Canyon Lake | Rapid City Photographer

Fairy wings and ruffles are no match for Batman (in the background). He is foiled by her charms every time.

Packing Up

Tomorrow (after school & after work) we are headed to Rapid City for Easter. My "things to pack" list is getting very long.

1. Easter Bunny Items

2. Camera Equipment & Session Props

3. Laptop

4. Vitamix

5. Clothes

6. Cooler full of fruits and veggies (that still won't stop us from making junk food stops, I'm sure)

7. A new DVD to keep the fussing to a minimum

Spinach, pineapple, and grape smoothie.  We were way too naive and told Caeden what was in it, and of course, he wouldn't touch it. Claire, however, LOVED it. It's the best one yet. I just hope we can get clever with naming these things so Caeden will actually drink them. This morning I said, "It's the Swamp Monster Smoothie!" and Caeden looked at me like I was the lamest person ever.

Twine, Old Crates, Wire and { Cuteness }

I love the idea of stringing twine along a wall and filling the space(s) with letters, cute drawings, pictures, post cards, etc. 

I did the same thing in the kids' playroom and it's currently filled with Valentine's. Shortly it will be replaced with birthday wishes (Caeden turns 5 in a couple of weeks).

This is a somewhat fuzzy screen shot of my favorite baby boutique, Lauren Alexandra (located in Kansas City). When I still lived there, my alphabet art and cards were sold there. And when I was back a couple of weeks ago, I stopped in and stocked up on stuff for Claire: fairy wings, a pink clothing stand that is now on display in her room and full of spring dresses and bloomers, and a cute cupcake barrette (I never give up hope that she will, in fact, grow hair.)

I love that store. LOVE that store. The staff is fantastic, too. Makes all the difference these days.

There is something I wanted to point out in this picture:

The crates hanging on the wall have all been painted different colors and screwed to the wall. How stinkin' cute is THAT? You could do that in someone's room to hold books, toys, favorite stuffed animals, a clock, etc. Or, in a bathroom for cotton balls, towels, soap, etc.

The point is, you don't have to spend a lot of money to get a super cute, custom look in your house.

Here's a cute idea for storing your jewelry. Found at Pottery Barn for $39 (available in June). I found a blog this morning that had step by step instructions for making one yourself. Cannot find. 

But, trust me, it looked easy.

Spray paint a cheap frame whatever color your little heart desires. Screw i-hooks (faking the name of those things) onto the back and string wire. 

Total cost: about $5.

***New subject***

So yesterday's post. 

It struck a cord with many of you out there. I got 9 (yes, I counted) different emails from people not wanting to post on the blog about how they could relate.

I chalk it up to Winter Blah Syndrome (technical term). Not to be confused with Seasonal Affect Disorder (the real deal).

Thank you for letting me know I am not alone! 

Also, I had quite a few questions about the Roden + Fields skincare I mentioned. They are the company that launched Pro Active. They used to just be sold at Nordstrom (And Macy's maybe? I cannot remember for sure) but they went direct (for all those poor women who do not have Nordstrom near by). The big deal with them is anti-aging. Reversing dark spots, wrinkles, etc. I tried the serum the other day and couldn't believe how smooth my skin was. I made Wayne feel it. He nodded that, yes my skin felt great, and yes I looked 10 years younger. 

Or maybe he just sort of nodded with a vacant expression on his face. 

Either way, I was really happy with it.

I am not interested in selling it, but my rep Kacie is making $$$ (try a 10,000 bonus on for size). If you want to order some skincare or talk to her about how she is making $, contact her: https://kacieshober.myrandf.com

I will report back with how it is working. Maybe I will take a before and after picture and you can see what you think.

Anyhoo.

This weekend is filled with planning for my Easter Mini Sessions. Making a cute garland, ordering flowers, painting chairs ... I cannot wait. The portraits on the farm are going to be brilliant. I still have slots available, so if you know someone who doesn't read my blog, please pass this along. Thank you so much!

To book: valerie@beinthemoment.net

Sort of Whining. Only read if you are REALLY bored.

 (picture has nothing to do with anything {via Martha})

Am I the only one who occasionally freaks out about aging? 

Today I am at "Pump It Up" - for those who do not have children, it isn't as naughty as it sounds. It's just a huge room filled with kids bouncing on slides, in big boxed "rooms," and everywhere else.

The kids love it.

And what do the parents do while the kids are running around? Make small talk. Coo over new babies, and more than once I overheard, "So, what did you do before kids?" - It was implied that once you have children you are no longer working (well, I guess a safe assumption considering it was 11 am). But still.

The thing that I noticed was that I seemed to be at the older end of the spectrum. Or maybe I just looked it? Either way, I saw many super cute, young, designer jean wearing Moms there.

I wore a KU baseball cap, jeans from 7 years ago, and tennis shoes. I am no John Kumpart.

The thing is, I went to this place thinking I was a good Mom for getting the kids out of the house and doing something fun. I left still feeling that way, but also feeling like the unpretty Mom.

I am not saying I need to compete with them, only that I should try a bit harder to be a better me.

Do you ever feel like you need a make over??

I need these things: get back to the gym DAILY (my sister in law just ran a marathon and I haven't raised my heart rate since chasing my son and PRETENDING to let him win),  new skincare to take care of my face - needing to evolve from a hodge podge of things and get consistent with slathering serum on my face before bed (I would be a very happy lady if I could have skin that looked like my Mother in Law), and drink lots and lots of water (currently chuging a diet pepsi). Oh, and eat organic.

Maybe I just need a nap?

You know what else? I think it is more stressful THINKING about what you want to change than actually DOING it.

So, I've got the Door to Door Organics folks delivering food (starting when we get back from Rapid City), taking kids to the gym after they wake up (and bringing along my Sigg full of water), and I am trying out some new skincare from Rodan + Fields (my rep is Kacie). 

It promises to reverse all those times I baked in the sun without sunscreen ...

when you are stuck in the house ...

*Edited to add: My resourceful friend Carisa found all the supplies to duplicate the art center at Ikea.


Lamp 39-
S Hooks 3-
White Containters 6-
Silver Bar 7-
Wire basket 2-

We're sitting under 10" of snow and I've been sick for almost 2 weeks. When you don't want to get dressed and can't really go anywhere ... what do you do?

1. Bath time for the kids. Maybe even twice.

2. Craft time for all!

3. Waste too much time online.

4. Cook and bake with healthy ingredients (that all turned out horribly):

a. Cook blueberry pancakes that your 5 year old doesn't like (I used wheat flour and he noticed).

b. Bake banana muffins that taste horrible (used bananas that were really, really, REALLY black).

c. Bake oatmeal cookies with flax eggs and oat bran (That didn't rise. At all.).

If you trust that I have been a victim of bad luck but do know how to bake ...
I DO have a few tips that I thought I'd share:

Do you know that feeling of needing butter to bake but it's still in the fridge and as hard as a rock? Cut it up into chunks and it will be ready to bake with in about 10 minutes.

You all know to coat your berries, chocolate chips, nuts, etc. in flour so they don't sink to the bottom of whatever you are baking, right?

Moving passed the failed attempts in the kitchen and onto craft time:

Caeden likes to craft as much as I do. If I wasn't too lazy to take a picture, you'd see a desk similar to this one, piled high with paper, stamps, markers galore, pencils, glue, glitter ...

And as soon as Claire knew I wasn't looking, it would be an instant disaster. Need to do something before the inevitable happens.

Yes, I think that is what I will work on today.

I especially like the hanger for displaying paper and art and that towel bar is genius. Are those hooks usually for shower curtains? I can't quite place them?

photo via stephmodo

a little of this ... a little of that ... all in a frame.

I have quite a few walls that need something other than photographs (like up my stairs, for example). I like the idea of mixing in keepsakes, the kids' art, and pictures to make a big statement of "this is us!"

Claire has a red and white polka dot bikini I'd like to frame. Caeden's sweet baptism shirt. Their shoes (one of each from smallest to largest).

Above photo via creative mama.

For those of you with older children, I can't think of anything sweeter than putting a beloved toy that has been outgrown into a shadow box ...

Photo via poppytalk.

Above images from Martha Stewart.

Here's my only one, created 5 years ago ... taken with the trusty iPhone. :

It's got Caeden's picture, his footprints on acid free paper, his itty bitty hat, bracelet, etc. 

To make:

1. Cut foam core to the size of your frame (making sure the frame is deep enough to accomodate).

2. Adhere paper (or fabric or whatever you want) to the foam core for the background.

3. Using brads, string elastic in a zig zag to create the look of a pinboard.

4. Tuck in your keepsakes and carefully place into your frame.

Making a Change

Food has become quite an issue in the house. Junk is winning over fresh food and I've struggled (and am failing) to feed my son nutricious food that he enjoys. 

Packing his lunch has become a worry that starts with me the night before he goes to school.

1.  Will he eat an apple if I take the skins off (I resist doing this as the peel is rich in nutients, as we all know)?

2.  Does a wheat bagel with cream cheese make a worse choice than deli meat and cheese (sandwiches are another thing he won't eat)?

3.  There are never veggies packed. (He claims he is allergic to them all.)

Dinner at home is no different. Even when I make him go without dinner if he doesn't eat what's on his plate, he gladly starves (especially when we're talking about veggies).

He lives on Cheez-its (I allow them as a snack once a day).

I feed him vitamins and HOPE they are doing some good. 

But we all know vitamins can't make up for lack of good nutrition the majority of the time.

I was so relieved to be watching Jamie Oliver's new show on TV: Food Revolution.

He talks about what we all worry about as parents - our children. How their generation is the first in history to have a shorter life expectancy than us. That is so wrong on so many levels - it makes me sick and sad. 

So, this long winded entry today does get to my point:

I got reacquainted with two classmates from High School this weekend. Jessica and Kacie and I sat around talking about how to make our lives better - whether it is food, skincare, the importance of empowering each other, and the strength of community.

Jessica introduced me to Door to Door Organics.

It's an organic food service that delivers fresh produce to your door every week. (It's in Colorado, Kansas City, and other places.)

I could smell the oranges in her kitchen as soon as I walked into her front door. That should tell you something about the caliber of food they deliver. 

Wayne and I talked a lot tonight about what we need to do to change the food environment of our home. One of the first things we are doing is ordering from this company. The second is we will start juicing the produce that we don't know how to disguise (Caeden can sniff out vegetables a mile away but will drink the juice made from fresh veggies willingly - a bit of apple or some grapes mixed in makes a huge difference.)

Will it be horrible to plead and negotiate with him at first? Yes. But after awhile, I have to believe he will forget the crap he was eating and get used to healthy, fresh choices. (One of my biggest accomplishments in the food arena is that he chooses ice water over juice and has never had a soda.)

I'm tired of taking the easy way out and/or being manipulated by a 5 year old. He's such a good kid - this mess is not his fault. It's mine.

But I can change all of that. (I can get clever at the very least.) And I KNOW our family will be better for it.

Maternity Session | Kansas City Denver Rapid City Photographer | by Valerie Koop

A sneak peek at the maternity session I shot last weekend in Kansas City. 

To see more visit my photography blog: In the Moment Photography

Congratulations!

Frosting and other news ...

1. Kansas City was fantastic. Friends, laughing, shopping, eating ... always fun. And always hard to get over. I love how I feel when I am back there.

2. Photoshoot went amazing. Location, subject (s), lighting ... all perfection. Will be sharing soon.

3. Came home to an inbox full of portrait requests (both here in Denver and also in Rapid). 

I do have room for anyone thinking of booking the mini-Easter sessions, but not many. Please contact me for a time slot as you don't want to be left out. It will be THAT good.

Spent last night talking with a dear childhood friend and then took her to the airport (we left the house at 4:30 am) so she could go home. Miss her already.
 

4. 70 degrees today. Played outside almost the entire day, wore flip flops, dressed Claire in a sundress, and ate fruit pizza for dinner. Yum.

5. Taking the rest of the week off to work and catch up. See you Monday.

Kansas City for the Weekend

This is a Thomas Kincade painting that we have in our house. It's of the Kansas City Plaza during Christmas time. Whenever I stop to really look at it, I choke up. Is it weird that after being gone for three years I still have issues? I am still horribly homesick.

Today I am jumping on a flight to go back to Kansas City. One of my dearest friends is expecting her first baby, and so I am on my way to coo over her properly. I'm looking forward to her photo shoot and to giving her all sorts of unsolicited advice.

Tonight, though, is for catching up with Bridget and Raphael and their sweet boys. We will talk and laugh and reminisce about all our summer nights on their porch - drinking wine and talking about politics, religion, friendships, parenting ... 

There are places I need to go: Paper Source (for Lindsay's wedding stuff), Houston's (for spinach dip), Curious Sofa (best shopping on earth - plus I miss Deb), and somewhere to get some new Jay Hawk apparel (proud KU alumni), drive by my old house and look to see how big our trees have gotten, see how my old neighbors are doing, and wish that my friends were not all out of town (what are the chances?! - but they are). I will probably cry when I see my house.

The kids and Wayne are staying home (he's been gone all week - actually, now that I think about it, he has been gone for 4 or 5 weeks from home. I think he is ready to see the kids and sleep in his own bed!)

Have a great weekend.

Too Fast.

When she was thinking about it, the big girl move of walking down the step instead of scooting, I was there to cheer her on. To watch in anticipation as she thought about it, moved away, came closer to the edge, and then backed away again.

I might have said, "Sweetie, you can do it...!"

But not until she did it, did I realize how, really, I didn't mean it at all.

It's going too fast.

Questions & Answers to Mini Easter Sessions

I just wanted to address questions that have come up about the Easter Sessions that you might have been wondering, too.

1. No dressing up required. If you would rather be casual and not make it about Easter - that is great, too!

2. My promo includes families, too. Or a combo of some family some children. Or pets. Anything is possible! :)

3. I do not do a lot of posing. My style is candid, but what I do to get the shots (that you will love) is:

1. Present a handful of flowers to a sweet girl and capture her reaction.

2. Let your children chase and hold daffodil colored balloons.

3. Lay your children on a quilt and ask them for their most silly faces.

4. Get those sweet baby chicks, ducks, and goats snuggling and chirping with your family. I guarantee super sweetness.

5. Make a fool of myself to get great smiles ... Don't judge me.

However, if you DO want a certain look or pose, please let me know, as I am here to make you happy and will do whatever that takes (Usually. I say usually because I have had some crazy requests. :)

Email me at valerie@beinthemoment.net to reserve your time slot.

Fun places to get clothes and accessories:

Funky ties and bow ties: The Silly Wagon 

Crocheted Hats (thanks for the link Diane!) Etsy.

Rain boots: Target, Janie and Jack, Nordstrom (for Mom)

And ... if you need help picking something out, bring some clothing options to the shoot and I will help you put it together.

Mini Easter Portrait Sessions | Rapid City Photographer | In the Moment Photography

For questions or to reserve your time slot 

email valerie@beinthemoment.net

How we roll.

On a cold day, a sense of humor goes a long, long way.

Happy Birthday Mom | Grandma | Donna Koop!

(picture taken fall of 2009)

What we love about the birthday girl:

Caeden says:

1. I like her mixer.

2. I like that she makes me jello.

3. I like playing with Grandma's stove.

4. She gives good hugs.

5. I love her .

6. She plays games with me.

Val says:

6. She is patient and loving.

7. Always up for anything.

8. Has the energy of someone in their 20's.

9. Can find the humor in most anything.

10. She creates amazing quilts that are complete works of art.

11. She makes me a better Mom by the example she sets.

12. Her desserts.

13. Master of recycling. The original "green" movement could have easily started with her.

14. Cracks me up with her special (gambling) purse.

15. Genuine. What you see is what you get.

16. Her sense of adventure.

17. Gives advice only when asked (which is something I am trying very hard to emulate!)

18. Her newsy emails make me feel like we don't live 7 hours apart.

19. She is a wonderful friend to all who know her. For those of you who are lucky enough to call her a friend, you know this to be true.

20. She has the most beautiful skin. If only we could all age as gracefully and beautifully as she does.

21. Knows just what to say to the kids to make them feel like they are the center of her world.

22. Incredible work ethic.

23. Letting a big huge dog that sheds everywhere into her house. Loves Lucy without making us feel guilty that she really didn't want a pet in the house. (It doesn't go unnoticed, Mom).

24. Sneaks blueberries into our freezer to keep us well stocked when we have run out of our own.

25. Keeps the cleanest car around.

26. Tolerates Dave (kidding Dad! Sort of ...) :)

27. Cries when we say good bye (it's sweet and endearing)

28. She is the best mother in law I could have ever asked for.

Claire says:

29. She feeds me pancakes.

30. She reads to me.

31. She loves me and takes such good care of me when I visit.

Wayne says:

32. Her silent strength
33. Her ability to put everyone at ease
34. Her ability to sit at a penny slot machine for hours

We love you so very much!

Happy Birthday!

P.S. This would have been so much cleverer if we could have gotten to 61.

P.P.S. Caeden wanted to add: Thank you for taking such good care of me when I visit.

claire bear @ 21 months

She has a blanket she calls "tiny." It's satiny and pink and is always with her.

She licks it when she gets tired. She's done this since she was a newborn (but she licked me and Wayne back then).

 

She's a lover of books and reads (or is read to) all day long.

She's really into animal sounds so this book is a favorite right now. She wanders the house saying, "Meow" and "Baaaa" and "woof woof."

 

 
 

She's always busy trying to keep with her brother. 

I believe her hair is turning red.

She has a problem with not getting her way.

She loves to be held.

She loves Caeden and will sit in "time out" with him -- even when he is there for something like pusing, hitting, or being mean to her.

She hits him back.

Some days it is like a war zone and I retreat to my happy place in Turks.

 

She's working on her 5th tooth and bites everything in sight.

 

I sing the song, "Skiddly Rinky Dink - ee- Dink, Skiddly Rinky Doo"  to Claire before her nap and she sings along with me. And licks her blanket.

 

Here's Caeden's reaction to the music... Safe to say, not a fan.

When Inspiration Strikes

Boring dining room needed some love. We had beadboard installed when we had our basement finished (months and months ago) and that poor beadboard was still unpainted. Unfinished. Unloved.

Poor beadboard.

I finally loaded up the kids and took them to the paint store for samples. Caeden picked out a dark, navy blue and was devastated when it didn't make the cut. However, here are the 4 colors that did.

I lived with them for a couple days before picking #4 (both walls each have the same 4 colors painted on them).

Here was my inspiration:

This was my Mom's bowl back in the day. I have always loved it - loved the color, loved the weight of it, and loved it's size. So did/does Mom. But she loves me more and handed it over to make me happy.

So, anyway, for four days I painted. I painted the trim. The beadboard. The grooves in the beadboard. I touched up. Touched up some more. I wondered why no one warned me just how awful painting beadboard can be?!

 

Here's the finished result. The table needs some fresh flowers in the pitcher and I need a rug of some sort, but you get the idea. I love the color. 

Thanks Mom!

XOXO

Val

Back to Reality

At home with Caeden:

1. Mom, I don't like this (getting ready for school). I'd like to go live with Grandpa and Grandma. You can come visit and see me, though.

2. I miss Aunt Nikki. She doesn't tell me 'no.'

3. Why aren't you playing with me (as I am cleaning up Claire's spagetti that she launched across the kitchen)??!

4. Mom, I love you. You are a good girl. Now, explain to me where farts come from.

Turks and Caicos (Point Grace Resort) 2010

Here's the cottage we stayed in. Of all the the things we did, having coffee every morning on the veranda was my favorite part of the vacation.

Our cottage was amazing. The interior was exquisite. Dark wood floors, a huge canopy bed, a cast iron soaking tub, gourmet kitchen, and the two doorways that you see are open to the veranda. We had windows on every wall, so when we opened them all, the breeze was amazing. And all that sunlight ... sigh. It was crazy how much we loved it.

This was our view from the veranda. We would look out at the ocean, listen to the palm trees sway, and talk about what we were going to do that day. Pure bliss.

Then, after we would have breakfast (the best oatmeal ever and fresh fruit), we'd walk across this sweet little bridge and take a stroll up and down the island.

The sand is as soft and fine as sugar. And almost as white. I'd read about places that have sand like this, and having been to many beaches, thought it was a bit of an exaggeration. It turns out this place isn't an exaggeration. At all.

These are the umbrella huts we used every day. They were perfect for Wayne, whose fair skin doesn't tolerate the sun for long. I couldn't help but think they would be perfect for babies to sleep and play under, too.

We did a lot of this.

And quite a few self portraits because we were shy to ask others to take our picture for us.

I did ask a lady to take a picture of us, and this is what we got. No Wayne and half of me. Plus, she didn't say when she was going to take it, so I was sort of waiting for a cue. Nice smirk I was sporting in the mean time, eh?

Here we are having drinks with a cute couple we met who were on their honeymoon. They live in Kansas City, so we had no problem making conversation over mojitos and beer (I didn't ask their permission to post their names and photos - so I'm not). They wanted me to take some pictures of them, so I did, and another bride and groom (sit wearing their wedding attire) walked up and asked me to do the same for them as they said, "It looks like you know what you are doing." That made me laugh but also feel so good. It was the only time on the trip I regretted not bringing my big camera. (I brought my point and shoot because I was afraid of salt water and sand. Turns out, I was right.)

Of the week we were there, we had 2 good days of weather. We had a lot of wind, clouds, and rain that just wouldn't leave (all of you who said not to worry about the forecast were big fat liars). BUT, on one of the good days, I went on Wayne's scuba diving boat to get out on the water. It was awesome to see how many different colors the water could turn. Stunning.

Wayne dove 3 days (for a total of 6 dives). He saw sharks, lobster, fish galore, turtles (my personal favorite), rays, eels, etc.

Here he is coming up from dive #6. He rocked it!

While Wayne was busy diving, I was busy doing nothing. I literally layed on the chaise all the days (except for 2 when the rain was non-stop). Even when it was cold and windy, I'd lay there with towels drapping over my body. I was determined to soak up the outdoors. I read 3 books, listened to a lot of music, walked the beach, and drank a lot of Corona.

I didn't take a lot of pictures, as you can see, but there really wasn't much to show because I am being honest when I say I didn't do anything. But hopefully you get the idea.

Doing nothing is everything in a place like this!

XOXO

Val