Coker Family

The Fab 5 - No Words Necessary

2012-01-07T21:47:00.000-08:00

Santa's Cookies

2011-12-24T18:21:00.000-08:00

If you do something 2 years in a row, it is a tradition...just so you know...

Thus, because we have now made Santa's cookies and shared lunch on Christmas Eve day with the Andersons two years in a row, it is now a tradition!

With that, here are some pictures from our morning together this year......and last, but now least, the newest participant in our newest Christmas tradition - our little Rose.

Until next Christmas...

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

Oh Baby, it is Christmas!

2011-12-23T20:41:00.000-08:00

...and oh, ain't this baby the cutest thing you have ever seen?

Ornaments in the Making

2011-12-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

Our Christmas traditions in full force now...But, this one is experiencing them all for the very first time!

This today we made ornaments.
We bought paintbrushes, but I am not real sure where we put them!
So, q-tips had to do.
It was fine for me and the boys; however, Ballerina was not real cool with the plan to improvise.
See, the boys didn't care!We also let the kids put together wooden Christmas trees.Eric helped to build them.
Ballerina was good with the details.
They all had to be very patient.
It was good for them!
Yea for Christmas traditions! They are what makes this season so special.

Oh Holy Night

2011-12-16T21:33:00.000-08:00

Christmas has a whole new meaning once you have children. Seeing the holiday through their eyes...it delights my soul.

At our kids' preschool the 4-year-old class always has a Christmas program were they tell/act out the story of Christ's birth.

So, Ballerina has been practicing for her performance for weeks...She was so excited! To hear her sing those carols warmed my heart in ways beyond words. However, I could not help but to giggle because she would practice Silent Night EVERY time with the words "around your young virgin, mother and child..." It cracked me up!

Knock, knock with Joseph...

Away in the Manger

No crying the baby made...

He laid down his sweet head...

Sweet sister was at her performance! (Where she later pooped all over herself and Gigi!)Gigi and Ballerina post performance and pre-pooped on!Me and my 2 girls!

Breakfast with Santa 2011

2011-12-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

We went to breakfast with Santa...but our picture with him failed. It was an epic fail!
Ballerina contemplated what she wanted to ask Santa to deliver Christmas Eve.

After screaming with Santa, Rose was exhausted.
This one, however, is always all smiles!
The bigger kids made crafts.
Lots of them...
The little ones were all about reindeer food!

It was a happy morning...

Missing Pictures

2011-12-07T11:08:00.000-08:00

For those of you who know me, you are well aware that my camera is with me at ALL times. I mean ALL times. However, when we had our family Knight Family Thanksgiving and Christmas, I am not real sure where my camera was!

Was I ill?

Probably.

Something HAD to have been wrong.

My siblings have all recapped the weekend before me...and because I am so late anyway, I do not feel oober guilty to only have this one picture...

Awesomeness! When Aunt Taylor/Mommy has to take a shower, she ABSOLUTELY crams 2 babies in a bouncy chair! That is what is perfectly acceptable.

Our little flower wasn't real amused, but it seems that her cousin could have CARED less!

I would like to say that it was an awesome Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Oh Christmas Tree 2011

2011-12-04T20:34:00.000-08:00

O Christmas tree.
Oh Christmas tree
How lovely are your branches.
Our trees this year...Not our best trees, but they are ours. And, that makes them the absolute best ever!

Here's to lovin' Christmas!

Loving 7

2011-11-20T07:50:00.000-08:00

G is 7
He is in the first grade.
He loves school.
He loves his teacher.
He is learning so much.
He loves to read.
He loves First in Math.
He is quite the little athlete.
He loves any sport.
He especially loves football right now.
He is determined to grow faster than his mama wants him too.
He loves to play with his older brothers and be sweet to his little sisters.
He loves to reach chapter books with far too big words.
He is thoughtful.
He loves to make "art" for others.
He loves to snuggle when you can
He is creative.
He loves to hunt for rocks.
He loves to design things with legos and write "novels."
He is sensitive.
He loves to make the adults he is around proud.
He loves to love...

...and we love him too!

Happy 7th birthday G!

Season of Delight

2011-11-06T17:29:00.000-08:00

G loves sports. He loves all sports, and I love that about him...I love the passion he has for playing!
But, G is really good at soccer...I mean REALLY good!
He has learned so much playing all these seasons.
We have seen him learn so much and develop so much as a player. When he is on the field, I can truly see his mind working as much as his body......and that is an awesome thing for a mommy to see!I have also been so impressed with how he has learned to work with his teammates. Working as a team and sportsmanship are two BIG reasons we love sports in our house!Here is to another season G...It has been such a delight! Can't wait for the spring!

The Coolest Thing Ever

2011-11-06T16:27:00.000-08:00

20 years ago Eric was a part of a team that made history.

He and his high school football team were state champions, and in Texas, where high school football reigns, this is a pretty BIG deal. Assuredly, it was a feat of which to be proud and a moment in your life not ever to be forgotten...even after 20 years.

Thus, it was appropriate that this group of now "old" men be honored...They were recognized at half-time. (And then at a party afterwards!)Each one was called by name.
Their coach was there! (But, we see him all the time! Yea!)I was so proud of him. (Not that I am not always...)But, these 3 were far more proud that evening. Their daddy did something they dream of doing. I had to laugh...they were SO intrigued and wanted to be a part of every part of the evening. On the way to the car they asked Eric if that game was the "coolest thing that had ever happened to him." He laughed and said, "No way boys...The 6 coolest things that have ever happened to me are walking right beside me right now."

Eric is always a champion in my world, but it comments like these only make more so.

Gotta Have Your Pretties

2011-11-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it is more importantto look good
rather than to play good.Just ask Ballerina...

...I bet she is the ONLY soccer player that cared more about the "pretties" for her hair than how she played in the game!

Nonetheless, she was a really cute soccer player, and most of the time, fairly good too!

Gotta love Ballerina. :)

Halloween Cuteness

2011-11-01T10:25:00.000-07:00

No words...just cuteness of our newest little one!

Party TIme - Halloween Style!

2011-11-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Halloween Party #1 - Church Festival with our favorite friends!Halloween Party #2 - The Bat Feast with G's Class Halloween Party #3 - Ballerina's Class Pumpkin Party You cannot say we do not like to party around here!

During Football

2011-10-28T14:03:00.000-07:00

In the fall we watch a lot of football. I mean, that is just what we do...

The little ones, however, attend football, but they do not do much watching of football.

So, what do I mean?
Well, they take pictures when they attend football.
They play babies when they attend football.
They scream like babies when they attend football.
They also feed babies too!
Best of all, they pose for pictures when they attend football! Don't you?

Praying for a Tie

2011-10-24T17:09:00.000-07:00

Something to know about me and football...I want my team to win. But, what do you do when you are a fan of both teams? That's right...you pray for a tie.

So when Daddy played Cannon, this is exactly what I did!It was a good game.Both teams played well.Justin and Lauren were were there. They had good news that night. :)Ballerina was excited about the game...and Aunt Lauren and Uncle Justin's good news!Delighted!

It was a good game. I almost had my wish for a tie come true! However, in the end - like the last 10 seconds - Daddy's team pulled out the win!

I would have been excited no matter what. No, I am not one of those people that thinks winning doesn't matter because it DOES to me! However, I do believe it is the love for the game that keeps you playing...There is much to be learned from participating in sports - all sorts of sports - and I am so glad our children have had the opportunities to participate in them, learn from them, and grow stringer because of them.

Happy 11th

2011-10-20T17:05:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday dear Gunnar!

Happy 11th birthday to you.

2011-10-19T10:25:00.000-07:00

My two most favorite little girls...chillin' on the blanket Gigi made.

Sweetness Napping in Mommy and Daddy's Bed

2011-10-12T20:57:00.000-07:00

Friday Night Lights?

2011-10-06T12:11:00.000-07:00

So, maybe it is not Friday. It is Tuesdays and/or Thursdays, but whatever...

So, maybe the lights are not as big or as bright, but that does not matter either.

But, for our boys it still feels the same, and that IS what matters!

Cannon is now playing middle school football and Gunnar and G are playing flag football.

Yes, what this means my friends is that if you count Daddy's games and the times I am on duty, we sometimes have 10 football games a week!

That is a LOT of football that does not include high school, college or pro! :)

This past week Gunnar and G had their first games that the little flower and I were able to attend.This kid and his brothers REALLY like football!See? All smiles!

And I love when my children will pose for me when I ask the to!I really love that the family of this little boy come to support my children...And that this little one always smiles for me. :)Oh, and I REALLY love that this little flower is less than two weeks old and already been to so many football games!

Bathtime and Bedtime

2011-10-05T14:08:00.000-07:00

This little flower had her first "shower".
But, it really did not go that well. She cried, or should I say screamed, the entire time! It is assuredly better to cuddle with your big sister and a paci.I should have taken pictures the next night because it went SO MUCH better! No tears at all!
Instead, I took pictures of this bathtime cutie!And, this time the little flower cuddled with one of her big brothers.Lovin' these sweet babies at bathtime and bedtime...and ALL of the time!

Under the Lights

2011-09-30T12:01:00.000-07:00

No sooner than we were home from the hospital, we found ourselves returning.The doctor did not like the bili count, and admitted us immediately. I hated that we had to come back.I hated that I was not able to hold my little girl as much as I wanted.I hated that we were not at home with our family for 3 days.I hated that she had to wear little goggles and that I couldn't see her eyes.I hated that they kept pricking this little baby's foot.I hated that we missed class, football games, soccer practices, homework assignments, etc.

But, she got better. We went home. We are back with our family. We have found our new routine. We are spending lots of time being held and doted upon. And, we are lovin' this precious baby girl!

Birthday Letter

2011-09-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

Dearest Emerson Rose,

Welcome to the world little one! We have been waiting for such a long time to meet you, and we are so glad you are finally here.

However, truth be told, we did not think you were going to come until next week, but I guess you had other plans!

You see, you were really quiet in my tummy...I did not feel you move for quite some time, so Daddy and I got concerned and decided that we needed to made a little trip to the ER to make sure you were still okay in there.

Unfortunately for us, G, and Ballerina, we made this trip REALLY early in the morning (Daddy and I put G and Ballerina in the car well before 5 in the morning); however, once we heard your heartbeat, we felt all was well... we got our stuff together and actually all made it to school early that day!

The nurse in the ER said that we needed to check in with Dr. Dawson as soon as the office opened to make sure that he did not want me to come in too. We did such. Actually, we left a message with the nurse went about our usual morning! Afterall, we had heard your heartbeat and figured all was well, and as usual, we had lots of stuff to do at school!

A little later the nurse at the doctor called back and agreed with Daddy and me that we didn't necessarily need to come in that day. I already had an appointment for the next morning, and we all figured that Dr. Dawson would deem our plan acceptable.

He, however, did not.

Instead he said that I needed to come in to the office right away...that he would do an ultrasound himself! I guess it did not matter to him that the ultrasound technician was out. Right?

So, I waddled to the gym to get Daddy from class, and we went straight to the doctor. By now, it was close to 10:30 in the morning.

Once in the office, Dr. Dawson did do a quick ultrasound...not real sure what he saw other than your pretty face...but then said, "So, I think we probably should have a baby today..." I was a little taken back (know that I am REALLY obsessed with schedules and adhering to the plan in place), so the rest of the things he said truly went in one ear and out the other...there was was something about low fluid, inducing this afternoon, no reason to wait a week, you being big enough, my feet looking like crap, instructions to hurry up and get back to the hospital, etc.

I was thrilled to meet you sooner than expected, but the plan was for you to be induced on September 28! And, I guess I was real stuck on that plan!

What I do remember: Dr. Dawson handing me papers (I assume hospital orders) and Daddy saying, "I told you so." (He DID say in the car on the way to the doctor that it would be your birthday, but I told him that I thought he was wrong. Uhhh! I hate being wrong!)

Then there was a mad rush home to get our things together, phone calls to family, stops at school to fill them in on the change of plans and to grab work...It was a whirlwind! But, we finally made it to the hospital around 1.

This was our room.By 2:30ish they started the induction.Daddy and me...and LOTS of visitors hung out waiting on you to decide to make your arrival!

(Note: I have a WHOLE LOT of pictures - close to 400 - from that day thanks mostly to Gigi, so I am only putting a few; however, the few now seem like a LOT!)Your big sister may have been the most excited that this day would be your birthday, and did not understand why you were not coming faster once we told her you were coming!Gigi and Ballerina went to the gift-shop...and you and Ballerina ended up with new stuffed animals.See yours? Ballerina got a purple cat with a LONG tail that she is still dragging around! (It has just been a few days, but it is completely disgusting!)

Lots of hours passed (Well, like 4)... You were being a little bit stubborn.

The nurses got in trouble because they were not giving me enough pitocin. I thought it was funny...until your heartbeat got a little wacky, and I started feeling dizzy.So the nurses followed the doc's instructions and upped the pit...and we were well on our way!

A few minutes later, they said you were REALLY coming...like in the next few minutes...and they hurriedly got the room ready for your arrival. And then, in the blink of an eye, a minute after 11, you were here! I do not really remember all of the things in between them getting the room ready and you being handed to me...I just know it was amazing.I have decided your birth was magical. Miracles always are.
I have always been told the greatest gifts from above can never be explained...

...and because I cannot explain the gift God gave us in you, I know you are the greatest.Emerson Rose, Daddy and I (and all your family and friends) love you beyond words.Happy, happy birthday sweet baby girl.
Love always,

Mommy

Smashed

2011-08-22T12:38:00.000-07:00

We have had a string of bad luck around our house this summer.

There was a flooding of a kitchen, a broken refrigerator, a car accident -- just to name a few; however, my latest drama has been the crushing of my cell phone!

Now, I will admit, this cell phone crushing was the icing on the cake...It PEEVED me beyond all peeving. Yet, as with every "road bump" in life there was much to be learned from the experience, and a silver lining in every "bad" situation.

Example: These pictures...

Once lost in my phone, they were downloaded to my computer for my viewing delight. And, I felt there was nothing better than to share with you...especially since I did not take 99% of them!Clearly someone posed their stuffed animals on our front porch. Hummm...Ballerina?

Why would I accuse her?...because I am pretty sure that she posed these...I also think she took some self-portraits.I guess I got in on one.She also took pics of her brothers in Target? Maybe?...and Dad at Academy?Maybe I took these at the library, the nail place and church...But, I do not recall taking any of these of my growing belly (and the little girl inside it)!So, I may have been pretty peeved that my phone was smashed, but each time I look at these pictures (and the almost 200 others I was astounded to discover on my phone), I am reminded how smashingly lucky, blessed and wonderful my family has been!

So very thankful for my smashed phone...

Greatness of Great-grandparents

2011-08-07T16:13:00.000-07:00

How incredible is it that my kids are able to spend time with their GREAT-grandparents?Pretty darn.

Strange

2011-08-06T16:01:00.000-07:00

I think that it is strange that a few weeks ago was the first time that my husband had ever had a smore.

Very strange.

Very, very strange.

Very, very, very strange to me.

Working Moms Guest Post

2011-08-05T13:32:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I guest posted for a working mom's blog. Because we have not been up to much, I thought I would share this...

The Coker Family and their Working Mom:

Making it Work for Them

I am super excited to be guest blogging today! I do not usually do things like this, so it has been super fun.

Because this working mom has written most of this post at a conference without her computer with her pictures on it, please check out our blog for more about us: cokerfamilyupdates.blogspot.com

Learning to balance work with being the kind of mother I want to be is perhaps my greatest struggle. Not to mention being the child of Christ, wife, daughter and friend I also hope that I am…

A little about myself and my family…I am the mother of soon-to-be 5. I have 3 sons – ages 12, 10 and 6. My two oldest sons are my step-sons. I then have 2 daughters – One just turned 4 and the other will make her debut in the Coker clan this September.

I am a middle school administrator, and I am currently also going to graduate school full-time with intent to finish this dissertation and graduate with this stinkin’ doctorate degree this spring.

My husband is a coach. In the past he has coached at the collegiate and varsity level; however, because of the time coaching, specifically Texas football, takes away from family, we have made the decision that while our children are young it is best for him to remain at the middle school level. Thus, he is a middle school athletic coordinator, coach and teacher…at MY SCHOOL! (It does NOT get any better than working together!)

My husband and I also met at the school where we both worked. Our love story is somewhat humorous, but it is important to know that I despised him for quite some time before we actually started dating. I gave him a chance because of the way he talked about his time with his sons (then 1 and 3)…He is an amazing daddy! And, less than 6 months after we started dating, we were married.

That was in 2003. Next week we will celebrate our 8^th wedding anniversary.

So, it is summer now in the Coker house (all two weeks of it that I have this year), so these weeks have been filled with visiting relatives, heading to the beach, soakin’ up time at the lake…These weeks are VERY, VERY different from our days that will come in mid-August when we ALL head back to school and fall back into our typical routines.

During the few weeks we have of summer, either my husband or myself is able to be at home with the kids. Our summer days are glimpses of how it would be if one of us did not work – library visits, trips to the pick vegetables, art projects, etc. Now, every summer one (or BOTH) of us has also been in graduate school, so we always have papers to write, data to be evaluated and research to be conducted, but we have gotten good at whipping out a couple of pages of writing while the kids are manipulating playdough or running through the sprinkler in the yard.

But our typical day for 10ish months of the year…

Hubby and I are up by 5. Football practice starts at 6:15 a.m. (it is still HOT in the fall in Texas)! We have breakfasts to make, dinner to set out, lunch situations to sort, matching socks to locate, backpacks to review one last time…We work as a team until hubby leaves around 5:45.

Then I am on my own to ensure we are all out the door and to school on time.

As he leaves, we are also waking up the crew. We must have the boys at the bus-stop by 6:45, so in the hour we make beds, eat breakfast, get dressed, and attend to our morning chores (taking out the trash, feeding the dogs and cat, loading the breakfast dishes in the washer, etc.).

6:45 - I am pushing them out the door. The bus stops two houses from our house, so while they wait for the bus, I load the car and buckle the girl. Sometimes I am finished before the bus arrives, so I sit in the car and wait at the end of the street until the boys are safely on the bus while I put on my make-up.

Then it is a mad rush to drop of the little one at her school and to be at my school (across town) before 7:30 (when I am to be on duty to greet the over 1000 students in at my school). I usually pull into the parking lot of work in the nick of time!

The work of a middle school administrator is crazy in an of itself, but it is worthwhile work... Specifically, I am the Dean of Instruction on our campus, so I spend a great amount of my day in teachers classrooms, coaching teachers on improving instruction, evaluating student data to provide student interventions and improve instruction, meeting with teachers, meeting with parents, conducting staff development…My days at school look completely different from one day to the next. There is rarely downtime. I often do not have time to even eat lunch! However, I LOVE my job.

Our school dismissed about 3:40, but I am not “off duty” until the last bus pulls away around 4:15. Then, most days (with the exception of Fridays), I am in meetings until 5:15ish.

Then it is a mad rush to pick-up all of the kids to begin our evening activities…

Now, lest we forget that we have 4 children (soon 5), and they ALL play sports and/or participate in fine arts - soccer, football, gymnastics, dance, choir, church youth group, and baseball will make-up or fall.

Oh, and did you forget that I have a coach for a husband? To say our evenings are CRAZY would be a tragic understatement of the situation! They are literally a scheduling NIGHTMARE!

This past spring our Thursdays were our crazy days of the week. Hubby had basketball games, so he was out of the mix…It was all me. I would bust out of work…pick up the girl 1^st and then run to pick up the boys. We would ensure that we had everything packed – uniforms, gear, snacks - for the evening in the car when we left in the morning because 2 of them had soccer practice in 2 different places, one of the boys had baseball and our daughter had dance! Wild nights! They would ALL change in the car. I would drop one at soccer. Drive to dance. Drop her at dance (I had a friend who would watch her until I got back). Drop off the other soccer player at practice. Go back to pick-up the dancer. Head to the baseball game. Drop off the baseball player at his game. Pick up both boys from their soccer practices and then head back to the baseball fields to finish out the evening activities. We would literally step foot in the house until WELL after 8 sometimes and we still had dinner, homework, baths and nighttime routines….Crazy right?

Evenings like these are ridiculous. While many of ours are pretty darn crazy, they are usually not THAT crazy. Typically my husband and I can manage to divide and conquer our evening schedules. For example, one of us might be at gymnastics while the other one is at soccer, etc.

Being a mom of 5 hard. Being a working mom of 5 is really hard.

Below are 10 things we do in our house to make it just a little easier:

1. Daycare and after-school care that you love

We love our daycare and afterschool care. We HAVE been in situations before when we did not feel comfortable with where we were leaving our children for the day, and there is NO worse situation. I love and hate that I often negotiate with my children about picking them up LATER from their daycare/afterschool programs. It kind-of hurts my heart/my pride when they tell me to please let them stay longer so they can do ___ (fill in the blank with almost any cool activity), but I am also filled with great comfort each time as well. We do not go with the most expensive places in town. We do not care if they learning more or less than other kids in other programs. We simply delight in the fact that the workers in these places love and care about my children and that my children want to be there…

2. Help from family and friends (and carpools)

We are fortunate to live close to lots of family (grandparents, aunts, uncles), and we are blessed to have absolutely amazing friends. These people love, care and support our kids probably as much as we do, and while I would never want to take advantage of them, I also never feel guilty for turning to them when my husband and I cannot do it on our own. I feel blessed that my children have amazing relationships with these people…they need those relationships, and I cherish the time that they spend with them when I cannot be there.

3. Morning/evening routines and chores

There are certain things that we do EVERY morning and EVERY evening. To maintain some sort of order in our house we must have some very set routines. For example, each child has a chore every morning…They make up their bed (to the best of their ability) and do one other thing (like take out the trash, feed the dog or feed the cat). Likewise, there are routines we do every night: start/fold a load of laundry, pack lunches, go through backpacks from school, etc. The kids also have set getting ready for bed routines: We have a timer for the shower, a place to hang each kids’ towel, reading and prayer rituals, etc. While we sometimes fluctuate on the time (between 8:30 and 9:30), we are set on the routines and never stray from them.

4. Eating dinner together

Yes, our evenings are wild. Yes, we are strapped for time most nights. Yes, this is sometimes a source of stress for me; however, we believe it is CRITICALLY important for us to sit down each and every night we can (there have been times when it is physically impossible) to eat together. There are evenings this means that I have to make sure something is in the crockpot before we leave so that it will be ready to eat at 5:15 before or evening events…Other times it means that we will be stopping at a local taco place…Sometimes it means that we will “fend for ourselves,” but we ALWAYS sit at the table together. We ALWAYS turn off electronic devices (phones, television, etc.). And, we ALWAYS give thanks to the Lord for our food before we eat.

5. Good communication

I am really lucky to work in the same school building with my husband. We have been told 1000 times that I am nutty for liking it, but we REALLY do! We see each other occasionally during our work days, but honestly, I could go a week in a school as big as ours and never see him if I never made a point to do such! Thus, we have had to establish systems to make sure that we communicate effectively. Now, the eating dinner together each night is probably our #1 communication time…with us and our children, but we also text and email regularly. We copy each other on all emails and texts concerning the kids, and we maintain an online calendar that the both of has (and our families) have access.

6. Utilize work time

I work in a profession where it is not easy not to bring things home. I do not know that I will ever forget about my “school kids” when I am at home, but work hard when I am at work to ensure that I am not doing many/any “work” things when I am at home. A big thing in my world is my graduate school…This is not something I can do when I am at work, but it is not something I want my kids to sacrifice for either. So, my compromise – make sure I work on it when I can sneak it in! This means I will drop one off at soccer practice and instead of sitting in chairs on the sidelines with the other moms that I sit near my car on my computer. When I am watching the little ones in the bathtub – I have my computer. When I am waiting for a PTO meeting to start – I have my computer. I know this is probably not the most awesome thing I do, but it is what I have tot do to make all things fit.

7. Find joy in the small things

Many moons ago my beloved grandmother told me that I needed to start appreciating the small things in my life. She then told me that each day she forces herself to write down 5 things for which she is thankful in a journal. I will admit, I do not have time for a journal and would be horrible at keeping up with it; however, as a part of our prayers with our children (that both my husband and I do together), we brainstorm 5 things for which we are thankful each day with each of them. This forces us to find joy in the small things. The five things for which my daughter was thankful tonight: that we found a shoe that she thought was missing, that her middle brother played mommy and daddy with her, that daddy let her have cheese in her spaghetti at dinner, that there was a frog in the front flowerbed and that she watched Angelina Ballerina two times! How could this list not bring a smile to your face, and how could the sharing of this list not force me to be thankful as well. My top of my list tonight: the happy hour Route 44 Sonic iced tea! It is the simple things!

8. Cannot do it all

It is simple as that…you CANNOT do it all. Yes, I am in the PTO at school. No, I cannot make all of the meetings or be the committee leader. Yes, I serve on committees at church. No I do not make every meeting. Yes, I wish that we could make every single soccer practice or dance rehearsal. No, we cannot…and I have come to accept that this is okay. I will do my best to do these things, but when push comes to shove, I have to make decisions and accept the fact that I cannot do it all. It used to bother me when we would miss a meeting or a practice, but I have come to accept it now. I do what I can. I give my best, and that is all I have.

9. Priorities

Along the same lines as the statements above, we have also learned to have priorities. We make decisions all of the time about what is more important to us, and then once we make the decision, we stick with it. Example: Being sure that one of the boys is at baseball practice or the family being at the other son’s baseball game. Well, the entire family will be supporting the one at the baseball game. The game is more important to us. Example #2: Out of town soccer game vs. church…Our family chooses church. These are our priorities, and we stick to them. Do we always make the right decisions? No. However, we make them for reasons we believe to be right and in the best interest of our children…

10. Sundays

Again, this goes along with our priorities. They are sacred to us. There are 2 big things we do EVERY Sunday – to the Grocery store after church/lunch and sit down to review our weekly plan/calendar. Sundays are our sacred time – DON’T TOUCH our Sundays. They are not to be touched for any reason other than our family. They are OUR time to worship, and they are OUR time to be a family. Period. I do not care if there is a special soccer tournament. I do not care if you need me to meet with you one last time before that project is due. I do not care if there is a giant party…Unless we believe that these things will focused on the betterment of our family, we will not be participating.

All in all, being a working mom is hard, but it is worth it…And with that, this working mom is off to bed. Tomorrow is sure to be a big day!

What summer is all about...

2011-07-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

There have been times this summerthat we have just decidedto take offfor the afternoon
and head to the lakefor a little fun.We do not do muchbut play,eat,relax and enjoy each others' company.

I think this is what summer is all about.

Sweet 4th of July

2011-07-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

I love this picture of the Coker kiddos. Isn't it sweet? It makes me smile.

We went to the library to see the laser light show (no fireworks because no rain).

We got there early because we wanted to be able to see.

But, the kids thought clearly got there early so they could wrestle like maniacs. Or so they could ride each other like horses? ...or give piggy back rides.Whatever works.

G thought it would be a good time to pretend he was going to shoot an acorn at me because I had a camera in his face.I was not amused, but Cannon thought it was real funny.Then the music started, and they wanted to know where it was coming from...Then came the lights...
...they were fascinating to them. They were slightly creepy to me. :)It was a sweet 4th of July....almost as sweet as this smile!

We All Ask for Ice Cream Pictures?

2011-07-06T14:48:00.000-07:00

Ballerina is funny.

Real funny.

She asks for things that just make me laugh out loud because I cannot fathom them.

Prime example: "Mommy, you said we could take pictures in my birthday dress...I have got a plan...I can get in it, put on make-up on from Gigi, get some ice cream, and then can you take my picture? Is that okay? Is that a good plan?"

What? Weird newly turned 4-year-old.

Yea, I had mentioned taking a picture of her in the dress we got for her party (that she never wore) because I did not take any that evening; however, it was not a super big deal, and it was absolutely NOT planned. And make up and ice cream? What?

I laughed out loud. I could not help myself. Perhaps it was the plan. Perhaps it was because I despise having my picture taken. Perhaps it was because she said it in this tone what was almost derogatory. However, it is funny!

Yet, when she asks and has a plan, I just cannot help but to oblige with her request.

Results are below. Ha!

Wish

2011-07-03T07:06:00.000-07:00

Happy, happy 4th birthday my precious Ballerina. May all your wishes come true.

We love you.

Changing Your Attitude

2011-07-02T21:45:00.000-07:00

I was real pissy this week.

Why?

No, it was not because I am so darn swollen that I can hardly move (but that does make me pissy on a regular basis). No, it was not because transferring my 120 graduate hours is proving to be far more of a pain than I anticipated. (Don't ask...LONG story!) Nor was it because I could have sworn I was finished with laundry, but more keeps appearing...Rather, I was pissy because I was unable to help with VBS again this year!

Uhh! Boo! I like teaching in the summer, but I hate it when I miss things like VBS.

Thus, I was pissy.

So, I went to VBS family night a little grumpy. You know, it was the kind-of grumpy where I felt sorry for myself...because I was pissy... Been there?

Then low and behold, the song my son shows-off that evening that he had been learning the week of VBS...Change Your Attitude to Gratitude!

Oh, how foolish I felt. Oh, how I felt the need to reevaluate. Oh, how I saw that my attitude needed to change! Thank goodness the music intervened "Just-in Time." ..it was just in time for me for me to have gratitude for the fun my son has had at church......it was just in time for me to have gratitude for the week of learning more about Christ my son has been able to experience...
....it was just in time for me to enjoy and give thanks for the time I WILL have with him this summer.

Attitude changed...to gratitude!

Summer Family Traditions

2011-06-29T07:40:00.000-07:00

I have been told
that being a part of the All-Star teamis a Coker boy summer tradition.These two played on the team with pride.
This one participated in the tradition this summer...And, this one dreams to do such...

Coker boy summer traditions - carried on...

Early Birthday

2011-06-28T07:52:00.000-07:00

When you have a birthday on the 3rd of July, it is not super cool/convenient to have a party ON your birthday...You know, the competition is kind-of stiff with the nation's birthday. :)

Thus, we like to try to celebrate Ballerina's birthday before her REAL birthday.

However, what we have created because we do this...A BIRTHDAY MONSTER! See! A SCARY birthday monster!

Nonetheless, this past weekend we celebrated with our closest friends and family...

We had hot dogs, cake and ice cream. ...opened presents......and blew out candles.

Simple. Fun. Celebratory.

It was an awesome early birthday for our very special nearly 4-year-old monster.

Summer Track

2011-06-22T10:38:00.000-07:00

This is the first year that G has been old enoughto runsummer track.But, because he had so much funparticipatingin every eventand winning tooI'll throw it out there that he will be participating again next summer too!

2011-06-19T19:13:00.000-07:00

There are many things I doubt in my life. There are many things I can debate. There are many times when I can see a different point of view.

On the flip side, there are very few things I know to be true. There are few things I have never doubted. And, there are even fewer things I can say are absolutes -- with all my heart.

The statement that my husband is the most amazing father is one of those few things...

It is not the only reason why I love him, but it perhaps one of the, if not the, greatest reasons.

Know something funny? It IS the reason why I decided to give him "the time of day" that October almost 9 years ago in our school workroom...He was talking to another co-worker about his excitement to be able to spend a weekend with his boys just "being a daddy" and nothing else...and I completely went from loathing him to tolerating his existence! Ha! ...Then a few short months later...and, well...

But, in our years together that realization I had in the school workroom as only been intensified and proven true to me time and time again.

I believe he is an amazing father because of what he gives, but more, I have learned in our years together that he is an amazing father because of what he chooses to give up.

It is assuredly honorable to give, and he is one of the most giving people I know. But, I find it more noteworthy to have the heart to give up...

He will give up "silly" things for his children like 1/2 his grilled cheese or his seat at the baseball game; however, I have seen him give up "big" things such as prestigious job opportunities (that some would perceive) because he desired to spend time with his children more.

Today, on Father's Day, I honor my husband. I absolutely know there could be no greater!

I also give thanks for my dad. I am so grateful that he taught me what it means to be a good daddy and showed me what to look for when I married the father of my children. And, likewise, I give thanks for my husband's father assuredly taught him as well....and to each of you, happy, happy Father's Day. You are appreciated. You are loved.

A New Love for the Water

2011-06-16T07:54:00.000-07:00

Last week
Ballerina
hated the water
if she was not clinging to the side.
This week
is a MUCH
different
story!
Ballerina
has assuredly
found
a new love
for
the water!

Not a Cat Bed

2011-06-15T07:57:00.000-07:00

This is Nemo. Nemo is our cat. (And, that is my big, fat, pregnant belly he is trying to peer over.)

We found Nemo on the side of the road - tathered, wet, full of mites, malnourished - when I was pregnant with G. He was just a kitten. In fact, the vet said he was probably no more than 4 weeks old at the time.

That was 7 years ago this July.

We have lots of stories about Nemo in our house. We have stories of his brushes with death, our million dollar (or seems close to) vet bills, his tourment of our children and other pets, his payback rituals when we tick him off...Good stories.

But, there is something about Nemo that has always made us laugh.

As I said, we found Nemo when I was pregnant with G and he was just a kitten. Not long after we brought him home we put up G's baby bed. Ever since, the baby bed has really been HIS bed.

So, G never really slept in it because his room was upstairs and ours was downstairs and I was too "freaked" to let my child sleep ALL the way up the stairs. Thus, the bed remained reserved for the cat.

Then again, when Ballerina came her room was next door to ours, but when you are feeding them 10 times (or so it seems) in the middle of the night, I was not real interested in even walking her next door, so she slept with us too. And, Nemo kept his bed...

So, it seems only fitting that we we put up the baby bed again this past week that Nemo would think it was for him...See? Less than 20 minutes after the crib was up, Nemo was here.Crazy cat. This crib is for the little girl soon to arrive! Oh, well. Soon our little one will arrive and maybe, just maybe, she will stake claim!
But, until then...It is the cat's bed.

Another 6 Year Old

2011-06-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

She turned 6.We celebrated her special day......in the pool!
Happy birthday Allyse! (Oh, and her Daddy too!) We all love you!One last thing...those were some good cupcakes! :)

Summer Lovin'

2011-06-12T20:03:00.000-07:00

Summer.

It is hot in Texas during the summer. Real hot. And, since it has not rained in 101 days (or so it seems) it is real, real hot this summer.

I do not LOVE summer. I know...I am weird. It is too hot for me to love. I much prefer the coolness the fall and spring bring to Texas.

However, there are LOTS of things I DO love about summer.

What you ask?

#1 Mowing the lawn. It thrills me. Yes, this is sick....I know; however, I LOVE the act of mowing. Where else can I fulfill my OCD by making perfect rows with the mower AND get a workout at the same time? Love it. Mowing is awesome.Love this mower.And love this freshly cut grass before it looks burned because we have not watered in 30 minutes.

#2 Our American flag.
While I am not real sure why, we only put it out in the summer. Maybe because it is a patriotic time of year with Memorial Day and the 4th of July; however, I am burdened with logic, and I am pretty sure it is just because out flag pole seems to get crapped out about September each year...and then I am not motivated enough to buy a new one until I get excited about putting it out again for the summer. Nonetheless, I love our flag.

#3 Teaching summer school. Now, do not get me wrong, I love my job, but I really love (and will openly admit that I often miss) being in the classroom. Yes, I still work with kids (I assuredly work FOR kids), yet I do not REALLY get to work with kids like you do when you are with the each and every day in a classroom. No matter the relationship I have with them, it is different - very different - when you are their "teacher."

I know summer school is not the same as having a classroom for an entire year. I get that. But, it is enough (almost anyway) to sustain me...to remind me...to encourage me...to humble me...to inspire me...to motivate me...to fulfill me...for another year.

#4 My husband is the mom. This is not the first summer, and it assuredly NOT be the last that he is the stay-at-home mom. It is awesome. Really, it is...He ushers the kids to and from their activities, tidies the house, scrubs toilets, does laundry, has structured "at home" activities for the kids, plans meals, prepares meals, etc. He even bakes...almost daily! Now, it is interesting what my kids will be wearing, where he decides to put clean laundry, how he defines the word "clean," and what he decides to buy from the grocery store; however, I will never deny the awesomeness. Never. The good in this situation FAR outweighs the bad/weird, and I am truly grateful.

#5 A little more time at home. Our schedule during the school year is crazy - not bad...just a little crazy. We often long for time just to be at HOME. After school today we did NOTHING. We sat on the couch and talked. So, maybe we DID talk about how to was too darn hot outside to do anything fun - like go to the pool, pull the weeds in the backyard, pick berries at a local farm - but we sat there, and we loved the time we had together.

So, while summer might not be my most favorite time of year, there ARE lots of reasons I DO love it.

Here's to your summer lovin'...may it be a good one!

8 Times the Fun

2011-05-31T09:09:00.000-07:00

When you let a bunch of kids play with an octopus sprinkler......well, they have 8 times the fun!

In addition to honoring those that have given so much for our country and spending time with friends this is how we do Memorial Day around these parts!

Not Forgetting to Let Him Be Little

2011-05-28T18:30:00.000-07:00

G's kindergarten year...It has come and gone. Where did the time go?

Really, where did it go?
We blink, and 10 months have come and gone.

You know, remember my kindergarten "graduation" so vividly. Broken right arm in a cast to my shoulder, milti-colored polka-dotted dress from Dube's in downtown Katy, far left hand side of the stage in the cafeteria at Williamsburg Settlement Elementary, singing "The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow" and not being able to do the hand motions with my arm...
It was yesterday! Right?

Will G remember this day the same way I remember mine?
Will he recall where he stood, the songs he sang, the shirt he wore?
I do not know.

But, what I do know, I will not forget.

This program, this moment, this time with him right now...it will be cherished.

In his ceremony (that, by the way, was amazingly touching and a perfect celebratory end to a most incredible 1st year of school for G) they played a familiar song as they scrolled through hundreds of pictures of their year...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUKbxbmpcwU

Yes, I have always loved this song, but hearing it yesterday was hard for me.

He IS growing so fast that we MUST remember to let him be little. He will only be this way for a while...We will remember to give him hope.
Will we will remember to give him praise.
We will remember to give him love every day. We will let him cry.We will let him giggle.And, we will even let him sleep in the middle (with his sisters, 2 big dogs and mostly evil cat)...Oh, we will let him be little.

Happy promotion day G!
Mission accomplished! You are officially a 1st grader!
We love you!

Making His Own Footprints

2011-05-27T19:22:00.000-07:00

Today was a day of great celebration in the Coker house, but before we get to that, I need to ask that you bear with me on this post...I might get a little off topic, and I beg your forgiveness before I begin...for I know I will struggle to keep to the point.

With that being said, I want to go back a few weeks...to Mother's Day...

We had an exceptionally incredible sermon at church on Mother's Day. True, most of our sermons are awesome --inspiring, thought-provoking, reflective -- but this one was especially all of these things.

It was the last of a 60-something week sermon series on the book of John. (Who knew the sermon series had been going on that long, but I digress...) Anyhow, it was about Doubting Thomas. (You should be happy. I just deleted almost 400 words..all because I decided to spare you all of the details that struck me, and TRY to stick to why I am inspired to write today...) But, at the conclusion of the sermon he made a connection to Mother's Day that I have gone back to time and time again since Jerry spoke nearly a month ago...

He told us to take a look at our children's feet and then challenged us to remember that their feet are NOT ours. It was stated that it is ever important for us as mothers - as parents - to know that one of the greatest things we can do in this noteworthy role is to let our children make their own footprints. But more, we should be delighted, overjoyed, and filled with pride, when they choose to not to follow in ours...

During this part of the sermon I immediately thought so of Gunnar, and when we got in the car Eric said he had been thinking the same thing. (We think a little alike...You think that is why we are a great match? Digressing again...)

Of the four Coker kids, he is the one that often beats to a different drum...his very own drum. And while it has always endeared Eric, myself... and many others for that matter to him (he reminds me in so many ways of one of my sisters), we also often fear that it makes him feel lost in our "crowd."

Eric and I talk frequently, but are often unsure, of how we let him know that it is not just "okay" -- it is awesome that he beats to that different drum. It is perhaps one of the absolute most special thing about him.

So, back to today...

As Gunnar stoically stood on the stage of his elementary school, his teachers spoke of the years to come...and how they wish for each of those in his class to come back and visit, but placed a caveat on their remarks by stating that these students might have to remind them of their names -- not because these teachers will not remember them, but rather because they will change and grow so much in the years to come that it might be hard to recognize them.

So true.

He WILL change, and Eric's and my prayer for him...That he will make his own footprints.

Dearest Gunnar, we are so proud of you, and we truly love you for you.(Love this picture! It is his signature "look.")

And as you make those footprints you are destined to make, know that we will love you more for each one.More, we wish that YOU will find the same joy in making them that we find in watching you make them.And, may you always make them with Him in mind first. It is He that made you the unique one you are, and it is to Him that we owe great glory.
On to intermediate school...

End of Season Celebrations

2011-05-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

End of season soccer last week. End of baseball this week. G has been busy wrapping up his seasons in fine fashion!
He is showing off two new trophies in recent days, but Mommy only took pictures of this one...See it? It is pretty spiffy. There have also been a couple of rounds of cupcakes, but again, Mommy only took pictures of these. And because she has tagged along with grace, you got to see a picture of Ballerina blowing bubbles for your viewing pleasure! I missed the BIG bubble because I was too slow. :( (That is what being pregnant in 96 degree weather in MAY does to you!...It makes your feet SWOLLEN and Mommies SUPER slow to the camera draw.)

Cheers! It has been another great spring of sports!

A Big Step and an Example to Follow

2011-05-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Wow! This past weekend was jammed packed. Birthday parties, sleepovers, baseball games, Saturday school, dance rehearsals, dance recitals...It never stops! But, there was also a big moment for the oldest that really made Eric and I have to stop...

...and relish in the moment in which we found such great pride.

You know, there are big moments in your young life and then there are BIG moments in your young life. And, this past weekend was perhaps the BIGGEST that Cannon has ever had...and perhaps possibly will EVER have.

He was confirmed. This last year -- Shoot, these past few months -- We have found ourselves talking again and again about how much Cannon is growing up. We will go without seeing him for a few days, and when he comes back to our house we are sometimes in awe -- of his newly found maturity, confidence and understanding.

However, since Christmas we have most impressed with his growing faith.

We will be in church and I will give him a crazy look for being on his iPod, but then he will show me that he is following along with his Bible app. We will go to lunch and he will quiz me on my thoughts about a part of the sermon that perplexed him. We will be driving in the car and he will quote scripture to his siblings that are having some "issues" in the backseat. (Perhaps my favorite because it causes such controversy in our car! ha!) We will say our blessing at supper, and he will ask to offer a special word.

Man, his faith has grown.

And, as he stood before our church and took a vow of membership, we were more than reminded of our own vows.As was spoken that afternoon and taken from I Timothy...Cannon,^"2 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

You truly did such for your father and myself this past year...and especially this past weekend. To say we are proud would be an understatement. Congratulations on this big step in your spiritual journey. God bless.

Dance, Dance, Dance

2011-05-16T11:47:00.000-07:00

Ballerina - She is too much for me. Really. Too much.

So, I talked a while back about her dance pictures and how stoked she was to be taking them.

But, if she was stoked about dance pictures, there are NO WORDS to describe her excitement in anticipation for her dance recital. NO WORDS. Friday night we had to spend an hour talking about what Saturday was going to look like...Then we had to review it before we went to bed...And, she was up before dawn on Saturday asking where her costume was so that we could go to practice.

She was so funny. She would ask questions like, "My family is going to come...right?" "My friends are going to be there...right?" and "You are going to take a lot of pictures of me...right?" She would ask these questions so many times all I could do by the end was just giggle when she asked them.

And, in fine Ballerina form, she was "on" as soon as we arrived for the performance. I thought she would never make it until dance 15 - when we were supposed to report to the back for her turn to perform!She soaked up the attention..However, she really soaked up the attention from her "favorite person," Daddy. Oh, and there were some other fun people there too...
...like her brothers...
...some aunts and uncles (and this is just some)...her grandparents...and some very special friends...
And, of course, Mommy and Daddy!

Oh, Ballerina, your first dance recital was amazing. We we so very proud of you!

Mother's Day at the Spa

2011-05-12T12:34:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day...It is still weird that this day is for "me" now. I mean, I still view it as a day to honor MY mother and those whose influence has so greatly impacted me.

Eric asked me what I wanted for Mother's Day a week or so ago, and I promptly made a face and said, "Nothing! Why would you get me anything for that?" He laughed and told me I am weird (not an uncommon thing for him to tell me) for thinking that I am completely unworthy of the honor bestowed on mothers on this special day and asked how many years it would take for it to sink in that I am a mother too!

I think that is just it...I find it weird that I am actually a mother. I feel completely unworthy of that title and even less deserving of the responsibility the role being a mother holds! Let's face it...I am not real sure sometimes that I am cut out to be influencing children (lest my role in education! Ha!) much less raising them! What business do I have doing this?

Yet, here I am...with more than one little "creature" that calls me "Mommy."

I guess I need to face the music.

I guess I need to accept the facts.

I guess I need to own-up to the reality that Mother's Day includes me now... but, dang, that is WEIRD!

It was nice, however, to be honored on this special day for special people, and the greatest celebration in which I participated was at G's school.

Each year the kindergarteners host a Spa Day in honor of Mother's Day. It is pretty darn cute...The cafeteria is dimly lit, there is music softly in the background, there are chairs set up for the honorees...

This was our agenda for the day...G was going to do my hair, apply my make-up, and then give me a massage and a pedicure. Jealous?He also wrote some lovely poems for me.How precious. Right?

And then it was down to business...He dumped out the bag I was instructed to bring....and whipped out the nail polish! And so you know, he does NOT have a future in the nail business. He skipped a few fingers and told me that it was too much trouble to go back and get them. :)He quickly moved on to applying my make-up, and was quite disturbed that I did not want to wear dark brown eyeshadow on my cheeks. Clearly, I have failed in my mothering because I have never taught this boy to put on make-up! ha!All-in-all my Spa Day at Forest Ridge was over in about 5 minutes and 15 seconds. These 2 told us that they were really just ready to go home! However, I will forever remember the afternoon...I do not know that a mother could have ever been given a greater gift in honor of the day. It reminded me that I AM a mom...and a VERY blessed one at that.

To all of the special moms in my life (especially my mom, grandmother and mother-in-law), happy Mother's Day...I am so very thankful for you.

The Impact of #5

2011-05-03T15:20:00.000-07:00

Today we learned just how baby #5 will impact our household...

By this I mean we learned how we will be organizing the bedrooms and who will be getting the new set of bunkbeds.

Who will be getting them you ask...

Ballerina!

Come September we will be officially be welcoming another baby GIRL to the Coker household.
(So excuse the fact that it is backwards...we went straight from the appointment to gymnastics, and I am not smart enough to be able to flip the picture sent from my phone!)

We are excited.

We are blessed.

We cannot wait until September.

Easter 2011 Recap

2011-04-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

Our Holy Week festivities really began on Palm Sunday.

But, they continued with Ballerina's school party and egg hunt on Holy Thursday.She did not care a whole lot about the egg hunt...Most of the kids in her class did not stop for 2 seconds, but she ASKED for me to take her picture. Oh, Ballerina...you are too much for me!

Good Friday the boys all had school (make up bad weather day), so Daddy, Ballerina and I ran oodles of errands that should have been run a long time ago - like getting the oil changed in the car - and doing things that we do not get too do all that much because we are teachers ourselves - like eat lunch with a pretty cool kindergartner.

Then Saturday we were back in celebration...remembering again the greatest sacrifice ever given for us...Okay, we DID talk about the great sacrifice He made for us on the cross, but we also hung with some of our favorite friends and family...Oh, and played in the boat, on the jetskiis, in the pool, on the slot machines, the "piano on crack"...you know, all of the normal fun things at Gigi and K-Dan's house...

Lest, there was also a serious egg hunt.Well, the boys took it pretty serious.The girls were more interested with putting their Easter baskets on their heads....and being sure there were no bugs in their baskets...CRAZY GIRLS!

Oh, and there was also egg dying...The egg dying, however, was pretty darn funny...Actually, it was the funniest thing I have seen in a while! I did not get pictures, but Avery taking a bite of the newly died yellow egg and then trying to wash it down with the blue dye was darn hilarious. After a fun day of Easter celebration, we were off to a family wedding! I, however, am an idiot and somehow my camera was set funny...and every picture I took there is a big white blur. :( Boo! I am pretty ticked at myself. I seem to be having camera malfunctions like that a lot lately.
And then Easter Sunday...I just cannot help but to make them pose at church! It is not ever surprising that they were not real interested in taking a picture and that Ballerina was acting like a nut!

Than it was home to find what the bunny had left...It was truly an incredible weekend...one that truly reminded us of the great sacrifice He made...It is not often we are able to rejoice as we did these days. God IS good!

With that, our Easter weekend recap comes to an end...and The BIG TAKS week 2011 begins...

Palm Sunday

2011-04-22T18:08:00.000-07:00

After the 8:15 service and before the 11:00 service...G: "Why are we waving tree branches at church again?"
Me: "They are not just any tree branch, they are palm branches...Today is Palm Sunday, remember... Pastor Jerry talking about all of the people waving their palms when Jesus was walking with the cross during the children's church this morning?"
G: "Yea, but when he kept saying they were waving their palms, I thought he meant the palms on their hands."
That IS slightly confusing to a well-intentioned 6-year-old! :)

Perhaps Ballerina was confused as well...and that was the reasons she was AGAIN so grumpy as she walked down the aisle waving her palm.Nope, I doubt it...I think she just looks grumpy even when she is not. :)Now, she wasn't at all grumpy as she took off on the egg hunt.Serious, maybe, but not grumpy. But, lets be honest, egg hunting is some serious business when you are 3!G's hunting this year was a little more calculated. He was in search for eggs with the letters that spelled "HE IS RISEN!" However, he was offended that all of the letters he needed were pink and purple. Of course... But, he got over it. :)And, even consented to posing for a picture for me! Wow, right?...And one with his sister! Double WOW!Yet, this little poser wins the posing prize for the day! How cute is he?Better yet, check out this entire crew! Love them!

Palm Sunday...a perfect celebration in preparation for the holiest of weeks...

Because What is Spring in Texas Without Them?

2011-04-12T18:00:00.000-07:00

Dance Pics

2011-04-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

1. Let's keep in mind that this little one has THREE older brothers and a father that is a coach! Our house has a plethora of balls, bats, helmets, nerf guns, etc.

2. I would also like to remind you that this mommy was not oober prissy when I was younger. Yes, I am aware of the fact that I was a drill team officer and all of that jazz, but I felt more comfortable with the "guys" in German club and on the Yearbook Staff...were were was not a single other drill team member (besides my sister that does not count).

3. This is Daddy's only little girl (Well, that we know is a girl...baby is yet to be determined!) and Daddy does not do real well with HIS little girl looking for grown up!

So, with these things being said, dance pictures were a little rough in our house. Those of you out there that are good at these things...feel free to laugh at me. I can handle it. But, know that these sort of things make me crazy, and they are the VERY last thing from "fun" in my world. In fact, I think would have rather plucked all of my eyebrows out one by one...

Yet, Ballerina was WELL aware that dance pictures were this week, and has literally been drooling to wear her costume that has been hanging in the doorway for the last 2 weeks. When I went to pick her up from school she said, "Okay Mommy, we need to hurry home...it is dance day, and I need to get pretty!" So get pretty we did...

...and I think that she is prettier than pretty...
...She is perfectly pretty.
...even when she is a little grumpy because she wants for Mommy to quit taking pictures at the house and get to dance class...

...where she has far more patience than she does when we are at the house...

...and finds such great joy moving to the music!

As much as she loves dance, I am guessing that I am going to have more picture days like this in our future...And, her delight in them MIGHT change my mind! :)

For the Love

2011-04-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

This past week...

I watched as two boys played...for the love of the game...and nothing more.

They do not care if they are the superstar on the team.

They do not care if their team wins every game......or even if they win a game at all.They just play......because they love the game.

As I reflect on their love for the game I am reminded of I quote I once heard...It said something like: "Baseball was made for kids...and adults only screw it up." Yea, one could read into this quote in many ways, but the truth of the matter is that adults often do screw up kids' love for the game. Yes, there is much of great value that children can learn from adults about the game, but unfortunately, they often learn/take away the wrong things...and they forget why they ever loved to play in the first place...

G and Gunnar love the game, and their love for it delights my soul. Our prayer...That we as parents/adults always foster that love and any other - be it football, gymnastics, dance, drama, band, etc. - that might capture their hearts.

I love their love...

Opening Ceremonies

2011-04-07T14:35:00.000-07:00

Please do not tell my children, but I do not love baseball. It is not that I do not like it, it is just that of the sports they play it is not my favorite. I prefer the sheer chaos (it is really funny) of the basketball court to the little ones lost on a baseball field picking flowers.

Yet, I do appreciate the Opening Ceremonies of baseball.

I like the tradition.

I like their mission.

I love to see the kids get so excited about a game!

And so, last weekend G and Gunnar suited up in their uniforms...

We gathered here...

The teams filed out.

The biggest fans watched with anticipation (and swore the entire time that something truly exciting was going to happen....and was sorely disappointed when it did not).The players listened intently.

And threw up their hats...

Here is to a new season.

Time to take me out to the ballgame!

Kindergarten Rodeo

2011-04-06T19:34:00.000-07:00

I usually get excited about having the opportunity to be able to attend my kids events, but I was a little apprehensive about this kindergarten rodeo thing...I mean, the thought of over 100 kindergartners walking a 1/2 mile on stick horses frightened me. But, look at them...all of their horses at a perfect trot!

It was awesome!This cowboy had a hot time...He was SO hot that he shed his cowboy clothes 1/2 way through the event for shorts and a t-shirt!

But, when there was some serious tug-of-war going on, I expected nothing less! Even as they posed for pics with their teacher at the end of the day, they were still all smiles! Got to love that!
Too bad sister was not...boo...

The Green Beans Gets Kickin'

2011-04-04T14:19:00.000-07:00

G's soccer season got kickin'...

I love his team name - The Green Beans. I think it is fabulously funny and tremendously fitting for the crew. Just look at them! Love it! How precious are they?

And, how precious is this boy...that is getting too darn big recently?The other day there was a GQ picture of Prince William and his soon-to-be wife in the check-out of the grocery store. In one of the pictures Prince William was in athletic attire...and G proclaimed that he looked like him! I just laughed...So, they really do not look anything alike; however, I did think that it was more than humorous that he liked himself to a prince! He HAS been playing on the field like a prince...We have really been impressed with the way that he and his teammates are passing/sharing the ball. It is no longer about HIM getting the goal...it is about the TEAM, The Green Beans, getting the goal! Another proof positive that he is growing up...On a side note...How many kid city-league soccer games do you attend where helicopters land in their middle of the game fields? Yep...we have that happen in our town! :)

Gone in March

2011-04-03T07:31:00.000-07:00

We were gone in March.

Well, I was also gone from blogging, but that is because we were gone! ...really GONE...out-of-here...GONE!

So, maybe it was only a week that we were gone, but it was one of the greatest weeks we have had in a long, long time...thank you again Mom and Dad!

When we were gone there was sledding...right in our backyard!There was skiing...Well, there might have been more learning to ski than skiing, but G LOVED EVERY bit of it!A little fishing...Oh, there was some awesome ice skating...A lot of exploring, rock skipping, and cave dwelling...There was also some of this...Yea, I do not really know what this is, but it IS pretty funny!

My prayer...that there are more times that we will be gone...because this sort of being gone was pretty darn wonderful!

Special Basketball Visitors

2011-02-28T19:00:00.000-08:00

We always do our best to be at the sporting events of our children...Yes, Eric and/or I will have to miss once in a while because of work or conflicting events; however, there are always fans in the stands!

However, this past week G had three (two that I got pictures with) special fans that went out of their way to be at his game......his Gigi drove up just for the game......and his beloved teacher came to see him shine!

Two pretty awesome fans, huh?

We are thankful for both of them! It made G's week that they went out of their way to come see him play, and it made his parents week that their son is so blessed to have people who love and care about him so much.

To answer...

2011-02-28T18:11:00.000-08:00

So, we have had lots of questions about the upcoming addition to our family, so let me answer them.

Exact due date?
...ummm....don't really know...sometime in late September. I always measure bigger than "other things" calculate. We are thinking around the 23rd (my Papa's birthday). Wouldn't it be awesome if it was on his birthday? He would have liked that!

Planned?
Yes. Timed like we could have liked? No. Being educators, we like to have summer babies so I do not have to use any of my days. (I HATE, HATE, HATE missing work!) However, we had a DNC this past November at almost 12 weeks and learned the hard way that the Lord has a bigger, better plan in mind... You truly have to turn it over to Him and trust his timing on all things...including your school year! Ha! :)

Why so many kids? You crazy?
I do not really know how to answer this one...I guess we just feel called. I feel blessed to be a part of such a big family and want that same experience for my own children...It delights us...There is much to be learned from being a part of a large family...I do not really know! Are we crazy...maybe a little, but aren't we all?

What do the kids think?
The boys do not really seem to care. I do not want to say the do not care one way or the other, but they are pretty indifferent to the situation. Ballerina, on the other hand, is super excited. The only thing is that she does not understand that there will not be a baby for a LONG time! She keeps asking if it is coming tomorrow...I keep telling her no, and she keeps saying, "Oh, Mommy...Yes it will!"

You hoping for another girl?
We do not care. Healthy is good. What about Ballerina? She wants a boy..."Because I am the only girl, Mommy!"

5

2011-02-21T14:31:00.000-08:00

OneTwoThreeFourFiveTo be welcomed in September 2011!Not the best pics, but they will just have to do for today! :)
More later!

-1

2011-02-20T17:37:00.000-08:00

Look who lost his first tooth?

It was NOT loose this morning. It was NOT loose after lunch, nor was it loose at dinner; however, it WAS a topic of discussion at the dinner table...

And 15 minutes later he appeared......with his tooth in hand.

Funny, determined, focused, stinker-of-a-little 6-year-old.

Kindergarten Love Day

2011-02-17T17:43:00.000-08:00

Now that G is in kindergarten, he no longer goes to school next door to my school. Instead, it he is a good 15 minutes away (REALLY far in our world), and we are often not able to make some of the events at his school.

However, I was able to sneak away on Valentines to be there for his class party!He was excited that I came (for the entire 15 minutes that I was there)...He ate ice cream......opened Valentines......and asked that I take a picture with this girl...ummm....ha! :)But, the most awesome thing that I saw when I was at his kindergarten Valentine's party was what he loved...his brothers and his sister! Ohhhh, sweet boy!

There is nothing better than Kindergarten Love Day!

50-something

2011-02-10T19:12:00.000-08:00

It makes perfect sense...

I understand quite well why I am so stinking sick. I haven't been able to breathe through my nose in days...I am coughing so much my core is sore...Food tastes and sounds are distorted by what I presume to be snot...I have taken more meds in the last 4 days than I have probably taken in the last 4 years...I have given more co-pays to dr. offices than I care to give...and if I do not get one decent night of sleep soon...

But, it makes perfect sense...

I mean, it has changed 50-something degrees more than once in the last week, so what do I expect?

Yep. I expect to be sick.

But, it really still sucks.

Just Pictures...of SNOW

2011-02-10T05:37:00.000-08:00

New Season

2011-02-06T08:16:00.000-08:00

A new season began a couple of weeks ago in our household. It might still be winter (and a little more like a real winter rather than a south Texas winter), but in our house, it is now basketball season.

We have never had a kid (just a Dad) basketball season in our house before, so this season has brought us many smiles! I can say with all honesty that G's first game was BY FAR one of the funniest things I have seen in a real long time. It was precious! And, like always, he assuredly showed his athletic talent...which only added to the good time!We should have taken video...partly because I missed the 2nd 1/2 because I had to attend my school's 6th grade orientation and partly because these pictures could never do the game justice!Gunnar has been playing as well. His games are great fun as well. While they are not "funny" like G's, they are just as delightful...The boys run plays, have strategy, understand the game...It
assuredly makes for a different kind of enjoyment was a spectator. Speaking of spectators, there were some pretty good ones at the games...I do not think it can get better than your brothers, your sister and your grandparents!

This new season has been quite the experience in our house, and one we will assuredly have again this time next year.

Again

2011-02-03T19:44:00.000-08:00

Darn it.

I did it again.

I started a post that I never finished.

I so wish you knew how many of them I had. Dang...there are a LOT!

So, because this post is rather late, let's just call it a catch up post...in pictures...of our recent weekend adventures!

I wish...

2011-02-02T08:07:00.000-08:00

I wish we had more evenings like this one.

Good friends. Good family. Good eats. Good drinks. And GREAT fun!

Okay, so maybe being on the losing team stunk, but we WILL get revenge next time!

Happy Birthday

2011-01-26T09:35:00.001-08:00

Happy birthday K-Dan! We hope you have a special day! Love you!

Yea, they say these sorts of things...

2011-01-24T07:44:00.000-08:00

At the dinner table:
Daddy made chicken-fried-deer...As the 5 of us are are finished eating our entire plate-full and are now clearing our plates to the sink. G comments as he pulls a hunk of chewed meat out of his mouth, "Daddy, I have been eating this meat the entire time, and it still will not chew up! What should I do?"

In the car on the way home from the grocery store:
We are listening to a CD of music given to me by Ballerina's church choir teacher. A song called "The Thank You Meal" is playing. It is sung by what has to be two or more of the highest pitched girls in the entire world. Ballerina is following along with the CD, and her pitch is not much better. G listens puts up with the song for a while but was clearly at a breaking point when he screamed, "Can somebody...anybody... please turn these most annoying girls in the entire world off? I can't handle it!" 4 of us were in agreement with G. Ballerina was preturbed. She thought the music was beautiful.

The three youngest watching television in Mommy and Daddy's bedroom:
G and Gunnar are on the floor. Ballerina is watching in our bed. When asked for a snack by the boys Daddy says, "No way. Not in here! You all will make crumbs all over the place!" Ballerina questions, "What are crumbs?" Daddy responds, "Well, they are little bits of food that fall down when you eat. They make a big mess." Ballerina (as she pulls back the blanket on our bed to reveal at lead 1/2 a box of Ritz crackers that had been squished on the bed): "Oh, do they look like this?" Someone had eaten cheese crackers in our bed without asking!

Getting ready for church:
We are getting ready for church, and G decides that he would rather not go. He comments: "It is ucky and raining outside...We should not really travel in our car with this kind of weather." Me: "Good try G, but we are going to church. You like church...You just do not like what you wear to church!" G: "Yea...but..." and then thinking of a comeback..."But if God is everywhere why to we have to go there all of the time? I talk to Him better at home anyway because there are less people here that annoy me."

In the car on our way home from school:
Ballerina: "Guess what, Mommy, I talk to God all of the time. Did you know that?" Me: "That is wonderful Ballerina. I think it is special that you can talk to God. Isn't that special?" Ballerina: "Yea." (Somewhat disturbed and not real sure she agrees.) Me: "What kids of things to you talk to God about?" Ballerina: "Why brothers are stupid..." Me (somewhat taken back): "Oh, I am sure He listens to you and helps you know that your brothers love you and that you love your brothers." Ballerina: "That is not the kind of thing I talk to him about my brothers...no, I do not talk to him about loving them!" And...I did not know what to say after that!

After the party at the friend's house:
Me: "G, if you act like this after you spend the night at a friend's house, I do not know that I will continue to think that it is a good thing to spend the night out." G: "But...but..but...I haven't done anything but just get on your nerves!" Me: "That is the point. You are getting on my nerves because you have not followed instructions once today!" G: "Then if I am getting on your nerves so much, maybe you should spend the night out!" Yep. Maybe I should! Maybe I should spend a week out!

At bedtime in Ballerina's room:
Ballerina: "Mommy, you forgot to help me pick out my clothes for tomorrow...What are we doing tomorrow?" Me: "Going to school and then to choir....I will help you." Ballerina: "I want to wear a big dress with my light-up shoes and a pretty...2 pretties...the yellow ones." Me: "Ballerina, I do not know that that will all work for school tomorrow. Remember, we want the things we wear to match so that it looks cute...right?" Ballerina (looking at me as if I am the world's biggest fashion idiot): "Oh my gosh, Mommy, you do not know what is cute! You are never cute like me...You can just go to bed now, and I will have to do it..." Done my little 3-year-old! And know that I will be laughing tomorrow when you put on that outfit you picked out that looks as if someone vomited Skittles!

Winner Ties

2011-01-15T20:47:00.000-08:00

Don't judge me, but I am the kind of mother that places bets with her children with the hope that I lose the bet. I am also the kid of mother that does not let her children win...I want to teach them that I am a winner, and they need to be graceful losers! Ha!

For example, I recently made a wager with my kindergartner who was trying to bargain with me to buy him some MORE shoes for basketball..."I bet there is no way that you can learn to tie your shoes in less than 5 minutes...and if you do, I promise that I will take you to the store this weekend to buy some new tie shoes!"

I figured there was no way. I was totally going to win this bet...ha! Loser!

So, I set the timer, grabbed my camera, and threw him a shoe. I wanted to be sure that I documented my winning the bet and his sad face when he did not!)

(Oh, and let it be known that I refused to provide him any instruction. I also stipulated this in the rules that I made up pertaining to the wager at hand.)So he began...Nothing spectacular. I mean, any kid would know to begin here.
He then figured that he needed to make a loop of some sort...That proved to be a little complicated.But, darn, if that boy did not figure it out in no time!And, in LESS than the 5 minutes I had allowed he tied his shoe!And when I untied it (I wanted to be sure it wasn't a fluke before I relented him the winner!)...He tied it again!
Dang it! He WON! He learned to tie his shoe in less than 5 minutes! I had to admit defeat.

The winner here tied!

If

2011-01-15T19:55:00.000-08:00

If this crazy cat
sits on my computer
one more time and messes up my settings, I might SCREAM!

We Love

2011-01-07T19:44:00.000-08:00

We really love it
when an awesome friend
decides
to let this family
use her Aggie basketball

tickets!

This makes three times since the season has started, and she said that she knows of several more...While we would love her no matter what, the fact that she is the queen of all things Aggie athletics doesn't hurt things! :)

And may Big 12 play begin...

2011 Has Started

2011-01-05T17:38:00.000-08:00

2011 has started, and if my New Year's resolution was to finish the blog posts I start, I would have already crashed and burned! Afterall, I began this post on the 1st, and today is the 5th! Awesome!

So, you will be blessed in this new year not to have to put up with my cruddy commentary. Truthfully, I had planned on whipping out some real inspiring, witty, touching, thought-provoking prose to publish with this post, but I will spare you. Ha!

Instead, you will just have pictures.

No captions.

You will just have to imagine what in the world we were up to and try to decide why I thought the picture was worthy of making this post. (There ARE reasons/story for each of them!)

Oh, they are all from New Year's Eve/Day. (Where we had a GREAT time!)

Yes, your imagination will be appreciated as you view the photos... :)I hope your stories for the pictures of how we rang in the new year in the Coker house are as rich as the real story...

Blessings for the new year!

Nature's Message for the New Year

2010-12-31T21:51:00.000-08:00

I was the editor of the yearbook staff of my junior high when I was in the 8th grade. Funny thing about 8th graders is that they really do not understand the meaning of a deadline until the deadline is upon them...And, thus it should come as no surprise that when I was the editor of the yearbook staff when I was in the 8th grade that I had a freak out moment one afternoon when I realized that we had our final deadline with the publishing company at midnight, and I was short 4 spreads...the 4 spreads that we had saved until the end for a reason...the 4 spreads that were to help define the theme of our book...the 4 spreads that were my sole responsibility...

4 spreads...8 pages...I thought I would be able to whip them out. Afterall, all I needed were pictures and some words that would adequately capture the theme of our book and the year as a whole. Pretty easy for an 13-year-old! Right?

In tears I called my mom.

And, I am not real sure why, but she called my Nana.

A little over an hour later my mom showed at my school with a poem my Nana scrawled on a napkin.

A poem fitting for the final spread, my 8th grade year...and more...

And, as I welcome 2011 I reread and and hope to give honor to those words.

Nature's Message
by Nancy Stanton Holloway

In quiet contemplation I stand along upon the shore
Of a vast and angry sea as it emits a thunderous roar.
My thoughts take me forward to a time yet to be,
And I search for the wisdom to accept gracefully.

My future, and that, in my life noble plan
I will summon the strength and courage to say, "I can! I can!"
The sands of time flow quickly
through the hourglass of life...
My goals, my dreams, my human wants fill my head with strife.
I have so much to accomplish...to study...to learn...to do...
Then suddenly I shout: "Today is my beginning!"
And, "To thine own self be true!"

I am so grateful for this message
as I move onward to the unknown
For the world out there awaits my gifts...
and they are mine and mine alone!

Thanks Nana...thank you for saving me on that April afternoon in 1991 and for so, so, so much more.

Oh, and we had a pretty spectacular time with you at lunch last week as well.
We admired your things...and sighed a sigh of relief that none of my children broke anything in your home this time around! (We really do not have a good track record with that!)Learned more about our heritage...
Laughed at this...I mean, I is pretty funny that this picture shows on Eric's phone every time that K-Dan calls! :) I so with you could see the back...there is an incredibly long tail with feather-like things on the end! And, we gave great thanks that Ballerina did not knock down this Christmas tree! That would have been tragic! Swaying is fine...as long as it stayed standing!

Happy New Year all!

Question

2010-12-30T20:40:00.000-08:00

I have got a really important question...

So, when did my baby girl get so darn big? As I watched her proudly ride her "big girl" bike I wept...
As another year comes to an end and a new one begins, I am reminded of just how quickly they pass....I truly do not know when she grew up so much!

Looking forward to 2011 and giving great thanks for 2010...

Lucky

2010-12-29T18:40:00.000-08:00

Please do not be jealous.Amy and I are such lucky women.
We are so lucky to have husbands that hang dead deer on our basketball goal in our front yard. Where they also proceed to skin and carve it.
Lucky.
Again, please do not be jealous.
(However, Sid, congrats on your deer! We WERE really excited...a little grossed out, but excited!)

Lost and Found

2010-12-28T20:54:00.000-08:00

I rarely download pictures from our video camera, but when I did today I was delighted to have found these memories...What a delightful lost and found!

Chronological Christmas Part II: Christmas Day

2010-12-27T17:03:00.000-08:00

First there was a visit from this big man!He brought a bunch of stuff...so much that I did not have a picture of it all! (What? I cannot believe I did not take a picture of it all Christmas morning! Bad mom!)Then there were homemade cinnamon rolls...I was pretty stinkin' proud of them. It was the first time that I had ever ventured to make them by myself. I know some areas of improvement, but overall, they were darn good!Then there were a whole lot of smiles and some very tired parents...In fact, Mommy and Daddy were so tired that they slept! Yikes! They never do that!And finally, we ended the day with our birthday song and cake for Jesus.
A great celebration to end a great day.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!