Cooper's October and November 2014 Update

 For pre-school Cooper works on a new letter each week. He gets a homework assignment to write out the letter and his teacher is collecting them all. This was his first letter. He is improving so much week by week. It's really fun to watch him learn! 

 Tim got him a practice book and he asks me quite often to work on letters.

 He got into my hair bands one day:)

 Another day when I sneak in to watch you sleep:) 

 Daddy took you on a date one morning to Scheels. You played putt putt golf, shot a gun, bowled and got some ice cream!  

 Getting ready to go in the workshop with Grandpa over Thanksgiving. 

You are my shorts man. It doesn't matter how cold it is, you prefer shorts EVERY DAY! "Mom, when you weren't looking, winter came. And I'm so tough I'm going to wear shorts in it!"

Me: "Come to lunch boys!:

Cooper: "Alright guys, put your weapons in ready position near our training base."

Other Cooperisms from the past 2 months:

-"Do you want us to follow the constructions (he meant instructions) so things don't get crazy?"

-We went to the doctor to get flu shots. When the needle came out, you ran out the door screaming. It was quite a production to get you to take that shot. Ai yi yi!

-"I love being your kid, Mom!"

-"Mom, can you stop kissing me? I get it. You love me! But I don't want any more germs."

-You started replying to everything by saying, "Okay, Michael." We don't know why but now your brothers and Mason do it as well. 

-I overheard you asking Mason if he believed in Jesus. When he said that he did, you both celebrated that you will be in heaven and get to have play dates FOREVER!

-You have told us that you want to marry Rianna...because she is Mason's sister and then you will get to be Mason's brother. Strategic. Not really honoring to her though!

-Me: "Brrrr, I'm so cold!"

Cooper: "Mom we need to thank God for whatever weather he decides to give us."

Vision Trip to East Asia

I was able to spend the week of Thanksgiving on a vision/encouragement trip to East Asia. Some of our dearest friends, Aaron and Sara Wurgler, are there with our organization. Tim went in 2009 and I was supposed to go with him but was pregnant and the bird flu epidemic put a stop to my trip. I've been wanting to go ever since then and my time finally came!

My travel buddy, Britta. What a blessing to fly together. That is one LONG flight!

Our first day in country we visited an orphanage. Britta was able to catch a subway across town to join up with us. We were able to hold and play with the sweet kids, praying for them and aching as well for the pain and brokenness in their lives. 

I was so encouraged though to meet 3 different Americans there that had been adopted years ago from this organization. They were back to help-some for a week and others as long as a year. What a sweet picture of the redemption that has happened in their lives and hope for these kids that are awaiting adoption. 

Outside of the Wurgler's building and a view from their 14th floor apartment. This city is huge!

 Some "lost in translation" humor.

I had the opportunity to spend a day at a Sports University meeting students. The Champion Road was footprints of all the Olympians that attended this university!

 It was fun getting to know some students and hearing about their lives. 

 Out to dinner experiencing hot pot! I loved it:)

 One afternoon, Sara and I were able to sneak away to see the Great Wall! 

 Hanging out with the kiddos.

  Tiananmen Square. This man grabbed Sara by the hand and started leading us around. Then he charged us 10 Yuen. Good deal:)

 Turkey Trot 5K. I hadn't run since August but held my own:)

Thanksgiving with the Wurgler's team. I missed my family so much but it was a blessing to be able to join these friends in their life and ministry. I was amazed by the sacrifices they have made to serve the Lord here. Aaron joked that Sara and I didn't stop talking from the moment I arrived. Probably true:)

Tim picked me up at the airport and when we arrived in Stillwater I saw 2 little heads peaking out of the upstairs window! Carter and Cooper saw our headlights and ran down the stairs and gave me some of the biggest hugs and kisses ever! I then sneaked into Crosby's room to find him awake. He grabbed me and said, "I was waiting up for you Mama!! I love you!" Awwwww, such a sweet return. I found this letter from Carter in a stack of artwork. LOVE!

Thankful List 2014

It has become our family tradition to make a top 10 "Things We Are Thankful For" list over Thanksgiving. We try to just go around the table and see what the kids come up with:) It is so fun to look back over the past year's lists! We did our list a little late this year being that I was out of the country but here it is:

1. For cousins and 2nd cousins and that we got to see Alex and Connor twice this year! (Cooper)

2. For Mimi and Gramps and Nana and Papa! (Carter)

3. For God's comfort and presence after losing Nehemiah. (Me)

4. For Mason...Cooper's bestie (Cooper)

5. For safe travels to and from China (Tim)

6. For Christmas and Christmas trees (Crosby)

7. That Jesus died for us on the cross (Carter)

8. For 10 years of marriage! (Tim)

9. For Halloween and candy (Cooper)

10. For food we eat so we can stay alive (Carter)

11. For my trip to NYC with Shan and Mom! (Casey)

Fall...My Favorite Season!

 It snowed yesterday. That officially marks the end of fall for us (at least on the Spark Family calendar). So sad...here were some of our highlights:

 Lots of leaf pile jumping! 

 And backyard soccer. This has become a family favorite activity. Usually right after dinner we head out and Cooper and I take on Carter and Tim. Crosby plays for both teams:) 

 The boys want to help and are right on the cusp of actually being helpful. Carter especially! Oh how I loved the colors of changing leaves!! 

 Superheros on the loose! 

 More playing in the leaves. It works out pretty well...I can rake and they can play. We get some work and play done simultaneously! 

Nothing says fall like Fall Retreat! I already posted about our weekend in Devils Lake but a student just sent me this cute picture.  

 We have to pick Carter up from school at 3 every day. While the weather permitted we would get him and then play at the park for an hour or so before heading home. I'm not ready for winter. WE LOVE FALL!!!

Halloween

 Candy and costumes...two of my boy's favorite things!  

Cooper got to dress up for pre-school and wanted to be Batman AND Robin:)

 For trick-or-treating the boys decided to be Woody, Buzz and Andy from Toy Story. I had been pushing for this for some time but never thought they would all agree to it. They surprise me every once in a while! I asked Cooper to give me a couple of cowboy shots and he struck lots of poses! 

 My sweet Buzz! 

The trio all set to walk around the block. It was chillllllly. We made it around the block and Carter begged to go home. In fairness they didn't want jackets because it would mess up their costumes:)

 Kimmie came with us and we were both pretty pumped by the loot the kids got! 

 Tim and I have eaten far more candy than the boys have in the past couple of days:) This should last us until March!