Archives for June 2012

Dear Amon,

You my son are a gift.  I feel overwhelmed with pure joy and completely honored to be your Mom.  You, we have waited for, for so long.  Your name means faithful…God has been so faithful to our family through out our entire journey to you and He will continue to be His faithful self through out our lives.

You are beautiful and tiny and sweet and amazing and incredible and bold and brave and strong…I cannot believe you are ours.  I’ve imagined what it would be like to finally hold you in my arms and cuddle you and kiss your sweet lips and the moment when I was finally able to do all those things far exceeded anything I had imagined…you took our breath away.  You captured our hearts immediately.  And still, we don’t even really know you yet.  I am thrilled to get to know you…to learn your personality inside and out and to understand what makes you tick and to see what God has intended for your life and watch that all unfold.  We are just so thankful to be apart of your life.

You have tons of soft dark hair and I think you are going to have big, loose curls.  You have detached lobes and your skin is so so soft.  I looked you over for freckles, but couldn’t find any yet.  I’m still hoping for another freckle finger kid   Your eyes, they are enchanting.  They are as dark as night…a deep, deep dark brown…almost black.  You are more than we ever imagined.  You are just the cutest thing ever.

We have prayed a million prayers for you sweet boy and we continue to pray a million more.  We promise to do our very best as your Mom and Dad.  We consider it an honor to be your parents…to have you as our son…for you to be a Kelley.  God has truly blessed us and showed His amazing love and power and grace by allowing us to be your parents.  I can never tell you how thankful we are for your life and just how much we truly love you.  I am so excited to begin our family all over again with you…to start another new beginning with you in it.

You are priceless to us and we love you with a fierce love.  You are our son and for that we are forever grateful to God.

Oh my goodness, do I ever love you.

Love, Mom

When we woke up last Tuesday morning everyone was anxious and excited for what the day would signify for our family.  Josh, Harper and I were about to finally start the journey to finally meeting our newest little guy.  It was only fitting to have a celebratory departure breakfast.

We would spend a some odd 18 hours on planes over the next few days.  I had forgotten how long of flights they really were.  We flew on four different airplanes to finally get to our boy.

Harper was quite the trooper.  The morning we left I went to my 300 fit class and asked everyone to please pray for our trip and especially Harper.  My friend Todd said she would be fine…it was Josh and I that we should be worrying about.  Sure enough he was totally right.  Harper rocked.  She was happy and helpful and adjusted to the time difference totally fine.  She was such a trooper and was just thrilled to be along for the ride.  Josh and I did fine too 🙂

Both there and back, we had an 11 hour layover in Germany.  The Frankfurt airport is now an arch enemy of mine.  It was the biggest airport I have ever been in and the most confusing.  Terrible, terrible, terrible.  Harper was a tad bit thrilled to find Iron Man there and was super excited to show the boys the picture.  Josh and I were both pretty stoked about Iron Man as well…he was way super cool.

On each plane Harper thoroughly investigated the safety manuals.  I told Josh she was freaking me out a bit, but I was confident that if something went down, Harper would rescue me and her both.  She asked a million questions about each safety manual…she was prepared.

The plane food was interesting.  It varied plane to plane and country to country.  My most favorite thing we ate were Muffin Tops for breakfast when we left Frankfurt.  Literally, the package said “Muffin Top” and sure enough it was just the top of the muffin.  I totally cracked myself up with lots of jokes about having my own muffin top and not needing a pre-packaged one.  I soooo wish I had taken a picture.

I am now on the look out for some plastic small coffee/tea cups like the pretty green one above.  Harper adored drinking out of hers…it was the perfect size.  She also enjoyed poking her bread with the toothpicks provided with each meal 🙂

On the planes we colored, read a lot, slept a little and watched way, way too too much TV…movies and cartoons.  They even had old school black and white cartoons and things like Tom & Jerry.  Harper watched every last single show and movie available to her that were appropriate and then started over again 🙂

I read Cold Tangerines by Shauna Niequist from front to back on the flights home.  I have never read a book front to back like that before.  I’m not a big reader…I wish I were, but I just tend to read a little here and there and then never finish…it’s just my style apparently.  But this book was insanely good and encompassing for my mind and heart.  Really, really good.

Flying and the sky were wondrous.  Ethiopia is beautiful from the sky to the ground.

And maybe the best part of flying and airports and planes was finally landing in Ethiopia and while unpacking I found my BIL Jon’s knife in my CARRY ON backpack…yes, my CARRY ON.  So lets see…I had been through one million security checks at this point including like 4 just in the US and made it all the way to Africa with this little guy in my bag.  Josh and I had quite the laugh.

Flying for so long and for so far was quite the adventure and now holds such precious memories for me.  What a journey to get to our boy.  So blessed to have shared it with Josh and Harper.  Cannot wait to pack again and get back on that next plane.

Happy Thursday!

We received a sweet baby gift in the mail.  Thank you to whoever sent it.  I do so love when surprises arrive in the mail, so thank you Sweet, Anonymous Giver…thank you!!!

Wall decals are packed.  Thank you to everyone who mailed or dropped them off at our house.  I cannot wait to hand these over.

We are taking gifts for all the staff and nannies at itty bitty’s orphanage.  So many goodies are packed, but I also wanted to take these special woman a piece of my Mom…pretty bracelets and bangles I remember Mom wearing.  I think that will do just fine.

I made treats to share on Father’s Day.  I replaced the Oreo with a Milky Way…you can thank me now 🙂  Cookie dough + Milky Way + brownie mix = Heavenly.

Father’s Day…Josh’s last one as a father of 3.

Muffins to celebrate a pretty rockin’ Dad.  We love you Josh Kelley.

A morning swim is standard routine in the Kelley house now.  I adore the fun.  I adore the time.  I adore the wee Kelleys.

BEST.LAMP.EVER.  Thank you so much Sandra, Courtney & Stef.

Started the morning with swimming laps with Jess.  An excellent start to a crazy hectic Monday.

I failed in the pretty packaging department today.  Just not enough time.  I apologize to the recipients 🙂

Funniest paci ever.  Thanks Sandra and Stef…you guys are just too good to us.

Boys are nutty and funny and crazy and I cannot wait to have another one in the mix.  I do fear for their lives sometimes though 🙂

And I made itty bitty his first little onesie.  I think he will be pretty stinkin’ cute sporting it.

So the weekend & today were crazy…C.R.A.Z.Y.  We got so much done and now, now I feel a bit ready…prepared.  I’ve been ready to meet this crazy sweet boy from the beginning, but now, now I’m really ready.  Bags are packed.  All the details are in line and we’re ready.  I cannot believe we are finally going to meet this amazing child.  And yesterday I thought to myself, even when he is finally home…when we get to step off that plane with him in our arms…crossing our fingers…at the end of July…this is really just the beginning.  This is not the end, but the very beginning.  The beginning of family…all over again.  Such a sweet beginning…such a bittersweet new life.  So many things to be thrilled and excited and joyous about, but also so many things to grieve and mourn.  I am so glad God has everything in His hands…I am so glad that even though we can barely see a few steps in front of us, God can see through eternity.  He understands how all this will play out and I am so humbled just to be a piece of His plan.  I cannot believe He would even think about allowing us to be apart of His great stories.  What an honor…what a blessing.  God is just too, too good.

Happy Monday!

Thank you guys so much for entering our big, sharing giveaway.  You are all way too kind and I LOVED reading all the comments.  And I loved reading about who you would share your prize with if you won.

Several of you were wondering about the Hall Cookbooks too.  After some comments and getting some emails about it, I talked with my Aunt Linda and she rounded up a few cookbooks for me, if anyone is interested in purchasing one.  She doesn’t have a whole ton, so just send me a message if you would like to purchase one.

Now for the winners:

The winner of the 11×14 and 8×10 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul…sure & strong” canvases is:

BETH SAYS:  I’d share it with my friend who has also been on the waiting list for her little guy from Ethiopia for waaaayyyy too long :*(  The the art pieces!!

The winner of the 2 Dining Halls Cookbooks is:

KARIN says:  Shared on Facebook. LOVE this contest! Praying everything goes well with court.

The winner of the 2 4×12 Mumford & Sons canvases “Where you invest your love, you invest your life.” is:

TERESA HAASE says:  Love all of these pieces Laura…and the key fobs too! What a gift you have to be able to create! Wishing you safe travels as you leave to bring Kelley #6 home to your loving family! I would share with my sister Nikki who introduced me to your blog, she has two gorgeous little girls who are both adopted…one domestically and the other from India!

The winner of the 2 (10 count) sets of anchor stationary is:

AMY SAYS:  My favorite giveaway so far! If I was so fortunate to win the AL Shakes one (I’m from N. AL and we are so proud of them!!) I would share with my friend Jennifer who will soon be starting the international adoption process.

The winner of the 9×12 and  10×10 Alabama Shakes “You got to hold on” canvases is:

STEPH MOON says:  “liked” on facebook too

And the winner of the 10 key fobs is:

NITA REID says:  As Always, Beautiful Art Work!!!! I would share with my mother. She is a young 85 years old. What a Blessing God has given me for all these years. I’m very Thankful. You and your family are in my prayers, as you prepare for the new Kelley. Praying for Safe travels to Africa and return home……

Emails have already been sent out to all the winners…so check your email and email me back with your shipping address.  I would love to have these all shipped before we leave for Africa.

Have a great weekend…now it’s back to packing for me 🙂

Happy Saturday!

Well I am officially in love with my giant Polaroid camera.  It is still so so big, but it makes me so so happy.

Itty bitty’s crib sheets came in the mail.  LOVE!  Mod Fox rocked my crib sheet world.

We’ve been packing, packing and more packing…and strategically.  I’ve taken everything out of their boxes and put them in baggies.  Medicine boxes got cut up, so I could keep the instructions.  Strategic packing at its best.

Flashback Friday again…still transferring pictures.  Found this little jewel of Sol when he got stuck in his shirt a while back.  Proceed with laughter.

Harper drew me a new picture…I am holding itty bitty boy.  I LOVE it!  When she gave it to me she asked, “Are you just so so happy we are going to meet our new brother?”  Yes, Yes, Yes Harper, I am!

The day was just too full.  I felt bad for the wee Kelleys…they were such troopers.  We did one million things today, along with an 1 1/2 hour live webinar with our agency about traveling.  Josh and I both needed to be apart of it and the kids did a great job.  They deserved a little fun, so we took them for an evening swim.  They needed it…the needed to release some energy.

At the pool I noticed I had on two different colored flip-flops.  I was completely not surprised with the day we had had.  At least it was brown and black…not too obvious.

And I will be drawing the 6 winners soon for our big, share giveaway.  It closes at midnight…going to try and be asleep by then though…so once I random generate all the winners tomorrow, they will be posted.

Hope you have a great weekend.  Happy Friday!

We’re in the countdown phase.  Harper has it down and reminds me everyday how many days we have left.  I like her!  I am averaging 3-5 hours of sleep each night.  My sleep sucked anyways, but now throw all the preparation and emotion in the mix and now it’s consistently sucky 🙂

We finally got our shots.  Last time around I was very impressed with this clinic…this time not so much.  We waited 40 minutes past our appointment time in the waiting room…and the majority of the time, we were the only people in the waiting room.  I was a little confused…oh, and no one coming out either.  And we had all 3 wee Kelleys.  The boys got a little restless.

Harper took her shot like a champ.

And got sweet kisses from Dad…dang you, back of Sol’s head.

I took my shots like a champ too.  Josh did as well, but had to take his shirt off, so no pics.  I didn’t invite you to the gun show 🙂

We have been spending lots of time with Aunt Linda and Uncle Tom.  They’ve been keeping the wee Kelleys while I run errands.  I am so much faster with out 3 little ones in tow.

Today I was a mad woman…running one million errands…crossing things off my to-do list like crazy.  I found a Crayon Gem at Target that is literally one giant crayon…like baseball to softball size.  It was giant and crazy and seemed a bit too much to me.  But I did think it was quite amusing.

And I may have praised the Lord when I found this new extra fine tip Sharpie pen…no bleed!!!!!  PTL.  My favorite pen, easy, is the extra fine tip Sharpie, but they always bleed through my paper…not anymore.  Awesomeness!

I couldn’t believe these items were in my cart.  The pacis are just so so little…I’m going to be changing diapers again…tiny, itty bitty clothing will be in my laundry again.  Eeeek + Yah! = Grand.

I did some picture printing today too.  I gathered all of our “Waiting for you” pics…well over 100 of them.  LOVE this CD.

And I got my Polaroid camera in the mail today.  I’ve been wanting one for forever.  Just think how much fun it will be to use with all the sweet kiddos we will meet next week?  I hope they love all the pictures we will leave with them.

When I opened it up…myself, Aunt Linda, Uncle Tom and Josh all burst into laughter.  It is the biggest camera I have ever seen.  Ginormous.  It’s so big, it looks like a fake camera…like it might squirt water in your face 🙂  IT.IS.HUGE!  But I am totally keeping it.  There are way too many pictures I want to take this coming week and leave in Ethiopia.

And how sweet is this?  All my aunts and uncles got together this week…their first time without Mom.  I received this picture in my email from my Aunt Linda!  They are too, too fun.

Now I’m off to get started packing.  That made my stomach turn 🙂  We’re almost there…almost!

Happy Thursday.

PS:  Our big celebratory giveaway is still going on.  6 Winners and 6 Prizes to Share 🙂

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***

I like to share.  I like to give.  I like to try and bless others.  Is it always easy…nope.  But what I have found is on my worst days, the ultimate mood changer is doing something kind or thoughtful for someone else…heck, any day.  Makes all the difference in the world.

I’ll be honest in saying I do not miss our monthly waiting giveaways, but I do miss mailing those pieces out and knowing happy mail will be arriving to someone shortly…maybe blessing their day.

Since I will be meeting itty bitty boy soon, so very soon…I thought a celebration giveaway was in order.  There will be 6 winners…if we pass court our little dude will be the 6th Kelley.  Praying for God’s will.

And the best part is…there are multiples of each prize, so 1 for the winner and 1 to share…to bless someone else with.

So here are the goodies up for grabs:

11×14 and 8×10 “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul…sure & strong” canvases

2 Dining Halls Cookbooks…I may be partial, but it’s the best cookbook out there 🙂

2 4×12 Mumford & Sons canvases “Where you invest your love, you invest your life.”

2 (10 count) sets of anchor stationary

9×12 and  10×10 Alabama Shakes “You got to hold on” canvases

And a set of 10 key fobs.  Just think of the sharing you could do with all of those 🙂

How about all those goodies.  I hope you will enjoy them.

So here’s how you enter to win:

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

Entry #1 Leave a comment about who you will share with if you win.

Entry #2 Subscribe to PPA to receive posts by email.  Check out the right side bar and enter your email address under Email Subscription

Entry #3 Share the giveaway on your personal Facebook status or become a fan of PPA on Facebook HERE

Entry #4 Share the giveaway on your personal Twitter status.

Again, please leave a separate comment on this post for each entry.

Giveaway will end this Friday, June 15th at midnight and I will announce the winners…all 6 of them 🙂 on Saturday.  If you enter, please check back to see if you won.  I would love to mail out all prizes before we leave for Africa.  Goodies will be mailed directly to you.

Can’t wait to see who all wins.  Can’t wait to read about who you will share with.

Happy Wednesday!

***GIVEAWAY CLOSED***