Live Strong - This One is for Dan & Michelle

As we sit here waiting for Wayne's CT scan, he gets an email from his friend Dan with the above picture.

Dan describes a program that Lance Armstrong's foundation put together: They have a Robot that writes messages from cancer patients & survivors. The robot puts the messages on the pavement for the bicyclists to read as they ride over each stage.

It is quite possibly the coolest thing I have ever seen...what a gift.

Dan and his wife Michelle sponsored our message, and here we sit, waiting for the scan, fighting back the tears *that are coming anyway* dang good thing I was too lazy to put on mascara this morning.

What an overwhelmingly amazing surprise. Thank you so very much!

And to all of you out there who are patients, survivors, friends & family: Here is the link. There is a neat video that shows you how the Chalk Bot works and how many messages they plan to paint. Just awesome!

Live Strong Chalk Messages

Can I just say it again? We have the most amazing friends and family. The encouragement and support keeps us going. You just have no idea how important you are to us. We love you all so very much. So very much.

Houston

We're here.

Wayne is doing/feeling better, but tomorrow is a full day for him - Blood Draw, MRI, CT, XRays ...

We went to the grocery store and loaded up on water, cheese, grapes, and peaches.

We're watching HGTV and missing our kids.

We're here. Wishing we were there.

{Thank You}

Thank you so much for your overwhelming response! You asked a ton of questions via email so let me address them here.

1. I will have a website up soon. You will find gallery pictures, pricing information, package options, and scheduling information.

2. I specialize in children & families. I do not shoot weddings, engagements, or senior pictures.

3. I LOVE the quality that natural light lends to portraits, so I do not use a flash or shoot in a studio.

4. My style is playful and mismatched. Coordinating outfits are fine, but dress your children in their favorite stuff, and watch how engaged they become! My goal is to draw out their personalities, not forced smiles. {No, "Say Cheese!"}

5. It looks like I will be booking up quickly through the summer months, so please contact me soon if you want to have a session sometime this summer. Hard to do if you don't know my pricing, huh? I'll get the website up soon! But here is a general idea of what to expect:

I charge a session fee of 100.00 for up to 2 children. Add twenty five dollars for each additional child. The fee includes a 1-2 hour session, in the location(s) of your choice, with time for breaks & snacks.

It also includes my wit (which is what you all really want, I know), talent, and a surprise for the kids (and maybe chocolate for Mom!).

It does not include any images. My packages will be listed online.

Thank you for believing in me!

A Picture and an Announcement

Caeden in the Fire Truck at Storybook Island

I am {so excited} to announce the launch my photography business.

Here is what I offer:

Candid, natural light photography. This means early mornings and the golden hours before sunset are best for the pictures you'll adore. The ones you'll covet. The ones that will hang on your walls forever & ever.

I offer funky props. Like rain boots & tutus. Worn out chairs & vintage pull toys.

Or no props. Just fields of wheat, grassy meadows, and sunshine.

Or, maybe you'll want to be at home. Or your favorite park.

You can see your loved ones on canvas, in books, & peeking out of frames.

I am available in the Denver area, Rapid City & surrounding areas, Eastern South Dakota (will schedule within a block of time for multiple sessions) and for a short time, Houston.

If you are interested, please email me privately at valkoop@mac.com.

Tutu Goodness

I cannot find half of what I need when I packed us up for this adventure to South Dakota. Forgot my makeup. All of it. Have no idea where most anything is.

Except for the tutus.

I know where those sweet lil' get ups are at all times. Four different colors.

Is it wrong?

Probably. Especially when you consider I have no idea where the thermometer is. Or the bills. But we'll worry about those things later, yes?



Have a good weekend.

Summer Nights

We wandered downtown last night to enjoy the Thursday night festivities called, "Summer Nights."

Sixth & 7th streets are blocked off, live music is playing, there's food, a beer garden, fun stuff for the kids ... and this amazing graffiti alley to link it all together.


Not the best picture I've ever taken, but considering I was holding Claire, pushing the stroller, AND taking pictures, I'm just glad I got it.



Caeden's tattoo. We have this in common. However, he hasn't noticed that mine doesn't rub off like his does. We'll save that conversation for later.



Pie. Yummy, glorious pie from my friend Vanessa's pie shop. We tried cherry & blueberry cream. Deliciousness on a paper plate.



Funny faces. Claire does this smooched lip face that never fails to draw an audience. Especially me!

We didn't stay late as Wayne and Caeden were tired. I think Claire was up for it, though, cuz' she was dancing to the music and people watching like crazy. Takes after her Mama.



We ended up back at home, sitting outside and watching Caeden drive the riding lawnmower. A perfect Summer Night.

Muffins

Picture Credit: Good ol' Martha

Kim is my friend and neighbor in Colorado. One morning when I was packing up the house and trying to keep two small children entertained at the same, she arrived with fresh from the oven banana chocolate chip muffins. I realize the above picture is for banana-blueberry, but it's whatever floats your boat. The blueberries are looking wonderful right now, anyway.

So anyway, I was totally stressed out, which means I was starving, too. (They seem to go hand in hand with me. Am I alone in this confession?)

Here comes Kim with these warm muffins. I ate two while standing up at the kitchen counter (quite possibly because my kitchen table and chairs were packed - or in another room - or underneath a pile of boxes). Caeden kept telling me thank you (for feeding him something other than dry cheerios). Let's just say these muffins were a big hit.

And the amazing part of this story: they are super healthy. I swear you'd never guess. Do yourself a favor and make some today. The recipe makes 36 muffins, so bring some to work, too.

Kim's Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Combine dry ingredients:

1 1/2 C Flour (White Whole Wheat)
1 1/2 C Flour (White Unbleached)
3 tsp. baking soda
1 1/4 C Oat Bran
8 oz. Chocolate Chips (I used the entire bag, but I am wild and crazy that way)

Cream together:
1/2 C. Butter (1 stick)
2 tsp. Almond extract
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1/2 C Sugar

Add:
10 (that's right, I said 10) smooshed bananas (or just throw them in the mixer like I did)
2 Flax Eggs*

*Flax Eggs are an amazing thing. Mix 2 tsp. flax with 3 TBSP. water and microwave for 40-45 seconds. They turn into the consistency of eggs. All the Omega 3's and no cholesterol. Hardly any calories. I mean, come on, it practically erases the sugar.

Bake in muffin cups at 325 for 20-25 minutes.

P.S.

Here's what I was doing at 10:11 on 7/08/09:

Chasing Caeden around the back yard with my camera yelling, "This is important, Caeden! This is important!" and him grabbing a toy shovel and pointing it at me saying, "Back up, Mom!"

Couldn't tell THAT lil' scenario from this picture, could you??

Deadwood

Here's the view of Deadwood from our balcony at the Mineral Palace. We spent some time out there watching the people walk by and enjoying the warm summer night.

Then we moved inside to our room. Or should I say, suite. OMG. The room was amazing. The bathroom was a bathing mecca. The tub so deep, so big, that if you were a little person, you could swim laps. Alas, I am not, but I did soak. As did Wayne, twice. The shower had one of those cool glass doors that swooshed when you opened/closed it. I had to really give myself a pep talk to emerge from it this morning.

The bed was made with linens that were sooo soft. And an enormous, gigantic t.v. was perfectly centered above the fireplace. We watched something about Michael Jackson, making judgemental comments about Debra Rowe, while we let our dinner settle. I took lots of pictures but they all turned out dark. But trust me, next time you want to celebrate or splurge, book room 341 at the Mineral Palace. You won't be sorry.

3 Card Poker kicked our butts. Things were going just fine until the dealer switch. Rosie did us NO favors. Bring back David. He wasn't much of a talker, but he could sure deal cards!

This morning we drove home, taking in the gorgeous scenery all around us. It is so pretty here. Really, really green. Peaceful. Clean. Relaxing. For the 1,000th time in 24 hours, I wish I had brought my camera. There is only so much an iPhone can excel at, you know?

It was a wonderful night away. Exactly what the Doctor ordered.

A 3 and a 7

Caeden, how old is Daddy today?

A 3 and a 7.

I'll take some fun pictures today and post them ... but this one is a favorite for all time.

The Low Down ....

Going to Armadillos for lunch (Steamburger and a Shake)

Caeden picked out a new blanket for Wayne (who is cold a lot). It's blue and feels so soft. Caeden said (as he was picking it out), "It feels like my Tiny." - which is his security blanket.

Wayne is getting a dock for his phone from me. I always stress over his presents because he is SO HARD to shop for. Have to get it in Denver, though.

Eating Cake. Lots and lots of cake.

Then we're headed to Deadwood. Staying in a hotel and hanging out. Going to dinner, maybe a little 3 card poker ...

That's it - low key and easy.

Happy Birthday Honey!

What will you be doing?

Stole this graphic from here. Not to skip over Wayne's birthday (which is tomorrow, people. But I know you are all good enough and organized enough not to forget anyone's birthday, right?), but how cool is it going to be on the 8th? Take a picture of what you were doing at 10:11 (and 12 seconds if you are into being precise) on Wednesday. Or write a comment and tell me what you were doing. From the comments left, I will choose a random number, and the corresponding response will win a HUGE prize.

*Again, not to skip over, make light of, or indicate in anyway that tomorrow is less important. After all, tomorrow there will be cake!

P.S. Tricia, how in the world do I create my own graphics like this?

P.P.S. There is no huge prize. I'm still living out of boxes, people.

Weekend Update Part 3

Thought the sepia tone of the photo would tone down the striped Christmas p.j.s. Should have known nothing could tone those suckers down.



Hope you had a wonderful weekend with your family. I know we did.



There's the golf cart keys! Should have known it runs in the family ...

Weekend Update Part 2 (Read Part One First)

I knew you wouldn't follow directions, you crazy reader, you. Just another picture of Grandpa taking his life in his own hands.


The sweet goodness we've been eating directly out of the garden.

The garden I should be weeding but am blogging instead.

Weekend Update Part 1

Fireworks were a huge hit this year. Lots of volcanos and rockets to keep Caeden entertained.


See what I mean? Happy as a clam. And yes, I realize my child is either naked or wearing pajamas waaaay too much. I've embraced it.


That one must have gone waaaaaaaaaaaay up in the air.
(Or, it might have been the one that came down and landed on the roof.)



So here are the two peas in a pod. Yes, Caeden is driving the golf cart (but not looking at the road. Small technicality, really.) I'm bracing myself to see him driving Grandpa's pick up before too long.

What She Does

She takes 2 naps.

She crawls as fast as she can to catch the cat. Still trying.

Says: Dada, Mama, Bye Bye, Night Night, Don't, No ... and Grandpa (according to Grandpa).

Loves to crawl under things and get stuck.

Really loves to eat. Right now, Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins are her favorite.

Smells like lavendar and baby drool.

Still doesn't have any teeth.

She snuggles into my neck and lets me rub her back when she is tired or upset.

Goes to sleep in a minute if I tickle her face ... especially her forehead and cheeks.

Laughs at anything Caeden does.

She loves to go for rides with Caeden in his four-wheeler.

Is easy going and rarely fusses.

Seems to love having me home again ...

What He Does

He sprays for weeds using a very potent combination of 1) water & 2) water. Shhh, don't tell.

He follows Grandpa around the farm.

He follows Grandma around the yard.

He plants onions in the garden.

He eats strawberries straight from the garden, pausing only for a second to wipe off the dirt.

He drives his pickup truck and four-wheeler.

He plays in his sandbox.

He asks to go see Mike and Deb ... knowing they will indulge his love affair with their Bobcat (truck, not animal).

He comes inside only to ask for ice water and something to eat.

He takes a bath at night, gets his p.j's on, and then goes back outside to do it all again.

He sleeps so good at night.

He always asks the same question: "Mom, are we going to stay here for a long time?"

And when I tell him yes, he smiles and runs back outside again.

This is what he does.

The Kindness of Others

These are our others. Our dear friends from Parker that we miss so dearly. The ones that live beside us, across from us, just down from us. The ones that saw us through some very dark days. Through some fun, hot summer days. Through normal, "let's walk together and get the mail" days... and all the other days, too.


We had a brown patch in our front yard resulting from a chinch (?) bug outbreak - brought by our old lawn service (I know this because our neighbors used the same service and also got the same bugs as we did). I blasted the darn things with poison before we left, hoping for the best; that our grass would grow back.

Apparently I was being overly optimistic.

So tonight, I got an email from Kasey with these pictures. The lump in my throat is huge, even as I type this. If I had to mutter one word I would probably lose it. I realize how easy it would have been to look at the brown spot and think, "Wow, wait until Val sees this. She needs someone out here to fix it." Or, "Glad that's not my yard." Or whatever. It would have been easy to do absolutely nothing at all. But not these guys.

They cut out the old grass (it was not a small area). They got new sod. Lugged and tugged it into place. Watered it. And still had the energy to smile for a picture.

Not to mention our dear friends who mow our yard and check on our house. Or, yet, the other ones who call, email, and text messages to let us know we haven't been forgotten.

To all of you - we are so blessed. Thank you for your kindness. We feel your love all the way up here.

Thank you.

And when we get back to town (July 19th) - be ready for repayment in the form of margaritas! I don't know what we'd do without you all. See you soon!

XOXO

Did Anyone Make Bets?

I'm back in Rapid. Claire is still sick and I needed to be here to care for her. Being out of town with a husband coming off of chemo and a sick child was a dumb idea. But I had to try.

My employer, Gold Pages Publishing, is still mulling over what to do with their newest employee. Obviously they are dazzled with my amazing talent, so I am hoping they agree to let me start work once Wayne is done with chemo - it coincides with when the Black Hills campaign (the process of advertising happens in cycles) starts this fall. That means I'll be home every night. We'll see what happens. So, if anyone made bets - I officially lasted 1 week and 2 days.

Get this: I've paid for 1 entire month of daycare and the kids used 4 days total. No refunds. Ouch!

Anyway, things should settle down. The kids and I will head to the pool, go to the park, and take care of things around here. Wayne will feel better that I am close enough to handle things - as he said, "now is not the time" - for change. For complications. For hardship.

That means we're simplifying.

Simply holding each other tight and being grateful that we can. Everything else can wait.

Hurt.

As I type this, Wayne is on his way to Rapid. I wish I could see the look on Caeden's face when Wayne walks through the door tonight (Grandma, you have permission to keep him up late if you want!).

Claire was sick this weekend and got worse last night, so Grandma stayed home with the kids today because daycare wasn't an option. I left the house this morning so thankful that Donna is my mother in law, feeling so blessed that she is the kids' Grandma, but at the same time, feeling like a horrible Mom. I feel like I am never around. That when something happens, that I am not able to take care of them. Why is it that when my family needs me the most I am not there? Not in Rapid, not in Houston. Not anywhere they are.

My heart hurts.

I had my first day out in Pierre today. My sales manager rode with me as I got my feet wet. Didn't make any sales, but I am going to be proposing to an attorney's office in town to take either the front cover or the back cover. I aim high! Too bad I scheduled it for the week I will be in Houston with Wayne. Doesn't that just sound like something I would do?!

My head hurts.

Anyway, Pierre is a nice little town. I certainly drove around enough today to see a good portion of it. People are very friendly but walking in to a business to sell them advertising is an art. I have a lot to learn. A lot.

My feet hurt!

Is it just me or are my posts getting more and more depressing?! I promise to lighten up. I'm just not promising when.

Maybe I need to go get a beer.

That couldn't hurt.

Still Here.

This might be the longest break I've taken on the blog. Thanks to your emails, there is no way I could have forgotten to update it. :)

Wayne is on day 5 of chemo in Houston. He is tired but doing well. His dad is with him to remind him to drink lots of water and take care of him. It's comforting to know they're together, but it is difficult to be back here and not with Wayne. None of it feels good, but sometimes what is necessary doesn't always feel good. I keep reminding myself of this. Sometimes multiple times a day.

I started work this week. The office is great! I am traveling to Pierre next week to start selling advertising. I'll be gone M-Wednesday evening - missing Wayne by 1 day. He gets back Monday night, so I think we average almost 2 weeks apart before we see each other (between him being in Houston and my travel schedule). I hate doing the math on that because it makes me so sad.

The kids had their first week of daycare. Caeden has adjusted really well, although the first few days were horrible. He hated it. I hated it. It was just hard. However, it has turned out to be great for him. They keep him busy with activities and lots of kids to play with. Claire is upstairs with the other babies, and I am less thrilled with her arrangement. There are 12 babies and 3 people to care of them - all teenagers. She comes home dirty everyday and it is just so hard to see her not cared for in the manner that she needs. Needless to say, I am looking for somewhere else for her. Daycare - the entire topic has the ability to send my blood pressure through the roof. Sometimes I wonder if it's going to be one of those things that I will ever get used to.

We've been staying with Dave and Donna until our house sells. Donna has been wonderful! The mornings and evenings to so much smoother because of her help. When I fall into bed absolutely exhausted at 9 pm, she still finds the energy to go to the grocery store. Bless her!

Speaking of house, here is our listing: Koop House For Sale. We had it almost sold last weekend but the people who loved it needed 4 bedrooms and so they went with their 2nd choice. Such a bummer!

Off to weed the strawberries. They are starting to ripen! Yummm.