For those of you who get a kick out of hearing about our daily adventures with our wild child, Cooper, this is for you. I wish I had been writing down all of the things he has done all along, because it would end up being a novel for him to read someday! Boy, is he his daddy's son!!!
One day last week, he decided to pull out ALL of Carter's games and throw every single little piece all over Carter's room. You literally could not walk on the floor! That was loads of fun to clean up. That same day, he got some yogurt out of the fridge while I was cooking so I told him I'd open it in a minute. He couldn't wait, so he took it into the living room and tried to open it himself. In the process, it squirted out all over my curtains, carpet, floor, wall, and Cooper.
The other day, he threw one of my flower pots off of the porch and smashed it into a million pieces--this after already breaking one in the backyard recently. Afterwards, he came inside to drink some milk, but decided to spit it out on the front door instead so he could watch it run down the glass.
Yes, this is what daily life is like with Cooper! There is never a dull moment. He is so energetic and full of life and so tough. He rarely gets hurt or cries and if he does, it's not for long. The only time he is still is when he's sleeping or when I'm reading him a story (thank goodness he loves to read-that's 1 thing he gets from me!) He cracks us up most of the time. He learns a lot from Carter. It's so funny to see his 2 year old self running around saying "yeah, baby!" It's so hard to get mad at him for doing anything. He's lucky he's so darn cute! Cooper is living proof that God has a sense of humor because He created him to make us laugh daily!
Cooper Stories
Updates
Well, I'm happy to report that it only took 3 or 4 nights of locking Cooper's door for him to stay in his bed! He now falls asleep and stays in his own bed with his door open all night!!!!!!!! Although, he occasionally gets up and gets in the bed with Carter!
Carter is being an excellent student, as usual! He has started riding the bus home in the afternoons so I can put Cooper down for a nap. He enjoys that and has informed me that he no longer needs me to stand outside and wait for him to come in!
Cooper only cried for about the 1st week of going into preschool and now, he loves it! He puts his backpack on and walks in like a big boy every day! When I picked him up the other day, he hugged me and I noticed his pants were wet. Mrs. Christy said, "Oh, he just went to the potty." I said, "Are you sure you're talking about Cooper????????" Our son, who has had NO interest in going to the potty at home?!? She said that he has been going at preschool the whole time. Hmmmmmmm..........news to us! The only problem is that they teach him to use it sitting down, which I hate! I didn't train Carter that way and I've never understood why people do that b/c that's not what boys do-----they stand up! Oh, well...at least he's going!
As for my job, I am enjoying getting out of the house and feeling important again. Not that being a full-time mother is not important, because that's the most important job I will ever have. But, this gives me a different feeling. I really do like my job, but it is incredibly intense and involved. I go to work everyday, trying to fit an 8 hour day into just 4 hours and it doesn't work. I always end up going early, staying late, and bringing work home. I think it may get better after I've gotten the hang of things. At least, I hope so. I'm keeping an open mind because I still view this job as such a blessing and I'm so thankful for it. And, we all know that God never gives us more than we can handle.
Anyway, I had my 1st emotional breakdown the other day b/c I was feeling incredibly overwhelmed with all of the work that I need to do and I left work in tears. Of all days, Cooper decided he wasn't going to take a nap that day. And, as if things couldn't get any worse, the bus drove right by our house and didn't even stop which means Carter didn't get off! I was freaking out! I called the school and David, once again in tears, and had called a neighbor who works close by to come and stay at the house in case Carter came home while I went to look for him. While I was waiting for her, the bus came back and dropped him off. She said that she just forgot b/c she's not used to stopping at our house. Gee, thanks!
So, that's the story of our lives at the moment!
Look out world.......
Here I come!
Our baby started preschool today at Fairgrove United Methodist Church! His teachers are Ms. Christy and Ms. Judy. We went to open house on Thursday and since then, he's seemed excited and has talked about going to play at his "cool." He cried when we left him today, but was ok within minutes. We know this because our neighbor got there after we left so she told us he was fine and playing. When I picked him up, his comments were so cute: Did you have a good day? "Yeah." What did you do? "I pay wif Ellie." (our friend and neighbor) Did you play with any new friends? "I pay wif Joshua. I pay nice." Which tells me that he probably heard that a time or two today! Notice that he's holding his pacifier in his hand because big boys don't take them to school, but.............not quite ready to give it up!
Go Wolfpack!
Win or lose, we still "Back the Pack!" Here's our annual Wolfpack family picture. We all went to the opening game on Saturday, although it seemed like the football players didn't show up for awhile. Other than that, we enjoyed tailgating, as usual. The food was great, complete with football shaped doughnuts from Krispy Kreme. The kids were very good. They had a little football game of their own out in the parking lot. Carter has become our little analytical child who is obsessed with numbers. He is very interested in watching the game now and actually understands what's going on. He gets into it and cheers on the team. Cooper was more interested in watching the fans than the game. He was so curious about all of the kids who had their faces painted red and black and wearing crazy red wigs! He would clap every now and then, though. I used to go to every game with David until Carter was born and then I found a way out! I enjoy the socialization and being with family, but I don't care too much about football, probably because the only part I understand is when they make a touchdown! So, now it's Carter's time to be with his Daddy and Granddaddy doing what they love most. Granddaddy George has always said that when he dies, he wants part of his ashes spread under his seats in the stadium because he knows that's where his family will be!
1st Grader!
WOW! It's hard to believe our FIRST born is in FIRST grade already! We had a fun summer, but it was back to the daily grind today. Carter is in Mrs. O'Neal and Mrs. Mallard's class at Fair Grove Elementary. It is a large school so he only has about 3 friends from last year in his class, but I'm sure he'll make lots of new friends. He was very excited and had a great day.
I, too, had a nice day at work! I think I'm going to like my job very much. Right now, there's lots of paperwork and I won't actually start teaching for a couple of weeks. I'm anxious to get started!
God Bless Macy!
Macy was dedicated at church on Sunday. She is such a cute little butterball! What a blessing to add another little girl as one of God's children.
Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho........
It's off to work I go!
Well, for those that may not know, I have taken a part-time job as a Title I Reading Specialist at Silver Valley Elementary School, working Mon. thru Fri. from 8-12. This job is such a blessing and the story of how it came about will explain why:
I had high hopes of working at Cooper's preschool so we'd be on the same schedule and it's very convenient to home. I had already talked to the director (Blair) and she was supposed to call in June. In the meantime, I went for the Title I interview with Gail and left not wanting the job b/c I didn't really want to work 20 hrs. a week, the location/distance was unknown, and there seemed to be a lot of extra staff development hrs., too. After a week or so, I prayed all day long on a Thurs. for God to show me what gift he had given me to help support our family but still be here for the kids. On Friday, Gail called to tell me I had the job and that she'd call next week w/details. I said "Ok, God, that's not the answer I was looking for so let me see what else I can do" and hung up and called preschool. Blair had gone home. I called back Mon. morning and she had stepped out. I left a message and she never called back. Gail called back on Tues. morning w/the details and said she needed an answer by Wed. afternoon. I called the preschool a 3rd time and was told that Blair was at the beach and would be back next week. So, I said, "Ok, God, I get it! This is the job you want me to have." I got on the phone and worked out preschool, school, and childcare issues and immediately everything just fell into place. I talked to Gail again and she answered all of my questions and relieved all of my fears. I still didn't feel absolutely certain about it so after many emotions, tears, and prayers, I woke up on Wed. morning w/a peace and knew I was making the right decision! I called Gail w/my answer and told her that I felt like this is what God wants me to do. The best part is when she told me that she lifts each candidate up to God and there was just something about me in my interview that told her I'd be perfect for this job. This was obviously already in God's plan, although it wasn't in mine at the time. Yes, I'm a little stubborn and it took Him 3 tries to get through to me! Now, I feel really good about it and I'm excited about what's to come. I hope I love it and if I do or don't, I plan on working as if I'm working for the Lord and doing so to the best of my ability!
Now, about the job......
I've had 2 workdays and I really like the full-time Title I Reading Specialist that I'm working with. We seem to have a lot in common. We share a trailer. But, surprise, I went in today to discover that the school may be getting a new teacher, who will inherit the trailer and we'll be moved to a room that already houses 2 teachers and will need to find room for 2 more!!!!!!! Any of you in Education knows that this is how it goes! You don't get too comfortable in 1 spot b/c you can be moved at any time on a moment's notice. It will all work out for the good. I'm sure there will be many stressful days and tears, but all in all, I'm excited and ready to get started! I'm up for the challenge and ready for this new chapter in my life. Keep me in your prayers as our family adjusts to all of our new schedules and routines.
