Building Our First Home! :-)

Since my last post, Coyte and I made the BIG decision to build our first home! We are super excited about it and can't wait for construction to begin. I have already been going out to our neighborhood every couple of weeks or so just to check things out, but I'm sure I'll be headed out that way much more often once it actually starts going up...which should be soon! :-) I've posted some pictures below of some examples of a few of the features that our house will have.

Coyte and I standing on our lot! :)

This is what our house will look like, but we have chosen a much different color scheme...should be really pretty (at least I hope). :)

Similar to what our kitchen will look like.

Entryway

French doors that will lead into Coyte's office.

Masterbath tub

Living room from kitchen

Happy Birthday to me! :)

I have been 26 for a week now and am enjoying every minute of it! I had a wonderful birthday! Coyte took me to lunch on campus and when we got home Tank had picked up two, yes TWO cakes for me and then Bri also brought me two, yes TWO boxes of cheez-its....my favorite! :) We all went out to eat that night too, which was a lot of fun! I also got lots of very nice cards from all of my family back in Indiana! Thanks everyone!! I've posted some pictures below of how we spent most of my birthday (relaxing at the pool)! :)

So relaxing!

Enjoying the sun!

Pretty flowers at the pool

We also went to a UNC men's soccer game last week and had a lot of fun! There's always something fun to do around here. Below are some pictures from that night also. Enjoy! :)

At the game!

Goofing around after the game!

Coyte and I

My little Meeks and Coyte....so cute!

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

Spring break is finally here!

Spring break has officially begun and it sure feels nice. :) I have been looking forward to this for quite a while. It seems as though Coyte and I have been running around non-stop since the semester started. Hence the two months since my last post! :-)
We will be leaving on Tuesday for Indianapolis to visit with my Mom and John again. I think Bri is going to stop in and visit while we are there too. I am really looking forward to seeing them. We may also make a stop in Martinsville to visit the girls on Tuesday as well. I'm pretty excited about the trip. I will have to make a post and add some pictures of our trip when we get back - before the madness starts again.

Time flies when you're having fun!

Wow! I can't believe it is time to start things up again at school. We had a really wonderful break, but it sure flew by quickly. We spent a lot of time in Indy with my Mom and John and had a great time. It was also great to spend a few days with Marsha and Ken and my Grandma. It was so nice to have some time away from school and teaching and be able to stay in Indiana to visit for almost two weeks. It is always great to see everyone, especially now that we don't get to see them as often as we'd like to. Although it was lots of fun, it was also pretty nice to get back "home" after TWO weeks away. As usual, I took my camera along over break, but didn't take near as many pictures as I would have liked. Seems I always do that. That is a goal of mine for 2009...take more pictures! :)
Classes start again on Monday and I am a bit anxious to get started. I always get a little nervous at the start of the semester, but things almost always end up going pretty smoothly. This semester will be much better than last....it will really help having taught my class once before. I'm nervous, but excited at the same time.

Until next time...

Beautiful Christmas Eve Sunset!

The semester ends & the holidays begin!

It seems like just yesterday that I was a nervous wreck about starting my first semester of Grad. school and now it has come to an end. It is crazy how fast the time goes by. The semester went very well for both Coyte and myself. Coyte really enjoyed the courses he taught and got a lot of research done, while adding a few publications to his name. :) I'm so proud of him and all of his accomplishments. I'll have to admit I was terrified to start back to school, but got the hang of things pretty quickly and had a great semester. It was my first time actually teaching my very own class and it was really a lot of fun.....very challenging, but FUN! Let's just say I learned A LOT about what works and what doesn't. :) I'm looking forward to seeing the little kiddos again next semester!

Well, the holidays are here and we are getting ready to make the long drive back to Indiana to visit my side of the family. I am really looking forward to it! We are taking the puppies along with us this time....I'm extra excited about not having to leave them in daycare all week. I really hate having to do that. They will enjoy their Christmas this year! :)

We were in Indiana for about a week over Thanksgiving and it was so much fun visiting with everyone. I can't wait to see them all again! We are planning to stay through New Year's this year as well, which will be fun. I'll have to post some pictures of our trip.