Archives for February 2015

February 10, 2015 By 31 Comments

Bible Journaling Class????

I had the most intriguing email last night asking if I would ever consider doing a Bible journaling class and then I could not go to sleep.  I woke Josh Kelley up around midnight because I could not sit alone with the idea any longer.  He recalls some of what we hashed out 🙂

So here I am because honestly I have no idea if anyone would even be interested in this kind of class.  I have been dying to get back to having craft nights/days, but they are so much work and life is crazy town for our family of 7 right now.  I love opening our home up to women.  I love teaching.  I love creativity.  I love God’s word.  And currently, God is wreaking all kinds of havoc with our hearts…in the best kind of way.  We cannot keep reading His words and not see He wants it all…not parts here and there, but our entires selves and lives.  Every last stitch and part.

The class would be limited to 20 due to our house size.  There would be a flat fee and all the money will go towards something good…not sure what that will be yet, but I think it all needs to be given back to God in some fashion.  This would not serve as an income for the Kelley household.  You would bring your own supplies and I would have a few available for back ups just in case.  I would tell you what I know and how I go about Bible journaling.  It would be you and your Bible and other woman for an allotted amount of time.  You could ask questions, we can talk supplies and fonts and techniques and scripture and we can pool our resources to do something amazing for His glory.

I know how vague this may sound.  It’s bizarre to be so crazy excited about a hypothetical event, but here I am and I would love feedback from all you locals.  Is this something you would be interested in?  Something you would even attend?  Do you have questions?  I would be so thankful and adore emails (pitterpatterart at gmail dot com) and/or comments if you would be interested in this possibility.

Happiest of Tuesdays!

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February 9, 2015 By 2 Comments

Some Good Doers

I’m sitting here watching a little Antique Roadshow while waiting for the 3rd episode of a new documentary on PBS called A Path Appears.  If you have not seen any of the episodes yet, it is a must.  So so good and educational.

“From the team behind Half the Sky, A Path Appears uncovers the harshest forms of gender-based oppression and human rights violations, and solutions being implemented to combat them.”

It addresses all the ways woman and children are being oppressed and it is incredibly well done and shines a light on dark areas in our society.  A must, must, must watch.

Part of the 1st episode features Nashville and “a community of woman who have survived prostitution, trafficking and addiction” called Thistle Farms.  I first heard of Thistle Farms from an article highlighting their amazing work and community.  Then my brother and sister-in-law decided a percentage of their spring Made South shipment would go directly to Thistle Farms.  Now I just can’t wait to go and check them out in person.  Check out the Thistle Farms Store and do some shopping.

You know I love Sevenly and I was pumped when the email hit my inbox that they were supporting families whose kiddos were born with congenital heart defects this week.  We will forever be heart advocates.  We will forever have a sweet heart kiddo. Support is key.  Go buy an amazing shirt for an amazing cause.

For all you locals:  Our friends the Hitchcocks are having their 7th Annual Bake Sale and Blood Drive in honor of their amazing heart kid and you can easily be apart of the good being done.  Crazy easy…bake something yummy or give blood.  I’m not allowed to give blood, but you know I’m down for some baked goods.  Check out their info below and contact Becca to help out.

Noonday Collection launches it’s new spring line February 17th.  I cannot wait to see all the new items.  Shopping with a purpose…making your purchases count…just doesn’t get much better than this!  Ashley Mills is my go-to ambassador and best friend.  She still has a sale going on with all items 50% off.  Check out here sale HERE.

Rescue 1 Global  is an organization which is a privilege to support.  They provide both local and international support combatting human trafficking.  There is a Nashville chapter and essentially we meet every Wednesday night, prepare meals, deliver to locals while spending a little time with them, getting to know them and praying with them.  Every Wednesday I walk away just feeling humbled and honored to spend time with all these different people…getting to know them and hearing more and more about their stories.  For locals, take a look and consider becoming involved with this hands on, take action organization and ministry.

Hope you’ll check out these companies and organizations and ministries and individuals choosing to not be paralyzed by the large, overwhelming problems all around us, but instead are choosing to act and make a difference for one person at a time.

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February 6, 2015 By 3 Comments

Let’s See…

So officially there have been no random posts this week, so why let a week slip by without one!?!?!

Amon’s speech has come leaps and bounds lately.  It seems like everyday he is saying something new and coming up with these wonderful little sentences.  This morning as he looked me squarely in the eye he said, “Morrow I want a choc-kate donut…with pinkles.”  Translatioin: “Tomorrow I want a chocolate donut…with sprinkles.”  It was the cutest thing my ears have ever heard.

Josh Kelley and I don’t watch TV hardly ever.  Not that TV is bad or good or whatever, we just have zero time…and no cable…or netflix…or any of those other TVish services.  A few weeks ago he came home from the library with the first season of Sherlock.  And then the world began to spin out of control.  You guys, it’s so good.  Luckily there are only like 3 episodes for each season, but we’re binge watchers which may be worse…Or maybe better…I can’t quite decide.  For the first season we sat down on the couch after everything was done for the night…around 10pm and then we binged on all 3 episodes putting us going to bed in the AM hours.  So we still get all our stuff done we just forfeit sleep.  Who needs sleep anyways?!?!?  We just got season 3 yesterday from the library and I am fully prepared for those dark circles under my eyes to darken.

My bestest friend Ashley, who is a Noonday ambassador, is having a sample sale on her Facebook page HERE.  Everything is 50% off.  So many great items.  This is one of my favorite Noonday bracelets…I still wear it all the time…only $12.  What?!?!?!  Check her album out.  And if you can’t view it, just friend her so you can shop.

 We haven’t done birthday parties in several years.  We decided this year we’d do small parties for the kids again.  Solomon is typically very decided about what he wants when given a choice about something…never much wavering.  And then we told him he could have a small party and the dude just could not decide.  It was quite hilarious.  Finally he settled on a sleepover with 4 of his friends…well 5, if you count Hudson.  They are both over the moon excited.

We were at church a few weeks ago and they had a big sundae bar set up for everyone…ice cream, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, m&ms and cherries.  As Sol stepped up to the table to make his, he turned to me and said, “This is what I want for dessert at my party…but with brownies.”  Brownies in little jars are now awaiting their owners and their topping choices.

Our kids have been crazy about the frozen water in our wagon.  Every morning they all get dressed as quickly as possible and then spend the remaining time breaking all the ice.  Kids are so weird and extremely interesting to me.  Baseball bats take on many different roles around our house.  And Hudson’s face kills me as he stares all satisfied at his broken piece of ice.

And now I have to exit and make some homemade chocolate sauce.  It’s kind of the only way when you have 2 homemade recipes from by 2 of your aunts that are both equally delicious and it takes about no time at all.  Bring on the sundaes.

Hope your weekend is grand.  Enjoy it and thank you so much for reading!

Happy Friday.

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February 5, 2015 By 1 Comment

We’re All In This Together

I just made THESE brownies for the umpteenth time in the span of 2 weeks.  This time there are a dozen brownie jars baking away for Sol’s brownie ice cream sundae request for his little sleepover tomorrow night.  There may only be a grand total of 6 wonderfully wild boys…including Solomon and Hudson…coming to party hard, but obviously the rest of the Kelley clan needed a brownie via a jar with ice cream and all the toppings as well.

I feel like I always have a mind full of thoughts and a heart full of feelings.  I also feel like I have a hard time hashing out the majority of all of them.  So I come here…and just type.  It’s what I do.  I’ve got heavy eyes from far too little sleep this week and a mind which won’t turn off.  This day has been so wonderfully good for our hearts.  We’re brimming with hope around here.  We woke up not knowing how this day would go…what outcomes it held…what conclusions would be made…what plans would be set in place…and all I knew to do was to ask God to be Himself.

This week I read They Had Everything in Common in Acts 4 and it made me weep.  The ugly kind of weep.  By the way…Acts is killing it.

Acts 4:32-37 “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common.  And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.  There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.  Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

That’s it.  We’re all in this together and we need each other.  When we think we’re so different from one another, we actually have everything in common.  That’s what God does.  That’s what Jesus did.  He levels all these imaginary playing fields we put in place.  He erases all the margins.  He makes us all the same…a bunch of sinners who all need Him.  No one is better or worse than the other.  We all need and long for the same things.  We all need Jesus.  We all want to be loved and cared for and cherished.  We all want our story to matter.  We all want to know we still have worth no matter what we’ve done.  My junk is just like your junk.  Your sins are like my sins.  We are all in this together.  Everyday He is singing this loud and clear into our hearts.  We are surrounded by the most amazing people…all who were created in His image just like you and me.  Everyday is another opportunity to show how we’re really all the same.  How we actually have everything in common.  And to love…big and fierce and wild and compassionately.

Yes, we’re all just brimming with hope around here because that’s what He does.  He puts us side-by-side.  Shows us we’re all the same.  And then fills us up with love and hope.

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February 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Empowering & Self-Sustaining

One of my most favorite things about my trip to Swaziland was seeing how AIM, CHC and Timbali Crafts work.  It’s one of my most favorite things about more and more companies, especially Noonday Collection.  They are coming along side people all over the world.  They are linking arms and holding hands.  They are teaching and empowering.  People’s dignity is being restored.  They learn skills.  They have jobs.  There is pride in their work and the ability to help provide of their families.  It’s all crazy awesome to see and be part of.

*RE-POST*

Empowering & Self-Sustaining

Each day just gets better and better.  I take that back…they have all been equally amazing and incredible and humbling and it’s just a pure privilege to be here.  I wish I could stay much longer, but I’m also ready to see Josh and the kiddos.  It’s been a whirl wind of a trip and just as the other days, today floored me as well.

Today we visited other more developed care points.  And really it’s kind of crazy how God can use His people and their resources and move them in a certain direction, formulate a plan and then execute that plan.  These care points were all different and awesome in their own way.  There sat giant play grounds in the middle of Swaziland and schools and strawberry plants in a green house and solar powered water pumps and a church building and gardens because people cared and wanted to come along side their sisters and brothers in Christ…because they want to spread God’s love and build relationships.  It was incredible to see how God has plans and He’s going to fulfill those plans using His children to support one another.

We’ve been supporters of CHC and AIM, but honestly, the stakes have been raised with this trip.  I have seen these people…these families in action and I’m in awe.  All of the staff work their butts off to empower and love fearlessly the people and children of Swaziland.  I seriously cannot put into words how amazing it was to watch them in action…the care point coordinators, the drivers, the go-gos, the discipleship leaders & teachers and the ground staff coordinators.  It takes a lot of people, but they are certainly doing God’s work…and doing it well.

We were able to visit their farm today and I was totally impressed.  I had read quite a bit about it before the trip, but was personally very excited to see it in person.  Jumbo, AIM’s ground coordinator here in Swaziland, seriously blew my mind.  It was so much, much more than I ever imagined.  The farm is huge and awesome and everything Jumbo told us further reminded me what this whole thing is about.  Empowering and self-sustaining.  300,000 cabbages…now that’s a crap load of cabbages.  There is also maize and beans and rose geraniums.  This farm isn’t even three years old yet and it’s already self sustaining and providing 21 jobs to Swazis.  They feed the kids at the care point and families in the communities, they sell food and the oil from the rose geraniums plants.  I had never even heard of rose geraniums, but serious research and thought has gone into this.  So big, so awesome, so well thought out and planned…It was incredible.

Last night we got to hear from Julie who heads up Timbali Crafts.  She works with around 100 women who are go-gos or cooks from the care points.  They sew all sorts of beautiful bags and head bands and Christmas ornaments and kindle cases and zipper pouches and aprons and pillow covers and placemats and seriously, I bought a ton of gorgeous items.  And extra to share with you guys in a giveaway when I get back.

I loved hearing her talk and hearing her passion for these woman.  I love that she is working and being led by God to help give these woman opportunities to have a job…to be apart of a business and earn money and feel as if they have even more of a purpose.  She is helping empower these woman and it’s crazy beautiful.  Please check out their site and purchase…Christmas is coming…For realz.  And head over and like Timbali Crafts on Facebook and then tell your friends.  Gorgeous stuff made my gorgeous woman.

This is one of the things I love about this group…they’re trying to work themselves out of a job and spreading God’s love and His name while they’re at it.  They’re pouring into this nation of children and people.  They’re helping to provide jobs and modeling what a family should look like.  They’re helping meet needs and teaching skills and discipling and literally linking up arm and arm with the Swazi people.  I feel like I’m not even doing it justice…I feel like I’m falling so short in explaining the depth and magnitude and the beauty of it all.

I want to stay just a bit longer, but I’m also anxious to get home and unload the week…my thoughts and ideas and where God has my heart and all the what ifs and what nows.  What do I do now?  I don’t want this time to have been for nothing…I don’t want my heart to have gone unchanged or unscathed…I don’t want to not act.  I already text Josh and told him I’m ready to de-brief.  I hope he’s ready.

Happy Wednesday!

 *END RE-POST*

If you are interested in more details about the Swaziland, Africa trip this July shoot me an email at pitterpatterart at gmail dot com  Come on…you know you want go!

 PS:  All money paid to CHC for your trip is tax deductible.  This also means if you decide to fundraise that all donations made by others towards your trip will be tax deductible as well.  Score.

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February 3, 2015 By 5 Comments

Brownie Ice Cream Cake

Solomon is a HUGE brownie fan.  Just go ahead and give him all the brownies of the world.  For his birthday he asked for a brownie ice cream cake.  For his treat to take to school he requested M&M brownies.  For his birthday sleepover this week he asked for brownie sundaes.  Dude loves brownies.

My mom made all of our birthday cakes so I like to make our kids’ birthday cakes.  It’s tradition.  It’s nostalgia.  It’s something I love to do.  A brownie ice cream cake made me have to think a little bit harder.  Here’s how it went down:

*I made THIS brownie recipe.  It’s delicious and amazing.  Not sure if I’ll ever try another brownie recipe just because this one is so dang good.  Instead of making it in an 8×8 pan, I made it in my 10″ spring form cheesecake pan.  I followed the brownie recipe the same, just a different pan.

*After it cooked I lifted the giant round brownie out of the pan by the parchment paper and let it cool on a cooling rack on the paper.  While it cooled I set out the chocolate ice cream.  You could use any ice cream, but Solomon asked for chocolate.

Laura Kelley Fun Fact #51:  I only buy Breyers ice cream.  A funny side effect of death for me was finding myself using certain products my mom did.  She loved Breyers ice cream and only bought it so now I’m all in on the Breyers.  Again with the nostalgia.  Death does weird things to you…like make you only buy Breyers ice cream and never off brand mayonnaise 🙂

*After the giant brownie cooled a bit I put it back into my cheesecake pan, but without the parchment paper.

*Then I scooped out the entire container of ice cream into the cheesecake pan and smoothed and pressed it out relatively evenly.

*Then I added a layer of mini chocolate chips, covered it and put it in the freezer.

*About an hour before eating Sol’s cake I made a batch of homemade whip cream, added it to the cheesecake pan and put it back in the freezer.

*When it was go time I ran a butter knife around the inside of the cheese cake pan, removed the outside part of the pan and topped with sprinkles.  Done and done.

I have to say it was pretty delicious.  Think about the endless possibilities…ice cream flavors, inside toppings, outside topping, Oh my!!!

Happy Tuesday!

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February 2, 2015 By 3 Comments

Six…Again

Hudson and Solomon are only 4 months apart almost to the day.  Yesterday was Sol’s birthday and they’re back to being the same age again.  So we celebrated turning 6 again.

Sol is a planner and he knows what he likes.  Hudson will change his mind 5,000 times, but Sol is pretty dead set on his decisions…once his mind is made up, there’s usually not much wavering.  He cracks me up because when faced with choices like what he would like for breakfast or his choice of dessert I can read his little mind.  Donuts for breakfast for the rest of his life.  I laughed because as he’s eating his birthday breakfast donuts he said, “Next year I’m probably going to choose…donuts.”

Amharic is the main language of Ethiopia, so this year I went with an Amharic numeral 6 for his birthday topper.

Every year we decorate the birthday kid’s door.  This has been quite the fun tradition in the Kelley household.  We have had so many fun doors.  Every birthday is different and year after year Josh Kelley brings his A-game birthday eve night.  This year was nothing short of the same.  Solomon and Hudson were both thrilled with the Star Wars Rebels themed door.

His day was pretty easy going and low key with a fun day at home just hanging out and then super bowl watching at Josh’s parents house last night.  He did request a brownie icecream cake which I doubted if I could pull off.  I’d like to thank my cheesecake pan for making his request come true. (details later)  He was thrilled.

Being this kid’s parents is an honor.  Adoption is hard and messy and full of grief and brokenness.  I hate we don’t know what all took place on the day this magnificent little boy entered the world, but I know how magnificent he has made our lives and our family.  We’re still learning everyday how to parent him best through his loss.  The not knowing and not having all the answers is just flat out hard and I beg God to be what he needs…to be his answers…to be his assurance.

What I do know is we love him madly and wholly and nothing will ever change that.  He is a gift.  We are blessed and honored.  We are humbled to be his Mom and Dad.

Solomon Kelley you are a gem.  We love being your parents.  We love your heart.  God has a mighty plan for your fierce little soul.  You’re going to change the world and we cannot wait to watch and cheer you on.  Happy 6th birthday!

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