I'm ready for my close-up.

"isn't it bed time?" says dad


"ahh cuddle time with momma"


(I'm pretty sure he is in there. Did we mention how tiny he is?!)


(absolutely amazing foster parents)


"so00...i guess we are your parents"

Benjamin Stephen Cooper

What's in a name?

Since the beginning of time names have meant something. They have stood for some cause, giving meaning or held special significance. Our little boy is no different.
We are very family oriented and so it made perfect sense to us to embrace our family names/values as we named this new little addition to our family.
Benjamin was the name of Sunni's grandfather, Ben Shader. An inventor and passionate man of God, Grandpa Ben was notorious for making willow whistles with the little ones in the church.
Stephen is a name that has been passed down in Ryan's family for several generations. This name is typically in the middle name of the son...thus
Benjamin Stephen Cooper.
Not to mention that he can be called so many different names from those...
Ben. Benj, Benji, Benny (not going to happen), Jam, Jamin, BS (said Grandma Patty...perhaps that shouldn't be broadcast).


But for now...we just hope he goes to sleep :)

"Happy" to meet you

Monday Feb 22 (Afternoon)

Introducing...

(Make sure your sound is on)



Big Yawn

More to come...
:)

Monday Feb 22 (morning)

So...this is just a quick video of our little guy's nursery at home. As you can imagine, we are so thankful that we were able to put together the crib, glider and changing table a few weeks ago. Isnt it amazing how things change...A month ago there was a bed and dresser in the khaki colored room...And now, it is a nursery.
I know that this is not the video/pictures that many of you want to see right now. But I promise you, it is nothing compared to the calmness that is going on in our little hotel room right now (insert sarcasm). :) Oh the questions: What does he look like? What is his name? What type of formula does he "like"? What does he weigh? Diaper size? Clothing? How does one use this MOBY? Why does a Baby Bjorn remind me how overweight I am? How does one appropriately register? Is it tacky to register for caffeine supplements? Will he ever know how much we have longed for this day? for him? for the days, months and years to come?



We promise that we will post images and/or videos of him whenever we have them. For now, enjoy the tour de nursery.
Ryan/Sunni (9:16 am...the clock is ticking...I am not a patient person:). 11am will soon be here)

Sunday Feb 21 (day in review)

Here is a quick run down of our adventures today.
[We began in Houston and ended up in a smaller town/city along the Gulf Coast; Beaumont. We spent the day enjoying the local community, and hit up Target, Babies R Us and Walmart to see all the "crap" that babies "need". We are just crawling into bed and cant believe that in 13 hours we will be holding our son.]
And on to the rambling commentary...

There is something about the Evangelical Covenant Church. Some enjoy playing the 6 degrees of separation with Kevin Bacon...but those who's church is a part of the ECC think we can make connections much quicker. One of the great advantages of the ECC is the ability to always feel at home. It does not seem to matter what town you are in, or what the personality of the church is, you will instantly find connections and feel at home.
CASE STUDY...The Coopers Adoption Trip.
When we woke up this morning I began looking for Covenant churches in the region. I thought it would be fun, being far from our home to go and experience/celebrate worship with other sisters and brothers in Christ. So I got onto the CovChurch.Org website and looked. Thankfully for us we found a new church plant in Beaumont, the town we were heading to. So we got in the car and made our way. When we arrived...we thought something was wrong because we drove by the location listed on the website...it was a park. I called the number that was listed and Yes indeed the service was on. So Sunni and I drove up to a small pavilion in the park to meet 13 other folk. We introduced ourselves as Ryan and Sunni who were in town from Illinois. We didn't have to say anything more, we were embraced with loving arms. We shared our understanding of their situation. (Their normal rental facility was being used and so they needed to worship in the park. Being a part of Hope/SW Covenant Church...we knew and remembered the flexibility that comes with a church without walls). We shared our reason for being in the region and that we were a part of a ECC church back home. We worshiped together...in a wonderful, authentic service. As seams to be the family embrace of the ECC, I was asked to assist in leading in the Communion service and offer a benediction. As if our time in the park was not enough we were invited to join the whole group for lunch at a local deli. An enjoyable time. As if that were not enough...I had the opportunity to sit next to a family who have adopted their 2 children (same agency as the one we will be at tomorrow:)) now in their late teens. We shared joys, fears and everything in between. What a wonderful experience to see the embrace of God's people sharing life and love together?! If you have not come in contact with the Evangelical Covenant Church...you should. Based on my experience, You will be the better for it.

Following lunch we took advantage of extra time and walked around the baby sections in Target, Babies R Us and Walmart. We have been asked several times "Where are you registered?" To which we had said...we aren't. So we began the joyful and exhausting process of making a list. Funny thing was...we are still in panic mode. We second guess ourselves whenever we look at an item. We talk ourselves out of purchases and registering for the basics thinking that this little boy already has experience with a foster family and we are coming in and moving him. We dont want to rock the boat anymore than what has been. But tomorrow is a new day.

Tomorrow...We plan to meet our son. We plan to talk with those who know him best and ask what type of bottles, nipples, diapers, formula...etc. he likes. And once we have most of those answers we will shop for the necessities. I imagine the sight of us walking the aisles of the local stores will easily compare to the first days we took our little puppy to the local pet store and walked up and down the aisles with a cart. The positive thing for us is that we know whatever we buy must also be transported back home...which is becoming a more daunting thought.

The time is ticking...My eyes are crossing...We are turning off the computer in hopes that the next time we chat with our blog friends we will be able to share pictures and tears about our little one. But for now, I have added a picture of me sitting on the bed in my PJs typing this...(I wouldnt really do that to you. :) )
See you tomorrow.
Ryan and Sunni (a.k.a Dad and Mom)


I CANT BELIEVE I JUST SAID THAT!!!

The beginning of a NEW Chapter...

Since our last post was July 22 2009, I thought we would FAST FORWARD you through the not so great pages of the last 6 months and jump straight to yesterday (FEB 19, 2010). Remember this date...Because on this date our "story" just went chaotically fantastic with a twist of Oh MY?!
On Friday (yesterday) we received a phone call. A call that we have been waiting for for two years, and yet, still not ready for...
For those behind on the Cooper Times, we have been patiently (this is a lie) waiting for our family to grow through the gift of adoption. [For those who just want the details: We were placed with a little boy who was born Feb. 4th. We just received word of his existence and our match yesterday. So we quickly made phone calls, ordered tickets, rental car, hotels, and now are in Texas...only 24hours later]
And again, back to Yesterday.
Yesterday we were in our routine. Yesterday we had plans and schedules to follow. People to meet, and projects to work on. Yesterday we were busy. Yesterday we were in Illinois. But yesterday seems so far away...
Today on the contrary we find ourselves in Texas. Today began with packing up two large suitcases, cleaning a house, snuggling with a neurotic "Melvin" (dog), and making more phone calls than our cell provider would appreciate (thank you for unlimited weekend minutes). Today we boarded an airplane. Today we picked up our rental car. Today we are exhausted...and we are just starting this new chapter of our life. Today we find ourselves in Texas. I realize that I have said this before, but you must put yourself in our shoes...We had plans for today, tomorrow and the rest of this week...But Today, we are in Texas.
It really has not hit us yet what this week will do to our world. However, we will continue to move forward and follow the steps we are aware of. That said, please join us in prayers of thanksgiving that our prayers and petitions to the Almighty One have been answered. We are 36 hours from meeting our new, precious son. A Son?! What a concept?! What a gift?! What in the world have we got ourselves into?! Thank You Lord...(I think).
Tomorrow we are going to find some local church to worship in. Then travel to our new temporary home. We will get settled in and then prepare (how does one do that?!) to meet our little guy. Tomorrow...well that is a new page in the book of the Coopers. We'll fill in the pages as they are written.

finger painting

I'm sure many have heard the story, but it started with one contract after another falling through and ending up without a home, and wanting to move forward with our family and life. So we entered through that door. Sunni took a few steps, a sniff of the place and walked out. I continued with the "potential/visionary" glasses on. I can only say that it must be a God given gift, because with the amount of "sight" needed to view this house as a home was significant. It really is funny to think back over the last year. At this time in 2008, I was stroking Sunni's hair and saying, "It's going to be ok. Really?! We will do a little work and it will look gorgeous...one day".


And after this last weekend... approximately one year from when we put an offer on this fixer-upper... ...we are still married ...we still love each other ...we still laugh at the process ...we know there is still more to do

...soon and very soon...we'll paint the door. (and patch the hole on the other side of the light:)

These are some of the illustrations on the pages of our story. Look forward to seeing yours.

Almost a year old

It has almost been a year since we began this adventure called home ownership. A fixer upper can be any house. It can be large, small or somewhere in between. On the whole, I think we have been ridiculously lucky in our venture. We have been blessed with friends and sales that have kept us afloat and smiling. We laugh more than we cry, and we even take pride in what we have done. We continue to make small improvements as the days go one. Most important, we have made this our home. We love our neighbors and the surrounding area. The joys of using this house to form and enrich relationships has been well worth the sweat and tears.

THEN: August 1, 2008
NOW: July 17, 2009


Our CURRENT Adventure: I have spent the last few days prepping the house for a full painting. I am sorry for those who have grown accustomed to locating our home by the faded mint green siding. From now on you will just have to look up and be guided by those ridiculously ugly eye-sores, also known as solar panels.

Never too young!

(You will need to turn the monitor 90 degrees, sorry).

The joys of being an uncle. Just think of all the videos we will be able to post up here over the years?!

Gender Neutral Baby Stuff

As we journey through the adoption process we are learning, enduring and growing. How do you plan and make goals when you have little knowledge of what you are getting yourself into??? You don't...you simply take one step at a time. With that in mind, the nursery begins to get a face lift.
Thank you to my (Ryan's) mom as she begins working on the bedding for the baby-to-be. During a recent visit, we did the quilt shops, debated and chose colors. A boy? A girl? We don't know. So...greens, yellows, browns...the world of neutrality.


This is the beginning of the quilt. (The swatches and background.) The finished product will have a bunch of little blocks surrounding the large patches...We'll show you a picture when it is all done.
Soon and very soon...

God's canvas...(Cannon Beach, OR)

Vacation!

We just spent the last week on vacation. One would assume that after a week away from the typical "grind" of life, I should be rested, rejuvinated and ready to resume the several hats that I wear. I guess I would agree with that...that is until I spent a week with my beloved nephew. This little 19 month old spitfire kept the activity in our vacation. Sand castles, ocean water, playing with a new tent (from his favorite Uncle:) ), feeding the geese, blowing bubbles and running everywhere. What a character?! Oh the Stories?!

Celebrating Cement!!!

One of the biggest transformations has occurred at our home. We have cement. And not just any masonry but a new Front Porch, Sidewalk and Patio...Seriously exciting! The biggest change happened at the rear of the home... when we moved in there was no rear door to the yard...and no patio...Our yard has truly become one of our favorite places to be. We look forward to many a BBQ, cook out, picnic! Join us?

Spring has sprung!

Much to our excitement...Spring has arrived. And it brought forth hostas and a mysterious plant. Any guesses? (currently 3 feet tall and growing)...

H1N1 run amuck

"Let me out, let me out!" she cried from inside the prison walls. She longed for the days when she was free; days when she could come and go with ease.
Stricken with a head cold turned respiratory infection then add in a fever and a country freaked out by the pigless "Swine Flu" you get a recipe for house arrest. The area schools were closed with potential cases of the pandemic flu. Lucky for the pictured prisoner the results of the flu test led to a thumbs up and "all clear."
"Free at last, Free at last, Thank God-Almighty. I'm free at last"

Don't Judge a Book by it's cover...or a house.

When we moved in...the house was in need of much work. (understatement) We began work August 1st of 2008...it is shocking that it has been 9 months of sweat, blood and tears...many tears...many. As some of the previous posts show, we have done a bunch of work. In fact we have only done a portion because we have been overwhelmed and blessed by our friends and family: Painting parties. Pastoral carpet removal. Late night drywall smashing. Mold abatement. Kitchen demolition. Kitchen renovation. Flooded basements. Landscaping. Donated Perennials and the list goes on and on...

After nine months and much reliance on our sense of humor, this house has become our home... To answer the questions...no, we're not done. But like all of us, it is a work in progress.

Happy Anniversary!!!!

Like most married couples we celebrated our 6th anniversary (April 12) as one would expect...
1) Ryan's parents were in town, and 2) Sunni had the stomach flu...

...another year and counting...Happy Anniversary to us!

The HIGHLY energetic World Of Melvin Cooper

(be patient while the video loads) We have told you time and time again...Melvin is a couch potato. Here is proof. He is a a sleep-junky! Now this is contrary of how he will act when you visit the house. IF you show up, he will put on this happy dance of excitment (and most likely urine) but don't let that fool you. He is a bum!

Biggest Loser Update...

For those who care...and for those who don't (since you are still reading):
The Family Biggest Loser competition has be re-energized. A couple has been faithfully going to a local gym. One member of the family registered a loss of 8-10 lbs... So the journey continues.

FYI: Some of us need encouragement, some don't...either way it is your job to be an encourager of healthy living and eating. (Thanks, on behalf of all of us :) )

Fingerprinting...

It seemed like a harmless thing, get a set of your fingerprints and send them into the FBI. So like any desperate-to-be-a-dad I head on down to the local police station and subject myself to a very STRETCHING moment.

For those who know me, you know that I hate to have sticky, messy or dirty fingers. I refuse to eat with my fingers if utensils are available. I strongly dislike the residue lingering on my fingers...(perhaps a little OCD?)... Some may agree and even have similar convictions. Just to reiterate and emphasize the point, I use a fork to eat french fries, rice crispy treats, and pizza. (for those thinking...those aren't healthy foods, you've missed the POINT of my rant. So come back to the point: I hate schmutz on my fingers).
Back to the story...

I am welcomed by a waiting area full of "interesting" characters. I go up to receptionist, pay my money and turn to take my seat in waiting. A couple of those waiting grinned at me, as if to say, "Dude, you totally got Hosed! I've never paid to have mine taken." The door opened, and I am welcome by Officer "I have a large semi-automatic gun strapped to my waist"...I'm already a BIG FAN of this guy. I follow the officer down a series of hallways to a small office, show him my ID, remove my jacket...and that's when it happened...My ten digits were defiled by Officer "leave black, oily residue on peoples' fingers."

Some will read this and say..."Boy he has issues." Others will say, "What a strange man?!"

I prefer to think..."Oh, the things we do for our (future) children!" (The journey to adoption continues!)

WHAT WERE WE THINKING?!

It started off so innocent. It started off "fun". It started like many things do, with good intentions...But one thing led to another. And now I type before you as a man of regret and fear! 

Forgive me Father, I know not what I did...

T'was the week before Christmas and all through the house

not a creature was stirring not even a...Melvin

(much bigger, louder and clumsier than a mouse, but hey, he's ours).

Sunni, talking with the folks and I surfing the net,

we schemed and dreamed about our Christmas bet.

The T-Shirts were made the bandannas bought,

now to sell the family on the vision we had caught.

A dare, a challenge, a competition if you will...

nothing simple that could be fixed with a pill.  

The 4 Johnsons and 2 Coopers struck a 6 month target,

Half a year of weight loss and healthy living we will not forget. 

Oh MY, What did we get ourselves into!!!  
We will be our own, Biggest Losers!

Who wouldn't want an Indoor Pool?!

In an effort to keep our renovations on the cutting edge and keep up with the "Jones's" we were welcomed back from our trip by our new indoor pool.

The water had subsided significantly, so like the main floor tub, I will need to make sure we get a plug to keep the water in.


With that said let me introduce you to my closest friends.
1) The Shop-Vac...a Hardy tool...always there to work hard no matter the condition...and BOY does it Suck! (I am so immature)
2) The original Box Fan. This mighty warrior of wind has the potential to blow the water away...(perhaps this is what God used to part the waters for Moses?!)
3) The wonderful DE-Humidifier. (If Water is "life-giving", this will literally SUCK the LIFE out of anything:))
This perfects the flood recovery materials. I have used them all extensively in the last week.

(The salvaged items all crammed together...drying off)


On a more positive note...

Since we were in "clean up mode" we stumbled across the visible and hidden mold (from years of untreated and unacknowledged water leak and continual damage...)
Evidence of our fledgling pool. (Happy New Year!!!)

The removed drywall, trim, paneling, and framing...(I should re-write the 12 Days of Christmas version..."5 trash bins of MOLDing Drywall, 4 corroded walls of paneling, 3 closets gutted, 2 rotted out door jams, and a basement (bath/bedroom) remodel pushed to the front of a list of "to do"."


...and OUR story continues.

Twinkle, twinkle little star...

STAR 1) n. a five pointed shape (that has taken over the Cooper home).

I'm BACK!!!

Since the last post was made on November 12, I thought it best to take you on a FAST FORWARD version of the last month and a half. As this will be a quick montage, I encourage you to strap on your seat belts, keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times, and remember "in case of an emergency the exits are..."...You get the point.



1) A day of abundance...Our church community has an amazing way of responding to a need. HIGH FIVE to God for using them (us) to bless others during November.





2) Jason comes for a visit and gets his first piano lesson with Uncle Ryan. (Who cares if he learned anything...we all know it was just to humor Uncle Ryan)







3) Congrats and YAY!!! for Sophie (and Evan and Stephanie)...she is going to have a little sister! (sorry to post this picture...remember this from Sunshine's party...circa 2000?)





4) During house renovations, you can find the strangest things! The previous owners had good taste (in soup) but apparently lacked in garbage disposal (this found when we removed a ceiling tile in the basement.



5) Just one of the many reasons for our family to celebrate Thanksgiving. (Glad you are ok, W, M, and K)

6) Swedish Breakfast...apparently there was also a program going on...(Like that mattered!)

7) Christmas vomitted at our home...(I have to give her credit...she makes it looks good!)

Ladies and Gentlemen, this completes the in-flight entertainment. Please place your tray tables in there upright and locked position. Thank you for flying Cooper-Air.

It Happened!

It is with great measure of self-awareness that I say: It HAPPENED!  

In order to give you a more complete context for this awareness (It finally happened!) I feel it imperative to share my recollections of train commuting for the first time.  Like a young child on the first day of school, I woke with similar excitement and anticipation...My first train ride into downtown Chicago.  Would it be difficult? Would it be scary?  Would I get off at the correct stop?  How would I know where to purchase a ticket?  Are there assigned seats?  Where would I place my Superman lunchbox? (oh, wait! that was my first day of school...oops)  I eagerly await the option to be around other people heading off to the day's adventures in working.  

This being my first train ride I had one serious decision to make...sit on the two person benches (on the main floor) OR head up to the second level taking advantage of  an single-file row of individual seats.  Doors open...Like any good extrovert, I chose to welcome the company of another commuter by sitting on the first open bench.  Doors close.  And we're off.  I look around at the many surrounding comrades and the picturesque scenery racing by my window.  A couple of stops later the crowd is growing.  Finally another human to share my bench with.  As the middle-aged woman sat down, my mind flooded with questions: How has your day been so far? Did you get dropped off or did you park in  the lot?  Where are you off to? Where do you work?  What do you do there? Do you enjoy what you do?  How is the overall work environment?  Would you say that you are generally happy with life?  Tell me about your family and the people who have influenced you most in life!  Taking back control of my mind I said, "Good morning".  She responded likewise.  My excitement was building quickly.  She responded so quickly and politely.  She must be a nice person.  I wonder what her story is.   (turning a bit to more properly address her I confidently said, "Hi, My name is Ryan." 

(insert ridiculously uncomfortable and awkward silence here)

...nothing.  No response, no sigh, no hiccup, no look...nothing...REALLY?!  Nothing?  Yes, Nothing!  How can you be sitting within a foot of someone, shoulders touching, sharing the same air and NOT respond when they politely introduce them self?  I took the LESS THAN subtle hint and turned, faced out the window, with a face exuding my crush spirit (imagine a small child hearing for the first time that Santa is a sham).  Crushing.  And that is when it started...

Fast-Forward to today.  (remember I am just sitting in my seat ready to begin my hour+ journey to work)

It started like any other Wednesday...overwhelmed by the piercing sound of a reoccurring alarm (Could it be that God actually created the snooze button?  Theologically, I'm leaning in that direction.), a rudely-awakening shower, dressing in the dark, mass quantities of hot black coffee, and then a trek into the city: via the trusty (and often delayed) Metra rail system.  I wait like the rest of the lemmings for the doors to open, allowing us to mindlessly step into the over sized transporter.  Like clockwork I step up, head to the second level and take my rightful seat of solitude and silence.  Armed with my mp3 player I effortlessly fall into my commuting coma.  

Then suddenly and without warning or provoking it happened.  A gentle man (mid 60's) began to share his concerns on the current economy.  While his rants were not directed toward me, I was within a 1/4 mile and was clearly able to hear him spout off about the sad leadership and future prospects in our world.  It is not that I agreed or for that matter disagreed with his assessments.  In fact, it did not matter what he was talking about.  The real point is...Why would anyone at that time of the morning, and in such a confined space...talk?  Not even loudly...just talk.  I mean really...clearly this man did not realize that when you enter through those sacred steel doors, you dwell in a world of impersonal, flat-affect drones...the Chicago work-force of today's economy.  

And THEN "It Happened!"  A flash back to my first train ride...remembering my-"Santa isn't real?"-face, showing my disgust and heartache over the state of "those people" who are so calloused in their selfish, self absorbed world.  

How do people become like that?...you tell me.

The Day After by Chuck Colson

The following is a post from Chuck Colson.  I read it on my friend's blog and thought it would be good though provoking read.  I know that this last month of election hooplah has been trying for all people.  Some were encouraged by our new President-elect...and others felt just the opposite.  Regardless... I hope that you can read this article and be challenged to respond in action...pray.  

THE DAY AFTER
by Chuck Colson 

Whether you voted for Barack Obama or John McCain, whether you're recovering from your all-night celebration or drying the tears from your pillow, today's a good day to remember the words of the apostle Paul: "I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:1-3). 

The new President will surely need our prayers because he and his administration face huge, serious challenges to the health of our nation and to peace in the world, challenges that, in my opinion, neither he nor any government on earth will have the power to overcome without divine aid. 

How has America come to this point? Why is our economy on the brink of disaster? Why is our culture so utterly depraved? I can only think of what Alexandr Solzhenitsyn said about the catastrophic consequences of the Russian revolution. "I recall," he said, "hearing a number of older people offer the following explanation for the great disasters that had befallen Russia: Men have forgotten God; that's why all this has happened." 

Solzhenitsyn was right. Indeed, I can't find any better explanation for why we Americans find ourselves in the state we are in. We have forgotten God. 

We have also forgotten that American democracy, indeed Western Civilization itself, is the product of the Judeo-Christian understanding of God and humanity. Without that revelation that man is created in the image of God, our founders never would have recognized the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Indeed, as I and others like Rodney Stark have argued, modern science and education, liberal democracy, capitalism flourished in Western civilization precisely because of the Judeo-Christian worldview. 

The attacks on Christianity these days are only going to intensify in the months ahead. But we must press on all the more to make a winsome witness. Those who would banish Christianity from American life are risking the very survival of American society. 

Friends have asked me whether this economic crisis is God's judgment upon us. I don't know. 
As I've re-read the Old Testament prophets recently, I couldn't help but notice the recurring theme: The people of God turned away from Him and worshipped false idols. The result was always disaster. 

Is God responsible for credit markets collapsing around the world? No. We're responsible. Because instead of worshipping God, we've worshipped false idols of the marketplace, credit card companies and cheap mortgages. We've put our own appetites over our duties to God and neighbor. 

So this is no time for Christians to go into the bunkers. No time to wail or moan over our retirement plans. This is a time to repent, to pray more, to give more. It's a time for Christians to lead, encourage, and minister to a faltering country in a faltering economy. 

This is a time for the Church to get serious about Christian discipleship. Enough cheap grace. 

So pray for the new President and his administration. But most of all, my brothers and sisters, this is a time to love our neighbors and to hunger for God and His righteousness.

By: Chuck Colson - November 5, 2008

Received from: A Moment To Consider
A Ministry of: Harvey and June Schneider
Servant Soldiers Ministries, Daphne, Alabama