Hi all....We have had an eventful Christmas, Heath being sick all Christmas Day and the day following. I think he is somewhat back to normal now. I suppose it was a 24-hour stomach virus. Anyway, we were able to have a great time on Christmas Eve. Early in the day, my cousins Leigh Ann, Jason and 2 yr old Taylor came by. We ate a late lunch with them. Soon after my sister Tina, brother-in-law Tim, and niece Erin and nephew Teddy came to visit. We all went to the Christmas Eve service at church and thoroughly enjoyed it. During the church service, Bill Haddock stood up to share his testimony with everyone. How God was intervening this night.... Tim and Bill both have been saved since they worked together several years ago in Birmingham. Afterwards we found Bill and reunited him and Tim. What a small world, huh? Tim shared with us how my mom would have thoroughly enjoyed the service with all of the great music, animals and the wonderful story. We remembered that this is her first Christmas in heaven and know that she is having an amazing party right now!

We were able to go to Birmingham over the weekend for a late Christmas with another part of our family, my Dad, Betty, Holly and Aaron, and their little Jack Russell, Kasey. And on Sunday we celebrated with Joan, Larry, Jay, Dee, Taylor and little Kimberly along with Tina, Tim, Erin and Teddy. What a great time we had!! See some of them in the pictures above.

Karen, Heath, Austin with Amy

Hi everyone...Can you believe it has been 70 degrees the past day or so in the Atlanta area one week before Christmas?

Our family wishes you a very Merry Christmas. We hope you have a grateful and thankful new year as well. 2009, here we come!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

We traveled to Raleigh to spend Thanksgiving with Terry this year. We had such a good time visiting with he and Ian. We ate good and relaxed. It was a really wonderful visit. We have a lot to be thankful for. See the three generations above: Terry (Paw Paw), Heath & Austin.

Many changes have taken place in our family this year. Although my Mom is not with us this year, she is in heaven having the ultimate Thanksgiving feast!

I will admit I was somewhat nervous initially, but God had a plan..that I would be able to quit my job and go back and forth to Birmingham to see my Mom this summer during her final weeks; It was great to be able to spend the remainder of the summer at home with Austin. He is getting older and I don't want to miss out on these precious times. I got my new job at the perfect time. Now he is starting a new school and looking forward to making new friends. God is good. He is in control, although we think we are most of the time.

What a week...

Austin and I attended Uncle Randy's memorial service last Tuesday. What a tribute it was and a great testimony to those who knew him and those who didn't. This was probably the most spiritual funeral service I had ever attended. The gospel was shared; Beautiful music was played and sang; Stories were told, new and old; There was laughter and tears; So many people came, we had to move in more chairs. What an impresssion he made on everyone. As time goes on I learn that life is more about donation than duration.

We have so much to be thankful for. Last Wednesday was Heath's birthday and our 16th wedding anniversary. Also last week, I was hired on as a Paraprofessional in the DHH (Deaf & Hard of Hearing Dept). I love what I am doing and feel that God has truly led me there. What a blessing to work with these kids. If you told me a year ago that I would be doing this, I would have called you crazy. Isn't it funny how life experiences, good and bad, change your perspective on everything?

Fall soccer comes to a close

Today was the last day of the Fall soccer season for team FIRE. We had some players from our Rangers team from the past several seasons and a few from Fire. It seems that all of our team will return to play in the Spring. We will continue working hard together and have an even better season coming up! It will be exciting to see everyone and we know the best is yet to come for this great meshed team. Thank you to Coach Sam and Coach Heath. Great job FIRE!

Cagle's Dairy Field Trip

I had the joy of substituting a kindergarten class last week. We went on a field trip to Cagle's Dairy. How fun!! I think I may have enjoyed it more than they did!

Mark this day as a part of Cooper family history...Austin gets big enough to cut the grass!!!!

As some of you may know, Heath's favorite chore ISN'T cutting the grass. Austin has been wanting to do it, but hasn't been quite big enough. Until now, that is. This is a big deal. He managed to do the whole front yard today. I'm not sure how long he will be eager to do it, but this chore is definitely his now!

Happy Halloween!

What a fun night. We went to church where there were games, inflatables and of course, candy. Check out Reese as a Diva, how fitting for her grown up little self! Isn't Brooke too cute as Fancy Nancy and Austin being big as Tony Romo. They all seemed to have had a good time!

Death in the family

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalms 116:15
While in church on Wednesday night, I received a message from my sister, Holly. She stated that our uncle (my Stepmother's brother) had been in a car accident and passed away. As I heard her tell me this tragic news, I was frozen, not knowing what to do or say. After talking with Holly, I called my stepmother Betty. She seemed to be still in a state of shock as well. We always called him "Uncle Randy" (professionally, he was known as Claude Duncan). He was a great man, well-read, smart, funny, and very interesting. We had visited Randy and his wife, Betty at their home in Santa Rosa, FL, near Panama City, the past two summers. This past summer was an especially great time. All of my stepmother's siblings and their families were able to come together this visit on the fourth of July. I know we didn't realize that this would be the last time most of us would see Randy, but it was time well spent relaxing, laughing and just being together. Below is a link of the article that was written about him from some of his collegues the day after his death. Like Pastor Mike Stephens said at his bible study Wednesday night, "What would people miss if you weren't around?" This really made me think...how do I want to be remembered? Funeral service will be held in Santa Rosa on Saturday, Nov 8th and a Memorial service will be held in Birmingham, AL on Tuesday, Nov 11th. http://www.newsherald.com/news/traffic_69210___article.html/herald_accident.html

Austin's 10th Birthday

We had Austin's birthday this past Friday 10/10. He asked that we all go out to eat and then go do something fun. So, Pawk, Nana, Holly, Aaron, Heath and I along with Austin's friend, Lake (in above photo with Austin) went out for the evening. Austin chose Outback for dinner. I think everyone indulged in steak, you can't go wrong with that!!! Afterwards we headed to Sparkles for roller skating and to play some games. Lake spent the night with us and went to Austin's soccer game. His team, the "Fire" won their game - Yeah (we've lost the two weeks prior, so this was a welcomed win). Finally, Austin was able to enjoy the gift Heath and I gave him today, the small motor bike, electric, yes, it's electric - you nervous Nellies out there. It only goes 12mph, so it is relatively safe.

All About us

We are originally from South Mississippi and Birmingham, AL. Heath grew up in Gautier, Mississippi and moved to Atlanta for his senior year of high school (Morrow). He attended Mississippi State University for a short time and decided to move to Birmingham when his dad was transferred there a year later. I, Karen am from Birmingham, graduated from Vestavia Hills HS and attended Jefferson State College. Heath and I met my senior year of high school. We both went to Jeff State. We married a year and half later on November 12, 1992 (on Heath's 21st birthday, what a gift, LOL!)

We had a few years to grow up and enjoy each other. Along the way, we moved to Nashville and discovered the game of pool. We played competitively (on the amateur level) on leagues. We made it to the National Championship in August of 1998 in Las Vegas. Being 7 1/2 months pregnant, I managed to help our team pick up 33rd place of over 500 teams. Not too shabby for someone who looked like they were smuggling a basketball, huh?

Starting a Family

After almost 6 years of marriage, God blessed us with a child. Austin came along on October 10, 1998, weighing in at 7lbs 4 oz at 12:54 in the afternoon. Being the considerate child, he entered this world during half-time of the Mississippi State vs Auburn football game.

Due to Heath's job, we moved a good bit while Austin was little. From Nashville to Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina and finally here in the Atlanta area. By the time Austin was in kindergarten, he had lived in six states. We are very happy here and don't plan to relocate anytime soon.

Heath and I both have lost our mothers. Nancy Cooper past away on November 6, 2001 and my mom, Barbara McLaughlin on June 20, 2008. Austin had a really great bond with both of his natural grandmothers. My stepmother, Betty (Nana) loves him just the same and has a wonderful relationship with him.

Family Out of Town

We love our family and try to see them as often as possible.

Heath's dad and nephew, Ian now live in Raleigh, NC.

His brother, David and wife, Melessia live in Gautier, MS,

Niece, Constance with husband, Mike and children Kaden (4) and Maezie (3 months) live in Houma, LA.

My older sister, Tina, her husband Tim and kids Teddy (20) and Erin (18) live in Hoover, AL.

My Dad and Stepmother, Betty live in Pinson, AL.

My little sister, Holly and her husband, Aaron live in Midtown part of Atlanta.

My cousin, Leigh Ann, her husband, Jason and their son, Taylor, live in Flowery Branch, GA.

Last, but certainly not least, my Aunt Joan and Uncle Larry live in Forestdale, AL.

Careers

Heath is a Construction Superintendent and I am in the midst of finding my place in the school system. I am currently substitute teaching and loving every minute of it.

Who knows what's next for us.... we will just have to wait and see what God has in store!