Change CAN be Good.

http://www.beinthemomentphoto.com/blog/ 

It drives me crazy when things change that force me to accommodate ...

Like when people change their cell number or email or whatever.

Not a fan of having up update my contacts.

So, I totally understand why this link at the top of the page is annoying.

The only reason I am changing locations is because the picture quality is SO much better.

And pretty pictures are important to a girl like me.

A photographer like me.

So please take a second to bookmark the new site.

It's where you will find me.

And I promise to make the change worth it.

Thank you for continuing to follow my story. Our stories.

Of life attempted.

xoxo.

valerie

(bottom photo: why... something blue, of course) 

{ Labor Day Weekend }

Packing up the SUV with ...

Two kids. 

Their toys, movies, blankets and pillows. Snacks, drinks, clothes and ....

Me.

My camera, iPod full of new playlists, and some coffee.

Through the mountains we go.

To visit my dear friend and her family.

We will ...

Visit peach orchards.

Take lots of pictures.

Talk. A lot.

Eat yummy food.

Check our email on our iPhones when we think the other isn't looking.

Photoshop our newly taken pictures into the wee hours of the morning.

Drink coffee.

Do it all again the next day.

Oh, and the kids.

Probably hang with them a little bit, too. ;)

Wayne.

has the house to himself.
Can walk. Feels really good.

Has something planned with his friends every single day.

Can't wait for me to leave.

Talk to you all Tuesday...

XOXO.

Me.

P.S. Be gentle ... it is still a work in progress ...
but I have a new blog (and new website shortly).
You can take a peek here:

In the Moment Photo Blog

Putting Something In the Cookie Jar | High Altitude Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal & Pecan Cookies

Last night Jami (get a blog so I can link you, girl!) and I went to the 

John Mayer concert at Red Rocks.

We drove a (generously borrowed) Mercedes S 53 (some sort of number)? AMG.

Jami rocked it. 

We had chips and salsa and salad for dinner.

Did some shopping at Nordstrom.

Did a whole lot of talking. 

And singing. Lots of that, too. 

Sigh. I have a serious crush on Johnny.

But, back to Jami, more than once I wondered where she had been all this time (we went to High School together and never knew each other) and how I couldn't wait to make all that time irrelevant by being the best sort of friend I could be now. She is that great.

So, while talking non-stop, we got on the subject of wholesome living/cooking. You know, being active. Being present. Being a better homemaker. Better mother. Better, better, better.

Plain and simple. She makes me want to be better. Be honest. Simplify.

Don't you love people who push and inspire you in that way??

So, this girl has her own chickens for eggs 

(we do too, they just live with Dave and Donna ... haha), 

bakes her own bread, doesn't eat fast food and avoids processed food as much as possible.

Soul sisters, we are.

Anyway. Inspired, this morning if you looked around my house there is no mistaking.

I cleaned out all the crap food in the house. Have bread rising on the counter. Made homemade cookies with wheat flour, flax seed, and lots of stirring from my two children. 

I played house. Played on the floor. Need to be better about that. Need to be present.

I feel like a fog as lifted and so with that said ... a recipe. For you. For hanging in there with me as I have struggled. Thank you.

These turned out soft, chewy and NOT greasy (often happens here in Colorado). Seriously the best cookies I have made to date. 

{ Chocolate Chip, Oat & Pecan Cookies }

1/2 lb. unsalted butter, softened

1/2 C. sugar

1 C. brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. baking soda

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla (I tend to use a tad more)

2 c. flour (I used whole wheat)

Flax Seed (I just dump it in - also good in yogurt, fyi)

2 c. old fashioned oats (not instant)

2 c. mini chocolate chips

2 c. pecans, chopped (or walnuts would be good, too)

Preheat Oven to 375.

Cream butter and sugars for 5 minutes (yes, it's a long time - use a stand mixer)

Add salt and baking soda.

Add eggs one at a time.

Add vanilla.

Mix in flour at low speed (do NOT over mix)

Add flax, oats, chocolate chips and nuts (do not over mix...)

Using a 1/4 c. measuring cup, pack dough into cup and place on cookie sheet

(you all have a silpat pad, right? If not, talk to me ... best ever)

Bake 11-12 minutes.

Soft. Yummy. Perfect.

And yes, that's my cookie jar in the picture. :)

Kalinowski Fellas | Denver Colorado Wedding Photographer

After the necklace ... time for hair.

Meanwhile, I snuck out to check on the fellas ...

Two of Jordan's brothers ... James and Issac rocking the bow ties.

Jordan getting ready ... and behind me as I shot this, Josh saying, "Kalinowski hair!"

Seriously.

Shoes on. I'd say he was ready.

And so was everyone else ...

 

And Jordan. Again. Rocking it. Loved the blue, khaki and green combo. Great style, this guy.

Let's Start Here | Kalinowski Wedding | Denver Wedding Photographer | Colorado Wedding and Engagement Photographer |

From the beginning ...

Friday was filled with all things girlie. Pedicures and manicures. Breakfast at Snooze. Mimosas. Last minute bonding at Lindsay's house ...

Then there was the rehearsal but I didn't take pictures. Friend me on facebook for all sorts of pictures from other people, like the amazing Kelly K!

So, friday night Linz and I stayed at a hotel. We chilled together, bonding while we both were glued to our iPhones (ha).

In the morning we woke up and it all began ...

While Lindsay was getting ready in the hotel room, a gift arrived from Jordan...

He said (about picking something out for her), "She is easy ... she is classic. Pearls. It was obvious."

J, you knocked her off her feet. She LOVED them. Didn't even have words. Love that.

Perfect, huh?

The story continues tomorrow ...

Today Was A Fairytale ...

To be so in love with someone that it radiates as far as the eye can see.

And as far as the heart can reach.

To be so in love that sparkling eyes and smiles and tears of happiness are side effects. 

To be so in love.

To be so sure.

To be complete and whole and new all at once.

To share this with Lindsay & Jordan made me cry most of the day and night. I am sentimental, you know.

Lindsay was all grace and beauty.

And sure. And ready.

Jordan was overwhelmed with emotion when he saw her walk down the aisle. 

Jordan.

Confident. In love. Ready. 

And when they exited the alter, a choir sang, "Best of my Love"

and we all sang along.

And so did our family. Our new, even bigger & better family.

And together we all danced the night away.

Laughed it away.

Sang it away.

But we will never wish it away because

Today (8/28/2010) was a Fairytale.

{ Can't wait for them to come back so I can show them all their pictures ... }

(so I can show you, too!)

Just the Future.

Just Today.

I suspect Wayne's lack of movement and walking has more to do with his love of being waited on hand and foot (that would be by me) than any sort of complication with surgery.

Well, maybe not. But I know he still loves it.

Here's another one who loves it.

"MOM! Mooooooom. Mom!"

But she has everyone fooled with those blue eyes of hers, doesn't she? 

Works on me every time.

In all seriousness ...

Wayne spiked a fever last night and had us both worried. Fed him some Leviquin and this morning he was better. He isn't walking more than a couple of steps.

He isn't eating much and is getting thinner by the day.

I am eating almonds by the handful and gulping diet pepsi by the case.

More tomorrow ... lots going on. Lots to tell you. To show you.

XOXO.

 

Little Man Ice Cream | Denver Colorado Photographer | Children's Colorado Photographer |

I wanted to save these for my new blog (the image quality is SO much better) but it's taking me much longer than I had hoped to get it up and running. So, here you go.  

Little Man Ice Cream is a Denver institution. Always the best, seasonal flavors. Always a line. Always sit outside. Always takes the edge off a bad day when you can be silly and sweet and sticky with your kids. 

Update on Wayne

Wayne is home! Feeling worse than before he went in, but surgery has a way of doing that to a person...

His Radiologist was able to remove most of the clot using a very cool procedure. Basically, he isolated the chemical that dissolves the clot by ballooning both ends - and then sectioning off his clot in three parts to suction it out.

He ran into some resistance the closer he got to Wayne's pelvic region. It appears Wayne's tumor is pressing on the vein, causing it to close (and then clot). So, he inserted a stint to help the veins' wall stay open. Blood flow opened up immediately.

We will know by tomorrow night how much this is going to help Wayne. He is not walking much (but tries) and is in some pain.

We are glad he is home and is able to rest here instead of in ICU. Huge difference.

I mean, the hospital doesn't have Bunny. SHE has magical healing powers ...

Treading Water

I have been trying to get my new blog finished up but I am, apparently, highly inefficient and still not done with it. 

I want to post session pictures on the new blog so for now, you must settle for more personal, family stuff here, okay?

I look at this girl, with her disheveled hair that she won't let me fix, her eyes that tell me she is up on to something, and that look that tells me she knows better ... and a quote I just came across in Real Simple magazine struck a cord ...

"My Mother had a good deal of trouble with me, but I think she enjoyed it."

Mark Twain, Chapters From My Autobiography 

So.

Today I am treading water. Cleaning. Laundry. Thinking about cooking.

But my children have other ideas. Like eating. Wanting to play. Have attention be bestowed upon them. The nerve, right?

Wayne is hanging in there. It is very difficult for him to walk and to get around (the stairs are impossible) but he did manage to get some fresh air today and meet Randy for lunch.

He is working a ton. Most of the day. And night. It's nice to see. Gives me peace of mind that his "chemo fog" has lifted from his brain.

He needs lots of rest. And I do what I can to make sure he is comfortable (and has water, which is his favorite thing) but it pains me to look at him. So, so thin. I hope this break allows for some weight gain. I don't think I have seen him this thin - not even in High School.

And when people, who only have the best intentions, ask me how he is, or how I am ...

I just want to cry.

How do you THINK it is going?!

And I am very aware this attitude of mine needs adjusting. I am aware that I get mad.

I am aware and am not lost in lala land, okay? 

So if I offend you or do not respond at all, please know it is not you. It's me.

Sometimes I just need some space. And sometimes all I want to do is vent here.

So I do.

And then get sensitive about it.

Nice and complicated, I know. Might make you want to stay away?

Everyday we wake up in the same loop. Same cancer. Same news. Same Wayne who can't do much but lay down. Same Val that tries to keep it together but is so tired and whiny that she can't even stand to listen to herself.

Same Caeden ... that repeats two things:

1. Any physical complaint Wayne has, Caeden has. If Wayne says, "My leg hurts," Caeden will say the same thing all day.

Yesterday we were at Costco and he told me he couldn't walk because of a blood clot.

I stopped dead in my tracks, turned around in the parking lot to look at him, and said,

"You do not have cancer. Stop it."

He could tell I was just about to either cry or freak out, 

so he just nodded and started to walk.

2. (The other thing he repeats is "shit," which I stopped saying, thank you very much.)

Think we all are doing our best to tread water and ...

I need to remember I am not the only one I need to save from drowning. 

So if you want to know how it is going ... there you go.

The Why is Simple.

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.  ... Nietzsche

At First Sight ... | Denver Family Photographer | Denver Children's Photographer | Candid Beautiful Fresh Photography | Parker Colorado Photographer

Last night, you could have found me here... Engaged with a sweet baby girl who loves everything girlie. Sparkly bracelets, cupcakes ... and mostly 

... just as it should be ... her Mommy and Daddy.

I must have told them a thousand times what a pleasure it was to photograph such pretty subjects. They rocked the camera and I have a ton of images to prove it...and the sneak peek is ... well, just a peek.

This gorgeous family traveled from Wyoming to have me shoot their session and I am always so blown away when that happens. Feel so privileged and lucky.

So.

As we were shooting and getting to know each other, I asked how they met. 

Her: At a BBQ. He fell in love with me immediately. Love at first site.

Him: It totally was.

Oh my gosh. All that playfulness and love translated into the camera like nobody's business. 

 And their little girl? Could not be any more sweet.

Literally. ;)

Thank you, you beautiful, stylish, rockin family ...

For letting me capture your family. As you are. Right now.

At first sight.

For The Weekend.

Saturday mornings at our house mean going to the grocery store in p.j.'s (well, the kids at least ...) for donuts. (Or Snooze for breakfast when we are up early enough to beat the crowd.)

It means lots of coffee and a lazy morning of "what should we do today?" talk.

For us, tomorrow means the swimming pool. Grilling (spicy steak sandwiches with homemade BBQ sauce and corn on the cob)... Linz's bachelorette party tomorrow night...(and me constantly on B&H's website looking at the 85L lens ... ha)

Sunday is Church. Farmer's Market. A nap. And then a photo shoot with a sweet family traveling all the way from Wyoming. So excited.

Wayne is in bed most of the time - or sitting in a chair with his leg elevated. The clot makes it nearly impossible for him to get around. If it isn't better by next week, it sounds like he will go to the hospital to have the clot broken up and his leg drained. Should help so much.

So. That's where we're at.

XO.

Val