3 MORE DAYS!

THREE MORE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bryon will be home in just three more days and I'm so excited I can barely stand it! Funny story, Sunday we were having lunch with my whole family, celebrating Nate's birthday and my mawmaw was sitting beside me. We were talking about how Bryon will be back stateside on Friday and how I'm so eager for him to get here I barely know what to do! She said she better not see me out walking 6 hours a day now or that baby will for sure come! I guess for those of you who don't live next door to me like she does, I have found much stress relief and relaxation in my daily walks. They started out strolls and are now like 2 mile waddles but I really find a great deal of comfort in the cooler temperatures that Fall is starting to bring in each evening and just spending time talking to the Lord and daydreaming about Bryon being back and Molly arriving. So needless to say, my mawmaw has spoken and I'm trying to keep my walks to 2 miles or less :)

I had another doctors appointment yesterday! This was actually the last appointment I will have before Bryon gets here and is able to go with me! My mom has been so incredible going with me to every appointment these past 8 1/2 months. She hasnt missed one single apt and has taken me anywhere I want afterwards for a celebratory lunch/breakfast where I am instructed to eat anything I want, paying no attn to calories. :) It has been so much fun mom, so thanks again. Next Thursday is my next apt and Bryon will hopefully be able to go with me!

So about the apt. There have been no significant changes since last week, thank the Lord! I havent dilated any and am still 50% effaced. She did say she could feel the baby on the exam and that she has dropped even more since last week. She gave me the AOK to go to Fayetteville and made me copies of my records just in case I had any issues while I was there. The heart rate was a strong 150 and she is moving wonderfully. No contractions yet but that is what we've been praying. That labor would completely hold off until Bryon was able to get home and we were able to spend a little private time together. So thank you Lord for hearing our prayers!

I am going to be heading to Ft. Bragg later this afternoon with my loaded up car full of Molly's shower gifts. I've got lots of cooking to do before my hunny gets home on Friday and lots of relaxing to do to keep Miss Molly inside and comfy at least until Friday. Please continue to keep the three of us in your prayers. Bryon is packing and finishing up the last things at work. He has a big going away dinner/party that his friends are throwing for him tonight. He's pretty excited about it and all the good African grub he will be getting one last time.

Love to everyone

A Soldier by Angela Goodwin

A Soldier by Angela Goodwin: "A Soldier

There is discipline in A Soldier
you can see it when he walks,
There is honor in A Soldier
you hear it when he talks.
There is courage in A Soldier
you can see it in his eyes,
There is loyalty in A Soldier
that he will not compromise.
There is something in A Soldier
that makes him stand apart,
There is strength in A Soldier
that beats from his heart.
A Soldier isn't a title any man
can be hired to do,
A Soldier is the soul of that man
buried deep inside of you.
A Soldier's job isn't finished after
an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,
A Soldier is always A Soldier
even while he sleeps.
A Soldier serves his country first
and his life is left behind,
A Soldier has to sacrifice what
comes first in a civilian's mind.
If you are civilian -
I am saying this to you.....
next time you see A Soldier
remember what they do.
A Soldier is the reason our land
is 'Home of the free',
A Soldier is the one that is brave
protecting you and me.
If you are A Soldier -
I am saying this to you.....
Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER
Thank God for what YOU do!

Angela Goodwin"

Baby Center 36 week update!

Hello, Haley!

Your baby is gaining about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy hair that covered her body, as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that protected her skin during her nine-month amniotic bath. Next week, your baby will be considered full-term. Most likely she's in a head-down position, but if she isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an external cephalic version, where she'll try to turn your baby by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

CHANGE OF PLANS!!

We have a change of plans!

The army has decided to allow Bryon to come home even earlier!

He will be leaving Mali on Sept. 18th and arriving in Fayetteville in Sept 19th, which is

next week!

It is hard to believe we have survived 8 months of separation and have arrived, finally,

to the time of celebration. I've longed for this for so long and it is here! Ironically, the day

he lands in Fayetteville is the day I am 37 weeks along, aka, Full term! So anytime after

that little Molly could show herself to the world! Please keep Bryon in your prayers as

he travels home and Molly and I in your prayers that she will stay put just a little while longer.

SOOOOOOOO EXCITEDDDDDDDDDD!!!

36 week Molly!

Here are my most recent ultrasound pictures! We are 36 weeks in just a few days and all is well. Molly is measuring right on her due date and her heart beat was 139 at this appointment which is perfect. They did a cervical check this time and said I was 50% effaced (or thinned out) and that she has dropped completely into my pelvis and is ready to come any day now! I haven't dilated or had any contractions yet but it is exciting knowing the process has begun! Now all we are waiting for is Bryon to come home. Keep the prayers coming!

Soldiers Coming Home

Two more weeks, my brave soldier... two more weeks...

Sahara Desert Part One

Here is Part 1 of Bryon's 9 day trip into the Sahara Desert. I don't know the purpose of the trip or what they did, but I do have some photos that I will share with you all. These are what I have now, more will come and I'll post a Part 2 after I get the rest.


It's hot, I'm dirty but what do you expect at the end of the world.

Beautiful sunset over the desert

This picture is classic. Bringing his Penn State flag into the Sahara Desert and taking a picture with the Timbucktu sign. This is the definition of a true fan.

Malian military who traveled with Bryon's team in the truck in the background. This picture is a nice close up of my hunny's lovely facial hair that he let grow before the trip. It is important to blend in with locals and get rid of the clean cut army look before going into a dangerous area.

Group's vehicle after 9 days in the desert. The vehicle beside it is the color it was originally. Gotta love the rainy season and desert dirt and mud.

Local hot tea in the desert. Not sure if that face is from the tea taste or the temperature of the tea, either way, looks not quite like an ice cream face.

Bryon drinking local fresh goat milk. I don't think you like it much sweetie :)

Camels in the desert

Baby Center 35 week update

How your baby's growing: Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Baby Shower Pictures

Presents already stacked up before the shower even started! Thank you to everyone!

Molly is really blessed, lots and lots of fantastic gifts from lots of great friends and family!


The Hostesses and my beautiful momma who let us have the shower at her house and did all the catering and everything really. Thank you mom!

My sisters, mom and mawmaw. Four generations in this picture if you count Molly

Checking out all of the thoughtful gifts after the shower was over.

Random Memories

This is the first official picture Bryon and I ever took together. This was taken the day we met with Bryon's camera phone!


Easter 2007. At that time, only Chris was a member of the family. Now a year later, the other two boyfriends in this picture are now husbands! So I guess this is the first official picture of the son-in-laws in the Hoke family, way before they officially were son-in-laws.

Bryon and my Grandma in Charleston 2007. Two of the most special people to me in the world!

One of my many experiences with Bryon and his LOVE of ice cream.

Our first camping trip. It was freezing cold but we had a fantastic time spending time together with my sister Mary under God's beautiful creation.


Celebrating Bryon's promotion to Sargent in 2007. My parents took the whole family to Water Oak restaurant to celebrate. So proud of you sweetie!