September 21, 2015 By 3 Comments

Monday You’re Lookin’ Fine

How was your weekend?  Hopefully good or at least decent.  Possibly refueling.  I ate ice-cream on Saturday and Sunday plus 23 cookies and maybe a few m&ms 😉  Josh Kelley turns the big 33 tomorrow so Friday night we had an overnight date night which I had completely forgotten about so we got wild and crazy and stayed home and it was amazing.  You might be getting old if you opt for pot roast and home VS happy hour and going out, but truth be told, it was awesome!

This weekend I took my first ever something to the dry cleaners.  I have never had anything dry cleaned…I don’t even iron…my iron is either A) just the acceptance of extremely wrinkled clothes or B) a wet wash cloth in the dryer with said wrinkled clothing.  So yeah, I didn’t even know where a dry cleaners was.  I know you’re dying to know because these are the secrets of life which keep us on the edge of our seats, but Josh Kelley fell asleep with an ink pen…on our couch…and his large man body apparently moved the pen around…and then the next day we noticed 4 LARGE ink stains all over our couch.  Let’s just not talk about it anymore.  I just can’t.

Today has been 3 years since this dude had open heart surgery and they fixed his precious little heart.  I could cry a river and kiss his face off…easily.  We chose his name because it means “faithful” and God has been so faithful to Amon and our family.  Blows me away.  Completely humbling.  What a ginormous honor it is to be this kids momma and watch his little life unfold.  He’s a world changer.

And be amazed by his new picture taking technique.

Here’s some proof I play…every now and then 🙂  I really loved how one mom suggested all us non-playing mom’s should start a support group.  It made me laugh thinking about the support we could provide.  “Hi, my name is Laura and today I had to play Monopoly.  Tears we’re shed.”

I titled this picture “Our pets heads are falling off” bahahahahaha.  I kind of crack myself up.  And we’ll thank Hudson Kelley for this little gem he added to our kitchen.

You may recall one of our Bible journaling classes raised funds for sewing machines and locking cabinets for Ngungwane.  We’re still working out all the sewing machine details, but the cabinets have been purchased and I got a picture of them.  Fancy right?!?!  So exciting.  Constantine, the preschool teacher, will now be able to keep all her supplies at Ngungwane.  Thank you Bible journaling class ladies!

I’m shipping out more tees this week.  Marcie, Nick and Meagan do all the printing and packaging.  I get to take all these sweet things to the post office and send them on their way.  I love it!  Solomon wore his tee yesterday and was quite the male child model for me.  CLICK HERE and purchase your tee today.

 

And I was leisurely looking through some pictures on my phone and had one thought “We are loud.”  Like we are such a loud group.  If I ever made you think we were mild and meek, I’m sorry I misled you.  We are loud.  Our house is loud.  And anywhere we go is pretty much loud by default because we are present.  I’ve come to terms with this and embraced the noise…minus the times I want to hide in our closet.

Here’s to another week.  Hope it’s grand.

Happy Monday.

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May 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Hey There!

Oh Monday!  Always slightly overwhelming/tiring/exciting.  We’ve got a big week around our house with lots of sports and school events plus teacher appreciate all week and other things here and there.  Amon is legit potty trained now and in the midst of all the accidents and angst I might have told him we’d celebrate his success at Chuck E Cheese once he was full on potty trained.  And he remembers what I said…soooo there’s that too 🙂  Hudson said this morning, “During share time today time I’m going to tell my class Amon is Mastered Potty Trained.”  Hudson likes titles.

Have you been watching the AD series?????  So good.  Every Sunday night Josh Kelley and I have a date to sit on our couch and watch it together.  Last night subs and blizzards accompanied us.  I went all rogue and got the Salted Caramel Truffle Blizzard…let’s all take a moment of silence and thank the good Lord for this creation which could have only come from Him.

I had some people drop from May’s Bible journaling class so we now have 9 spots available.  If you would like to join us message me HERE and let me know.  And invite a friend or family member…make it fun girl’s afternoon.  It’s going to be so much fun and we’re going to put the money to good use again.

This weekend we did all the shopping for welcome baskets for new Thistle Farms ladies…all thanks to the money raised from April’s Bible journaling class.  You guys, this was too much fun.  Tomorrow I’m going to share all the details about these baskets because you and your friends and family could totally go in together and make some of these baskets happen.

PS: There is a baby in there somewhere too 🙂

Thank you to everyone who bought canvases last week and this weekend.  If I have received your payment your art has been shipped.  You guys always amaze me and I am beyond grateful.  Crazy grateful.  There’s still one lonely canvas remaining HERE.

I called my doctor today and by “doctor” I mean my cousin Rebecca.  We like to chat.  And I like for her to tell me how to feel less tired.  Today she gave me wise advice…get more sleep and take a multi vitamin.  I’m going to try both…I’ll report back.

And are you guys ready for Mother’s Day?!?!?!  My heart is always so torn because I know Mother’s Day is a massive celebration for some and then just so hard for a lot of you.  I know some of those hard Mother’s Days well, but God’s joy flooded my heart and gave me eyes of gratitude again.  He is mighty and heals.  And now I plan things like making extra large rice krispy treats with sprinkles for our cemetery party.  God is so good and and does mighty works.  This week I’m committed to praying over all you who are dreading Sunday…God sustains and doesn’t leave us where we are!

Hope your week is off to a good start.  Here’s to it people.

Happy Monday.

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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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February 16, 2015 By 3 Comments

Mondayness

Tennessee is in a complete snowmageddon.  Under a giant snow dome and were all freaking out.  Most of us Tennesseans don’t handle snow well.  The last few days the stores have been mad houses…everyone stocking up for what is sure to be the end of the world.  A snowpacolypse if you will.  This morning we’ve already done waffles and bacon and hot chocolate with giant and tiny marshmallows and enjoyed some mad sledding.  Bring on the all day movieathon.  If you need us we will surely be snowed in for the rest of our lives.

Last week I realized how strangely wonderful it is to be cutting up food into tiny pieces again.  We’ve been flung back into the world of babyness.  This sweet little is stealing all our hearts away, but we’re so proud of all the hard work and fight her family is putting in.  It’s something God orchestrates when we stand side by side supporting each other and fighting together.

This kid got the new barber at the barber shop.  Josh Kelley said it was going really well until he straight lined right across the front.  This bad haircut might have caused a fight.  I can now laugh about my ridiculousness.  Sigh.

Everyday I am falling more and more in love with my watercolors.  They bring an unseen peace and burst of color into my day during nap time.

Cake says “I love you.”

I’m still taking orders.  If you’d like to place one just shoot me an email at pitterpatterart at gmail dot com.

The other day Amon was keeping himself occupied with my tape measure while I finished up some orders.  I went downstairs and discovered what exactly he was measuring.  Quirky kids unite.

We haven’t had birthday parties in several years.  This year we decided to let the kids have a little party.  Sol decided on a sleepover.  He asked to play legos, play outside in the dark with flashlights, pizza & brownie sundaes and watch a movie.  Easiest birthday party ever.

Books and beans to celebrate Valentines around the Kelley house.  It’s tradition and I like a good tradition.  The kids know it’s coming and they still get excited.  It doesn’t take much.

Several of these are Instagram pictures and you can following along.  Find me at pitterpatterart.

Happy random Monday peeps!

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November 11, 2013 By 5 Comments

Home

I’m still on full recovery from the time difference and a killer 16 hour non-stop flight from Johannesburg to Atlanta.  It was brutal on the way home.  By the time I landed in Nashville I did some math and I had been awake for 36 hours with about 2 hours sleep.  Crazy town people, crazy town.  Plus on the airplane I was in an intense arm rest battle with the old South African lady who sat next to me.  She did not want to share.  I was cracking up on more than one occasion during the long flight at her dedication and pushing abilities, plus her ability to ignore me.  It was intense.

The last few nights I’ve been asleep by 8pm.  That’s a freakin’ record right there.  I’ve been cashing in 9+ hour sleep nights…and yet I’m still exhausted.  How can this be.  It’s nice to be home though and of course I was over the moon to see Josh and the kids.  They’re my jam.

I’m happy to report that Josh did not cut Amon’s hair, but he did make him grow up some which I am completely unenthused about.  Amon now sits at the table like a big kid with his plate and large fork.  It’s redonkulous.  Amon’s redonkulous.  It’s just all redonkulous.

And he took the front part of Amon’s crib off too.  Geeze.  Right before I left Amon had gotten out of his crib and he continued in his escape route while I was away.  He’s so big…I mean, he’s sleeping on a real legit pillow.  I’m slightly mortified, but then over come by the cuteness of it all.

Josh also takes it upon himself to change all the things he really hates that I do to the house whenever I go on a trip.  This time he hid several of my favorite couch pillows and one of the old quilts I love in the top of our closet.  He also hid our owl cookie jar.  Did you gasp too?  What’s not to love about an owl cookie jar…especially when it’s holding cookies.  When confronted about the changes he made, he responded with, “I was just trying to make things easier on myself while you were away.”  In which I responded with, “Yeah because an owl cookie jar causes you all kinds of problems.”  Whatevs.  Can’t wait for him to get home from work today.  Pillows…check.  Quilt…check.  Owl cookie jar…check.  #thebattlecontinues

And now I’m getting down to business again.  Making changes and decisions and getting all for realz up in the Kelley house.  Setting back into our daily routine, but yet, thinking things won’t exactly remain the same for much longer.  It’s all complicated in our hearts and heads…we’re having lots of debriefings…lots.  And I’m going to get back down to the business of Saturday Sales as well…especially with Christmas around the corner.  I have lots of new ideas swirling around in my head…any canvases you’d guys be interested purchasing?  I’m all ears.

So here’s to a new week…here’s to a new day.  I think it’s going to be good.

Happy Monday.

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October 28, 2013 By 7 Comments

Let The Week Begin

I’m in full on “How in the heck do I get all this stuff to Africa” mode.  Yes, yes I am.  My nerves have kicked it up a notch too.  I’m nervous about traveling alone and I’m nervous about strategically packing everything and it arriving.  I feel like once I land and all my bags are in hand, I will be able to breath easier.  My personal stuff isn’t the issue…it’s the paint and paint brushes and bubble wands and pencils and frisbees and beads and craft kits and markers and PB crackers and raisins and matchbox cars and solar lanterns and the list goes on and on.  I just so badly want all of it to make it…and in excellent condition.  So so badly.  Can God himself just load my bags?  Is that too much to ask?

One of my SIL’s pointed out she likes the box labeled “heavy”.  Me too.  Bring on the overage charges.  I ain’t scared.  I just want it all to arrive.  I personally love the giant fake spider I didn’t notice until after taking the picture.  Which now the kids hide around the house and it continues to scare the bejesus out of me.  For reals.  Not kidding.

I’m anxious to see how the week is going to play out.  Anyone else have a nerve wracking/really hopeful week their dreading/anticipating?  Could a week be more emotionally conflicting?  Ha.  It seems to be just how life rolls on out.

I had fully amped up the weekend in my mind and then our plans went to crap.  Anyone else?  Amon got sick and Josh and I both realized this was the first time he’d been sick since his surgery.  He rocked a high fever and lots of crying and sleeping.  It was pitiful.  We had to miss out on some fun plans because we didn’t want to expose all our peeps to whatever he had.  I don’t like making responsible adult decisions.  Can’t we all just share the germs and have fun?!?!  Although I did take him on a “necessities only” Target and Joanns run while Josh and the big kids were at church Sunday.  I publicly apologize to all of you who were doing your shopping that day.  We may have exposed you to some sort of germ and your ears may have bled from Amon’s shrill, ear piercing screaming down the aisles.  He was ticked and unhappy and not feeling his best.

We did get to celebrate my birthday a smidge on Saturday…an entire week early.  Donuts and bacon?  Yes.  Absolutely yes.  Josh Kelley you have my heart forever.

Other than the tish of fun we had randomly here and there, we stayed home.  We split up some and took turns hanging with Amon.  And I continued to stress and pack and make lists and cross things off and remake those lists again.  #ocd #don’twanttoforgetanything

And that really wrapped our weekend up.  Crossing my fingers Amon is top notch today.  This momma has major stuff to accomplish this week.  No where on any of my lists does it say “sick kid”…didn’t he get the memo.  We’ve gotta kick this sickness in the teeth.  Come on Ace, let’s do this.  Monday is here and Friday is one day closer.

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May 20, 2013 By 4 Comments

Random-to-the-Ness

Let’s see, let’s see.  Lots of randomness for this Monday because that’s just how today is rolling.

This is probably his favorite spot in the whole house.  He spends far too much time perched in this window sill.  I like him.

Key fob order I finished up a few weeks ago.  I’m done with all my April orders…hahahahaha…it only took me over a month to complete.  It was sad.  Life was crazy.  Now I’m gearing up for some Saturday Sales…I hope you’re as excited as I am.

Delaney and Amon’s first date.  I’m totally not against arranged marriages.

A sick kid on his last day of MDO when they are having a popsicle and pizza party is really sad.  I hated it for him, but a nap in the middle of the morning = legit sick.

Smile/Cry.

Sol got more xrays taken last Friday.  I wasn’t really thinking and let Huddy take his play western six shooter into the hospital.  No one said anything…except Sol’s doctor.  Hmmmmm.  And Sol’s 5 broken bones are now all growing new, nice and strong, so off with the boot.

Huddy: “So I guess Amon’s not a baby anymore?”

Me:  “Why do you say that?”

Huddy:  “Well now he’s a toddler.”

Me:  “You shut your mouth Huddy Kelley…you shut it right now.”

So I didn’t really say that last part, but I wanted to.  How dare he point out that Amon…baby Kelley…itty bitty baby Kelley…isn’t a baby anymore.  How did this happen?

Third time seeing the Avett Brothers.  Great show.  Every.Single.Time.  They don’t disappoint.  They have certainly arrived.

She’s big now too.  What is happening to my small Kelleys?  Time makes me want to use curse words…lots and lots of curse words.  How did she get so big?

I told you today was Random-to-the-Ness.  Always.  Hope you’ve had a great day.  Hope the start to your week has been shockingly good.

Happy Monday!

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April 29, 2013 By 16 Comments

Oh, Monday!

Today was one of those Mondays.  You know the one.  The one that just really sticks it to you.

Sol fell about a week ago and has been limping ever since.  In all fairness, he’s not a big pain complainer.  Now mess with his food or stuff and you’ll get some complaining, but he’s pretty tolerant of pain.  Josh noticed this morning that he was still limping when he was running through the house and so I finally called the doctor.

I decided that until our afternoon doctors appointment we’d have some fun since the weather was awesome.  The boys rode bikes at the park and played on the playground and we snagged lunch out.

We ran by our house before Sol’s appointment to grab a few things and play for a bit.  When we were just about to start getting ready to leave, Amon fell off Huddy’s bed and scraped his face on a plastic basket and a transformer hanging out of the basket cut his inner ear area.  It’s like road rash on his face or David Bowie’s makeup from the early 90s.

He was pitiful.  Cried so so hard.

We then headed out for Sol’s appointment.  Our amazingly wonderful pediatrician checked Amon out as well.  Two birds…one stone.

Amon was fine, just have to watch the cut in his ear to make sure it doesn’t get infected.  Sol on the other hand…well, we headed off to our children’s hospital for x-rays.  I dropped all the other wee Kelleys off with my MIL.  It was actually super sweet just being with Sol…alone…just me and him.  He’s a really cool kid.

As we were walking back to the waiting area after his xrays, I saw one of the head guys from Amon’s anesthesia team for his open heart surgery.  I went semi crazy on him and I could tell he didn’t know what to do with me.  I was all like…

Me:  Hey, I recognize you.  You do anesthesia right?

Anesthesia Dude:  Yes.

Me:  You did my son’s open heart surgery in September.

Anesthesia Dude:  Is this him?  (looking at Sol)

Me:  Oh no, he’s at home.  We’re here for xrays today.

Anesthesia Dude:  And you are…?

Me:  Oh, I’m Laura Kelley.  My little boy is Amon, well on his insurance his name is Teklehaymanot.  Surely you remember that name.

Anesthesia Dude:  {Insert awkward stare because A) I’ve followed him this whole time to wherever he was headed dragging my limpy little boy with me…he clearly couldn’t shake me and B)  He has no idea who this Amon/Teklehaymanot baby is I speak of.}

Me:  Well, Amon was adorable and had crazy good hair and I know you do all kinds of surgeries, but…{Insert crazy mother now starting to cry} I just wanted you to know you did a great job.

Anesthesia Dude:  Well thank you.  He’s doing good now?

Me:  Yes, he’s doing amazing.

Anesthesia Dude:  (really wanting to break free of me at this point) Well, good to see you.

Me:  You too.

I immediately walked back to the waiting area with Sol and text Josh.  Lots of really crazy emotions came rearing up in me.  I just wasn’t sure what to do with them, so I apparently just decided to be creepy.

So back to Sol…turns out, dude broke his foot.  I felt horrible.  #parentsoftheyear  Kid had been walking and running and jumping and biking on a broken foot for a week.  I asked the doctor if she thought I was a horrible mom 🙂 She smiled and told me no.  Good lady doctor.  She knew what was good for her.

She said she was shocked at how much it had healed without anything on it for so long.  She said he must be a really strong healthy kid.  Keep em’ coming lady doctor…Keep.Them.Coming.  She said if we had brought him in right when it happened they would have put a cast on it, but since it had actually done quite a bit of healing on it’s own, he just gets a boot.  A boot with very strict “you must wear it all the time” rules and no running or jumping, but none the less, a boot.  Soooooo, our poor parenting was actually of some service to Sol thank you very much.

So he’s out for the rest of soccer season and will go back in 2 1/2 weeks for more xrays to see how the healing is progressing and until then he’ll be rockin’ his boot.

I hope you feel like a good parent today.  I hope I make you feel like an incredibly awesome, observant parent.  It’s what I’m here for.  Enjoy our lameness and let it build you up or confirm you as a “just making it, so what if I let my 4-year-old walk around with a broken foot for 8 days” kind of parent.  It’s a hard job.  That is fo sho.

Happy “Road Rash Face, Broken Foot For Days” Monday.

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