January 9, 2013 By 6 Comments

Krazy Kelleys

Life with kids is seriously so crazy and so hard and so fun.  Being a parent is not only amazing, but extremely hard.  I mean I love them like crazy…I only love Jesus and Josh more…so they’re pretty high up on my list.  Life with the wee Kelleys is never dull…never, ever, ever dull.

I struggle just like most parents out there to find balance and to be fun, but firm and to not lose my ever loven’ mind every day and to be patient and to love hard and to care and instill and invest and apologize when I yell and make mistakes.  That’s a lot to try and do on my own.

One of my goals for this year is to let God have His children back because I’ve been holding them a bit too tightly and acting as if they really are mine, when they are really God’s and He’s just entrusted Josh and I with them for a bit.  So I’m trying to get back to letting God teach me how to parent His wee Kelleys.

That’s kind of hard for me to do because I have these little pictures and all these dreams for what I imagine Harper, Hudson, Solomon and Amon will be.  And then God reminds me, “Maybe that’s not what I have planned for them Laura.”  This past year, more than ever, I have been learning to embrace and love and cherish the fact that God has walked our days out ahead of us and to plan in pencil because God has His plans and they far exceed anything I could ever imagine.

So I’m learning to let Him guide me in this crazy thing called “parenting.”  It’s terribly hard for me, but goodness knows this is a lesson I have needed to learn…I’m pretty good at botching things up and there are 4 wee Kelleys who I certainly don’t want to botch.

And a high-5 or fist bump to all you parents out there today because certainly you could use a bit of encouragement…this is not an easy task, that’s for sure.

Ephesians 2:10  “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Happy Wednesday.

PS:  Giveaway ends tonight at midnight.  So excited to see who the three winners will be.  CLICK HERE to enter.  Hooray.

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January 8, 2013 By 7 Comments

Baking The Day Away

I have totally missed baking some crazy good treats since I was sick for, ummm, like 3 weeks.  And clearly really sick people should not bake and then share.  Germania.  So I’m feeling so much better and decided I would do a bit of baking today and try some new recipes.  I had this really cute little helper.  His name is Amon.  He’s adorable.  And has fabulous hair.  You should really meet him one day.  Your world would be rocked.

Okay so here’s what we baked.  Sugar Cookie Squares.  OMG.  I try not to use texting language, but let me say again, OMG.  These are amazingly delicious.  Yeah, just go ahead and make these right now.  Like right now.

Next up…Twinkie Cupcakes.  Yes, you read that right.  These were top notch as well.  Josh LOVED them.

I used a new ingredient with the cupcakes…cake flour.  I’ve read about it before, but usually avoid all recipes that have an ingredient I’m unfamiliar with.  Time to try new things, so I sought out cake flour at Kroger and then rocked some Twinkie cupcakes with the cake flours help.

I also made the most fantastic Nutter Butter Balls.  I’ve made these before, but they are just so so good and extremely easy.  I dip mine in white chocolate and then immediately need to give them away because I would easily…I mean easily, eat the entire batch.

And at the end of the day…you know it was a good day when the top rack of your dishwasher is full of measuring cups.

Hope your day was good too.

Happy Tuesday.

Oh and the New Years/Thank You SO Much Giveaway is still going on.  It ends Wednesday night at midnight.  I have so loved reading all the comments.  Cannot wait to see who the three winner are going to be.  CLICK HERE to enter or scroll to the post below.

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January 4, 2013 By 5 Comments

Insta Friday

I’m kind of diggin’ the whole Insta Friday…dumping all my random Instagram pictures from the week in one post.  Makes for an easy post too…especially when your day has been super crazy like mine was today.  Oh and I want to kiss my new doctor on the lips because today I feel so much better.  We’re talking like better than I’ve felt in three weeks.  I’m thinking I may actually make a full recovery and get started hard on my New Years goals.  And I am totally getting my giveaway goodies together THIS.WEEKEND.  It is happening.  And it will be good and grand and wonderful.  So I’m saying it now…giveaway Monday.  Holla.  Okay where was I…ah yes, Insta Friday.  Let’s do it.

Amon is pretty much king of our house.  Everyone loves him.  I don’t know why God decided to give us children with zero jealousy, but I sure am thankful for it.  Everyone wants Amon snuggles and kisses and hugs.  Everyone.

I’ve decided that man can live on Ramen noodles alone.  I’m totally proof.  It’s like your modern day college dorm room manna.

People say, “Oh my goodness, he’s so cute.” and I say, “Oh my goodness, you’re so right.”  I mean, there is seriously no arguing with this face.  My Instagram feed is blowing up with this ace of hearts.  I just can’t help it.

These guys aren’t too shabby either.  No way.

This is what I like to call a cupcake liner jackpot.  And I hit it at the Joanns casino.

The wee Kelleys love a good puzzle.  Especially Harper.  She would work puzzles all day long if we had enough to keep her busy.  I like that Amon has added a new element of surprise to the floor puzzle.

He’s pretty consistent in getting his limbs stuck in the slats of his crib.  He just rolls with it.

I like them.  A lot.

This picture reminds me of Enrique Iglesias.  Maybe it’s the beanie hat.  Now I’m just cracking myself up.

These dudes can rock hats too.

There’s absolutely nothing alarming about your daughter making up a song about her dead Grammy and an interpretive dance to go with it right?  No, no she doesn’t need grief therapy.  No way.  #momindenial

He has zero teeth, but now eats…ummm…everything.  We’ve been given the green light on almost all foods…even with zero teeth…everything just has to be in tiny pieces.  His favorite so far…Cheerios.

This kid is the best patient I have ever seen.  He’s got this doctor thing down…bats those long lashes and smiles that big smile.  This year is going to be a year of gaining ground back and getting answers for Amon…I just know it is.

And this is her “I’ve had it up to here” with little brothers face.  I feel your pain sister, I do.  I’ve got sympathy for the chick.

Hope your weekend is awesome…like super awesome.  Come find me on Instagram: pitterpatterart.

Don’t forget…giveaway…Monday.  It’s going to be good.

Happy Friday.

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January 2, 2013 By 10 Comments

Sickness…no bueno.

This post is totally random…along with random pictures…Laci of Barefeet Photography rocks my socks off.

I’m approaching my 3 week mark on being sick.  I will be making my way to yet another doctor tomorrow to try and figure this mess out.  I think I have pneumonia.  I’ve never had it before, but I’m going to go out on a limb.  Crossing my fingers I hit the jack pot with a new doctor tomorrow and “big money, big money…no whammies.”

I have all these big 2013 goals and yet, I feel completely stuck right now.  Today I did clean our house…and I mean cleaned, cleaned our house.  It needed to be done.  I may have almost passed out multiple times, but It.Got.Done.  And a clean house feels good.  Like sheets are changed, bedding is washed, floors are swept and everything Lysoled in general…and while I may have hacked a million germs all over everything that was being cleaned…it was at least clean for a bit.  That counts right?  Totally.

One of my goals for 2013 is monthly running miles.  The last 2 years I’ve done 1/2 marathons and this year I just wasn’t feeling it.  Nothing in me really “wants” to do a big race this year, but I thought setting mileage goals for each month would be fun.  I decided to go for a total of 55 miles for January.  Right now I have zero.  This way I can run my way to 55 miles over the course of a month.  If I could just kick this chest funk and actually breath easy.  My peeps are running tomorrow morning…texting all about it right now…and I want to weep.  Jami…Betsy…Barry…Brian…Bobby…any of you want to drag an O2 machine for me?  Anyone else want to join me?

I haven’t baked in like 3 weeks either.  It’s killing me.  When I get better I’m going to bake up a storm.  I have people to bless with the tastiness of sweet treats.  Top three things I want to try once I’m miraculously healed:

1)  Homemade Twinkie Cupcakes…like whoa right?

Picture Source

2)  Sugar Cookie Squares.  I’m totally intrigued…they look amazing.

Picture Source

and 3)  Buckeye Bark.  Yep.

Picture Source

Baked goods can change the world.  Boom.

Oh and I am totally planning a little 2013 New Years giveaway.  I soooo appreciate each of you even reading my totally random, off the wall, tiny itty bitty piece of the internet.  I wanted to thank you for all the encouraging and praying and loving you did for our little Kelley family…and especially Amon…last year.  It will be a good giveaway.  I owe you a big thank you.

Being sick allows for lots of web surfing and dream shopping.  I would totally buy these FeedTwelve Toms.  Goodness me.  Love these.  And my mom was the youngest of 12.  Extra cool points.

Jon Contino is crazy amazing.  I could easily purchase any and all of his prints or canvases.  Typography at it’s finest.  I just need to figure out how to find this print and all will be right in the world.

Amon pretty much must have this Anchor Tattoo Sailor Jerry Onesie.  He would rock this so hard.

On Pinterst people are always pinning these inspirational words.  I saw this one and thought, “Yes.”

My craft room definitely needs this Make Do & Mend print.  My heart needs this lesson.  Maybe 2013 will be a year of “making mends”.

And how about I leave you with some art pieces I made for Christmas gifts and Christmas orders.  I waited to post them because I didn’t want the surprise to be ruined.

4×12 Dr. Who canvas.

More 4×12 M&S love.

16×16 2 Timothy 2:24-26

And that’s all I’ve got.  Hope your week has been good.  Hope your Thursday is grand.  Happy Wednesday.

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January 1, 2013 By 2 Comments

Happy 2013!

It’s here and it’s full of possibility.  I’m anxious and hopeful for what this new year will hold.

Let the hope and comfort and joy and healing come.  God is making things new.

So happy 2013…from our crazy Kelley crew to yours.

PS:  I did in fact decide to dress up to bring in the new year.  Getting fancy.

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December 31, 2012 By 11 Comments

A Bid Farewell

Today is the last day of 2012…part of me loves it and part of me hates it.  I always feel with a new year there are lots of new possibilities…the world at your finger tips…magic, but it’s also sad to let the first full year without my mom go.  I guess life is most definitely always full of these little catch 22s.

I’m sick…again…for reals.  Can’t believe it, but I’ve got some strong meds and maybe some whiskey to help ease the pain.  Ha.  I’ve spent most of the day in the bed, but did get out for a bit here and there to document our last day of 2012.

Krispy Kreme for breakfast.  This dozen didn’t have a chance in the Kelley house.

A morning game of checkers.  In the bed.

My bed side table.  The last part of December has not been kind to me.

Lunch of the sick.  Ramen noodles.  #thecollegeyears

Lots of book reading.  In bed.

Cutest little crib napper ever.  Rad.  Stellar.  Totally.  {Insert any other cool 90s adjectives}

Josh…the glue that holds this family together when sickness strikes.

Ringing in the New Year in the exact same clothing I’ve been wearing for 2 days now.  Maybe the New Year will bring on a change out of PJs and a pedicure.

Mischievous, funny, quirky, cute little brother boys.  In the bed.

Movie watching.

More attempted crawling.  With fabulous hair.

Getting outside for a much needed walk.

Chili…it’s whats for dinner.

Excited to start this little reading gem.  Plus a bit scared.

And most definitely…hands down…no contest…the best thing about 2012.  Our incredibly sweet ace of hearts.

Here’s to a New Year.  Here’s to 2013.  Now I need another nap.

Happy Monday.

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December 28, 2012 By 2 Comments

Insta Friday

Are you on Instagram?  I am.  It’s pretty fun.  Posting pictures and seeing pictures posted by others.  You can find me at pitterpatterart.  I’m not completely back to feeling like my self yet…afraid I have bronchitis or pneumonia now…or some other crazy chest thing.  So today I give you all my most recent Instagram/camera pictures.  An easy Insta Friday.

Early risers…like 6:30 early…like too early.  Will they ever sleep until 9?

New kicks.  I am a committed shoe user.  I buy one pair and then wear them until they get holes in them…literally.  I recently discovered the holes in my beloved gray and black New Balances and realized it was time to buy a new pair.  It was kind of hard.  My mom bought me those shoes a few months before my first 1/2 marathon almost 2 years ago, but there were holes.  Big holes.  I took some advice and tried on a pair of Brooks Pure Flow running shoes.  Be still my runner’s heart.  Amazing.  I may never go back.

My oldest nephew Coop is almost as tall as me now.  I still remember waiting hours upon hours sitting in the hospital hallway waiting for him to make his grand entrance.  He made me an aunt.

Ninja Turtle Love.  How did this craze come back?  Josh Kelley is a total user of the library and checked out some old school TMNT dvds and boom…just like that we have a new phase.

Josh finding a home for every last little tiny sticker to adorn the Shellraiser Van.  The boys were elated.

I think he could quite possibly be our doctor’s favorite patient.  Maybe.  Quite possibly.  Probably.  Most definitely.

After a shot go ahead and push Amon’s snooze button.  Gone.  Super cute while he’s at it.  And eyelashes any woman would kill for.

7am Christmas morning.  They were excited.

New game.  Try & get Amon to crawl.  How to play:  Tie a stuffed animal on the end of a scarf and try to lure him into crawling.  The end.

They can fight hard, but they can love harder.

The cheeks.  The lips.  The lashes.  Goodness.

Nina and Baba are in town and they are handing out some big love.  Amon was a happy recipient.

They’re readers.  And this may be there favorite thing about Target…except, of course, the popcorn.

Hope everyone has an amazing weekend.  Happy Friday.

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December 27, 2012 By 5 Comments

Christmas Favorites

Here we sit in the aftermath of Christmas.  We’ve spent the last two days just home…reading books, playing, crafting and assembling lego kits.  I like the lazy slow days after Christmas.

When looking back it was quite a delightful holiday, even though all holidays are very different now and have a sting to them.  It being Amon’s first Christmas made it extra, extra special…especially with the year he’s had.

I sat back most of the holiday and just thought about how grateful I was to be his mom…to be all the wee Kelleys’ mom and to do this crazy little life with Josh Kelley.  And most of all…incredibly thankful for the gift of Jesus.  I am always amazed at the gift of Jesus…a Savior to the world with crazy redemption and grace and love just for our crappy, undeserving selves.  God’s ginormous love for us truly floors me.  I want to try to love like that.

This was my most favorite picture of Christmas because A) Josh Kelley’s expression, B) Huddy’s blurry face, C) Amon looks like a cartoon character and D) Sol looks like he just lost his best friend.  My boys…keeping it real.  Harper is my sanity.

Our Christmas was pretty simple.  Nothing fancy and very laid back…which I adored.  And this year with 4 out of 6 of us coming down with the flu, it made us slow down a lot…which I really enjoyed…minus the sick part.

I loved their grateful hearts and their joy and anticipation and excitement.  It was our best Christmas yet.  And at the end of Christmas night we sat down and did our annual timer family photo in front of our tree.

Happy

Silly

Mad

Mad may be my favorite.

And now we’re gearing up for the New Year.  Josh and I have already started talking about our 2013 goals.  I’m excited for a new year.  A new start.  New goals and the wonder & excitement of change.  It always feels like anything is possible with a new year.  So have you started thinking about your goals?  Any crazy ones?  Any that seem impossible, but you think, “Just maybe this year.”  I feel that way about a lot of ours too.  Excited to see what this next year will hold.

Happy Thursday.

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