THE END TO MARCH MADNESS..........

What a weekend of Basketball.  I cannot tell you how disappointed we were to end the fun of March Madness but I guess it has to end sometime.  I dread when basketball season is over because it is really the only sport I don't mind being on TV all the time.  Now starts golf, talk about putting a person to sleep.  Just their broadcasters and their quiet warm voices are like a bedtime story!!!  Anyway, this weekend was filled with more laughs from the kids even though the NCAA Tourney left us sad.  During Sundays game, in the first half when Terry was yelling at the TV and Coop was just staring at him, Coop turns to me and says, "I think they just need a little Pixie Dust Mom.".  I wish it were only that simple!  Coop is big on imitating things right now and acts out scenes from TV shows all the time.  It is usually hilarious.  Since I work at Farmers Insurance and they had multiple ads on during the Tourney Coop began singing the little Farmers Jingle. 

If you have never seen our ads this won't be near as funny but if you have, it's pretty cute.

Friday night as we rushed home to get dinner and watch the first game of the weekend, Raelynn decides I am working too hard.  She gets the couch set up with a pillow, blanket, bottle of water and then calls me into the living room.  She tells me to lay day and rest why she proceeds to give me a foot massage and Coop massages my head.  It was awesome, she had foot lotion and the whole thing.  It did not last near long enough but was awesome all the same. 

Saturday was house cleaning day and I confined the kids to Coop's room and told them it was the only place they could make a mess.  Some how they convinced me to let them have a carpet picnic in his room for lunch and make their own lunch.  Amazingly they did incredible.  They made sandwiches and had yogurt and fruit and they made the whole thing.  Of course they voted that I clean up after they were done but it was still nice of them to feed themselves.

Oh and you might wonder what's with their outfits?  Well apparently Coop was the prince and Raelynn the princess and these outfits seemed appropriate for that.  They did that on their own as well :) I guess they are cowgirl princess and cowboy prince!

Raelynn headed back to school this week and luckily we fell back into the schedule quite well after having a week off.  This week has been pleasantly "normal".  Soccer is starting for Raelynn on Tuesdays now but my Tuesday night meetings are over so that should be an easy transition.  Now we are just holding out for our Spring/Summer weather.  Come on Mother Nature!!!!

RAELYNN IS HOME AND EVERYTHING IS AGAIN PERFECT............

Wednesday night Raelynn got home.....finally!  There is nothing better than the HUGE hug she gives me when she returns home after being gone for awhile.  She is always smiling so big too, it is awesome.  She got home while Coop was in the bath and after we had given our hugs she quickly went in to see Coop.  It was incredible to watch them.  She sat and talked to him for 10 minutes telling him what she had done and he asked her questions about the stories she was sharing.  I just stood in the hallway in awe.  To hear them carry on such a conversation was outstanding.  As I went to bed last night and walked by her room it felt so good to know that both the kids rooms were filled and no one's bed was empty!

Today Raelynn got to visit her good friend, Paige.  They played all day.  I took a late lunch and picked her up at 3pm.  We shared some ice cream and then she hung out at my office for the rest of the day.  I think she has had a fun spring break but I also think she looks forward to a relaxing day at Mary Beth's tomorrow.  Tonight we made KU cupcakes for the game tomorrow which was fun.  The kids help make them and then frosted them themselves with a KU theme so you can imagine mess and the fun!

Tonight I went in to tell Coop goodnight after Terry had put him to bed.  As I lay my head down beside him he says "Mommy I want you to rock me."  "How do I rock you we don't have a rocking chair in here?"  I asked.  Coop positioned her arms just as you would if I were holding him with one arm under his bottom and then other holding him close across his back, "Like this Mommy and I put my head on your shoulder where it fits" he whispered.  To see his small arms and hands showing me how to hold him and then he saying he lays his head on my should where it fits really touched me because I love to "rock" him like this and he is right.....his head fits just right on my shoulder.  I swooped him up and held him just as he asked and swayed back and forth.  As I held him tight against me and felt his deformed chest and his unusual heart beat tears came to my eyes.  Every once in awhile when I am least expecting it, I am reminded of how lucky we are to have him and how special he really is and what amazingly good things he has brought to our lives.  I wanted to hold him forever but knew I couldn't.  I lay him down and he says, "Mommy I really like you."  "I love you, Cooper." "I know but I really LIKE you!" I think we tell each other we "love" each other so much that he thought telling me he "liked" me was a little more special.  Like or Love, either way there is no doubt I feel like the luckiest Mom alive!

MISSING MY SWEET PEA......

We made it back from Scott City in time to watch the Hawks which was our goal.  Chandler's birthday was good and I think she had a good time.  As you can see below Coop was having a good time and Dad......well Dad maybe was a little bored.

Chandler and her American Girl Doll from her Aunts

Wake up Dad, you are suppose to be acting like you care!

Cooper and Grandma had way too much fun with the wrapping!

Because Raelynn is on spring break this week she stayed in Scott City for a couple extra days.  I know this is good for her and me but I miss her soooooooo nuch!  She seems to be having a great time and it is giving us a little more one on one with Coop but I still can't wait for her to be back.  Coop is missing her too and they talked tonight on the phone which was pretty cute.  Coop was not happy when we left her in Scott either.  He wanted to stay too but there was no way I could do without them both. 

Raelynn and Steph text me this picture tonight while they were having dinner!

Although I am missing Raelynn terribly, Coop is keeping us well entertained.  He is helping me out a lot since Sissy is gone.  Tonight I gave him a whole package of toilet paper and asked him to go put it away.  After not hearing from him for a few minutes I decided to see how things were going.  He did eventually get the toilet paper put away!

This weekend during our travels Coop decided standing up to go potty was definitely the way to go in the public restrooms which I have to say I would agree.  At one stop, after pottying, I ask him if he is done.  He says he is, I ask if he wiped his peepee, he says

"No big boys don't wipe they shake it off."

 "What?! Who told you that?"

 "Mary Beth says you just shake it off."

 "Ok for now but we are going to check this out with your Dad and I will make a decision then."

Well come to find, after checking with Terry, he is right so I let Coop know he was allowed to "shake it off" but he still had to use the toilet paper to wipe the toilet if he gets any potty on it.  He agreed and so that is now our bathroom routine.  I am telling you.....everyone needs to have a brother growing up because coming from a family of girls there are definitely some things I missed!!!

SUPER FUN ST PATRICK'S DAY!!!!

Yesterday was a blast! We had our annual float in the St Pat's Day Parade and it was a beautiful day! We have fun every year but this year Terry and I handed out candy instead of riding and we had an awesome group of kids! It is amazing how many people fill downtown! Terry made a set of benches for our float this year which was fantastic.  He did a great job! After the parade we hit Penny Annie's for ice cream which was the perfect end to the day!

Now we are headed to Scott City for Chandler's birthday! It will be a quick trip but happy to celebrate with her!

TOO MANY LAUGHS.............

I only have a minute to post but Raelynn and Coop have said some pretty funny things in the past couple days.  Monday night we had swimming as usual.  After Raelynn got done with practice we went into the Ladies Locker Room to change.  Obviously Coop is still too little to leave alone so he comes into the locker with us.  There was another boy in there as well but he looked MUCH older to the point I am not sure that it was appropriate that he still be in the Ladies Locker Room. Raelynn got her stuff out of the locker and then I asked her to go into one of the bathroom stalls to change because I did not think it was appropriate for her to change in front of this boy that was in there.  She didn't even ask why and just headed in to change.  Cooper on the other had says, "Does Sissy have to go in there to change so I won't see her boobs?"  The entire locker room cracked up.  I told him I just thought she should change in there and not in front of everyone out here.  Coop replies, "Oh I was going to tell you I have seen her boobs before and they are just small like mine but they will get big like yours when she gets bigger."  I am so glad he is already tuned into the whole breast thing!  However, I did appreciate that he referred to mine as "big" :)!

Yesterday after school Raelynn, out of the blue, states "Mom, we have been so busy and Cooper will be starting preschool soon and I haven't had time to train him."  I couldn't resist, I had to ask, "Train him to do what?"  "I have to train him not to be so ornery Mom!  He is going to have a lot of problems if he doesn't learn to be not so ornery."  I agreed and and then she says, "I think maybe we will set aside some time each night to work on it why I do my homework.  Do you think we will have enough time before he goes to school?" She is already looking after her little brother.  I just hope he is not as much of a problem as she seems to think he is!

Last night was Raelynn's first Music Program.  It was awesome.  My wonderful friend/coworker, Valerie came to watch as well since Raelynn requested that someone "special" come to watch.  I guess Mom, Dad and Coop are just not "special" enough!  It was great and she did a wonderful job!!!



Mrs. Moring (taken by Raelynn)



Raelynn and her best friend Hayden

I NOW KNOW WHY PEOPLE ARE PAID TO PAINT.........

There was a time in my life that I could not understand why you would pay someone to do something you were perfectly able to do yourself, such as painting.  Now after 2 kids, a dog, 2 sisters and a no time........I totally get it!  We had an event filled weekend but my one project I wanted to get done was painting the kids bathroom.  It was some time ago Raelynn decided she wanted to do their bathroom in sunflowers.  I was fine with this because their bathroom could use a new look.  So we picked out a yellow paint and some decorations and were good to go.  However, we have been so swamped it has just been put aside for many weekends now.  Saturday morning we woke up bright and early and I got everything taken down from the bathroom and it all taped off.  Then we were off to the St. Patrick's Day Parade Poker Run.  The kids and I did not participate in this one but Terry and his brother did and Raelynn, Cooper and I went out to see them off.  I wasn't sure if all the motorcycles would scare the kids but I thought seeing that many bikes at once would be fun.  There were over 100 bikes and let me tell you when they all headed out it was crazy loud!!!  After they were off and the kids and I were leaving both Coop and Raelynn would not stop talking about how they wanted a bike when they got bigger.  Raelynn's was either going to be a Batgirl Bike or pink and Coop's was orange of course!

After all that excitement we ran numerous errands and then back home in time to get ready for dinner at a friend's house.  Terry got back home shortly before 5pm and we headed over to our friend's for dinner and the game.  It was a great evening.  We have known this couple forever but don't really do much with them.  They have 2 wonderful girls who are 4 and 2.  Needless to say, Coop and Raelynn and a wonderful time as well.  The Hawks won and so everyone was happy!  It was really a relaxing and much needed evening.

Sunday morning came way to soon and back to work we went.  I started painting the bathroom after getting a few other things done.  I soon realized that it was going to take a ton of the bright yellow paint cover the melon/peach color we had before.  The next thing I realized is the Poho, our very white Jack Russel, had came into the bathroom and sat right on the paint lid and now had a very bright yellow back end!  I sent the kids running to get Terry who was trying so hard to complete a project downstairs.  So into the bathtub he went with Poho.  Next was the kids wanting to paint, and show me their dress up clothes, and asking for a snack then lunch and on and on and on.  Then there was a call from Steph.......and then a call from Karli.......and then I had to apply 3 coats to get it all covered.  I was so done and the worse part........the yellow is so bright I think I don't think like it.  However, Raelynn loves it and that part makes me happy but the decorations are really going to have to tone it down or I think we may be painting again and let me tell you......I don't want to paint again!!!!! We'll see how it all comes together in the next couple days. 

Tonight we had the St. Patrick's Day Parade Coronation where we vote on the Queen Candidates.  It was a fun evening and the kids were great.  They loved getting all dressed up and were such a Prince and Princess!

Our St. Patrick's Day Parade events are wrapping up.  Thursday is the big parade and that is always so much fun.  Karli is coming to visit this week too so much to look forward too!

CONVERSATION OF THE DAY...............

I truly believe that our initial reaction to our kids questions and comments are just as important if not more important than our answer or well thought out response.  Let me assure you that this theory has been tested multiple times with Raelynn and yet today was another case in point.

Raelynn, very matter of factly: "Mom, why can't we talk about our gaginas and penises like we talk about our arms and legs?

Me, equally as matter of factly: "Well first is is Vagina not Gagina and I suppose it is because they are considered our "private parts" and we don't show them to everyone like we show them our arms and legs. Therefore, we don't discuss them with everyone either."

Raelynn, in thought: "So we can talk about them to you because you give us a bath?"

Me: "Sure if you want to talk about Vaginas and Penises you can talk to me about them. Is there anything you want to talk about?"

Raelynn: "Well no, not much to talk about I was just wondering."

Me: "Ok, well just let me know if you do.  How was your day?"

Who would have ever thought I could have such a casual conversation about vaginas and penises with my 5 year old!  I love being a Mom!

ANOTHER SURGERY FOR COOPER AND A LONG WEEKEND........

This past weekend seemed to be a long one.  Saturday morning I headed to the Shamrock Shuffle 5K about 6:45am.  It was so very cold!!!  I cannot believe I actually ran in weather below 30 degrees.  The run went pretty good for having been sick the week before and I placed 2nd in my age group. After that I headed home so Terry could go to the St. Patrick's Day Chili Contest, he was a judge.  I think he had more than enough chili because I didn't even have to cook dinner for him Saturday night!  Then Raelynn had her first swim meet Saturday afternoon.  It really was pretty cute to watch her and she loved it.  She placed first in the backstroke which is funny because that was my strong stroke when I competed.  She was so excited to win a medal. 

After the swim meet we went to Orange Leaf as a special treat.  By the time we got home Coop must have been completely exhausted because he did nothing but cry.  I have never seen him like that. It started out with a lot of wining and soon changed to cryings.  Terry gave him a bath, which he cried through, and then put him right to bed.  He fell asleep so quickly and so hard.  I hate to see him like this because he is NEVER like this.  Sunday morning we started our day bright and early again and headed to early church, then to Target for a birthday gift and then on to the Cooper's Cause Foundation Bowl-a-thon.  The kids had a great time bowling but unfortunately it wasn't our best turn out.  It was a little disappointing but hopefully we can make some changes and continue to make it a successful event.

Last Friday we took Coop to CMH to meet with a Urologist.  Because of Coop's heart issues he was not able to be circusized at birth.  In January his cardiologist finally relaeased him to have the procedure.  It was one of the longest waits we have had at CMH and were with the doctor only 15 minutes.  The procedure sounds simple enough and we have it scheduled for April 6th.  I just hope Coop doesn't hate us for this one :)  I figure if he does I will blame it all on Terry!  We do have to do pre op because of his heart complications so basically we will go to pre op on Tuesday afternoon, surgery Wednesday and then recover on Thursday and Friday.  By the following Monday he should be back on track.  That is the plan anyway :)

Today was a typical Monday; a little hard to get going but then it was ok.  Raelynn had a birthday party today at 4pm at the Castle Tea Room.  It was for her best friend from preschool and she had a wonderful time!  After we left there we headed home.  Terry took Coop to swimming lessons so Raelynn and I had a little time at home before the boys got there.  We had some good laughs and got a few things done.  We were in the process of making dinner when they got home so Coop jumped right in and helped with dinner too.  They both are getting to be quite the helpers and although it makes preparing dinner a little crazy, we not only make some delicous food but some unforgettable memories.

OH THESE KIDS.........

What a great week we are having!  It actually seems a little less busy which is magnificent!  Monday night Coop had swimming lessons and Raelynn had swim team practice.  Raelynn was invited to participate in her first swim meet this Saturday!  I was shocked as she just seems so young but after watching her practice where they did a mock meet she is definitely ready.  I am not sure what to expect but it should be pretty fun.  She will swim the free, butterfly and back.  She seems super excited and keeps telling me that we have to eat healthy because she has to get her body ready for her meet.  She is just growing up so much.  Tonight she told me all about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  She told me things about them I never knew.  She absorbs every little detail they give her.  When she was done telling me she says, "so that's what I did today at school, what did you do at work?"  I always love it when she asks me questions because I think it is great for her to feel like she can have a grown up conversation and it also teaches her how to better communicate.  So I proceed to tell her work is starting to get busier which I like much better and then told her about a couple things that happened today.  We carried on a great conversation and she asks such appropriate questions that I sometimes forget she is 5.  After awhile Coop says, "I played a lot of ball today with my friends."  I told him I bet he was getting to be a really good baller and he says, "I am good, I better than my friends."  Raelynn immediately gave him a lecture about bragging and then turns to me and says, "but he is really good Mom!"  Oh how I wish we could just bottle life up right now and keep it like this forever!

On Tuesday we stopped by Walgreens to pic up some pictures, Raelynn was pointing at everything and saying I want this and I want that, I looked at her and told her I had everything I wanted.  She asked, "What do you have?"  I replied, "I have you and Cooper and Daddy."  Raelynn gives me "that look" and says, "Huh awkward!"  I thought I was going to collapse in laughter!  The lady standing beside us found it extremely comical as well and could only manage to say in between laughter, "You are going to have so much fun with that one!"  Oh if she only knew!  Coop also has kept me laughing this week.  He told me one morning how he had punched and hit and killed these Monsters that were in his dream.  I told him that he should try to be really nice to the monsters to see if that would make them nice instead of punching and killing them.  He looked at me as if I knew nothing and said, "They are monsters Mommy, they not nice!"  I replied, "Ok, but we don't kill people and I don't want you to talk like that."  He looks right at me in complete disgust that I am criticising his dream/story and says, "THEY ARE NOT PEOPLE THEY ARE MONSTERS!"  He is generally such a sweet little boy but everyone once in awhile he really let's me have it.  I told him I understood and maybe tomorrow night he would have a nicer dream.  He looked right over the top of his glasses, glared at me and walked out of his room.  We haven't discussed the monsters since.

So half way through a great week and quickly approaching another busy and fun filled weekend.  I welcome it as with the busy chaos comes new and fun adventures which always include more precious time spent with the best kids ever!