Every Moment in Life is a Gift

Today started off wrong. I woke up with a resistant-to-swallowing sore throat and other flu like symptoms. Little did I know that something far worse would make an appearance in my day and leave me with a heart full of gratitude.

I had left for a quiet moment in Barnes & Noble and then to stop and say hi to the nieces before I head out of town on Tuesday. After an entertaining hour, I decided it was time to head home. When I noticed the car wash at the local gas station didn’t have a line, I knew I had to fill up and wash my mud layered car. I slowly pulled into the car wash, put it in park, and closed my eyes when my phone started to ring with the familiar 007 tune attached to calls from Kurt and only Kurt.

I answered the phone but knew immediately something was wrong from the tone of Kurt’s voice. He said Cooper had asked if he and a friend could go to our neighbor across the way to visit their barn and see the animals. Kurt & the other boy’s father agreed. Kurt went back to work rotating his tires in the driveway. A short time later, Kurt saw a fire truck and police car, sirens wailing, cross the Sun River bridge. After they were out of his view, he thought nothing of it.

About 10 minutes later, he heard a man’s voice and turned to see a police officer. The police officer asked Kurt if he had a young son to which Kurt replied yes. The police officer then went on to say that a car spotted two boys out on the ice of the Sun River and had called the police, but the boys were missing and the police couldn’t find them.

Background: Our across the way neighbors live on the Sun River.

Kurt, incredibly upset, went to the others boys house next door to talk to his dad when he spotted Cooper and the friend playing in the backyard. The police talked to Cooper who had indeed been playing on the ice of the river.

Today we are so grateful that our child is safe and that he was caught doing this the 1st time in dramatic fashion (the only way Coop does things). I can tell you Cooper will never do that again. Sometimes you take your loved ones for granted. Today, besides the many conversations we have had with Cooper, I have also hugged and loved on him over and over again. Do the same with yours.

Intermittent

The next couple of months will be spotty at best. Homework has overtaken any free time I once had. Two classes is a lot to juggle with my job, but it's going to be worth it. Here's a brief photo catch up:

Cooper designed a fancy non-vehicle pinewood derby car. He took 3rd in his age group and I think it was the first time he really enjoyed a pinewood derby. Could the winning have anything to do with it?

Hunter had a wonderful eagle court of honor. He, his dad, and his Grandpa Lott, among others, spoke. I liked Hunter's make up. It was classy and sassy.

Cooper learned a valuable lesson. Don't suction cups to your face for lengthy periods of time or you will be left with a visible consequence. Personally, I got a kick out of his hickey moustache. It was mysterious and debonair.

I cut my hair off. Maybe not all of it. Cooper told me he would have to get used to it. Kurt told me he liked my hair long. Luckily, my coworkers, sister, grandma, and mother-in-law took a shine to it.

We'll talk later.