Brother Pranks

Growing up with 2 brothers and 2 sisters was full of memories! One minute we loved each other and couldn't stand to be without each other, the next we were killing each other. I don't remember playing too many pranks on each other, as much as we liked to gang up and play pranks on our parents. Fun times! I have noticed over the last year or so the boys starting to play pranks on each other- whether it's giving each other wedgees or hiding favorite toys or pulling Cooper's diaper off- they are always up to something. The other night I went to check on the boys before bed and found Colby fast asleep with a pair of Spiderman underwear on his head! I had to grab the camera. I knew this had to be the work of his older brother Carson. Sure enough the next morning, I asked Carson about it. He said, "yes, I did it- I just thought it might help him keep his head warm"!! He is crazy! I am just amazed that he pulled it off without Colby even waking up.

1st Grade

Carson started 1st grade this past week! I think we were all ready. He has Mrs. Cooper for a teacher (we won't have trouble remembering that name for obvious reasons), who also happens to live across the street from us! She has been teaching for a long time and is a super sweet person. We are really blessed! I told Carson he couldn't "play hookie" from school since she lives across the street- ha! He also has 3 girls from his Kindergarten class and another really good friend that has played ball with him!

Getting on the bus!

Unfortunately, boys are not much on giving all the details, as I have discovered early on! However, he did tell us something from his first day, which is seriously funny and I had to put in the blog!
He told us that he had one of the meanest kids in the school in his class, so I asked why he thought that. He then said, "well, he called me a dork right to my face". So, here I am wondering what his reaction would be to that- did it upset him? how did he handle it? I asked what he said and here was his response.....

"well, I didn't really say anything, it's all right, mom .... he will be workin for me one day!"

Needless to say, he must have gotten that from his dad somewhere, and all I could think about was how that was a better response than what I would have imagined him saying! He is one funny kid!

With his brothers while waiting on the bus

Poor Colby started asking at 10:00am if he could watch out the window for "Tarson" to get off the bus... they have really enjoyed the summer together, and for the most part, played wonderful together. He LOVES his brother and has really missed him while he was back at school!! One more year, Colby, and you will be getting on the bus with him!

We also have our "after school friends" Sam and Madison Smith, who I watch for a little while every day after school! This is them getting their snacks out of our snack basket!

Here they are again in their Trinity Tiger t-shirts after school. Sweet kids!

12 Years!!

Today is mine and Bunky's 12 year anniversary! These last 12 years have certainly been a roller coaster- at times it feels like we have coasted along easily, but for a lot of these years we have been taken for a ride that wasn't always what we had wanted. Thankfully, God has carried us through those times that weren't what we would have planned, and has shown us that HIS plan is always perfect. We have grown a lot over these last 12 years, and our marriage has become more solid in the midst of it.



There is no one I would rather live life with, no one I would rather raise my children with, no one I would rather cry or laugh with than this man. Through heartache, loss, hurt, uncertainty, helplessness, joy, victories, through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows- He has always been right by my side. My love really does grow deeper with every passing day. He also keeps me laughing, which is one of my favorite things about him!

At Destin, Florida

We started a little "tradition" when we got married. We have written each other a letter every year that we read on our anniversary. We did this for each other the night before we got married and it was really special, so we just kept it up and do it each year for our anniversary. I keep them in a box and have them labeled for each year. I think when we have been married for 50+ years, it will be cool to go back and read them all!

On a hike in Asheville, North Carolina

Fun night with our Community Group! We went bowling and Bunk and I decided to show up in matching "Team Cook" bowling attire!

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for the gift of an amazing husband! I am blessed beyond words!

Happy 2nd Birthday Cooper!!

Today is sweet Cooper's 2nd birthday!! In so many ways these last 2 years feel like they have flown by, and in other ways, they have felt long and full of uncertainty and waiting. Words do not begin to describe the joy and gratefulness I feel in my heart for this child today. His little amount of life has had an enormously huge impact on me.

I have learned so many things throughout these last 2 years with Cooper.......  how to walk in blind faith because of biblical hope, to cherish every moment with my family because we don't know what tomorrow holds, to let the small stuff go, to laugh more often, to hug more often, that my Heavenly Father is ALL that He says He is, I have learned how to love more deeply, how to listen for God's voice in the midst of LIFE, to say thank you more often, I have learned who my true friends are, I have seen the power of prayer, have felt the peace that only God can give, and have learned to complain less- because there is always going to be someone who is struggling more than me! The list could go on and on.

I remember the night Cooper was born very well. A friend had just dropped off a meal for my family, as I was on partial bedrest with full placenta previa and a history of premature births. My due date was still 6 weeks away and I was hoping to make it for at least another 2 weeks. I sat on the couch and thought my water broke when I sat down. I got up and there was blood everywhere. Thankfully, we live about 4 minutes from the hospital. Bunky got me to the hospital QUICKLY, as I continued to bleed pretty bad. There was no stopping labor and I was rushed in for an emergency c-section. I just remember thinking...."this is not how I wanted this to go, God, but please let him be okay". Cooper was born and although he was only 5 lbs, he seemed to be okay. He stayed in the NICU for 6 days. I didn't do so great- lost a lot of blood as they could not stop the bleeding after the c-sec. My dr. later told me I gave her quite a scare, and that I was the most complicated c-section she had ever done. Needless to say, we came through all of that to find out 8 weeks later that Cooper had Infantile Fibrosarcoma. So, here we are 2 years later and a lot of that is still very vivid in my mind, and a lot of it feels like a huge blurr!

I love you Cooper Samuel Cook! I am hoping that the next 2 years are a little less "eventful" than your first 2! Happy Birthday!

Cooper's MRI

We found out today that Cooper had another clear MRI- no evidence of tumor!!! We are so thankful and excited for this news. God is so good and mighty! It is hard to believe that he will be 2 years old in just a couple of weeks. On one hand, those 2 years have gone by fast, but in other ways and at certain times, it has felt like an eternity- lots of waiting and uncertainty marked these 2 years of his life. I have truly learned not to take one minute for granted! Thank you so much to ALL the many people who have prayed on Cooper's behalf- Our Father has been faithful to answer- He has heard and chosen to answer our prayer for healing of our son. I am reminded daily that this is not the same story for many families, and my heart breaks at those thoughts. I still know that God is who He says He is and is kind and wants good for His people, even in the midst of uncertainty and heartbreak. I am humbled and feel extremely blessed that we are rejoicing in the good news for the moment! Thank you Lord Jesus!

What's Really Important- Life Lessons Taught

This week has been difficult and emotionally draining, to say the least. We found out on Tuesday that Bunky was let go from his job with Takeda Pharmaceuticals, after 11 years with the company. We knew it was probably coming after an announcement by the company several weeks ago, but getting the final word was still hard to swallow. 75% of management in this area were let go, as the company, like many other pharmaceuticals, were unable to meet financial expectations and had to make serious cuts company wide.

I guess the good thing is, that after you have been through what we have gone through over the last 22 months with Cooper, these difficult life circumstances, really seem like "small potatoes" (as my husband said so eloquently himself)! Nonetheless, it causes one to ask a lot of "why" questions. Thankfully, we believe in a God who loves us, cares for us, and will never let go! He writes our story and knew and still knows what lies ahead. Therefore, we put our trust in HIM and wait and hope with joyful anticipation at what HE has in store.

Last night was our end-of-the-season party with the Dodger little league team that Bunky coached. The players got their trophies, had pizza, played a game of wiffle ball and we all enjoyed being at Crockett Park.

Zach Benson (one of the players)- I love this picture of his face as he 

was listening to Coach talk about all he did this season right before he got his trophy!

So proud!

Zach getting his trophy!

After the trophies were given out, the players presented Bunky and the assistant coach with a framed poem, which each of them signed. I think the poem sums up what really matters when you look at the big picture of life! This meant so much to Bunky, especially in the midst of all he has going on. I took a picture of it, but will type out the poem since it is hard to read.

You have taught me to-

Start with prayer before the show

"skateboard, step, and throw"

Stop a ball with my "alligator" chomp

calm down when I run off with a stomp

Play ball in the hot summer rain

Ask, "where's the play?" to awake my brain

Hold the ball up if there isn't a play

Signal me when to steal and when to stay

Have fun by ending practice with a relay race

Look at the dirt outline of where my feet should be placed

See me at my best and award me with a game ball

Grow my confidence and make me feel so tall

Know that some things are more important than to win a game

Give great effort, respect and kindness to others

life-long lessons to real fame!

THANK YOU COACH

Real victories in life aren't about winning or losing games, employment, how much money you have, or how you look to others! Real victories are made of the little things- kind words spoken, bonds that can't be broken, confidence built in a child, forgiveness, and having little glimpses into God's perspective of others and life around us that are important!

Dodger Baseball with the Cook Boys

Colby and Carson

It's that time of year and Carson is almost done with his regular season of baseball with the Dodgers- complete with his dad as Head Coach and Colby as the official bat boy! We are going into the last 2 games undefeated and have had a blast with a lot of our teammates from last year, along with some new ones. Colby was not quite ready to play organized sports, so we decided that the bat boy position would be a perfect entry into all of it. He has loved it and when he is not too hungry or distracted in the dug out- he really does a great job running out to get bats! He is part of the team and makes sure anyone who asks knows that! We only had one wack in the head (of course he wasn't wearing his helmet) and coincidently it had to happen while I was away on my girls trip. No stitches were needed and after a little apprehension, Colby is back in the game!

Colby with his new helmet after getting hit in the head!

He is very serious about being bat boy!

Carson is quite a little ball player!

Coach Rod does an amazing job with these boys! He really loves these kids and has a "ball" with them!

Nothing better than getting the game ball and having a bag of chips!

Carson, Zach (next door neighbor) and Colby before a game!