I really don't even know where to begin......quite simply we had a wonderful Christmas! We started our Christmas celebration last Sunday evening. Since the kids were leaving with Steph and Cody to go back to Scott City on Monday, we did our small family Christmas Sunday evening. We usually just have some soup and let the kids open a few presents and then take a few pics.
The kids then left Monday morning and Monday and Tuesday were very long days. Finally Tuesday night Terry and I headed back to Scott City too. The best and worst part of heading back there is that we spend every day doing nothing but eating and this trip was no exception. When we get the whole family together we have so many laughs and time flies by. My sisters and I are all so uniquely different you would wonder how we all grew up in the same house. As we grow older our differences seem to be more apparent and for anyone who has siblings they are close with, know that your siblings are the most judgemental people you will probably ever encounter. However, regardless of the ridicule you may take you also know that there are no other people in the world that love you more. Therefore, when you put the dynamics of my family together you either cry or laugh and we always laugh. Even trips to the grocery store are filled with nothing but laughter. We pick on each other, make fun of each other, disagree, yet I love visiting. You have my older sister who is her own person and has little concern for what others think of her. She is loud and outspoken. Things have never been "easy" for her. She and I are like day and night. She was always "motherly" to me when we were young and now, well I guess I am a little more of the "motherly" one. Next there is me who is a perfectionist and Type A personality. I like things my way and usually think my way is the best way. However, I am not outspoken and usually keep my opinions to myself except when it comes to my family. Next there is Steph who is so much like me but with some bold differences. She is outspoken and opinionated and never hides her emotions or at least from me. She also thinks her way is the best way but we just find humor in this as long as "our ways" are the same. Then there is the baby, Karli. She is eager to please and the "good" one. I don't know anything negative you could say about her other than she needs to speak her mind maybe a little more. So imagine putting us all in a house together for 5 days.......you are bound to have some good laughs. The highlight of our humor this year I think is that we were convinced Cody was going to propose to Steph. I think I convinced the whole family including Steph. There is no way for me to explain all the innocent texts we sent to her when she was with Cody's family inquiring if there was anything exciting going on over there, or the glances I would make at her finger every time they would leave and return, or my constant drilling of my Dad as to whether Cody had talked to him yet. Unfortunately so far we have been a little disappointed but I am still a little hopeful as we still have New Year's :) The thing is Cody is so much a part of our family and fits right in to the chaos. He reminds me of Terry in the fact that he is laid back and just shakes his head at our insanity. Anyway, it really became more of a hopeful joke than anything but I still can't wait for that excitement.
This was my Dad's idea of humor regarding the whole idea of "marriage"
There were so many other topics of discussion to long to go into that kept us in constant discussion. Christmas itself seemed to be over in a blink of an eye. We had our big day on Christmas Eve eating more food than I do all year long and opening an insane amount of presents. Raelynn and Cooper were in pure heaven all week. My Mom spoils them like crazy. They have cousins to play with and our constant attention. They were so cute opening their gifts and would get so excited. Coop got a train set and table and could not wait to get it set up. We told him after several requests to put it together that we would not put it together until we got home. Terry even took it and loaded it in the truck so he wouldn't constantly see it. He finally quit asking about it until Sunday night when we returned home. We had just gotten home and were walking inside. Coop literally takes one step inside, turns around and says, "We put my train table together right now?" It was so cute Terry could not resist and set it all up for him. It is awesome and Coop loves it. He wants to go downstairs and play as soon as he wakes up. Raelynn likes it too and they have already spent a lot of time playing. Raelynn got her guitar from Santa as she requested and so many other things I can hardly keep track. I love giving the kids presents and they are so grateful and sweet about them. So Christmas was definitely a success all the way around.
After our gift opening on Christmas Eve afternoon we headed to our family's Church for Christmas Eve service. We love their service and it is very much a part of our tradition. My niece, Cassidy, sang a beautiful solo which was awesome to be there for since I did not even know she could sing! The Pastor also acknowledged Cooper's presence there in front of the congregation and pointed out that the Lord had answered so many prayers. As the congregation applauded for our sweet boy I thought Terry and I were going to burst into tears right there. Partly because we know how fortunate we are to have Cooper but also because it is quite touching that a group of people so far away from here had so much to do with Coop's medical success through their prayer and that they opened a little piece of their heart for our little Cooper. I am not sure how you say thank you for things like that. I just hope that the smiles and joy that Cooper, Raelynn, Terry and I show everyday displays some of the great appreciation we have for everyone who has had even a passing thought about our family.
Christmas Day my Aunt Barbara came to Scott City and we had another marvelous meal and a few more gifts were exchanged. My aunt works with a dog breeder in McDonald and they had a little puppy that needed some extra attention so she brought the little puppy with her. The kids loved seeing the little pup and even got to feed it. The kids know me all to well though and never even once asked if they could have her. On the way home Raelynn said how cute she was and followed it by saying, "I washed my hands Mom every time I played with her." It cracked me up........I love that they happily abide by my rules :)
So we are now back in Lawrence and after 4 days I think I finally have everything put away. Next will be undecorating for Christmas and redecorating the house....my favorite part! Karli came back with us to watch the kids this week while our daycare was closed. They have had a wonderful time and last night Karli and I even snuck out for the KU game and a little sister time together. Love the holidays and am sad to say another year coming to an end but super excited to see what 2011 holds for us!
Raelynn and Alise (Her American Girl Doll) in their cowgirl outfits
The kids headed back to Grandma's house this morning with Aunt Steph. I don't think I will ever get to a point that I enjoy it when they are gone. The house is brutally quiet and there are no giggles, shrills or hugs all around us. I can't wait to see them again!
This past weekend was busy but fun. I survived Steph's 21st Birthday Celebration. We had a great time. I got a call from the kids right before they went to bed. We were out eating dinner at the time and while I was talking to Coop he started to cry because he wanted me. Therefore, I started to cry. It was awful. I got off the phone and not long afterwards Terry text me and said he was fine and had quit crying. Saturday morning when I got home both kids squeezed me so tight I felt it in my toes and it felt great. They screamed and smiled and almost made it worth missing them so much! Saturday and Sunday we spent finishing our Christmas shopping and baking cookies and other goodies. I think we are all ready for Christmas!
Coop is doing great with potty training! He didn't even have an accident all the way back to Scott City and before they left he even told Cody he had to go. I am so proud of him and relieved we are almost there. Coop's new favorite movie is Bambi. He is addicted to it and will beg to watch it. In the mornings he runs through his chores....making his bed, feeding Poho, brushing his teeth.......just so he has time to watch part of it. Raelynn is her usually self, too smart for her own good :) The other day we were discussing something and she says to me after I had suggested one way to handle a situation, "well Mom I think that is a great idea but I think I have a better solution....." Could she sound any more like me? It is amazing how the pick up on everything!
I wish everyone safe travels during the Christmas holiday!
I am big on thank you notes and the kids write them for Birthdays and any other time it is needed. Yesterday my sweet daughter handed me this thank you in a nice neat addressed envelop. It makes it all worth it!!!
This time of year is magical with children but with friends like ours the magic just gets better and better. Tonight Raelynn and Cooper were lying in our room watching Frosty the Snowman while Terry was in the living room watching the KU game and I was running in between as usual. It was 7:30 or so and the door bell rang. Both kids sprang to their feet and ran to the door as they always do when the door bell rang. As I caught up with them at the door as they peered out the blinds their eyes were beaming. As I opened the door there stood Santa Claus! At first the kids were speechless and then they were giddy and then they just kept saying it's Santa. The amazing part was that Coop was not scared at all, he kept pointing at Santa and saying, "It's Santa!". Santa cheered Ho Ho Ho and promised to return in a couple weeks if they were good. It was awesome! The kids could not stop talking about it and as we put them to bed they continued to say, "Santa came to our house." Raelynn determined many reasons why he visited this year from deciding that Santa visited a street every year and this year it was our street, to that he was taking the reindeer on a practice run and he saw our cool candy cane lights outside and decided to stop. It was truly awesome! So thank you Santa so much for taking the magic of the holidays up a notch and thank you for thinking of our kids on such a cold and blustery night. You are awesome in our eyes too.
Besides the fun of this evening we have had some great acomplishments and fun all week. Coop is finally getting the potty thing! We have had a very successful week and then today topped things off. We had a busy morning and were pressed for time to get ready for a friends birthday party. Raelynn was getting in the shower and I too needed to get in the shower. I told Coop both Sissy and I needed to shower and if he needed anything to just come in and get me. He was fine with that and was busy playing basketball. I took a quick shower and as soon as I got out I went to check on Coop. I went to his room, then the living room and then the kitchen, no Cooper. I yelled for him and heard him say from Raelynn's bathroom, "I in here Mommy!" I opened the door to the kids' bathroom and there Coop sat going potty. He looked up and said, "I had go potty Mommy!" I was so happy! As he finished he looked at me and said, "Now I wear big boy undies, no more pull ups!" I agreed and he spent the rest of the day in undies including nap time. I cannot even explain how excited about this I am, now let's just hope he continues the progress.
This past Thursday evening we had plenty of laughs. The kids decided they wanted to make their own bed time snack. I honestly don't even remember what they explained to me their snack was, a race car or something but the two of them had a great time making it. I just set our various things; raisins, graham crackers, frosting, etc. and told them to have at it. We heard giggles and imaginations explode....I definitely think we will be doing that again.
Last night we decided to eat dinner out and then go around and look at some of the great light displays around Lawrence, but first we had a big surprise for the kids. My Mom was driving to Manhattan to spend the weekend with Steph and was bringing Chandler with her. So we met them in Topeka after I picked the kids up from daycare and surprised them with an overnight stay with Chandler. After we picked her up we headed back to Lawrence and carried on with our plans. We saw some great light displays and had a good time. This morning we woke bright and early and braved the cold to attend a land breaking dedication for a friend of ours that was awarded a house from Habitat for Humanity. I have never been involved with Habitat for Humanity and was going just to support our friend and her family. To my surprise this is really and incredible experience. It was also an incredible opportunity to once again point out to the kids the kindness of others and the importance of friends and family and helping others and the value of hard work. We talked all the way home about what it was all about and decided that at our next opportunity would physical participate in the building. After we had been home for awhile, Coop came upstairs from playing with a hard hat, tool belt and hammer in hand. He says, "Mommy I ready to help build the house. I have my worker hat on and my tools so I can make her a nice house." I smiled and told him I thought he would be a very good builder and it was great that he wanted to help and that maybe if he practiced with his tools he would be ready to help on the next house. It is always good to see him grasp the lessons we try to teach.
After the dedication we hurried home to get every one's baths and on to our friend Brook's birthday party. I started off by bathing Cooper. When I had finished his bath and pulled the drain I asked him to get the toys picked up and holler at me when he was ready to get out. I went on to change laundry and pick up. After a bit I went back into the bathroom because Coop was still not out of the bath. I opened the shower door and there sat Coop organizing his bath toys in perfect color coded stacks. Raelynn has demonstrated my anal/obsessive organization and cleaning skills from time to time but this was the first time I witnessed it from Coop. They make their Momma proud!
So off the Brook's Birthday Party which of course was a lot of fun The kids got quality play time and I got to enjoy more time with friends. Brooks is adorably happy and was a great party boy! As we left our plan was to go ice skating but for any of you that actually got outside today you can understand why we decided to postpone those plans. I was really disappointed as was Raelynn but it didn't take us long to settle into our warm home with cozy clothes and decided to spend the afternoon playing games. When Terry got home he and Raelynn caught some TV time together too.
It was actually a great afternoon and with Santa's visit it ended a perfectly wonderful day in a perfectly joyous way.
This next week should be a little exciting with finishing up Christmas shopping and wrapping things up before the holidays. I see much baking involved as I am making things for a bake sale on Tuesday and Raelynn's Winter Party on Friday. We have swimming on Monday and a Christmas party on Tuesday. I venture to Manhattan on Friday to celebrate Steph's 21st Birthday which I am not sure I am ready for :) Then it will be back home to make Christmas Candy and Banana Bread for Christmas gifts and just to enjoy. So on to the holiday chaos I love! Hope you all are feeling the magic as well!!!
Sunday night Raelynn and I attended the awards banquet for her Horse Show Circuit. She place 1st overall on Lead Line. She was super excited and loves her trophy.
Coop even placed.....6th overall (we won't mention there were only 6 competitors in their age group). We had no idea he would receive anything and he wasn't there but wait until next year!!!
Today Coop had another eye doctor appointment and the news could not have been better. His eyes are doing great! His vision is improving and his eye hand coordination and depth perception are fantastic. It was cute to watch him this time because he was just going along with everything they were doing and asking questions like crazy. He just sat up in that big chair like he was all grown up. He is getting much more comfortable with doctors of all kinds and I think he is starting to have fun with them. There is little doubt they seem to have fun with him. The only bad part of the visit was that it appeared he may have pink eye in his left eye. So..... we got him on eye drops and off to work we went because he could not return to daycare. I wasn't sure how long he would last but needed to wrap some things up. It turned out he was wonderful!!! He played, ate lunch, hung out with Tom and had a blast. When we picked Raelynn up from Mary Beth's he was bragging to her that he got to spend the afternoon at Mommy's office. When Raelynn asked him what he did while at my office he replied, "I helped Tom on the computer all day!" It was pretty cute.
There has been so many fun things going on lately. I will start with Cooper's Cause Foundation news. This year we donated a tree to the Festival of Trees. This is an event put on by The Shelter in Lawrence. People or organizations donate Christmas Trees, Wreathes and any version of the two and then they are auctioned off. We decided to donate one from the Foundation. On the committee was Mary Beth, our daycare provider. Our tree was titled "Hearts for a Cause". The idea was to decorate it entirely with hearts. The majority of the decorations were hand made by the daycare kids and they were truly amazing. Mary Beth and Karen did an amazing job of having all the kids help with this project including even the littlest ones. So on the Sunday of Cooper's Birthday, the tree was set up and then it is open for the public viewing all last week. Tuesday night was the auction and my friend Kelly and I attended. The trees were amazing and we had a great time. The family that purchased our tree was actually the parents of one of the daycare kids. They were so determined and excited to get the tree it made me feel so happy but what they did next was simply wonderful. They had the tree delivered to Mary Beth's! So the kids that worked so hard to make the ornaments got their tree back. It was delivered to Mary Beth on Friday and they, along with the kids, loved it! I was so touched by their generosity and thoughtfulness. The story just gets better. There was a group of police officers that delivered the tree. Many of them we knew and one of them knew Terry very well. But the special part was that one of the officers had been the Mom of a little girl that was born the same time Cooper was. Her daughter was born prematurely and was in the NICU with us. Their daughter's lung had collapsed but she was ok and they had left CMH before we had. The Dad and Terry had really connected while we were there. So for her to be one of those that delivered the tree and for her to see Coop again was awesome! Needless to say, once again, we were so touched by every one's generosity and loving gestures. I love the things that seem to come out of something that seemed so small and simple when we were doing it.
While on the topic of the foundation......we are currently taking applications for funding through the 15th. This is what we work so hard for and I would love to have many people apply for funding so PLEASE let everyone you know that we are here to help. You never know who you may tell that knows someone that could use our assistance. WE WANT TO HELP!
On Wednesday Coop had his 3 year old checkup. He is doing wonderful! He is up to 28lbs and is 3ft tall. Dr. Kelley said he looks great and was so happy with his eating. We are still trying to potty train but everyone keeps telling me not to worry that he will get it. (I just hope it is before his NEXT birthday!) We are weaning him off of his last 2 medications, prevacid and aspirin. By the end of the year, if all goes well, not one single medicine!!! That is saying a lot since we started out with 13!
We also visited our wonderful Dr. Kelley and, as my kids called her, Mrs. Claus today at their home. They had a wonderful children's Christmas Party and there was no detail left unturned. They had Christmas Cookie decorating, many crafts and even gifts. The kids were in awe and had so much fun. Their home was beautifully decorated with decorations everywhere and numerous Christmas Trees. It is hard for me to even explain how much the two of them seem to enjoy children. Dr. Kelley has always been an amazing pediatrician and the couple of times we have visited them at their home, he and his wife are equally as amazing even when not in the professional atmosphere. As I have said many times, we have been blessed with the people that have entered our lives since we have had our children and they definitely top the list.
Dr. Kelley and Mrs. Claus :)
Besides all of the festive fun we are having, we are also having fun with some new vocabulary from Cooper and new history education from Raelynn. Coop's new sayings is, "Not just yet!" It is so cute the way he says it and how he points at us when he does. For example, we got home Friday night and the kids know that as soon as we walk in they remove their shoes and take them to the closet. So like the good children they usually are, they removed their shoes and headed to their rooms. I said, "I am going to turn on the tree." Coop turns as he is running to his room, waves his finger at me and says, "Not just yet Mommy, I be right back and I turn it on." Sometimes I will ask him if he needs to go potty and he replies, "not just yet." I don't know why I find it so cute but I guess you just have to hear him say it. The other night as we were all in the kitchen Terry dropped something down the garbage disposal. Out of frustration he says, "Crap!" Both Raelynn and Coop in unison say, "We don't say Crap!" Then they proceed to tell him, "you can say Oh Man or O Fooey but you can't say Oh Crap. It was hilarious. Terry apologizes and corrects himself. Last night at dinner Raelynn informs us that a long time ago people use to buy other people and women couldn't vote. She said it with such unbelievability in her voice. She went on to explain things further and I was amazed at her accuracy and understanding. She said they had learned it in school. I just cannot believe how quickly they learn and what they retain from what they are taught. Raelynn is very loving and caring and seems to be put on this earth to help others. I love this characteristic of hers and listening to her explain things that seem so horrific and from such a different life reminds me of her innocents and makes me wish she and I could hold onto that forever. You always hope you are raising your kids to think of others and lead moral lives. I often say I will never know how we are doing as parents for another 10 years or so but on Friday I had a glimpse that we may be doing things right. We had ran a few errands after work and then headed to the Orange Leaf for some frozen yogurt. They were having their grand opening and it was $.99 for a cup of as much yogurt as you could hold and as many toppings as you could stack on. It was awesome but that really has nothing to do with my story. Anyway, the Orange Leaf is located in this little strip of restaurants/stores. It was packed due to the grand opening. We pulled in beside this pickup that had just pulled in as well. The gentlemen waited to get out of truck until we had parked and then exited the pick up. I got Raelynn out of the car on my side of the backseat and then walked around to get Coop. As I walked around the car there lay money, a lot of money. I quickly picked it up as the wind was beginning to blow it and knew right away it had to belong to the gentlemen that had just gotten out of the truck because unfortunately I don't have that amount of money :) We quickly got Coop out and I told the kids we had to hurry and find the guy. We were off on a mission and Raelynn was intent on helping me as she is far more observant than I and thought she would recognize him. Now we didn't find just a couple of bucks we found a huge wad of money (no I didn't count it but I didn't have too to know :) ). So we went to the Sprint Store, then to the Orange Leaf and finally to Smash Burger where we were pretty sure we saw the right guy standing in line. With my two kids in hand we butted our way up the long line while people glared. I tapped the gentleman on the shoulder as he talked with his wife. I asked him if he drove a white truck that we just parked beside and then I held out the money and told him I was pretty sure this was his and told him what happened. I couldn't tell if he looked at us completely relieved and terrified. He finally laughed and said it was his poker money and couldn't believe it had fallen out. He thanked us over and over again as did his wife. We acknowledged his thanks but let him know we would have hoped someone would have done the same for us if the roles was reversed. His wife made the comment, "I can't believe you came and found us." As we left Raelynn says to me, "why did that lady say she couldn't believe we came to find her?" I said, "she was just thankful we returned their money." Raelynn responds in a completely confused voice, "why, it wasn't our money to keep". I smiled, gave her a little hug and said, "that's exactly right." Nothing more was said until we told Terry about it but inside I was beaming; not because I had done a good thing but because my daughter didn't even recognize that what we had done was a good and honest thing but rather just what one would do. Thank you to the man who dropped the money, you just gave me a little reassurance for the way we are raising our children and any parent can use a little reassurance once in awhile!
