Family Nite & other new traditions...

Jonathan and I try to reflect each year on things we'd like to change or like to do better or like to try new... this year we really spent a lot of time reflecting on our family. We find that many times, we are still trying to run the pace of a life with no kids. So, we are trying to slow things down a bit. One thing we are beginning... is a regular "family night." We're just going to try 2/month. Obviously, with the age of our kids, this will be very simplistic, yet still very intentional.







I thought we had agreed on what we were going to do on family nights... play a game together with Henry (while Wyatt eats the pieces), eat a special treat, watch a short video... the main point being that we are spending time together. Mom's not doing dishes or folding laundry, Dad is not trying to respond to work emails, Mom and Dad are not trying to have an "adult" conversation while Henry interrupts 50x's! :) Anyways... I guess family night started a little early on Saturday... I come out of the office and here is Jonathan completely entertaining the poor souls... I think Henry was in heaven and who knows what Wyatt was thinking. I'm sure he's wondering what planet his parents come from! Suffice it to say, we had a great time together and Henry was soooo excited that we all watched a video together. I must admit... if we do use TV/video, it's usually so us adults can get something done while the kids are "occupied." When we told him we were going to watch a video, Henry said, "Henry, Mommy, Daddy? Watch a video togedder? That's excidin'!!" It was so sweet... 

Too cute to pass up

I think the reason people keep having kids is b/c you typically aim to save the best memories. So then when you keep looking back at pictures, you keep saying to yourself, "No, this IS fun!! I DO love this kid stuff!" :) Like these photos... Would you ever remember 3 years from now how many times Wyatt tried to sneak up the stairway that day or slap Henry in the face or touch an outlet?

Or that Henry threw a royal temper tantrum when he had to exit the pool or when we "cut him off" from the goldfish bag? Young children are great. They are so unpredictable and even in the times of trial, they keep you coming back for more. Those irresistible smiles, their unconditional love, the hugs and kisses... I'm so thankful God designed them that way. If we birthed adults, we'd probably all stop at one! :)

Let's take a free ride!

Wyatt has been a lover of music since the day he was born. He calms to Nora Jones, and he is fascinated with the guitar. This video is a great example of his fascination with music. So adorable! Be careful... if you watch this video too many times, the song will be forever in your memory!

Sense of humor...

We've learned in our young lives that you have to have a sense of humor... we arrive home late Sunday evening from Florida. So thankful to still be alive and tan and going to be in our own beds... I walked in the house to a familiar but unidentifiable smell. It didn't matter - figured I must have left some old food in the garbage disposal or left a dirty diaper in the trash or left trash in the trash... something would explain the odor. But I was in a rush to put Wyatt in bed b/c he had fallen asleep in the car. I came back down and Jonathan said to me, "Too bad we didn't buy Wildwood." Strange comment... that was the original house we wanted to purchase, but it didn't work out. I said, "Why?" He said, "Because it didn't have a basement..." I was like... hmm... what does that mean... He sees my puzzled look and says, "Don't go down barefoot." And walks back outside... Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! Of course, I rush downstairs. Everything is soaked... to make very long story short, we lost all of the carpet and padding. We had to rip it all up this morning - thankfully, Devon and one of our neighbors came over to help. Many calls to the insurance people, home warranty people, plumbers, etc. We think our sump pump failed. Anyways, after a good cry and conversation, the Lord granted us much grace and patience and gave us our humor -- and we moved forward. Oh well... our coffee maker is broken too. I think Jonathan is more upset about that!! Cuisinart's customer service manager is supposed to be calling us back to see if we can prove our date of purchase. Shoot... threw that receipt away 2 years ago!!!

More Florida...

We spent a lot of time on the tennis courts - :) And a great family pic... good times!

Boys will be boys

Fun!

Florida Christmas

Each year, the Cooper's spend Christmas in Florida. This year was no exception... the weather was great, the family time was wonderful, and it was very relaxing. Henry especially enjoyed his time with Grandma and Grandpa Cooper and his Uncles and Aunt Sona. It was a very special time for him and he's still talking about all of them. 14.5 hours in the car wasn't horrible on the way down -- a few car sickness spells, about 4 videos, and lots of snacks... and bam, we were there! :) The way back seemed longer - and I think the kids felt it too. But we arrived safely and we were so thankful for that.

Christmas at the Berry's

Christmas at my parents was wonderful! It was the perfect winter setting and brought on all the right feelings for the holidays :) Fort Wayne encountered a festive ice storm, but it did not diffuse our fun. Everyone was still able to make it and we had a great time. I think it was one of our best Christmases ever spent together...
We arrived a night early and Jonathan spent time with my brother, Chris, from California - they spent a lot of time messing with the iPhone.

The cousins' Christmas was managed chaos at its best!! :) The kids had a lot of fun!! Mom and Dad always work so hard at making it special -- they did a wonderful job.

Smiles for Daddy

The boys DO love their Daddy! Lots of smiles for him... it's starting to feel so festive around here... the snow, the lights, the homemade gifts, the cookies, the wrapping paper, the angel hair (everywhere!!!! after a 3 year old gets a hold of it...), and excitement about going to grandma and grandpa's to see cousins! I love this time of year even though it does present its fair share of stress (typically induced by ourselves). This year I have been reminded even more about why we celebrate Christmas. We're so thankful for the true message, and when we gaze at that, it really helps bring clarity of mind. When I look at the boys smiles, I just think... if they NEVER receive anything for Christmas, it doesn't even matter. They have all they need in Christ. They don't know that yet, of course :)

No smiles for Santa

We went to Jonathan's staff party at school. It was great b/c they included whole families. They even brought in Santa from the N.Pole. As you can see, we haven't done a whole lot of talking about Santa... we had to remind Henry on the way there who exactly Santa was. Must be why Santa couldn't even get either kid to crack a smile... :)

A Tree

We got a tree with Devon and Beth last week. We didn't actually get a tree. We are gone too much this December to make it worth it. But we still wanted Henry to have the experience. He had fun! He didn't want to help cut down the tree b/c he said he was chewing his gum. Apparently, he can't do two things at once! :)
Wyatt had fun just hanging out with his Aunt Beth. I think he kept her warm!

Meemaw and Pa's

Henry and Wyatt spent last week with my parents while I was in Chicago working. Jonathan got left behind in Dayton to work :) Henry had a blast with my dad "working" on the property... got the first fire going and helped Papa bring the wood up from the back of the property and stack it on the front porch. Then he got to help start the fire... I was surprised my dad actually let him put his hand in the stove... :) Oh well, I figure he knows what he is doing!