Phone Pics

We made it past a year A.D. {After diagnosis}  The girl I was BC {Before Cancer} has changed in many ways, but she STILL loves Mexican food and Dr. Pepper.  Stephen and I were able to go out to dinner and a movie to celebrate the milestone---one year after being diagnosed with cancer.  I tried something new--shrimp tacos---it's kind of my new thing--"Opposite Mel," I'm calling it.  I think of whatever I would normally do/order/choose and then do the opposite.  I've been pleasantly surprised with the results. 

I tried something new with my hair and got several compliments--even from the waiter!  It was a fun way to celebrate {?} an awful anniversary. 

I KNOW something is really wrong with my kids if they fall asleep on the couch at 9:20 a.m.  It didn't help that Evan woke Ryan up at 5 something, but this was a MAJOR sign that he needed to go to the doctor.  I'm happy to say that Po seems MUCH better now.  We go for a follow-up on Thursday, that is, if the SNOWPOCALYPSE POLAR ICE VORTEX WINTER STORM JANICE HOUSTON 2014 has released us from its grip by Thursday.  Oh, Texas. 

Fireplace Redo

 Ever since we moved in, I've wanted to paint the niche above the fireplace.  My first choices would be something with color--red, gold, or blue.  However, we FINALLY picked up the free paint samples that came with the move-in packet from our builder.  {I wasn't sure the EXACT colors that were used in our home, since they were picked by the builder.  I was told that all the colors were from the same paint strip, though.  We've gone to Sherwin Williams several times in the past year, only on days they closed early or weren't open at all.  I actually had to use the "cancer card" to even get my free stuff and discount, because it expired in 2013!}  One of the samples wasn't used anywhere else in the house, so I decided to put it to use above the fireplace. 


BEFORE:

DURING:

AFTER:

It's amazing what $3 and 3 hours can do for a room! 

Hairdo

Evan's bed-head after naps and in the mornings has been impressive lately. 

The other morning he woke up MUCH earlier than his brothers, so he stayed in bed with me while I was getting ready for chemo.  We jammed to Johnny B. Goode. That started out the day on the right foot.  

Brothers Playing

 When Ryan and Evan are playing together, I usually get cycles of 7-minute intervals of fun/laughter and then screaming/crying/fighting.  We go around and around with the love-hate relationship between these 2 all day.

Here's a moment in time that captured fun and love. 

 First, Evan was playing peek-a-boo with all the blankets.

Then, Po joined in the fun.

 He wanted to make and obstacle course for them.

Three seconds after this, they bonked heads and much crying ensued.

I think this interval actually lasted a good 10 minutes. 

Marker Monster

 Evan LOVES markers.  Thank goodness for Color Wonder.  We've had some issues with crayon on the table, on the chairs, and even outside, so I'm grateful for Crayola and their products that only color on special paper. 

Lately, Evan colors for a bit, but has found a new use for the markers. 

I love this little monster. 

Zoo Day

Because I love hearing the perspective of the world from a 6-year-old, here's a little story about Martin the King by Kyle:

Back a LONG time ago, it was a hard time for people with dark skin.  The peach people had all the power and all the money.  {Man, I would've loved to live in that time and be so rich.  I would've had so much money.  But, it's wouldn't be fair to the dark people, so that wouldn't be good.}
This brown man, Martin the King, did a lot!  He changed the WHOLE WORLD!  He talked about how everyone was the same and wanted the dark people to have more money.
Then, this dark woman got on a bus.  A peach man told her to move out of his seat, and she wouldn't.  Then, she got arrested.  Can you BELIEVE THAT?  How could that happen?
Martin the King changed the world and talked a lot.  And then he died.  And we don't have to go to school on Monday because of it. 
 The end.  

On Kyle's day off from school for MLK Day, we decided to use our zoo membership.  So did the other half of Houston.  There was NOT ONE PARKING SPOT to be found, so we had to use a parking garage and discover the West Entrance.  

Despite the crowds, it was a perfect day for the zoo.  I LOVE the zoo in January!

 We had to snap a picture with the rhinos!

 The chimps were up and active, except one.  He was still roaming around with his blanket on. 

 Evan loved the "dog-dog."  {hyena}

 Kyle really wanted to see the lions. 

Evan also loved all the "meow-meows."  He wanted to get in and play with every one.   

 We got to see the jaguars up and walking all over the rocks. 

 Another favorite:  the elephants! 

The animal Ryan was most excited to see was the giraffe.  He actually wanted to feed them, but the line was RIDICULOUS! 

 He settled for riding the merry-go-round instead---a must do for the zoo!

 Kyle got to ride, too, and was SO excited to get on his animal of choice. 

The zoo was a great way to spend the holiday! 

P.S.  After the zoo, we got Ryan into the doctor.  He was complaining of pain in his ear, but he didn't seem too bad, and it was the weekend.  We kept him home from church and had him rest.  But, at the zoo, Stephen noticed a bunch of junk in his ear.  At the doctor, I was informed that "on a scale of 1-4, it's a 20."  The ear infection ruptured, so he's no on meds and drops and has to go back in 10 days to make sure he's not the 1 out of 100 kids that ends up with major problems after something like this.  He is doing MUCH better after now that he's being treated.  And, I don't feel like an awful mom because the doctor said that, in most cases, if it's going to rupture, it's going to rupture, even if you're on meds. 

6 1/2

 Yesterday was Kyle's half birthday.  Man, he's growing up!

Lately, Kyle has become quite the chatter box.  He will go on and On and ON with tales from Skylands, as well as stories he's wanting to write about at school.  Kyle LOVES school and seems to be doing well.  He is excited to draw pictures and write his own stories.  His reading is coming along quite well, and we are reading his first chapter book, one he got for Christmas.  

Kyle has grown up quite a bit in the last year, and is a great help to me {mostly.}  He makes his own bed, almost every day without having to be asked.  He helps out with his brothers, and seems to be trying to be a good example at school.  We even got a positive note sent home from his PE teachers.  

I'm very proud of all the good things Kyle is doing, and can't believe it's only 6 more months until he's SEVEN! 

Half birthday interview:   

Name: Kyle Stephen Cooper
Nicknames: Poop Scoop, Kyle Coop
How old are you?  SIX!  I'm almost 6 and a half. 
What is your favorite color? All of the colors except for pink. 
What is your favorite animal? Pretty much tigers, lions, and elephants.  Elephants are kind of funny when they roll around in the mud. 
What is your favorite book? That's a tricky one.  There are a lot of books that I like:  David.  Pete the Cat.  
What is your favorite TV show? Disney Junior and Wipeout
What is your favorite movie? Wreck it Ralph and Planes
What is your favorite song? NO SONGS!!!
What is your favorite food? bananas, mac n cheese, and I have a lot of other foods that I like.
What is your favorite drink? juice and soda.  No milk.  I don't like milk very much.
What is your favorite breakfast food? This is easy: cereal, orange rolls and cinnamon rolls, and pancakes. 
What is your favorite snack? rice crispy treats, goldfish
What is your favorite outfit? Sklanders!  That's easy!
What is your favorite game? SKYLANDERS!!!!!!
What is your favorite toy? legos, and whatever I play with Ryan
Who is your best friend? Kyler and Charlie
What is your favorite thing to do? Play Skylanders
What is your favorite thing to do outside? Play with Evan.
What is your favorite holiday?  This is easy: Christmas and Halloween!  I like Easter, too, because I like hunting for eggs.
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Mickey and Sharkie.
Where is your favorite place to go? Monkey Joe's!
What is your favorite restaurant? This is hard!  Panda and Taco Bell because I stuff myself with tacos.  I LOVE tacos! 
Where do you want to go on vacation? Utah, where Granna lives and where there's snow for Christmas. 
 What do you want to be when you grow up?  A Builder!
What did you do on your half-birthday? We had a babysitter and I played with Ryan and Evan. 

One Year Ago

Exactly one year ago today, my life changed forever.  When my doctor called on that Thursday, earlier than the projected 72 hours needed for results from my biopsy, we knew something wasn't right.  Still, in that instant when she announced, "It's cancer," I knew I would never be the same again.

In my short history, I can recall only a handful of other dates in which I can pinpoint the exact moment my life as I knew it would be forever changed.  Among my favorites:  May 31, 2000: 11:00a.m.  I became Mrs. Stephen Cooper and forever a partner, no longer a single;  July 18, 2007: 9:25a.m.  I became a mother, forever giving my all to support a life which I helped create.;  April 9, 2010: 5:23 p.m.  My family grew by one, and my heart expanded to contain the extra love.;  November 11, 2011: 12:42 p.m.  I began to understand the Lord's timing, the miracle of trusting in His plan for me, and knowing beyond any doubt that our family needed this other precious soul to be complete.  Most of the life-changing moments that will be sealed in my memory forever have had an incredibly positive reason for their importance.  Initially, January 17, 2013 was quite the opposite, but it's amazing how tragedy can turn to triumph.

After the initial devastation and shock, after my life ended for a moment in time and I quickly woke back up and realized that I had too many reasons to keep going rather than give up, I knew I had a choice.  I could either let cancer define and destroy me, or I could transform and thrive.  Through the process, I have tried to look for the tender mercies of the Lord, to seek the positive, and to learn what He has planned for me, all while leaning on faith.  It's been a process, but I've learned to shift my perspective.  Being required to overcome has made me realize strengths I didn't know I had and has forced me to use them.     

This year has changed me, but that's what life is all about.  We are here to progress, constantly on the path, practicing perfection.  Physically, my body has undergone destruction and reconstruction, and I feel far from perfect in that aspect.  However, the physical fades; it is the soul that remains.

"You have cancer," is something I never wanted {or expected} to hear last year, but that moment has now become just another turning point in my life.  Something shocking and scary has become surprisingly instructive and uplifting.  I did not choose this path, but as long as I'm on it, I might as well keep moving forward, getting stronger and continuing on to the next big thing. 
    

Winter School Fun

 It's SO nice that school is back in session.  I feel much better with a schedule, and the boys both LOVE their time in class. 

I love these examples of Ryan having fun at school. 

Report and Resolutions

Even though it is not a popular month for many people in my extended family, I have come to LOVE January!  I love moving into a new year, letting go of the bad from the previous year, getting motivated to start over on goals, putting away Christmas decorations and feeling like the house is extra-clean, purging old/empty/broken items to make way for Christmas gifts......it's a very refreshing, cleansing month for me.  It also helps that I live somewhere that doesn't have snow and inversion.  It's a lot easier to love January when the weather cooperates.   
 



A little tradition I've started with this blog is recording resolutions every year after making a report of how we did on the previous year's goals.  It's taken me awhile to write this post, though, because I was busy doing an organizing project I found that listed specific areas of the home to organize.  I originally thought this would take me all month--basically one a day--but I was able to finish up the last few areas today! 

Back to the report:  2013 was a tough one....or, not so tough on our goals, when you really think about it.  We simplified and made relatively attainable goals because of the hell going on around us. 

From last year:
"{Stephen} said that he doesn't really make resolutions, so his goal for 2013 is "just to make it.""

Report:  He made it to 2014 and even came out with new eyes to see the good in people and in the world.

My goals from 2013:

 "LIVE."---Hooray.  I'm alive!


"Realize I'm not superwoman, and I'm going to have to be a little selfish and focus on me and my family and getting rid of breast cancer."---I definitely learned all about NOT being Superwoman.  Does Kryptonite stip her of her powers, too?  Because there were many times I felt just like that last year. 


"Continue to enjoy and hold dear the everyday, precious moments."  I think I did this pretty well, looking for "silver linings" and trying to see the positive in all the negative.

"Continue to blog about my journey."---Check!

"Be more compassionate and forgiving."---I still have much growth to do in this area, but I feel that I've made some progress.

"Develop a stronger testimony of my Savior."---definitely!






I added this to my resolutions from 2013:

  "Maybe I should just quote President Dieter F. Uchtdorf from his General Conference talk "Of Regrets and Resolutions."

• Resolve to spend more time with those we love.
  
• Resolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be.
  
• Resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances.
  

It's going to be a rough year, but I am mainly focused on staying positive and getting healthy and keeping the things that are most dear and most precious in the forefront."

I was able to spend so much more time with so many friends and family who came to help us in our time of need.  I also made a point to spend as much quality time with Stephen and with the boys as possible.  I had a good reason to contemplate the person God wants me to be while enduring treatment for cancer.  I'm still working on that, as we are never done striving to become better, but I have new eyes--{or EYE, in my case}--to see how trials can help us grow and become stronger if we let God's love and power work through us.  Finally, I really and truly tried to find happiness and reasons to be grateful, even when my world was in chaos and pain.  I know I wasn't perfect, but I have become SO much better in this area than I once was!

Now, onto 2014.  Already, without having to do or be anything, I KNOW this year will be better than 2013!  This is the year that I BEAT THE HELL OUTTA CANCER!!!!!  For that, alone, I know this year is going to rock!

That said, we did make some specific goals for 2014.    

New Year's Resolutions are definitely NOT Stephen's thing, but he played along.

*I resolve to NOT buy a Nissan Rouge.  {This sprung from that awful commercial about the car driving on top of the train.}

Seriously, though....

*Update and organize iTunes, getting all the songs that were lost when the old computer crashed.
*be better on personal prayers.
*Work on not complaining.

Mel's Resolutions:

*Complete the YW Personal Progress as a leader, which includes finishing the Book of Mormon, among other goals.
* Get caught up on photobooks.
*Organize my house---and keep it that way.
*Get 72 hr. kits done and work on food storage.

Kyle's Resolutions:
*Help mom when she's sick.
*Be nice to Ryan and Evan.
*Listen to Daddy.
*Keep telling the truth.

{Mom has added to Kyle's list---learn to tie shoes and ride a bike.}

Ryan's Resolutions:
*I am not going to hit my brothers.

{Mom has added to his list--play a sport.}

Evan's Resolutions:
*Play with Ry-Ry, Ty {Kyle}, Dada, and Mama.  
*Eat cookies.  {When Evan "says" the word "cookies," he actually clicks his tongue 2 times, like he's from some aboriginal tribe, or something.  It's hilarious.  

So far, the boys have done a fair job on their resolutions of being nice and not hitting.  It's more like we just have to live for the quiet, fight-free moments, like this one:

And, one more project that I'm really excited about:

There is no longer a crib in our home, so we no longer need the mattress springs, but I found a new use for it:  jewelry holder!  Second project of the year done!   

There you have it--our report from 2013 and our resolutions for 2014.  It's going to be a great year! 




 

Jesus Wants Po For a Sunbeam!

It was a big day at church for Ryan--he's now a Sunbeam, the first class in our church's Primary.  No longer in the nursery, Ryan is now with the big kids.  He was scared at first, but came out smiling!  I'm so proud of our sweet guy.

 Evan is now in the oldest group of the nursery kids.  It's weird that even my baby isn't a baby anymore.

Kyle loved his class, too, and is excited about reading his scriptures everyday.  They are working on making that a goal, and prizes are involved.  Kyle's in.

I love a new year at church and new lesson plans and themes.  The children are focusing on families this year.  I can't wait to learn along with them.

The youth's theme is "Come unto Christ," so I'll be getting to teach lessons and help the girls focus their Personal Progress around our Savior.

All of that in addition to studying the Old Testament is going to make for a full year of learning, growth, and coming closer to Christ.

And to think, Jesus wanted me for a Sunbeam not so long ago. 

Big Boy Bed for the Baby

 It's a big day in our house----no more cribs! 

Evan's big goal for the year so far is sleeping in a big boy bed.  It helped that we got new bedding for Christmas.  Today we spent the morning turning the crib into a bed and getting Evan's room all set up.  I love it!

And, I think this little guy loves it, too.  He's breaking it in for naptime and hasn't crawled out once....yet.  

It's crazy how time flies and that our baby isn't much of one anymore.