An Iraqi and North Carolina update, LOL

Wow, time does fly when you are having fun or very busy, LOL. We have a very full week. Between speech, dance class, a Christmas party on base, 2 birthday parties and a dance performance for Sydney on Sunday. I just keep telling myself this makes time fly, but dude it also leaves you exhausted.

But we seem to be finally adjusting, the kids seem to finally realize that though dad is "far far away", that mom is still the Boss, LOL and they don't get away with anything.

Nick also seems to be a busy busy guy. They dont usually get days off out there, and with some encourangement he has been sending some more pictures. So I thought I would share with you.
The one on the top of this post is Nick on crossing the Euphrates River on the way to do a ride around the area, this is where he gets to interact with the local Iraqis.









Capt. Hadley and Ssgt. Cooper (Sorry, been dying to type that, LOL)



This is Capt. Hadley and Lt. Col. Nameer (I think that is his name), from the Iraqi Army. This is one of the, or the, Iraqi unit they work with. Nick says he is very nice and loves to take pictures of everything. Always asks about everyones families and interested in learning and getting to know them.

I have a few more that I will put in a slide show and post after lunch. Hope you all enjoy them. Hopefully, one of these days he will get time to post on the blog and he can tell you first hand how he is doing. Thank you all for the love, concern and prayers.

Packages and email

Hello Everyone!!!

Hope everyone is doing well. We are staying busy. Honestly, I would be happy if we could have a little more down time. LOL. I have Nick first box ready to ship, keep wanting to take it but somehow haven't made it so. Though tomorrow we have to go out for Speech and the main Post office is down the block. So, it will go out then. I am already working on a Christmas decor box. Nick LOVES LOVES Christmas, and it will probably be the hardest holiday for all of us to get through. So, with the kids help we found him a little christmas trees and a few ornaments and even battery operated lights.

Also, Nick wanted to make sure everyone knew that you can email him at ncooper15@gmail.com. He isn't sure if he will have a "regular military deployment" email address. Also, I know alot of websites say to send the guys MCX or PX gift cards, but there isn't an exchange where he is. As the article I posted earlier he is attached to the Iraqi Military, therefore the normal ammeneties most troops have access to, he doesnt. Though, he has email access, internet access and even a lab with web cams. Once he is set up in his sleeping quarters, he has a laptop and is planning to get a webcam. He sent me a list of a few more things he would love to recieve, LOL!!

P.S.- First Picture is of Nick package being sent tomorrow. And the other 2 pictures of the Christmas Decor

Ok, I will add that later, but the kiddos and I have to run to the store.
HUGS!!

Update on Nick

I though I would make a different entry for Nick. I have gotten to talk to every other day or so on average. I feel like I am getting spoiled. Though it was almost 5 yrs ago. When he deployed on the boat, I would only get a call once to twice a month. And I also got my first email yesterday. He sounds like he well, tired but ok. Their sleep schedule is all messed up.

THe kids really enjoy talking to them and it seems to really help. We are getting his first package ready to mail out. I have a list of items that he said he could use or enjoy in his packages. I will post them in the next post. But before I go, here is mailing address.

Sgt Nicholas J. Cooper
MTT 0130
Unit 73013
FPO AE 09509-3013


He will be training for the next few weeks. So, its very possible he wont be getting mail for 3 weeks or so. I am planning to send him a package so it waiting for him when he finally reaches his "accomadations" for the next year. I know he will enjoy a touch of home. He will probably really start getting a bit home sick. So feel free to drop him a line or a card. Also it will probably be close to Thanksgiving. IF anyone has any questions or anything feel free to email me at Melcoop@msn.com. And latest tomorrow I will have the start of a list going so anyone who wants to send a care package, will have ideas what to send.

Ok, well I am babysitting, So I have a total of 7 kids and if I dont feed them soon. The might just throw me in the pot and have me for dinner. ROFLMAO!!!

One Week Down!!

Well, We have survived out first week. Must say 10x better then I could have even hoped for. The kids seem to understand the need to make the best and stay busy. They have really all rolled their sleeves up and tryed to help out.

Sydney is having the hardest time. Besides calling for her Daddy when she gets in trouble, LOL. It seems every other day she lets me know she is missing her daddy. The other day, she was beyond tired and the whole way home, she kept saying "Daddy GO HOME!!" over and over again. Then she followed it with "I miss my Daddy". But after I kept trying to make her feel better and being unsuccesful, Cameron stepped in and was able to bribe to feel with a promise of letting her play Monoply with him. (Awww!!) This was after he told her he missed Daddy to. And it was ok to be sad, and that he couldn't come home because he had a very important job.

Natalie seems to just be needing extra sunggling. And her rebellious streak has gotten a tad bit more prodominate. I get alot of I dont want to or just plain ignoring me. Which sends me wanting to pull my hair. Seems no punishment bothers her. So, trying to do the positive reinforcement. Where her sibblings for chipping in and not sassying me get a treat and she doesnt get to have one. Seems that being left out has some effect. Now to get her potty trained, even Sydney has tried and she just won't have it. She definitly has the stubborn streak in her.

Cameron misses Nick a whole lot. I think at times he feels out of place. Cameron is Nick's partner when it comes to running to the store, or fixing things around the house or even for chores. But, I have been trying to encourage to talk about it and draw. And his best friend Matt, said he would share his dad. And that is helping. Matt's dad just came back from a 7 month deployment. And Nick always invited Matt to the movies and outings with Cameron. So, they are kinda changing rolls and it seems to really working.
Matt's younger sister Madison also told the girls that she would share her daddy too. They get along really well and Madison is like a Big sister to the girls. I am thankful for having them around. It really helps. Allie and I have been friends for over 3 years. And we are lucky that our kids are so close in age. Matt and Cameron are a month apart. The girls and Allie's youngetst Joe are 7 months apart. Madison is almost five. So she is right in the middle of the boys and and the younger ones. And she can hang with either group, though she mostly likes to teach the girls the fine arts of pretend playing and dress up. =) But dont think for a min. she wont go and run with the boys and get dirty cause she can definitly hold her own.

Ben is the spoiled "baby" in both families. They all fuss over him. They take turns playing with him, teaching him things and TRYING to keep him out of trouble. He is entering the terrible twos and along with that he is cutting teeth. So he has been a tad bit difficult but once we can sooth him, he is back to his happy self.

For me.... I run around with head cut off all the time it seems. It took me a whole week to get my house in working order. And though not all the laundry is done, we are so much closer. Atleast, I can function and at this moment that is all that matters. If anything else, we are definitly staying busy!!!

P.S- The picture above is of Ben sitting in his new favorite spot. I keep telling him that the table is not for him to sit at but he wont listen, LOL.

Saying Good bye is sometimes the hardest thing!!

Well, on Monday Nick started his journey to Iraq. Things went of pretty well. The kids were sad to say bye, but there was no major breakdowns. Ben was very clingy most of the morning with his daddy. He probably feeding off out anxiousness. The girls did relatively well. Syd didn't really get upset till daddy got on the bus. I think that was when she realise it was for real. Poor Cameron said he already missed daddy after daddy said his final goodbye :(

The kiddos, mostly the 3 oldest are showing their missing daddy with acting out. Syd, who usually is my good kid, has turned into a rebellious talking back 13 yr old, LOL. But I am hoping this is only temporary. Cameron has been acting out for a while now. But on Tuesday he woke up with a new outlook, I am guessing. He got up and has been very helpful with helping with breakfast, and no whining. And I have a feeling he gave his younger sisters a pep talk cause they have been picking up and offering to help. :)) Nothing can make a mom prouder. Ben is pretty oblivious so far, though he carries his “daddy doll” I made him everywhere especially nap time and bedtime...

I have uploaded the rest of the pictures of Nick leaving, feel free to take a look and leave some comments. You can find them at http://www.flickr.com/photos/melcoopfamily/sets/72157600431552876/

Thankyou for all the encouragment and prayers, they mean more then you all will ever know. And remember all the service men and woman who are far away from their loved ones!!