3...

As I was searching for pictures to post of Carson to note his progression from infant to 3 years old, I really started to realize how far he has come. Being born 11 weeks (as far as we know) premature and with some other problems, this kid has grown leaps and bounds. He was in the hospital for almost 6 months and really his only problem (other than the lack of anyone being there for him) was that he just really did not want to eat (so not him now though). We got the phone call about him the day after Cole's 2nd birthday. We knew about him but very little and when the social worker called and asked us if we had talked to the boys birth mother recently I knew that I had to fight for this little guy. For 2 weeks before he was able to come home to us, I made the drive to Loma Linda University (Tom was out of town of course) and it was then that I came to realize what parents of sick children do. You are so torn. I was working full time then and had a 2 year old at home but a new baby that needed me too. I still remember the first time I saw him, you could imagine my surprise when I saw this brown haired, brown eyed baby, I was picturing a mini version of Cole and man was I wrong. But he felt so right in my arms. All of the nurses LOVED him and really it's hard not to. Being able to bring him home was such a joy, but so hard too. Tom and I had to learn how to insert a G-tube (so not fun) and learn how to feed him. But, it was all worth it. That drive home was amazing. 2 boys, when we never imagined we would even have 1. Carson was born on January 1st weighing in at 2 lbs 7 ounces and came home to us on May 29 weighing in at 10 lbs. He continued to gain weight and still to this day loves to eat, but we think he might have hollow legs because he's just such a skinny thing. Carson is the most easy-going, loving, cuddle-bug of the family and we all love his sweet calming presence his heart brings to our family.... I don't know what we would do without him...

First day homeFirst Beach Trip

Brown Eyed Boy

Yup.... That's about right. Stuffing his face.

He really isn't that fond of the snow.

Happy 3rd Birthday :)

Somethings you may not know...

~Carson was the EASIEST 2 year old (hopefully he keeps that streak alive)

~He prefers to snuggle and be with the adults rather than play with the kids (I think it's mostly because he doesn't get his toys taken away that way)
~He talks non-stop

~He LOVES to eat steak

~He devours sweets like he's never had it before

~He loves to play with his sister

~He loves his doggies but is allergic to their saliva and if they lick him he gets hives.

~He LOVES his Daddy

I am so thankful for this little guy, whom I call my "Calm between my storms", who is such a delight. We love you Carson and are so glad that you are a part of our family.

Today..

...all I've done is clean up messes. Everywhere. All. Morning. Long. How can one little thing be so messy? But as I was following the little tornado around, picking up books, babies, trucks, toothbrushes, toilet paper, I couldn't help but laugh and think that one day "I'm gonna miss this". Because as they all get older there are bigger things to worry about, like, braces, boys, friends, teachers, sports, homework... I think you get the idea. And then one day you don't have those worries anymore. Maybe it's the holidays but I'm feeling a little sentimental.

I'll take this any day And the boys haven't even come home from school yet.
and yes that is my toothbrush she has.
Apparently she's a thief too.
I think the letter of the day is "T"

'Twas the weekend before Christmas...

'Twas the weekend before Christmas, when all through the house

All the creatures were running, ruining my clean house.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Mom and Dad soon would be there.

The children were wrestling and jumping on beds,

While visions of candy danced in their heads;

And Mama was in a hurry and Daddy was driving,

wondering when they would all stop the whining and crying.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the laundry to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the curtains, and threw off the cat.

The neighbors flood light glaring so bright,

Gave the luster of midday to objects alright,

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a monster of a work truck, and the man I hold dear.

With the tall young driver so weary and stiff,

I knew in a moment it must be him

More rapid than eagles his courses they came,

And he whistled and shouted, and called us by name:

"Now Carrie! Now Cole! Now Carson and Camryn!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!

Don't dash away! Dash away! Don't dash away at all!"

He was dressed in work clothes from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with drywall and soot,

A bundle of laundry he flung on his back,

And he looked the weary traveler happy to be back.

His eyes, how they twinkled! His beard was so bushy!

His cheeks were unshaven and in need of a shower.

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the smile on his face did nothing but grow.

He wasn't chubby or plump, just like his old self,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He sprang to his kids, and showered them with hugs,

And away they all flew like a bunch of little thugs,

But I heard them explain as they ran out of sight,

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Night!

We are all so excited to have Daddy home for 2 WHOLE weeks...

The Cook Family wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and hope that you all will be spending it with the ones that you love the most. I know we will.

Authors Note: Please ignore the few lines that do not rhyme, I tried :)

Why Oh Why...

...do they HAVE to grow up?

(and why does she have the craziest hair EVER?)

'Cause that's the way things happen on the Polar Express!

"The thing about trains... It doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is deciding to get on."

Isn't that so true in life? Just taking that chance? Seeing what is out there?

I feel like that has been our life this year. I have been able to travel with Tom so much more this year than ever and I have enjoyed it tremendously. We have gotten to experience new things, ridden horses, played in the snow, hiked everyday, played on a park with a MERRY-GO-ROUND (the highlight of the trips for the kids), eaten Elk meat almost everyday, basically just lived a different life. Our last adventure in Colorado was getting a chance to ride The Polar Express. We didn't make reservations in time to get really great seats, but we loved it just the same.

Watching the train roll in....

Better have your ticket...

Not the best picture, but I'll take it... We didn't have film for our good camera so the digital will have to do....

My life...

"Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see."

I love that the world still holds magic for my children. That simple things, like riding a train, can make them believe in some of the good things in life. Even if just for a little while longer.

Cimmaron Princess

Today, as we watched the "cowboys" wrangle up the cows, the boys were asked if they wanted to ride a horse. Both boys jumped at the opportunity and were so excited to ride "Cimmaron Princess" was described as a "DIVA".

Cam even got in on some of the action.

Wearing "Cowboy" Ralph's hat...

Ralph (who is leading the mare) owns the ranch we are staying on and is SUPER nice.

My new favorite thing...

Yeah, it's a poem. So?

Miracles

Walt Whitman

Why, who makes much of a miracle?

As to me I know of nothing else but miracles,

Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,

Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,

Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water,

Or stand under trees in the woods,

Or talk by day with any one I love, or sleep in the bed at night with any one I love,

Or sit at table at dinner with the rest,

Or look at strangers opposite me riding in the car,

Or watch honey-bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon,

Or animals feeding in the fields,

Or birds, or the wonderfulness of insects in the air,

Or the wonderfulness of the sundown,

or of stars shining so quiet and bright,

Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring;

These with the rest, one and all, are to me miracles,

The whole referring, yet each distinct and in its place.

To me every hour of the light and dark is a miracle, Every cubic inch of space is a miracle,

Every square yard of the surface of the earth is spread with the same,

Every foot of the interior swarms with the same.

To me the sea is a continual miracle,

The fishes that swim--the rocks--the motion of the waves--the ships with men in them,

What stranger miracles are there?

Sometimes we stumble on things that we need, sometimes they find us. This found me. I feel blessed to have all that I have. Sure, I struggle as we all do, but I am trying to find the miracles in every day, to be thankful this month for all that I am blessed with. But why should it be only this month? I wish I didn't need reminding.

PS... Camryn has started saying Thank You... Cutest thing EVER...