Archives for February 2011

Sunday was amazing.  Thank you for all the prayers that went up for our church’s launch with Childrens HopeChest.  We ended up having 60 kids sponsored and are hopeful that the remaining 22 kids will be sponsored this coming Sunday.  And I did not puke on stage which equals major success to me.

**Banner design by Dana Hale at Lifelines Designs**

An art item our house loves are chalkboard placemats.  We have had these for several years and they just do not get old.  My kids still love them as much as ever…maybe even more.  We got ours at uncommongoods.com.

I really, really like her.

Our Monday began with sickness and a doctors visit.  Huddy has been pretty sick.  Sick kids are just no fun for anyone…quite pitiful really.  Is it bad that I kind of like it though because that means they will snuggle with me more?

My kids really rock our doctor’s office.  They are usually super good, but the one thing that gets them into trouble everytime is that dang doctor’s stool.  There is just something in them that will not allow them to not touch, push or try to break it.  I have to be stern mom about it, but I just can’t help but laugh sometimes.

Sol is now down for the count…high fever, snuggliness and all.  Did I mention how much my kids like to snuggle when they are sick?

I dried the same load of laundry 4 times today.  I just could not understand why it wasn’t drying.  Then I let our dog out and saw the problem.  I pulled all of this out of the dryer thingy that leads to outside.  Maybe 5th times a charm.

Our family loves “Make Your Own Salad Night”.  My kids, like most, are not that fond of veggies.  Fun fact about my kids:  They are totally weird texture kids.  They will eat raw veggies all day long, but will not touch most cooked veggies.  So “Make Your Own Salad Night” is always a big success at our house.  Lettuce, Carrots, broccoli, cheese, croutons, grilled chicken, the list could go on.  If they make it, they will eat it.

I read this article today entitled International Adoption: More than Orphan Care.  I thought it was really, really great.

And how about some orders.  I have been moving through my order list and trying to work as quickly as possible, so thank you for your patience.

These camera straps are headed out to Angie in Memphis, Tn, Kim in Kentucky, Karen in White House, Tn, Katie in Knoxville, Tn and Jessica in Goodlettsville, Tn.  Lots of fellow Tennesseans snazzing up their cameras.  Love it.  Thanks so much ladies.

This Africa tee headed out to Jen in Oklahoma.  She wanted a special tee for her little boy to sport.  Thanks so much Jen.

And this too cool mustache onesie was ordered by Miranda in Hendersonville, Tn.  I am in LOVE with this and have decided all my boys will be wearing similar ones soon.  Thanks so much Miranda…totally appreciate it.

Working on more orders and will post them soon, but also working on getting 2 little guys well.  Happy Wednesday!

Thank you so much for all the comments on our 3 Months Waiting Giveaway.  I love these giveaways and am always so anxious to see who the winner will be.  I love that these pieces head out across the US in honor of my son.  Also thanks for sharing bits of your stories and the encouragement you have experienced lately.  I loved reading every single comment, so thank you for sharing and always being too kind.

And now for the winner…

Tanyia #246.  Congrats Tanyia and check your email for a message from me.  Thanks so much for entering.

More orders headed out this week.  This Africa tee is headed to Karen in Missouri.  Thanks so much Karen and hope you love your tee.

These colorful Africa tees were ordered by Sue in Michigan.  She wanted a tee for herself and a matching one for her daughter.  Thanks so much Sue and hope you get to meet your sweet child soon.

This 8×10 Taiwan canvas headed out this morning to Tiffany in Missouri.  This was my first Taiwan piece, so I was rather excited.  Thank you so much Tiffany.

These next three pieces were ordered by Rhonda in Brentwood, Tn.  She wanted two 8×10 China adopted canvases in more pastel colors.  I love how these turned out.

Rhonda also wanted a 16×20 1 Corinthians 13 canvas.  She wanted me to use more cool colors and I am totally loving how it turned out.  It’s very airy and clean.  Thanks so much Rhonda for your business.

I also picked up some new fabrics the other day.  These are now in my fabric selections.

This Sunday is our church’s launch with Children’s HopeChest.  You can read more about it from my post here. Any prayers you may want to say for our sponsor kiddos, our nerves and our words would be greatly, greatly appreciated.  Have a great weekend and Happy Saturday!

We have officially been on the waitlist for our next little guy for 3 months now.  So yesterday I snagged up a 15th paper and set to work.  I went with a 8×10 canvas with 1 Corinthians 13:13 “…now these three remain: faith, hope and love.  But the greatest of these is love.” I also was really drawn to the single word home.  This is where I want our son and I know God’s timing is perfect, so we wait and pray for the day when he is home.

I have to be honest, I am actually a pretty good waiter.  I don’t call our agency, like ever.  I know when it’s time they will call.  And believe it or not, I have no idea what number we are.  Part of me doesn’t want to know–I can be very OCD and I think that number might take over in mind, so I just let it go.  So it’s not the waiting that is getting to me, it’s that I think about my son everyday and tons, but I don’t have a big belly to remind family and friends that I am expecting a child.  People tend to not ask about him or pray about him at family gatherings or ask how we are doing.  I am trying not to be sensitive about this because I know there is no physical reminder for them to see, but it’s just not easy having a child that is not home…it’s not easy having a child half way around the world.

A friend of mine just casually asked the other day if we had heard any news and I just about leaped out of my skin with joy.  I later sent her a message thanking her for remembering our boy and asking about him.  It really made my day to know that she was thinking about him…because I was too.  He is always on my mind and we talk about him in our home everyday.  Harper knows she has another brother in Ethiopia and she knows we are waiting for God’s timing right now.  The boys pray sweet prayers for their brother.  So we wait and celebrate each month with a special art giveaway.  I can’t wait to show him one day, how we celebrated each month getting a little closer to meeting him.

There are several ways to enter to win:

-Leave a comment about something or someone who has encouraged you lately

-Blog about the giveaway

-Facebook about the giveaway

–Tweet about the giveaway

–Become a fan on Facebook HERE

–Follow on Twitter HERE

Please leave a separate comment for each entry.

Giveaway will end this Friday, February 18th at midnight.  I will announce the winner on Saturday.  Happy Wednesday!

**Before I forget, today we have been on the waitlist for our next little boy for 3 months, so, tomorrow will be our 3 Months Waiting Art Giveaway.  Check back tomorrow for more information.**

That’s my Valentine right there.  Wouldn’t trade him for anything…finger mustache and all.  Love you Josh Kelley!

So did anyone elses kids eat WAY too much sugar yesterday?  Mine sure did.  I mean seriously, they started the day with candy from our post office (they know us quite well), more from the bank (their Grammy works there), they had a Valentine chocolate from their dad after lunch, more sweets from their Grandaddy and Judye in the afternoon, then more sweets from a few of their cousins.  I’m fairly confident my kids ate their weight in sugar yesterday.  But it happens…every now and then it just happens and I’m sure yesterday was just about spectacular for them.  And that makes it okay with me.

Harper and I also had to whip out some Valentine’s for her party at her MDO class yesterday.  With all the snow days last week I had procrastinated on us making her Valentines, so last night we finally set to work and finished them up.  I LOVE any fun shaped crayons, but especially heart shaped crayons on Valentines.  I like to make Valentines that Harper can participate in making, so she was great at pealing paper and breaking crayons.  She also rocked some handwriting as well.  She was just too proud of her Valentines.

*Crayon on making tip:  I prefer the small silicon shaped muffin trays.  Last year I picked up the heart shaped one for $4 at Joanns.  They have tons of other shaped ones as well and always have 40% and 50% off coupons, so put them to use.*

And mine is wet looking because I just pulled it out of the sink, to snap a picture 🙂

Orders are still rolling in and for those of you waiting on your order to be completed, I promise I am working just as quickly as I can 🙂  Here is what I have been working on lately.  These three camera straps are headed to Janine in Michigan, Rachel in Florida and Caroline in Nashville, Tn.  Thanks so much ladies.

This next little boy baby set was ordered by Bev in California.  Bev wanted me to use blue, light blue and red with a sweet little whale and the little boy’s first name initial.  I love how this set turned out.  Thanks so much Bev and hope the mom-to-be loves it as well.

And these two name canvases were ordered by Ginger in West Virginia.  Ginger wanted two 8×10 canvases to go on her kiddos doors.  She wanted me to use their likes…music and crayons for her little girl and tools for her little boy.  Thanks so much Ginger, completely appreciate it.

Also if you live in the area, I would love to invite you to join us at our church Community this Sunday, February 20th for our launch with Children’s HopeChest.  Our church has taken on the commitment of a carepoint, Ngungwane, in Swaziland, Africa.

We will be starting with the sponsorship of 82 kids who come to the carepoint everyday and after they are sponsored we will be taking on the fundraising for development projects like bathrooms, wells, a kitchen, a school house, chicken coops, fence, playground, etc.  One thing I love about this opportunity is that we will not be doing any of the building of the development projects, but CHC will hire Swazis to do the work…so money and jobs are being put into the beautiful country of Swaziland.

Josh and I are speaking at both the 9:15 and 10:45 services.  And I truly, truly covet prayers for this Sunday.  We are praying for God to move in a big way and to stir hearts for these children and that I don’t puke on stage.  I am BY NO MEANS a public speaker, at all, so prayers are greatly, greatly appreciated.  We want our words to be God’s.

These kids and this nation are not our charity or good deed, they are our brothers and sisters in Christ.  “We have to take the risk to get deeply involved with the people we serve. We should really hurt when they hurt. We don’t work for our brothers to feel good. We work for our brothers because we can’t truly be happy if they are not, we can’t be successful without their success, and they can’t hurt with out it hurting us.”

**Design my Dana Hale at Lifelines designs**

Tennessee has received a large, rare amount of snow this year and this = schools closing, no milk, bread or eggs can be found in stores and our “huge” 2-3 inches of snow fall have left us stranded.

Tennesseans tend to over exaggerate a winter “storm” and I must admit, I am one of them.  I love snow days.  I like the excuse to stay home and especially on Tuesday and Thursdays when Harper has her little MDO class.  I don’t love letting her go off on those days and the boys and I really do miss her.  Don’t get me wrong, I love her teachers and her little school and know that it is so good for her to have something just for her, but I still miss my little lass, so I am a big fan of snow days.

Last night we got another “big” downfall of snow and it actually was pretty yucky out.  Josh asked me “How does this weather make you feel?”  My answer, “It makes me want to go buy a bunch of junk food, order a pizza and watch a Redbox movie.”  My view of snow days is very similar to a vacation.  Everyone in their PJs all day long, picnic lunch in the floor while watching a movie and not one thing on the agenda.

This morning is another snow day and here is how Huddy has spent most of his morning.

I had to share these because there are 2 things I really love about these pictures: 1) This shows a part of him being an individual.  Sol and he are basically like twins, they do life together everyday and are each others best friend.  So I look for moments when they are being their own self, not attached to the others hip.  This was one of those moments.  He loves to draw on the Magna Doodle and will sit for quite a bit of time just drawing away.  Sol and Harper would rather do other things, but this is one of Hud’s faves.  And 2) It will remind me years from now, when I have forgotten and Huddy has forgotten, that he always wiped his runny nose with his right arm sleeve and only his right arm sleeve.

I have been getting some things completed during this snowy week and late last week.  This 24×24 Names of Jesus piece was ordered by my cousin Heidi in Dickson, Tn.  Thanks so much Heidi and hope you guys love this.

These key fobs were ordered by Deanna in Washington and my friend Melody in Hendersonville, Tn.  Thanks so much ladies.

These key fobs were ordered by Dawn in Louisiana.  Dawn is a wonderful returning customer.  Thanks so much Dawn.

This 8×10 Names of Jesus was actually ordered by Dawn’s mom, Janice (in Louisiana as well), for Dawn’s birthday.  I was so excited when Janice told me who she was ordering the piece for because I just knew Dawn would be so excited.  Thanks so much Janice.

This next order was placed by Amber in Indiana.  Amber wanted some sweet little taggie blankets and a cute 4×12 birdie bow holder.  Thanks so much Amber and hope everyone loves their gifts.

These two “Mimi” pendants are headed Heather in Wisconsin and Kelly in Hendersonville, Tn.  Thanks so much ladies and hope your Mimi’s love them.

And these sweet initial tees were ordered by Angie in Indiana.  Thanks so much Angie, completely appreciate it.

And hope others are enjoying a snow day today like us Kelleys.  Happy Thursday.

We celebrated Sol’s 2nd birthday on Tuesday and rocked his basketball party Saturday.  The boy was off the charts excited about his basketball party.

To say that he loves basketballs or any ball for that matter, would be a complete understatement.  It’s a true love affair.  As always he started off his birthday with being greeted by a basketball door decorated by his sweet, daddy.

Josh has taken on the roll of “door decorator” and has done me proud.  Sol was so smiley about his door and he and Huddy have shot basketball every day since Tuesday.  In fact, we have been awakened every morning to the sound of balls being thrown against their door.  It’s kind of growing on me.  Of course, we had cake….well a cookie really…for breakfast.  And thanks to a cookie mold I found at Joanns, they looked like none other than basketballs.

The only issue with a cookie instead of cake, is that we had to improvise with a banana to hold the candles.  It worked out well though.  And all the kiddos were excited about the super, sweet breakfast.  Harper even thanked Sol for having a birthday.

Sol also enjoyed his 2 year doctor’s appointment.  Harper was at her little MDO class, so it was just me and the boys.  This was his first doctors appointment since being home that did not consist of a shotfest, which equaled out to a very happy boy.

I don’t normally let them stand in chairs, but at the moment it just captured who they are and just the boy inside them.  After the picture, I had to be mom again and make them “sit on their bottoms”.  And yes, that is a hug from Huddy–AKA The Sleeper Hold.  We then ate some Chic-Fila for lunch because, well, Sol doesn’t have much of an opinion about where he likes to eat yet, so I am taking advantage of it while I can.  And I do so love some Chic-Fila, particularly the Cherry Coke.

His party on Saturday could not have been more fun for him.  We did birthday chalk to keep the tradition alive.

I always make my kids cakes for their birthdays.  This was something my mom did for me and has become very important to me.  With that said, it is becoming more and more difficult with 3 little ones, ages 3 and under to make their cakes, so these days I am opting for cupcakes and easy cupcakes at that.  I knew I wanted them to be basketball themed of course, but did not want to take the time to ice each cupcake like a basketball.

After racking my brain for a bit, I decided to seek out some cookies that I could turn into basketballs.  This was super easy and anyone can do this.  I used 12 off brand fudge stripe cookies and 12 mini vanilla waffers.  I dipped them in orange candy melts earlier this week and stuck them in the refrigerator.  The day of the party, I iced all the cupcakes with some blue frosting and dyed the last of the frosting black and piped on some lines and threw on some orange sprinkles.  Very easy, very quick and Sol was thrilled.

I also do have a love for a good themed goody bag for the little guests at the party.  We still do just family parties, so all the little ones are our nieces and nephews.  I didn’t want to do something too boyish since my nieces are very girly.

I ended up doing a water bottle for each kiddo (Academy Sports clearance section) and then filled them with a basketball whistle (from Hobby Lobby), fun shoe laces (from Walmart), some bubble gum, a basketball cookie and each of the nephews got a mini basketball.

I also stuffed an argyle initial tee in each water bottle as well.  I just can’t seem to let go of the tees and I wanted to use similar argyle that I used on his invitations for the boys tees (it’s a sickness…I know), but then went more girly for the girls.

Everyone had a great time at the party.  Sol lived it up, but was actually more quiet than usual.  He was very soft spoken most of the time and when everyone sang to him, in true Kelley kid fashion, he soaked it up and looked at everyone singing to him.  Made this momma tear up.

He just stared and grinned his little grin, but wouldn’t even blow out his candles.  In fact, Huddy snuck in the blows from a distance and took both candles out.

But Sol didn’t mind at all, just as long as he got some cake he was a happy, happy boy.

And what did he receive for his birthday?  Everyone was just too good to him and he got wonderful presents, but he did receive mostly…

And he could not have been more happier about it.  It was such a great day for Sol and I loved every minute of it for him.

Solomon you are such a sweet, sweet, insanely sweet blessing.  It is a pure honor to be your mom and dad.  We cannot thank God enough for allowing us to be your parents.  We love you tons.  Happy birthday baby boy!

Our little family has been incredibly busy lately.  Really…I am surprised day-to-day that I even remember to feed my kids.  My crafting has been super insanely busy (THANK YOU), plus we celebrated Sol’s 2nd birthday Tuesday (sniff, sniff),

plus our up-and-coming launch date at our church for our carepoint, Ngungwane in Swaziland with Childrens HopeChest.  Sol’s party is Saturday and I seriously, have little to nothing done, so I’m racking my brain for quick, cute basketball themed things.  We’ll see how that goes.  We have been running every where and doing every thing to get ready, mainly, for our launch date.

(design by Dana at Lifelines Designs…you need to check her out…she totally rocks)

Right now I have 82 16×20 photos of our sponsor kids just sitting in our bedroom…still trying to find someone to mount them for me for a good deal.  The photo lady at Sams said that I got them some kind of recognition for having the best sales out of all the Sams photo centers – she even double high-fived me when I came in with all three kids to pick up the pictures…did I mention that there are 82 of them and in 16×20 size?  They are amazing though.  If you live in the area, I would totally love for you to join us on February 20th at our church Community in Hendersonville.  We have a 9:15 and 10:45 service and we will be at both services that day.  Josh and I have been praying for this day for almost 2 years, so the anticipation for this launch date is about to kill us.  82 kids will need sponsors and once each child has been sponsored, we will start on the funding for all the development projects, like wells, bathrooms, kitchen, playground, chicken coops, etc.  And we are planning to try and make 2 trips a year to visit with our kids…so you can meet your sponsor child, love on them and build a relationship with them.

So all this to say, I am way behind on posts and hence the crazy amount of order pictures I am about to share with you.  This first order was placed by Dana in New Mexico.  Dana is “The Dana” of Lifelines Designs.  She is absolutely the best and totally rocks at everything her fingertips touch.  She has been designing all of our launch date items from the large banners that will be in the sanctuary, to thank you notes, to stickers, to poster designs, etc.  She is just the best and I can’t say enough good things about her.  Thanks Dana, as always and hope your mom loves her Mimi pendant.

This next order is headed to Ellen in Knoxville, Tn.  Ellen is an amazing returning customer.  This time she needed Valentine tees for her girls, a key fob for herself and a couple of baby gifts.  Thanks so much Ellen…you’re the best!

These next tees were ordered by my friend Alissa.  She needed some cute tees for some friend’s little girls who just turned ONE.  Thanks so much Alissa, as always.

These next key fobs were ordered by Dara in Hendersonville, Tn and Kelsey in Hendersonville, Tn.  Thanks so much ladies.

This set of key fobs is headed to Angela in Wisconsin.  Thank you so much Angela and hope everyone loves them.

These cute name key fobs are heading to Heather in Knoxville, Tn.  Thanks again Heather!

These two fabric bracelets headed out to Sarah in Iowa and Regina in Hendersonville, Tn.  Thanks so much ladies…it was a pleasure.

This Africa tee was ordered by Suzanne in Kansas.  Suzanne mailed in her own tee and I dolled it up for her with a sweet Africa and a heart over Ethiopia.  LOVE her fabric choice.  Thanks so much Suzanne and hope you’re meeting your sweet child soon.

And now for camera straps.  I need to send my sister-in-law Kim a big thanks for asking for one for Christmas, because, well, they seem to be very popular and like the key fobs, they are taking on a mind of their own.  I am now stitching names and verses on them and actually have 2 orders placed where the customers want Africa’s stitched on…Yes, please!  Too excited about all these.  They are headed to Rebecca in South Carolina, Kristel in Michigan, Tisha in Indiana, Michele in Alabama, Erica in Florida and Carisa in Pikeville, Tn.  Wow ladies…thank you so very, very much.  Hope your picture taking days are now a little more funky and fun!

I also snagged some new fabrics this week.  These have now all been added to my fabric selection at the top of the page.

And yes, that is Hello Kitty fabric.  I am not a huge fan of character fabric, but when Harper saw this in the store she just about fainted.  She loves Hello Kitty and it was 50% off, so I bought a bit and made her up a cute little Valentines tee.  She’s in love.

Well that about does it…whew!  Thanks for sticking with me and a HUGE thanks to all my customers who just keep ordering and ordering and ordering some more.  I know I say it a lot, but I really cannot say “Thank You” enough.  Happy Thursday.