Uncle Geek, the fixer-upper

Yesterday was a joyous occassion for the Cook family!

Uncle Geek-- I mean, Quinn, my husband's youngest brother, got married to a beautiful woman of God.  We couldn't be happier for the two of them!

When we got married, Quinn was ten. He surprised us at our wedding reception by singing us a song (his parents wrote the lyrics).  It was called "Emily and Josh" and it was to the tune of "Beauty and the Beast!"

His mom suggested that we return the blessing at his wedding.

Note: teasing IS his love language.

As you can see from the performance below, we love him very, very much!

(This is a dress rehearsal version. I may post the live version eventually, but it is harder to hear them then due to all the laughing and cheering!)





In honor of Uncle Geek's wedding day- a tribute to "Squinn!"

"When I was little, I couldn't say the word 'Quinn.'  But I found another word that fit better: 'Geek.' Geek has always been another kid to us."

"Now, we can hardly believe it- Uncle Geek is married!"

So- we have a few questions for Sara-

What's the issue dear? What do you SEE in such a man?

Is it the clumsy way he walks?
or the mumbly way he talks?
Or the pointy, goofy weirdness of his teeth?
And though we know he drives so well, his car ends up sorta smelly...
But you've never met a fella who's as hilarious as Geek!

Yes he's a bit of afixer upper
He's got a few quirks
His peculiar brain, dear, we just can't explain, dear
He called you a horse! That's how he flirts!?

Yes he's a bit of a fixer upper but this we're certain of
You'll be happy with this fixer upper with a little help from above!

How about the way that he runs scared
of all the birds in the air!
Or that a happy, clappy clown can make him weep?
Do you like his butt-shaped chin?
And the way they call you "Squinn?"
And the drool puddles every single time he sleeps?

He's just a bit of a fixer upper
He's a little weird
His hair is curly and his arms are girly
And we don't think he can grow a beard

So he's a bit of a fixer upper, but God knew what to do
He had mercy on this fixer upper when he fixed him up with you!

What about Sara? She's not perfect either!
Good point!

So she's a bit of a fixer upper
A bumble bee can make her FLIP!
She takes your Pepsi, when you complain, she
Smiles and says "I just want a sip!"

So she's a bit of a fixer upper
She reallly loves donuts!
And that gum snapping--that gum snapping
Is enough to drive you nuts!

We're not saying you should change, dears,
but as the seasons change
You might wake up and wonder why the other looks so strange
But we know you're in Jesus, and in Jesus Christ you're blessed!

God's love will keep you strong each day-- we wish for you  God's best!
May God grant you His best!

Everyone's a bit of a fixer upper
That's what it's all about
Father, sister, brother
We need each other
to fix us up and round us out

Everyone's a bit of a fixer upper
but when push comes to shove

The only fixer upper fixer that can fix a fixer upper is

God's
God's
God's
God's
God's
God's

LOVE!

God's blessings to you "Squinn!"

Lyrics by Emily Cook
Special thanks to all who helped prepare these girls: Pam and Larry Cook, Nikki Burkey, (Awesome) Tom Rozegnal and Amazing Jean, and the Heyboers for the use of their party room and microphones!

Summer Camp: A Test Flight

She rested on my hip, her soft baby thigh in my hand. I held her chubby thigh underneath the frills of her dress. The pink clip in her hair fell out, again. I squatted down to grab it, and she giggled loudly. I tried to shush her. “Mommy’s not trying to wrestle you right now honey! It’s church time!”

She grabbed for my earring to chew. I took them off, set them on the pew next to the small pink shoes she’d released earlier.

She gave me slobbery kisses.

She was just the baby, and I was just her mommy.

She put her arm around my neck and rested her head on my shoulder for a moment while the hymn played.

And then I blinked.

Compassionate Craft Idea

Last week, the girls and I made signs for this contest at Epilepsy Blogger. 

 If you have children between the ages of 5 and 11, please consider doing this with your child! It is very easy to enter- please see the site for details.

Whether or not you know someone with epilepsy, use this opportunity to talk with your child! 

What is a seizure?  ("An electrical storm in the brain," is a good, simple explanation or children.)

Should we be afraid of someone who has seizures? 

What should I do if I see somebody having a seizure? (for the kids- keep calm, protect them from hurting themselves, and tell an adult!)

How should we treat kids with seizures, or with other special needs or medical problems? 

How would you want to be treated?

Aggie knows that she had seizures and she got better. When we talk about other kids with seizures, she usually assumes they will get better soon, too. Sadly, that is not always the case. In fact, one girl at our school has had seizures for years, and so far they have had very little success in controlling them.

So we prayed for her, and  we prayed that God would give us opportunities to be kind to her and others that might need special kindness.

As usual, the girls were ready and willing to brighten somebody's day with their artwork!

Father, 
Uphold and help all those who struggle with seizures. Send help, relief, and healing according to Your will. Strengthen those who wait, those who treat, those who give care, and those who research.


Teach all of us to be compassionate and kind to those with epilepsy and all who struggle with trials of body or soul.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

----

Please keep us in prayer as well this week, as we (me and the girls) head back to Cleveland for an appointment with Aggie's tumor doctor! (We already have her MRI results, so we are not expecting any surprising news!) Please pray for safe travels, and plenty of mother-daughter bonding time!

Joy in the snow

From where I'm standing I see...

• my first baby
• a young lady in bloom
• a little brother with cold ears
• footprints from the other kiddos
• a girl about to get tackled with a snowball (by me!)
• a picture daddy loves... and I remind myself to tell him to tell her that, because she is getting to that age when it is so good for a little girl to be told by her daddy that she is lovely.

I feel...

• birthday snow on my cheeks
• cold feet from soggy boots
• joy in the first snow of the year
• delight in watching all six of my little snow playmates
• happy that I snapped this moment
• ready to put the camera down and frolic with them!

A great 'tween idea

This is an idea I simply must share.

Recently I joined some other "tween" mothers to discuss the book "Six Ways to Keep the Little in Your Girl."  The book was good.  The conversation was fantastic.  I will post more on this topic, but for today- just one idea.

It is so important to stay connected with our little girls!
and also,
It is so HARD to stay connected with my little girl!

Here is one fantastic idea (from Lisa at the PCC- thank you so much for your great work Lisa!)



She told us of one mother who had a terrible time trying to get her daughter to open up to her.  The little girl did not want to talk about anything that was even mildly uncomfortable.  But the mother was determined to stay connected with her daughter and to be there for her during the awkward changes.  She wanted her to be comfortable coming to her with questions.

Since talking failed, mom tried a journal :  mother-daughter journal.  A secret mother-daughter journal, for writing in whenever you want, with questions or thoughts or anything at all.  Mom would write in it and sneak it under her pillow.  Days or weeks later, daughter would reply.  Slowly the daughter found courage to show pieces of her heart and even ask her mother questions that she would not have asked her in person.

What a great idea!


I already know my daughter likes to write.  I knew she would love this idea.  I am running with it.  I am keeping it simple, allowing it to be imperfect and even sloppy (which is absolutely necessary if I am going to be handwriting anything!)  I presented it to her on Sunday, along with other "gifts" to celebrate this next season of her life. I think it was a hit.

This is inside the front cover:

Then I wrote her a little note about how I love her and want to be there for her, etc, and I started off with an easy question: Who is your favorite school friend, and why?

I think this is going to be the beginning of a super-fun, super-secret mother daughter bonding experience!  Because it is super-secret, I will not be able to divulge much more information.  But I know my sweet darling will not mind if I show you this:

... maybe big kids can be pretty cool after all...

You can download this great label for the cover at this location:

http://mamajenn.com/blog/2010/11/mama-me-journal.html

a new season

(Sunday)

              My first baby, I wonder if you will remember this day?  It is a major milestone for me.  We are having a “talk,” I hope the first of many, about what is to come as you grow into a woman.  

           Will you know how far out of my comfort zone I am going with this?  Will you believe me when I tell you “I am so excited and happy to see you growing into a young woman,” and when I say “There are so many great things about this next part of your life!”  I do believe that, a little...but I am also a mother looking back, remembering our little years together, wishing we could stay in the safe and warm preschool years for just  a bit longer.  I am a mother who sees your enormous heart and is bracing for the inevitable wounds it will receive.  I am a mother and you are still my baby--and I don’t want to let my baby go out into the elements.  There is so much danger.

Grow, flower!

                But there is no real choice to “let” you.  You will grow and go whether I “let” you or not.  I am praying that God makes me into a mother who “lets,” who grows with you, and who opens her hand to receive what He has in store for our futures-- together, and separately.  

Jesus, hold us close to each other, 
and close to You.

swept up

I like to sit on the swing with a glass of wine in the quiet of the evening.

And although it is a COMPLETELY different experience, I also like to sit on the swing with my two daughters in the quiet of the evening.

We are about to snuggle in bed to read our chapter book, when I notice a light show going on in our back yard.  Two pajama'd girls and I take our book outside to the swing, and we sit together under to watch the distant lightning.  The sky is conflicted: in part, bright pink with the glories of sunset, and in part, heavy, pregnant with rain.

No reading occurs.  

The air is hot, heavy, and still.  I sit between the two of them as they marvel, loudly:

 "LOOK! I saw a streak of lightning!" 

"Look mama over there right above those trees!" 

"Look mama, is it getting closer?"  

"Mama LOOK there's some more! Is the rain going to come?"  

Slowly the thunder grows louder, and finally, the wind picks up.  The wind is like a refreshing breath of fall, and as it blows it snatches leaves from their climbing tree, causing them to rain down on us in a beautiful shower.

The rushing beauty of the evening sweeps the girls right up into it, and I watch with a smile as they run towards the leaves and try to catch them as they fell everywhere. 

Two sweet girls, running in the leaves and wind; meeting the changing of seasons with dancing and shouts of joy; oh my dear daughter-teachers, I learn so much from you.  The joy that spills out of you fills my heart too.

"Mommy! Mommy! Come catch leaves with us!" they beg.

and so I do, and it is glorious.

Praise God who blesses His children in all seasons.