Archives for September 2011

We have been crazy this week and I mean really, really crazy, busy.  But it’s good busy…the fun kind.

I have been working really hard on two large art orders and during the millions of different dry times, I managed to squeak out a few smaller orders.

These two 1/2″ pendants were ordered by Cara in Texas.  Thanks so much Cara and hope these bring back memories that can never be replaced.

This 8×10 names canvas was ordered by my sweet cousin Jan in Texas.  I really like how the blue/black color scheme turned out.  Thanks again so much Jan.

And these camera straps are headed to Miranda in Hendersonville, Tn and Kristen in Franklin, Tn.  Thanks ladies so very much and hope everyone loves theirs.

I (we…small Kelley family) have been so busy with life…and not just craftiness.  The kids have been busy with rain play…

and play dates at Starbucks (I feel the look like tiny, little hipsters)…

and fixing our table bench.  I was unaware that there were issues going on with the bench, but after a thorough investigation, this small team of bench mechanics determined that we had some major issues, but they caught them just in time.  We really dodged a bullet this time.

I have had some super fun busyness this week.  Like…my friend Susan discovering in my presence that the Peeps company apparently did not make enough money at this years Easter.

Josh and I started kickball again.  You may remember from last year that we are on a coed kickball team “Kickin’ It Old School”.  You may be thinking…”what losers”, but au contraire…really, really super fun.  And it doesn’t hurt that we’re really good as well.

I think Tanya’s honeybadger/cobra shoes are bringing us some good luck.

Last night I went to a free pre-season Predators game with Susan…seems Susan and I have been together a bit too much this week…I kid, I kid…there is never too much with Susan…oh no!

It was a great game and Susan and I totally paid very close attention to every detail of the game…maybe, except where we were eating.

We may have eaten a few yummy things at the game such as cotton candy, a large bag of peanuts, nachos and washed all that down with a ginormous coke.  I have never, ever proclaimed to be very health conscience 🙂

The Preds won 4-1 and we were super excited…

this lady…not so much.

And today, well today is the best day of our busy week.  Today is Huddy’s 3rd birthday and we started the morning off with Kelley birthday tradition.

Super fun decorated birthday door:

and cake for breakfast:

Everyone benefits from the “cake for breakfast” Kelley tradition.  It would be no fun to eat cake alone on your birthday.

And he finished up breakfast by opening his birthday present…a Buzz Lightyear Nerf gun.  BEST.MORNING.EVER. for Huddy.

I kind of like this kid.  He is just J.O.Y. and pure boy.  He’s rough and crazy and fun and hysterical and all things sweet rolled up into one.  How did I get so lucky?

Happy birthday Huddy…you are truely amazing.  We really, really love, love, triple love you.

Happy Thursday!

Today we celebrated Huddy’s 3rd birthday.  Our kids are all quite smitten with Toy Story, but Huddy is the big crazy.  Everyday he plays Buzz…in fact, he really thinks he is Buzz.  When I asked him about what kind of birthday party he wanted, it was very clear…he didn’t even think twice.

Every party we must have sidewalk chalk…it’s only fitting and oh, so inviting and Kelley birthday tradition.

There were streamers and strands of stars in Buzz’s signature green and purple.  This morning when Huddy came down, he announced in his little stuttering voice, “Mom, I like these.”

And we had lots of yummy food and treats.  Huddy wanted pizza, but I also made these cute rocket dogs.

Super yummy sugar cookies...RECIPE HERE.  I tried a new recipe for the actual cookies and it did not disappoint.  Really good and they stayed super moist and soft.  I did use a different frosting though…RECIPE HERE…it’s just plain good and I’m not quite ready to try a new icing recipe yet…why mess with what works (and is yummy too).

And of course cake.

Chocolate and Funfetti.  If I haven’t professed our love of all things Funfetti enough…let me again.  We are a total Funfetti kind of family…I am always thrilled when our kiddos ask for it…I always oblige.  I still think Funfetti will be in heaven…mark my words.

And if cake wasn’t good enough…try serving it in an empty push-up pop…rocket style.  All the kids loved this and it actually made eating cake a whole lot cleaner for the kids…except small William.

Susan accidentally flipped us a “rocket bird”.  It makes me laugh.

Treat bags were filled with a rocket cookies, Toy Story Pez dispenser, star crayons and some Toy Story stickers.

Everyone had a really great time and Huddy told me at the end of the party, “Mom, the Buzz party was good.”  He played his little heart out, ate yummy food and way too much sugar, received lots of fun gifts and laughed a ton.  He had a really great day and I think everyone else had a pretty good time too.

Happy Birthday Party Day Huddy…you are one fun, super Buzz.  I love you “to infinity and beyond.”  -Mom

I like him…a lot.  A whole, whole, whole lot.

Today is Josh’s 29th birthday.  I cannot believe he (we) are only one year away from the big 3-0.  Holy cow…where did the time go?

Josh is pretty much THE. BEST.  There is not much else I can say, only that I am one lucky lady and I am truly thankful for the husband and father he is.

It also doesn’t hurt that he has the best heart and puts up with all the crazy stuff that goes on in the Kelley house, mustaches and all.  And I cannot even imagine what the big 3-0 is going to be like…totally, incredibly, freakin’ awesome…that’s what it will be…all Kelley kids together under one roof…heck yes!

The kids have been so excited about his birthday.  They even picked him out a gift all on their own and about peed their pants with anticipation of Josh opening it.

Yes, nothing says, “We love you.” “Happy Birthday!” and “You’re the best dad ever.” like a Star Wars tin full of popcorn.  They were so proud of their selection for his birthday…I think Josh dug it too.

I had him a few little surprises, but my favorite was what I made for him.  Josh made a comment about a piece I did a while back that had a Mumford & Sons quote on it.  We are big fans and we both really love this quote.  I Joshed it up a bit with a trout and some Africa map pieces…along with some other more manly strips.

I think he’s planning on hanging it in his office, but secretly (well not so secretly now) wish he would hang it at home, but it’s his birthday gift…crossing my fingers 🙂

And to celebrate Josh’s birthday with the rest of you, I am giving away this 4×12 similar canvas on PPA’s Facebook Page.  Head over and enter to win.  I will announce a winner tomorrow.

In businessy news…I made another similar piece for the Encores and More North New Mom’s Sale.  Two dear friends of ours run this sale and are crazy good, so I was more than happy to donate a piece.  If you are in need of kids clothes, this is the place to shop.  Sale opens to the public this Saturday.  And this year, they even have a home section with tons of great items.

This set of key fobs is headed to Gina in Knoxville, Tn.  Thanks so much Gina and hope everyone loves their key fobs.

I’m working like mad on orders, I promise, but also gearing up for Huddy’s Buzz Lightyear party this weekend.  Today Sol and I made lots of sweet little star crayons.  I adore any kind of shaped crayons…so fun.

Hope everyone has great day, but Josh, I hope yours is the best.  Happy Birthday and Happy Thursday!

Thanks to everyone who entered our 10 Month Waiting Giveaway.  I totally loved reading about the good things going on in everyone’s lives…and the encouraging words were crazy kind…much, much appreciated.

Now for the winner…

#296 Kimberly.  Kimberly, check your email for a message from me and super congrats.

I finished up another order and this one is headed to Meredith in Texas.  Meredith wanted a 12×12 black and white color schemed canvas with Matthew 6:21 and an Africa and an Ohio tee to show some love.  Thanks so much Meredith and best of luck in your journey to your next sweet kiddo.

Yesterday I got some awesome mail…all the way from Australia.  A sweet blogger friend, Sara, mailed me some pretty stellar stache gear.  I was so incredibly excited.

Why yes, that is a mustache pen, notebook and paperclips and why yes, I do think they are amazing.  Sol and I even tested out the paperclips…

yep, they work.  Thank you so much Sara for being way too kind and giving and thoughtful and well, you just simply made my day.  THANK YOU!

Sol has discovered a new place to eat lunch…I’m in trouble when it comes to just being with one child…I’m weak and we do way more crazy, fun things…

I just won’t turn the burners on 🙂

And this week we are gearing up for Huddy’s 3rd birthday party this weekend.  Last night I made him this rocket tee…Buzz Lightyear colors and all.  This morning he proclaimed how much he loved it and then Sol almost cut it with scissors…geesh!

And lastly, I have updated my fabric inventory with some new fabrics…some of these I just got and some are not quite as new…I’m a little behind.  But my fabric is now updated and I can cross one more thing off my To-Do list.

Thanks again to everyone who entered and help spread the word about our giveaway.

Happy Tuesday!

Our 10 Months Waiting Art Giveaway is still going on.  You can win this 11×14 canvas with, “Only a life lived for other is a life worthwhile.”  Albert Einstein…then CLICK HERE or scroll down to the post below.  Giveaway ends this Monday, August 19th at midnight.

Well, we officially survived our first Warrior Dash…SO.MUCH.FUN.  It was held in Manchester, Tn on the property that is the home of Bannaroo.  When we were driving up, Josh and I were both very interested to see what this was going to be like.  We later came to the conclusion that it was as if Woodstock and a 5K run had a baby together and named it Warrior Dash.  We could immediately see the giant viking helmet which is their signature trademark.

We then noticed all the people that were in line for the bathroom…completely covered in mud.  We are talking about tons and tons of muddy people.

Josh took notice before the race that one of shoes was missing the tread.  The entire sheet of tread on the bottom of my shoe had come off.  We decided this probably happened at Coop’s Warrior Dash birthday party and I just never noticed.  This made me kind of nervous considering all the walls we were going to have to climb during the race.

If you are not familiar with what exactly the Warrior Dash is…it’s a 5K run with 12 obstacles throughout the run…and these were no easy, cheesy obstacles.  My favorites were at the end.  There was a fire jump and then a muddy water crawl…hence all the muddy people.  We laughed afterwards because there was even gravel in the bottom of the mud crawl…they really wanted to stick it to us.  My knees have all these little tiny nicks, scrapes and cuts all over them.

I took Josh’s before and after pics…they make me laugh.

BEFORE:  Fresh…nice and squeaky clean.

AFTER:  Nasty, disgusting…even had mud in his ear.

We embraced the nastiness of the mud and even walked around for a while…just letting the mud dry caked on our skin.  This makes me laugh just thinking about it.  We were some serious kind of nasty.

Luckily, my shoe with no tread, didn’t cause me too much trouble, but afterwards I noticed I was loosing the tread on my other shoe.

It was quite annoying just flapping around, so I finally just pulled it off.  I have had these shoes since my freshman year of high school.  I ran many a miles in these in college.  Poor guys, but what a way to go out.

We finally ventured down to the “Warrior Wash” aka firemen hosing people off with fire hoses.  Everything about this was incredibly interesting…and oh, the people watching…it was good.

And oh, the abandoned muddy clothes…it was in abundance.

I also really liked the concert area.  They had great bands and lots of loud music, but the dancing was my favorite.  I secretly wanted to dance too…Josh knew it.  I decided to just observe instead.  There was some really good dancing observing going on…like really good…like really, really good.

On our way out, to head home, I donated my poor, soleless shoes.  It was a final fairwell, but at least they had lots and lots of friends.

It was a really great Saturday and I highly recommend that if the Warrior Dash comes near you…you GO.  GO and dash and dance and get muddy and watch and eat and just have fun.  It really was all I expected and more.  So, so fun.

Happy Sunday!

Our 10 Month Waiting Art Giveaway is still going on.  If you would like to enter to win this 11×14 canvas with, “Only a life lived for other is a life worthwhile.”  Albert Einstein…then CLICK HERE or scroll down to the post below.  Giveaway ends this Monday, August 19th at midnight.

I mentioned I was in love with all our new pictures we had taken…well here are a few of my most favorites:

I have been working on orders like crazy…I promise.

This camera strap was ordered by Sarah in Iowa.  Thank you so much Sarah and hope your daughter loves it.

This sweet Big Sis tee was ordered by a dear friend, who shall remain nameless for now 🙂  Love that I got to make this for their special reveal.

This Africa tee is headed to Jill in California.  Jill…try not to set this one on fire 🙂

These super fun fall shirts were ordered by Lori in North Carolina.  She wanted pumpkin tees for both her boys and then an owlie birthday shirt for her soon-to-be birthday boy.  Totally appreciate it Lori.  Hope your boys love them.

And lastly, Melissa in South Carolina ordered this 8×10 canvas with Psalm 90:12 and this snazzy key fob.  Hope you love them Melissa and thanks so much for your business.

We are Warrior Dashing it today…I cannot wait.  It is going to be so much fun.  I’ll report back.

Have a great weekend everyone.  Happy Saturday.

PS:  Fall weather + hoodies = total cuteness.

Maybe this is it…maybe this is really the last giveaway…maybe we will see that incredibly longed for, prayed for, loved from afar, face soon.  I need to see this sweet boy, like yesterday.

I received our cd of pictures from Cheyenne from Shots by Cheyenne this week.  Wowzers…I think I’m in love.  When I looked at them I cried…a lot.  Is it normal to be completely smitten and some what attached to a cardboard sign?  Maybe not, but I love this old, dirty, spray painted, creased sign…it’s been on this journey with us and it shows that it has been well loved.

I promise I am not some crazy emotional person.  In fact, I am usually really great at keeping my emotions under control…not a big crier.  I recently was accused of being “too emotional”…to that I say…”Why yes, I am currently too emotional, but you try not having your family together…your child, for that matter, not with you…not in your house…not in your arms and all the unknowns that come with this wonderfully, emotionally charged journey.  Once you really know how this feels, well, then let’s talk about me being “too emotional”.”

So here we are 10 months on the wait list…10 months waiting to see that sweet face and it’s just not any easier…I really and truly wish it were.  I have been busting my butt to keep my mind off of the wait and the unknown and thanks to everyone who placed orders recently, my oh my, I have been keeping busy.  But unfortunately my emotions keep getting the best of me still.  So yes, I may cry before I drop my kids off at school because Huddy tells me he can’t wait to meet his new brother, and yes, I may cry because Harper goes through the list of things we will do for her new brother when he comes home, and yes, I may cry when Sol thanks God for his new brother in “Efiopia”, but this is my new normal and more than anything…God is good and He is really, really, really in control and He actually knows exactly what is best for us.  Trust and faith and understanding and trust, some more, are being engraved on my heart.  And soon, I will actually see my sons face and he will eventually be home…and believing that and knowing that as truth, is really good for my heart.

So here’s to 10 months…raise your glass.  Here’s to being another month closer to my son…my sweet, sweet, triple sweet son.  Let’s celebrate.

Up for grabs is a 11×14 canvas with a 10 word quote I truly L.O.V.E.

“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” -Albert Einstein

As with each month, we will ship the piece straight to the winner.

I love the dictionary pieces: love, one & another.  Very simply and perfectly put.

As always there are lots of ways to enter to win this piece.

PLEASE leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

-Leave a comment about something good that has happened to you lately

-Blog about the giveaway

-Share the giveaway on your Facebook status

–Share the giveaway on your Twitter

–Become a fan on Facebook HERE

–Follow on Twitter HERE

-Subscribe to receive PPA updates by email in the right side bar

Please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry. 

Giveaway will end this Monday, September 19th at midnight and I will announce the winner on Tuesday.

Thanks for entering and helping spread the word.  Happy Friday!

I’m due for my usual random post, so I shall deliver just that.

Since returning from Florida, the kids like to play like they are swimming in the ocean.  Harper always chooses to wear her Speedo…aka my old baby bloomers.

The actual swimming looks a little something like this.

Very nice form.

Sol is our spicy eating kid.  Anything spicy he L.O.V.E.S.  He, no joke, eats salsa with a spoon…out of a bowl.  The spicier the better.  When we arrived home from vacation my mom had so kindly put on a crock pot full of chicken tortilla soup for us…best soup ever and it had a kick to it…big time.  Sol devoured it.  I love this kid.

My father-in-law found this old piece of wood on his land…I asked if I could have it…he said yes.  I turned it into a rockin’ orange mustache.  I initially wanted to put it in the boys’ room, but I just couldn’t part with it.  Now it’s in my dining room.  It’s Love.

Campbell and Coop were over this week.  Before we went to eat some Sweet CeCe’s Campbell had to finish her homework.  Harper is Campbell’s biggest fan…can you tell?  Harper now “does her homework” all the time…aka copy words from her Disney Princess book.

My kids make me laugh…like a lot.  For every moment when I want to run from our house screaming, there are more moments like this…when I cannot stop laughing.

Laughter is my best coping mechanism.  If I don’t laugh, then the crazies just might set it.

And God love em’, they are good kids.

I found this little gem at Target.  Mustache fever is catching on and I am all for it.  I may need to purchase this for Movember.

And our hot days are dwindling…which is A-okay with me.  I heart fall weather.  We took advantage of a nice evening to hose the kids off.

Sol likes it directly in the face.  Why?  We have no idea, but he just kept coming back for more.

He makes me smile.

Don’t forget…our 10 Months Waiting Art Giveaway is this Friday.  Can’t wait to celebrate being even closer to seeing that sweet face.  I’m modeling it after this donation piece that is headed to the SHINE Project…

It’s going to be good!

Happy Tuesday!