Nine

Wow! It has been so long since my last post! I hate that we have not had internet at the house, it has made it so hard to keep up with my blog. 

This summer has flown by and I cannot believe it is almost over. I have to admit I am not so sad to see it go. I have spent more time in the heat than any other summer! I do have a pretty nice tan, but I am not a fan of the Georgia heat! 

I am also willing to admit that I am not sad to see my wonderful children head back to school. It is so hot outside that they don’t really spend a lot of time out there during the day, which in turn leaves these four angels inside, with me. Cooper and Eli have spent their summer days throwing a pillow at each other for hours while Emery and Lilah have put on every article of clothing that they own. It has made for a long, loud, messy summer. 

One of the things I do look forward to at the end of each summer is the anniversary of a very special day. It is one of my most favorite days.  July 29 this the 9th anniversary of the day I became a mother. Next to the day I received Christ and the day I become a wife this day is the most important, most life-changing day of my life. 

Cooper Owen Erikson was born on a hot July day in 2003. I will never forget when they laid him on my chest the first thing I noticed was his big ears, just like his daddy. He reached his giant baby hand up and grabbed my gown and I fell in love. Cooper is such a sweet boy he is growing and maturing and changing so fast. I am very proud of Cooper not because he is a great athlete, not because he is in the gifted program although I am very proud of those things. What makes me most proud is that he has a heart for Christ and a heart for people.

Never have I seen this demonstrated more than when Cooper heard about the people all over the world who didn’t have clean water. Immediately his mind began working on ways to raise money for the kids without clean water. He began work on a book, “written and illustrated by Cooper Erikson”. His plan was to sell the book to raise funds for new wells to be built. Needless to say his plan, well intentioned as it was, became a little more difficult than anticipated. We did however, set up a jar in the living room and began collecting change for the cause. 

Then Matt found a website with some videos (www.mycharitywater.org/birthdays ) that told about how people would give up their birthday’s in order to raise money for an organization called Charity Water.  When he showed this to Cooper, he decided immediately that he wanted to give up his 9th birthday for Charity Water.

We had all but forgot about his plan until Coop began thinking about a new baseball bat that he wanted for his birthday.  He remembered what he had planned on doing and decided that the bat could wait.   Instead he would give up what he wanted in order to raise money for kids who have no clean water.

Cooper decided to set a goal of $1000 to raise money for the needs of others.  It is a lofty goal, but his faith is inspiring to me.    I am not going to say Cooper is always selfless because that is not true.  He fights with his siblings and smarts off to his parents, but in this act I see a young man developing.  I can see the heart that is inside this little boy and I am so excited to watch him continue to grow. 

Counting ALL the change in our house!

If you would like to join us in raising money for Charity water please visit Cooper’s website.  mycharitywater.org/coopers-9th-birthday.  100% of the proceeds go to this charity.  We are asking people to consider giving $9 for Coop’s 9th birthday. Coop has already informed us that next year he wants to go see the well that is built from his birthday money! 

Look out Africa, the Erikson’s are on the way!