Our NEWcastle

The Hopwoods have moved to the Newcastle/Kennydale neighborhood.  After 8 years of marriage, we have bought our first home together!  While the real estate market rises, we took advantage last year and sold Alex's Kirkland condo, we are keeping the Mount Baker Seattle house as a rental investment property (which Joanne and I bought together in Dec 2006).  With both of these in mind, God has allowed us to expand our wings for a more spacious home to serve a new community.

We are incredibly grateful and blessed to have a new home for our family!  After a 3 year search and 6 offers later, we were matched with a seller who graciously accepted our offer.  Alex working with the seller's wife at Expedia may have given us an advantage above the competition, but really it was our sympathy sobb letter that pulled on their heart strings.  Since we have walked though so many open houses, we had referred to this house with the kids as "The Tarantula Trampoline" house because of the enormous trampoline in the backyard and its captivating decorative tarantula in one of the staged bedrooms which Ethan admired (later to find out the stuffed tarantula was a subliminal message describing the festive Halloween neighborhood).

With the new house comes change.  Change...from city sirens to deer crossing, from grocery being 2 blocks away to a 12 minute commute, from zero kids on the block to being the newest kid on the block, from a 10 minute walk to school to a 10 minute bus ride, from backyard raccoons to backyard bunnies, from all the Amazon Prime benefits to only a few services (boo, no more Prime Now deliveries).  The most difficult part of the transition was NOT the packing or actual moving.  If you ask Diana - she'd say preparing the (old and new) homes with prep, prime and painting 6 rooms before families moved while also maintaining status quo for the family (school, meals, laundry, grocery shopping, packing, tball activities, toddler class, bathing kids, bedtime routines, etc).  Diana worked 16 hour days during those transition weeks.  The most difficult part of the transition for Alex was (1) maintaining a hold of the finances - sequence of events between extreme taxes, closing on the new home, and getting new tenants, and (2) commuting Luke to/from kindergarten in Seattle from April-June, while living 13 miles away.  The morning traffic was only bearable with the carpool lane, but Alex took Luke to school in morning, then catches the bus to work from a park & ride without any complaints (from door to door was about 1 hour each day), Alex loathes traffic.  The most miraculous part of the transition (apart from our offer being accepted) was the abundant grace the kids had through it all - the kids were flexible, cooperative, and patient - they never felt scared or anxious...a pure miracle from God!  Although its just the beginning, we have yet to find a home church, make new friends and change schools in September, but so far...Christ is leading the way holding our hands through it all and we don't feel anything but LOVED.

Mount Baker, Seattle

Newcastle/Kennydale

Unpredictable Beauty - NAOMI

Naomi, you are greater than we ever expected and an unpredictable gift!  Statistics convinced us that you were going to be a boy, but we were jaw-dropped astonished when we opened up our 2015 Christmas gift to see the blood test read "XX chromosome (female)" on the results.  We thought you would come (4 days early), but you decided to make your debut fashionably 3 days past the due date.  We predicted your delivery to be a quick & speedy 2 hours, but the anticipation lasted 7 hours.  We also thought you would be just over 7 pounds, but to our amazement you came out surpassing us all at 8 pounds 12 ounces!  Unpredictable and beyond expectations.

On the Tuesday morning of June 27, 2016 our church friend Erin Perkins came over to watch your brothers while mom & dad went out to breakfast to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary.  We drove to the restaurant, parked the van and decided we weren't going to make it through the meal.  So we detoured through the McDonald's drive-thru for pancakes on the way to the hospital instead.  Arriving at the hospital around 9:30am, I declined the wheelchair and went directly to triage where I was admitted at 3cm dilated with contractions every 5-6 minutes.  In company with Amy Kirk, we moved to our delivery room, started fluids, got an epidural around 11:00am, and received antibiotics for Group B Strep (which requires 4 hrs prior to delivery).

Then we waited.  Waiting for antibiotics to settle in, waiting for my water to break, waiting to be fully dilated, waiting for you to descend.  While waiting daddy got coffee and a sandwich, Amy was checking emails and getting her classes covered by other trainers, and I was able to order broth soup and have clear liquids while watching tv (nothing good worth noting). The nurse talks about the terrible Hillary/Trump politics and noted that I've been contracting every 3 minutes, one contraction that even lasted 3 minutes long.

4:00pm now and Dr. Bridges determines that its time to manually break my water and check how progressive we could be with one big push.  Successful, its 'go time'!  Gowns on, everyone in position....1 big push (counting to 10)...you were born at 4:28pm!  Brought directly to my chest all goopy with adorable chubby cheeks (before taking your vitals under the warmer), I'm proud of you and right away love being your mother, holding you close to me, and hearing your first breaths/cries.

Naomi Joy Hopwood born Tuesday, June 27th, 2016 at 4:28pm.  Weighing 8lbs 12oz and 21.5 inches long, surpassing your brothers in both categories!

NAOMI:  meaning "pleasant or beautiful".  Eemo Joanne was the original suggester of the name and your father and I put it at the top of the potential names list quickly.  Once we saw you, Naomi was very fitting.  The biblical Naomi from Ruth 1 lost much was heartbroken and became bitter, but God saw her as a blessing and encouraging mother-in-law to Ruth.  He never viewed her the way she poorly viewed herself.

 

DnA Covenant Vows

On June 27, 2009 Alex and I have committed to a covenant with the following vows.

marriage vows

ALEX

I Alex, take you, Diana, to be my lawful wedded wife.  I accept the responsibility given to me to love you as Christ loves the church with the humility and strength He supplies.  I promise to serve, support, and trust in you, helping you to become a woman who is sanctified in the ways of the Lord.  With His help I will love you with patience, sensitivity, and understanding.  I praise our Lord for giving you to be my wife.

DIANA

I Diana, take you, Alex, to be my lawful wedded husband. I vow to uphold God’s will for me to be your helper, submitting to you as unto Him. I will be faithful to you, honor and respect you as we serve our Lord together as one. I promise be by your side, to support you in your efforts to grow as a husband and as a Christian. I praise our Lord for giving you to be my husband.

ring vows

ALEX

I give you this ring as an outward symbol of my commitment to you.  I pledge myself to you and you alone in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

DIANA

I give you this ring as an outward symbol of my commitment to you.  I pledge myself to you and you alone in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

One 'Rock' Unskipped

Announcement email to the family dated May 5, 2008.

Dear Family,

With great joy & excitement, I announce that Alex & I as we are recently ENGAGED!

This past Friday, Alex picked me up for a surprise date night which started off with a stroll through Seward Park near my house. On our walk, we were casually talking about all the great things God is doing in our lives and enjoying the beauty of His creation on the dry, overcast day. As we encountered a beach of rocks, we couldn't pass up the opportunity for a little competitive rock skipping (which Alex let me win). After our first round, we both were seeking for more skipping rocks and in so doing Alex got down on one knee and asked, "Diana, how about this rock?" To my surprise, I gasped for air, had the biggest smile, tears running down my face, and was speechless. After a few precious words he asked me to marry him and I emphatically said "YES!"

The night continued with a fancy delicous dinner at Canlis Restaurant, then we joined Joanne & Jaime at The Local Vine in downtown Seattle afterwards for a celebratory toast.

It was a magical evening and we are truly excited for what lies ahead!  We are very thankful as Jesus has blessed us with His love and grace throughout our relationship.  Without God, we wouldn't have met 10 months ago or be where we are today.  I look forward to introducing you to Mr. Alex Hopwood.  We are in prayer for a 2009 wedding.

Blessed,
-Diana (and Alex Hopwood)

New Year...New Addition - ETHAN

Some people start a new year aiming to stop habits or start anew. Whether its to get fit and healthy, set financial goals or new traditions. In January 2014 we started the new year with a new family addition!

Sunday, January 26, 2014
4:00 am - Contractions became intensely stronger.
4:30 am - Its 'go time' with contractions about 7-8 minutes apart. I tell Alex we probably should call my mom (Halmonee) so that she can make her way over to our house. Time to load the car with our bags and "BREATHE!"
5:50 am - Mom and dad arrive to our house and caught me eating a piece of zucchini bread. Contractions were 5 minutes apart now and we're headed to the hospital.
6:15 am - Check into the Swedish Hospital Triage center about 4cm dilated.
7:30 am - Moved into a very spacious delivery room. Nurse checks dilation and requests an epidural. Also gives me the GBS antibiotics which takes 4 hours to settle in (baby is likely going to arrive before the 4hr expiration).
8:00 am - Nurse says I've dilated nearly a centimeter every 15 minutes. Now at 8cm, I get an epidural and my friend, Amy Kirk arrives.
10:00 am - Dr. McDermott and the attending resident notice that baby's heart rate drops and its no longer worth waiting the full 4 hours for the GBS antibiotics to take affect. "We're going to break your water and have a baby" says the resident.
10:19 am - After 1st set of active pushing, the top of his head came out with a "shower cap" over his forehead. After the 2nd set of pushing, he was here!

Ethan Joseph Hopwood was born on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at 10:19am. He weighted 7lbs 10oz and was 19.75 inches long.

The umbilical cord was wrapped round his neck twice, and after the nurse cleaned him and took his vitals he was brought into my arms with irregular breathing. Because Ethan arrived before my full 4hrs of antibiotics (we get to stay in the hospital another day) and with regular breathing issues; it was a case for nursery care. Ethan's strength was demonstrated when nurses said he may be away from us in the nursery for about 4 hours depending on his recovery, but was returned to mom & dad only after an hour.

ETHAN - meaning "Strength". Also a wise counselor to King Solomon.
JOSEPH - name given by Halmonee and Halabogee after the biblical Joseph of Arimathea. (Matthew 27:57, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:51, John 19:38)

"Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council (and disciple of Jesus), who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body." (Mark 15:43).

 

  

Our 2011 Christmas Gift - LUKE

Its been a smooth 41 weeks of carrying our unknown child. Unsure if its a boy or a girl, unsure of its features, unsure of what it even sounds like. Although six days past the expected due date, our child is absolutely perfect.

Saturday, Dec 3, 2011
3:53 am - Beginning of strong contractions (avg 30 mins apart)
7:02 am - 1st time having breakfast at Silver Fork restaurant (avg 15 mins apart)
12:54 pm - 1st call to the doctor. Doctor's response: "give it another hour." (6 mins apart)
2:30 pm - 2nd call to the doctor. Doctor's response: "come to the hospital" (5 mins apart)
3:15 pm - Arrived at the hospital and admitted into triage. Confirmed I was 4cm dilated.
4:00 pm - Received my really large birthing suite.
5:10 pm - Decided to get the epidural (probably at 5cm dilated), later received 2 additional doses epidural, my parents visited & prayed over me.
10:00 pm - Nurses realize my water broke at some point in time.
11:00 pm - Nurses identify that baby's heart rate is dropping with each contraction (due to pinched umbilical cord).

Sunday, December 4, 2011
12:20 am - Dr.Bridges informs me of baby's heart rate dropping and that alternative methods may need to be considered, but try natural first. She also confirmed I was dilated enough to start pushing.
12:35 am - Began pushing with each contraction. The doctor used the vacuum and if the baby didn't come out, then the next solution is cesarean. One final push and...
12:54 am - Alex announced that its a baby BOY! Our son's umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice, nurses cleaned him and took his vitals. Alex immediately tended to our little boy, then when they brought him to me on the bed - Alex began to pray aloud (this is what really melted my heart to tears). Praise Jesus, he is healthy...no cone head, no heart issues, and doesn't have jaundice.

Lucas James Hopwood (goes by Luke) was born on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 12:54am. He weighted 6lbs 14oz and was 20.25 inches long.

Thank you Jesus for answering all our prayers from the beginning. Thanks to all the doctors, nurses and staff at Swedish Hospital-First Hill for your compassion and great service. I could not of had a better first-time experience and really do appreciate you staying up through the late hours to comfort me and ensure a healthy delivery. As I've told others, "I would do it again." Thank you!!

 

Woohoo!

(Diana) For dessert, unscramble the cupcake letters to figure out what it says.
(Mom) "I see the word baby. B-A-B-Y"
(Sisters) "Baby, what? Woohoo!"
(Mom) "Oh yeah, its says 'Baby Woohoo!'"
(Diana) "It says 'Baby Hopwood', but we'll name it Baby Woohoo for now."

Now I get it why they call it the "Miracle of Life"...because this gifted blessing is created as just that...a divine miracle! Our little child is a healthy 13 week old fetus (apparently the size of a lime) and seems to be as chill as its daddy. We are incredibly excited and joyfully looking forward to November 28, 2011!!!