Sister Copeland

I just overheard a conversation in the family room that went a little something like this:

Dad, "Ethan, you and Ella are going to be in the same college class when you get home from your mission."

Ella, "I want to go on a mission!"

In hearing this I thought, 'That's great! Ella is setting high goals for herself.'

Ella continues her sentence with, "I want to go on a mission because I know the perfect place!"

If only she would be lucky enough to choose her location to serve.

Ella finishes up by saying, "I want to go on a mission to Disneyland!"

Oh Ella. . .

The Story of Dick and Jane

As I watched Ella tonight trying her best to read “Dick and Jane” tonight I thought back to when Ethan was first starting to read. He learned to read with that same book. Then it hit me. Ella is my “baby” in many ways. She will be my last child to reach these type of milestones. When you have are raising the last of your children, and see them taking their first steps or watch them ride their bike for the first time, you think to yourself “my baby is growing up. This is the last time my child will ride his/her bike for the very first time on her own." and other such examples. Ella will be my last child that learns to read from the “Dick and Jane” books. I know I have Cannon as my literal baby, but in this aspect- I want to make sure that I pay attention to these milestones as Ella reaches them. I want to savor them as a mother would, watching her last child that will do these things. There are many phases I won’t be doing again. I won’t have to potty train again, I won’t have to leave play group because my child bit another child (I hope), I won’t be going to anymore preschool graduations, and I will not have another child reach the golden age of 18 months old when they finally get to go to nursery at church. Of course this absolutely does NOT make me love Cannon any less, it doesn’t really even make me any more sad about Cannon than I already am (which I must say my sadness has turned mostly into gratitude for my sweet little angel boy. I'm the luckiest person in the world to have him in my life). I just want to make sure I watch Ella and celebrate these accomplishments with her. As she progresses to new stages in her life, so am I. I am graduating from a mom with a toddler, a mom with a preschooler, to a mom with a school girl that can walk, run, dance, read, and ride horses (fearlessly!). I love my Ella and want her to know that. I have been given an incredible gift to cherish EVERY SINGLE MOMENT I have with Cannon. I truly feel I don’t take ANY of my time for granted with Cannon. I am thankful to know that I love Cannon with all my heart and have no regrets about all that I have done for him up to this point in his life. I do, however, need to remind myself that life is not guaranteed to any of my children. Tomorrow is not a promise. I need to see Ethan and Ella’s lives as fragile and sacred as I see Cannon’s. My goal is to always tell my children- ALL of them- how much I love them on a daily basis. I need to let them know that when I say, “I am so lucky to have you,” that they know how deeply I feel it. Tonight my heart is thankful to be a mom. My heart is happy. My heart is full of love.

Ring in 2012

Before Bedtime:

Each hour the kids were able to open another present that had something inside to use at midnight to ring in the New Year!

They were able to decorate their own hats.

Complete with sparkling cider toasts and "do-it-yourself" fireworks!

Kent was home in Sunnyside so we had him on

Facetime on my phone so he could party with us!

Kade just had his tonsils out but he was a good sport to sit with us and hold Cannon.

After Bedtime:

Now that the parties are over, the sparkling cider has been properly "cheered" and drunk, the party horns sufficiently blown, the New Year's hats decorated and worn, and the confetti has been cleaned up- it is quiet. Once again I am here in the peaceful dark room, the only light is coming from my lap top screen, I hear snoring from all three of my beautiful children. The sound of the snores, barely overshadowed by the piano music streaming on pandora, are a comfort to me as I read a beautiful message that is perfect for the New Year. As we think of resolutions and goals, I want to accept the challenge extended by the current living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. Here is a link to the article: Living the Abundant Life

Although I am also going to copy and paste it below so I can have it on record. This message couldn't be more timely.

HAPPY New Year!

Living the Abundant LifeAbundant Life

At the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter-day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life—a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings. Just as we learned the ABCs in school, I offer my own ABCs to help us all gain the abundant life.

Have a Positive Attitude

A in my ABCs refers to attitude. William James, a pioneering American psychologist and philosopher, wrote, “The greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.”¹

So much in life depends on our attitude. The way we choose to see things and respond to others makes all the difference. To do the best we can and then to choose to be happy about our circumstances, whatever they may be, can bring peace and contentment.

Charles Swindoll—author, educator, and Christian pastor—said: “Attitude, to me, is more important than … the past, … than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.”²

We can’t direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. For maximum happiness, peace, and contentment, may we choose a positive attitude.

Believe in Yourself

B is for believe—in yourself, in those around you, and in eternal principles.

Be honest with yourself, with others, and with your Heavenly Father. One who was not honest with God until it was too late was Cardinal Wolsey who, according to Shakespeare, spent a long life in service to three sovereigns and enjoyed wealth and power. Finally, he was shorn of his power and possessions by an impatient king. Cardinal Wolsey cried:

Had I but served my God with half the zeal
I served my king, He would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies

Thomas Fuller, an English churchman and historian who lived in the 17th century, penned this truth: “He does not believe that does not live according to his belief.”⁴

Don’t limit yourself and don’t let others convince you that you are limited in what you can do. Believe in yourself and then live so as to reach your possibilities.

You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith.

Face Challenges with Courage

C is for courage. Courage becomes a worthwhile and meaningful virtue when it is regarded not so much as a willingness to die manfully but as a determination to live decently.

Said the American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.”⁵

There will be times when you will be frightened and discouraged. You may feel that you are defeated. The odds of obtaining victory may appear overwhelming. At times you may feel like David trying to fight Goliath. But remember—David did win!

Courage is required to make an initial thrust toward one’s coveted goal, but even greater courage is called for when one stumbles and must make a second effort to achieve.

Have the determination to make the effort, the single-mindedness to work toward a worthy goal, and the courage not only to face the challenges that inevitably come but also to make a second effort, should such be required. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”

May we remember these ABCs as we begin our journey into the new year, cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way. Then the abundant life will be ours.

Tonight

The kids and I have extended our stay in Utah for another week and there are lots of fun activities to post about but that isn't what I'm posting tonight. Tonight I am away from my husband and missing him. Tonight I am full of love and gratitude for the blessings my Father in Heaven gives to me. Tonight I have a baby on my shoulder, two more little ones in beds made on the ground net to my bed and a lap top at my fingertips so I can try to attempt to find the right words to say all the feelings of love that I have of being a mother. Being a mom is sticky, it's messy, it's exhausting, and emotionally draining. It is also the greatest gift I've ever been given. I don't know what I did to deserve these beautiful treasures, but tonight I am basking in the joy of motherhood. Good night, my darlings.

Silent Night

We were home from Florida for 2 weeks (2 weeks full of LOTS of Christmas bustle- more posts on that later) and now in Utah for Christmas break.

I am holding Cannon against my chest, listening to piano Christmas music. The song playing now is Silent Night. I am so thankful for this Christmas season. It is already my favorite one. Last year I thought would be my favorite, having the knowledge of Cannon's diagnosis so raw, we tried to soak up all the memories we could. I thought it would be my only Christmas with Cannon. Last year at this time we were just coming home from Maryland, meeting with Dr. Kaler. Shortly after, we were in the hospital getting Cannon's feeding tube surgically placed. It was a hard time to "enjoy the time we have with him." This year has been different, deeper, better. I didn't want to forget this moment on this Silent Night, holding my Cannon and listening to his favorite kind of music. I love my Cannon boy and I am so thankful for this blessing I have of extra time with my precious angel.

The Nutcracker

"Loved!"

That was the answer Ella gave me tonight when we finished clapping and I asked, "What did you think of the ballet?"

We met up with Aunt Camille, Jessica, Morgan, Afton, Aunt Jenny, Avery and Uncle Greg for some delicious dinner at the Pizza Factory and then off to The Nutcracker!! On our way in, there was a musician earning money by playing his violin- Avery and Ella danced with each other and enjoyed the music. During the show, Ella would move her arms in her seat and she said she wanted to get up and dance. I love that she inspired as she watched these talented dancers work so hard to entertain us. It was a beautiful night.

Grandma's Village

It was very important for me to come to Utah in time to be at the Rigby family Bingo party and the Robbins Christmas party but they were too early in the month of December for Kent to take that much time off. My parents came up to Sunnyside and helped me drive down to Utah with the kids. It was a long day but the kids were champs. Once we got to my parents house, it was so welcoming to see the beautiful Christmas tree and my mom's village set out. Sitting in his bouncy seat with the carols on the radio, next to the village and the tree immediately became Cannon's favorite napping spots.

Dipped Oreos

The holidays are all about treats (and some other really important things too). Ethan and Ella have always been good sports about baking with me in the kitchen. We had a good time dipping Oreos and pouring sprinkles on them for a cookie party. Easy and yummy? A lethal combination.

Homeward Bound

This past week has been so good for my soul.

I am reminded how lucky I am to have married into such an amazing family full of people that I love and that love me. Our kids had a blast catching up with cousins. Isn't it amazing how cousins can just pick up right where they left off? I love that! It with a sad heart that I pack up our suitcases and give our good-bye hugs. We have loved our week of Thanks Giving and our thankful for all we have been given.

Congo golf

We were lucky enough to be with Garrett on his birthday. The kids had fun celebrating with some mini-golfing and Chuck E. Cheese's.

Since Cannon fell asleep before everyone went golfing, I stayed back with Kim. It was nice to slow down and just talk freely and openly with one of the most inspiring people in my life. I love Kim and I am so blessed to have her in my life. I will miss her so much when we leave in the morning. She teaches me so much and I can learn how to be a more Christ-like person from her example.

The girls were able to sneak away for an hour to go shopping- oh how I love the Florida shopping!!!!! Look at these stores, begging me to come look!

This is the store that begs for Ella to come in EVERY time!

Once the girls had their fun, the guys were able to go have some fun too- watching the Florida Gators basketball game!