Friday Night at the Zoo

Friday night we went to the zoo for Friday Night at the Zoo. And no we were not just at home in our zoo. It is The WARM Place benefit we go to every year at the Fort Worth Zoo. A couple of years ago we started to go in a storm that ended up being a tornado. Lovely. We turned around and went back home. This year was great as the usual hot dog and hamburger menu was replaced with cheese enchiladas. Yummy! They were really good. If you have never heard of The WARM Place they are a grief counseling organization that specializes in children. When Ryan died we thought being the great parents we are that we could handle William and all his questions. WRONG! He started asking questions like when will Baby Ryan come back to life and things like that. So much for those parenting skills. We had heard about The WARM Place in all the booklets and what not that we were given about grief and called them up. They were wonderful. The Little People group that William was apart of also had a parent piece. I think they helped us as much if not more than William. Jane was the best. Her family came there years ago when her son passed. She really got Doug and I. WARM stands for What About Remembering Me and that is true. I think parents get so lost in their own grief other kids can easily get lost. Their services are free of charge to the families so any time we can give back to them is great. If anyone is interested in helping they have a wish list of items like stamps and sprinkles they could use. Just check out their site.
http://www.thewarmplace.org/HowtoHelp/WishList/tabid/499/Default.aspx
((Hugs)),
Raye

Jake tipping a troll

William trying to ring a penguins neck

One of their crocodiles

Doug and I on the way home

Crazy Jake Again

Jake is not a morning person. He is just like his Dad that is for sure. I usually open his door when I get William up so he can start waking up on his own. Well this morning I guess he just didn't like that one bit. I was in William's room and Jake popped into the doorway. He told me "Mom. Stop open my door". I told his happy butt to just go back to bed and he did. What a nut.

March for Babies - 2009

Yesterday was a great day. The weather was kind of gross but NO RAIN!! Yeah. Big T actually walked this year. He did great. He and the other boys got a little crazy but whatcha gonna do with that many boys together? This year we finished pretty much in the middle of the pack. It was awesome. It was 10:05 and we were at the finish line. Yeah for us! I hope next year is as fun. Thank you to all who supported us by giving. We really appreciate it.

Have a great week,
Raye

Doug and I at the end of the course

Emily & William

Jake chillin' in his stroller

Easter at the Gaylord

We had a great day today. We went to the Gaylord hotel for brunch. We missed my family that was supposed to go with us, but we had so much fun. The boys were so excited that they could chose between breakfast or lunch. Jake got two Easter cookies for dessert and he laughed and laughed as he at the ears off the bunny and the nose off the chick. Maybe I should be disturbed about that but oh well. The rain had finally stopped by the time we were done so we were able to go to this little garden and I took pictures of Doug and the boys. We came home and had an egg hunt inside because it was so wet. I hacked William off by getting eggs full of fruit snacks and not candy. Whatcha gonna do. I think it was mainly because Jake had an egg hunt at Shayla's and got candy. He just needs to suck it up. Hee Hee. Hope everyone had a great day. Even with rain.
Have a great week!
Rachel

Wonderful Doctors

March 30th was Doctor Appreciation Day. As I told many of you Cook's did a little form to let you submit a note to a Doctor that was in the Cook's network. Of course I sent one to all of Ryan's docs. I did send one to Dr. Scroggie as he has put up with my crazy boys for years. Anyway. I got a response from one of Ryan's docs. Dr. Tom Black sent us a message back. He was Ryan's Cardio Thoracic surgeon. He did Ryan's two Fistula surgeries and his diaphragm placation. He also did the scope before the heart surgery to check if there was any stenosis (narrowing) of the esophagus. He has the kindest heart and was always an advocate for Ryan. When there was a possibility of Ryan going on ECMO he spoke up with his opinion. Here is what Dr Black responded.

Thank you for your kind words after so many years. I recall that Ryan had a very serious heart condition. I hope that you share my conviction that there is a purpose in life and that someday you and he will be reunited. Best wishes to you and to your family.
Tom Black

I do share his opinion. I don't think the docs and nurses up there understand what they do for the family. One time we thanked Dr Brann for his care of Ryan one weekend. His response was he was just doing his job. They don't have a clue that the parents don't see it that way.

((Hugs))
Raye

Circus of the Animals

On Tuesday night William had his 1st grade play. They did Circus of the Animals. Each class made a different animal costume. William's class were Kangaroo's. Holy Cow it was so stinkin' cute. Each "animal" took their turn coming off the risers and doing a little dance. All the kids sang the whole time they just didn't do their dance until it was their turn. We have it on video and as soon as I can get Doug to pull out William's dance I will post it.

Raye

Getting ready in the Music Room

Starting his dance - Gotta love the face!

Crazy Jake

My Jake has got to be the craziest child in the world. He just keeps me laughing all the time. This weekend was no different. I must say he was in rare form that is for sure. On Saturday when we were headed to dinner Sexy Back came on the radio and he asked for me to turn it up. I asked him if he was dancing and when I turned around he was bopping to the music. A few days before the same song was on the radio and he asked to turn it up then as well. On Sunday we went to Dickie's for dinner. Sat & Sunday Kids are free!!! Anyway. He was going around the house saying Yeah Dickie's, Yeah Dickie's. On the way William mad a comment that he wished we were going to Burger King. We said a resounding No and then Jake popped off with "Burger King is over." Doug and I busted out laughing. I would not want him any other way.

Have a great week!
Rachel

It's Just a Day - Right??

This day will come every year. I have no control over that fact. I can control how I react to this day. At approximately 9 pm four years ago my beautiful boy flew to heaven. On some level I should feel joy as he is no longer in pain. He no longer has a tube stuck down his throat or an iv jammed into his arm or some other place on his body. But my heart still just aches. I know it is selfish for me to want him here but I don't care sometimes. I just miss my little guy. The What If game pops up about now. What If we would have made this choice, What If we decided to do this, What If we had waited to do that. It will drive you crazy. But life must go on. I have two crazy boys and an unbelievably wonderful husband who need me. Thank God! I guess this is just another day. We will see.
Much Love,
Raye