Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin Patch 2013 for The Cooper Trooper Foundation is underway and going well. There is just a big absence felt. We all feel it....everyone who has spent time over the last 3 years devoting many hours during their October to help. This was Bunky's passion. The success of our biggest fundraiser for the foundation rested heavy on him. It was personal. He measured success not only on the money made, but even more on how many new people were made aware of the impact of childhood cancer. It's hard to greet people and tell the story that I have told for the last 3 years. There is just so much more to my story now...to our story. It's hard. It's raw. I can almost feel myself choke on my own words as I speak to customers. Yet, that's where I want to be and what I want to be doing. I want this to be the best year ever and honor his dreams. I want him to be proud. I feel certain that he is.

How life can change in just 6 months

I realize it has been since Cooper's last MRI in April, that I have posted anything. I'm not even sure how to go backwards and really recapture all that has transpired in the last 6 months. At the same time, I have felt "nudged" by God to write. Write what? I don't really know. Write where? Continue writing in my journal? Pick the blog up again? I'm not even sure. I just know it's what I should do. I believe there is healing in it. I believe in the importance of recording moments, as we are never promised tomorrow. And what we have to say today; well, it may be of real value to someone tomorrow or at some point in the future. So, here it is or here it goes. I'm not sure what it looks like. I don't know how "messy" it will be or how much of my heart I really want to share. I will let God lead me in that. What I know in this moment are these things: 1.) I ache for my husband to be next to me even just for one more day. 2.) I'm certain that God is who HE says HE is and that HE will be faithful....even when I want to shake my fists at Him, in seething anger for what HE has allowed to happen. 3.) My boys fill me with joy and bring daily reminders of God's goodness. 4.) I am beyond blessed by those who have lifted my arms when I couldn't, who have allowed me to just be me (no matter how ugly that may look), and have extended grace, even when I can't seem to do that for myself.

Another Clear MRI for Cooper

Waking up from the anesthesia after MRI

April 3rd, Cooper went for his routine 6 month MRI to check for recurrence of tumor. Praise Jesus it was clear....no evidence of disease!! With each passing period of time between scans, I feel more confident that we have really beat cancer. I'm not sure if I will ever be totally worry-free, especially right before a scan. However, I know my God is good and HIS peace blankets my fragile mom's heart. He always meets me right where I am.

We truly are blessed to live in a city with a hospital like Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt. We have gotten to know the nurses, anesthesiologists, and radiologists in the Radiology Dept. quite well. They have taken this journey with us and really are special to us. There is something so comforting about seeing their familiar faces when we have to be back at the hospital, not just for Cooper, but for us as well.

Cooper with nurse Christa! We absolutely love her!

Cooper with his Oncologist, Dr. Ho.....such a great man!

Celebrating and thanking God for great results again!!

Color Run

 Such a fun time doing this 5K with some of my sweet friends. There were 15,000 people in Nashville who participated. 

Our crazy gang....me, Traci, Alyson, Caroline, Diane, and Ken (Traci's parents)

By biggest fans came out and surprised me at the race!!

Alyson, Traci, and me

Easter

Colby (7), Cooper (4), and Carson (9)

 While Easter traditions, such as egg dying and Easter baskets, continue to be fun in our family.....it has been neat to see the boys embrace the importance of this holiday more and more as they grow older. Without Easter, we would have no HOPE. Thankful for a Savior who came to this earth, lived as man, died in our place, and became victorious over death by his resurrection. He is risen, indeed! By HIS wounds, we are healed. Thank you, Jesus!

Character and School Dress-Up Days

The boys have had several opportunities to dress in "costumes" at school lately....in fact, one week I thought all the dressing up was going to do this mom in! I'd rather deal with endless homework than have to pull costumes together at the last minute. Thankfully, we have acquired quite a stash of random costume type items over the years. 

Cooper dressed up wacky for "Wacky Wednesday" during Dr. Suess week for Pre-K

Colby dressed up as "the man with the yellow hat" from the series of Curious George books,  for Book Character day

 

Carson dressed up as "Wages" for Vocabulary Word dress-up day

Colby's 7th Birthday

February is a BIG month in the Cook home. Colby's birthday is the 10th and his daddy says that Colby was the best birthday present he ever got....as he celebrates on the 13th. I just wanted to take a minute to reflect on my sweet Colby Watson Cook, as he turned 7 years old this year. 

Colby is truly one of the most thoughtful, kind-hearted kids I know. (I know I'm his mom and a little biased, but you can really ask anyone and they would probably say the same thing). He amazes me the way he puts others before himself and goes out of his way to make others feel good about themselves. It is not unusual for him to tell me at any random moment how much he loves me and that I am the best mommy in the world. He loves hugs and all things "snuggly". For example, you could give this kid a soft pair of pj's, a stuffed animal, or even a soft blanket and he is thrilled!! I have loved watching him as he has really gained confidence in school and in sports this past year. His determination and persistence to face obstacles is a character trait that I hope he will carry on into adulthood, because there is no doubt that Colby will accomplish whatever he sets his mind to. Happy 7th Birthday, Colby! You are LOVED!