prayers for eldon...

Oh Eldon, kindergarten is still hard for you.

Again, you needed "rocking chair time" before school. You've been worrying about school today since yesterday morning. I snuggled you and I made sure to give you a "kissing hand." You giggled as I described my love going from the kiss through your arm and warming up your heart. Then you remembered our coming parting, and you cried. I just held you, wishing I could make you smile and keep the tears away. And then down through the hallway came the words that would do just that.  Marcus, in his deep scratchy voice, singing "Oh baby you got what I need..." You smirked, and I smirked, and we giggled. I said, "I wonder if he'll sing that to his teacher when he goes to school today?" and you were cracking up imagining that. Marcus heard us laughing and was happy to have an audience. He came in the room with his sunglasses and his "air guitar" (toy guitar) and sang to us.

When your ride came, the tears came, and I hate that more than you know. The kissing hand wasn't enough, and you howled.  On the outside I'm calm and reassuring, but inside my heart is breaking for you. Oh my dear Eldon! As the van pulled out of the driveway, I saw you sitting on your sister's lap, looking toward me, toward your safe warm home where you'd rather be, with a pathetic, tear-streaked face.

But I know God is with you. I thought about that as we snuggled during devotions this morning. When we read God's Word together, we're not just filling you full of ideas. It's so much more than that. Jesus is not an idea, He's a person, and you are connected to Him, and He abides with you.

Jesus, hold my reluctant kindergartener close to you today!

Remembering Grandma Cook

Reflections from Larry on the day of his mother's funeral (M. Louise Cook)

Something that came unexpectedly with my mother's passing was the realization that the mantle had been passed on, and that now my siblings and I were the "older generation. We now are the patriarchs of the family.
I reflect back on mom's life and wonder, "What was her legacy?"  One hundred years from now will anyone care or remember that mom and dad had been married for over 65 years?  What about all those thinks they worked so hard for? Already their house is falling into disrepair, and it will soon by gone. Everything seems to be so temporal.
I realize that fame and fortune are not going to be their legacy, but what is?  I then thought of my sister who has quietly for over the last ten years been fighting a battle with cancer.  She has not complained.  She has not publicized her fight. She has just gotten up each day and fought her way through that day.  That is a legacy she received from my mother.  Mo accepted where she was in life and wasn't a baby about it.  She took each day as it came, and moved on.
Then I thought about my brother who 30 years ago lost his son in a tragic farming accident.  While that was a battle for both he and his wife, they didn't give up, they didn't turn on each other like so many do during that type of tragedy.  They pulled as a team through the hard times. That is a legacy they received from both mom and dad.  You may get beat up, but you never give up.
I remember that my mother taught Sunday School, and did Bible studies for many years, and I remember the hours she would spend preparing for the studies and lessons. Another legacy. If you commit to something, give it 100%.  A sloppy, half-hearted effort is not acceptable.
So, as my children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews hear these words being read, I am counting on them for keeping this legacy alive.  You have Mom Cook's blood in you: you do not complain.
You have Mom Cook's blood in you: You do not give up.
You have Mom Cook's blood in you: You give 100% to the task God has set before you.
You have received a spiritual heritage you can be proud of. Make us proud as you carry on with mom's legacy.

-- by Larry Cook

back to school!

Yes, we start school this early down here!
Summer went way too fast!

Our "practice run" with our new jobs and routines yesterday was a little rough, but somehow, today went beautifully. (I think the exitement had something to do with it.) 

All dressed and ready!

My kindergartener!!!

Someday, Peter...

The five school kids...

One remains.

Starting sixth grade...

Starting fourth grade...

Starting third grade...

one crazy picture...

Time to go!

(Don't be worried, Eldon, it will be really fun!)

Starting first grade...

Love this:

And finally, kindergarten drop-off

He got sad when it was time for me to leave!
(Tear my heart out!) 

He put on his brave face though- no tears. (for him at least!)

And then there was one.

A candy bar for the preschooler!

Fixer Upper: Tribute to Squinn!

Yesterday was a joyous occassion for the Cook family!

Uncle Geek-- I mean, Quinn, my husband's youngest brother, got married to a beautiful woman of God.  We couldn't be happier for the two of them!

When we got married, Quinn was ten. He surprised us at our wedding reception by singing us a song (his parents wrote the lyrics).  It was called "Emily and Josh" and it was to the tune of "Beauty and the Beast!"

His mom suggested that we return the blessing at his wedding.

Note: teasing IS his love language.

As you can see from the performance below, we love him very, very much!

(This is a dress rehearsal version. I may post the live version eventually, but it is harder to hear them then due to all the laughing and cheering!)





In honor of Uncle Geek's wedding day- a tribute to "Squinn!"

"When I was little, I couldn't say the word 'Quinn.'  But I found another word that fit better: 'Geek.' Geek has always been another kid to us."

"Now, we can hardly believe it- Uncle Geek is married!"

So- we have a few questions for Sara-

What's the issue dear? What do you SEE in such a man?

Is it the clumsy way he walks?
or the mumbly way he talks?
Or the pointy, goofy weirdness of his teeth?
And though we know he drives so well, his car ends up sorta smelly...
But you've never met a fella who's as hilarious as Geek!

Yes he's a bit of afixer upper
He's got a few quirks
His peculiar brain, dear, we just can't explain, dear
He called you a horse! That's how he flirts!?

Yes he's a bit of a fixer upper but this we're certain of
You'll be happy with this fixer upper with a little help from above!

How about the way that he runs scared
of all the birds in the air!
Or that a happy, clappy clown can make him weep?
Do you like his butt-shaped chin?
And the way they call you "Squinn?"
And the drool puddles every single time he sleeps?

He's just a bit of a fixer upper
He's a little weird
His hair is curly and his arms are girly
And we don't think he can grow a beard

So he's a bit of a fixer upper, but God knew what to do
He had mercy on this fixer upper when he fixed him up with you!

What about Sara? She's not perfect either!
Good point!

So she's a bit of a fixer upper
A bumble bee can make her FLIP!
She takes your Pepsi, when you complain, she
Smiles and says "I just want a sip!"

So she's a bit of a fixer upper
She reallly loves donuts!
And that gum snapping--that gum snapping
Is enough to drive you nuts!

We're not saying you should change, dears,
but as the seasons change
You might wake up and wonder why the other looks so strange
But we know you're in Jesus, and in Jesus Christ you're blessed!

God's love will keep you strong each day-- we wish for you  God's best!
May God grant you His best!

Everyone's a bit of a fixer upper
That's what it's all about
Father, sister, brother
We need each other
to fix us up and round us out

Everyone's a bit of a fixer upper
but when push comes to shove

The only fixer upper fixer that can fix a fixer upper is

God's
God's
God's
God's
God's
God's

LOVE!

God's blessings to you "Squinn!"

Lyrics by Emily Cook
Special thanks to all who helped prepare these girls: Pam and Larry Cook, Nikki Burkey, (Awesome) Tom Rozegnal and Amazing Jean, and the Heyboers for the use of their party room and microphones!

camp drop- off for seth!

Seth's turn at camp- 

he's there Wednesday until Friday night!

These photos are from the drop-off experience on wednesday. I took ALL the kids and we stayed for awhile, played, and made a HUGE show of goodbyes.

He loved it I'm sure.

Little ones just had to be in the picture!

 This face:

It's weird only counting to five! 

We can't wait to get him home tonight!

Camp with marcus

Camp time! Marcus and I got to go to Tiny Tykes at Camp Lakeview this week!

I LOVE the one on one time, and we loved camp!  here are some of the highlights!

LOVE his smile when the puppets appear!

Funny thing- he loved puppets but hated the singing! I guess he's a moderate.

This is the bear Aggie sent with me- in daddy's t-shirt in case I missed daddy too much!

That girl!

(She brought both a mom and a dad with her to camp!)

Marcus on the top bunk- he loved it up there...

but he did scare me in the night- 

he woke up saying "Mommy, get 'em get em they're right there" 

with his hands in the air... chasing fireflies!

Glad I caught him before he chased them off the bed!

His buddy Joe was there- Macus was so happy!

Creek stomping...

This face!

(He had just put mud on me!)

This kid excels in the manly arts.

His face when he's awesome- 

it's the same "I'm really proud but trying not to look like it" face that his daddy has!

I taught him some of my pool skills...

he was totally impressed when I told him how I used to hustle the boys playing pool in my parents' basement!

"Mom take a picture!"

His favorite part of camp- STEAL THE BACON

Picture lots of running in the hot, hot sun- it was at least 90 and humid.

I played too, and hard!

We were dripping sweat by the end! MAN this kid is competitive!

After the game he said, 

"Mom! I still have double battery in me! Race ya to canteen!!!"

Canoe trip Sunday morning...

he resisted the temptation to tip us over.

Parachute games!

(he was a cat, looking for the mouse under the parachute!)

Marcus...

Thank you for spending this weekend with me!  You and I are built so different, son, but God is opening my eyes to your strange and wonderful gifts!  He is so good to us!

In the prayer garden you noticed the lion lying down with the lamb, and you thought that was ridiculous. I told you of God's promise, of the new world that would have no violence but only peace even between animals. You kept walking. Future police officer that you are, you aren't in a hurry for that day. Oh son, you will be someday.

"It's so quiet here," you said, and claimed that those songs gave you a headache. "listen to the birds."
"Yes, they are nice aren't they?  Praising God in their own way..."

They continued to sing while you looked for puddles of water in the statues, and laughed about finding tadpoles there.

Praising God in your own way.

Last day of School 2014

It's the last day of school!

Time for some nostalgia...

Here are photos from the first day of this school year

(Back to School)

My, how they have grown!

First, the mugshots...

We walked to school so we could watch car line for the last year.

THIS is about normal for these guys:

I couldn't get a mugshot of Aggie, but at least she stayed still enough while she sniffed this flower.

Here's all the yahoos in front of school (yes, the littlest boys are still in PJs!)

Last day of Kindergarten, 

2nd grade,

3rd grade, 

and 5th grade!

 Later in the day- the bike race! This was Lorraine's first year that she could take part! She wasn't planning to be very competitive. She just was in it to "have fun."

The cheering section...

 Before the race...

Boys cheering (Seth in the black shirt)

Ready to start!

Cheering for Lorraine!

Go Rainy!

Wait, is she in the lead of all the girls?
GO RAINY!

WOW!
She won first place of all the girls!!!!

Way to GO Lorraine!