For Them.

Earlier this afternoon I posted a blog entry that maybe I was ready for a blog break. Nothing extreme or permanent, but just a break. 


A couple of friends (you dear friends you) posted in response to NOT take a break. While that was sweet, and I love you for it, it would not have stopped me. I can be stubborn (but you know that already).


I thought about it this afternoon when Claire repeatedly called me "Daddy." You see, she does not call me Mommy. She never has. It is always "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy." And while I think this is sort of cute, it would be nice to know that she knew who I was. I pleaded with her, "I'm Mommy, Claire. Can you say Mommy? Mommmmmmm-eeee."


"Daddy," she would say. But even louder than before.


Tonight I was looking through some old pictures of my family and I came across the one posted here tonight. It was a warm, sunny day in the middle of the summer. Wayne was going through another round of horrible chemo but mustered up the energy to go to ice cream with us at Bonnie Brae. It's an old, local ice cream shop that sports a red and white awning outside and old fashioned black and white tiled floors inside. While the flavor choices change, they always have multi-colored jimmies for the kids.


Wayne, not feeling good, came along anyway. And that's when I got this shot.


The "melted-ice cream-still-on-my-lips-pout" that I never want to forget.
The "I only want to snuggle with my Daddy" look.
The "I got a bit too much sun" flush on her cheeks.
The sweet way he talks to her is right here for all to see.


And I realized that is why I blog. I blog because I don't ever want to have pictures like this lost forever in my hard drive. Because I do not have time to scrapbook, and I am not the type to develop photos to put into albums ... 


This works for me - to tell my story. Their stories. Ours. 


And this story is essentially this:


Claire adores her Daddy. Prefers his lap to mine in the mornings when she wakes up. Toddles into his office, holding a book, chanting, "read, read." - And most days, no matter what else he is doing, his world stops for her.


And someone needs to say that. To witness that. And sometimes I really question my memory. It's horrible at best, and never - ever, ever, ever - do I want to chance losing moments like this.



And that's why I deleted my "taking a break entry" as there will be no blogging break.

Plus, the day she finally calls me "Mommy" you'll get to see a picture just as sweet, but with me included, too. Chances are, I will be flying high.


Happy New Year sweet friends and family. 
Love to you all.

Photography Class

I started my path down this photography road when I took Karen Russell's class last year. I learned so much about my camera, composition, and other technical aspects that have made the world of difference in my abilities.

She does not talk about advanced techniques or photoshop, but she gives the best information to get you started. The binder is THICK with info. Looking at it, I estimate it's about 6" tall with all the printed information in it.

She just announced people are now able to AUDIT her classes without the wait list (which is over 1,300 so far. Getting into her class is a very big deal.). Auditing means you have access to all the info, but you are not able to ask questions. It's a bit less expensive, and the major bonus is there is NO wait.

Just wanted to pass it along because it was a fantastic class.

More information here: Snapshots Class Info.

The Night Before Christmas

 

 

 

We Had Ourselves {A Merry Little Christmas}

It was filled with two little kiddos. One of which could hardly stand the count down to Christmas.

Who played non-stop with all his visiting relatives.

Who ripped open his presents.

Who experienced Christmas in such a way that made it all the more magical for the rest of us.

Our Christmas was filled with sugar cookies and chex mix.

And booze.

Lots and lots of booze.

 

 

We had someone in the kitchen who, with his sous chef (not pictured), whipped up beef stew with horseradish mashed potatoes and blueberry bread pudding (both now are tradition).

Gifts of dolls and toys. Books and movies. Games and clothing.

All gifts from the heart.

And more food.

There were stockings and greenery.

And more booze.

There was laughter and lounging.

Playing and visiting.

Bonding and more booze.

Ice cream in 10 degree weather (magnetic and SUCH a hit!)

Crowns and smiles.

Prayer and Thanks. Blessings and happiness.

In all this, not for one second -- not for a moment, did we take it for granted.

It was everything Merry, joyful ... and more. Much more.

Weekend Update

I have no idea how the weekend whirled by as fast as it did. But it did!

1. Friday Wayne came home from Seattle. That night I went to a Christmas party in my Mom's neighborhood. She has the funnest neighbors!

2. Saturday morning took engagement pictures of Andrea and Jake. Beautiful couple who were so fun to hang out with! Getting married in June. Makes me hug Wayne a little tighter. All together!

Awwwwww...

3. After pictures, went to Anne Be to watch my little sister try on wedding dresses!!! She looked gorgeous and amazing in most, but it wasn't until she put on a veil that I cried. The veil is not her at all, but it looked so ... so ... innocent and pure. She looked like love feels.

4. Chips and Guac with the girls after that.

5. Sunday I hosted a cookie exhange party. Everyone brought dough with baking instructions instead of baked cookies. Less to do for all of us, and brilliant because now we all have a freezer stocked full of cookies ready to be freshly baked in a moment's notice. LOVE this.

6. We drank this cocktail:

1 1/2 C. POM Juice
1 C. Pear Juice
1/4 C. Orange Liquor

Topped with champagne and finished with a cranberry cocktail garnish.

YUM.

7. We ate this dip from Melissa:

Cream Cheese
Green Chilies
Artichoke Hearts
Mayo
Parmesan Cheese

Bake at 400 until hot and bubbly.

AMAZING. I want to make it tonight. And lick the bowl! (And I HATE, LOATHE Mayo.)

8. We made mini sleighs out of candy (posted this idea last year).



Woke up this morning and realized I have some sort of ear infection. Guests will all be here tomorrow and I have no menu planned for the week. Nothing.

And there it goes.

XO

Val

A Message From Santa

If you haven't seen this, you REALLY need to check it out. Coolest ever. Thank you to all of you who sent the link to me. Caeden cannot stop smiling.

Let Santa send a message to the ones you love.

{ Happy Weekend To You }

How are you displaying your cards? I am totally doing this as soon as I can find some twine.

My Mom cut apart a real garland from Costco and put the boughs all over her front porch.

I'm thinking (if they have any left) I might staple some to my mantle (using plywood underneath).

Just mist with water daily to keep fresh.

How about these canvas'? How cute in a playroom or bedroom.

Use paper and modge podge for an easy DYI project.

 

Not for my Southern friends, but these colored ice blocks are genius.

Or, if you don't want to go to the trouble of the blocks, remember you can just use food coloring in misting bottles for loads of fun. Just don't eat the yellow snow.

All ideas, "how to," and photos were found here.

Last but not least. My favorite wreath "how to" idea ever. I wish I had found this 4 weeks ago!

This is the result from using a wire hanger (reshape as a circle) and stringing ornaments onto it.

Clever and beautiful. Found here.

Overload Paused.

I just read my favorite (non-friend/family) blog: Snapshots. (She was my photography teacher.)

How her blog entry today rang so true. She talks about expectations. The expectations she has of herself, of her children, and of her family. How she wants things to be Norman Rockwell and if they aren't, she is disappointed and irritated ... and defeated.

Some days I feel like that, too.

In fact, I have been like that most of my life.

Lately I have been going to the gym and getting back into running. The weight machines intimidate me, and as much as I KNOW I need to use them, I don't know how and I get flustered and self-conscious and just end up running. Anyway, it has helped me manage my expectations a bit better. And my stress.

Wayne was gone in Kansas City (which I am still jealous of), went to Vegas, and then spent the entire last week in Seattle. Not one time did the kids and I have a melt down. - Usually Caeden gets hungry, Claire gets tired, and I am stressed out at the exact same minute and all hell breaks loose. Usually me telling them (like they can understand) that, "Do you know how long it has been since I have taken a shower without someone interupting/needing me/having enough hot water because everyone else goes first?" Or, "Can't I just have 5 minutes without someone needing me? Just five??" -- Yes, I get stressed out and easily feel sorry for myself a week or two into parenting alone.


So anyway, all the while Wayne has been gone that has not happened once. Not one time have I felt overwhelemed or stressed out or too tired.

We've played, we've laughed, we've had a lot of fun together and I think it's all because I am exercising everyday. It's the thing I do for myself and it is making all the difference in the world! The kids are picking up on it, too. I am more "there" for them and funny how when that happens, they need me less (By 'they' I mean Caeden. Claire is a honey and needs me at all times. :)

My expectations are this: I will work out everyday.  I will not let the little things become the big things. I expect that everything will be OK.

I say this just as the holiday ramps up.

Talk to me next week when I am stressed out and wonder who this irritatingly optimistic and motivated woman who wrote this entry is.

P.S. The picture is a completely non-related. Thinking of this wall color for my dining room. What do you think?

Denver Engagement Photographer | Denver, CO In the Moment Photography | Valerie Koop Engagement and Family Photographer

Posting of many more engagement pictures can be found on my photography blog: peek at your moment

Congratulations Lindsay & Jordan!

... Let the wedding planning begin!

{She Said Yes}

Yesterday Jordan and Lindsay became more.

More than the sum of two years.

More than commitment.

More.

They became everything promises are made of.

The future.

Visions of family.

Of happily ever after.

She said Yes.

I have a million pictures to edit and post and I really want to tell the story. But it's not my story to tell (I did, however, document every little thing). I'll see if I can get them to write it. Maybe a "he said she said" piece. With more pictures. More everything.

Let me tell you this, there is nothing like seeing my little sister in love. Seeing her happy and swept off of her feet.

Nothing like it at all.


XOXO

Val

{Caeden's Christmas Program} 2009

Little Blessings Christmas Concert 2009

As Caeden and his classmates prepared for their concert, they walked in line down the aisle that was centered in the middle of the audience. We were lucky to score seats in the back middle section, so when the kids went by, I heard his teacher say, "Caeden, did you see them??"

I love how his shirt is untucked in the back. Especially after all the fussing I did getting him dressed.

I really love this picture because it shows him really getting into it. Such a change from last year when he refused to sing a single syllabl. This year he was really into it. My heart grew two sizes watching him tonight.

The sweet buttoneer is from my Mom. She pinned it on him tonight before we all came to the Church. He was the only one wearing one, and I really love the sweet gesture. The told her, "Oh, Mimi, it's the perfect gift!"

A Merry Christmas to Wayne and I a bit early.

It was the perfect gift.

Meet Finley

Meet Finn. He's our very own Christmas Elf sent from Santa to make sure Caeden (and Claire) belong on the "nice list" for Santa.

Every night after the kids are in bed, he zooms to the North Pole to report the day's happenings to Santa. Each morning when the kids wake up, Finley is in a new location - proof he was gone in the night.

Finn is magical in more ways than one. Having him around is an automatic guarantee that sharing, kind words, and sweetness ooze out of our son.

I wonder if Cupid, Easter Bunny, the Leprechaun ... have some one they can send too?

Elf on a Shelf found here.

{In the Details ... }

This morning I made a pot of coffee and sat down at the kitchen table to make my baking list. I was listening to the kids play in the living room, thinking it was nice to have them to myself this weekend (Wayne is in Vegas). After awhile, it got pretty quiet. I glanced up at the kids, and this is what I saw ...

Claire at the tree, touching ornaments that she knows she is not supposed to. Here she is looking over at me saying, "No, no?" Like, perhaps, I have changed my mind and now all ornaments are fine to man handle. I wasn't too concerned as the ones she can reach are the unbreakable ones I mentioned a couple of posts ago.

I think what she was really going for was the Golden retriever ornament (bought our first Christmas with Lucy Goosie). The head sort of bounces around and it never fails to make Claire laugh. That's when Caeden got in on the action.

 

"Mom, this is what I want Santa to bring me ..." - And there he is on number 3 (I told him Santa only brought a few things because he doesn't have room on his sleigh for everything).

Here's Caeden's favorite ornament. We got it when we visited Durango for our Polar Express ride. I think I love it as much as he does...

 Here's mine from Durango. Got it in a little boutique that smelled like vanilla. All the ornaments were vintage and lovely. My favorite kind of place ...

 

And as long as we're talking about ornaments, here is a sentimental favorite. A bell inscribed with the year Caeden was born. I never get tired of holding it (it is heavy and substantial. I love that.).

 

And this is the first ornament we ever purchased. The year was 1994 - the year we were married. I was really into Precious Moments stuff (have a hilarious story about my wedding topper: bought the "tan" version of the Precious Moments couple to sit on top of our cake. I thought it looked more like us because the girl had dark hair. Then I was told it was the African American version and the man looked nothing like Wayne.)

This is an old ornament as well. I love the glitter and the patina.

And here's Claire with another ornament. Knowing I was taking pictures of other things, she made her move. A cute move it was.

Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S.

Wayne may be in Vegas, but I am dreaming of Mexico!

Christmas Ornament Decorating ... Off the Tree.

 (Photo Credit: Country Living)

This is a similar idea to one I shared a while back with baby shoes (display the gradually increasing sizes of your child's shoes in a cute shadow box. Tag each shoe with the size and age of your child at the time).

Score a shadow box (always on sale at Michaels and Hobby Lobby) and adhere paper to the back (I use paper from the scrapbooking section). Use double sided tape to stick your favorite ornaments on top of the paper.

Wha-la!

Freebies: Christmas Links & Ideas

This year things are a bit tight for all of us. We're in a recession, our homes are worth less than ever, and our children want EVERYTHING (well, I speak for Caeden...). We did not experience job loss like so many did, but our year was full of health care related expenses. What I mean to say is, regardless of our individual situations this year - it has been a tough one for most.

That really doesn't stop me from wanting to give presents to those I care about and be crafty as much as possible, so what's a girl to do? Here are some thrifty ideas and links to get you started:

Free gift tags that you just print! Link to tons here.

Make the neatest holiday candles ever (super inexpensive!): Link to short video tutorial here.

And, a $5 coupon code for all the goodies you'll see on the House of 3 site.

(An aside, I made these candles a couple of years ago and instead of printing off graphics, I used stamps and ink and they turned out fabulous.)

(Photo credit Heidi Swapp)

Free downloadable Holiday Cards here (stylish - not el' cheapo).

Create a winter village craft with the kids with old cereal boxes here.

It's a bit late for the Advent Calendar, but Caeden and I are printing off this free one today and decorating it as his official "countdown to Christmas" visual.

Here are tons of felt craft ideas you don't want to miss: The Long Thread Blog.

And last, these are not free, but super cute. These ornaments are not breakable - making them perfect for the lower portion of the tree that was all but bare because of a certain baby named Claire. I love these! Curiosity of Land of Nod.

Tick Tock

 Caeden says a prayer before lunch and snack time at school. It goes a little something like this:

Tick Tock Tick Tock 

This is the way we Pray

We thank our Lord Jesus Christ

For our (dinner/meal/snack) today.

Amen!

Dinner time was fast last night - 

Wayne was at the store,  Caeden was "starving!" and Claire was tired.

So I was whipping up dinner and fixing plates without time to think about much. Except, I should have thought about prayer.

Claire starting praying and looked at me as she did it. It was like she was looking right through me. I know that might seem weird to hear, but honestly, it was like the Lord was talking to me through Claire. "Pray Val."

Claire is 18 months old. She has 1 tooth. She does not walk. She says things like, "Daddy, Round and Round (ceiling fan), bye bye ..."

And now she says, "Tick Tock, Tick Tock ..."

I get choked up even now when I think about how powerful it was.  It's all I have been thinking about.