Adopted - For now and Forever!

On October 20th, 2008, Cooper was adopted at last! We praise God for His faithfulness in the journey that has brought us together as a family.

My parents and I traveled to Stephenville for the ceremony. Cooper was dressed in his most fancy clothes and looking like a little gentleman! We ended up having to wait for several hours for our turn before the judge, but Cooper passed the time by playing in the drinking fountain, sliding his pacifier down the hand rails and peeking into the offices of the clerks and court officials! When we finally stood before the judge, he remarked how much Cooper has changed since he was first received into foster care. The judge who performed the adoption hearing was the same man who saw Cooper when he was a 7 month old orphan. The tears in his eyes were priceless as he said, "I wouldn't have believed it was the same child if it wasn't for that red hair! His eyes used to be lifeless, but now they dance!" After having to take the stand to testify under oath and finishing the official proceedings, the judge pronounced us a forever family at 11:42am. Forever!

We were so honored that Cooper's 3 old caseworkers, Cecilia, Spencer, and Eloise drove all the way to Stephenville to be there for the adoption. What a special treat! These three people made such a difference in our lives and they worked very hard on behalf of Cooper. They will never know how much we love and appreciate them!

Our family story begins today and we can't wait to see what God has in store for our lives.

"For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

Pumpkins!

Last weekend, my mom and I took Cooper to Oil Ranch in Hockley, TX to celebrate the fall. We had an incredible time and Cooper enjoyed running free all over the ranch. We rode on the train, picked a pumpkin, and went on a hayride. Cooper rode his first horse and loved all over the pigs, goats, and bunnies at the petting zoo. I was the only mother having to coax my child AWAY from the farm animals! We had a great time!

Home Sweet Home

God has blessed Cooper and I with a new home in The Woodlands! Isn't she adorable?!

I really wasn't planning on buying a home so quickly - the plan was to stay with my parents for a few more months while I hunted for a rental house in the area. Because small houses are hot commodities in The Woodlands, it was quite a challenge! A rental property I had been eyeing went off the market after the hurricane and so I had begun to pray that God show me what His plan was for our housing situation. Through an interesting turn of events, I stumbled upon this cute house and made an offer before I had even seen any of the bedrooms! It just felt like home. The house was built in 1982, but has been recently updated. The kitchen is beautiful and the house is already painted and ready to move in. I couldn't be more excited!

Cooper and I have really loved getting to spend these past few months with my family, but it will be a blessing to us all to settle into a more permanent routine. We will miss reading the newspaper with Lollie and Pop on the weekends and chasing up and down their long hallways. I think Cooper will be quite "homesick" for a while. Thankfully, they are right down the road and we plan to still visit for dinner and play dates several times per week.

If you are in the area, please come to visit us! We'd love to have you visit our new home sweet home!

Bubba

Anyone who knows Cooper knows that his most beloved posession in the entire world is his blanket, affectionately known as Bubba. I don't know how he developed such a love for this specific blanket, but ever since he was little, Cooper has insisted on sleeping with his Bubba. There are only 2 blankets that pass the "Bubba test" - they have a specific silk tag and have been loved to death and nearly to shreds. I've tried desperately to substitute other blankets, even those that seem to look exactly the same, but Cooper takes one look and is not fooled.

As he got older and became mobile, Cooper hasn't gone anywhere without his Bubba in tow. We call him our little Linus... As you can imagine, with all the places that Bubba travels (to preschool, in the car, through the flowerbeds, down the slides...) he needs a pretty frequent washing! Typically I tiptoe into Cooper's room during naptime and quickly wash and dry Bubba before he realizes that his best buddy is missing in action. This time I wasn't so lucky...

Cooper trying to part with Bubba for just one wash cycle. He kept asking for one last hug! (and how could I say no?!)

Waiting patiently while Bubba was washing (he insisted on watching Bubba spin for almost the entire time!)
"Is it time yet?"
At last! (The longest 25 minutes of our weekend!)
That smile is priceless. I may have to let Cooper take Bubba to kindergarten if we don't come up with a new best friend before then!

Adoption Day Is Coming Soon!!!

In just a few weeks, this precious little boy will officially be my son. Praise the Lord! We have waited for so long for this day to arrive. On October 20th at 9am, Cooper Lee Bates will join our family forever.

I am just so thankful.

I am thankful that God gave him to me in the first place and I am thankful that he has had a safe home for the past 2 years (can you believe it's almost been that long?!) I am thankful that he came into my home in a humble way and that his testimony will always give glory to God for the goodness and mercy He's shown in Cooper's life. I am thankful that I've had the support and love of family and friends - you guys have been my source of encouragement and you've always pointed me back to the Lord for wisdom as I've walked through becoming a foster parent and a mom. I'm thankful that Cooper is healthy and happy and that he will be mine forever.

Mark it on your calendars... on October 20th, there will be much rejoicing in the Bates household as a new family is born.

I am just so thankful.