CLICK HERE FOR THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »

Sunday, February 26, 2012

EVERYONE SHOULD WATCH THIS.........

Everyone needs to listen to this and think about why you do what you do!  I even made my kids watch it and Coop just looked at me as I expected but Raelynn even got it!  She actually said to me, "This is why our foundation has so many people that help us!"  Wow, how I hope so!


Friday, February 24, 2012

SADNESS OVERSHADOWS OUR DAILY SMILES.......

Tonight I planned to make a post because my kids make me smile every day and today was no exception.  I keep this blog not only to keep my family up-to-date on our lives but also to keep a journal for Raelynn and Coop so when they are my age and raising their children they will have it to reflect on.  So today I picked Coop up from Mary Beth's.  As we are driving to get Raelynn he is telling me in true boy fashion about the fun he was having with his friends.  He says with a smile on his face and almost a laugh in his voice, "Today I was playing basketball with my friends and when I was sitting in time out Kaden's ball got stuck on the goal and he hit it and it popped right out, it was so funny."  I am sure he was expecting me to laugh along with him and ask a couple pertinent questions as I always do but instead I had focused in on the part where he said "when I was sitting in time out".  So I said, "When you were sitting in time out?  Why were you sitting in time out?"  Coop says, "Oh, I shouldn't have said that part."  I couldn't help but chuckle a little before I continued to peruse the reason for the time out.

So these are the cute things I experience with my kids every day.  Every day is something new and better than the day before.  So tonight when I took a call from my Mom, my heart sank.  My cousin is pregnant with her first biological child.  My Mom and sisters had just been out to her baby shower last weekend.  She is due in 2 short weeks and so happy.  I am FB friends with her and I love her posts.  She is a nurse in Colorado and through her posts I have watched her beam with happiness through this pregnancy. So tonight when I received a call from Mom telling me that she had lost her baby I could hardly breathe.  I sat down immediately and tears came to my eyes.  I instantly felt pain for her and yet knew that the knot in my stomach did not compare to a fraction of what she and her family felt.  Tears run down my face as I type now, I don't know if it is because I am a Mother and know how incredible it is or if it is because we have been so close to loosing a child of our own but I cannot help but hurt for her deeply.  I know God has a plan and I always keep that in the forefront of my thoughts but it does not make the pain go away or the sadness disappear.  I know she will be ok, she is a strong woman, but I will pray hard for her.  I have always believed that death is painful for us left behind but for that beautiful baby, he was able to skip everything here on Earth and skip straight to extraordinary bliss where everything is as perfect as he is.  We should all feel joy for him and remember the pain we feel is our own and not his.  He will be waiting to meet his family someday but for now will always hold a special place in the heart of his Mom, Dad and Brother that will give them strength they never knew they had and love they never knew possible.  Our thoughts, prayers and love are with you all.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

SICK DAY.......

Today did not go as planned but was much better than I had ever expected.  I got back from the gym this morning to Raelynn lying on her bed saying she didn't feel good.  I let her stay in bed while I showered and then checked in on her.  She seemed to be feeling a little better but was not herself.  She had no fever and her eyes didn't look sick which are the two things I look for in both of my kids as they always have a fever when they are sick and their eyes look horrible. The truth is I probably would have kept her home just to see but Tom is in L.A. and Valerie would be at the office by herself and I didn't want that.  In retrospect, not one of my best parenting moves.  Anyway,  I read to the kids at school as we do every morning and as I dismissed them I asked Raelynn how she was feeling.  She said better and went on her way to class.  I had told her sweet teacher she was being a little meek and to call if she got to feeling worse.  I headed to work and at 8:50am my cell rang and it was Raelynn's teacher, she had thrown up in class.  I felt horrible for her and was mad at myself for sending her to school in the first place.  This is when being a working Mom and trying to balance being a good Mom and a good employee is impossible!!!  Anyway, I got her home and situated on the couch. I quickly got myself situated to work from home and got busy.  Now this is one of the amazing things about today's technology, I can do everything I do at work right here at home AND I have little interruptions.  The day turned out to be amazing.  I got some things done at work that I have had pending for far too long.  I got so caught up on both work and the foundation I am actually going to bed as soon as I finish this post, note it is only 9:40pm!!!!  That's awesome!!! I also snuck in a little snuggle time here and there with cuddly Raelynn.  So a day that started out a little hectic turned into one of the most productive days yet!!!  Makes working from home a day each week look really appealing!!!  (Just joking Tom!!!! :) )  Raelynn is doing just fine tonight and ready to be back to her normal self tomorrow.  A successful day all the way around!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

VALENTINE'S DAY WEEK.....

This past week was filled with excitement.  We started the week at Coop's preschool where they held a fundraiser for Cooper's Cause Foundation.  For the past month they sat out jars and collected spare change.  On Monday they presented us with a check for $231!!!  We are always so touched by support like this and for these little kids to raise this much money was really something.  Cooper is really starting to understand what the foundation is all about which makes things like this even more special.

Tuesday was Valentine's Day which means a whole day of love.  The kids started their morning with pancakes with heart made on them with pink frosting, Dad did a great job on these.  We also started them off with a few gifts.



Valentine's Day also means school parties which I was able to be at, yea!




After the parties it was "Grand" Day at the book fair.  This is a day they get to invite someone special to go to the book fair with them.  This year Raelynn invited Aunt Karli.  They had a lot of fun with the camera I think :) Not to mention Aunt Karli completely spoiled Raelynn with books!


By the way, the theme was Luau in case you were wondering about the outfits!

Valentine's Day also brought quite a lesson for both Raelynn and I.  Raelynn decided she wanted to buy a couple of her friends a Valentine's Day gift with her own money.  I took her to Walgreens to pick out a little something.  When we got there she fell in love with these stuffed dogs that were much bigger of a gift then I thought necessary.  She and I went back and forth about it for some time.  She wasn't changing her mind.  I finally "put my foot down" and just told her no that she was not spending that much money on these gifts.  Then in a completely mature manner my 6 year old daughter says to me, "Mom you always say it is more important to give to others than to keep for ourselves and Valentine's Day is a day to show others how much you care about them.  I want to use the money that I have saved, that you say we can use to buy anything we want, to by these dogs for my friends to show them I care about them."  I stood there in the middle of the store face to face with my daughter and had nothing more to say.  She was right and with calm reasoning like that, I could no longer stand my ground.  I complimented her on her calm tone, persistency and use of my lessons against me and with a smile helped her carry the dogs to the cash register.  I knew I had made the right decision when she gave the girls their gifts.  I don't even know what the reaction of the girls were but the face of my daughter as she gave them was all I needed to know that she got more joy out of giving those gifts than she had received all day from the gifts Terry and I had given her.

This weekend was pretty good.  I got caught up on a few things and found even more that needed done.  I sometimes really think all weekends should be at least 3 days long.  There just is simply not enough time in two days to get everything done that needs done and do all the things I want to with the kids.  Coop has found a new love, the Wii.  He just started playing it and loves to golf, bowl, play baseball and even tennis.  After today, I think Terry and I have decided there may need to be some time restriction placed on the Wii. It is just so funny how different Raelynn and Coop are.  We never would have to limit the Wii with Raelynn as a little Mario Cart once in awhile and she has her fix.  Anyway, all in all, the weekend was great and we are ready to face the week ahead!

Monday, February 13, 2012

6 News - Lawrence :: Cooper's Cause awards local family $6,000

6 News - Lawrence :: Cooper's Cause awards local family $6,000

Saturday, February 11, 2012

A WONDERFULLY PERFECT SATURDAY.....

You know how there are those does when nothing goes right?  Well today was NOT one of those days!  The morning started bright and early as we had the presentation of funds for CCF for the family that was selected to receive funding this year.  We met the Nichol's Family for the first time today and they were wonderful.  They were so grateful and already talking about how they could give back and support the foundation!  Their son, Ethan, was adorable and even chubby which you don't see often in heart kids which made him even cuter!  We also met a new "partner" in CCF.  Shelbie is a local Mom who had contacted us about making these special shirts for the heart kids we fund.  They are shirts that open in the front so the kiddos can wear them while at their doctor appointments and in the hospital.  I was so excited when she contacted us about doing this but I was even more excited when I met her today.  She is absolutely delightful and her son, Noah, was adorable too.  Anyway, it was a very inspiring morning and always my favorite "event" of the year.  We are so very lucky to be able to be doing what we are.  I just cannot even tell you how fortunate we are.  The other such rewarding side of it is to watch Raelynn and Cooper grow in all of this.  Coop is finally starting to really get it and what is really cool about it is it just seems like he knows this is what he is to be doing.  It is not like it's anything special but yet he takes it seriously.  I don't really know how to explain it other than he is falling in the role very well.  Today after we got home and the kids were playing they were pretending to do their own presentation of funds and Coop is the one who started the role play.  He announced the recipients and explained the foundation and let me tell you, he explained it very well.  Then he handed the play mic over to Raelynn and he introduced her as "Raelynn from Raelynn's Rock Stars, the original Rock Star!"  It fills me with pride to listen to them.    So with a start to the day like that, it is no wonder the day went just as well.



After the presentation we headed to Target to get Valentine's Day things for parties on Tuesday then headed to Cheer and Soccer.  Both kids did great and finally about 1:30pm we headed home.  I had promised the kids we would stop at Red Box and get Dolphin Tales as Raelynn has been wanting to see it so badly.  We got home and sat up a carpet picnic for lunch while we watched the movie.  For the first time in forever, I sat with them and watch the entire movie which by the way was so good.  It was awesome to just sit and enjoy the movie and Raelynn and Coop.  After that, the kids played, I cleaned and Terry worked on the basement.  It was such a warm day inside with the family.  It is days like these that I wonder how I got so lucky!

Last week, really in general, was a pretty good week.  Cooper is continuing to be his aggressive self and wrestling with Dad has became his new favorite past time.  Raelynn and I are just glad it is Dad he is wrestling with because we have both decided he is too much for us to handle :).  Raelynn continues to keep me smiling with her grown up thoughts and actions.  Our church is doing this series on 40 Days in the Word and they are asking you to try to make changes in your habits for just 40 Days and see how it changes your life.  One of the things I decided to do is change from my usual Hip Hop music to Christian Rock while I am in the car.  One day this week Raelynn gets in the car after school and as I turn on the car she says, "Really Mom?  Do we have to listen to KLove?  Aren't you over this phase yet?"  I just cracked up as she continued, "It's just so boring.  It's not like Katy Perry.  I like her beat, it's cool and makes you want to move.  This just makes me want to sleep.  Why can't Katy Perry sing about God, I would like that."  Part of the reason I found so much humor in this is that I didn't even know she knew who Katy Perry is.  She also referenced Rush and Lady GaGa which just gave me confirmation that my switch to the Christian Rock station may not be such a bad idea.

In other family news, my older sister, Sherri, got married on Friday.  This was all a surprise to us as we received a picture with a text message stating, Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Smith.  So congratulations and as Terry said, thanks for the invite! Hahahaha!

Today was such a good day I think I might even turn in a little early tonight and count my blessings as they are plentiful!

Saturday, February 4, 2012

WHAT A WEEK.......

When you are completely drained and only thinking about the weekend by the start of Monday you know it is going to be a long week.  That is how this past week was.  I have to say I haven't had one like this in a long time.  There was a lot of stuff going on that was upsetting/stressful for me but eventually the week ended.  Wednesday night we did get to go to the KU/Oklahoma game which was fun.  The kids picture got put on the overhead screen 4 times so that game us all a smile.



Finally Saturday arrived and I was soooo thankful.  I had the whole day planned and was looking forward to getting caught up and spending some time with the kids.  Unfortunately Raelynn woke up on the wrong side of the bed and made the day impossible.  She was crying at everything and couldn't comply with any request.  At 11:30am Karli took her to Cheer and I took Coop to soccer.  That is always fun as I got to watch our little Coop hold his own.  Right after that we headed to KC to return a bridesmaid dress for Steph.  Then we got back home in just enough time for me to change clothes and then Terry and I headed to a funeral for a wonderful man.  As I left I gave the kids strict instructions about what I expected to be done why I was gone and for them to be good for Aunt Karli.  I wished Karli good luck and we headed out the door.  The funeral was very touching and sad.  As I sat and listened to so many people speak about  what a wonderful man had passed I just realized I needed to just go home, take a deep breath and be thankful for my wonderful family.  We got home and Raelynn met me at the door with a gift and a note.  The note read, "I am sorry I ruined your day.  I love you Mommy!"  Wow, tears came to my eyes as I picked her up and hugged her.  "Any day spent with you is not a ruined day, I love you!" I told her.  I guess between the funeral and my emotional week, reading that from my 6 year old made the tears surface again and also reminded me how much she understands and how sensitive she is.  The gift she had wrapped was a friendship bracelet she made for me, which I have worn all evening.  So we snuggled the rest of the night and both Raelynn and Coop went to bed happy just as I too will.

Why we snuggled we watched the KU/Missouri game.  We were talking about the rivalry and Raelynn says, "Why don't they like us, because they want to eat our bird?"  I had to chuckle because I guess she's kind of right.  While we were watching the game Coop decided to play catch with Dad with a pair of rolled up socks.  He was throwing really far and as he runs to get the socks he says, "That was an awesome throw." Then as he walks back in the living room he says, "I know I am a good thrower!"  Well I guess maybe we need to stop complimenting the boy!!!

So tomorrow is a new day and I welcome it.  I am going to kiss my babies good night, go pout about the KU game and get ready for a week that is sure to be better than the last!