Two weeks ago I had the joy and privilege of speaking at a youth girls retreat.  When I was introduced, Abby, the director, asked the girls if they knew who I was.  Robert has typically been the camp pastor at a summer youth camp that the girls attend, so they would only know me as his wife.  One of the sweet middle school girls immediately spoke up, “I know!  I know!  She’s Justin Beiber’s mom!”  Cooper was followed around and admired for his Beiberish characteristics last summer at youth camp. So, there you have it.  My fame has officially switched from being the pastor’s wife to being Justin Beiber’s mom.  Not a bad deal, I guess.

 We celebrated Justin Cooper’s 14th birthday on Monday.  I can’t remember it ever being that close to Easter, but this year it was the very next day.  All that was requested was lunch at his favorite Chinese restaurant, and a shopping trip for a wardrobe update, as well as the green stuff required for that sort of thing.  Oh ~ and an ice cream cake!

We said good morning with a breakfast of egg sandwiches, and then sent him on a little scavenger hunt around the house.  In every location he discovered another birthday card that included money for his trip to the mall.  This money coupled with birthday money from grandparents plus a bit he already had gave him precisely $211.00.  After lunch at Amherst Chinese, Robert drove him to the “big” mall (as opposed to the “dead” mall nearby) so he could begin his shopping adventure.  There were Chicago Bulls flat brimmed baseball caps, Addidas flip flops, basketball shorts, and hip new t-shirts purchased, as well as button downs and back packs.  He spent every dime and came away feeling like a new man.  Kayla went along with them, and they called from Starbucks where they were resting before heading back home.

“Are you guys finished shopping yet?” I asked.

“We’re sitting at Starbucks looking at all that Cooper purchased, and then we’re headed home,” Robert reported.

“Did Cooper offer to buy your coffee today out of all his wealth?” I inquired.

“Uh….no.” Robert replied.

I was fairly certain of the answer, but hey…acquiring “the look” requires quite a bit of cash.  None left over for non-essentials like Starbucks. (That becomes an essential at  30 or 40, I guess.)

 Cooper also received a very special gift all the way from Oklahoma ~ a handmade electric guitar. It was made by Mark Wendel ~ a friend of ours from back in our Stillwater, Oklahoma days. Cooper was so impressed with this amazing gift and work of art, perfectly timed with his birthday AND his recent return to guitar lessons.  His first guitar teacher stopped taking students last year due to getting a Master’s degree, getting married, and becoming a father.  We’ve FINALLY found another teacher for Coop and he’s very happy about that!

If Cooper could only play guitar and basketball all day, every day, he would be thrilled.  Unfortunately, things like math, literature, and Latin have to be tended to first.  We did give him a break from all of that on Monday, though, and so when he wasn’t shopping or eating out or indulging in drinks-on-dad at Starbucks, he was shooting baskets in the new hoop that Kory gave him.  This was a welcomed upgrade from the Nerf hoop and ball he’s been using for the last year or so!

Happy Birthday, Beiber Boy!  We love you and are so blessed to have you as our very own, unique, awesome kid!