Summer's Almost Gone

Well, it has been entirely too long since I last posted....and a lot has happened in our lives since then! :) I'll do my best to catch you up on what's been going on in the Cooper household over the past SIX months....yes, it's been THAT long. Where do I start?! :-)

Right after my last post back in March, we found out that Coyte was offered a position as an assistant professor at UNC and that we would be moving to North Carolina at the end of the summer. Needless to say we were both extremely excited and I couldn't wait for the move. I finished up teaching at WVU back in May and then began a long, but very rewarding summer full of course work....finished all but two classes by the end of the summer....and yes, I was ready for a much needed vacation come August 8th. But, before I get to that - This summer Coyte and I also had to do one of the hardest things that I've ever had to do (I think he feels the same). One of our four-legged children (Chinook) was diagnosed with kidney disease back in December of '08 and we did all we could to keep her as healthy as possible for as long as possible, but she really started going down hill towards the beginning of May. By June 9th, we knew that we needed to do what was best for her and end the pain that she was in. Hands down the toughest thing I've ever had to do....but, I think part of me has to feel lucky that this is the hardest thing I have had to face in my life so far and I know that Chinook is in a better place and isn't hurting anymore. It was a rough start to the summer, but Coyte and I kept busy - he taught classes and I took classes all summer and before we knew it, it was time to move to North Carolina.

After my classes ended on August 4th, Coyte and I began getting things together for our move. We hired a moving company this time and it was SO nice. They came, packed EVERYTHING, moved it down to NC, and unloaded everything as well. It made the move go so smooth...all Coyte and I had to do was load up our cars with the things we needed right away (and Mekah of course) and drive our cars down. Hiring a moving company is definitely the way to go if you can! Two days after we arrived in NC, I was off to FL for a much needed vacation at Disney with my little sisters. We had a great time and were all worn out by the end of the week from all the running around we did. I've added a few pictures from our trip below.

Sydney, Lia, and Sarah with Belle

The castle

Sydney, me, Dale, Lia, and Sarah