SUMMER IS OFFICIALLY HERE.........

Well summer is officially underway, Raelynn has been with Aunt Steph all week and Coop has played TBall and Soccer every night!  This is almost how our whole summer goes!

Let's back up to where I left off.  So Friday night we had friends over and grilled.  That is for sure what the summer is all about!  Then Saturday it was up for soccer and horse show time.  Since Terry had the weekend off which NEVER happens he took Coop to his soccer game and I got to go to Raelynn's horse show.  She did great as usual.  She has really improved since last year.  I think it is a lot to do with her age and maturity but it is getting pretty fun to watch.  That is until things go a little crazy.  During one of Raelynn's riding classes one of the other rider's horse spooked and took off in the arena.  The first time the other kids kept their horses under control and besides me about having a heart attack it was all good.  However, after the little girl regained control of her horse, she continued in the class.  When all the kids were lined up for the judges, the horse went nuts again.  This time it spooked some of the other horses including Raelynn's.  First remember that these kids are all 6-9 years old and second I am not a horse person.  For the most part I play it cool and stay calm but when Raelynn's horse took off I lost my coolness and jumped the fence.  As soon as I was over the fence the announcer asked all parents to enter the arena to help their kids.  The arena was flooded with people and by the time I got to the other side of the arena where Raelynn's horse had came to a stop she was shaking and crying.  Adults were pulling kids off horses but I reached Raelynn the same time a guy was reaching for her.  I grabbed his arm and said she was staying on the horse.  She looked at me with her whole body shaking and said, "Mommy I want off the horse."  With tears streaming my face I said, "I know sweetie, I want you off the horse too but you have to stay on the horse until your class is dismissed."  Please know that I wanted nothing more than to pull her off that horse and hug her but I know if I did she may never get back on.  She sat on top of the horse, a lady held the reins of the horse and I had my hands on her the whole time.  The judges announcing the placings, which on a side note she did place with both judges, and then they dismissed the class.  I looked up at her with both of us still crying and said, "you know you have to ride Charm out of the arena."  I looked at the lady holding her reins and asked her to give the reins to Raelynn, she too had tears running down her face.  She stayed right in front of the horse and I kept my hands on Raelynn and she rode her horse out of the arena.  As soon as she was out, she looked down at me and asked if she could get down.  I pulled her down and she hugged me tighter than I have ever been hugged before.  We both just stood there crying and so did the nice woman that held on to Charm.  It was probably one of the most scary experiences I have ever had.  For an instance, as the horse ran and I could hear Raelynn yell Mommy and I was completely helpless outside the arena I felt like I had failed her, but once it was all over and I had time to think about it, I know that it made her a better rider and I know it probably isn't the last time she will scare me beyond words.  She will spend Friday with Aunt Bonnie and they will ride most of the day.  While they are riding and I am at work, I know there will be a heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach just hoping that she is not scared and that she still loves the ride as much as she did a week ago.  Then Saturday she will have another horse show and will have to enter the arena again and I know she will be scared and nervous but I also know that in that instant she will grow as a rider and as a brave, hard working little girl.  I just hope that I can maintain my appearance of strength because I know inside I will be even more scared and nervous than she will be!!!

Raelynn and Charm before the craziness!

After that excitement the rest of the weekend seemed pretty easy.  Saturday night was our Family Meeting Night for the month and we decided to spend it with Nanny!  We miss her very much!

We made time on Sunday for the pool and Monday we did absolutely NOTHING!

 It was awesome.  I tried to work on projects but those darn kids kept snuggling with me and making me laugh and well I just couldn't tear myself away :).

Raelynn has been at Steph's since Monday night.  When I dropped her off I asked her to give me a pic I could look at when I was missing her.  This once could not have been more perfect!

I know they are having a great time but boy do I miss her.  They have had manis and pedis and been boot shopping so I am not sure she has really missed us at all but she at least pretends to during our nightly chats.

Coop and I have had some good bonding time and things have been relatively quiet around here with just one to take care of.  I think Coop misses his sis too but has liked getting our full attention and a little extra spoiling here and there.















When I was downloading pics from my phone tonight, these showed up........I wonder who the photographer was?

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL AND MORE.....

This week has been awesome!  Exhausting, but awesome!  

Besides all the fun we have had, the kids said some pretty funny things too.  Early in the week when I picked the kids up after work one day, Raelynn was picking on Coop a little.  Coop was tired and he said to her, "Sis, I'm not in the mood!"  I could not help but laugh.  When I am grumpy and the kids are being a little crazy I will say, "guys I am in no mood for this" and obviously Coop understands the meaning quite well.  Raelynn has been suffering from allergies terribly for the last couple weeks.  One night when I was tucking her in and reminding her to say her prayers, she says, "I am going to pray lower tree pollen count!"  I didn't even know about tree pollen at her age but I guess I didn't suffer from allergies either.  Raelynn was actually on a roll with funnyisms this week.  One morning as we pulled up to school a favorite song of hers came on the radio.  She said, "Mom, please pause the radio so I can hear this when you pick me up."  I told her I couldn't pause the radio to which she responded in disgust, "well then you need to get an upgrade!"  Well well I guess my 2011 just isn't good enough for her!  I have to say though, my favorite Raelynn moment this week came one morning when I got to work and found I had an email from her.  It was timed 6:35am so she had sent it that morning before we left for work.  It said, "You're 1,000% awesome!  I was so touched until I noticed the email actually was sent to her cousin, Chandler and I was just cc'd on it.  That night she asked me if I got her email.  I said I did but I was disappointed I was just cc'd on it.  She didn't understand what "cc'd" meant so I explained when you send an email to someone and then cc someone else your are just letting that person know about the email and its contents but that the email is not directly to them.  So in this case she told Chandler that she was 1,000% awesome and just let me know that she said that to Chandler.  Raelynn shrugged it off and said "oh, well I meant to say it to you too" but gave it little concern.  The next morning I got to work and there was another email from Raelynn.  This time it was just to me and it read:

"You're 1,000% awesome!  I tried to cc the world but I didn't know their email :)"

I almost started to cry but instead just smiled so big!  I emailed her back, "right back at 'ya and we'll just continue to show the world!"  I tell you, at this instance, I had nothing negative to say about technology!

Last Friday was Coop's last day of school which meant carnival time.  Both Terry and I had work conflicts so taking Coop was nearing impossible.  One of Coop's friend's Mom offered to take him which was so sweet. Of course Coop thought that was fantastic.  He is so different from Raelynn in this way.  Raelynn would have been devastated that one of us was not going to be there with her where Coop is just as happy going with one of his friends.  In this case, thank goodness!  So he went and my wonderful friend sent me pics all morning of the boys.  It was great!  Then it was weekend time and although busy it really was pretty laid back.  Saturday we had soccer, cleaning the house and running errands.  We even snuck in a little ball time which is a good laugh for us all.  Coop is great but Raelynn is a picture image of the sayings "throws like a girl".  That poor thing received no athletic ability at all!  I love her spirit though.  She is confident and knows sports are not her deal so she plays and laughs right along with the rest of us!  I am so glad her Aunt introduced her to horses!   

I also snuck in some time to finish up some spring cleaning and get Coop's room updated.  I have been taking it room by room and it was Coop's turn.  He was super happy with his new look!

  Sunday we had church, a retirement party, a birthday party and a graduation party.  Shockingly we made it to all without being late!  It was just a good start to a week of celebration.

Even though Coop was out of school they had one last hoopla and went to the Topeka Zoo.  So once again Terry stepped in and took him to the Zoo.  These last couple of weeks would have never been a success had I been a single parent.  Terry and I have split events and days off and I feel sooooo thankful we are able to.  So Terry and Coop headed to the zoo and had a really great time.  Apparently there was a pretty cool train ride involved because that is what I heard the most about.  It made me sad that I could not be there but I was just thankful Terry was.  

From the zoo, Terry and Coop had to rush back for dentist appointments by 1pm.  I meant them at the dentist and spent the next 2 hours with Raelynn and Coop there.  Coop's checked out great and Raelynn not too bad but looks like we will get the pleasure of braces in a few years.  Yipee!

After the dentist it was back to work.  After to work we went over to Aunt Karli's to pick up some beautiful flowers Mom had sent me and to have a little dinner and see her completed apartment.  Steph and Cody joined us and we had a great time!  I cannot believe we don't to that more often!

Tuesday was Coop's first T-ball practice and he loved it!  I cannot even tell you how much that boy loves his sports.  It just makes me laugh.  He never seems to get tired or upset, he is just on the go always.  I think he has a wonderful attitude and I just hope it continues!

Wednesday was riding lessons and soccer so Terry went one way for soccer and I went the other for riding lessons.  Raelynn loves her racing pony, Moon and I hope she gets to the point she can race this summer but she still is getting nervous at the speed.  It is amazing to see her improvement over last year though.  She is so confident and gets the importance of her body position in riding.  It is quite impressive!  I am so thankful for the time Aunt Bonnie puts in with her!

Thursday was Raelynn's last day of school!  I cannot believe I have a 3rd Grader.  Wow how she has grown both in size and character.  We started the morning bright and early getting a plant for her wonderful teacher, Mrs. Mitchell.  She has been an extraordinary teacher!  I absolutely love her.  I must admit I miss reading to the kids over the summer.  I am just happy they are letting me do it again next year with both Coop and Raelynn there!

School only went to 11:15am on Thursday and then Raelynn was just going to join me at work.  Luckily for her our great friends offered for her to spend the day with them.  Then I picked up all the kids after work and we headed to the Shriner's Rodeo.  We have so much fun at Rodeos but we got the VIP treatment last night.  Since Terry's Dad has been in the Shrine for years and is a big part of it, we got to be in the VIP area with food, drinks and more fun then ever.

 Aunt Steph and Uncle Cody joined us as well which of course just made it even more fun!

 The highlight of the night however was when Lucy introduced Raelynn to the Abdullah Shrine Rodeo Queen!  Raelynn was in awe!  The Queen later asked Raelynn to hold her phone while she went out into the arena.  I think Raelynn was about to explode!  Seriously I don't know that I had ever seen her so giddy!  It was all way too cute.  Raelynn said she would do that someday!!!!

It was a late night but I had nothing to worry about because today I have the day off!!!  Woohoo!!!  I have big plans for the day but doubt that any get done, but that is ok!  I slept in this morning but have already got several loads of laundry done, cinnamon rolls and cookies baked, checkbook up to date and now the blog updated!  Hopefully the next 4 hours will be just as successful!

PRESCHOOL GRADUATION.......

What an unexpectedly emotional day.  I never imagined I would get all emotional over Coop graduating from preschool.  I love my kids independence and accomplishments and generally do not get teary eyed over milestones but today it started early.  Before I headed to work I got Coop all ready for graduation and then asked him for a picture.  I looked through the camera for the picture and tears just came flowing.  This is what I saw through the camera.......

But in my mind this is all I could see.....

From times of not knowing if Coop was going to survive to seeing him excel in the manner that he is was a bit overwhelming.  I continued to fight back tears throughout the day.  The hour and half I spent at work before his graduation lasted forever!  Finally it was time to pick up Raelynn and head to his graduation.  Raelynn was one of his surprises and a new stuffed Monkey, Balloon and Candy his other.      Another surprise came to us all when Coop's teacher that had to leave half way through the year came to graduation and even came early to play with the kiddos before hand.  She was wonderful and the children loved her so she was a special surprise for them all!!!  His school went all out on graduation.  It was soooooo  incredibly cute and the director and teachers and other parents were as emotional as I was so maybe it wasn't as crazy as it felt.  Anyway, the graduation was awesome and Coop was so proud.  They had a reception after and again, Coop continued to beam with pride.  I have to say I was equally as proud listening to the kind things people had to say about Cooper.  He seems to touch everyone's heart as much as he does ours and once again it caused the tears to flow!!!  I really cannot say enough wonderful things about Coop's time at First Presbyterian First 5 Years.  We loved it when Raelynn was there, we have loved while Coop has been there and we will continue to hold a special place in our hearts for all those who we have encountered there.  Once again I just feel that we have to be the most blessed family in the world!!!!

Well at least it's a cute pick of Terry, Coop and I.  What is Raelynn looking at????

After graduation I took Raelynn and Coop to Subway, Coop's choice, and then Raelynn back to school and Coop to Mary Beth's.  By the time I got back to work I was truly exhausted.  I guess all the emotions had wore me out.  The rest of the day went fine and Coop was still super happy as I picked him up to head home.  It was just a fantastic and monumental day.

I did forget to mention that part of Coop's pride may have come from his stunning new suit and bow tie.  When I picked him up from school yesterday he informed me he needed a new shirt and bow tie for graduation.  I assumed the chances in finding a bow time after soccer practice was slim to none but wouldn't you know it, the first store we went to had it on display.  Coop saw it and fell in love.  I think Dad would have rather had a different color but beggers can't be choosers and I thought he looked amazing!!!!!  :)

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY........

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom!  I cannot imagine raising 4 girls but she did it!  I am so thankful to have had her and count my blessings daily for being able to pick up the phone and call her anytime I like.  As I talked to my Mom this morning wishing her a Happy Mother's Day Terry walked in the kitchen and asked if that was my Mom.  I said it was and he asked that I wish her a Happy Mother's Day from him as well.  It was probably a good thing he left the kitchen at that point because tears swelled in my eyes at the thought about the fact that he couldn't call his Mom and wish her a Happy Mother's Day and how much he probably wished he could.  Anyway, it just made me even more thankful that I could celebrate the day with he and the kids while knowing my Mom was just a phone call away.

Early today I heard on TV someone say, "Today's a day to thank your Mom for her usually thankless job."  I just chuckled to myself because this guy obviously has never spent a day being a "Mom".  A thankless job?  Are you kidding me????!!!!  I have never had a job that I received more gratitude for in my whole life!  This morning I poured a glass of milk and was not only thanked but told how much I was loved.  This past week I made sure my daughter made it to riding lessons even though our schedule was over loaded and I received more thanks than I could even imagine as she told me all about her lesson with a smile on her face while I tucked her into bed that night.  Before Coop's soccer practice on Wednesday I kicked the ball around with him and when we were done he ran over and gave me a hug before heading onto the field.  My thanks are plentiful and often.  I feel like a superstar most of the time just because I am a Mom.  Being a Mom is hard work, difficult, stressful, demanding and at times exhausting but one thing it is not is thankless.  I will never do anything as rewarding as being a Mother.  I wake up excited to see them and go to bed anxious for morning to arrive.  I never get tired of it and always strive to be better today than I was yesterday.  This one day that is set aside to celebrate this amazing gift of Motherhood is really just one day to remind us Mothers exactly how lucky we really are!

My morning started off great.  I was up before everyone else which Raelynn scolded me for when she woke.  She drug Terry out of bed and out of the house.  When they returned they had flowers, candy, breakfast and a great card.  It was so sweet!  Raelynn had made a flower pot at BGC earlier in the week.  This morning she filled my flower pot with the most creative way with my favorite treats.  She filled the pot with Jelly Bellies for the soil and then stuck red licorice in it that had cream cheese frosting at the tip rolled in sprinkles so that they looked like flowers.  It was really awesome!  Coop finally woke up about 9:45am.  He never sleeps in like that.  He got up and was very thirsty.  He was sitting with all of us eating breakfast and drinking milk, a lot of milk.  All the sudden he said his stomach was hurting really bad.  I picked him up and he buried his head in my chest and snuggled.  I was just about to head out the door for church when Coop threw up all down my shirt.  It was the perfect Mother's Day morning!  :)  So back into the shower I went and still made it to church in time but only checked in on the rooms I am in charge of and then headed back home to make sure Coop was ok.  He threw up again, however, by 3pm you would have never known anything had happened to him.   They played outside way into the evening.  While Raelynn was in the shower and Terry was getting the grill ready Coop and I rant to the store.  While there Coop said, "I will never leave you on Mother's Day, ever!"  I asked if he would leave me on another day?  He responded, "well I have to go to school, and I have to grow up but I won't leave you on the other days."  This also lead to him saying he has never seen a real girlfriend and boyfriend.  I told him he had, Aunt Karli and Chad are boyfriend and girlfriend and he said, "No, Aunt Karli doesn't wear a dress!"  What?!  I have no idea what that has to do with it but according to Cooper a real boyfriend and girlfriend wear suits and dresses!  I had no idea!  That's how conversation with him are these day....all over the place but I learn something new every time.  Anyway, it was just a fantastic day that ended with Terry grilling.  Yummy!

AS THE SCHOOL YEAR COMES TO AN END......

I can hardly believe it is the middle of May and soon I will have a Kindergartner and a 3rd Grader.  Everyone always says time flies when your having fun and I guess they are soooooo right!  Today has actually been pretty easy going.  I had a fabulous run this morning with the temperature perfect and no wind.  We made it to soccer and Coop is currently at a birthday party.  I have managed to get the house cleaned for the most part and I am officially half way done with my spring cleaning.  We kind of needed a slower Saturday after the past week.  I will work backwards on the weeks events.  Friday was a big day for Raelynn.  They had a surprise birthday party for the teacher and field day both of which went great.  Friday night Raelynn had a Sock Hop with her Brownie Troop and Terry, Coop, a friend of Coop's and I made it to a KU Baseball game.  Coop absolutely loves watching sports.  One night when Raelynn was gone, Coop turned on the TV and golf was on.  He said, "Yes!  Let's watch this!!!!"  The other morning I found him watching the replay of a baseball game.  He was glued to the TV.  Anyway, there is no doubt he enjoys his sports and he had a great time last night.

All last week was Teacher Appreciation Week so we did a day of flowers and then a day of Eileen's Cookies for both the kids teachers.  We do so appreciate them!  We have been very fortunate to have amazing teachers for both of the kids thus far.  We have absolutely loved them all.

Wednesday was a big day for Coop and I.  His preschool always hosts Mother's Tea in honor of Mother's Day.  It was so sweet again this year and I left with several beautiful gifts.  It was a little sad knowing that was my last Mother's Tea.  Coop was so excited to have me there and was all hugs.  It was awesome!!!  They tie their art show and book fair in with it all which is a lot of fun for the kids.  The artwork they display is quite amazing, the patience it must take overwhelms me :)

Sissy's face painting skills on display

She even painted her own face!

Tuesday we had Family Picnic which we do at the end of every year for Raelynn's Brownie Troop.  Once again another reminder that school is almost out.  It was actually a pretty fun evening of kids playing and parents chatting.  I feel like we are so lucky to have such a wonderful group of parents around us that are quickly becoming really great friends.

Last weekend was the school carnival.  We have never made it to the carnival since Raelynn started school so this year was pretty exciting.  It really is a great carnival.  It was a rainy cold day however, and we had to move the entire carnival into their school but it didn't seem to slow the fun at all.

Coop in the Hamster Ball

Raelynn and one of her BFF's

Raelynn guarding her silent auction item :)

So now as we look ahead to next week, we inch toward one more week closer to the end of the school year and I must say it makes me just a little sad.  It's one more reminder of how big the kids are getting. Coop is most noticeable right now with his vocabulary and reasoning expanding daily.  Even last week as we were around some very large dogs, which Coop normally would be terrified of, he reminded me when I asked if he was ok, "Yes, I have to get over my fear of big dogs."  I think I need to go back to 5 years old sometimes!