Seven Years

Today my Lil Man, Cooper Thomas, is SEVEN years old.

 

Wow.

 

Has it really been seven years now?  It seems like yesterday he came into this world unexpectedly and with a bang.  I've adored every.single.second. of the last seven years. 

 

How could you not love this kid?  You can see the love and sweetness in his eyes!

 

 

Cooper is our loving child.  He loves to snuggle, he loves to hug and he doesn't shy away from telling you he loves you.  He is honestly the polar opposite of his sister.  I've always said Cooper was our "kid kid" - meaning he is the only one of the two that actually acts like a child 100% of the time.  Olivia is our child who thinks she's an adult.  He isn't scared to call me "Mommy."  He LOVES, I mean LOVES to tell jokes and make people laugh.  He's my little clown like that.  He wins everyone over with his sweet smile and baby blue eyes.  And who can forget the cowlick?  Something about the cowlick along with the smile and blue eyes just makes all the women love my boy!  He's probably going to be a heart breaker and not even realize it when he gets older. 

 

He wears his emotions on his sleeve.  You can hurt Cooper more by simply raising your voice or telling him you are disappointed in him than giving him a spanking.  He forgives so easily too.  Coop's heart is one of the sweetest and kindest I've ever known.  He's like his Daddy that way.  :)  The only "flaw" I can say that Cooper possess is his temper.  When he gets mad, he gets MAD.  (He gets that from Mommy I'm afraid.) And when he gets mad, he doesn't back down from the fight. 

 

At 7 years old Cooper loves:

football (he loves anything Clemson)

baseball

soccer

basketball

golf

wrestling (I'll be so glad when he outgrows this!)

pizza

chocolate

chocolate milk

Coke

riding his bike

sitting on the motorcycles

Molly and George

swimming

dancing

telling jokes

 

He doesn't love hermit crabs though!

 

Happy birthday sweet Cooper!  Mommy, Daddy, and Olivia love you so very, very much!  I hope to celebrate 100 more birthdays with you.  

Happy 40 minus 2 birthday!

Happy 38th birthday to my wonderful husband, Al! 

 

If you don't know Al - you're missing out.  He's one of the best people that has walked this Earth EVER.  I mean that.  He's an awesome husband, father, friend.....everything.  I can't imagine my life without him and because of him, I'm a better person.  He grounds me and is always my supporter. 

 

I love you Boo!  I hope we celebrate 50 more of your birthdays together.

 

My two August birthday boys. 

 

Al's birthday is often overlooked because Cooper's is two days later on the 30th.  I did manage to bake Al a chocolate cake last night though.  :)  Plus, the kids suck all the enjoyment of his birthday away because they keep saying he's 40 and old.  Poor Al.  :)

Adjusting

The kids are adjusting to their new schools.  It hasn't been as smooth as I had hoped.  Olivia hates, I mean, HATES the fact she has to wear a uniform.  I can't say I blame her - I think it's silly that a public school requires a uniform.  And FYI, no, it doesn't save you money because you end up buying new clothes for them to wear outside of school *on top* of the uniforms you have to buy.  I think she's a bit overwhelmed and just not admitting it.  Her class size is bigger than before, she doesn't know but a few people in her classes, and she doesn't have Cooper to fall back on.  She's being a trooper though and I love her for it.  I really do think it'll get better for her - she just needs to give it some time.

 

Cooper, on the other hand is LOVING his new school.  Well, for the most part anyways.  He's not happy that he has to tuck his shirt in and it seems to really bother him when he sees someone without their shirt tucked in.  He told me yesterday that he told a little boy in his class that he needed to tuck in his shirt and the little boy told him to stop "annoying him" so Cooper walked away.  I think it hurt his feelings a little - in his mind, he was just trying to help and keep the little boy from getting in trouble.  My boy has "Hall Monitor" written all over him folks.  :) 

 

All in all, it's only been three days - and this is a big move for both the kids and I know it's going to take a few weeks for them to get comfortable where they are.  I just hope those few weeks go by quickly!  :) 

 

How's school going for your little ones?

First day of school

Today is the first day of school. It's been the hardest first day of school EVER. Both kids are at new schools - separate schools - for the first time. Needless to say, I was as nervous as they were!

I'm hoping for a good report from both of them. I know O is nervous she won't make new friends, even if she won't admit it. I know she will but she doesn't think I know what I'm talking about. :)

Coop went into school like a champ. I am so thankful he doesn't shy away from new things. He's like his Daddy that way. Here's some pics:

Drawing Near

That time is coming up on us fast folks!  It's back to school time! 

O and I are heading out today to meet her teachers and drop off her school supplies.  I think she's a little nervous.  Both kids are heading into new schools but I have no doubt my little social butterfly will make tons of friends.  Cooper goes Friday to meet his teacher and he's beyond excited. 

Let's hope this excitement keeps up.  :)  Can you believe I have a fourth grader and a first grader now?  Seriously, how did they grow up so fast?  

My "Not a Harley" of my own!

I have motorcycle fever. 

I didn't see it coming, Al didn't see it coming - NO ONE saw it coming.  But I got it.  Riding passenger on Al's Fatboy is SO.MUCH.FUN. Seriously, I can't tell you if I enjoy it more or if Al does! 

So I decided to get one of my own and learn to ride.  :)  We looked at about 6 different bikes.  I was sold on the Honda Rebel for awhile because it was light, great for beginners, and *cheap.* Al wasn't convinced I would be happy with it though, so we looked at a 883 Sportster (which scared me to death just sitting on) and a couple different Honda Shadows. 

Al found the perfect fit Honda Shadow for me. He knew it was perfect, and when I sat on it and felt how comfortable I was on it, I knew he was right. So I got it.  I had my first lesson yesterday afternoon and I did pretty good.  I stalled a few times but finally got the hang of what to do to prevent that.  Once I got use to it, it wasn't scary or anything.  Of course, I was going straight up and down a road.  I haven't practiced turns yet.  :)  Wish me luck!  I had a ball yesterday riding.  I will be going to get my permit in a week or so and I plan on taking my time getting comfy with the bike before I try for the test. 

It screams "Mandy!"



Registration!

Yikes!  Registration is TOMORROW!!!!! 

School starts on the 20th. 

*doing happy Mandy dance*  

My View

My view on the whole Chic-Fil-A issue?

Love is LOVE.  Every human being deserves the same rights.  There are no grey areas here.  Equality is for all or it's not equality at all. 

I believe in freedom of speech.  I do not believe in hiding behind freedom of speech in order to diminish a person's value as a citizen or to treat someone differently just because of who they love. Or who they are.  Do you know that some of the best people I know are gay?  People that I can honestly say are BETTER people than I am.  I don't spend a lot of time in church, so I can't quote verses like some of my friends.  But I know enough to realize my God loves all sinners; and forgives them too. 

I also know enough to realize that when someone says "Tolerance is a two way street" - well no it's not.  Because the person supporting CFA walks away as a model citizen whereas people I love walk away still being treated as a 2nd class citizen.  You, CFA supporter, walk away with all your rights whereas the gay cashier taking your order does not.  He/She walks away feeling like they are less worthy than everyone else.

This isn't an issue of freedom of speech - and we all know it. 

I support equal rights.  Because when I look at someone, I see a human being.  Not a straight person or a gay person.  Our world would be a better place if everyone could do the same.