Finding Just The Right One...

Finding the perfect Christmas Tree is hard work.  In years' past, we have always decorated our artificial, pre-lit, very tall tree.   But our very tall tree will not fit in the house we are living in.  SO....we took a stroll through the Cackler Christmas Tree Farm to find the perfect one.  It was quite an adventure...

                      

     

And then, just like Chevy Chase in Christmas Vacation, a beaming light shone on the one tree we were searching...

Our Pop helped us cut it and bring it home.

FINALLY, we decorated our real, freshly cut, pine smelling Christmas Tree.  It was worth every step.

   

Happy Halloween!

"I want to be SPIDERMAN!" 

Cooper picked out his own costume.  He was so proud of it!!  He even wanted to wear his mask, even though he couldn't see very well.  He often dropped his candy and tried to pick it up with oversized gloves and a view through his mask that was probably less than ideal.   But he loved it.  After realizing that each house gave him "num-nums" (M&M's and candy), there was no stopping him.  All of us enjoyed watching him enjoy the "magic-ness" of Halloween.... Even today, he wishes people "Happy Halloween" if the thought passes his mind.  Full moon, happy kids, fun night!

"Twic or Tweek"....."fank you"...

She Sells Sea Shells By The Sea Shore

The island washes one ca-jill-ion shells ashore with every tide.  Sanibel Island is known for it's shelling beaches.  We stayed on the southwest side, walked the heavily blanketed beaches of shells, and collected all kinds. The water was warm, the pool was warm, the weather was hot. Lucky for us, the rain only reached us at night.   We were well deserving of what transpired several weeks before our scheduled vacation.  It was a perfect getaway the week after WE MOVED!!!!!

That's right.  We packed up our 16+ years of STUFF and moved as a family for the first time.   The move still comes as a shock, even though we have talked and planned it for nearly 5 years.  This is the house that Eric and I designed and moved into the day we returned from our honeymoon. This is Riley's first home.  This is Ellie's first home.  This is Cooper's first home.   It was truly a bittersweet move, as we are still trying to overcome the shock of it happening so quickly.  It sold in May.  Our last day of school was June 6, we moved on June 9 and June 15 and took our pre-scheduled family vacation on June 20-27.   It has been a whirlwind of a summer and it's already the middle of July.    Thankfully, we are all healthy. Thankfully, we are all together.  Thankfully, we have a place to stay until we find or build our future house.  I scour the real estate websites and county auditor GIS every single night.  The perfect place will surface. In the mean time, we are trying to enjoy our summer :)  

It took several days for Eric and I to unwind from the move, but we did so in the perfect place!  If you haven't visited Sanibel Island on the Gulf side of Florida, you really should! Bicycles for transportation, quaint Florida shops and excellent restaurants and cafes are at every corner.    

Adoption Is...

The amount of times I stare at his precious face and marvel at his words, actions and beautiful soul is too numerous to count.  But what takes my breath away is the unselfish devotion his birth mother has for him...much like Jesus has for us.  During this Easter Season, I have reflected more on life and what it means than ever before.  What seemed to be an unbearable thought to one, turned out to be the greatest gift to another.  I thank her every single day for her selfless devotion...for her courage to think more of the needs of someone other than her own.  She will always have my heart.  As will Jesus.  

Happy Easter 2015.

  

Shopping With Teenage Sisters

Shopping together is a challenge.  But this time we had fun!  "Where's Ellie?"

Gymnast IN ACTION

Gymnast

He is naturally athletic, agile and fast.  As much as Riley and Ellie enjoyed their time at Mid Ohio Gymnastics, I was certain that Cooper would enjoy it just as much...see for yourself!

Wordless Wednesday

{heart}

Best of Winter 2015

This may be my very favorite photo of our daughters.  EVER.  They are BOTH smiling and enjoying the moment. 

LOVE!

First Sledding Experience

Yet another snow day in central Ohio.  I lost count of the number of days we have missed this year.  Each time I receive the early morning call, I am secretly doing a gitty, child-like dance.  I'm not sure that I will ever outgrow having an unexpected and wonderful snow day.  Teaching DOES have it's benefits...

This snow day we decided to go sledding.  Cooper LOVES the snow and will tell me every morning when looking out the window, "Mama...'no!"   We thought it would be fun since the temperatures were not sub-zero, only-polar-bears-would-love temperatures.    

He was very eager to walk every bit of this hill.  Each of us offered to carry him, but he wanted to do it on his own.  His very tiny steps took him all the way to the top.  His sisters were careful to help him up a few times and guide him in the right direction.  I stood down the hill a bit to capture these "firsts".  

Looking back on the day, maybe we should've started on a "bunny hill"?

Maybe he will grow to love it :)

First ER Visit

He was flying.  Literally.  Like Superman.  Lost his footing and slipped on a pillow.  Sailed head first into the door jam.  HARD.  He cried a little and continued playing.  He falls a lot.  He bumps his little body a lot.  I thought nothing more than that.      The day went on and other than a goose egg on his forehead and an already bruised mark, Cooper seemed fine.    Until that night...

Cooper vomited after dinner.   He vomited again after bath.  He vomited 7 times in the next 48 hours.    Friday morning at 4:30, Cooper and I traveled to Children's Hospital in Columbus.  Eric took Riley and Ellie to school and would meet us there.  In route, Cooper vomited again.  It was a very scary time for us.   

Children's Hospital has a reputation that stands the test of time.  We were whisked in without waiting one minute.  They were kind, speedy and very focused around Cooper.   He did have a concussion and would have to "rest" for a week.   No stimulating activities, no running, no jumping, no bumping into door jams.  

Thankfully our little Superman healed well.  We snuggled, read books, stayed home, missed gymnastics and TRIED not to run.   NEXT time it happens, we will know just what to do!

icing his injury

a little blurry, but can you see his bruise?

"Look, Mama! Potty!"

If only he would use it... :)

Fish tank in waiting area

Bobble always makes it better...

ready to leave