that is what you are

Sweetness. Pure Sweetness. That is what you are.
Joy. Pure Joy. That is what you bring to my life.
Beauty. FULL of beauty. That is what I see when I look at you.
Love. Pure Love. That is what you are.

These are a few of his favorite things

This summer, my precious little CoopCoop has become exxxxxxtra particular about what he likes and what he doesn't. He likes things done a certain way and if they're not, well....get ready for a meltdown. (hmm....wonder who he gets that from? :)

As sneaky and clever as I try to be, nothing less than what this boy wants is what this boy will settle for. It can be painfully frustrating at times, but this strong headedness is bound to come in handy when he's standing up for what he believes in one of these days. I'm just gonna keep telling myself that....whisper under your breath about how naiive I'm being! Ha ha! :) You have my permission!!

I'd love to share a few of his favorites with you.

Meet....the supper plate. Breakfast or lunch may not be served on this plate. Only supper. And his food better be on it come suppertime!


Ketchup must be served in this spot. And in his defense, it really is the perfect ketchup spot....

This is the family of cows we can absolutely not go anywhere without. At this point, they have not been named.... But, thank you Uncle Jerry for teaching him how to tell if it's a "boy" cow or a "girl" one. *cringe!*

And then there are the boots. They have walked, run, and jumped a million miles. "Mama, boots!" is the first phrase I hear when he wakes up as well as immediately after he gets out of the bathtub. On more than one occasion, the boots have taken precedence over the diaper after his bath. I do love to watch him walk in them, though. He suddenly becomes a little bow-legged and his voice gets a little twangy-er. He's added extra syllables to words I never knew you could. These boots are pretty special, though. I originally thought they were my brother's, but I was digging around in some old pictures the other day, and lo and behold....2 year old me was posing by the Christmas tree in those ugly things.

YES, I realize that this toothbrush has a pink handle, and NO, Cooper has never seen an episode of Pokemon, to my knowledge. But...."T" gave him this toothbrush and it was love at first sight.


Here's a two-fer. I saved my favorite for last. Favorite pajamas and his "phone talkin" spot.

Unfortunately, I think he has inherited some of my quirky, OCD, perfectionism traits. And don't even ask how many times I've heard my mom's voice in my head, saying "Just wait until you have kids!!!"

Amber Marie

25 years ago today, a little songbird was born.

I was so proud to be a big sister.

We grew up fast and she remembers a whole lot more of our memories and stories than I do, and I sure am thankful that mama took as many pictures as she did since a dozen years seemed to happen in the blink of an eye.

I like to look at all of those pictures. In the midst of all the hairspray and curls, we had some fun.

Most of the funnier stories are stories about how we never got along. And I mean it when I say we never got along. She knew how to push my buttons and I sure knew how to push hers. I know this may come as a surprise to y'all, but I've been known to be just a tad bit bossy :) and my sister had a temper that couldn't be matched.

I'll let you in on a little secret, though. I sure was especially proud to be her sister when she sang. She's got a voice that could move a mountain and I wanted everybody to know that she was MY sister.

She's been there for me in ways I never expected her to have to be. I am so, so thankful for that. It only took 25 years, but I think it's safe to say that although we have our moments, we are not just sisters. We're finally friends.

CoopCoop FINALLY said "Ambie" yesterday. I like to think of it as his very own birthday present to her. We're lucky to have an Ambie like her. Very, very lucky.

Hope you have the very best birthday!!

Sweet as Sugar

This one's for you, Pop Pop

Cooper just looooves his Pop Pop. About as much as any boy could love his Pop Pop. He's one of his best buddies. In fact, Cooper has worked up a little song he likes to sing all about Pop Pop....all day long. :) So, in honor of Pop Pop's day (a little late.....whoopsie.), we had another one of our little photo shoots. Again, not nearly as "posed" as I would've preferred, but pretty cute, if I do say so myself. Pop Pop, we love you!!

Sometimes the best conversations happen in the kitchen.

I always love getting to spend time with family. I always love getting to spend time with my cousin, Jana, too. She is a great role model, steadfast in her faith in the Lord, and has THE sweetest heart I've ever known.

Last night, in her mom's kitchen, she shared this verse with me. I've read it before, but never thought about applying it to MY life when I read it. I love it. I believe it.

Psalm 13
"How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and hear me, O Lord, my God: lighten mine eyes lest I sleep the sleep of death

Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him, and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved."

(Here's where it gets good....)

"But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

I will sing unto the Lord because he hath dealt bountifully with me."

Good, huh??

I will sing unto the Lord because He knows my heart. I will sing unto the Lord because as bad as things sometimes seem, they are not as bad as they could be. I will sing unto the Lord because I have people in my life, like Jana, that have all the reasons in the world to focus on their own heartbreaks and troubles, but instead pray for me, think of me, and share these types of "talks in the kitchen" with me.

I will sing, sing, sing...