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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November 3, 2014 By 5 Comments

32 {Better Than I Planned}

Yesterday was my birthday and originally I was suppose to be over the Atlantic Ocean on my way home from Africa.  This was my plan, but it fell through.  I always wonder when I will learn to plan in pencil.  I think I have the best laid plans and really God does.  One of my favorite verses is Isaiah 55:8-9

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

I think about this verse a lot.  It’s assurance and reassurance and then I’m always shocked and surprised when this happens…when God knows better than myself.  I’m prideful and could use a big dose of humbleness…a lot.  I had grand plans for this years birthday, but God had even grander ones.

On Saturday some friends had a little birthday dinner and it was perfection.  Thoughtful gifts, homemade dinner, drinks and just good honest conversation.  I think honesty and openness is absolutely life giving between women…you quickly realize you are not alone.  Jessica even made homemade lasagna and tres leche’ cake.  Jess is one of the most hospitable people I know.  When you come to her home for an occasion she makes you feel crazy special and loved.  It’s definitely one of her gifts.

I woke up Sunday to a decorated house by Josh Kelley and his 4 helpers…streamers and balloons and Shipley donuts and handmade cards…all my faves.  I got to run and workout with Josh and eat Publix sushi for lunch.  Then a giant asthma attack hit Hudson and an after hours positive strep test put me at home for the rest of the day with 4 kiddos and I had to miss a really special night.

One of Josh’s Full Count high schoolers…this sweet young man who Josh picks up each Sunday for church and sometimes he holds Amon’s hand while they walk through the parking lot…got baptized.  I was so so bummed about missing it, but realized, thanks to Josh Kelley who is humble as humble can be, this wasn’t about me…this was about this sweet boy and his declaration to the world he was a new creation because of Christ.  And I cried my eyes out as pictures blew up my phone and texts like ‘awesome night’ and ‘it was a full crew…lots of tears’ came through.  I’ll hug his neck and tell him how proud we are of him next time I see him.  This was easily the best part about my birthday…God’s grace and mercy and forgiveness transforming one life at a time.

Here’s the thing…my birthday played out exactly as it should…better than I could have planned…minus the asthma attack 🙂  I have a lot to learn and I am a constant work in progress.  God is changing me still…and one thing He teaches me through Josh, by his example, is how being available, willing and humble are so important.  32 is looking quite fine.  I’m thrilled and excited and honored to see what all this year will hold.

Happy Monday!

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February 5, 2014 By 3 Comments

Ninja Birthday Love

 Sol’s birthday was Saturday.  He is a super funny kid…totally love being his mom.  He had been anticipating his birthday for a while now.  We had a count down going on our chalkboard so he could cross off all the remaining days until the big 5-years-old.

He’s really into legos.  Loves them.  And he totally digs the whole Ninjago ones, so he requested ninjas for his birthday “theme”.  Even though he picked out Star Wars plates and Ninja Turtle napkins.  He’s an eclectic fellow as well.

Birthdays at our house are big deals because the day is totally the birthday person’s day.  They get to pick anything they want for breakfast and they get to choose something for us to do together as a family and they get to pick desserts and favorite meals.  Pretty much anything goes on your birthday at our house…within reason 🙂

One of our long standing birthday traditions is the birthday door.  After the kids go to bed we decorate the birthday kid’s door.  We have done so many fun doors.  It started with Josh and me doing it together and then some where along the way, it’s kind of became Josh’s thing.  Which I love.  We collaborate on ideas and then he totally makes it happen while I put up other birthday decorations.  I kind of like him.

The ninja had some really cool ninja stars too, but unfortunately a small toddler child got his mischievous little hands on them before I was able to snap my picture.

Last year Sol requested ice-cream sundaes for breakfast…done…this year he went with donuts.  He loves a good chocolate donut.

He wanted us to to all play games at Chuck E Cheese and eat lunch at McDonalds.  We typically love Chuck E Cheese, but going on a Saturday may have deterred our love a bit.  We’re use to going on a week night or weekday afternoon.  Holy moly.  Saturdays apparently are a total different story.  We even went early, close to when they opened and it was still mad chaos.  Amon added to the craziness.  He decided to only run everywhere and bolt in different directions when our eyes wandered through the sea of people trying to spot any of our other three children.  He was a full time job.  But ski ball and racing games of all types were played and enjoyed.  And then we had to get the heck out of that place and onto McDonalds.

We ran into some friends at McDonalds who were there eating with their girls and a bunch of their girls’ friends.  They all gathered around Sol and sang him happy birthday.  I teared up because A) It was like the sweetest, kindness thing and B) Sol was so shy about all that attention from all those older cute girls.  It was really sweet and special.  Thank you so much Tara for being so kind to our boy!

Sol requested regular brownies, but with chocolate chip cookie dough frosting.  Hold up, wait a minute.  I had never made anything like this so I had to do a little looking around for a recipe and sure enough there are lots of chocolate chip cookie dough frosting recipes out there.  I ended up using THIS FROSTING RECIPE.  I have to say I was super skeptical as I was making it.  It’s like no frosting I have ever made…flavor, ingredients and all.  When I finished, I was shocked.  It’s truly straight up delicious.  You could even ditch the brownie or cupcake or whatever and just use the frosting as a dessert dip.  So so good.  I highly recommend it.  I think it would be awesome on a chocolate cupcake too.

Harper and I found these really cool little ninja guys are Party City.  And then we found the ninja swords in their appetizer section.  Hudson and Solomon love them.

And Sol also got to share a special birthday treat with his class.  He went with candy.  I tried to sway him in the direction of a cookie or cupcake or ice cream cup, but no way.  Dude wanted straight up candy.  So I let him pick out some of his favorites and he and Huddy helped put together some little candy bags for their classmates.

Why yes, those are Swedish Fish you see.  Sol loves a good crappy candy.  I felt bad for the kids who ended up with a yellow and green Swedish Fish.

We ended his birthday night with visits from cousins, lego assembly, spicy garlic chicken pasta (one of Sol’s favorites) and more brownies and ice cream.  He said it was his best birthday ever.  He told us thank you a million times for his presents (yet another lego kit) and he gave out big hugs.  It was perfectly perfect.

Solomon, you are a crazy incredible kid.  And we are thankful beyond thankful to be your mom and dad!  We love you fiercely.  We think 5 is going to fit you very well.

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January 31, 2014 By 5 Comments

Before His Birthday Thoughts

I love birthdays.  I love a reason to celebrate the special people in my life and our family.  I love carefully selecting just the right gift, hanging decorations and preparing yummy treats.  I love an entire day devoted to that special person.  Solomon is always the most detailed of our bunch.  In fact, he’s the most detailed kid I know.  He notices everything and remembers where everything is located.  When I’ve lost something, he’s my go-to guy.  I think this is why he loves legos and puzzles so much.  He works big Lego kits entirely alone and nails them.  Give him a 200 piece puzzle and he’s as happy as a clown.  He is just so very detailed oriented.  He loves books and magazines and sits crossed legged like a little old man studying each page so very carefully.

 

When it came time to chat about planning his birthday day, he had all the details in his little head.  Chocolate donuts with sprinkles and some without.  Chocolate milk to drink.  Chuck E Cheese to play games and cheese pizza for lunch.  Brownies, but cupcake shaped, with chocolate chip cookie dough frosting topped with ninjas.  I let him pick out fun plates and napkins and wrapping paper…he chose Star Wars plates, Ninja Turtle napkins and Cars wrapping paper…who knew.  I didn’t even know he liked Cars.

Today we’re preparing to celebrate his little life tomorrow.  We did some Krogering before 8am this morning for birthday supplies…we were all looking awesome.

I can’t believe he’s 5.  I miss his baby days just a little, like I miss all their baby days just a little, but I wouldn’t go back for all the money in the world.  I love who Solomon is becoming.  I love who all my kids are becoming and I’m so excited to watch them change and grow and I want to enjoy these days.  They were precious baby people and Sol was the happiest baby, but I adore the big kids they are changing in to.  I like seeing glimpses of who they are becoming.  It’s an honor.

His birthday is always a little hard on my heart, as there are always questions and we don’t have all the answers for him.  I received the sweetest text this morning that was a prayer for Sol and his birthday.  It made me weepy.  The things my incredible friend thought to pray over him was just amazingly good for this momma’s heart.  Adoption can be the most joyful thing and then turn right around and be the hardest thing…joy and grief intertwined together.  Gain and loss.  Whys and why nots.  Hows and how comes.  It’s just hard sometimes.  As Sol’s mom I want to take away every bit of pain and grief and loss and protect him and hide him away from the world, but that’s not what God called me to do as his mom.  God has called Josh and I to smother his heart in prayer and love and be there when the loss and grief sets in.  To listen to him.  To whether the storm with him.  Begging God to be all the answers to all of Solomon’s questions and future questions.  Begging God to be his comfort and healing.  Begging God to be his Father and to hold him the tightest and love him the hardest in those moments of grief which are sure to come.

We want more than anything to be the parents God has called us to be.  Ultimately we make lots of mistakes…lots…but God will always be perfect and righteous and just what both Josh and I need and what Solomon needs.  I pray so hard Sol will realize early on how God designed him so perfectly perfect in His image and how He loves him more than anyone else in the entire world.  How God makes no mistakes and how every thing has filtered through His hands in this world.  How after God’s love, our love is the biggest for him.  And how he has made our family even more amazing…how we’re honored and humbled to be apart of his life, how no matter what we will always love and cherish him as our son and how incredibly, incredibly thankful we are for his birth mom.

 I have questioned a million times over how on earth God thought Josh and I were even remotely good enough to be his parents.  Why us?  And every time, I just end up abandoning the question with genuinely deep gratitude towards God for taking a chance on us, for stitching our family together so uniquely perfect and for trusting us, even when He knows we’re going to screw up.  Today as we prepare to celebrate Solomon’s amazing life, I’m deeply thankful to be his Momma and to watch as his beautiful life unfolds.

Happy Friday!

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June 10, 2013 By 9 Comments

Happy Birthday

It’s her 66th birthday.  She was grand.  She was a fine, godly woman and I am incredibly thankful to have been her daughter and that my kids had her as their Grammy.  The number of prayers she prayed for us I know were in the millions.  That’s just who she was.  So loving, so generous, so thoughtful, so brave.

These pictures overwhelm my heart…make it swell.  Ugh, she was just too good.  We were blessed…wait, we are blessed.

Miss and love you like crazy.  Happy birthday Mom.  I bet it’s one hell of a party up there.

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April 1, 2013 By 4 Comments

A Most Colorful 6th Birthday

Harper’s 6th birthday was Friday.  Geez.  I’m kind of totally hating on time right now.  My youngest is one and my oldest is now six…six seems really old to me…kind of makes me want to punch time in the face.

Harper is my girl.  I say all the time “She’s my sanity.”  She totally is.  It’s me and her.  We have to stick together in this house full of boys.  She’s this girly, lover of all things colorful, kind-hearted, creativity filled, big loving kid.  We feel way blessed to be her Mom and Dad.  Josh is completely smitten.  Of course he is.

She asked for lots of color on her birthday.  She loves rainbows…she draws them almost everyday.  I knew her birthday door had to be completely stellar.  It was 🙂  Lots and lots of colorful paper circles run through my sewing machine and…Boom.

She pretty much got to plan the whole day.  She requested donuts for breakfast.

Did lots of typing on the computer.  She loves to type out sentences and words.

And oh the Lego assembly.  She adores Legos and we bought her a new set for her birthday.  I love to just sit and watch her little mind work.  She’s kind of so much fun.

We rocked McDonalds for lunch…her request…and that we eat inside the play area…with happy meals and ice cream.  Sure thing Birthday Girl.

We enjoyed cake.  Chocolate cake.  Cream cheese frosting.  And “lots and lots of sprinkles.”  Done and done my lady.

And the birthday kid gets to pick something for our family to do all together.  Harper chose The Color Run.  How flippin’ perfect was that?!?  Totally.  We did the run last year too and Harper loved it.

More picture to come from that colorful mess.

She really had the most colorfully, perfect-for-Harper birthday.  I adored watching her enjoy her day.

Harper Kelley, you my dear are too lovely.  I love being your mom and watching you grow and change.  You are truly an original and I adore your heart.  You made us a Mom and Dad…you changed our world in the most incredibly way.  We thank God everyday for your precious life and I know you are going to change the world.  It’s going to be crazy good to watch.  Love you tons Harper…thanks for being my girl.

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February 4, 2013 By 8 Comments

Happy 4th Birthday Solomon!

Sol’s highly anticipated 4th birthday was Friday and he lived it up.  We celebrated him well.  Thursday night we did a little Chuck E Cheesing…going on a Thursday was such a good idea, VS going on a Friday night.  So Friday was all pretty low key and just some at home fun.

Everyone was up early because Harper had school and Josh had to be at work way too early.  He was so cute with his presents.  This picture accurately shows just how early it was.  It makes me laugh out loud.

Sol chose ice cream sundaes for his birthday breakfast.  Last year he went with Batman pancakes, so sundaes were a change.

He completely melts my heart.  Big time.  How did Josh and I get the amazing opportunity to be his parents?!?  God just blows me away.

The rest of the day was spent just playing with his presents and he picked McDonalds for lunch.  Huddy struggled a bit this birthday with the cool presents Sol got…even though he knew about them and even helped wrap them.  It’s hard when you essentially have twins minus the same birthday.  But they worked it out and we did a lot of kitchen timer sharing…I set the kitchen timer, when it beeps they switch toys…I set the timer again, when it beeps they switch…repeat, repeat, repeat.  It works well for them.

We did a movie night too.  Sol picked Hotel Transylvania from Redbox.  The movie was waaaaay cute.  We all liked it and there was lots of belly laughing.

I told Sol he could pick anything he wanted for dinner.  That meant anything…like take out, homemade, whatever he wanted.  He chose chicken tortilla soup.  Harper and Huddy both sighed.  Harper even tried to talk him out of it, but that wasn’t happening.  The boy digs his spicy chicken tortilla soup.  So I loaded my crock put up and we all feasted that night.

He asked for chocolate cupcakes with “that white icing” aka cream cheese frosting.  He had been talking about cookies for forever, so I totally had it all figured out in my head for some awesome Transformer cookies and then he surprised me with the cupcake choice.  I was short on time and, well, just plain tired, so when I found these $1.99 Transformer pencil sharpeners I high-fived myself and even though it wasn’t a groundbreaking cupcake, I knew Solomon would love them and I was right.

I laughed so hard when the kids took the sharpeners toppers off their cupcakes and Josh said, “No, don’t lick the icing off them.”  Sooooo, maybe not the safest cupcake topper…who doesn’t love a bloody tongue on your birthday.

With every year, the singing of happy birthday is my favorite.  I always tear up…sometimes it’s a full on weep and that was definitely the case this year.  My heart is just so full for this kid.  He is so fun and passionate and crazy and sweet and tough and hard headed and old manish…ugh…he just has my heart.

It was his day and it was such a good, sweet day.  Why God gave us Solomon, I’ll never know…why He thought we were okay enough to entrust us with him, blows my mind, but with each of our kiddos, we are truly, truly thankful God took a chance on us as parents.  It is an honor to be his Mom and Dad.  What an amazing kid.  He challenges me as a parent and loves on me hard when I make mistakes.  He’s going to change the world.  He has the drive and passion to be anything he wants and I cannot…I repeat…CANNOT wait to see what all God has planned for him.  I know it is going to be something truly incredible.  Happy 4th birthday Solomon Kelley.  We are crazy in love with you.

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February 1, 2013 By 6 Comments

58.4

I’m doing a little super late night blogging here…trying to get it in before midnight.  Today marked the last day of January and tomorrow…as in Friday…is Sol’s birthday.  The night before a birthday always makes for a late night…always.

So one of my goals for 2013 was to set monthly running goals.  There was no rhyme or reason to the number I chose for January…55 miles…but I am happy to report that I logged 58.4 miles.  I picked up some extra miles this week when I started running with my niece Campbell and nephew Cooper…I think I may have found some new running buddies.

Some call it sweating, but I call it glowing.  Boom.

For February I am going to tackle 62 miles…I actually put a little thought into this number, so we’ll see how it goes.

Other than my rad running shoes that I have talked about far too much, my number one running necessity is my headband.  Now I have been through quite a few headbands…I have tried them all and then my Zumba instructor Janet told me about these headbands from banded2gether.com and the great cause they help support.  Well at that moment the heavens opened and a choir of angels began to sing Olivia Newton John’s “Let’s Get Physical”.  These are the best headbands I have ever had and I now own three of them.

The.Best.Headband.Ever.  Serious.  I mean it.  Mark it.  Go check them out.

Tonight we did a little pre-birthday partying at Chuck E Cheese.  We decided to skip out on the craziness of CC on a Friday night…we made such a wise choice.  It was awesome.  When Sol decided that was what he wanted to do for his birthday…pretty sure Josh and I high-fived.  I know there are some haters out there, but goodness, we love Chuck E Cheese.  The pizza.  The games.  The tickets.  The crappy prizes.  The crazy kiddos running mad wild.  The skee ball.  And my infamous battle to break the record on the basketball game.  Tonight the high score was 76…I got 72…two times in a row.  New arch nemesis.  It was all glorious.

That blur is Sol…he was a crazy pitching machine tonight.  Dude’s got an arm.

Now I need to go to bed.  I just finished up Sol’s cupcakes…which I topped with pencil sharpeners.  I’m serious.  You do what you gotta do sometimes.  And Josh just got done putting up his birthday door.

Amon is teething so I’m sure Josh and I will be playing ‘rock, paper, scissors’ in the middle of the night to see who has to get up to handle that little hot mess.  So to bed I go.  Hope you had a good Thursday…the weekend is here.  Word.

Happy Super Late Thursday Night.

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