WW: Dream big.

So this has been popping up on Pinterest lately:



And, hello! I love it.

Sometimes, you kind of forget about "the dreams." As a stay at home mom where my attention is 100% Cooper (opportunity to put a really cute picture HERE)...

[caption id="attachment_829" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Cooper totally putting the Christmas tree to shame.[/caption]

and here...

[caption id="attachment_831" align="aligncenter" width="1536"] Precious boy- and can I get an amen on some more hair?[/caption]

... I can be especially forgetful of those things that I love to do. Pursuing a dream is right up there in the "putting yourself out there" realm and "possible failure." It's easier sometimes to do what is safe, what is known, and what gets you guaranteed success. In sum- what's easy.

Remember when you were little and your mom and dad always told you that you could be anything you wanted to be? I love that age when you start discovering what you like in life, what you enjoy doing that slowly turns into passion. When I was in elementary school I used to enter and sometimes win those creative writing contests. Remember those competitions? I loved writing poems and little stories...it was my creative outlet. I love to write. It would be my dream to one day write articles or freelance - things that people outside my facebook friends would read (thanks by the way y'all); or maybe one day...a book! It would be like Twilight (minus the story-line, NOT that I don't love it, obviously). I'd be the woman who randomly writes a book and it becomes a worldwide sensation. A girl can dream right?

"Look for the dream that keeps coming back. It is your destiny."

I wonder how many of us never pursue our dream? Or how much more fulfilled the people are who actively pursue their dream? When I read this quote it reminded me that we need to remember those passions that we have that bring us joy; remember our dream that is always in the back of our minds. Because who knows what could happen if we actually put ourselves out there? There is a 50-50 chance, you know, that we could make our dreams come true.

Is their a dream that keeps coming back for you?

Dreaming big out here in Denver...
Lauren

WW: Tonights take-away from the Style Network...

Tonight I spent the night husband-less so obviously I watched reality television. Tonight: Guiliana & Bill. They showed the birth of their child by a surrogate (which happened to be at the same hospital where we delivered) and the first few weeks at home. It was so special to watch!

The past couple of days I've been starting to think about Cooper's first birthday party, and tonight, I was reminded of his first few days here with us. Surreal. I mean he's almost one year old. Already.

[caption id="attachment_807" align="aligncenter" width="4272"] Cooper, Day One.[/caption]
It was funny reading my first blog entry about Cooper and now, 9-months later, I just can't imagine life without him in it.

Thinking back on his newborn days brought back lots of memories. Now, CLEARLY, I cherished every memory ever made with CPK during those first few weeks, but there are a few things that, well, I don't miss- like waking up every three hours and yellow poop...for starters. There's a switch that happens, or at least it happened for me, when you realize that life will never be the same. One of the first books I read to Cooper was when he was just a few days old was "I'll Love You Forever." Have you read it? A rookie mistake on my part and I was in tears by the second page. Life had new meaning.



"The moment a child is born, a mother is born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new." -Rajneesh

I love this quote. But if we take it literally than clearly we moms should have some training prior to our "mom-birth." 5 things I wish I'd known?

1. Buy the nap-nanny. It's worth it.
2. Have the breast pump handy by day 5. You'll need it. (Sorry boys).
3. Newborn pics? Don't need to take longer than an hour.
4. Those little "Peepee Teepees" DON'T work. Babies move y'all and teepees fall.
5. When people say "This too shall pass"...they mean it.

What'd I miss ladies??

From one day old to soon one YEAR old, this kid truly is the light of my life; and being his mom has been my greatest joy.

Health and hope,
Lauren

9-months and always moving!

The Tuesday of Thanksgiving the Coop man turned 9-months old. However, I had the day off that day and was baby-free (thanks Joyce), so my day was spent getting my hair cut and nails done, ate lunch like a normal person, went to dinner with my husband AND sat at the bar, but MOST importantly I went to see Breaking Dawn. Seriously? Best day ever.

[caption id="attachment_790" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Total lady-killer.[/caption]

So, back to Snoop.





Cooper is 9-months old and busy. Like a bee. This has been a big month, lots of new things have happened. He started crawling and got FAST, he cut two teeth over Thanksgiving, he gives kisses (and melts your heart), he waves when he sees daddy (and/or sticks his arm straight out), he loves listening to this one Sarah Bareilles song (random), and he has super-dramatic faces. In a nut-shell. Also, as you may have noticed, he has more hair now. Slightly. And finally, his most favorite play time activity is emptying, well anything. Cabinets, my make up bag, laundry baskets; you'll notice no toys mentioned here, because he is SO not interested.

[caption id="attachment_791" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] With my daddy. Drinking my bottle.[/caption]

It's so special to spend holidays with family and our new littlest member. Coop's first Thanksgiving was spent with Jeff's family here in Colorado. We had three kiddos all under 3 (one more to join us in April), and it was so special to get them all together. Great food, great company, and fun board games = a wonderful holiday. I always hate leaving Jeff's parents house.

[caption id="attachment_795" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] My one family picture on Thanksgiving. [/caption]

And now as we enter on December, even more special memories will be made celebrating Cooper's first Christmas. I can't even believe it. If our house decor is any evidence of our enthusiasm, we are going to have a great season!

[caption id="attachment_794" align="aligncenter" width="2112"] Christmas tree shopping![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_793" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Touching my first tree.[/caption]

Merry Christmas...

[caption id="attachment_796" align="aligncenter" width="4272"] I want to help decorate mom![/caption]

...and Happy Holidays!
Lauren

WW: Worry.

Y'all I've been worrying lately.

To be fair, this has always been an "issue" of mine. My husband tells me that I need medicine or therapy for my worry-problem and I don't necessarily disagree, but who has the time, really, and come on it's not THAT bad. The problem is that now I have a kid, which is like a WHOLE other crazy level of worry possibilities.



Whether it is worrying about work, relationships, children, money, personal issues, whatever it is- we all do it, some more than others and some handle it better than others. I'm realizing that I tend to be a realist, not an optimist, and, okay, if I'm being honest I possibly err on the side of the pessimist when it comes to worrying. I only see worst case scenario. Fun, right?

"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength.” -Corrie Ten Boom

Yeah, yeah we've all heard it: worry accomplishes nothing. I totally get that, but how do you control your feelings and thoughts? Found this awesome blog post written by Mike King that I'm pretty sure he wrote specifically for me called, and I quote: "Why Worrying Gets You Nowhere." There is so much I love about this article especially the 5 things he suggests for controlling and limiting worry.

"Most worriers do so with little reason. If you count up all the outcomes and results of many events that a worrier stresses over, it’s easy to see that this worrying is usually unjustified."-Mike King

I definitely don't want unjustified worrying hanging out at my house, and ultimately must remember that what will be...will be, and more than likely, it won't be the sob-story I've painted in my head. It will be okay. Hopefully this hereditary-worry-trait (thanks mom) will end with me. Cooper will look to and learn from me and Jeff, observe how we handle situations, so it's extra important that I am not such a debbie-downer. Gosh I hope he takes after his father.

"Only 8% of our worry will come to pass. 92% of our worry is wasted. DON'T PANIC." -Mark Gorman

So, here's to a worry-free Wednesday and all the days that follow...Coop says it's the only way to live.





Best,
Lauren

WW: Giving thanks.

"There is always, always, always something to be thankful for." -Author Unknown

It has been a rough couple weeks at the Kauffman house! I was down and out last week, sick as a dog, and try as I did to spare Coop, he got sick this week. Needless to say, we have been a fun group lately. Really, you would have loved to come over! But, alas, happy Turkey Day!

[caption id="attachment_745" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Thanksgiving 2011[/caption]

I don't know about you, but Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year! When you are younger you have a week off for this day, so the mental preparation is so much different than when you are older and it just becomes another day of the week. Thanksgiving has long been my favorite holiday. Every Turkey Day growing up my family would pack up the car and head to Houston to see grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It was the one time of year that we were all together. We'd fry turkeys, watch the Dallas Cowboys, run turkey trots and eat pretzel jello. Some of my best memories with family are on this holiday. We were blessed to all be together last Thanksgiving, which turned out to be my Grandfather's last.
[caption id="attachment_746" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The fam on Thanksgiving 2011[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_747" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Me with my sweet Grandpa[/caption]

There is something special about a day that is all about giving thanks. We all know the general story of how "Thanksgiving" came to be- a meal between the Pilgrims and the Indians. But, if you think about it, the meal was so much more than that. So...history lesson: the Indians taught the Pilgrims how to farm the land and grow crops when they didn't know the land and were dying. The holiday we now celebrate with a Thanksgiving meal represents the meal shared with the first crops that the Pilgrims grew, and a thank you to the Indians for helping them learn to survive. So even in such a time of sickness in death, they got together to celebrate and give thanks. The Indians offered such a hand of friendship. There is such great history in this country, and in this story- of one group helping another.

I think a lot about the importance of living with a thankful spirit. I blogged about it recently and am convinced that living your days with gratitude is one of the secrets to a happy life.

"If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily." – Gerald Good

So, having one day to focus on giving thanks? I love it. But making it a daily practice? Let's live it.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Wishing you and yours a happy holiday! From me and this guy:



-Lauren

Happy Birthday to the hubby!

Today is Jeff's birthday so I thought it appropriate to write about him. Happy birthday Jeff!

[caption id="attachment_713" align="aligncenter" width="300"] On a scale from 1 to 10, how excited is he going to be about this picture?[/caption]

Here are just a few things I love about my husband:

1). He has to ask me how old he is. Every year. He was relieved when I told him he was NOT turning 35 this year.
2). Though he hates social media, he has a Twitter account and is addicted to following people (mostly sports related). The act of "tweeting" however would be participating in social media, which he does NOT do, obviously.
3). He tells me my cooking is good. Since pinterest has entered the world I try a LOT of new recipes...99.9% vegetarian. Only once has he told me: "Maybe no more kale this week, honey." I appreciate that.
4). I especially love how he gets up early with the nugget on the weekends after a full week of work, just so I can sleep an extra couple hours. He's the best I tell you.
5). And finally, he gave me Cooper. Our greatest joy, proudest accomplishment and most expensive valuable asset.

[caption id="attachment_712" align="aligncenter" width="1536"] Coop and daddy, 5 weeks old.[/caption]

"I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life." -Rita Rudner



“It is not a lack of love, but a lack of friendship that makes unhappy marriages.” ―Friedrich Nietzsche

Honey, it is my privilege to annoy you day in and day out. You truly are my greatest friend.

xox
Lauren

P.S. You are 34.
P.P.S. This is your LAST year in your mid-thirties.
P.P.P.S. I will ALWAYS be younger than you. Like, forever.

WW: Perspective.

Greetings!

Over the past seven days so many lives have been changed: a colossal storm hit the northeast and flattened much of the coast there, we elected the 44th president of the United States, and most importantly, beginning January 5th I can now buy an ounce of weed legally here in Colorado. Hooray! I mean, when the governor has to tell its people not to jump the gun and "break out the Cheetos and goldfish quite yet," you know times are a-changing. For better or worse.



The past couple weeks have been so...emotionally charged- haven't they? I know I have had lots going through my head and just no real motivation to bring them to the blog. The word I kept coming back to however was perspective. Facebook has been crazy! I know you've noticed. Last week my news feed was filled with cute photos of kiddos dressed as animals, and this week with political back-and-forth of who in this country is ignorant and who is intolerant. I am positive many people have been "de-friended" due to political differences.

“There are no facts, only interpretations.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

Politics is one of those issues; so personal it's best not to tout them in general, especially on the web. Similar to hard liquor...better to just stay away from it. This election has showcased people, good people, disagreeing on fundamentally important issues. So many different life experiences that have ultimately shaped people's perspective, each looking at the same issue and seeing very different things. If one thing is clear, the make-up and dynamic of this country is changing...has changed, social issues are taking a front seat and the values of this country are different from the values held in our grandparents and great grandparents' generations.

A little humor:
"Take our politicians: they're a bunch of yo-yos. The presidency is now a cross between a popularity contest and a high school debate, with an encyclopedia of cliches the first prize." -Saul Bellow

I am so grateful that we live in a country where we can agree to disagree, not be punished for our opinions, and we can choose our leaders. People are resilient, and it's been incredible to see all the passion and emotion lately. Speaking of emotion, let's talk about Cooper. He was a shark for Halloween...

[caption id="attachment_693" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Check out that fin.[/caption]



...and he started crawling this week! We lowered his crib due to the whole "trying to get out" thing, and every time he wakes up he just sits on his bum and looks at the door, talking to himself. He continues to awkwardly stare at people, mainly strangers, until he decides what he thinks of them. Oh, and he's messy.

[caption id="attachment_685" align="aligncenter" width="2112"] Yogurt makes good hair gel mom.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_686" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] I can feed myself mom, see?[/caption]

Phew. What a week. Here's to good things happening, in country and in home, moving forward. As for me and my home, we will continue to instill values in Coop that we believe builds the character and the man; after all, it starts at home, in my perspective.

[caption id="attachment_687" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Our brown-eyed angel.[/caption]

Best to you and yours,
Lauren

Guilty pleasure.

Hello crazy ladies!!

[caption id="attachment_645" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Insert CRAZY here![/caption]

Before I go any further, let me tell you, I adore my husband. He's like, really cool.

[caption id="attachment_596" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Love you Jeff![/caption]

But you know what else I love? When he's gone for a night or two. These are the times that I crave. It's my guilty pleasure time y'all. Now that I'm home with Cooper, which I LOVE, my day/night/life is all about him. All the time. It's so nice to be alone sometimes! After Coop's asleep, and ONLY if my husband is gone, my favorite thing to do is pour a glass a wine, get in my comfys, and watch trashy TV. I'm talking the Housewives series, Keeping up with the Kardashians, really anything on E or Bravo. Okay really ANY reality TV. It's like my ESPN. I'm hooked. It reminds me of the times I used to travel for work; I'd be alone in the hotel room, go to a dinner on the town (table for one!), have a glass of wine and watch TV. Something about those times are...therapeutic.

So the other day, after a long day at home with my nugget and after bathtime...



...down he went and there I sat- home alone for just a couple hours- with a glass of wine (and a bag piece of chocolate) watching the latest on TiVo. Why is this sometimes EXACTLY what I need? It's my alone time, my "brain-can-just-coast" time, and my battery recharge time. And yep, its watching TV by. myself. Go ahead, judge. What do you do for "me" time?

A little funny for your weekend:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOy-mNEfCn4

Happy weekend y'all!
Lauren

Month Eight (8)

Four days ago CPK turned 34 weeks and/or 8 months old. Hello month 8!

[caption id="attachment_617" align="aligncenter" width="1573"] Swings are the best, mom.[/caption]

I kind of feel like things are about to...change. Cooper has been a lot more snuggly these days- he reaches for you to pick him up, he loves touching your face (and/or pulling hair), and he lets me rock him now. Like, in a chair. He hasn't figured out crawling yet and once he does there's that change thing I mentioned earlier. It's COMING and once this whole "mobility" thing takes off he is going to be GONE. So, I've decided to slow down time as much as I can. To rock him just a little bit longer, snuggle him a little tighter and be as present as I can.

Last week I was at MOPs at our church (mommy group) and the speaker talked about how every baby is a gift from God and we are just stewards of this gift. What an interesting way to look at it. I thank God every day for His gift and allowing me to be Cooper's steward, and pray every night for his health and his life. It's amazing how much I had no idea about true fear until I had Coop, how his life and well-being takes priority over anything else.

“It is very easy to take for granted the phenomenon that we are each alive, but we must try not to.” -Alex Grey

[caption id="attachment_618" align="aligncenter" width="2448"] How much longer are you going to put me in this silly onesie every month? And now you take it with an iPhone?
8 month photo, 4 days late :)[/caption]

So, happy 8 months Snoop! You are determined, stubborn (where DOES he get this from??), you have this weird deep scream now when you get frustrated, you like to chew on electronics, you can roll from one side of the room to the other in under 10 seconds, and you really like when mommy does shark noises (like from Jaws) and puts her hand on her forehead like a fin and acts like she is going to get you. It's like, you're favorite thing.

[caption id="attachment_616" align="aligncenter" width="1810"] Mom, why do you always put me in pumpkin patches?
October 21st, one day after his real 8 month birthday[/caption]

Halloween is next week y'all. I've never been the biggest fan of this holiday, it's a lot of pressure and I am SO not that creative to come up with a cool costume. But for kids? Totally different story, and this year this decision was easy. Snoop will be...a SHARK. (Disclaimer: for about an hour, and only for pictures).

Happy day y'all.

xox
Lauren

WW: Do good anyway.

Happy Wednesday y'all!

[caption id="attachment_591" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Okay this isn't us, but it looks like what we do, so here ya go.[/caption]

This week I was at my stroller class at the park (yes, it's a workout, with your child, in the stroller, at the park, and it's friggin hard). As we were going along this lady who was walking her dog in the opposite direction walked up to our instructor and started yelling at her for the strollers taking up too much room on the trail. Now, mind you, there was an empty trail to the side, but that didn't seem to matter. Our instructor was very gracious and apologetic. This woman kept yelling at her, not letting it go...and I was mad! I was very close to telling this woman to relax and move on down the road. I told my instructor how impressed I was with how she handled herself and she said very positively "you don't know what kind of life she has lead or what kind of day she is having."

Boy, is she right. And, wow, what a total gut check on my part. How often do you encounter a grumpy stranger? On the road, in the grocery store or airport, it happens all the time and it is so easy to give it right back to them or make a smart remark. But, hello!? What does that accomplish? And as a Christian, is that how I want to treat people? Well of course it's not.

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives.
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.”
― Mother Teresa

No matter how people treat me, strangers or not, I can't control their behavior. What I can control is how I choose to react, in kindness or anger. Because, truth be told, I don't know their story or what life is like or has been like for them, so ultimately...why make it worse?

"Know this, my brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger..." -James 1:19

So this week, I'm reminded me to "do good anyway." To give people the benefit of the doubt, and choose kindness over anything else.

[caption id="attachment_592" align="aligncenter" width="4272"] And a pic of Cooper in his Broncos uniform (win a game Romo, and he'll be back in blue), because...well why not really?[/caption]

Happy day y'all!
Lauren

WW: Being a good neighbor

Happy Wednesday y'all!

"The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." -Mark 12:31



So, question: do you know your neighbors? Like, REALLY know your neighbors? When Jeff and I lived in Las Vegas we didn't know one neighbor. Not one. In fact, the only time I think we met A neighbor, was when one of our pipes busted and we flooded their backyard.

Last night we had our next-door neighbors over for dinner as a thank you for helping with our dogs. They are both from the northeast, two young boys, and great people. Two bottles of wine and several hours later we wrapped up the night. Great conversation and fabulous night.

“Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious.” ― Ruth Reichl

Jeff and I are lucky to have a couple of good friends here in Denver who are just all-around great people. They make a concerted effort to be a good neighbor, truly care about those in their community, and make it a priority to treat them kindly. In fact they go out of their way to do so. Incredible right? Can you imagine if we all had this attitude? What a difference it would make if we went out of our way to be nice to those who live around us, no matter what we have in common.

“What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.” ― Kurt Vonnegut

I think back to Lake Highlands, my Dallas neighborhood where I grew up, and there is such a sense of community there. If one person goes through a tough time or a family tragedy, the entire community rallies behind them. I hope to find a similar community here in Denver one day where we can raise our kids. But today, I am reminded that a good community starts with us. WE create it. Individuals being kind to one another naturally builds community...and better people.

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” - Ben Franklin

I want to commit to being a better neighbor and out-of-my-way caring towards each person I run into. I have a feeling my days will be better for it.

Happy Wednesday neighbor!
Lauren

Week in review: babies and pumpkins. And margaritas.

Today is one of those fall days in Denver that you just can't help but be happy. 65 degrees, bright blue skies, colorful trees, it's the best y'all. Even if Cooper was having the biggest meltdown of ALL TIME, I'd still be happy. In theory.

Here are some pictures of this BEAUTIFUL day!







After this weekend, Cooper will have been on 3 round trip flights in one month. Yikes. Not so much for him, but for his mom. He moves now y'all - like all the time, he is not as easy to keep entertained, and also, he is an early riser when we travel. Even earlier than normal. Which is early. I'm exhausted. Jeff and I have been so determined to keep up our normal travel/social schedule with a baby however I'm starting to realize that maybe it's not so sustainable. At least not 3 times in one month.

However, the positive part of this schedule - is all the family and friends we get to spend time with and all the Mexican food I get to eat!

[caption id="attachment_545" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Cooper with his Great Grandmother Betty.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_546" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Coop with his Great Aunt Liz.[/caption]

After Houston we traveled on to Dallas to spend time with family and friends from high school. Though 90 degrees and climbing, we took Coop to the Arboretum to get some pumpkin pics (who even goes now for anything but pictures, PUH-LEASE)! It was a baby fiesta!

[caption id="attachment_549" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] It's humid in Texas y'all.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_548" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Nanna and Coop.[/caption]



[caption id="attachment_550" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Brooklyn, Mollie, Betsy and Coop. The lone soldier.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_552" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Cooper meeting his future bride. Giddy with glee.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_553" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Cooper meeting handsome George. They had a moment.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_554" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] The boys! Miller is so sweet.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_555" align="aligncenter" width="2816"] Meeting sweet Henry with his beautiful mama![/caption]

And so there you have it. Cooper's third trip to Texas was a success!! This crazy family is once again off this weekend. This time to Missouri for a football game. Pray for me. No really, y'all.

See you Friday, Columbia!

xox
Lauren

PS: If you subscribe to this REALLY interesting blog, SORRY you are not getting post updates. I'm SO nontechnical and have no idea how to fix it. Stay tuned.