Thankful

I am so thankful for God's blessings in our lives. We have all gotten through H1N1, two rounds of strep and some other severe upper respiratory infection - all in the last two months. Eric and I had a great time at my 20th High School Reunion. It was so much fun and great for me to be back "home" after so long.

We are all well now and looking forward to family and fellowship with the upcoming holiday season. We are trying to instill in the kids this year a sense of gratefulness and an appreciation for their blessings. We are going to focus on giving as a way to show our thanks. The kids are going to do boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

We are also going to be giving to Love Without Boundaries this year. A wonderful organization that helps special needs children in orphanages in China to get basic care and medical care that they need. They help with nutrition, foster care, orphanage supplies, and life-saving surgeries. The link is:
www.lovewithoutboundaries.com

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Love,
The Cohens

Happy Halloween!!!

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NH/MA Vacation

We had a wonderful time this July on our big vacation to see Aiya and our cousins and family in MA. We spent time in NH - all of us together in one condo for a week! It was beautiful and the kids had a great time. I was going to post about everything but Ryan wrote a story about it the other day at the computer at his Nana's. I'll let him tell it and I'll post the photos.
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My Days in NH
By Ryan Cohen

Ryan was on his way to St. Louis. He was very exited. He was going to Massachutes. He was going by plane with his mom, dad, brother Alex, and sister Katie. When they finally reached the airport, Ryan was so exited (and a bit nervous) he could not control himself. They went down an excalator and went potty in a family bathroom. Then they had lunch at an indoor restaurant we are familer with, Burger King. Then finally, finally, it was time. Ryan and his dad sat with each other while Mom had the littles. Then pretty soon they took off for awhile. Aiya picked them up in Massachutes and drove them to her apartment (which had a swimming pool). The next morning they packed, picked up Auntie Lee, went to Dave and Sandy’s, and drove to NH. Then, when they got to their cabin, their cousins were waiting for them. The next morning, they went to Storyland, Ben and Josh rode the Bamboo Chutes and everyone else (except Ryan and Dad) went on too. Ryan would not go because he was too afraid. A few days later, Ryan thought it over and when they were at Storyland that day, Ryan was told by Mom that if he did ride the Bamboo Chutes, he would get a Thomas Train. At first he refused, but then he changed his mind. So they went on the Whirling Whales, then the Bamboo Chutes. Ryan liked it (so much, he rode again before they left) and Mom bought him ‘Salty and the Ocean Cars’ Take Along Thomas. Then Ryan, Mom and Uncle Jon hiked up Mt. Willard and Ryan LOVED the view from the top. Then Ryan’s family drove for awhile and played in the river. The next day, they drove back and did many other fun things. Then Aunt Marilyn came to St. Louis and that day they had their first ice cream man. They got some Bakugan and ate at many great restaurants. Then they drove home, looking forward to camping in South Dakota next year.

The End

First Day of School

Yesterday was the first day of school and all three of the Cohen kids are now in school!! Ryan is in first grade, Alex in Mon, Wed, Fri Preschool II and Katie starts Tu,Th Preschool I. They were all excited and so far it is going well.
I made them all stand in the yard so I could take their photo. Katie was a little ticked off - first because Ryan held her hand and second because I think she wanted to get to school and stop the photos.

Happy Birthday Ryan Foster!!!

Seven years ago today my life changed forever...I became a Mom. It seemed unreal when the showed me the little bald blonde haired blue eyed baby over the blue curtain in the C-section room. All I had pictured was a dark-haired dark-eyed little Eric - what I got was a blonde curly-haired mini-me! A book-reading, dinosaur and Thomas-loving kid voted "kindest in Kindergarten" with glasses at age four just like Mama. He's our helper now with the "little ones" as he calls them.

Ryan - no matter what you do with your life or where you go, we will always love and support you. We are so proud of our little man that is growing up too fast.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

More Crazy Days

It’s the 5th of July and everyone’s doing well. We spent almost a whole afternoon with the Havens yesterday and the fireworks were probably the hit for everyone except Emory. Little Annie was so brave! I think she’ll do well with next year’s fireworks. The kids had sort of a slumber party and to them, it was pretty fun. The hit of the slumber party was the “poolhouse” and the flipflop pool thingy. What a 4th of July it was! We’re looking forward to my and Aunt Elyse’s birthday this coming 30th of July and Cousin Joshua’s birthday on the 23rd.

Anyway, today and yesterday Mama stays home and the kids are excited. Friday the kids had pictures and they were awesome! Katie started watching “The Fox And The Hound” but soon stopped for a special reason [ which I’ll tell you later]. Soon I started watching it until we decided to color. Anyway, the special reason was the toys in the room where I had pictures for graduation and Mrs. Suzie went with us. When Mama came, we were in the room with Mrs. Suzie. Afterwards, we went to Kathy’s for dinner. The boys sat next to each other and had a blast doing that. These days were fun and we’re looking forward to our trip to New Hampshire!

Love,
Ryan

……. And now, the rest of the story…..

July 4th weekend has been a fun time in our house. Lori has tried to work from the house a lot more while she plays catch-up to prepare for our vacation. We have all enjoyed it. We got to sit with a ton of friends for the fireworks and the kids really loved it. Alex seemed tired but he didn’t cover his ears as he used to. I am afraid my little man is growing up WAAAAAAAYYY too fast. Before that, we spent some time with the Havens family. Matt, Valerie, Ryan’s VBS Group Guide Jen, Annie, and Emory allowed us to intrude on their celebration and share in the festivities. It was very nice to have as many adults as kids. I am sad to say that there is no legal way to keep my parents and have Valerie’s dad adopt me, so I guess I’ll have to savor the memory of that ribeye for a long time! Anyway, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I left there with a full stomach, no hair, and a patriot soul.

Here are some pictures, once the weekend is over, it is time to get everything ready for
NH, MA, and the OUCH convention!

Eric

A little Independence Day trim

The family at SBU for fireworks

Emery shared his fireworks and smoke bombs

By His Name, I am free.

I am free. His Love is greater than anything I will ever face.
There is nothing in my life that means anything without Him. I would trade it all to know and be known by Him. When I tempted to fall back into bondage and put back on the chains, all I have to do is call on His Name. Nothing can hold me - fear and death will not conquer me. By His Name, I am free.