forgiveness

I’ll be honest. Last night when I was thinking about my post for today I had a very simple post planned that would contain a cute picture of all the Kelley kids all snuggled up together and just a few words like, “No time for a post today. We’re enjoying a snow day.” or “Hey. We have no snow, but we got a snow day. Word up and peace out. See you tomorrow.” or “Undeserved snow days are the best. We’re enjoying this one to the max.” That’s what I had planned in my head. And then I woke up.

And things went terribly awry. Snow days are suppose to be fun and full of movies and kind words and siblings who are all nice and kind to each other and mommas who don’t yell at their kids. Yep. That’s what a snow day is suppose to look like. Ours resembled nothing of that and by 11:45 when we were leaving to enjoy lunch with friends, pretty sure I said something along the lines of, “I wouldn’t even take you guys to Chickfila if I didn’t need to get out of this house. Nobody has earned a fun lunch.” Yep. #momoftheyear There had been fights and whining and complaining and yelling and Amon broke my mom’s beloved red bird which made me cry and get angry and nobody, not nobody including myself, was treating each other like we wanted to be treated. There was no love in our words. And there was certainly no love in our actions. Everyone was mad and ill and annoyed with one another. I was yelling at the kids to stop yelling at each other. It was all quite redonkulous. So with an angry heart and selfish motives we loaded up the car and I gave out strict instructions of no talking and that behavior better get better because clearly I myself was modeling the best behavior for them to all imitate.

As we drove in silence, God started digging into my angry, selfish and sinful heart. By the time we got to Chickfila I felt awful. And I could tell I needed to do damage control asap by the looks on their little faces. I pulled into a parking spot and there we sat. Then I got busy asking for forgiveness. I apologized for a million specific things I had done wrong so far that day to the kids. I had totally set the tone for the day and it had not been a good one. As always, I was offered forgiveness by three wee Kelleys who I adore. And you know what, then they started apologizing and forgiving too. And we had a whole little gush fest right there in the van. We agreed to wipe the slate clean and start new. We then practiced our Bible verse before heading in for chicken.

Just like that, our day changed. I admitted my mistakes and started letting Jesus in and thinking more of Him. We ate with friends and the kids played while I got to chat with two of my most favorite ladies. I listened as one of them talked about having older children and I found myself soaking in her words. And there was laughter and my heart got a little lighter. Jesus, friends, kind words and chicken do a heart good…my new motto. Amon even did his sleeping thing right there in the booth. The guy behind us was all like, “Daaang girl, your kid will sleep anywhere.”

It was just what we all needed. We hit up Kroger afterwards for baking goods and I even snagged a bag of Rolos…I know, I know, but some days require chocolate even if it is a Wednesday. Now we’re all piled on the couch watching Dispicable Me 2 and we just slurped down Marshmallow Lover’s Hot Chocolate…which should be the only hot chocolate in the world.

Breakfast for dinner is on the menu and who doesn’t love some brinner. Harper has some preparation for 100s day and the boys have lego assembling planned for after dinner. I’m working on cookies after everyone goes to bed…the sugar kind…the pretty decorated kind. I’ll also be answering emails I haven’t gotten too yet. The world is right again. And forgiveness won our day back. When will I learn. Glad God is still in the business of renewing and restoring. Glad He hands out ample amounts of grace and forgiveness and mercy every single day.

Happy Wednesday!

PS: If you are interested this canvas is still available for sale HERE.

I have lots of goals and dreams and resolutions for this year. Some are stupid. Some are legit. Some are crazy and bold. Some are super simple. Some are very unlikely, but I like a challenge. Some are big and some are little. It’s quite the variety. And then there’s today…January 2…two days in and I feel like this dude. Broken feet, right arm broken off and beard plucked out by a small human toddler child.

I’ve realized I should just resolve to most definitely break all my current resolutions. Ha. I should have planned a little more and not just on paper. Good eating in the new year probably shouldn’t be kicked off with an empty fridge. I did enjoy my one piece of leftover re-heated in our toaster over pizza for lunch though and the kids did scarf down their 1/2 tortilla with turkey pepperonis, cheese & flax seed. The flax seed cancels everything else out. Plus they had a side of moldy applesauce, canned mandarin oranges and the crumbs from the bottom of a chip bag. Like I said, we need to go grocery store. All will be right with the world again when I get jiggy with Kroger.

I’ve also already lost my cool with the kids and had to repeatidly apologize to one kiddo in particular. I’ll leave you guessing. All I can think is how hilarious I am to resolve this and that and plan and shoot for and aim high and dream big and so on and so on and so on…and those things are good, great, grand and wonderful, but no matter what, no matter my intentions, I’m still human and I will always be falling face first into grace and forgiveness and mercy. Always. Always. & Forever. And after apologies and big bear hugs all was right with the world yet again. “Let’s restart.” And I was concurred with. These kids of mine, I’m blessed and don’t deserve them at all. I’ll claim them every dang day.

Some things have gone right like downloading The Secret Life of Walter Mitty soundtrack. Go ahead and laugh, but I was thoroughly pleased with my choice. As were the Kelley kids. Amon is a huge fan of music and this soundtrack gets him grooving. By the way…the movie…go see it. It’s clean and sweet and bold and funny and visually beautiful. Josh Kelley and I both really liked it.

Oh and no pants in the new year is always cute on toddlers. Not so much on adults though.

We also have made some schedules and plans and have had some “come to Jesus small kid meetings” where we got real about things for the new year. Harper, Hudson and Sol have also been thinking about what their goals for 2014 are which have included going hiking, rock climbing, bike rides with dad, playing soccer, reading on a higher grade level, dance class and trying softball. It’s really fun to hear what they are thinking about…things they want to shoot for this year.

It’s true, the day hasn’t gone exactly like I anticipated us kicking off this new year, but I suppose in a way, it’s gone better. We’ve started the year off in grace and mercy and forgiveness and with the real everydayness of life. And for that, I’m kind of totally thankful.

Happy Thursday!

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