Family Mission Trip

We had such a great time last week on our first mission trip as a family. We took 10 middle school students to Greenville, SC for a youth conference called M-FUGE. The students and adults were put into groups based on what the students signed up for. Some of our students did children's ministry, some did Games & Recreation, some did social and some did Creative ministry. It was a great time! Micah did great and enjoyed LOTS of attention from the kids.

My track group... "Creative"...we went to apartment complexes in the morning to play with the kids (jump rope, soccer, skateboarding, balloons, face painting, etc.) In the afternoon we went and ministered to the elderly in nursing homes (puppet shows, skits, music, etc.) Each track was a mixture of youth from all different churches.

Playing with the kids

My sweet friend, Helen

Ashlyn is a rising freshman from our church. I had the privilege of teaching her in 7th grade)

Rosanna is a rising 8th grader from our church

Shelby is a rising freshman from Missouri. She painted this beautiful butterfly on my face.

Dana & Kayla...Dana was our nanny this past week. Dana teaches high school English. She was such a blessing to our family. She watched Micah, which allowed Bart and I to minister to the kids. Kayla is Bart's intern for the 2nd summer in a row. Kayla leaves soon for graduate school in Arizona. We will miss her SO much!!!



Micah enjoyed his first mission trip...

The praise & worship band was AWESOME!!!

Bart's group won the Mega Relay (a huge relay race...there are about 30 groups competing)

Our group...precious kids!!!

Such a big boy

Micah is such a big boy!!! He turned 6 months yesterday and we are really enjoying this time we have with him. He's eating solid foods from his high chair, rolling over tons, sitting up. etc. He's an active boy!

sorry that this pic is turned...i couldn't figure out how to rotate it

this is what happens when i go into his room thinking he's asleep

Great time with friends

This has been a fun week of visiting friends. On Monday Micah and I visited some friends from our old church. We have been friends with the Williams for several years. We had the pleasure of serving together at Gateway Baptist Church and Bart worked part-time with Tracy "flipping" houses. They have 2 children. Trey is 6 and Bailey is 11. It was great to see them and catch up! The kids were precious with Micah! They hadn't seen him since he was born.

Amanda and Trey with Micah when he was a day old.

Trey feeding Micah


Playing with Trey...is this what I have to look forward to with having a boy?

Bailey playing with Micah

Amanda & Micah

On Tuesday, Micah and I traveled to Charlotte for my good friend's birthday. Rebecca and I have been friends since college. Our other college friend, Nicole, was able to join us as well. We had a great time celebrating, catching up and allowing the boys to play together.

The boys..Luke (2), Tucker (9 months) and Micah (6 months)

The moms...me, Rebecca, Nicole

Us with our boys...

Happy birthday Rebecca!

Eating w/ a spoon

We hit another milestone in the Cook household...eating with a spoon!!! We got our supplies ready...bowls, spoons, formula, rice cereal, bib and prepared for an experience. Micah did GREAT!!! He took many bites, swallowed well and opened his mouth for more. We added some bananas with the rice cereal tonight and he LOVED it! We're going to start feeding him some solids at dinner for a little while, and then add more feedings gradually. We're so proud of our big boy and this next stage in his life!

(Enjoy the video at the end)

Our sink will never look the same :)

Nothing like Family

This past weekend, Micah and I had our first "plane adventure". We boarded a plan on Thursday headed for the 12th annual Walter Reunion. Bart had to work, so Micah and I ventured out, just the 2 of us. Bart drove us to Charlotte, we flew to Atlanta, had a lay over and then flew into Canton/Akron where my grandpa picked us up. Micah did great on the plane...he's such a trooper! It was such a special time with my family. I enjoyed seeing everyone and them getting to meet Micah for the first time.

Trying to get a pic at the airport before we left...Micah decided to eat my face.

He was a little anxious about his first plane ride.

In the Charlotte airport before we got to our gate.

Chillin' in the airport.

Micah fell asleep right before we boarded our plane.

Sweet time with great grandpa. (He's the only great grandparent Micah has)

Aunt Heather

Micah was pretty tired after all the traveling.

Brooke LOVED playing with Micah. She even read to him...SO precious!

Grandpa

Aunt Heather

Grandma

Zephyr Hill...this looks over my great grandparents house...where the whole family began.

Choir practice. Micah was helping dad with the music.

Bath time with some cousins...

4th generation pics...

Brooke and Micah watching TV.

On our way home...

Micah crashed in the airport. He was exhausted!