Archives for April 2015

April 30, 2015 By 1 Comment

Afternoon Countdown

I have approximately 25 minutes until the big kids school lets out which means I have approximately 20 minutes to sit here and peck out some possible sentences and cross my fingers they make sense.  I feel like I am in a constant state of “loss of words”…just give me all the emotions and all the confusion of the world.  It is mine.  Amon and our littlest are currently throwing every pillow off the couch and “making a fort”.  Their fort isn’t very good, but it sure is cute.  Today I might have pitched a big fit to myself.  In all my human angst and tired of never being alone feelings I waged war on myself with a giant pity party.  Oh the drama which it was.  Truth be told, I dream of a day alone and in the same breath I am reminded by Him that this gig is an honor.  I use to think we got one shot at this life, but now I know that’s just not true.  We get so many shots.  So many tries.  So much grace dumped directly on top of our heads.  And I for one am crazy thankful for this truth.  I need it everyday, but extra on days like this one.  God invites us into these adventures and what an honor it is to be by His side…doing His work…loving in His name.  So I shut the pity party down and moved on.  I folded laundry and replied to emails.  I wavered in and out of wishful thinking about being at the CAFO conference just down the road, but that’s not my season right now.  I have a sweet firecracker in tow all the time now and she’s a special one…her mom and dad are special ones.  And we march on.  I finished up another order.  Read this post by Jamie which so resonated with heart right now…like I want to move to Austin and join their group.  Jamie, will you have me???  I’ve been thinking about so much of the heaviness of the world and in the same thought trying to think about Teacher Appreciation gifts for next week.  Such an odd string of thoughts.  The world seems far too complex most days.  Dinner is sitting in a giant pan in the refrigerator.  Tonight we have shockingly nothing on our agenda and it makes my heart swoon a bit.  I’m starting to package up canvases to ship out.  There are 5 still available to purchase if you want to snag one HERE.  And now I’m down to 8 minutes until dismissal.  Tonight I plan on breaking out my paints which I haven’t done in years, cleaning out our closet and making sure Harper gets a bath.  And I think that sounds pretty grand.  5 minutes.  Time to load up these two wild ones.  See you tomorrow.

Happy Thursday.

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April 29, 2015 By 1 Comment

Sale Is Posted

So I got everything photographed and had my page ready to update for tomorrow and then I left the room.  That’s when a small lady child went ahead and updated my page early…aka hit all the buttons.  Instead of re-doing it all tomorrow…can’t save an updated page for later…I just left it.  All the canvases posted HERE are up for grabs.  Have an awesome evening!!

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April 29, 2015 By 3 Comments

Give Me All The Random

Tomorrow I’m going to have a bunch of 6×6 canvases posted for sale under my Currently Available tab at the top.  These are the originals…not pre-printed canvases.  Super colorful.  All handwritten lettering.  I’m excited.

I discovered broccoli salad at the store recently.  It’s just thinly sliced broccoli and carrots.  I love crunchy stuff so this has been fun to experiment with.  And by experiment I mean throw leftover and random items together and call it a day.  I did a broccoli salad taco bowl one day for lunch.  Leftover taco meat, broccoli salad, salsa and a few stray black beans.

And then yesterday things got really weird.  They’re like turkey soft tacos.  Anyways…turkey with some mustard, then broccoli salad with tomatoes and a little crumbled cheese on top.  It’s weird I know, but so so good.

If you have any broccoli salad recipes lay them on me.

In non broccoli salad news, I told them to make their strong faces.  Hudson looks like a wannabe wrestler…and Harper and Sol are trying not to smile.  I really like them.

I present to you the cutest soccer and baseball cheerleaders in all the land.  They are hilarious and a bit crazy town when a game kept us out until almost 9!!!  Everyone is typically in the bed by 7/7:30 at our house.  Our littlest lost her mind when I cut her off from the snacks.  We almost perished.

And I’ll end with this.  I posted this one on Instagram last week.  You can find me at pitterpatterart if you want to follow along.  To date it’s my most favorite picture of Amon.  This is totally him.  I wish you could all meet this quirky, wild child.  Instead of Ace, I’m changing his nickname to Captain.  It has to be done.

All the random thoughts for today right?!?!  I can’t keep a thought straight, so I just embrace it.  Thanks for stopping by and reading.  You guys make my day.  Seriously.  Thank you for being awesome and kind!  Here’s to a grand Wednesday!

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April 28, 2015 By 10 Comments

Hair-Grace

If you are a foster parent then this story will not surprise you one bit.  Not one.  Since we are certified foster parents for the state of Tennessee and have a sweet foster daughter in our home currently this means her caseworker or our caseworker can show up at our home at any moment completely unannounced.  Did you read that?!?!?!  Any moment.  Unannounced.  Holy geez.  Like even when I am losing my mind on an older Kelley kid who is just acting a fool.  Or let’s take the other morning for example.

On Friday’s Josh Kelley has to leave early so I am solo getting everyone ready and to school.  The kids don’t start school until 8am so I’m typically just rolling out of the bed around 7/7:15ish on Friday mornings.  But this Friday morning decided to be super snarky and sassy.  Solomon and Hudson we’re up way too early and Amon was apparently wreaking all kind of havoc throughout our home…as in getting every single toy out, throwing legos all over the floor and throwing all the pillows and cushions off the couch.

Also Josh and I were right in the midst of an intense stale mate on who was going to break down and load the dishwasher first.  This can only mean 2 things: 1) The kitchen smelled bad.  And 2) The sink was literally overflowing onto the counter tops with dirty dishes.  The struggle is real people.

I was abruptly awakened from my slumber by Hudson yelling…”Mom, mom!  Someone is knocking on the door.”  In my groggy sleepiness I rolled out of bed very confused…A) By the state of our house and B) By who on Earth was at our house at 6:45 in the morning.  I looked out the side window and did not recognize the car in our driveway.  Harper and our littlest came strolling out of their bedroom awakened by the commotion as well.

I open the door and there stood our foster daughter’s case worker.  “Good morning.”  Ummmm, no.  No this is not a good morning.  I tried to act like we’d been up and at it for hours.  “Hahahahaha.  No, we always wake up at 5am sharp to kick our day off right.”  Then my brain started processing what was taking place and I casually start putting the cushions back on the couch only to notice Harper had no pants on.  Oh geez, oh geez.  Sometimes the girl gets hot and off go the pants.  The whole visit was just awful, but I imagine she’s seen worse.  Or heard worse while creeping outside someone’s house unannounced.

She bid us a happy Friday and then went on her way.  I stood there for a moment super bewildered.  What had just happened?  I walked around the corner towards our bedroom and thats when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.  Then I just stood there staring at what was the glory of my physical appearance.  And snapped a picture because this was just too much of a train wreck not to share.

Harper walked up behind me as I was just in awe of myself in the mirror.  She’s always been spot on for picking up our emotions and feelings.  She simply said, “You should probably write her a sorry note.”  And then I laughed so hard.  And text Josh Kelley.  And then text my friend Courtney, told her the whole story and told her I was thankful for grace…because most days I’m just a hot mess in need of ample amounts of grace.

Here’s to it people…to grace…and a smelly house that’s a wreck, kids with no pants and bed head hair in the best kind of way.

Happy Tuesday.

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April 27, 2015 By 4 Comments

Weekend Faves

How was your weekend?  Ours was really good.  The boys had baseball games Friday night, Saturday morning, Sunday afternoon and they have a game tonight.  All this rain has caused for lots of makeup games, but it’s just so fun.  I love, love, love watching them play.  Asides from all the baseball the weekend was full of some favorite things.

I have officially started and stopped potty training Amon 1000 times, but now we’re in the legit thick of it.  He’s in his undies most of the day which means I am asking him every 10 minutes if he needs to potty.  And then when he wears undies out in public bring on the eternal angst.  Saturday at the ball field he pottied like a champ and stayed dry the entire time and then on the ride home peed all in his car seat.  Right on 🙂

We watched The Book of Life on Saturday.  Oh my.  I know some people might not be down with the whole Day of the Dead, but I loved this movie.  So good.  And the music was awesome, awesome.  Like I want to buy the soundtrack.  For a kids cartoon movie.  It made me laugh…and cry…and feel inspired.  The kids liked it too.  And Channing Tatum cracked me up the whole time.

Josh Kelley started our small garden bed.  The kids have decided to plant watermelon for sure.  There was also lots of throwing and hitting baseball, tree climbing…the weather was awesome.  Give me all the days spent outside.

We rocked ice cream and popcorn one night for dinner.  Then yesterday at the ball field I saw from a distance a kettle corn vender at the soccer fields.  I puffy heart any kind of popcorn.  Like my favorite.  Harper and Josh’s dad, Big Daddy, are the same too.  We all sat in the stands talking about how much we liked popcorn and dreaming of the homemade kettle corn.  Fast forward and few hours later and I made Josh Kelley stop at Walgreens while I ran in to see if they had kettle corn.  You guys…they had this brand called Nice and no joke, we ate the entire large bag of kettle corn in almost one sitting.  Devoured it.  So tasty.  I want another bag as I type.

I also made this Grilled Corn and Black Bean Salad.  It.Is.So.Good.  We ate it with grilled hamburgers and sweet potato chips.  I also got super fancy and didn’t actually grill corn…or even buy actual corn…just subbed a can of corn.  I also did a few other short cuts like I used the tube of cilantro and jar of garlic.  I’m all about shortcuts and things that last longer in our refrigerator.  We’re eating all the leftovers for dinner tonight too.

There are still 8 spots open for May’s Bible journaling class.  Still praying over where the money will go, but will share with everyone as soon as I know.  All the details are HERE.  Email or message me HERE if you would like a spot(s).

This weekend we made our shopping list and game plan for all the Thistle Farm baskets.  It’s going to be one amazing shopping trip that’s for sure.

And I made some more 6×6 canvases.  And started even more.  I’m planning on having a little sale for just this size.  I’ll  keep you posted.  The #5 is kind of my favorite.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.  Hope your Monday is off to a great start.  Here’s to a grand week.

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April 24, 2015 By 1 Comment

All Are Welcomed

Last night I enjoyed a super fun dinner with part of our Swaziland team.  Such a fun evening with yummy food, great conversation and even better ladies.  I came home to a quiet house and full heart.  Everyone was already asleep except Josh of course.  He headed out for a late meeting as soon as I got home.  Then over the course of the next few hours I don’t even know what happened, but I allowed Satan to absolutely have his way with me.  It was one of those times when I just beat myself up about everything.  And I proceeded to bully myself into tears…picking every little piece of myself apart.  Nothing was safe.  No feeling, no emotion, no outlook on my physical, emotional or spiritual self was safe from the dogging out I was giving myself.  Who makes themselves cry?!?!?!  This girl apparently.  It was ridiculous.  There I sat crying on our bed because of nasty, ugly, untrue things I was saying to my own self.

Then like a quick slap in the face I realized I was being insane.  I was surely the craziest of all the crazies.  I knew I needed to combat Satan stat.  I grabbed my Bible, said the same prayer I pray every time before I start reading and picked up right where I last left off.  The very first sentence I read:

“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him…” and a few sentences later…”It is before his own master that he stands or falls.  And he will be upheld for the Lord is able to make him stand.”

And the tears flooded my eyes.  There I sat before Him completely weak and frail by my own doing.  And He did what He was made to do…lifted me up right out of my piss poor attitude and pity party and just mess of myself and made me feel known.  Made me feel loved.

Who am I to dog out myself?!?!?  Who am I to criticize the God of the Universe’s handiwork?!?!?  I think I’ve got to be a certain way, look a certain way, live a certain way, clean myself up just a little bit more, etc, etc, etc before I am good enough to be loved and cherished by Christ and that is just BS.  He welcomes us…longs for us…pursues us…just as we are.  No need to spit shine my heart…it won’t work anyway.  I’m clearly a hot mess all on my own.  God wants me just as I am and when I am flat on my face beating myself up about anything and everything…feeling worthless and not enough…He makes me stand.  He reminds me I am worthy of His love right in the midst of my junk.

This morning I read my Bible first thing.  I knew I needed it to kick start my day after the night I had given myself.  And there again I read:

“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

I am welcomed by Christ.  You are welcomed by Christ.  He longs for us to be with Him.  He wants us.  He desires us.  We are His.  And because we are His we have value and worth and meaning even when we just do not see it.  And on top of all that He’s even going to use us for His glory.  Who is this Guy?!?!?

One thing God continues to teach me is when I choose to spend time in His word…seeking Him…seeking to know Him more…just showing up as I am…He meets me there.  He will not be a no-show.  And then He’ll knock my socks right off with exactly what my heart needs to hear and know and learn.  He is alive.  He is living and moving and teaching and loving and making a way for us every day.  Crazy grateful today we are all welcomed and cherished and loved, even when we’re flat on our faces and then He makes us stand tall again.

Happy Friday.

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April 22, 2015 By Leave a Comment

9 Things

1.  Crazy virus has been picking our kids off one by one.  No one is safe.

2.  In retaliation I made whoopie pies…and 2 buttermilk pies.  It’s just what I do…a coping mechanism if you will.

3.  The cuteness is TOO MUCH TO HANDLE!!!!!  Thick as thieves.  I can name about 6 Kelleys who are going to have a hard time seeing this little one go.

4.  There are still plenty of spots available for May’s Bible journaling class.  Check out the details and let me know if you want to join us.

5.  I love when I get texts from my kids teachers…especially when they contain pictures like this.  “The chameleon can shoot their tongue really far.”

Let me insert a hoorah for good teachers!  Our kids have the cream of the crop this year.  They are amazing.  I’m thankful they recognize hilarious kid writing when they see it and choose to document it for me.

6.  Lots of key fobs.  Lots of orders.  So close to having this current list wrapped up.  Thank you forever and always for ordering items.  I adore my job.  It’s a privilege.

7.  I’ve been testing out my new No. 41 headband and I love it.  Headbands are serious business for me as a runner.  I’ve got no time for headbands which won’t stay in place or come off easily.  I was skeptical at first, but after weeks of running in this one, I have given it my official thumbs up.  And it’s a giant extra plus when the company is doing their part to help change the world like No. 41 is.  Check them out.  They carry lots of other items besides headbands.

 8.  Meg shared Jen Hatmaker’s recent sermon Disciples Disciple and I’ve listened to it twice already.  It is so so flippin’ good.  Everyone should listen.  Loved every last stitch of this and she just presents it perfectly.  Josh Kelley listened to it as well and has been passing it along too.  So good.

And 9.  I’ll leave you with this gem.  My friend Marcie and I took it upon ourselves to try and reenact all the emoji faces.  Yes you read that right.  Yes it is a gift that only God himself could have given us.  This was my favorite and I did ask her permission to share.  #yourewelcome

I feel like she really nailed it.

Happy Wednesday people!

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April 21, 2015 By 7 Comments

May Bible Journaling Class

You’re officially invited to May’s Bible Journaling Class.  I do hope to offer the class more and more, but I’m going to take it month-by-month.  I’d love to have enough interest to increase to two classes a month.  Eeeeek.  I think a lot of good could come from this and I am already sitting in anticipation of what God will do.  I’m love opening up our home and setting out tables and chairs and making cookies and I think it will be a really amazing time.  Here are the details:

When:  Saturday, May 16th

Time: 1pm-4pm

Where:  Our house. 

Cost: $50

All the money will be used to do some good in this world.  March’s class we raised enough money to fund a Fun Day for over 150 kids in Swaziland Africa which will take place on our trip in July.  A jump house, a big special meal, face painting, games and treats.  April’s class raised over $700 to help purchase items and assemble welcome baskets for ladies entering the Magdalene Houses.  May’s funds are still being prayed over and decided about.  I will let you know what kind of good is going down as soon as we decide. 

This class will be 3 hours in length and we will talk about the process of Bible journaling and I will share how I go about this each day.  We will also talk about supplies and tips, tricks and techniques I use.  There will be time for questions throughout the class as well as time for you to do some of your own Bible journaling and practicing.

Each person will bring their own supplies.  You can read about the supplies I use on THIS POST, but please feel free to bring the items which work for you.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PURCHASE THE ITEMS I USE.

Lastly, this class will be limited to 16 people due to space in our small house.  If you would like a spot email me at pitterpatterart at gmail dot com or Message Me Here.  You can reserve more than one spot, so chat with your family and friends and make it a girls time.  This will also be a kid free time…sorry, no kiddos.

I hope you will join me.  Each month I have walked away from each class just feeling so thrilled and honored I was able to hang with such precious ladies and talk about the Bible and being creative for an afternoon.  Let me know if you have any questions!  So excited and can’t wait to see what God has in store for May’s class.

Happy Tuesday.

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