HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY COOPER!

Unfortunately I wrote this post last night but somehow did not manage to actually "post" it.


I am not even sure what to say on such a special day.  November 28, 2007 was a life changing day for us as is any birth of a child but Cooper was and is special.  He is an amazing little boy who has taught me more about strength and love than anyone.  When I look at him today, tears fill my eyes, laughter fills my heart and joy fills me entirely.  We could not ask for a better son!!!  I love you Cooper more than you will ever know or understand.  You have given us so much and to be celebrating you and your 5th Birthday is the best thing I would ask for!!!  As I kissed you good night tonight my emotions were all over the place from happiness in seeing your sweetness to fear for your upcoming procedure but one feeling is always present and strong and that is gratefulness that God has given you to us and for every second he allows us to be blessed with your presence is a second I will cherish forever!

CRY AND LAUGHTER EVERY DAY IS SOMETHING NEW

Every day the kids say and do things that make us laugh and sometimes cry.  Unfortunately by the time I get around to documenting it I have forgotten.  Therefore I am trying to be much better about it...............

Last night as I tucked Coop into bed I asked him if there was anyone or anything special he wanted to say his prayers for.  I ask this question every night but last night the answer was a little more than usual.  He responded after several seconds of silence, "Can we ask God to keep me alive and safe at my surgery?"  I responded without hesitation, "Absolutely, I pray for that very same thing every night!"  Coop seemed very happy that he could pray for that and we did.  I walked out of his room with a smile on my face and tears in my eyes. 

This morning Raelynn asks, "Mom does Santa wear Khakis?"  I didn't have a quick response because I wasn't sure what lead to the question and of course I am trying to keep Santa Claus a mystery so while I deliberated on just what to say, Raelynn continued. "The Santa at Weavers had Khakis under his Santa suit.  I think he may have been just one of Santa's helpers.  Well really I think Santa is just a myth, maybe a magically myth but I don't really care as long as the dude keeps puting presents in my stocking he can be what ever he wants and wear khakis!"  I didn't think at this point I really needed to respond to the original question and instead just laughed, kissed her on the head and told her I loved her!  She smiled back and said, "I love you too Momma!" 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am certainly glad that Monday and Tuesday of last week was pretty low key because after that it was crazy!  Wednesday was an awesome family fun day!  Coop had a cardiology appointment in KC and both of the kids were out of school so we decided since we would be there most of the day we would just make the day out of it.  We headed to KC first thing Wednesday morning and spent the morning at the mall.  Traditionally I take the kids to Build-a-Bear a day or two before school starts but this year I was unable to do that and Raelynn has not forgotten.  Therefore, our first stop was Build-a-Bear.  Raelynn chose a pink bear with snowflakes and named her Flakelynn.  Flakelynn joins Heartlynn, a purple bear with hearts all over her and Peacelynn, a white bear with peace signs all over.  Do you see a pattern here :)  Cooper chose a monkey and named him Banany.  I loved Coop's choice because we are always teasing him that he has monkey ears!

Raelynn and Flakelynn

Coop and Banany

 From there we visited the Hallmark Store and picked out our ornaments.  Raelynn's was a beautiful crystal like ornament and Coop's, for the third year in a row was a HD Motorcycle.  When then ventured to the American Girl Doll Store which I knew would be trouble.  Our visit lead Coop and Raelynn to jointly ask Santa for the Bitty Twins.  The girl would be a light skinned girl with blond hair and the boy is to be a light skinned boy with brown hair.  They both fell in love with them.  We'll see how Santa does on that request. From the mall we headed to Children's Mercy for Coop's appointment.  The kids did great as it is a very long appointment.  Coop weighed in at 33lbs which is pretty much how much he has weighed over the entire year.  He is getting tall though coming in at 3'4" They ran the normal tests and Coop was awesome as usual.  We have been noticing a few things here and there such as a slight decrease in stamina and exhaustion at night but we did not expect what came next.  Coop's cardiologist said that there was increased blockage in the valve they constructed in his heart and the pressure on the right side of his heart was up.  Therefore, they were scheduling him for a cardiac catheter on December 18th where they will do angioplasty on the valve and possibly his two stints.  They also will do a little exploratory on the top portion of the heart but we are not sure what they are looking for there.  I think Terry and I both were a little surprised and therefore we had very few questions.  We offered Coop the opportunity to ask questions as well but he had none either.  At the time, I am not sure any of us knew what to think.  After the appointment we took the kids ice skating for their last surprise of the day.  We had a great time there and the day in all was fantastic!

On the way home from our fun day, Coop became very whiny and by the time we got home and I was putting him in the bath he was beyond whiny and almost crying which is completely out of character.  I was at a loss to why he was being so cranky and I said to him, "Cooper, are you really that tired?"  He responded in a small whiny voice, "Yes, I'm tired.....are they going to cut my chest open again?"  It was like hitting a brick wall.  Our little laid back boy was whining because he was scared about what he had heard at the doctor's office but didn't know how to tell us that.  With tears in my eyes, I smiled at him, hugged him and said, "No Buddy, not this time.  Are you scared?"  He said he was so we sat there and talked about the surgery and what they were going to do and what would happen afterwards.  He asked me if he would die this time and I answered as honest as I could, "I don't know Cooper, only God knows when you will die, but I hope he chooses to keep you here with us for a long time."  He smiled and said, without whining, "Me too!".  I finished putting him in the bath and walked out of the bathroom realizing that once again this would be a new experience as Coop now is older and that brings a whole new understanding, more fears and more emotions.  Since then I have notified all those involved in Coop's care what was going on and what we needed to watch for both physically and emotionally.  I didn't stop there though, I also contacted those who care for Raelynn and made them aware of the situation as well as we cannot forget how much she loves her little brother and how scared she is as well.  I am so thankful for the wonderful caregivers and teachers in my children's lives as they were all wonderful about helping us make sure that we do all we can to keep Coop well and both kids emotionally in check.

After a day like that we had much to be thankful for on Thursday.  We spent the day with the Keefer's and it was wonderful.  The kids played and played and we ate and ate :)

Skyler, Jaxon and Cooper

Thursday night I headed out for Black Friday shopping and that was pretty fun and I picked up a few good buys but I was exhausted.  Friday we spent decorating the house and then headed out for Santa's arrival on Friday night.  It was again a great night together.

My family came into town on Friday night late to surprise Coop for his birthday party day on Saturday.  He was surprised and ecstatic.  Saturday we surprised Coop with a birthday party with all his friends.  It was a huge success and he loved it!

Coop's scariest gift!

After all that fun, Monday rolled around way too soon!  But back to the same 'ole thing and happy to be doing it!

FULL DAY AHEAD......

As I sit hear typing, The Chipmunks Ship Wrecked is on TV, my usually tidy living room is taken over by tents, sleeping bags and air mattresses and there is much laughter and a little wining from time to time; and who would have ever guessed I would have felt like this is just the way it should be.  Raelynn and Cooper have friends over tonight and besides the fact that I don't think I have even taken time to breathe, it is wonderful.  I laugh from time to time that I am as happy as I am because I would have never imagined that being exhausted, having a house that is temporarily not spotless and being the servant to two gem infested children and their friends would ever make me happy.  I love my children and I love being a Mom!

Raelynn's reading abilities are wonderful and she absolutely LOVES to read.  This week Raelynn asked if she could read to Coop before bed.  Terry and I read to each of the kids before bed so even though I never think there is time for modifications in our structured night routine, I couldn't help but say yes.  When I walked in and saw this, I knew any bedtime routine could be adjusted to make time for this!

We got Coop's proofs from school pictures back last week.  He is so adorable!!!  I really am having a hard time deciding what to order.

So besides my kids being adorable :) they are also awesome at keeping things tidy and doing what they are suppose to most of the time.  This is Raelynn's bed each morning, she is better at making her bed than most adults.

Today I was trying to capture a sweet picture of Coop and I and this is what I ended up getting.  I guess with a day like today what do I expect?!  We started out day bright and early at 8am on campus in an attempt to capture one good family photo for our Christmas card.  We are so thankful for good friends that will do this for us, thanks Amber!  Then it was breakfast at Dunkin Donuts which was a big treat and Coop was a little excited about the choices of Chocolate Glazed Donuts.  Then we hurried home to change and head to soccer.  After soccer we gained a kid and headed out to run errands.  We got home in time to make lunch, eat, change and head to a birthday party.  After the birthday party we gain another and headed home to make dinner, eat, play, clean up and start movie night.  I am soooo tired but it really was a good day.  Tomorrow we have another full schedule trying to get ready for Thanksgiving and Coop's birthday both of which should make next week another fun one.

ODD WEEKEND........

This weekend seemed so scattered but yet did manage to get a few things done.  I felt like all plans we had were all mixed up but it turned out to be pretty good.  I could just use one more day as always :).  Last weekend was Birthday Party craziness.  Both Coop and Raelynn had friend's with Birthday Parties at the same time.  Of course Raelynn attended hers without me while Coop and I enjoyed his.  It is so cute to watch him interact with his friends.

The big highlights from last week was of course the election, Terry's Birthday and parent/teacher conferences.  Raelynn is incredible educated about the political process and even managed to gather some of the facts of the candidates.  I honestly was so proud of her knowledge and interest in it.  She debated all the way to the polls who she was going to vote for as did I.  After she voted she handed me her ballot and said, "I am confident in my choice."  I can promise you I did not say that.  However, I took great satisfaction in watching her confidence.

 Terry took Coop to the polls Tuesday morning as well which I was very pleased to hear.  When I picked Coop up from Mary Beth's Raelynn saw his "I voted" sticker and started to question him.  To my surprise he knew who Terry voted for and even seemed to understand why we were voting.  I tell 'ya, I can only hope my kids continue their interest in this country!

One night this past week I was cleaning out Raelynn's bookbag and found this letter from her to me.  It is amazing the affect they have on me.

Coop also got out attention this week when I spontaneously bought him a NEW pair of shoes.  I realized that I have never bought him a new pair of shoes because we have been fortunate enough to have several hand me downs from friends.  I have to admit though, I felt horrible when I realized how much the new shoes meant to him.

Terry's Birthday was on Wednesday and birthdays are just so much more fun to celebrate when kids are involved.  Raelynn and Coop had breakfast waiting for Terry as soon as he got up.  It was a great start to the day.

Friday night we headed to the KU Basketball game which is always fun.  It was unusually warm which made Allen Field House crazy hot but we still had fun!

Saturday was soccer as usual and then Fall Cleaning :)  We got a lot done but still have the basement for next weekend.  Today was so cold, a big change from the unseasonably warm weather on Saturday.  It turned out to be a really lazy day spent watching TV and doing paperwork.  I guess we need a few of those days too.  Now just wish I had tomorrow to finish up the paperwork still sitting!

COOPER LEARNS A NEW WORD.....

Tonight I took Cooper to the salon to get his barber shop haircut fixed (just kidding Terry).  He was in a very talkative mood and told our stylist exactly how he wanted it cut.  It was hilarious!  So tonight before bed I was brushing his teeth.  I asked him if he liked his haircut and he very emphatically stated, "NO!"  I asked him why.  He says, "Well for one, you made me look nice, and two you made her put gel in my hair and three, well your hair looks HIDEOUS!"  Last week I went very dark with my hair and my family has not been big fans but to say it is HIDEOUS seems a little extreme.  However, Coop liked his new word and I am pretty sure he used it to reference my hair at least 100 more times.  Need I say more about why I titled this picture as I did.  :)