A BIG NIGHT FOR COOPER......

Wow was tonight some big steps for Cooper. As you know, Coop still does not eat anything but chips and candy. Of course there are a few other things like crackers and an apple slice once in a great while but tonight at dinner I gave him a few of the things we were having as I always do. Raelynn was playing the waitress which she often does. When she delivered Coop's bowl which contained a few peas and carrots and some pasta, she set it down and took his little spoon and said,"here Coop Sissy made this for you" and gave him a pea. HE ATE IT! And then he proceeded to eat more. He ate all the peas and carrots I gave him. Of course he did not want more but it is still a huge deal that he ate what I gave him. We were all celebrating! Then tonight we changed Coop's crib from a crib to a toddler bed, or "big boy bed" as Raelynn and he are calling it. He has been down for about 20 minutes and so far not a peep from him. Could it be that Coop would handle transitions as easily at Raelynn did? Could we be so lucky? I guess only time will tell. I still remember the first night Raelynn slept in her "big girl bed". We heard about 3 thuds followed by crying. It was really kind of funny! She never minded sleeping in her big bed though and eventually she did quit falling out!

We had a pretty good week. Raelynn and Cooper got their Christmas presents from Aunt Barbara which consisted of some cute clothes, pj's and an electric keyboard. The keyboard was a huge hit. It caused a little discontent however. Both kids wanted it ALL the time. They are learning to take turns and be patient but it has had to be put up a couple times. Aunt Steph and Cody came in for a surprise visit on Wednesday night. Cody came up to help some friends with snow removal. The kids loved seeing them. Steph watched the kids on Thursday so they got some good quality time together.

One of the most exciting parts of the week came when two families were selected by the foundation to receive benefits. I got to place a call to the families to let them know and I cannot even explain how great it felt to make that call. This is what we have been working so hard towards. It makes every late night and all the hours of work so worth it! A good friend of mine said in an email to me earlier this week; "God is amazing as he knows where each of us should be right now and has surrounded us with awesome friends and family!!!". Isn't it something, God has given us some great challenges but he also has given us everything and everyone we need to get through them and not just get through them but shine as we do. I have learned so much and grown so much. We are blessed beyond belief.

The other night Terry and I were cleaning up the kitchen and discussing the days events when we realized the kids were being much too quiet. We walked into the living room and there they sat together on the couch completely involved in what was on TV. The problem......they were watching Desperate Housewives!

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