today I am...

I am missing: long drives up north. Would love to be sitting on the rim today.
I am smiling: yes that is a snowman mug. I've yet to put the Christmas mugs away. I'm smiling because I only have coffee once a week now and this was sweet coffee day.

I am accepting: That I have to set goals that fit my life. Trying to do too much at once leads to burn out. As I have recently discovered.

I am watching: Skylar eat all of my lunch. This is how I lose weight. I have boys.

I am making: pretty felt wedding bouquets today.
I am craving: my new favorite snack- a bowl of non fat vanilla yogurt with banana nut granola on top. So so goooood!

I am loving: having fresh flowers in the house.

I am anticipating: having free time to play with new shop ideas.

I am listening: bon iver & iron and wine. mellow mixes this week.
I am happy:
{Honestly, I started this week with a heavy heart.  And I realize that there are always going to be times where I just don't feel it. My grandma always told me that I could allow myself 10 minutes to crawl into a hole and cry. But only ten minutes to unload. Carrying it around not only hurts me but every one around me too. So I had a good cry. And then did the hard part of deliberately choosing joy. Choosing to be thankful whether I'm feeling empty or full. "God is always good and I am always His loved one." He chooses to love me always, even when I'm feeling empty, overwhelmed and lost. So thankful for that.  So I can choose happiness over staying in the hole. I'm glad I did.}

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. prov 17:22

What are you today?

a confession for you

Last week I saw this fun little post so I thought I would play.

{one} I snuck and ate half of a candy bar with my coffee this morning.
{two} I hide bags of skittles from my kids and sneak them when they are napping.

{three} I can make my voice sound like its full of helium when its not.

{four} I passed out at the dentist once. While I was interviewing for a job. ha! Glad I can laugh at it now.

{five}  I can say all 66 books of the bible in order in less than a minute. Thank you sunday school!

{six}  I just may cry when Michael Scott leaves the Office.

Your turn!

2010 favorites part 3

For today's best of list I scrolled through the blog history and picked out 10 favorite posts. It was kind of cool looking back at memories from the year. It made me really thankful for blogging. It really is a great way of keeping track of the things you want to always remember.

I started writing letters from coco in February so I thought my very first post should be one the list.

One. My first letter

Two. He still WOWs me

I was having one of those awe moments were I just felt inspired by the beauty around me.

P.S. I do not promote taking cell phone pictures while driving but it worked out this time.

Three. 10 things I've learned along the way

Four. No one ever told me

I reblogged this but it was so true it made me laugh.

Five. I laughed so hard I cried

Just a collection of photos that I got a lot of laughs from.

Six. home tour 1 & 2

I had a lot of fun redecorating this summer. Collecting pieces and getting advice from all of you and then getting to show off my home sweet home when I was finished, was really cool.

Seven. Nothing less

Sometimes my heart feels full and I just need to pour out all the amazing things God is doing in my life. This is one of the many posts like this. You can see the others in the I believe section in my old love letters.

Eight. Picture mail diaries

A collection of the strange and random things I found in my phone.

Nine. The husband & the wife

Just something fun I wrote about Stephen.

Ten. It's been a year

An encouraging little post about understanding life.

So these are 10 favorites out of 263 posts (holy cow!)

Hope you had fun going back with me.

I'd love it if you played along.

2010 favorites part two

So I wanted to make a list of my favorite movies from 2010. But then I realized I didn't really lllooovvvee any movies from this year. So sad because I love watching movies. I could only come up with a list of 5 and one of those came out in 2009. ha! So here are the ones I enjoyed most.

One. Toy story 3
Yep I'm so a mom if this tops my list. I really do love the toy story movies and I'm not even going to lie, I still have my favorite childhood toy up in my closet. Seriously who didn't like this one?   

Two.
500 days of summer  
I know it came out in 2009 but I didn't see it until this year. I loved the creativity of this movie. I think I was the only one who completely loathed Summer throughout the whole thing though. And don't get me started on the amazing soundtrack.
Three. Inception
Why? Because whoever could come up with a story like that deserves props. And because my friend Bu would be calling if this didn't make my list. ha!
Four. The social network
This was actually a really good movie. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
Five. Eclipse
Don't hate. Yes I'm a fan. This wasn't the greatest movie but I love the feeling you get when your really excited to see a film and this is the only one that gave me that so it makes the list.

What good ones did I miss?

What were your favorites?

my favorites of the year

I don't know about you but I love end of the year best lists. So I decided I wanted to make a few of my own favorites of 2010 starting with the books I loved reading this year. So here are my top 3 books. (in no particular order)

One. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.
Not just another holocaust book. This book is one of the most inspirational books I've ever read. The story of such a selfless, courageous family who go through the absolute most horrendous circumstances with faith and trust in God like I've never seen before. This book completely changed the way I see things forever. If there were ever two women that I would want to be like it would be Corrie and her sister Betsy.

My favorite quote:
"There are no 'ifs' in God's Kingdom. His timing is perfect. His will is our hiding place. Lord Jesus, keep me in Your will! Don't let me go mad by poking about outside it."

Two. Radical by David Platt  
This book changed the way I look at everything. It encouraged me to dive in to scripture and really listen to what Jesus is saying, not just go with what I've been taught all my life, or what I hear in the American Christian world. This book left me convicted and challenged.

Three. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
If you haven't read the first two books in this series then you should. This is the most entertaining, intense, fun reads. I anxiously awaited this final book to come out. I have to say it wasn't my favorite in the series but still some of my favorite books.

Crazy Love & Safe Haven were a couple others I enjoyed.

What were your 2010 favorites?

 comment me if you play along so that I can see your favorites.

Love letters

My friend Lauren always finds the coolest sites. 
Today her find was ALoveLetterForYou.com.
Check it out. I promise it will make you smile.
Lauren's blog will too.

P.S. Some fun new items in the shop this week.

Come and see...

XO

Me in 3's

Is it really Tuesday? It feels like a Monday. My poor husband was put to work on his "holiday" weekend. We tackled about five major projects and the house is still in desparate need of clean up. So I'm taking a break before I even get started. Here's a little fun about me...

Three names I go by: Cole, Coco, Nicole
Three jobs I've had: Preschool teacher, Special needs classroom assistant, Administrative Assistant.

Three places I've lived: Gilbert AZ, Payson AZ, Lexington NY

Three favorite drinks: cherry limeade, xenergy cran razz, really creamy coffee

Three TV shows I watch: House Hunters International, OC reruns, my guilty pleasure-Entourage

Three places I've been: Kauai, Maui, Lake Tahoe

Three places I'd like to visit: Fiji, New Orleans, Washington/Oregon

Three favorite old TV shows: LOST, friends, (do those count as old?) and I dream of Jeannie

Three favorite dishes: chicken enchiladas, lasagna, I'm pretty much thrilled with anything homeade or mexican.

Three makeup products I cannot live without: I won't leave the house without throwing on a little black mascara, nude lip gloss and bronzing blush.

Three things I'm looking forward to: Finishing up decorating my house, making Christmas wreaths for the shop and Micah's 4th birthday.

Play along if you'd like and let me know if you do so that I can check out your answers and learn a little more about you.

a little this and that

It's really early and Stephen is headed to the hospital for surgery. So please keep him in your thoughts and prayers for a quick and speedy recovery. Speaking of my hubby, he surprised me by making himself a blog yesterday. And it's really good too. Check it out if you'd like.

I also talked to Ilene over at muchloveilly and she has offered to give a 15% discount (prior to shipping costs) to my blog friends who include "lettersfromcoco" in the message to seller. Such a great deal! This will last until July 31st. So make sure to take a look in her shop soon.

Today is going to be a very busy one so I will leave you with this fun game I saw on a couple blogs over the weekend. The handwriting game:

Here are the rules:
Write down the following, snap a picture (or scan the document), post it, and tag others.
Name/Blog Name
Right handed, left handed or both
Favorite letters to write
Least favorite letters to write
Write: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Write in caps: CRAB HUMOR KALEIDOSCOPE PAJAMAS GAZILLION
Favorite song lyrics
Tag 7 people
Any special note or drawing

Here is mine:

Now it's your turn.

Ninety-nine experiences

I'm joining in on this fun list that two of my favorite bloggers made.

Check them out here and here.

Highlight the ones that you've accomplished in your life...

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disney

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sung a solo

11. Bungee jumped or cliff jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David in person

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Been sky diving

66. Visited a Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone

78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Gotten a tattoo

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Play along if you'd like.
comment me if you do so that I can take a peek at your list.

what your blog says about you

You have to check out wordle.net. It creates a word cloud of all the most used words on your blog. Pretty cool. Here is mine. Looks like I really love happy quiet Jesus.

Lauren I had to copy you again! Too cute to not play. :)

What does your blog say about you?

Get prepared for awesomeness!

My real life friend Lauren at Cuethesunshine posted the coolest book on her blog yesterday. I’m going to get it asap. So take a visit to her blog, and check out this site 1000 awesome things  because it made me really super happy yesterday. A few of my favorites from there...

#992 being the first table to get called up for the dinner buffet at a wedding.
#958 being the first person in to a really crowded movie theater and getting prime seats
#895 Getting something with actual handwriting on it in the mail
#890 Really, really tall people I better say this one, my husband is 6'8!
#883 Ugly actors 

 

I think I'll probably start posting these now and then.

I believe I'm off to trade in books (yep made the decision), and go to a salsa festival in the park.

What are you up to today?

I can't remember where I found this picture. If you know it's owner please tell me.:)

Such a sucker

First I want to say thanks everyone for all the really cool ideas and stories on yesterday's road trip post. It looks like Oregon/Washington trip it is. So now to start planning. I'm so excited I can't even begin to tell you. If anyone has suggestions for me, know of any cool places to stop at, etc please let me know. :)

Yesterday I watched Julie & Julia. At first I wasn’t crazy about the idea of watching this “chickflick”. I love almost all girly movies but this one was mostly about cooking which isn't really my thing. But I decided to give the movie a try and I have to say it turned out to be pretty cute. It’s mostly about blogging. Maybe that’s why I liked it. It is a good one to watch when you’re just hanging out with girls. I’m a sucker for love stories. Looovvveee almost all romantic comedies. Here are my top 3 chick flicks & favorite sappy lines from them...

• You’ve got Mail- I really could watch this one over and over. It puts me in a good mood. "Don't cry, Shopgirl, don't cry." "I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly." 
• Gone with the Wind-Scarlett is just so nuts  and there’s just something about Rhett Butler. I think it’s the bad boy thing. "No, I don't think I will kiss you, although you need kissing, badly. That's what's wrong with you. You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows how."
• The Notebook-seriously could you make a list like this without it? "So, it's not gonna be easy. It's gonna be really hard. We're gonna have to work at this every day, but I want to do that because I want you. I want all of you, forever, you and me, every day."

Honorable mentions

Serendipity, When harry met sally, Juno, Love actually

ah there are so many more!
Thanks for reading my really girlie post today.

 What are some of your favorites?

(photo from here)

Come sad, leave happy

One of my 2010 resolutions was to be a more positive person and in doing that I want to keep this blog a happy one. I want it to be a spot in the blog world where people can come and be encouraged or read something that makes them smile.

One thing that always makes me happy is making a fun list. And what better list to make then a list of things that bring me loads of satisfaction. Here are my...

5 most guilty pleasures
some it's ok to luv, others I probably shouldn't.

 A juicy novel. Sookie Stackhouse novels are some of my favorite scandalous reads

A really great TV show. Friends, lost, the office are my favorites. And I dive into a little reality tv now and then thanks to project runway.

Rainy day music. You know mostly acoustics, heartfelt  lyrics, mellow beats.

Day trips-hiking, just going for a drive up north, going out into nature, just getting away from everything.

Sugar! In the form of a sonic slush, chocolate chip cookie dough blizzard, jamocha shake, homeade cookies, chocolate molten cake, watermelon starburst or skittles will do.  Just to name a few. ha!

What are some of your guiltiest pleasures?

(photo found here)

This week

This week everything broke on me. The speakers on my computer, the headphones to my mp3 player, phone charger, the fan to the tanning bed I was lying in, etc. It made for a fun week. :/
I believe or I’m starting to believe that maybe my repeated dreams can be my subconscious trying to warn me of something or maybe not my subconscious, maybe God. Any thoughts on this?
I'm addicted to watermelon starbursts. The invention of bags of all reds-ingenious!

I wish I could travel more. Go on spontaneous trips with Stephen. Run away together more often.
I'm jealous of all the artists on etsy for there gift, talent, skill to make the most adorable things. I would love to learn a knack of some sort.

Soundtrack/Mantra for the week -
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. -Corrie Ten Boom

Something I learned-
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. -Psalm 23
Example -grapes/wine-something good and valuable is made, but it isn’t made unless it is hard pressed. Sometimes we need to walk through the valley to learn something that we desperately need.


Psalm 23-Green pastures…quiet waters…valley of the shadow of death…don't give up...keep walking next is… the House of God.

Favorite photo this week

What was something you learned or liked or lived this week?

I found this cute idea over at this lovely blog.

(photo found here)

Today...

My favorite letter is S

My favorite number is 8

My favorite color is grey

My favorite flowers are wild ones 
My favorite place is being out in nature

My favorite animals are giraffes or turtles

My favorite smell is rain

My favorite season is summer

My favorite food is Mexican or homemade lasagna

My favorite show is Lost

My favorite candies are skittles

My favorite movie is you’ve got mail. (I could watch this over & over it makes me feel good)

My favorite time is 1:43 (i.love.you from back in the pager days)

My favorite band is Incubus (So many favorites but I never get sick of old school incubus)

My favorite drink is xenergy cherry lime

My favorite book is Hunger Games (Again so many but this is the most fun/intriguing series I’ve read in the past couple years.)

My favorite word is unconditionally
My favorite thing is my hot tea/coffee in the morning.

Thanks Ashley! You are tagged!

 

(photo from here)

when I was a kid...

Right now Micah is going through this stage where he is fascinated by superheroes. He tells me he's spiderman and that I'm the princess and he's going to rescue me. I absolutely love this. It made me think about what was I doing when I was his age?

5 things I wished for as a kid

1.To be a figure skater or ballerina. I would dance all around the house pretending I was one. Even took ice skating lessons which I don't think is a common thing in Arizona.

2. I wanted to be a teenager so that I could have a boyfriend. Looking back now I don’t know why I would ever wish for that. ha! I was boy crazy at a very young age. Which is one of the reasons why I’m thankful I have two boys. (still hoping for a daddys girl for Stephen someday though.)
3. To be a mommy. I dreamt about being a mommy since I was little girl. sigh* living my dreams.
4. A cupboard stocked with sugary cereals. My mom made us eat healthy cereal, you know the yucky kind with no flavor, and I remember thinking that when I was an adult I was only going to eat the good tasting kind. And now…I eat all the healthy stuff. ha!
5. I wanted my brother to be nice to me. There are two types of older brothers. One who protects you and looks after you, sticks up for you. And the other that torments you and plays pranks on you and constantly picks on you. My big brother was the latter. But he's nice to me now so I can be thankful about that. I think when I moved out he realized how much he missed me. :)

What did you wish for as a kid?

(photo  from here)

about me

 interesting facts about moi...  

• Nicknames include- Cole, Coco, Cocopuff, Colie, Coley-Moley but please never Nikki.

• Middle name is Athena, which is pretty different I think

• There is only one color lipstick I will wear. I can never make myself try another shade. r.i.p :(

• My absolute most favorite thing to eat is a really good grilled cheese sandwich.

• Most beautiful place I have ever been in my life would have to be either Road to Hana in Maui, or Na Pali Coast in Kauai.

• I cannot drive at night. I mean I can, but it’s not recommended.

• I think I am as equally extroverted as I am introverted. I can lead and follow.

• I worked in a haunted house once which is surprising because I am terrified of scary movies.

• First heard the name Micah at camp when I was 15 and knew instantly it was my favorite name in the world and that I would name my son that someday(which I did).  Heard the name Skylar (spelled schuyler) years before he came and new there was something special about that name too.

• I’ve done 6 different types of schooling in a matter of 7 years and I think it taught me how to adapt to change and make friends pretty easily.

• Was the class speaker for my graduating class of I think 20. Haha! Yay for small towns.

• I am the Know all of f.r.i.e.n.d.s trivia. just a little bragging there. ;)

• Grew up watching my grandma read all the time. She always had a book in her hands. I never enjoyed reading before but one year while staying with her, I picked a  book off her shelf  and I have been obsessed with reading ever since.

• Two biggest fears: Fish & Math. 
• My favorite number is 8.
• Can say all the books of the Bible in order in less than a minute...thank you Sunday School.  

• Named the blog letters to you because that’s the title of mine & Stephens first song. Later changed it to letters from coco to add a little more of a personal touch.

Consider yourself tagged!
I want to know some interesting facts about you.

29 before 30

I'm turning 25 in a few months. And I know so many people would slap me if I said that was old so I won't say it's old, its just so mid-twentish. ha! Not sure I like that just yet. I feel like from the second I turned 21 (the same year I became a mommy) the years really started to fly by. Before I know it 30 will be here. So I thought this would be fun- here are 29 things I would like to accomplish before I turn 30. It will be interesting to look back on this in five years and see how many things I can cross off.
Here we go...

1. Buy an old school Polaroid camera.
2. Learn how to cook, really cook
3. Finish our family with baby #3.
4. Go on more missions trips out of the country.
5. Print all the million photos I have stored on my computer and scrapbook them.
6. Actually put money in my savings account and pay off my credit cards.
7. Go on a real road trip.
8. Try something artsy, like paint something for my house.
9. Write a letter to everyone special in my life telling them exactly what they mean to me.
10. Volunteer more.
11. Find more time to be quiet.
12. Go back to Hawaii.
13. Learn to sew.
14. Travel places I’ve never been before.
15. Take a risk. Do something scary & dangerous.
16. Change someone’s mind about something I care deeply about.
17. Have a professional family photo shoot.
18. Have more frequent date nights and romantic getaways with Stephen.
19. Go on a sail boat. I don't know why I've just always wanted to do this.
20. Spend New Years dressed up somewhere spectacular.
21. Read the classics.
22. Play a sport and actually be kind of good at it.
23. Overcome a fear.
24. Go tail gating with friends.
25. Re-learn how to drive a stick shift and remember this time.
26. Be happy with my body after all done having babies.
27. Start an etsy shop.
28. Learn to play an instrument with my boys.
29. Be more eternally minded.

10 things I've learned along the way...

1. "True love is being loved in your most unlovable moments."
2. Never take anyone or any day for granted. Life can change in an instant.
3. Learn to distinguish who in your life makes you better and who you are better off without.
4. You can never hug, kiss, and tell your children you love them TOO much.
5. Only allow yourself 10 minutes to be depressed. Depression hurts everyone around you.
6. You can run but you can’t hide. Be honest, always
7. "When raising kids always love & support them, even when their being idiots." My grandma who raised 8 children told me this before she died. I’m sure I’ll need reminding of this when my kids are teenagers.
8. Getting married and having children doesn’t make a relationship instantly better. It’s the compromising, the sacrificing, taking your eyes off of you and putting it on them, the not always so good feeling stuff, that makes it something pretty great.
9. You’re never going to look back on your life and think: "I wish I had given more consideration to what other people think.”
10. Don’t regret. Don’t look back unless it’s a good view. Keep moving forward.

Here’s to Happiness

I saw this on another blog and thought it was a cute idea.

10 things that make me terribly happy:


1. Finding an old card or note from grandma… how I miss her
2. Cuddling in my warm bed with my 3 boys while listening to the rain pour down outside
3. Etsy.com- I could shop on there all day
4. Reading cards from my husband. Even after 7 years together he still knows exactly what to say to make my heart tingle
5. Finding a great book that hooks me from beginning to end
6. Dreaming up decorating ideas for the new house
7. Quiet mornings of journaling my inspirations from the word
8. Remembering good ol times with close friends
9. The day that movie or book I’ve been anxiously waiting for finally comes. -feels like christmas :)
10. Watching my boys sleep, laugh, pout, discover, smile, be silly, learn, and grow.


One of my 2010 resolutions was to be a more positive person. I don’t think any good can come out of constantly thinking negatively about situations and I tended to do that a lot before. So when I get the blues I try to do a couple things. One being remembering the things in my life that I am grateful for. (See mine above) The other idea is to create a dagger list. It’s a list of scriptures that remind me of God’s promises to me that will help me combat the negative thoughts that the enemy throws at me. Example: Feeling mentally/emotionally exhausted- Psalm 138:7 -“Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you will revive me.” When I’m feeling alone- Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid, for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” “Every part of scripture is God breathed and useful one way or another-showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live .” 2Tim 3:16-17 Message Bible

I want to purposely fill my mind with His word so that I can fight off all the things the enemy wants to use to distract me and make me stumble. I heard this quote this week that I thought was so very true...
“Whatever consumes you
spills out of your mouth.”

Hopefully this will make you think about what is going in and what is coming out of you.

Oh and one more thing that makes me happy...
having a dog to suck up the crumbs between the couch cushions.  It's the little things in life...

Kula

(photo from here)