J Cooper Photography

1.  Wow.  That’s how I feel right now…wow.  So much going on here this week.  But it is ALL about to end VERY SOON!  We are PRAYING that we will be able to mail in our dossier THIS WEEK!  We received confirmation that our home study was accepted on Monday.  I spent the day running around town securing the rest of our paperwork today.  We are hoping to have the notarized copies of our home study IN HAND tomorrow which means this HUGE stack of papers can go IN THE MAIL!  Once they are reviewed by our International agency…we will BE ON THE WAIT LIST!  Can you tell I’m a little excited??

2.  During our visit to Nebraska, my Mom dug out a big bin of my old costumes to sort through.  With every visit, I return home with another box from my past (whether I like it or not).  So after this trip I had a black garbage bag containing my old scarecrow costume, a safari costume, and a my German heritage digs from “Heritage Day” at my Pyrtle Elementary School.  My Mom and I were discussing what a shame it was that schools seem to have done away with the idea of Heritage Day.  We’ve been discussing such things heavily at our house (at least African heritage) so I figured my girls were pretty atune to their own heritage.  Lo and behold…upon our return home I was sifting through A’s backpack and there was a letter about her school’s upcoming HERITAGE DAY!  I was stoked!  So the next morning I dug these digs out of that black garbage bag and was SO proud of my little German girl.  One small problem.  My little German girl was NOT liking her outfit.  She cried and cried and wanted to take it off.  But I persisted (and took pictures)

She had on a little black skirt with a colorful floral apron, white knee socks, and black shoes.  I don’t have a full body picture as she was supressing SOBS between fake smiles and I just can’t put that on my blog.  But you get the idea regardless.  After much digging and probing, I got to the bottom of the real problem.

Apparently, the “Princess Leah” buns were dorky.  And it’s all about image in the 1st grade these days I guess.  Don’t let that smile fool you.  She was NOT enjoying the buns.  But she wore them…and we talked about the importance of being proud of your heritage.  I worried about her all day.  Wondered if I was too stern and should have released those little buns from her head.  But she came in the door after school as chipper as a lark and jabbering a mile a minute.  And the buns were still in place.  I asked how her days went and she said, “fine…except I can’t remember where they wear these dumb buns”.  So I guess we have a bit of work to do on the heritage thing.

3.  I have been doing a lot of brainstorming for fundraising efforts.  Anyone have any ideas?

4.  J COOPER PHOTOGRAPHY is officially CLOSED for the holidays!  Of course I am still editing away like crazy…but I won’t be taking any new family sessions until after the Holidays.  I am really looking forward to enjoying my family and getting back to the basics.

5.  Any ideas on WHAT to get a toddler boy for Christmas?  I am REALLY trying to keep it simple this year and can’t for the life of me think of ANYTHING to get our little man.  He needs NOTHING.  And I am so sick of all the tiny toys scattered everywhere.  Anyone with little guys have any great suggestions?

6.  Awhile back I mentioned the Matilda Jane PHOTO LOVE contest that I entered.  I received the dress today….and will be photographing it SOON!  As soon as the contest has begun I will be using my blog and mailing lists for SHAMELESS self promotion as well as begging you for votes

7.  I have been working on some handmade Christmas gift ideas and LOVE LOVE LOVE these CALENDARS.

8.  Mr. P just called from Kinkos and said he has our dossier and all three copies in hand.  I could just kiss that man…oh wait…I can!

9.  The post office near my house was already playing Christmas music today.  What’s your vote?  Too early or not?

10.  I am seriously scraping the bottom of the barrel here on interesting things to say.  So off to bed it is….night!