Yesterday I had this whole post about Amon and his speech journey and I even had this cute video of a conversation I had with Amon and then Flickr and Youtube decided to be all wonkers and tick me off and then I threw up my hands and said ‘screw it all’ and then I moved on and gave up…even hit the big DELETE button.  Sometimes you just have to move on.

Long post short…he’s got 2 speech therapists now, 2 sessions a week, he now realizes we don’t understand everything, everyone gets frustrated, he’s working really hard and we’re proud.  The end.  If you want to see the video GO HERE!  Warning:  Josh Kelley is in fact sound asleep through our whole conversation.  And you can just skip the last 40 some odd seconds because it’s just me trying to get him to say “bye bye” and him just trying to poke me in the camera eye.

The end of the year is killing me.  Anyone else?  I have totally and completely over committed myself in far too many areas…and that’s just how I’m rolling.  I may have almost had a mini meltdown/anxiety attack on our stairs at almost midnight last night 🙂  I will survive!!!!  I need summer break stat.

I baked yesterday.  You know my motto…baked goods can change the world.  And holy cow…I made these Banana Pudding Cupcakes…like full on legit homemade and way above my skill level and the hardest recipe I have ever attempted.  At one point I was simmering and then pouring and whisking at the same time…my baking stress level through the roof.  And I loathe bananas so I didn’t even get to taste test, but Josh Kelley said they were delicious.

Laura Kelley Fun Fact #731:  I hate all things banana except banana bread…no nuts.  I will eat an entire loaf or pan in one sitting.

Laura Kelley Fun Fact #311:  I stay far away from dessert recipes which require me to boil or simmer any part of the recipe.  I have had bad luck far too many times burning the crap out of desserts like these.

I also picked Mom out a Mother’s Day card.  Anyone else buy their dead mother cards?!?!?!  I’ve done it each Mother’s Day so far.  It gets a little intense and I almost always dread actually writing the card because it’s just hard.  But I’m always so glad I did.  Then I leave it on her grave and at some point the grave keeper people will toss it…and that’s okay…because it’s more like a therapy gig instead.

I tried really hard this year to be super intentional about Mother’s Day.  I don’t want to spend the day in sadness or pity.  The world doesn’t need any more of that on my behalf and I just have to make the choice not to go down those roads.  I don’t want to waste a chance to make someone else’s day a little better.  So I’ve been planning and thinking a lot.

I also started thinking about the treat I wanted to make for us to enjoy at the cemetery…because all normal people eat dessert at the cemetery.  I’m thinking rice krispy treats…with sprinkles and maybe strawberries.  She loved rice krispy treats and strawberries were her favorite fruit.  I sat many a times at her kitchen table and devoured an entire carton of strawberries with her…or enjoyed a bowl of rice kristy treats because she never made them in squares but instead, dished them out into bowls with spoons.  I miss her.

Let’s see…what else…oh yes, today is the last and final day for our Noonday Fundraising Giveaway.  Remember, we’re mailing over $700 of Noonday goodies to one lucky donor.  On my to-do list today is to start writing out everyone’s names…and it’s a lot.  You guys are crazy nice.  Can’t wait to tell you how much we’ve raised for the kiddos at Ngungwane in Swaziland and who the winner is!!!!  You can read all the DETAILS HERE and find out how to join the fun.  I’ll post the winner tomorrow!

And that might be all I have for today.  I think my brain is fried.  I’m actually sitting on a pile of clean towels on our couch which should probably be folded and put away, but alas, I’m still sitting on them.  Please tell me you can relate?!?!?!  Oh, and I’ll end with a big positive…we actually executed baths on one of our bath days…which was yesterday…and by “we” I mean Josh Kelley.  I kind of like him.  And his commitment to kids with good hygiene.

Happy Thursday!

1.  These two.  All day, every day.  They’re crazy fun…fight hard…play hard…love hard.  Glad I get to be their momma.

2.  This app.  Killing it.  Susan has been making me log my food and I’m so glad she has.  Love seeing what all I eat looks like.

3.  Still doing the 21-day fix because I love it so much.  But realized it has now turned into the 46-day fix…and that just makes me laugh.

4.  This book is crazy guys.  My cousin Amy sent me a text a while back and basically said I HAD to read it and she was SO right.  I bought more copies to share.  This is a most excellent book in general, but also so good for those who have lost a loved one.  It’s honest and real and redeeming.

“Jesus doesn’t stand on the other side of life, waving us over when the coast is clear.  Likewise, he doesn’t stand next to us patting us on the back and wishing us good luck as we trudge through life.  The story of the good news of Jesus is that he enters.  He enters.  He enters into the world.  He enters into human flesh.  He enters into the suffering of people.  He enters into the brokenness of life.  He enters into all forms of pain.  He enters into the margins.  John declared, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”  In The Message, Eugene Peterson gave it this twist:  “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”  It does something to my soul to know that when I feel like I’m as low as I can get, God’s grace can get lower.”

5.  March was a tad lacking in my running department.  Not April…I’m shooting for 70 miles.  April is a super busy month for our family so if I get 50, I’ll be pleased.  If I get 70, I’ll do a jig…and it’s sure to be jaunty.

6.  Thank you to everyone who bought Noonday items.  Seriously.  For realz.  I cannot wait to pick out all kinds of fun items and then turn them into $610…5 tables and 30 chairs for some crazy sweet kiddos all the way in Swaziland.  I love what can happen when people come together to help one another.  Love is amazing.

7.  When friends say they’ll go to Africa with Josh and me, it makes me smile…wildly…and dance…and cheer really loudly.  But my first response is always, “Really?  Like for real?”  If everything comes together, this will be one of the best trips ever.

8.  And these are my new favorite earrings from Dobee Designs.  Love them.  Thank you Sara.  Adorable little boy courtesy of Solomon.

9.  And after sitting down and looking at our family calendar with Josh, I’m only going to be able to do one craft class in April…Friday the 25th.  I sent out emails to all the ladies on my wait list and all remaining spots will be made available this Friday here on my blog.  Crossing my fingers we can fill a class.  Apparently April is a busy month for everyone 🙂

See you guys tomorrow.  Again, thank you for reading.  I’m always amazed you stop by.  You make my day!

Happy Thursday!

Snow day here at the Kelley house and it’s been a pretty decent one.  We woke up to crazy snow and ice, no school, no heat and no power, but whoop, whoop heat and power are back on.  I’ve got a bunch of randomness for the day.  I know you are all super shocked.

**March Craft Classes are just around the corner.  I still have a few spots available if anyone is interested.

Friday, March 21 from 5:30-9:30…1 spot available

Saturday, March 22 from 12:00-4:00… 1 spot available

You can send me a message HERE if you are interested.

**Let’s see.  I’m also looking for donations for giveaway items/door prizes or swag for the ladies in March.  I’ll post all about the items you sent in, along with any links you want me to share.  We had some super fun things last month!

**I love when someone places a custom order and gives me a lot of ideas and then I get to pick and choose from the mix.  This is one of my favorite pieces I’ve done lately.  Really love the Tennessee maps in the background and all the things in the piece and what they represent to the family.  Thank you Tressa for the order.  It was a pleasure working with you.

**I have discovered I love chocolate almonds…like big time.  And why yes, on my little 21 day Fix thing, you do get some treats and chocolate almonds are one of them.  It’s love.

**So taxes.  Yeah, they are zero fun.  Like big time zero fun.  So many numbers and organizing and clinging to my calculator app.  It’s kind of a hot mess, but due to some super anxious feelings, I got on them today…procrastination no more.

**And I had a key fob sale on my PPA Facebook page on Saturday.  Thank you guys so much for everyone who purchased key fob sets.  If you’ve already paid, I’ve already shipped them out.  They are always too fun to make…colorful, fun fabrics are never a downer…only a day brightener.

Now I’ve got to get back to our snow day.  Did I mention we are watching lots of movies?  Lots and lots of movies…and snacks…only the necessities.

Happy Monday.

A)  Craft night…two days away…holy cow.  So flippin’ excited and nervous and I just can’t wait.  After I get this one under my belt, and all goes well 🙂 I’ll share the March dates.  They will be made available to the ladies on my wait list first and then I’ll make the remaining spots available here on my blog.  Oh goodness.  So so incredibly fun and exciting.  I just can’t even express how full my heart feels.  Cannot wait to meet and craft with everyone who’s coming on Saturday!

B)  I’m 4 days into my 21 Day Fit Challenge and I’m really enjoying it.  Here’s the other thing…Susan and I just figured out it’s actually called the 21 Day Fix Challenge.  We’ve been talking about it and telling everyone and hash tagging it up on Instagram…yep, wrong name.  Ha. But I’m sticking with me #21dayfit because I’m committed to the wrong hashtag already.  So far I am learning a lot and feel great.  It’s all about portion control and eating the right foods and getting in your exercise.  They give you the prettiest rainbow colored boxes so you can visually see what your portions should look like and I seriously thought I would starve…and I haven’t.  They are really good portions and you get to eat lots of healthy foods that are good for you.  If you want to learn more about the program you can contact sweet Marta and she will get you all the information you need.

Susan and I have been working out at like ummmmm, 4:45am, which is redonk, but we have to so we can get it in.  We have resolved to taking zero face pictures because, well, it’s 4:45am.  Who looks good that early?!!

C)  We can do hard things.  It’s true.  Like when I made some friends my absolute favorite cake, Bunny’s Cake, yesterday and did not, I repeat, did not have a taste test to make sure it wasn’t poisonous.  It was a flat out miracle.  Praise Jesus.

D)  Key fobs.  Golly, I love the color.  They make me happy and it makes me even happier to be mailing them out all over the place.  I’m feeling a little behind because I still have several canvas orders in mid work…which drives my OCD brain crazy, but I have to get my first craft night finished and then I’ll get back down to business.  Thank you for your patience all you canvas order people 🙂

E)  I was kind of afraid Amon was leaving his randomly falling asleep days behind…He just hasn’t been randomly falling asleep lately… that is…until today…when he got a little too comfy eating his Cheerios…and it made my day.

And F) You guys had me totally cracking up yesterday about all your kid’s clothing quirks.  You care-less kid dressers made me feel normal.  And all you ladies who dress your kids nice and keep them stylin’ thank you for making up for my ragamuffin kids…you give kids everywhere a good name 🙂  Glad the world is made up of so many different types of people.  It’s awesome.

Happy Thursday!