MY HEART IS FULL......

Cooper turned 8 today.  We had a wonderful day.  It involved family, ice skating and presents, the perfect birthday for my 8 year old.  As I tucked him into bed I almost starting crying.  He was so excited about his gifts and could not stop chatting about them and although I wanted to listen to him all I could think about was where we were 8 years ago and how incredibly hard it was.  This happens to me at each of his birthdays but I just think about our journey over the last 8 years.  There has been so many tears shed but even more happiness and laughter.  Cooper has changed our lives in a way I can never describe but in every way it has improved us each individually and as a family.  I want nothing more than that sweet boy to be happy and happy he is.  It was a wonderful day!  I am also so thankful for such a great family who does everything they can to be a part of my kids' lives.  I love that about our family.  Even if they can't make it, they call and let the kids know they are thinking of them, for all of them, I am so thankful.

Thanksgiving was awesome as well.  As usual we went to Bonnie's for Thanksgiving and ate way too much food.  What was different this year was that Raelynn was by my side cooking and it made Thanksgiving even better than it usually is.  She made 3 pies all herself and helped me whip up 10lbs of mashed potatoes, rolls and stuffing.  I cannot tell you how amazing it was to be with her cooking and laughing and complaining a little too, I mean pealing 10lbs of potatoes is not that much fun.  Thanksgiving morning we were running late and as I jumped in the shower and was rushing around, Raelynn runs in and says, "Ok Mom everything's loaded in the car so when you're ready we should be good to go...."  Where did I get these amazing kids!?  I smiled and thanked them and before long we were off.  It made for a super Thanksgiving.  There is much to be thankful for.  When I asked the kids to name one thing they were thankful for Raelynn answered her horse and Coop answered his friends.  They both spoke to my kids' loves and it made me smile.  What am I thankful for?  My family.  I am blessed beyond belief.  I am happy.  I am content.  I am in love.  I am loved.  There is little more anyone could want.

So after this long weekend and so much fun it is time to get back to work.  Working out, cooking dinner, going to work, shopping for the holidays and a thousand things in between.  It's my life and it's perfect!

HE DOESN'T GIVE US MORE THAN WE CAN HANDLE....

I firmly believe God does not give us more than we can handle.  I also believe he has a sense of humor.  After all the medical challenges we have been given with Cooper, I think God finds great humor in watching me deal with Raelynn when she has an ailment.  Today I had to pick her up early from school because she did not feel well.  She didn't have a fever but her throat, head and stomach hurt.  When I picked her up I felt bad for her.  Her eyes were almost tearing up and you could tell she just didn't feel good.  I took her to the doctor because there was a large amount of kids in her class out with strep.  She tested negative for strep so they determined it was just a viral thing and had to run its coarse.  Good news right?  Well I think I would have rather been able to medicate her.  For the next 3 hours she wined and whimpered like she was dying.  Seriously?!  I could do nothing but laugh.  All I could do was thank God that he gave Cooper the medical issues and not Raelynn because had it been reversed I can guarantee I would never make it.  Finally about 8 o'clock Raelynn fell asleep.  The silence was awesome.  I love that girl so much but she is definitely a bundle of drama at times.  I can only hope and pray she wakes up feeling much better tomorrow because if I have to spend an entire day listening to her near death moans and groans I may not make it!  Lol!

What a weekend we had.  Coop participated in a soccer tournament and he and his team did an amazing job.  It was a great group of boys and parents.  He played Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  They ended up playing in the championship game and going into sudden death to win it.  Honestly it was so exciting.  I loved every minute of it.   Then Sunday night it was finally back to Lawrence for Raelynn's basketball game.  I am lucky enough to be helping coach her team.  Again, a huge challenge but they improved from last week and that is all we can ask for.  I love basketball and Raelynn really enjoys it as well which makes me happy.  She works very hard and I am proud of her efforts.  It's something she does that I understand and so many of the things she says and talks about in regards to it I remember thinking and feeling the same way.  It is one of the few activities we have in common.

Saturday was Terry's Birthday so after we got back from the soccer tournament we  met up with his sisters and brother and had dinner.  Raelynn wanted to surprise Terry with going to the new Peanuts movie that was just released.  Terry loves the Peanuts comic strip and when Raelynn found out the movie was being released the weekend of his birthday she insisted that be what we do for his birthday.  He loved it and it was a fun night at the movies.

So we have been having so much fun and considering it is November and the holidays are right around the corner, we have so much more fun ahead!  I wish every day could be a weekend!