LOVE THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, SAD IT IS ALL COMING TO AN END....

December has to be one of the best months of the year.  I love the excitement and the family time.  It is always so crazy but also so much fun.  The kids head back to school tomorrow which is sad.  It means we have to get back to a routine, bedtimes, early mornings, etc.  I am never ready for it.  I love coming home over my lunch hour to my giggly kids and seeing what they have dreamed up while I was gone.  I love letting them stay up later to snuggle why we watch TV or go to an AMAZING late night KU game!  I guess I just wish I had more time with them, fun time, not time when I am telling them to get in the shower, brush your teeth, pack your lunch, blahblahblah.  Anyway, needless to say, I am not excited to see them go back but it is part of life and another sign of them growing up.......tear, tear.

So back to the fun stuff!  Last night's KU game against OU was AWESOME!  3 Overtimes!  Are you kidding me!?  The kids had a blast, I mean who wouldn't.  It was super fun and I loved being there as a family.  It was well worth the late night.  Santa brought us the tickets this year and we are so grateful!  The kids lucked out that they still had one more day off so they slept the morning away while Terry and I dragged ourselves out of bed.  My 4am alarm came way too early, but again well worth it.

So I have a little sad news, sad to me anyway.  I have been thinking about this for some time and finally decided it was time.  This will be my last blog post, it is coming to an end.  It has been so much fun to do over the past 8 years but things are changing and it isn't as fun for me any more and has become a chore.  The problem is the kids are growing up.  They now read the blog and therefore some of my funniest stories and thoughts I can no longer post.  It has taken the fun out of it for me.  I love sharing some of the amazing things the kids do and say from my point of view but it's often not what I want to share with them at this age.  I print this blog into a book at the end of every year and I always knew the kids would read it some day when they were grown up and would love it.  But for them to read it now it just limits what I can post.  It's also out of respect to them.  They are getting old enough that they don't want me to share some of our stories.  They are awesome stories to us as adults but to them they can be embarrassing or humiliating at times.  I would never ask them to stop reading the blog because that just seems wrong, I mean it is their life story I write about.  Anyway, bottom line it is time to bring this blog to an end.  Some day I might take it up again with a different focus but for now I will have find another way to document our crazy lives as our amazing kids grow up.

Thank you to everyone that has offered us support, laughter, advice, encouragement and love through this blog over the past 8 years.  We appreciate each and every comment along them.  Thank you!  As many of my posts ended.......I cannot wait to see what tomorrow brings!

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!

I AM OFFICIALLY OLD!

Unfortunately I have finally entered into the 40 Club!  I must admit that age does bother me a little.  The thing is I don't feel like I should appear "old" to my kids.  I remember my parents being 40 and I thought it was sooooooo old.  Now that just depresses me!  I asked Raelynn if I looked 40, without hesitation she said "Yes, but you look better than most Mom's that are 40!"  I really wanted to take that as a compliment but I am still unsure if I should.  I will say that I couldn't be happier with my life at 40 though.  I have a wonderful family, good job, nice home and great friends.  Therefore I guess I will just embrace my 40's! 

Saturday was my birthday and I started it out with a little workout and then was off to a horse show with Raelynn.  From there I took Coop to his soccer game and then back out to the horse show in time to watch Raelynn in races.  It was your average crazy Saturday.  At about 5pm Terry tells me we have reservations for dinner at 6pm so he hoped this was over soon.  What!? I was shocked and happy but at the same time could have used that information about an hour before so I could go home and get ready.  I left them all at the horse show and headed home to get ready.  By the time Terry got home and took the kids over to Andrea's, I was ready to go.  We headed out for our date night and Terry pulled in to Henry T's.  Now if you live here you know you do not need reservations for T's so I was a little suspicious.  To my surprise there was Andrea, Vince, Cody and Steph to celebrate my birthday with us.  I was so excited to see them all.  A night out with my great husband and my best friends was PERFECT!  We had a blast and I couldn't have thought of a better way to celebrate my birthday.  I can't thank them all enough for making me feel special.  Steph even got a little creative and made me the perfect birthday cake.

I am truly thankful for my friends and family!

So after my fun weekend and achieving absolutely nothing over the weekend, Monday rolled around much too quickly.  I had no menu planned, no workouts outlined, the house was not cleaned, work was not complete and I was still finishing up laundry as I got up Monday morning.  Both Raelynn and Coop started basketball this week.  I am helping coach Raelynn's team and Coop is still finishing up soccer as well.  It has made for a pretty crazy week and we can't forget the late night everyone had last night watching the Royals in 14 Innings!!!!  Raelynn has her last Lights On performance tomorrow night.  It is so hard to believe we are having "lasts" for elementary school.  She is growing up way too fast and over the past month or so it has been so evident.  I truly hope she and I's relationship can maintain the way it is now.  I love her and she needs me so much now but in such a different way than when she was little.  I hope I never let her down and can always figure out how to be there for her even when she doesn't think she needs me.  This Mom gig is a tough one and by far the best thing I have EVER done in my life!!!!!

PUMPKIN PATCH 2015

Oh what fun we had this weekend!  Every year our entire family tries to get together to go to the pumpkin patch.  This year Sherri and Kendal weren't able to make it due to work schedules but the rest of us did.  It was a full day on Saturday starting early with the first of 2 soccer games for Coop.

We followed that with our annual trip to the pumpkin patch

Then it was off for a shopping spree for my birthday which was super fun for me.  Mom, Steph, Karli and I went to my favorite place and I loved it!!!

Then it was home for taco soup and some cards.  It was a great day.  We were exhausted but it was so much fun.  Family memories are the best ever!

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS.....

So I am completely absorbed with my new found passion for online grocery shopping!  I started it about a month ago when I happened to hear a commercial about HyVee offering online grocery ordering.  If you know me you know grocery shopping is the one and only kind of shopping I despise.  I don't care about food that much and I certainly can't stand the amount of money I spend on it.  However, the rest of the family seems to think food is relatively important and therefore every week I write a menu and head to the store.  I go to the store at the most random times; 10pm, 4am, 6am, etc.  Once in awhile I try to do the whole grocery store trip over my lunch hour which NEVER works out well.  Anyway, when I heard you could order online and then have it delivered or pick it up just by pulling up in front of the store and calling them, I thought it was worth a try.  Literally this has changed my life (ok that may be a slight exaggeration).  It is awesome!  Not only can you always make sure you are buying the least expensive item but you also don't buy a bunch of stuff you don't need.  Not to mention, when I think of something and wonder if we are out, I just get up and check  the cupboard.  Seriously it's incredible.  I am saving money AND taking half as much time as I used to.  I really can't believe the convenience of it.  Anyway, it makes me very happy.  I compare it to online banking, without online banking I think I would die!  Online grocery shopping is going to be the same way.

So let's see...... Saturday was Raelynn's last horse show of the season.  She did great but this year was rough with so many missed shows due to her fractured wrist and rain outs.  She improved so much though from last year.  I really am proud of her and cannot wait to see what another winter of lessons does for her.

Miss Hadley came to the horse show too.  I love spending time with Cody, Steph and Hadley.  They always make me happy!  Hadley liked taking rides on Patches and Raelynn was more than happy to lead her around.  This wonderful woman that takes care of the prizes at most shows and does so much for the youth in our circuit made sure Hadley got a little prize as well.  Steph sent me this picture while I was at Coop's soccer game and I knew instantly it was Paula who had given her this little stuffed pillow pet.  This lady is honestly one of the kindest, hardest working, strongest and most dedicated people I have ever met.  She always makes sure the kids are taken care of and goes above and beyond every day.  I just love her to pieces and couldn't help but smile to know Miss Hadley got to meet Paula as well!

Between Raelynn's Showmanship and races I snuck away for Cooper's soccer game.  I love watching the kids do what they love and Coop loves soccer.  He is so much faster now and able to keep up like never before.  It is sometimes hard to believe he has been through so much.  You would NEVER know he has had 3 open heart surgeries, that we about lost him at 6 months old, that he didn't really eat until he was almost 4 years old, that he was on such a medicine and tube feeding regimen that there was never more than 30 minutes in every 24 hour period that we weren't feeding him or giving him meds, it's all almost unbelievable now.  I also realize that Terry and I should never complain about being tired because back then we were tired!  Now we are in happy and grateful.  Our kids are beautiful and wonderful and self sufficient and frustrating and challenging and exactly what they should be!  We have to be the luckiest parents alive.  I know I say it all the time but I really am so thankful for the life I have.  I am happy and although that seems simple, I am so thankful that I can say and mean it every day!

So another week is ahead of us but we made it through Monday so I figure it is all good from here! Not to mention, rumor has it we will warm up a little this week too!  I am not ready for this cold weather to stick around!  Bring on the warmth!

FULL MOON-STAY HOME!

I really think when there is a full moon we should all stay home.  People are crazy!  Whenever it seems everyone is being unreasonable, grouch or just strange you can count on the fact it is a full moon outside!  Anyway, the moon has been super cool the past few nights but man, I am ready for it to be over!

This week life has been soon easy!  Finally all of my BIG obligations are over.  It seems like since August 1st I have been running a hundred different directions but it has all finally ended.  We had our CCF 5K this past Saturday and it was another successful year.  Every year I am so amazed at the support from family, friends and the community.  I am also amazed at our committee.  I mean, I know why Terry and I spend hours working on things for the foundation, because we want to give back to the community what they gave to us.  But what drives our board members and committee members is beyond me.  They are work so hard to make everything happen and we are so grateful for them.

One week ago tonight Raelynn experienced her first concert at Taylor Swift.  We went with Andrea and Jackie and had a great time!  Raelynn loved it and said it was even better than she expected which made me super happy.   We didn't get home to the early morning hours of Wednesday though so we all struggled at work and school.  Bedtime Wednesday night could not have come fast enough!

The rest of the week was packed with 5K stuff.  In addition to work.  We hired a new employee which has been great but always makes my work load a little heavier.  I don't mind at all because I actually love to train people but then that leaves my regular work to do around training.  Anyway, I love my job so again I don't mind but the week was already insane so having work a little crazy too was challenging. However I must say it has made this week even that much sweeter now that most of my chaos is over.

My family was up for the 5K so it is always fun to have a house full.  I love that they come up to support Cooper's Cause Foundation as well.  I must say I have an extremely supportive family.  It's also just that much sweeter now that my nephew Hunter is getting old enough to play with Coop and Hadley is up and running around with them all as well.  I love family time and watching the kids with their cousins.  

 After a slow week ahead this weekend will be filled again with horse shows and soccer.  This is the last horse show of the season and Raelynn finally has her brace off and her wrist is healed.  We hope to get a final release from the doctor in 2 weeks but he gave her permission to ride with the brace on (not that we haven't been riding with the brace on for the past month but shhhhh).  Anyway, fun weekend ahead!