Tonight we were reading in the Old Testament about the story of Abraham. How he and Sarah were 90 before they were blessed with a son, how he was then asked to sacrifice his only son. We talked about sacrifices in days of old- it's not required of us now, but before Jesus came to earth and was crucified- that was done as a reminder of what would be coming. We read about Abraham taking Isaac, a young boy up the mountain with him, Isaac asking about a lamb, and then the picture of Isaac on the altar. Allie was shocked and bothered by what she saw. "Why would Heavenly Father want him to do that?" So, I explained that the Lord was testing Abraham. That He wanted to know if Abraham would give that which was most dear to him to the Lord. We talked about how hard that would have been, to wait so long to have a son and then, be asked to kill him. "Why didn't Abraham just say no?" she asked. So I asked her what she thought Heavenly Father would feel if He had granted Abraham his biggest wish of having a family, and Abraham said basically, thanks- but I'm not going to do what you say. She was quiet for a minute and then asked me if I would choose the Lord or save my kids (I was struck by the word choice of her question). I looked her right in the eyes and told her that I would do whatever the Lord asked of me, no matter how hard it was. And not to misunderstand, that giving up any of my children would be the hardest thing He could ever ask of me, but He wouldn't ask it unless He had a good reason. And even if I didn't understand the reason, I trust Him and will do whatever He asks of me. As I was talking, my eyes teared up and a lump began forming in my throat. As I watched her watch me, her little eyes began to water and it was like everything else in the room disappeared, and it was just she and I, eyes interlocked. I knew that she knew that I was speaking the truth. I felt it in my heart as I said it, and I know she felt it in hers.
At dinner I was teasing her about how she never stops asking questions. Every night as I put her to bed, she is still talking and asking questions- even as i walk out of the room. She has always been this way, non-stop talker. I admit I have been more frustrated by the unrelenting need for my attention and focus as of late than I would like to be. But as I kissed her sweet face goodnight and left the room (yes... she was still talking) I was reminded in a bittersweet way that this little person is something special. She is very inquisitive and insightful, she doesn't stop until things make sense to her. And with all of that comes the ability to understand things deeply. She is very perceptive, she feels things acutely. She has always been much older than her years. I need to do so much better at not being frustrated at the challenge of helping her grow. I am lucky to be her mom, and grateful for these "one in a million" moments to hold on to when I feel like my efforts are in vain. I hope she will always remember my commitment to the Lord and want to do the same.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Friday, November 11, 2011
More Cooper Funnies...
If I don't write all these down right now I'll forget! This guy is so funny these days!
Funny #1
So tonight we are reading the scriptures, New Testament, about the story when the young rich man asks the Savior what to do to get into heaven and he is already a good guy, keeping the commandments- he just can't give all he owns up. Then the part about a rich man getting into heaven being more difficult than a camel through the eye of a needle, etc. So I ask, does that mean that rich people can't get into heaven? The kids shake their heads. I ask, So how does a rich man get into heaven? Cooper says... through the secret door!!! Maybe that's true!! Maybe really wealthy people can buy the directions to the secret door and the rest of us have to be willing to give up all we own!!!
Funny #2
I made banana chocolate chip cookies with my mushy bananas, wheat flour and oatmeal. I was saying how they are nutritious and delicious and Cooper says: How about SCRASWHISH-ISH!! So funny making up his own words to rhyme.
Funny #3
I am not a boy, obviously. So I am sure I can not understand or fully appreciate the awesomeness of being able to pee where ever and whenever I want! It seems like any chance this guy has to drop his pants and pee on something, he takes it!! We were playing outside in our yard and he drops his pants and starts peeing! I asked him why he didn't go inside to the toilet and he said it's because he wanted to pee on the spider webs!Apparently it was a matter of curiosity to see what urine could do to a finely constructed spider web! A few days ago, we were over at the soon to be new house and again, drops his pants! I said, Cooper... what are you doing? He's standing there oscillating like a fan or sprinkler spraying this big rock!! I guess it is fascinating to watch the color of the rock change from light gray to black with each pass... I don't know!! Another time I go into the bathroom, in our house and he is standing in front of the tub, peeing in the tub!! The toilet is less than two feet away, it's not like he just couldn't hold it for another few steps! When he sees the look of horror on my face, he innocently asks what is the matter! I tell him I can't flush the bathtub, so please don't pee in it!!! USE THE TOILET!! Now, everyone has had the need to leave their mark on Mother Nature, even me- but not on a regular basis when the proper means to dispose of such things is reasonably within reach!! I suppose I'll never understand the sense of freedom and power that comes from being able to turn anything into a toilet!! As women, it's a lot harder to be spontaneous with that sort of thing, it requires planning and supplies!! I hope this new found fascination in finding new and different ways to use his special equipment does not last always!!! It's cute now, I try hard not to laugh as to send the message that this is acceptable... but it won't be if he's a teenager!!!
Man... I LOVE this kid!!
False Advertising...
Cooper is a great eater of fruits and veggies so I was a little confused today when he said he wouldn't eat any carrots with his lunch today. Upon further questioning it was discovered that he was afraid he would turn into a green giant! How could he come to that conclusion? 
You are what you eat, right?? After some reassurances that he would not turn into a green man, he ate them all up!
You are what you eat, right?? After some reassurances that he would not turn into a green man, he ate them all up!
Avery Power!!
A couple days ago, Cooper chose his "Avery Shirt" to wear. Our nephew Avery has Type I diabetes. He's 5 now. Every year we support him at the JDRF walk. My brother Kendal designed this t-shirt and Cooper LOVES to wear it!! He and Allie were wrestling that morning. She picked him up from behind and Scott and I watched as he put his fist to his chest and said, "I'm turning on my AVERY POWER", as though he now had activated his super powers!!! With all the karate kicking, ninja swinging moves that ensued Allie could no longer contain him and released him from the death grasp!! Notice in the picture that he has painted Allie's blue sparkly FINGERNAIL POLISH on his head and face!! A while ago, at his cousin Max's superhero party Grandma did some face painting. For halloween, I drew a little mustache and a "hairy chest" on him for the pirate costume. He apparently deduced from those experiences that being a super hero meant painting your face!! Funny Kid!!
I realize that Cooper is really into super heroes right now and can make anything a super hero, but besides it being a SUPER cute move on his part- I thought I'd take the opportunity to comment about how I think Avery really is a super hero!!
Like most, I didn't know much about diabetes. I watch Biggest Loser, I see people with diabetes able to reverse that disease in their bodies within a couple months of eating right and exercising. It's a curable condition... right? That's true for Type II. Juvenile Type I diabetes is completely different. Perhaps it is because I love my baby brother and his wife SOOOO much, perhaps it is because I have a child with special needs as well- but when my SIL shares the challenges involved with keeping her boy safe my heart aches with sadness and swells with joy at the same time. Let me explain. EVERYTHING that goes into this boys mouth must be accounted for! I've tried counting calories... it's exhausting! I'm a grown up. What happens when your son wants to go to school and they have snacks? What happens when his friend innocently decides to share a lunch treat with him? What happens if he wants to go play at a buddy's house and the mom asks him if he wants some juice to drink? Juice is healthy right? It's not like she's giving him caffeine or anything! How do you keep him safe? How do you help him have a normal life? How do you teach him to answer questions when other kids see his pump and think he's some kind of alien? How do you ever sleep through the night when you've walked in to find him blue and barely breathing? That's the heart aching part.
Then I see his face, this beautiful face.
This boy is dealing with tough things physically, and perhaps more challenging- socially. I see how he handles himself, I see how he patiently, willingly allows himself to be poked and poked and poked. I see the way he watches his dad's face when Kendal is checking him, the way he trusts his parents. I think this boy is amazing. So amazing that when Wendy asked me to write a song for him, I cried at the mere thought. When I think of how King Benjamin tries to teach his people about how to conquer the natural man and tells them to "... becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father...", I think of Avery.
The words to his song came clearly as I was driving one day,
You didn't ask for this and you can't change it
It is your life, and you just take it
I watch in wonder, as you take it and you fly...
(sorry, tried to upload the song... don't know how)
He flies with it! HE is a happy, normal, totally funny kid!!! Full of sass, just like his mom! Sweet, thoughtful, kind... just like his dad! (just teasing wendy! You are nice too!)
I do hope that Cooper can tap into the same meekness, willingness to take whatever challenge that is given him the same way Avery has. Some days I think I need a dose of Avery power myself!!
I realize that Cooper is really into super heroes right now and can make anything a super hero, but besides it being a SUPER cute move on his part- I thought I'd take the opportunity to comment about how I think Avery really is a super hero!!
Like most, I didn't know much about diabetes. I watch Biggest Loser, I see people with diabetes able to reverse that disease in their bodies within a couple months of eating right and exercising. It's a curable condition... right? That's true for Type II. Juvenile Type I diabetes is completely different. Perhaps it is because I love my baby brother and his wife SOOOO much, perhaps it is because I have a child with special needs as well- but when my SIL shares the challenges involved with keeping her boy safe my heart aches with sadness and swells with joy at the same time. Let me explain. EVERYTHING that goes into this boys mouth must be accounted for! I've tried counting calories... it's exhausting! I'm a grown up. What happens when your son wants to go to school and they have snacks? What happens when his friend innocently decides to share a lunch treat with him? What happens if he wants to go play at a buddy's house and the mom asks him if he wants some juice to drink? Juice is healthy right? It's not like she's giving him caffeine or anything! How do you keep him safe? How do you help him have a normal life? How do you teach him to answer questions when other kids see his pump and think he's some kind of alien? How do you ever sleep through the night when you've walked in to find him blue and barely breathing? That's the heart aching part.
Then I see his face, this beautiful face.
This boy is dealing with tough things physically, and perhaps more challenging- socially. I see how he handles himself, I see how he patiently, willingly allows himself to be poked and poked and poked. I see the way he watches his dad's face when Kendal is checking him, the way he trusts his parents. I think this boy is amazing. So amazing that when Wendy asked me to write a song for him, I cried at the mere thought. When I think of how King Benjamin tries to teach his people about how to conquer the natural man and tells them to "... becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father...", I think of Avery.
The words to his song came clearly as I was driving one day,
You didn't ask for this and you can't change it
It is your life, and you just take it
I watch in wonder, as you take it and you fly...
(sorry, tried to upload the song... don't know how)
He flies with it! HE is a happy, normal, totally funny kid!!! Full of sass, just like his mom! Sweet, thoughtful, kind... just like his dad! (just teasing wendy! You are nice too!)
I do hope that Cooper can tap into the same meekness, willingness to take whatever challenge that is given him the same way Avery has. Some days I think I need a dose of Avery power myself!!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Summer days
It was great to pull out a couple of old trusted friends. First, the backpack. My kids have all spent a great portion of their lives in this thing!! It enables me to have both of my hands available! Now it's Anya's turn!
Next, my beloved jogging stroller! It was like seeing an old boyfriend (which I never had so maybe I should compare it with something I actually experienced...) my heart pounded a little faster when we pulled this bad boy out of storage! I have spent many hours and miles enjoying my time with this guy. I love to run. I love having some time for me- to think, to sweat. The extra weight makes me stronger. Allie's in school full time so now it's Cooper and Anya being conditioned to mom's run time!
It was Allie's first year of soccer. As usual, the youngest on her team and not much experience- but she's a quick learner. Her dad is a natural coach and all the girls enjoyed him!
Love this one of dad tying her shoe!
One night Cooper was throwing up. We let him keep this bowl in his bed in case he didn't make it to the toilet in time! He decided to sleep with his head in the bowl! Funny kid!
Next, my beloved jogging stroller! It was like seeing an old boyfriend (which I never had so maybe I should compare it with something I actually experienced...) my heart pounded a little faster when we pulled this bad boy out of storage! I have spent many hours and miles enjoying my time with this guy. I love to run. I love having some time for me- to think, to sweat. The extra weight makes me stronger. Allie's in school full time so now it's Cooper and Anya being conditioned to mom's run time!
It was Allie's first year of soccer. As usual, the youngest on her team and not much experience- but she's a quick learner. Her dad is a natural coach and all the girls enjoyed him!
Love this one of dad tying her shoe!
One night Cooper was throwing up. We let him keep this bowl in his bed in case he didn't make it to the toilet in time! He decided to sleep with his head in the bowl! Funny kid!
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