In the Moment | Valerie Koop

{ the color purple }

Valerie — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:43:19 +0000

happy weekend.

xo.

{ full circle }

Valerie — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:16:07 +0000

Long ago, in another life it seems, I walked the halls of the Sturgis High School.

I remember during my Freshman year, taking a bogus Independent Study class (last of the day) and waiting for passes to spring me from it so I could leave Campus a bit early (I swear I was a good kid, Mom!).

I remember wearing the black and white and red cheerleading uniforms, running track, passing notes, cruising up down the streets, eating at Taco Johns without guilt, watching football and basketball games … and during the three years I called Sturgis home, making some of the best friends of my life.

And now Claire & Caeden will walk the same halls. Try out for teams. Make friends. Make memories in the same place I did. Rylan did. And even where Wayne did. Everything started here. The perfect plan that none of us knew anything about was well underway 25 years ago.

It spooks me when I break it down like that, considering Kansas was home for so, so long – and where I thought I would always live.

And then I didn’t.

And you just don’t know as much as you think you do. Humbled until the very end, I think. Always learning and correcting yourself along the way.

And I guess I’m a bit nostalgic this morning. That sweet and unnerving feeling when you know you are right where you are supposed to be but have no idea how you arrived full circle.

But I have.

Stopping along Junction to capture this pink garage with gingham curtains – I’m standing in the middle of the street, the kids watching for traffic as I direct them where to stand and could they PLEASE listen so I can get out of the street oh my goodness here comes a CAR why didn’t you warn meeeeee pay attention Caeden STOP strangling Claire and hug her the RIGHT way.

(They have gotten used to me. This. Don’t be alarmed.)

Happy Weekend.

XO.

{ filler }

Valerie — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:05:06 +0000

1. iced coffee based off this recipe. Here are some tips to save you time: do not strain coffee with a paper towel. Even if you are lazy and don’t want to go to the store for cheesecloth. You will pay for it when the paper towel collapses and undoes the careful and slow straining you were being so patient and good about. DON’T FALL FOR IT. Cheesecloth is located at the grocery store next to the overpriced spatulas and tin baking pans. Buy some.

2. my sister and i swear by almond milk but i had a can of sweetened condensed milk and so I tried just a drop to see how it would taste. Best. So, if you aren’t obsessive about drinking calories (I am), try the sweetened milk. Holy smokes.

3. target sells cute glass containers that look like vintage orange juice containers from the 1950′s. $5 and your iced coffee concentrate is easy to pour and doesn’t take up half of your fridge’s real estate.

4. I’m completely addicted.

…

1. Friends are so good to have. Had a play date where I was able to hold a brand new baby for as long as I wanted, learned about the fabulous Thai food hook up in Rapid City, got to hang out with 5 beautiful friends.

2. A series of pregnancy pictures were featured in Fit Pregnancy Magazine and a different photo graced Tori Spelling’s blog. After a dormant winter, I am ready for a summer of camera work.

XO.

{ my understatement }

Valerie — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:04:53 +0000

You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known. And even that is an understatement.

(F. Scott Fitzgerald)

{ Listen Close To Me }

Valerie — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:35:20 +0000

Listen to the Mustn’ts, Child.

Listen to the Don’ts.

Listen to the Shouldn’ts, the Impossibles, the Won’ts.

Listen to the Never Haves,

Then Listen Close to Me…

Anything can happen,

Child.

Anything Can Be.

(Shel Silverstein)

{ crushed strawberries with yogurt, almonds & granola }

Valerie — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:59:04 +0000

{ pray }

Valerie — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 19:58:03 +0000

Protected: { cade turns 8: part 2 family day}

Valerie — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 14:05:14 +0000

{ when he turned 8 }

Valerie — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:08:52 +0000

He wanted donuts instead of a birthday cake. So, I took James and Cade to pick out donuts at Jerry’s (best in town if you are wondering) – told them they could pick out whatever they wanted. Two dozen donuts later, we found ourselves back home, armed with coffee and chocolate milk and ready to get the party started. At 9am, mind you.

He has a thing about not smiling anymore. It drives me insane.

Which is why he has a thing about not smiling anymore.

Punk.

(Nothing short of yummy with those freckles of his. I take back my name calling.)

What he DOES have is a thing for is music.

So Aunt Linz & Co. thought he needed a journal and special pens to write songs.

And Mimi & Papa thought he needed to look the part.

And why we thought he might like an iPod Touch.

Sort of an understatement. He flipped out.

I love a good surprise!

Grandma & Grandpa made it back from AZ just in time to celebrate with us.

What I don’t want to forget when I’m old and he asks for details:

Flags and Wheels for racing and laser tag.

Pizza afterwards.

First sleepover with James – complete with a Survival Kit (new movies and snacks and sleeping bags and permission to lock the girls out of his room … and no bedtime.)

Dad reminding me of the day he was born:

Would allow anyone to touch Caeden without sanitizing themselves (multiple times).

I guess Dad thought I was over the top? Is there a 1st time mom who isn’t?

Now there are three kiddos running around the house and I feel lucky when I remember to sanitize myself after they have licked me, wiped their nose on me, kissed me after consuming something off the floor.

Oh what a difference eight years can make.

We love you Caeden Koop.

You make us proud every. single. day.

XOXO.

Protected: { this and that }

Valerie — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 18:31:18 +0000