Trick Or Treat!

This year for Halloween Cooper decided to dress as (who else?) Andy Dalton, TCU's redheaded quarterback!

I fully supported this decision because:

A) We already had the jersey

B) It required no hat or mask - I've learned my lesson after battling with a toddler many years in a row about wearing a headdress of some sort!

C) We love our Horned Frogs!

We'll trick or treat tomorrow, but last night we had a blast with our neighbors at the YMCA's fall festival. We had pizza and pumpkin juice (aka Tang) and headed to the new Y to hunt for candy.

Cooper's favorite buddies: Hannah, Jacob, and Gracyn

The "YMCA" letters were a huge hit!

The event was wild... Batmen and Tinkerbells and Buzz Lightyears everywhere! I'm proud to say we didn't lose anyone and came home with candy and big smiles!

Riff Ram Bah Zoo!

TCU's Homecoming was full of friends, football, and lots of purple! It's become a tradition of sorts for my college roommates to meet up for a weekend together each year around Homecoming. The four of us live in three different states and we've got three children and three husbands between us all. Needless to say, spending time together (in person) is rare and we treasure every minute we have.

We watched the Homecoming parade on Friday night and caught more purple beads than I could cram in my purse. Several of us ate at an old favorite spot, Fuzzy's Tacos, and discovered a new recipe for purple margaritas. Saturday we went for a walk/run/tricycle ride on Trinity Trails and the whole crew met for lunch at Chipotle.

Some of us headed for pedicures in the afternoon and then we met up for cider and pumpkin bread at Sara's house. Saturday night we went to the TCU vs. Air Force football game. I didn't get photos of most of the fun (too busy chasing Cooper who was chasing Ashley & Grayson's dog...) but here are a few of the highlights.

*P.S. - Please excuse Cooper's glasses in nearly every photo... they slip down his nose and make him look like an 80 year old librarian. I'm working on fitting them, but I'm seriously embarrassed at how silly they look in most every photo!

Cooper attended his very first Horned Frog football game and loved it! He saw Super Frog is person and said, "Wow. He has big muscles!"

Cooper & "Aunt" Lauren

Andy Dalton spotting... it's harder than you would think to point out the quarterback to a child who doesn't recognize numbers yet. "Right there, the guy in the black helmet... running left...sigh..."

I must say, the game-watching experience this year was markedly different than it's ever been. We were juggling kids and cameras and corndogs (well, I was juggling all those things...) We still enjoyed cheering for our Frogs and remembering old football traditions. Here's Lauren, me and Sara.

Just when I looked down to comment to Cooper on the band at halftime, he was fast asleep. Poor guy! He slept for a while until we decided to move to the student section to see friends and then he just wore a funny expression until we went home to bed.

Me, Ashley, Lauren

Ashley's husband, Grayson, was Coop's buddy all weekend and was gracious to hold him so my arms could have a break. The Frog won by quite a bit and we were happy to stay all the way to the end to sing the alma mater with the team. Mem'ries sweet!

A trip to TCU wouldn't be complete without a tour of campus. It's growing and changing quickly, so most of the buildings are entirely new since I was in college! But good ol' Frog Fountain remains the same!

Cooper is a friend to all animals - he became fast friends with little Brinley. She was a great sport to put up with him all weekend!

Before we left Fort Worth, we gathered for lunch at Dutch's across from campus. Here's Coop and "Aunt" Ashley.

And Grayson

Sweet baby Lia was a doll all weekend. We loved meeting her for the first time and kissing those sweet cheeks! Cooper giggled as he made her laugh. Hilarious!

Lia and me

Fort Worth friends, we love you and were so happy to spend time with you!

But we are EXHAUSTED!

Today is...

A special day.

An anniversary.

A family birthday.

Two years ago, on October 20, 2008, Cooper and I became a forever family. He was adopted from foster care after nearly 2 years of waiting. 2 years of hoping and praying and waiting and working to make this little boy my own. JOY doesn't begin to describe how my heart felt and still feels knowing that he is forever my son.

The same judge who oversaw his case in foster care declared us a family. He remarked at what a change he saw in Cooper since he first met him as a 7 month old baby. "I didn't think this child had a chance, but now his eyes just dance. I wouldn't have recognized him if it weren't for the red hair!" I believe so strongly that Cooper and I were placed together purposefully, both for his benefit and my own. I think God knew we needed each other and that together we would make the perfect little family.

Things haven't always been easy and we've walked through many challenges. Life hasn't been how I expected. But God has always been faithful to provide for our needs and give us comfort when we need encouragement. We're surrounded by so many people who love us and support us.

And no matter what, we are a family.

Even from the first day I met you, sweet Cooper, I knew my heart would never be the same. I started loving you right away! I'm so thankful to be your mommy and proud of the boy you are becoming. You are just the love of my life!

Today we celebrate our family's birthday and remember God's goodness when he gave us each other!

M, M, D & K Reunion

Best friends since 7th grade. Reunions as often as we can. With three marriages, three babies and three states between the four of us, we feel lucky when we get to be together.

*This is such a Dierdre face, I had to include it. Some things never change! On a side note, can you believe she had a baby three weeks ago? Unbelievable - she looks great!

I forgot to mention that we had the pleasure of this little guy's company at dinner. The Woodruff's newest addition, Judah. And my new best friend.

We attempted a sleepover at a fancy hotel, but were foiled by overbooking and a stubborn front desk agent. Oh well. Aerobeds at the Woodruff house were just as fun. We slept in and ate breakfast at Orange Table in Scottsdale. I insisted on taking last pictures before everyone left for home, despite our disheveled appearances. Just pretend we brushed our hair!

I know, these pictures are ridiculous. But we were attempting to recreate a picture the four of us had taken in 8th grade at summer camp. The "lay across" pose was stupid then (and obviously is still stupid now!) but that old picture is one of my favorites. In fact, it's on my mantle if you ever want to see how little we've changed since pre-adolescence. Oh my...

No matter what we do together, we're always laughing. That never seems to change. These girls are some of my dearest friends because of how we can pick up right where we left off the last time we saw each other. They're stuck with me for life!!

Until next time girls - - beach trip anyone?!