The blog off topic this month is 9/11. As I am writing this I have the Alan Jackson song, Where were you (When the world stopped turning), in my head. I don't think anyone will ever forget that morning. I was 22, a junior in college, and living at home. That semester I didn't have to be at school until 1:15 on Tuesdays so I was doing what most college students would be doing, sleeping in. My mom was a nurse manage at the hospital in Charlestown and was having a meeting at our house that morning. I was half awake and could hear them in the kitchen and could tell something was off. They kept getting on and off the phone and I could just tell something was going on. My mom finally came in my room to tell me what was going on, I can't remember if the plane in Pennsylvania had went down yet but both towers and the Pentagon had been hit. Honestly, the first think I thought of was Steve. He was leaving in 10 days to live in Maryland for three months. He was moving about an hour outside of DC. I was glued to the TV for the next couple hours. We watched the first tower fall live on television. I had to tear myself away from the tv to get ready for school. Campus was eerie that day. Both professors let us out early that day, I don't think anyone wanted to be there that day. After class I headed to work. I was working at a tanning salon and was scheduled to work at the Clarksville store that evening. I had no desire to be there. I wanted to be home. We had one person scheduled to come in and the owners said I could leave once that person came in. I couldn't believe someone would actually be concerned with tanning that day. Sure enough she came in. I quickly locked up and headed home. I was once again glued to the tv. Throughout the devastation I couldn't have been more proud to be an American. I doubt I will ever live to see greater heroics than those that happened that day. I still get chills when I see the clip of President Bush at the site of the World Trade Center and hearing the words, "I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon". Just youtube George Bush bullhorn speech.
I didn't know anyone personally affected by the attacks. I started working for Mercer in 2005 and they did lose some people. I'm unsure of where the offices were located in the towers, high enough that some didn't make it but not so high that people didn't get out. I'm thankful that at the time I was only 22. Old enough to realize the severity of it but not where I am now in life. It scares me even now that we are nearing the 10 year anniversary. I don't want to let my children out of my sight that day. I do think Alan Jackson had it right. Our world did stop turning that day, we live in a different world now. I pray we never have to experience anything like this again. I pray for all those involved and all those who lost loved ones. May God be with you bring you comfort.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Another Big Day
We had another big day today! It was Cooper's first speech session at Jonathan Jennings. They have a new speech therapist this year so it's new for both of them. She seems super nice and even has a little boy named Cooper. She has great taste in names. After speech we headed out to meet our church playgroup, PEEPS (play, eat, enjoy, preschool style). We took a break over the summer and now we are back. The only downside is that is starts at 11 and we don't get out of speech till 10:50 in Charlestown. Today was our third annual firehouse tour. We missed half of it yet he still got to climb in the firetruck. That's all that matters! Check out how much my baby has grown.
September 2009
September 2010
September 2009
September 2010
September 2011
My oh my that first picture makes me wanna cry!
After the tour it was lunch at McDonald's. Cooper woke up at 6:00 today so I was praying he would take a nap. I put Cameron down first and laid on Cooper's floor and told him it was quiet time and we would lay together. He was out in no time. He slept till almost 4:15 and Cameron slept till 4:30. It was awesome! It was the first time in weeks they both slept at the same time and I had nothing to do. We hadn't been home so there was nothing to clean up, no dishes, no laundry. I relaxed on the couch for an hour.
Since the past two posts have been all about Cooper I thought I would share some Cameron pics. He looks just about as handsome as one can be in a fireman's hat.
This is his favorite place in the house. Steve sits him on top of the fridge and he loves it. (Steve is holding his of course). This kid is getting cuter by the minute.
My oh my that first picture makes me wanna cry!After the tour it was lunch at McDonald's. Cooper woke up at 6:00 today so I was praying he would take a nap. I put Cameron down first and laid on Cooper's floor and told him it was quiet time and we would lay together. He was out in no time. He slept till almost 4:15 and Cameron slept till 4:30. It was awesome! It was the first time in weeks they both slept at the same time and I had nothing to do. We hadn't been home so there was nothing to clean up, no dishes, no laundry. I relaxed on the couch for an hour.
Since the past two posts have been all about Cooper I thought I would share some Cameron pics. He looks just about as handsome as one can be in a fireman's hat.
This is his favorite place in the house. Steve sits him on top of the fridge and he loves it. (Steve is holding his of course). This kid is getting cuter by the minute.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
1st Day of Preschool
Today was the big day! Cooper's first day of preschool! He came busting through our door at 7:00 am all pumped up and ready. Working in health care Steve has to use PTO days for holidays, so instead of taking off Monday he took today. It was fun for both of us to be home with Cooper and take him to school together. This is how they hung out while I got ready and Cameron was sleeping in.
Cooper's breakfast of choice were chocolate chip muffins and a banana. Well, the muffins were his choice and the banana was mine.
We had plenty of time to get ready this morning and even enjoyed some Special Agent Oso. Then it was time to go. That is also when obnoxious momma kicked in. A picture before walking out the door.
Cooper's breakfast of choice were chocolate chip muffins and a banana. Well, the muffins were his choice and the banana was mine.
We had plenty of time to get ready this morning and even enjoyed some Special Agent Oso. Then it was time to go. That is also when obnoxious momma kicked in. A picture before walking out the door. 
Some on the front steps.
A picture on the car ride there. He was belting out some songs. Keep this in mind, it plays a role later in the day.
Walking into school.
The downstairs... this is the room they do their crafts and have snacks. The orange fish is his.
His name above his coat hook.
Then finally we had a moment for one last picture before it was time for momma to leave. Thanks Amy for taking it for us. Pretty good picture if I do say so.
Steve took this picture with his phone. Cameron is looking over and thinking "what in the H-E double hockey sticks did you do with my brother".
We came home and it was so weird. Quiet! Since Cameron goes down for a nap around 10 I had about an hour of complete silence before I had to leave to get Cooper. Since Cameron was napping Steve stayed home while I went to pick him up. This when I had an epic mom fail. Remember how Cooper was belting out some songs on the way? We keep all his music on our iPod and it usually stays in my car. We took Steve's this morning and brought it with us. I remembered to get it out of his car but I left it on the counter. I realized this halfway there and I knew he would be upset, we even talked about what songs we would listen to on the way home. I prayed I could keep him occupied by asking questions. Didn't work. As soon as we got into the car he asked for his songs and I didn't have them. He lost it! It wasn't so much of a tantrum as it was crying because his feelings were seriously hurt. He was still crying when we got home. He was laying on my leg crying. I'm not sure if it was just a transition to something new or maybe low blood sugar, thankfully after lunch he felt much better. He finally got his Cheetos.
He seemed to really enjoy his first day. I didn't get much out of him. There is boy named Issac and a girl named Natalie. It was Natalie's birthday and they had cookies with pink and blue icing. That's about it. Before bed he wanted to pray for Chloe. I checked his class list and couldn't find a Chloe. I asked him if she goes to church or school and he said school. He said she wore a purple shirt and she is in the room with the colored squares where they need to find a spot. There could have been someone who decided not to come and she could be the replacement. He's usually spot on these things so I have no doubt there was a Chloe.
A picture on the car ride there. He was belting out some songs. Keep this in mind, it plays a role later in the day.
Walking into school.
The downstairs... this is the room they do their crafts and have snacks. The orange fish is his.
His name above his coat hook.
Then finally we had a moment for one last picture before it was time for momma to leave. Thanks Amy for taking it for us. Pretty good picture if I do say so.
Steve took this picture with his phone. Cameron is looking over and thinking "what in the H-E double hockey sticks did you do with my brother".
We came home and it was so weird. Quiet! Since Cameron goes down for a nap around 10 I had about an hour of complete silence before I had to leave to get Cooper. Since Cameron was napping Steve stayed home while I went to pick him up. This when I had an epic mom fail. Remember how Cooper was belting out some songs on the way? We keep all his music on our iPod and it usually stays in my car. We took Steve's this morning and brought it with us. I remembered to get it out of his car but I left it on the counter. I realized this halfway there and I knew he would be upset, we even talked about what songs we would listen to on the way home. I prayed I could keep him occupied by asking questions. Didn't work. As soon as we got into the car he asked for his songs and I didn't have them. He lost it! It wasn't so much of a tantrum as it was crying because his feelings were seriously hurt. He was still crying when we got home. He was laying on my leg crying. I'm not sure if it was just a transition to something new or maybe low blood sugar, thankfully after lunch he felt much better. He finally got his Cheetos.
He seemed to really enjoy his first day. I didn't get much out of him. There is boy named Issac and a girl named Natalie. It was Natalie's birthday and they had cookies with pink and blue icing. That's about it. Before bed he wanted to pray for Chloe. I checked his class list and couldn't find a Chloe. I asked him if she goes to church or school and he said school. He said she wore a purple shirt and she is in the room with the colored squares where they need to find a spot. There could have been someone who decided not to come and she could be the replacement. He's usually spot on these things so I have no doubt there was a Chloe.He doesn't go back until next week. They break up the class the first week just in case there are some criers, it's easier to have a smaller class the first week. I think it's going to be a good year. Can't believe I have a preschooler!
Monday, September 5, 2011
A Perfect Night
What do you do when the temperature falls almost 40 degrees in 48 hours? Make a fire of course!
And break out the fun stuff.
Check out the boys! The were bundled up. It was windy and cold outside, a perfect fall night. I realize it's still summer but I can dream, can't I?
These two are something else. After baths Steve took him back outside to read books by the fire.
And break out the fun stuff.
Check out the boys! The were bundled up. It was windy and cold outside, a perfect fall night. I realize it's still summer but I can dream, can't I?
These two are something else. After baths Steve took him back outside to read books by the fire.
I totally lost count of what this kid ate. "I want a graham cracker, I want chocolate, I want a marshmallow."
This is what Cameron thought of his hat.
Just a few things I want to remember about tonight. Before bed I told Cooper we would say a special prayer for school and he wanted to pray for all his teachers; Ms Amy, Ms Melinda, and Ms Erica. How sweet is that? He also asked for Cheetos for breakfast. Ha!!!! It may be his first day of school but we aren't going there.
This is what Cameron thought of his hat.
Just a few things I want to remember about tonight. Before bed I told Cooper we would say a special prayer for school and he wanted to pray for all his teachers; Ms Amy, Ms Melinda, and Ms Erica. How sweet is that? He also asked for Cheetos for breakfast. Ha!!!! It may be his first day of school but we aren't going there.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Play Dates, Play Dates, and more Play Dates
This was our last official week of summer. Next week starts preschool and speech. Our church playgroup also starts back up which will keep our weeks busy. I jammed back some fun stuff into our week.... need to keep up that mother of the year award after buying Swimmy. On Wednesday we had a playgroup with Shawna from Jazzericse and her two boys. Cooper used to play with Hawk when I went to class, I think they both had a great time.
On Thursday we stopped by a yard sale and picked up some fun new toys. We already have a big box of Mega Blocks but one can never have too many. Now we have a wagon to go with them. Of course there is a warning label inside that it is only to be used for storing blocks and not for sitting in. This hasn't stopped either of my children.
We also got a fun new ramp for the cars. Cooper loves this one.
On Thursday we stopped by a yard sale and picked up some fun new toys. We already have a big box of Mega Blocks but one can never have too many. Now we have a wagon to go with them. Of course there is a warning label inside that it is only to be used for storing blocks and not for sitting in. This hasn't stopped either of my children.
We also got a fun new ramp for the cars. Cooper loves this one.
After an early lunch we had another play date, this with a family in our neighborhood. We met the family at the pool one day and it just so happens Cooper and their son Keanen went to Tot Time together. They also have a girl the same age as Cameron. Keanen wanted to have Cooper over for a play date but of course they spent more time arguing over toys. Oh to be three again!
Today topped it all! We met Sharon, Allie, and Wyatt at Chuck E Cheese. As always, Cooper had a blast. There was no whining, no complaining, no crying! Must have been my lucky day. Cameron was even a good sport despite being confined in a stroller the whole time.
After Chuck E Cheese we stopped by Shoe Carnival to get some new back to school shoes. This back to school stuff is killing me. Can I just stop time for the next two years before I have to do it for real?
We came home and the Heavens were still shining down on us as the boys played good until nap time. Well, Cooper didn't nap. Two hours at Chuck E Cheese and no nap! I think he looks a little scary here.
This kid will not stay out of the food. Every time I turn around he is in the cabinets trying to get something out.
This totally makes up for it though. There is nothing sweeter than turning around to find your boys playing with one another.... and playing nice!
To end our night we tried out Sweet & Swirly. It's a yogurt shop with your choice of toppings. Be careful though, they charge you by the ounce. I'd like to go back and try it again, I sacrificed and got something that was Cameron friendly. The only downside is I did not see a single highchair.
Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Holiday weekend. No big plans here, Steve is working most of the weekend... just chillaxin at home and trying to stay out of the heat.
After Chuck E Cheese we stopped by Shoe Carnival to get some new back to school shoes. This back to school stuff is killing me. Can I just stop time for the next two years before I have to do it for real?
We came home and the Heavens were still shining down on us as the boys played good until nap time. Well, Cooper didn't nap. Two hours at Chuck E Cheese and no nap! I think he looks a little scary here.
This kid will not stay out of the food. Every time I turn around he is in the cabinets trying to get something out.
This totally makes up for it though. There is nothing sweeter than turning around to find your boys playing with one another.... and playing nice!
To end our night we tried out Sweet & Swirly. It's a yogurt shop with your choice of toppings. Be careful though, they charge you by the ounce. I'd like to go back and try it again, I sacrificed and got something that was Cameron friendly. The only downside is I did not see a single highchair.
Hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Holiday weekend. No big plans here, Steve is working most of the weekend... just chillaxin at home and trying to stay out of the heat.
Haircut
I took Cooper this week to get a haircut and although it wasn't anything unusual, he has had plenty of haircuts in the past, this was his first back to school haircut! My baby boy is getting big!!!!!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
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