Happy Birthday to Jacob!

I remember when I was a kid and I'd want to have my birthday go on forever. Well, Jacob seems to have been lucky enough to have a 3 week long celebration! The first one in the states; a sleepover with his cousin Halle followed by a party with both sets of grandparents. Then the day before his birthday we had our family celebration. Then he had his best friend, Fraser, over on his actual birthday. And yesterday we finally ended the festivities with a football (aka soccer) party with 17 of his dearest friends!

The kids spent an hour playing football at our local sports center. No major injuries, though Tom did kick the ball directly into the face of one of the kids. The mums on the sidelines were horrified! We followed up the football with "pass the parcel"- a truly English party tradition. Then down for cake (that I made!!) and pizza. Kids are loud. Especially when you have 18 in a small space. They are really loud. But, they all had such a great time and Jacob was so excited to be in the spotlight.

So, happy birthday baby! I'm not so sure I can call you that anymore...

Jacob, the Future Politician

Jacob got his first brush with fame this week. His school is starting a hot meals program and on Tuesday we got to go in for a taste test. We sat down to try it and a reporter from the local paper sat next to us and started asking questions. I was so proud when Jacob picked up a cooked carrot first and ate it, I was even prouder when he ate the sweet potato hot pot (filled with veggies) and told the reporter it was yummy. And then I got suspicious. After every bite she'd ask how it was and every response was a 'yummy' with a big fat grin. Yep, he was trying to impress this woman so he would look good in the paper! A true politician at 6 years old!

We got the paper today. Here is the excerpt. You be the judge.

'Jacob Koops, six, of Sandelswood End , declared the lasagne yummy, said he loved the chicken curry and even wolfed down broccoli, something he has to be coaxed into eating at home. But, to his mother's disappointment, he said that he would still prefer to take a packed lunch.'

Jacob does have some learning to do. When the reported asked if he would prefer hot lunch to packed, his first reply was 'packed' quickly followed by 'hot'. I think she knew what he was up to.

When Bad News Hits Home

It's been a rollarcoaster of emotions over the past 6 weeks. From Jeb's 5 day hospital visit where the dr said, "we should test for cystic fibrosis - but I don't think he has it," to the two sweat tests that showed him 2 points from "normal" to his genetic test which showed two different CF genes indicating a possibility that he could merely be a carrier. Well, yesterday we got answers when Tom and I received our blood tests indicating we were both carriers and Jeb definitely had CF.

What is CF? I'm new at this, but here goes: A gene that produces too much sticky mucas effecting the lungs and digestive system. We believe that Jeb has a mild case and that it is only effecting his lungs - meaning the sticky mucas holds bacteria making Jeb very susceptible to lung infections. One in 25 people are carriers and 1 in 400 marriages puts two carriers together. Tom and I are one of them. We think that we are very lucky that the other boys don't have CF, but there is always a possibility. 50% chance that they can be a carrier, and 25% chance they will have CF or have no CF genes at all. It's a must that they need to be tested. A blood test is involved, but I just received an email from another CF mother saying that her 2 year old boy had the sibling test and they made it very easy.

So, tomorrow starts our official CF life. There have been so many advances in the past few years, that Jeb's outlook is great. We meet with the UK doctors at our local hospital and will determine if we go to London or Oxford for treatment. London is one of the top 3 clinics in the world and my #1 choice, but the commute is at least an hour, so we will have to weigh our options b/c of our busy lifestyle with two other boys.

Life is hard, but God is good. I can see His plan just by looking at the past two years. Finding out that we were pregnant and a week later Tom being offered this position in England. God knows what he is doing and obviously knew where we had to be. His plan is amazing and I can't wait to see where he takes Jeb. Jeb will have challenges, but there is a great life planned for my little man!

Jeb's Baptism

When we were home in the states, we went back to our old church of RiverTree to get Jeb baptised. It was such a great day. I also thought that infant baptism was so sweet and was a little bummed that Jeb was older, but it was one of the best moments in my life. As Pastor Chris was baptising him, he looked up with his big brown eyes and stared as if he knew exactly what was happening. It made me realize that this was the most appropriate time in his life to give him to the Lord. At a time when Jeb's health is in question and the future so uncertain, we know one thing forsure - he belong heart and soul to Jesus.

But it wouldn't be us without a blunder or two. As soon as we sat down I saw the plastic grapes on the communion table. Grapes are Jeb's favorite. We had to really divert his attention as he tried to squirm his way on to the grapes. Then he discovered Aiden below him and continued to kick him in the head. Yes, the Koops boys know how to put on a show!

Home for Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year, making the 12+ hour journey home to spend the holiday with family and friends. We made it in just before it snowed for about 4 days straight - the boys were in heaven. They haven't seen that much snow in two years. But, like Michigan, we got about 4 months of weather in 2 weeks. Shortly after Christmas the 30 inches of snow melted and we got flooding and then ice and then grass. Thankfully, the snow came back for one last day of sledding.

Two weeks goes really fast when you are trying to see as many people as you can. We got thrown a few curve balls in the first week, which I will write about later. So, unfortunetely we didn't get to see everyone. But, seeing the boys with their cousins and friends just warmed our hearts and made the crazy week well worth it.

Christmas meant so much more this year since we didn't get to go "home" last year and next year we probably won't be home either. It's so great to see your loved ones and feel like no time has past at all. We just look a bit older - at least I do!

Jacob has hit top five list and I'd agree: Snow, cousins, a night at the swimming pool, seeing his best buddy Andy, and Grandma, Papa, Grandma and Grandpa (yes, the boys were SPOILED!!)

So much snow!


Jeb's first encounter with Santa


Christmas cracker crowns with the B's


Blauwkamp cousins

Christmas morning

Koops cousins

Snow fort!

First Tooth Out!

Oh boy! We have hit a huge milestone in Jacob's life - he lost his first tooth! It's been wobblely for a good month, but while visiting my friend Sara and eating an apple it came out! Jacob held it up and Sara and I both thought it was a pit, until it hit me and I starting screaming out of excitement. Jacob was scared to death and the picture says it all. But, after the initial shock, he was excited and was visited by the tooth fairy that night. He received a dollar since he was in the States, but the tooth fairy did leave a note telling him she had a hard time finding him and had to put away the pound that she had been saving for him if the tooth fell out in the UK. Very exciting stuff, but for a mom it's the first step in seeing her "baby" become a boy. Bittersweet.

Aiden as a Shepherd!

Yesterday was Aiden's big debut as a shepherd in his school nativity play. I wasn't sure that he would be into it, but when we got there and he saw us he was all smiles. They sang "We wish you a Merry Christmas" after the play (complete with "Oh bring us some figgy pudding!"). It was adorable...well, except for him picking his nose!!