's a miracle he didn't get up for cake! We love our friends and love that the Mac's invite us on trips. It was the best time ever and it ended way too soon.

2008-07-18T23:03:00.000-07:00

2008-07-18T23:01:00.000-07:00

2008-07-18T22:59:00.000-07:00

2008-07-18T22:57:00.000-07:00

2008-07-18T22:56:00.000-07:00

We love cousins!! This was taken after a fun day in the pool!

2008-07-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

2008-07-18T22:51:00.000-07:00

Happy 7th Birthday Coby!!! I can't believe that he is seven years old! It goes by so fast. I sound like an old woman saying that!! But it's true. I love being Coby's mom. He is the best little boy ever.

I love You Coby

Love,
Mama

2008-07-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

2008-07-18T22:45:00.000-07:00

Can't wait to eat!!

2008-07-18T22:43:00.000-07:00

2008-07-18T22:40:00.000-07:00

2008-05-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite picture of the girls right now. My little sister Erica is living with me for the summer and I am loving it. We never really "lived" together since I was married by the time she turned eight. Getting to really know her is fun. We are a lot a like! Having my other sister Michelle live with me would just complete the package!! Erica is helping me out a lot with the girls and it's nice to have someone to just hang out with during my crazy days. I fear I won't know what to do with myself when she leaves in August!! Love you Erica!

2008-05-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

2008-05-28T20:23:00.000-07:00

We spent Memorial Weekend at my grandparents beach house. All month long I have been looking forward to hitting the beach with the kids! Then came the rain!! It rained most of the weekend and Sunday night it poured at the beach. However, the sun did come out in the afternoon and we took the kids down to the water. The girls and I stayed fully dressed because it was still chilly, but Coby and his cousin Ethan didn't care. Coby spent most of the time in the water!! Sydney and Paige loved the sand. I couldn't get syndey to stop eating the sand. I'm still finding sand when I change her diapers! It's probably giving her colon a good scrub! Despite the not so perfect weather, it ended up being a really fun day! Thanks to my parents and grandparents for letting us crash with all our kids in a two bedroom apartment.

2008-05-28T20:21:00.000-07:00

2008-05-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

2008-05-28T20:18:00.000-07:00

2008-04-21T17:23:00.000-07:00

I bought these hats for the girls to get ready for summer. We've been in the pool a couple of times so far. Plus, I'm "training" for a 1/2 marathon so now we run outside. So we need to keep our skin covered!!! No skin cancer for us!!

2008-04-21T17:21:00.000-07:00

2008-04-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

2008-04-21T17:15:00.000-07:00

This is Sydney's favorite spot. She is our climber. I think she is going to be one of those kids are need a net around their crib so they don't fall out. She is already trying to get out of her crib.

2008-04-21T17:12:00.000-07:00

2008-04-21T17:10:00.000-07:00

Aaron went to his grandmother 80th b-day party ! He had a fun time spending it with family. the kids & I skipped this trip because the weekend before we had just been in Las Vegas at his brother Brandon's wedding

2008-04-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

Two very unhappy girls!!

2008-02-10T18:21:00.000-08:00

2008-02-10T18:19:00.001-08:00

The girls were going crazy one night while I was trying to make dinner. So I put them to work!! It was kinda fun...but they really aren't the best helpers. Dinner was a little late that night.

2008-02-10T18:16:00.000-08:00

2008-02-10T18:14:00.000-08:00

2008-02-10T18:12:00.000-08:00

Yummy!!

2008-02-10T18:09:00.000-08:00

Dinner time

2008-02-10T18:03:00.000-08:00

My three Wonderful Children..

2008-01-31T15:34:00.000-08:00

Sassy Sydney!!

2008-01-31T15:28:00.000-08:00

Beefy Paige

2008-01-31T15:22:00.000-08:00

The two most handsome boys ever!

2008-01-31T15:18:00.000-08:00

Ethan First B-day

2008-01-31T15:16:00.000-08:00

I'm totally late on this picture but I thought it was sooo cute. Ethan had his first B-day and cousin Coby was there to "help" open EVERY gift!!! Michelle was nice enough to put up with it!! Aunt Michelley is the greatest!

2008-01-31T15:11:00.000-08:00

2007-12-27T18:00:00.001-08:00

We had a blast at this years Newport Beach boat Parade. It was cold but we bundled up and had hot chocolate. We went with my side of the family and had a good time. Coby and cousin Ethan played in the sand while, Paige snuggled with mommy and Sydney slept in the stroller. We saw our friends the, Weavers, synders, Macs, and Knights there. It was great to chat. We did however, miss the good part of the boat parade. It came by as we were leaving. Next year we need to time it better. Hopefully we will remember.

2007-12-27T17:58:00.000-08:00

2007-12-27T17:56:00.000-08:00

2007-12-27T17:54:00.000-08:00

2007-12-27T17:51:00.000-08:00

2007-12-15T15:30:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in awhile so here is our Thanksgiving pics. We had Aaron's family this year and we had a blast. THe food was great and the company was even better. Aaron's uncle just got a new custom bike made by Jesse James. It cost about 125,000.00 dollars and he actually let aaron take it for a spin!!! Aaron had so much fun but was sooo nervous about doing something to the bike. All in all thanksgiving was awesome.

Thanksgiving

2007-12-15T15:24:00.000-08:00

2007-12-15T14:56:00.000-08:00

2007-11-22T09:39:00.000-08:00

Michelle and I got tickets to see "Dancing with the Stars" last Tuesday night. We were so excited. We spent the afternoon getting ready making sure we were dressed our best. Then on the freeway we hopped...and stoppped. It ended up taking us two hours to get there. We left at 2:30 and were at the front gates at 4:30pm. Needless to say, after waiting for only about an hour it was clear we were not going to get in. So we were really bummed, but the studio was right next to the grove so we took a walk and looked at the shops then ate dinner at cheesecake factory. We had great seats outside overlooking the street. It was awesome when it started to "snow". After our dinner we headed home full and happy. It then took us an hour and a half to get home because for some reason we got lost coming home and ended up doing circles somewhere between Cypress and beuna Park. It was the craziest night. We felt like we were in the "Twilight Zone". But I did have fun...hope Michelle did too. Maybe next year we will get tickets and we will leave very, very early!!

2007-11-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

My sister, mom and I decided to have a girls weekend up in Park City. It was so much fun. It was the first time Michelle was away from Ethan and she did great. It was my first time away from the girls but I was fine. I was just so happy to SLEEP!!! I love my kids but three is a lot of work and I really, really, needed some ME time. We relaxed, played games, laughed, talked and ate!!! It really was the best time ever. We've decided to do this once a year. It's good for us to get away and be with each other. It keeps our realationship strong. Aaron did great with the girls. The first day I called him he said " this isn't bad at all. I'll stay home if you want to work". But by the next day his tune had changed and he said he was "very grateful for me". Now I feel refreshed and ready to "hit the ground running". Life is good!!!

Best Friends

2007-11-14T21:19:00.000-08:00

All smiles

2007-11-14T21:18:00.000-08:00

Can never have enough whip cream!

2007-11-14T21:16:00.000-08:00

Silly Sister

2007-11-14T21:14:00.000-08:00

Stike A Pose

2007-11-14T21:12:00.000-08:00

2007-10-24T15:56:00.000-07:00

2007-10-24T15:52:00.000-07:00

2007-10-24T15:50:00.000-07:00

2007-10-24T15:49:00.000-07:00

2007-10-24T15:47:00.000-07:00

2007-10-24T15:43:00.000-07:00

2007-10-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

2007-10-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Coby and Aaron decided to hike up to the "Y". I thought Coby wouldn't get too tired but he loved it. Though they did have to run down the hill because a fast rain rolled in.

Aaron's Trip to Cabo

2007-10-22T15:52:00.000-07:00

My Brother Steven in Samoa!

2007-10-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

2007-10-21T20:08:00.000-07:00

2007-10-21T20:01:00.000-07:00