Pretty please...

It's soooo hot outside.  And we've been really good today. 

We would really like a popsicle, Mommy.  What do you think??

Well, I was really hoping for a red one, instead of green...

You're lucky you are so funny, Mommy!



Thanks for the popsicle!!

Is it summer yet???

The Great Summer Debate

So, it seems that we are having a little trouble around here understanding just what "summer" is. 

You see, I've been trying to explain that now that this school year is finished, it's summer time.  And summer time means lots of fun at home, trips to 'Bama and the beach, mornings of sleeping in (yeah, right), etc, etc...and no more school until August.  The conversations have gone a little like this...

Me:  "C'mon Sam, it's time to get ready for bed."
Sam:  "But Mommy, I haven't had summer yet!"
Me:  "Wha...??  Oh, good grief!  It IS summer, you don't HAVE summer."  (slightly a lot exasperated since I've had this exact conversation no less than 47 times over the last 3 days)
Charlie:  "It's not summer.  It's not summer until June 21st."  (very mater-of-fact)
Me:  "OK, so we are on summer BREAK.  And you are right, the season doesn't officially change to summer until June 21st."
Sam:  "I didn't have summer."  (fighting back almost tears...)
Charlie:  "It's not summer yet."
Sam:  "Can I go to Alabama on summer?"
Me:  "Yes, we will go to Alabama this summer."
Charlie:  "It's not summer."
Sam:  "I didn't have summer." (big tears welling up in his eyes...)
Me:  "Go to bed.  Or I'm gonna cancel summer."
Charlie:  "It's not summer......"

Long pause.

Sam:  "Can I have summer now, please?"

As much as I've been looking forward to summer and no schedules, no homework, no lunch-making, I'm thinking about changing it's name.

We're just on a break.  That's not at all confusing,  is it??

Adoption Sunday

We celebrated adoption, as we do every year, at this past Sunday's Combined Worship.  This service will always hold a special place in my heart, since it was here 3 years ago that we finally decided to take that leap of faith....

And boy, am I glad we did.

Can you imagine life without these two?  I can't. 

All the kids joined in singing our version of "Children of God".  They all did a great job and my prayer is that the Lord used them to push another family "over the edge".  I mean that in the best way possible!!

Check mid-stage, far left.  Yeah, they weren't thrilled about being there.

If you want the live version, here's our service in its entirety.  The song is at approximately minute 36.  Hope you enjoy!

Combined Campus Celebration - May 22, 2011 from Highview Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Take me out to the ballgame...

The boys experienced their first Louisville Bats Baseball game last weekend as a treat with Kenny's office.  From Sam's expression, looks like it may have been painful, despite the excited stories I got when they returned home.  He really does know how to be normal.  I just haven't figured out how to get him to be normal when there is a camera around.

Mommy missed out on this great adventure and was home with a sinus infection from....well, from some place really bad.  I definitely wasn't off having happy Mommy time, let's just put it that way.

Hopefully I'll get in on the next trip to Slugger Field. 

Because they have some foot-long corn dogs that are to die for!

The Inaugural Slide of 2011. Finally.

Thank goodness Summer decided to show up this past weekend.  I was beginning to wonder...

Sam has been bugging me to play in the snow.  Huh??  Or play in the water.  And since it's neither been cold enough for snow, nor warm enough for outdoor water play, he was been quite sad.  Until this weekend when I suggested we break out our new slip 'n slide that came in our Easter stash from Gammy & Papa.

Best idea all weekend.

Certainly trumped picking up rocks from the backyard, which was what they were doing. 

Helping.  They were helping us...

We didn't even take the time to put on the 'ol swimming trunks, but just shed our shirts and shoes and dove right in!

The water was COLD.  But they didn't care one bit.

Beats picking up rocks.

This is how we ROLL.

Wow.

I really don't have words for the pictures and videos I have seen over the last several weeks.  Just tears as I look at areas of Tuscaloosa that are almost unrecognizable now.

Most people know that a mile-wide tornado ripped through Tuscaloosa, AL, home of THE University of Alabama, and home to Kenny and I for over 5 years during the college era on April 27th.  The tornado literally came right down the street that we lived on and from what I have read and seen on-line, 15th Street is totally demolished.

Take the time to read this story from a recent Sports Illustrated told from several athletes point of views.  (WARNING:  Grab a tissue.  Or two.)  I CANNOT imagine what some of these people went through and are going through now.

Please continue to pray for the state of Alabama as they clean up from the aftermath of this disaster.  I have no doubt that Tuscaloosa will return, better than ever.

After all, this is how we roll.  ROLL TIDE!

Charlie's Bucket List

One of Charlie's writing assignments at school recently included completing a "Bucket List" of 10 things they would like to do someday.  So, here's his version...

1. work at the airport. 
2. make foods.
3. teach childrens.
4. eta at burger king.
5. make a pinsile.
6. go to Disny world.
7. build stuff.
8. race a car.
9. play baseball.
10. help some one.

So, my comments. 

He wants to "make foods".  It's a good thing.  Because I can't make enough foods to keep up with his eating.  He eats as much as Kenny.  And no.  I am not exaggerating.

And teach "childrens".  Let's just say that made me smile.

Apparently we need to take the kid to Burger King.  I'm pretty sure he's never been.  I personally don't think he's missing much.  I prefer Wendy's for my fast food fix.

And in case you were confused, what he actually wants to make is a pencil.  I haven't the foggiest idea how you would even begin to make a "pinsile"... I mean, a pencil.

He can already build "stuff" with anything.  Seriously.  He's like a miniature MacGyver.  Give the kid some tape and he can construct a new wardrobe.  But as a result, he thinks tape fixes everything.  Which doesn't always work when little brother snaps the arm off of one of our beloved Transformers...

Oops.  Play baseball could have been crossed off the list if Mommy had gotten him signed up in time... maybe next year.

Help some one.  Love it!

Being a Mommy

Tonight was one of those nights that I used to envision when I thought about being a Mommy.  A pleasant evening.  Daddy outside playing with the giggling children.  Mommy inside cooking a wholesome, healthy dinner.  Everyone happy.  Everyone healthy.

And no, I didn't have on my June Cleaver heels and pearls while I was preparing dinner.  I thought about it, but didn't want set a precedent I had no intentions to continuing.  Plus, I definitely would have fallen down.

In all honestly, the boys and Kenny were attempting their version of WWF in the back yard.  It's a wonder no one ended up at the ER.  And I was inside cooking macaroni and cheese from a box.  To go with my new favorite recipe.  At least the chicken didn't come from a box.  That's wholesome, right?

Believe me.  This is not how things are everyday.  But I'm grateful for the evenings we do have that are laid back and fun and we can just enjoy being with each other.  Because tomorrow it's back to school, work, schedule, doctor's appointments, meetings, etc, etc, etc......And I'm grateful for two little boys and their birth mother that allowed me to be a mommy.

So I could have days like today.

P.S.  Happy Mother's Day.

A year.

This is a fabulously horrible picture and I specifically remember Katie begging me to remove it from the blog when I originally posted it............but it's the last picture I have that was taken with Katie.  January 1, 2010.  I made fun of her for wearing a shirt that looks like she recovered it from the 80's.  And she made fun of me for wearing a green life preserver.  Kim, on the other hand, looks great!  We might would have brushed our hair if we had realized it was going to be the last picture.......

I don't think a day goes by that I don't pick up my phone to call or text her.  And it's been a year.

I still see her picture smiling at me daily.  And have to remind myself that she's not here.

Almost every Friday night, I feel like I relive the events of the next 24 hours that happened on May 8, 2010.  The texts.  The phone calls.  The longest flight of my entire life.

I can't see an owl without tearing up.  And I have owls on everything from my PJ pants to Charlie's artwork on the fridge.

I wore heels a few weeks ago for the first time.  And I know Katie would have been more proud of me than anyone else.

Losing my little sister, my best friend, a daughter was never something any of us planned to do that day a year ago.  And although I'll never understand God's most perfect timing for taking her home, I have to remind myself that this was all part of His ultimate plan.  That doesn't make it easier, it doesn't make it okay...but I have an indescribable peace knowing that she's with her Creator.

And knowing that one day soon, I'll see her again...

One-liners.

For you non-Facebookers, here's most of my status updates since the beginning of the year.  It's like one-liner posts...........

While tucking Sam into bed this evening..."Mommy? Am I getting bigger?" "Yeah, buddy, but you are still my baby boy." "Mommy, I'm not a baby, I'm a SAM!!"

First night with no pull-up: SUCCESS!! Yay, Sam!!

The boys are playing "Easter Egg Hunt" downstairs in the playroom. It's really quite entertaining to listen to..."Oooooo, I found another one!!!" Well, duh. You JUST hid it there yourself!

I'm practicing for the wedding I'm in this weekend by wearing my heels while I heat up Spaghetti-o's for dinner. I figured that was the least dangerous activity I could do in heels...I sure do love you, Jennifer Gilley!!

Hillbilly Night at AWANA's!! And yes. That's poison oak all over the side of my face. I'm having a flashback to 4th grade when Mrs. Hyde let me do a leaf rubbing of a poison oak leaf........ It didn't turn out well.

Coughing, sneezing, runny noses....we are staying in our PJ's today. Well, at least me and the boys... yuck.

Any ideas on how to help an almost 8-year-old remember to zip his pants??? He NEVER zips them! I've threatened to put a diaper on him...

Sam just told me he needed 5 pancakes for breakfast. So, I'm off to make 5 pancakes...

Charlie's favorite "Z" word...Zacspecas. That's Zaxby's for those of you that can spell. And aren't in 1st grade. I do have to agree with him though. Zaxby's is a great "Z" word!

Charlie doesn't even know who Bugs Bunny is...How un-American is that??

The boys are outside playing basketball with their bike helmets on. We are all about safety at the Cook house.

Just realized the bag of M&M's I was previously enjoying (by myself) is one of those "Sharing Size, 2 Servings" bags........Oh, well. The damage is already done.

"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." James 1:22 ...Professing Christians who are content with only hearing the Word have made a serious spiritual miscalculation.

"Mommy, somebody threw up on my head today. And in my ear. But I got a new shirt!!" Way to be positive, buddy. I probably would have punched them in the face...

On the top of my “Things I Never Want to Hear the Kroger Bag Boy Say” list… “Ma’am, I think your son is rubbing my leg.” Sure enough. He was….

Traded my alarm clock for a busted lip this morning. That's what happens when a large headed 3-year-old tries to join you in bed while it's still dark. Wouldn't trade a busted lip for anything...honest!

Charlie wants to know what time we are going to watch the big baseball game. Sorry if he offended anyone. We are still getting our sports straight.  (referring to the Super Bowl)

Sam’s eating nerds. Guess how many are in his mouth as opposed to my floor? Not that many.

It's official. It is totally impossible for Sam to sit still.

Happy Birthday to my sweet husband, Kenny Cook...how's it feel to be well into your 30's? I wouldn't know...

Golf shoes. Good choice to keep from busting it while you walk down your ice covered driveway to get the mail. And it goes great with your sky blue sweatpants and your camouflage hat.

I think I still have the headache I got on Wednesday night after playing a rousing game of duck-duck-goose with a bunch of preschoolers who don't know what the word gentle means.

Sam wanted to eat Cheerios because they look like doughnuts. Gotta love his thought process.

Thank you to everyone who gave the boys noisy Christmas presents. Really. Thanks. And when we visit again, they will be left at your house. On purpose.

Random Week

So, a catch up post for our week.

The big event of the week was finally completing the readoption process for the boys.  This required us to go down to the big 'ol courthouse and have a judge ask us if we realized that this was a permanent situation, remind us that it was our responsibility to care for these children and that they are to be treated the same as heirs born to us.  Duh.  What does he think we've been doing for the last year and a half?

So, they boys now legally have their American names and will soon have foreign-born Kentucky birth certificates.  But try explaining citizenship to an 8-year-old Ethiopian who still has trouble with some English words.......not easy.

We ate suckers and played Transformers while we waited.  Just the boys.  I sat patiently and acted almost adult-like.  We took the boys to play in the bouncies after making them do something boring all morning.  And I did not act like an adult there.  No pictures necessary.

The boys and Tristan played outside this week in between the torrential rains and Mother Nature deciding to make it winter again.  Seriously.  Just bring me some sunshine. 

Our baby birds made their appearance on Wednesday morning.  Momma Bird is getting used to us checking on them several times a day because she chirps much more nicely as us now.  Or maybe she's just happy to have her four little chicks!  Sam continues to bug the snot out of me to see them 400 times a day.  At least every time he goes to the bathroom.

Sam and Tristan watched movies in their PJ's with Gammy while Charlie and I went on a field trip to Louisville Memorial Auditorium to see their rendition of Aesop's Fables.  I think I would have rather been in my PJ's...

We had Awana Awards Night to wrap up our year of learning verses.  Let me give you some background here.  Charlie is in what we call Sparks, which is kids in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades.  So, do the math.  Since Charlie started Sparks in 1st grade, he only has 2 years to complete the 3 books required to finish Sparks.  I wasn't going to make a big deal out of it and just would have been happy for him to complete a book a year.  Well, the kid got wind of there being 3 books and finished TWO of those books in one year and wanted to start his 3rd book.  That's over 150 verses in about 8 months time!  And he's not just memorizing and forgetting.  A lot of the verses, he can still quote to you with minimal help.  Super proud of him!!

And oh, yeah.  I turned 30.  Which just makes my parents really old.