Cops & Robbers

Painting by Nathan Roberts, my son

During the summer Nate and Sydney went to Arizona for a week vacation to spend time with Derek, Kristi, Jackson and Sadie. Within the first week Sydney ended up in the hospital because of pregnancy complications. Their one week vacation turned into three before the doctors allowed Sydney to fly back home to Wisconsin. While in the hospital Nate  called to give us an update on Sydney’s condition.

While talking, Nate who was already very choked up with concern for Sydney, told us that with so much time on their hands in the hospital they had chosen a name for their baby. The name was Copsen. They said it was a family name from Sydney’s side (not true…but we didn't know it). Although it was quite "different"  I told them I really liked the name. (What else would you tell an emotional son??)

Copsen...actually that was only one way Nate spelled it. He told Stephanie that it was spelled Coppson. Hummmm….by the title of my post, can you guess this was a joke? Del and I never caught on until Stephanie and Josh slowly and deliberately put Coppson with his last name: Coppson Roberts. Sound familiar? Kind of like the title of my post?!!! Say it out loud! Say it over and over until you “get it”! Coppson Roberts…Cops an Roberts…Cops and Robbers! Ya, you nailed it!

It came as no surprise that Nate was trying to fool us, but Del and I NEVER caught on! I think we went 2 months without figuring it out!

So Steph and Josh came up with an idea hoping to cause Nate a little uneasiness when he'd have to confess to grandma (me) that his child's name really wasn’t going to be Coppson. Steph bought a onesie online with the name “Coppson Roberts” printed on it and had the seller write a note that said:  “I really love the name Coppson! Hope you stick with it!” 

Although Nate "fell" for the joke for awhile, he finally caught on and texted this cute photo to the family.

Apparently it won’t be the name of their son, but they decided it would be the name of the little baby’s toy Tigger or perhaps a toy bear!!

(…and now you know why I used Nate's painting of "Cop Woody"… I mean Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear…his painting fits his story!)

Side note: Speaking about names, I just re-read the story when Helaman gave Nephi and Lehi the names of their ancestors. I love the Book of Mormon and I love the words Helaman used when he told his sons the reason he named them after their forefathers. He said, “…I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good. Therefore, my sons, I would that ye should do that which is good…” (Helaman 5:6-7) I love this! What a challenge for all of us! Here’s a link to the scripture story if you would like to read it found in The Book of Mormon, Helaman chapter 5.