Backyard Camp-out with Cousins

On April 27-28, 2013,

we invited Zane's brother over with his trailer

and had a fun little camp-out in our backyard.

Hunter and Paizlei LOVED it!

They were able to play with their cousins

and pretend they were camping!

They played with all their fun camping toys

and games.

The only thing that was missing was the lakes for fishing

and the 4-wheelers.

The night they camped out,

Zane's Mom and other Dad came over

and we had a fun little BBQ

and Grandpa Burke made his yummy peach cobbler

in the dutch oven.

 The Vincent boy cousins (minus Cooper) and their boots!

 My Hunter playing monster trucks!

I love that cars are his favorite thing to play, even as he is getting older.

 We had to try cousin Kanyon's cowboy hat on Coopie. 

Although it was super cute, he didn't think so.  

 All 4 of the Vincent boy cousins!

 Doing what boys do best: Playing in the DIRT and ROCKS!

 All the Vincent boy cousins and the one and only Vincent girl cousin!

 Popsicle time from Uncle Travis!

 Sweet cousin Kanyon!

More monster trucks with Hunter!

Easter 2013

Easter 2013 was a little different for us this year.  It was Cooper's first Easter, and Hunter got to go camping with his Grandma & Grandpa Black (Zane's Mom & other Dad),  and his uncle Travis, aunt Shaunna, & cousins Bridger & Kanyon.  It was definitely different not having my Hunter with us, but I know he was having the time of his life camping in the desert.

We started off our Easter by going to the Easter Egg Hunt here in Gunnison, bright and early Saturday morning (3/30/2013).  Paizlei had a ball!  This year she wasn't afraid to get out there and get those eggs, candy and treats that were strewn all over the grass at the park.  Past years, we have FROZE going to the egg hunt, this year wasn't too bad.

Saturday afternoon, after Coop woke up from his nap, we colored and decorated our Easter eggs.  Paizlei was in Heaven!  Anything crafty or creative, she is all for it, on top of it, ENJOYING it!  Even our Little Man got into it...he decided he wanted to take a taste of an egg!  Silly boy!  As we were coloring them, I kept thinking how strange it was without Hunter home.  It was different.

On Sunday, Paizlei woke up and came into our room and woke Zane and I up and told us there was something out on the couch and that we needed to get up so we could go see it.  She was so cute.  So confused.  So excited.  We didn't go all out this year.  Hunter & Paizlei pretty much got the same stuff in their baskets.  Coop got a couple books, 2 outfits, and some bath toys.

 

I WON...AGAIN

There is this AMAZING company called 4moms!

It was started by 4 moms, hence the name.

They invent and make 4 of the

COOLEST,

AWESOME,

MUST HAVE

baby gear!

On their website, they have a place to "Share Your Story".

A couple weeks before Cooper had his surgery,

I shared Cooper's story, as a means to help raise dwarfism awareness.

The next week I got an email with the subject line,

"YOU HAVE WON A mamaRoo!"

I COMPLETELY forgot I even shared his story.

Winning a mamaRoo was the VERY LAST thing I expected.

As you can imagine,

seeing that email,

I was beyond excited!

I didn't say anything to Zane when I shared Coop's story,

so he was completely shocked that I won.

He kept asking me what a mamaRoo was.

I went back on their website and chose which print I wanted,

and placed my order.

My mother-in-law found the box on my doorstep

the morning after Cooper had his surgery!

Once we got home,

loved on Hunter and Paizlei for a while,

showed my Mom Coopie's incision,

we got down to business putting the mamaRoo together.

Cooper LOVES IT!!!!

So what is a mamaRoo?

A mamaRoo is not a baby swing,

or a baby bouncer.

The seat adjusts from a reclining/laying down setting,

to a sitting up setting.

It has the movements like what a Mommy makes

when she is standing up bouncing her baby,

or rocking side-to-side.

It also has these other settings:

car ride,

kangroo,

ocean wave,

tree swing,

and rock-a-bye.

It doesn't move like a swing.

It doesn't bounce like a bouncer.

It's movements are soft,

they don't aren't "jerky".

They are "natural"

Here are some pictures to show you the mamaRoo I won,

all because I "Shared Cooper's Story"!

 It is electric powered, has nature sounds, and an iPod dock.

 Can you tell he LOVES IT?!

Me, my sweet Cooper, and the mamaRoo!

"Little" Friends

The week after Christmas,

one of my POLP (Parent's of Little People) friends

sent me a message on Facebook,

asking if we would be home on New Years Day.

They would be passing through Gunnison

on their way home

and wanted to stop by and meet us.

I was THRILLED.

EXCITED.

Of course,

I said we would be home.

It seemed like it took forever for New Years day to get here.

When I saw them pull up in front of my house,

I will admit, 

I started getting butterflies in my stomach.

Silly, I know.

When I opened the door,

the butterflies disappeared.

Chris, Rebekah, Ryan, and Ella

were SOOOO WONDERFUL!

Truly a blessing to meet them.

Chris, Rebekah and Ella are all Little People.

Ryan, Rebekah's son, is an AH (Average Height) child.

Ella is about 7 months older than Cooper.

She is ADORABLE!

It was so fun to watch her get her tiny self around.

She would do the army scoot,

and boy is she FAST!

She and Cooper had a great time playing.

Zane, myself, Chris and Rebekah had a wonderful time

visiting and getting know each other.

As they were getting ready to leave,

Paizlei, bless her sweet little, innocent heart,

looks at Rebekah and says,

"You guys are LITTLE!".

All of us laughed at how innocent she was.

Rebekah didn't hesitate explaining to Paizlei why she was little,

and that Cooper is going to be little like they are.

We have had that conversation with Hunter and Paizlei,

but I guess they have to see it, to fully understand what we are talking about.

We CANNOT wait to get together with this AMAZING family again!!!

I have a feeling,

Cooper and Ella are going to be the BEST of friends.  :)

Here are a few pictures from our visit.

Isn't she ABSOLUTELY ADORABLE????

 Cute "Little" friends...Cooper and Ella!

 Rebekah & Ella, and me and Cooper.

Christmas 2012

I LOVE Christmas!

This year was no different.

Except,

all of the AMAZING surprises that

landed on our doorstep,

helped bring the real meaning of Christmas

into our home.

Yes,

Hunter, Paizlei and Cooper got spoiled.

That's nothing new.

All-in-all it was a great day!

Here are some photos from our Christmas!

 What Santa left!

 I think he is excited for his first Christmas!

 Wakey! Wakey! Eggs & bakie, boy!

 Wakey! Wakey! Eggs & bakie, girl!

 Hunter opening his present from Grandma & Grandpa Vincent!

They gave him the Batmobile!

 Paizlei opening her present from Grandma & Grandpa Vincent!

They gave her Disney Princess dress-up shoes!

Coopie opening his first present!

He LOVED ripping the paper!

It was hilarious to watch him!

Just Some Words...

On December 31, 2012, a dear friend of mine was preparing her relief society lesson and asked the following questions to her Facebook friends:

If you could give advice to your 21 year old self, what would it be?  Also, what important lesson have you learned this year.  Take some time and really think about this....

I had this amazing feeling come over me when I read that.  I knew I had to respond.  It took me a few days to gather my thoughts, but I decided I was going to answer the 2nd question.  I figured with everything I have learned this last year, I knew I could answer the question.

My answer:

When I found out I was pregnant with Cooper, I was completely overjoyed!  I started having dreams about what I wanted for this sweet spirit that was growing inside of me.  Typical new mother emotions.  Then we found out we were having a boy.  Overjoyed again.  My dreams got even bigger because I knew what I was dreaming for.  I knew what I wanted for my son.  I dreamed of him being an amazing basketball player, bookworm, street smart, book smart, friendly, future missionary, temple sealing, etc.  Then came that awful, horrible ultrasound...it was only awful, horrible at the time because of the situation.  Sitting in the doctors office, hearing those words that no parent wants to hear, "...your baby has a genetic abnormality...".  Of course, hearing that, your emotions hit an all-time low.  Your heart sinks.  Your eyes sting with tears.  You can't talk.  You stare at the doctor blankly, and nod at what he is saying, but not hearing anything.  2 days later, you give birth to the most beautiful, handsome, absolutely perfect in every way baby boy.  Almost 3 months later you are sitting in the doctors office again, waiting to hear the results of the 2 genetics tests your baby had.

To what I learned....When we find out we are pregnant, we can't help but have  dreams for the little life Heavenly Father has entrusted in our care.  What we tend to forget, because we get caught up in the moment, even though we have these great dreams, our Heavenly Father has his own dreams or needs for this sweet little spirit, that are completely out of our control.  Because more often than not, we let our emotions take over, instead of looking at the bigger picture, He has ALWAYS had His own dreams/needs for this little spirit.  Although your dreams for you baby has been altered, you realize he most likely will not be that amazing basketball player, or football player, he is still going to be an AMAZING individual.  He will be his own person.  He will be exactly as Heavenly Father planned for him to be.  And no matter what his limitations may be, you will still love him unconditionally.  You will still encourage him to be the very best he can be.  You will encourage other sports that will be easier for him.  You will do EVERYTHING you would have done for this child you dreamed of, you will just do it in a different way.  A way that is more fitting to his situation.

After re-reading what I had wrote, I sat and thought for several minutes.  I kind of felt like my answer was all over the place.  So, to give her a better idea of the lesson I learned, I encouraged her to Google Welcome to Holland,  by Emily Perl Kingsley.  It is so perfect to how I feel.  To one of the most important lessons I learned last year.

My sweet friend sent me a message a little later in the week and told me she had used my experience in her lesson.  To say I was honored, is an understatement.  My dear friend has been through some pretty rough challenges this last year, some that NO parent should have to experience.  After she told me that my experience helped her see the "bigger picture".  Regardless of the dreams we have for our children, Heavenly Father's dreams are the ones that "stick", the ones that really matter.

I will admit, I didn't always feel this way.  When I found out something was wrong with Cooper, I was so angry.  I couldn't understand why Heavenly Father keeps choosing ME to raise children with disabilities and/or challenges.  I couldn't figure out why He had more faith in me, than what I have in myself.  I was angry.  I yelled.  I cried.  I called my Mom and asked her.  I prayed.  And, I cried some more.  Now, 7.5 months later, I am not angry any more.  I am so grateful He chose ME to be Hunter, Paizlei and Cooper's Mommy.  Through all their challenges, I am learning so much.  I am learning about me.  I am learning I'm strong.  I will fight for what is right for my children.  I will love them unconditionally.  I do have more faith in myself than I originally thought.  I am SO, BEYOND GRATEFUL, BEYOND HONORED, that He chose me.  ME!  To be their mother.

Annual Despain Family Christmas Party

Every year on Christmas Eve,

Zane's sweet Grandma has a BIG family Christmas party.

It is so much fun!

I look forward to it every year!

Unfortunately,

I didn't get very many pictures this year.

Not sure why?!?

The photos I did get,

are priceless!

 YAY!!!  Santa Clause just walked through the door!!!!

 My sweet little drama queen!

She forgot what she was asking for!

It was so cute!

 Hunter wouldn't go sit on Santa's lap unless Zane went with him.

 Nom! Nom!

Coopie likes Santa's beard!

Yeah, I just about pulled his beard off

trying to get it out of Cooper's hand.

 I LOVE how Santa is staring at Cooper!

Makes me smile.

Awe...

My 3 adorable kiddos with Santa!

And, Cooper is still eating the beard!

The True Meaning of Christmas

As many of my readers know, this last year has been a very challenging year for my little family.  With the birth of our sweet "Little" Cooper, unbeknownst to us, he had a genetic abnormality, which later we found out was Achondroplasia (the most common form of Dwarfism) and a micro-deletion in chromosome 15.  To find out what the genetic abnormalities were, Cooper had to undergo some genetics testing, which were very expensive.  We fought our insurance company, which we have great insurance.  But, because of the cost of the 2 genetics tests, they wouldn't cover the full cost of the tests, leaving Zane and I with the balance.  We decided to do some fundraisers and call it Cooper's Crusade.

We were able to raise about half of what we needed.  However, we were completely out of the "know" on what all Achondroplasia/Dwarfism was all about, all the different specialists Cooper would have to see along the way, all the other tests, studies, surgeries, MRIs, therapy, the list goes on and on.  Through all of this, we have remained positive, and have a positive outlook for our sweet Cooper, and to try to keep a positive atmosphere in our home for Hunter and Paizlei.

On Sunday, December 16, 2012, our doorbell rang.  I looked at the clock and couldn't figure out why someone was coming to my house at 9:15pm.  Hesitantly, I got up and went to the door.  When I opened the door, there was no one there, however, there was this gift bag in front of me.  I yelled, "Thank you!", knowing they couldn't be too far, because it didn't take me all that long to get to the door.  I brought it back in my bedroom and sat it down, and went back to folding laundry. A few minutes passed, and I kept having the nagging feeling that I needed to look in the gift bag.  When I brought it in, I couldn't believe how heavy it was, and figured it was just food, which is why I ignored it.  I finally stopped folding the laundry and looked in the bag, and was brought to tears.  Inside the gift bag was a quart-sized mason jar FILLED with nothing but quarters.  There was 7 rolls of quarters in the jar, the rest was loose quarters.  I pulled some more tissue paper out, and at the bottom of the bag was another 3 rolls of quarters tied together and the book, The Christmas Jars. I looked again, and there was no card, nothing.  I looked inside the book thinking maybe who ever gave us the gift left a card in it.  No card.  Just a message, "Merry Christmas 2012".  Zane was working that night, so I called up to the Sheriff's office to talk to him and tell him.  Like me, he was completely shocked.

We have tried and tried to figure out who would be so kind as to give us THAT much money, we have come up empty.  I know that the whole idea, is for us NOT to know, but we can't help but wonder.

We were surprised again the following Sunday, December 23, 2012.  Again, I was in my bedroom folding laundry when I hear this funny knock on my front door.  Because of the funny sound of it, I thought it was Zane, because he was outside at the time.  But, I decided I better go check just to make sure someone wasn't there.  I was completely surprised when I opened my door and found another gift bag and a brown box sitting there.  Again, I yelled, "Thank you!" (before I yelled it, I heard pounding on the pavement, like someone was running, so I looked up and towards the west and saw the guy running to his wife's car!).  I brought it in to my bedroom and waited for Zane to come in.  Once he was inside, we both opened the bag and couldn't believe it.  One the box, there was a sweet little note from the people.  As I was reading the note, I remembered a childhood friend sent me a PM on Facebook and told me she was driving home from Target in Orem the Friday night after Thanksgiving, and was looking at her surroundings while she was waiting for the light to change to green, and noticed there was Mater from Disney's Cars 2, with a BIG poster and a picture of Cooper with it.  I thought and thought about it.  I couldn't let this one rest, because my baby's picture was there.  I sent a text to a friend up in Orem and asked if she wouldn't mind going to this location and taking some pictures for me.  Sure enough, it was Mater, and there was a BIG poster and picture of my Cooper.  She said the Mater truck had some paint on it, and you could see some of it said "Gunnison" on it.  The Mater that was up there, belongs to my neighbors through the block north of us.

 The box from the Mater fundraiser in Orem.

 The card from the Mater fundraiser in Orem.

 This is what was in the gift bag.

 Cuter little Mater, huh?

The poster is word for word what is on Cooper's Crusade Facebook page.

To say we were shocked by both of these random acts of kindness, is an understatement.  Then, on Christmas Eve, a sweet lady and her husband came to our house with a ham and a gift from her, her husband, her kids and grandkids, as well as a gift put together by the Gunnison Valley Daughter's of Utah Pioneer's or DUP.  After she and her husband left, Zane and I just sat there and stared at each other.  At the same time, we both said, "Ya know, we truly live in an AMAZING community!", and we do.  We are truly blessed to live where we live and to have SO MANY people care about our family.

This is the first year I have felt the spirit so strongly at Christmas time.  I hope to NEVER forget what that feels like.  So many kind, loving, generous, thoughtful people helped out my little family, and brought the true meaning of Christmas into our home.  To you, THANK YOU!!