Cooper's Birthday!

I was pretty bad with the camera this birthday party, but we went to the 'Pirate Park' and had a little picnic with a bunch of friends and in all reality its pretty hard to catch any kids to take a pic at the park!!

Happy Birthday to little man! Oh I can't believe you are Three already!!

Jessica F. saved the day with their gift of a Pirate sword! it even has sound effects! What more could a little Pirate want?!

Cooper, you are such a wonderful little boy! So full of energy and determination! (Read: Never stops, and stubborn! LOL) We love having you in our family because you always keep us laughing! You help make my days happier, and you help make me a better mother!

We love you so much Cooper!!

Life in general...

A couple of weeks ago my Mom told me my Aunt Laurel, her sister, had to go into the hospital because she had gotten this terrible cold and was not getting better. A few days and tests later they found out her heart was enlarged and they sent her to Calgary for more tests. There they found out that she needed Triple Bypass surgery...

My Aunt has had Diabetes since she was a Teen. She hasn't had too many complications, but in the last few years with age and busyness of life, it has caught up with her. She gets sick more often, and tired....but she was always there when her family needed her.

She was my quiet Aunt. She always made us something for Christmas and birthdays. She had great skill with plastic canvas. Whenever I went back to Canada, she would make sure she seen me and give me a big hug. She was my Mom's big sister.

On Thursday morning, as they were preparing her for surgery, she had a Massive Heart attack and passed away. I couldn't believe it. I was just talking to my Mom that morning about her surgery, and now she was gone.

I was sad. But it wasn't till I talked to my Dad on the phone and I asked how Mom was that it really hit me. He just said "Not Good..." and my heart broke. My Mom was hurting. She had just lost a sister suddenly, unexpectedly, and I couldn't be there for her...

I lost it...

We have been fortunate enough to not have had to deal with deaths in the family too much since we have been down here and away from family. Dustin's Grandpa Chalmers passed away 4 years ago, and its just a helpless feeling knowing that people at home are sad and hurting and you're sad, but you can't help them right now. In the whole scheme of things, I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan. I know that my Aunt is in a better place, and she's with her Mom and My Aunt Roberta. She's waiting for us to see her again, and this gives me comfort. I know my Mom knows this, too. But at the time, when you can't be there for them, the hopelessness just crashes in on your brain and you can't think straight about that. The Future, Eternity, its hard to comprehend when you are hurting in the moment. You just want to fix it right now. And when its your Mom that's hurting...

Mom is ok now. It still hurts, but perspective is more in order. You remember things you know. The knowledge that our family will be together again someday, and little by little, it starts to feel better. I am so grateful for that knowledge. And I am so grateful right now that we are moving home, so that next time (Heaven forbid it be any time soon) I can be there to help out the family. And they will be there for me...

Happy Easter!!

A little late, but here is our Easter fun!

Started out with Coloring Easter Eggs...

We like to Color on our eggs first...

...and then Mom forgets to take a picture of the beautiful eggs...

Easter bunny ROCKED this year! Oh, he went all out with the egg hunt...out in the garden...

...running through the house...

...with great riddles to figure out to find the eggs and the baskets...

...good job Easter bunny, you may have to take over every year...

And of course, a little Easter Dress up!

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!

Cooper is Three!

FOR SALE:

One Little boy, who is mischievous, goofy and fun.

He loves pirates, and guns and swords and pretty much anything that involves him being a bad guy and chasing the good guy or vice versa.

Also known as Coops, Cooper-Man, Super Cooper, and Diablo Blanco (the White Devil).

Only three years old....This is how he looks in the packaging.

How can you resist that? I know you want to offer me a good deal.

Did I mention he's silly? Like, really silly. He knows when he's done something to make you laugh and he'll keep it up.

This is what he said the other day to his dad:

"Where's Hay-Hay?" (Hay-Hay is Hailey the dog)

Dad: "I don't know."

Coop: "Hay- Hay outside?"

Dad: "No, I think she's inside."

Coop: "Hay-Hay at table?"

Dad: "No, I don't think she's there."

Coop: "Hay-Hay up my butt?"

Then looks at Dad and proceeds to laugh like its the funniest thing in the world.

Yes, he is quite the comedian.

And he just tuned three. Yesterday.

It makes me so happy to see him grow and all the things he is learning and saying and doing...but it makes me kind of sad too, because three years ago today he looked like this:

Just tiny and small. He loved to be held and rocked to sleep. He sat still for more than 2 minutes and he wasn't nearly so loud.

And then a year later he looked like this. And he couldn't even walk. He would just smile and look cute. He didn't jump off my pictures or hit his sister and say:

"Well. Then leave alone me!"

Oh Cooper Man. What am I going to do? I love to see you learn and grow, but how I want to keep you little forever. You make me crazy and mad...but you also make me so happy to have you in our family. You are our comedic relief. You are persistant and determined, some may even call it stubborn, just like your Dad. You are my little man.

I love you, and I'm so very grateful you came to be with us.

Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Today I am feeling so very grateful for my little family. No reason in particular...just very grateful for my husband and my kids. Grateful that I get to be a a wife and mother and nurture my little family. And grateful for the opportunities that have come our way, and grateful for the little 'beauties' that you would never think of when you think of Bakersfield...

Like the Almond orchards...

I mean, come on! How much fun is it to take these pictures of my family in rows upon rows of blooming trees!

Granted, the subjects are exceptionally cute...

Even a little mischievous...

But how can you not take great pictures of cute subjects in a beautiful location...

I love my boys...all three of them. They give the hormonal female thing balance. And they make me laugh and they all give the best hugs...

I love my girl...she gives the boy/rough/rowdiness balance. I love how she can keep up with the boys, but she would like to do it with her nails painted and wearing a necklace please and thank you.

Oh! I am so very grateful for these blessings in my life! Today is definitely one of those days when I have forgotten the craziness, snotty, fighting, and selective listening. Today my family seems perfect to me. My kids are well behaved and loving to each other. Today is a GREAT day to be a mom!

Today I remember all the good things about my life. The funny things they say. The hugs in the morning. The kisses at night. I remember why I wanted to do this for so long. To just be a Mom and enjoy my family.

Yes...today is a Great day!

I will be forever grateful to be blessed with these children. And this man as my husband. I am so thankful for how much he loves me and my children. And how he works so hard so I CAN stay at home. How much he makes me laugh and helps me remember the good times during the craziness.

Today is a GREAT day.

I'm hoping it continues into tomorrow....