We rooted for Holland last night. And by “rooted for” I mean we went die-hard. We gathered with Dutch friends, wore orange shirts, ate orange food, painted orange toes and watched as friends scooped up Nella, made a Conga line and danced and sang…Hup, Holland, Hup!
They may not have won but we had fun none the less. The World Cup of Half-Full, Baby. And painted in our friends’ kitchen, in Dutch, were these beautiful words…Today is my favorite day.
Today is my favorite day.
Today, I clap and cheer as the bunny makes more victories in the land of sitting up.
And Lainey’s dubs herself “The Spotter.” She takes “spotting” very seriously, stabilizing her back and slooooowly withdrawing her hand, but quick as ever to guide her back to upright if she falls.
One-one-thousand, Two-one-thousand, Three-one-thousand has slowly grown to Eight-one-thousand, Nine-one-thousand, Ten-one-thousand until her little body gracefully topples and we all clap and cheer and “Yay, Nella, Yay!” until she smiles.
Today is my favorite day.
Today I look back at pictures of our week and smile. Today I remember how great it is to have Poppa here, stopping by to grab a cup of coffee, paint some grandaughter toes, sit at the kids table and draw pictures of dogs and cats and smiling little girls.
Today is my favorite day.
Today when Nella falls asleep, I have “Just Us” time with my little sprite. We lay on the floor on our tummies, stretch our legs and play another game of Memory. She wins most of the matches, proudly piling up her prized wins in an impressive stack. Two ladybugs. Two goldfish. Two pizza slices. She’s proud.
At nap, we lie all intertwined and she thumbs Puppy’s ear and asks me to tell her a story about Grandma Krissy. I know which one she wants so I tell her about when Grandma was little. When she and Aunt Karen rode their bikes to the doctor for their shots and on the way home, crashed their bikes into each other, leaving their sore legs throbbing. She laughs when I act out the crash. She listens intently and her eyes say “I love you.”
Today is my favorite day.
Today, we sit on hot pavement as the sun sinks behind the woods and I watch as my girl draws eyes on my octopus with fat sidewalk chalk.
Today is my favorite day. Today, after the sun sets, I dig through my basket of mud masks and scented bubbles and fill the tub with hot sudsy water. Today, I sink into its comfort and dog-ear magazine pages with 15 dollar wedges and candy-apple fingernail polish. I sip an ice-cold beer and listen in the distance as Daddy coos to little girls who haven’t realized Mama’s missing.
Today is my favorite day.
Hi. I wanted to let you know your blog is one of the most wonderful I’ve come across on the internet.
I nominated your blog for the Circle of Friends Award! Hope you have a wonderful day!
http://mytwinsforlife.blogspot.com/2010/07/circle-of-friends-award.html
I love little Bunny!
today is my favorite day because i spent the day with my girl and then came home to this post…just lovely.
oh isn’t lainey so lucky to have a poppa who can paint fingernails..just what can’t that guy do? ♥
Go Nella!!
what a great post. I always enjoy reading your blog 🙂
Your bath sounds absolutely divine, I think I might have to follow that idea myself.
Too sweet how Lainey is the spotter, what dolls they are!!
I love reading your blog, it makes me laugh and cry but mostly it just makes me want to hug my kids! Happy Favorite Day!
TWILIGHT WOODS! MY FAVE BATH AND BODY WORKS STUFF!! too bad it was only seasonal, I should have went all out and stocked up 😀
Love the orange…from a Dutchie who was also cheering for Holland…it was a good game !
xo,
Lori
I clicked the link within and it took me to Lainey in your wedding dress at one. Did you do that for her 2nd birthday? I don’t remember seeing it. Beautiful as always.
Nella is so delicious! I wanna kiss her face up! Love your blog!
Today is my favorite day too! My best friend and sister is here visiting from Colorado…the ocean…glasses of wine…and late night talks…my favorite. Oh and my favorite Bath and Body works…Twilight Woods. Have a great day from California!
I checked 4 times in the past 4 hours as I sensed a new post was coming! Yay!
I love the moments you cherish and share with the world.
I am loving Nella’s orange toenails! And I’m loving the very top pic w/ Lainey’s slightly-chewed fingernails!
Today is a favorite day for me: it is the 6-mo-old b.d. of my precious baby granddaughter, Calla Grace, who was born on Jan 12, 2010, and who has Down syndrome.
YAY Nella
Today is my favorite day. I’m a nanny for three of the greatest kids on earth, and am dreading mid-August when I have to leave their wonderful family to student teach. But today…today was everyone gets their favorite lunch day, forts for our legos and poetry about dogs while the little one naps day, vivid colored goldifish and fun in the sun day, and finally swimming lessons triumphs for all. Today is my favorite day.
I love your blog.
I read your blog all the time…every new post. And, today’s post has been my favorite. It was perfect in every way and it filled me with a warm glow. I love the first pic you posted of Nella and the second one of her and Lainey. Seriously, could your kids get any cuter?!
Thank you for making my day.
🙂
Fabulous as always. Reading your blog is almost as good as soaking in a hot bubble bath. I always feel so refreshed. Love that Lainey helps Nella sit up and that Poppa paints toe nails.
YAY NELLA!!! She looks so grown up sit’n in the grass there all like, “Yeah? So what?” haha I love her!!!
And lady, you may have just inspired me to take a bubble bath myself. Little girls are tucked away in their beds and the hubsie is away on business. Yes. This is a good bubble bath night.
I love reading about your favorite day. 🙂
HOW does Nella keep getting cuter?!?!? The Cuteness factor is off the scale! 🙂
Kelle-
I am not sure if you are aware, but Nella is saying “Mommy” in sign language in your header picture!! You make the “5” hand shape and put it near your chin:) Such a clever and smart little angel…………Go Nella!!
Susan from Boston
I rooted for Holland too! Though i think it was more for the orange then anything…it’s rather close to Gator orange don’tcha think?
WOO HOO Nella!
Love!!! SZAAZaaZ(That was from Jana) So proud of Nella sitting up. I remember when Jana sat up for the first time. Tears….
Have a great week
Love Susan from Michigan
Go Nella….you are a rockstar just like your mommy!
Michelle
What beautiful little girls! I love a poppa comfortable enough with his manhood to paint toenails :). So glad my sister told me about your blog.
Yay Nella!! Cheering you on all the way from TX!
Poppa I’m so ready to have you adopt me.
Lainey what a smart big sister!
Loove your family, Kelle!!!
Just want you to know how refreshing and inspiring your blog is. Thanks for the smile. Today is my favorite day too.
Today is my favorite day b/c I spent it with my sweet girl and my 25 wk old peanut in my tummy has had the hiccups all day long and I love this feeling!!
Your bunny is so cute!
I LOVE YOU GUYS! A Kelle Hampton day is always my favorite day. I’d write more, but I’ve got a kitchen to clean…Beautiful pics, amazing life–keep on celebrating, Hampton fam!
Oh! I love this so much.
I love your favorite day. I love your celebrations. I love your baby and your sprite!
I love that you remind me to be thankful for today 🙂 every day.
This is such a wonderful place to come. Thank you Kelle! Thank you so much!
You have the coolest Dad in the world! What a sweet sight!
BEAUTIFUL, well except for the fact that you were rooting for the opposite team 🙂 VIVA ESPAÑA!!!
nella is so beautiful! i love seeing pics of nella and lainie together!!
I agree with one of your readers. This is a wonderful place to come. I always look forward to reading your posts. Your girls continue to grow in the most beautiful ways. I enjoy reading and seeing their interactions with each other. Have a great week!
Yay Nella!! How awesome that she is sitting up for longer and longer periods of time. And SO sweet of Lainey to be her spotter. I love your posts and always look forward to the next one. And actually, you inspired me to get into photography and start a blog. 🙂 It’s called “The Bright Side.” Check it out when you have a free moment! aliciastacy.blogspot.com
And now it is my favorite day too 🙂
Kelle — each day, I click on your blog and hope for a new post and always feel like I’ve won the lottery each time there’s a new installment of your tales of hope and happiness. You’ve inspired me to be a better mom, cherishing even more of every single special moment with my littles (and sometimes doing a better job archiving them). As you’ve described, simply the act of looking for the best in every moment helps you to find more of those wonderful moments and to slurp them in like the last sip of the most delicious refreshing drink. Thank you for sharing your life and doing so in such a beautiful and inspirational way.
Mary
you have such a great family!
I just want you to know your blog is amazing. I read every post and look everyday for something new to read to give me a smile. Way to go Nella and Lainey is so cute being the spotter, I have 2 girls now (my newborn is 3 weeks old) and I can only hope that they have the same bond that yours seem to have already. Thank you for your new posts.
Yeah for Nella! but not only for just sitting up but for having a big sister who balances her, a daddy who coos over her and a momma who will love her unconditionally. She is a wonderfully adorable!
What a beautiful day!
Wonderful sentiment 🙂
And a bubble bath sounds like the perfect thing right about now!!
Beautiful post! I love the “Today is my favorite day” theme… because it’s so true! Your girls are goregous and hooray for little Nella on mastering sitting! Hope you and your beautiful family have a great week!
Today is my favorite day because you posted!!! I love your blog. You and your family are breathtakingly grounded. You have no idea how much I look forward to a new post from you. Please do a book. I don’t ever want your posts to end.
Agreed… I read where you said you were writing a book. I have a book club and it will be my top selection!!
Yeah! I’ve been waiting for your post all day and you did not disappoint! Go Nella! And what a great helper her big sister is!
Today IS a great day!
Nella is such a big girl!!! when did this happen? where is time going? Is there a way to make it stop?!
I loved this post and I love the idea of the bubble bath with beer (light beer, no less), a magazine and really fine bubbles. Sounds like a great plan.
beautiful post- as always. Lucky girls to have a momma who knows how great today is!
on a said note- I would LOVE to know where the pink top you wore for Lainey’s bday party, is from!?!? Its absolutely adorable! and my very own 30th bday is coming up and I need a new outfit for my party 🙂 Thanks!
Yay! Way to go Nella! I’m rooting for you~
Lovely post! Lainey is such a wonderful big sister. Love your girls. C:
“Now or never! You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment.” -Henry David Thoreau
my friends all rave about you. your family. your love. your style. now i know why! thanks for being such a bright spot!
we have 2 little boys…the most awesome, cool and mud & frog loving boys, and we are in the process of adopting our daughter from china…i love the way you express the emotions and triumph of having a sweet little one with a new set of needs. we adopting little lady from the “waiting list” – oh how i can’t wait to get my lips on her cheeks…i’m constantly craving that first moment when i finally get to meet her!
reading your stories of nella and process your heart has gone through give me such courage. i keep saying over and over “special needs” and how much it feels negative…but then i keep saying over and over how much i love that she will be so unique and will fit so perfectly in our family just the way she is supposed to. we might not know her yet, but my heart does. her “special needs” will make up part of who she is, but will not define her.
there is something so amazing and beautiful in the triumph of seeing your family grow. i hope the same triumph can be seen in our family someday.
anyway, i have now written you a novella, and i was merely trying to leave you a nice, short post saying how much i loved reading about your family.
so much for short 🙂
Kelle, I love your blog.
You have no idea how much I love reading your blog. I cry nearly every time I read it. Simply beautiful. Your photos, your words. I just love it.
When my blog grows up, it wants to be a blog like yours.
LOVE it! LOVE you and your family! LOVE your Poppa! Thank you for your posts!
I miss my little “flour sack on my shoulder” and my inquisitive little talking three year old…and their awesome, attentive and respectful big brothers. Today is my favorite as well…rushing back for our annual golf outing to benefit our Cancer Center and seeing us net over 100 thousand dollars to provide help and hope for those facing cancer! It is wonderful to think that what we do each day can make tomorrow a favorite day. God is good…I don’t thank Him enough…and the sitting and spotting girls make me melt! That girl is going to sit soon and crawl just after!!! Thank you physical therapists…and thank you big sister and clapping family. She is clearly full of herself when she does those things…and she should be!! Bravo! And the Dutchies were our friends first!
Your blog is my last stop before bed. It always makes me appreciate all things life. G’night & sweet dreams!
Today is my favorite day…
My 15 mo daughter w/Ds has been seizure-free for a month and we are able to decrease her meds further, oh and I caught her rocking out like Gene Simmons and caught it just in time to record!
I love the inspiration I get from coming to your blog!
Much happiness,
Jen http://www.lovingpeanut.blogspot.com
The reference to Lainey posing in a photo wearing Kelle’s wedding dress is so very Kelle…she is hoping someday, Lainey will use the photo for her save-the-date cards, with the inscription “I’ve been dreaming of this day all my life.” Only Kelle would think of this 20 some years ahead! I am sure I am in trouble now…I am afraid you might duplicate her idea…oh well, she loves sharing everything she thinks of! (I cry when I look at that photo and think of its use someday, annoucing such an event!)
happy day for Nella!! a favorite and very happy day for all us mommies who are rooting for her like she is our own!!just how many “mommies” do you think this beautiful girl has? love to you all…
Go Nella GO!!! I never read your blog without smile! Thanks!
YAY Nella!! The picture of her in the grass, awwww…
I so cherish the “just us” time I get with my oldest baby too. She is turning 3 next week and my sentimentality is out of control right now lol
I love that you loved today, and it’s my birthday! My last year of my twenties! I am getting teased for talking about your posts so often…my mom asked me if I knew you and my husband told her, no, but she feels like she does :). Thanks for inspiring many!
love this post and it’s title!!
keep on enjoying, girl …
its title! i didn’t mean it is title! ugh, i can’t stand when i don’t proof before i hit the publish button! oh, well, one of my ocd issues 🙂
That’s great! I heart the shout of orange on Nella’s toes. I had one rooting hard for the Netherlands & the rest Spain. I love today because it’s almost over BUT tomorrow is a new day:)
Pure and simple.
My favorie post!!
L~
that nella sure is gorgeous. and your photos of her are breathtaking. i love to look at them…
i love me some nella. i’m fairly certain the whole world is cheering her on!
Selfishly, I also hope that today is a favorite day because you got a call from the Oprah team and you are one of the finalists for your OWN show. I loved your video and there is NO doubt about it…….you would be an instant hit. Hoping to see your beautiful face on the TV come January.
Thank you for sharing your life and sweet family with us. BTW….can we clone your dad? LOVE him ! 🙂
Sweet and Beautiful!!
I just wanted to say that your girls are absolutely beautiful! and way to go Nella with the sitting-up.
mine too.
Let that cup overflow girl! Love that sweet Nella bean and Lainey girl too! And yes, today is my favorite day too.
I am jealous that you get to take a bath alone. Anytime I want to slip into my garden tub I get an audience!
Nella is doing a great job sitting up!
Love the Dutch quote. We should all recite that every day!
:o)
Your dad is awesome. He brings a whole new game to this thing called being a grampa…
xo
c
*smile*
Yay Nella for sitting for longer periods! So fun! And I also have Twilight Woods body wash – LOVE. IT!
Ahhh Nella, we’re clapping for ya Hon (in a lullaby hushed way so as not to distract your sitting up workout Button!) xxx
Kelle ~ the ‘cheer factor’ is alive & well and jumping off the page here…..mmm hmmm, the closing of MY day has now been stamped “favourite day” and yawns have been replaced with smiles ‘n sighs. Lovely……
God Bless,
Barbra.
I just have to tell you I love your blog and you bring a smile to my face. Your girls are adorable and your photography is amazing! I found you from BlogLuxe and am a fellow nominee under the Tastiest Blogs.
On another note, I have twin girls and one of them is Laine too (but without the “y”).
Thank you for sharing and I can’t wait to continue to follow you!
u drink Coors Light! That’s awesome! xoxo
Another beautiful post!!! I feel like Nella has the entire world cheering her on! She’s such a beautiful little girl with a beautiful soul (as is her sister). Everyone is put on this planet for a reason…and I believe, Kelle Hampton was put on this Earth to inspire, teach and admire (along with being a Mommy to those 2 precious souls).
You are amazing – each post is better than the last! Keep ’em coming Lady!!
Bravo Ms Nella, what pretty sitting you are up to now …Kelle, before you know it, she will be crawling, walking and talking …enjoy her lil, enjoy her in your arms …she is most beautiful …
Deborah, the Canndian Nurse …
and what a wonderful day it is.
i have been reading you for a few weeks, after seeing a post you had written in google shared reader and it was wonderful, absolutely wonderful. you have a beautiful family, and a beautiful outlook. thank you so much for sharing it with us!
When Gabe was Nella’s age he hadn’t even *started* sitting up – not even for a moment! She is obviously strong, made even stronger by everyone’s love for her!
When Gabe was Nella’s age he hadn’t even started sitting up – not even for a moment! She is obviously strong – made even more strong by all the love she must feel!
I love the character of Key West and you captured it perfectly – you’re an amazing photographer and an inspiration as a mother! Thanks for sharing your words and pictures with us! XOXO from Southern California.
My little boy is a few weeks older than Nella and is not sitting up yet so NELLA ROCKS!
May tomorrow become you favorite day, then the next, and then the next….such that every day is better than the last!
-Jenny in Iowa
I was wondering if there is anyway that you could have a link to all your past “plugs”. Meaning, i was thinking about that great necklace you got with the finger prints of the girls, and how I would love to get on of those one day, but can’t remember for the life of me what post it was in..anyways, just an idea from a faithful reader:)
I live in South Africa and was also supporting Holland – just love the orange nail polish!!!!
Nella and Lainey are gorgeous! Nella is doing so great!
Thank you for a great, inspirational blog Kelle, you really encourage me to enjoy each day!
It is always one of my favorite days anytime you post. Do you have any idea how much joy you bring to others….Your zest for life is so inspiring…
Oh, how I love your favorite day post! It just reminds me, yet again, to enjoy the small things…and to celebrate everything:)
Today is MY favorite day because I walked to the pool with my kids, and along the way we examined all the neat bugs that we came across, we took pictures by the beautiful flowers that we found along the way, and we were not rushed….just enjoyed every second of our hour-long treck to the community pool. And back. And no one complained (much) about the long walk. The kids had fun at the pool, and mama got her exercise for the day. Yes, it was my favorite day.
I love this! It has to be one of my favorites 🙂
Well done Nella!! She is definitely a Rockstar!
So wonderful! I hope I can always remember why today is my favorite day!
I’m a new follower and so loving your blog! You are a total inspiration and a wonderful Mama. Your photographs are beyond beautiful but with such a gorgeous family and surroundings they are bound to be 🙂
Yay to Nella and her perfect helper Lainey!
x
Awwww yay for Nella’s sitting progress.
You are a breeze of optimism Kelle. I loved this post 🙂
Oooohhh! I only recently came across your blog and really like it but now you get bonus points because you supported Holland! You would have loved it here, EVERYTHING turns orange. It is one of the things I love about living here.
Hoy es mi dia favorito ESPAÑA GANO LA COPA DEL MUNDO.
Y MUY JUSTAMENTe, los Holandeses “jugaron” como cerdos solo trataban de lesionar A LOS MEJORES JUDADORES DE MUNDO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go, Nella!! Also, please adopt me, Poppa. 🙂 I bring sassy humor, a healthy dose of snark, and a wealth of celebrity gossip. 🙂 Oh, and Cajun cooking.
Today is my favorite day……….and every morning when I open my eyes, I am SO thankful for all that I have – the loving, kind, caring hubby, the family, the friends. And when my feet hit the floor, there is a smile on my face! 🙂 Be grateful for the little things!
Happy Happy Day to you and the munchkins!
Thanks Kelle for pointing out the nectar in every day. My nectar yesterday was reminding myself that my job is just a job and deadlines will come and go – but my family and friends are and will always be my priority. And I’m looking forward to vacationing with my best friend and her kids next week. There will be no bubble baths, but lots of kid energy and activities (and maybe a glass of wine here and there).
I finally took a glance at the special needs page and it’s a great addition to your blog. It’s written incredibly well and once again, it’s raw and honest. For all of us who are parents, thank you for reminding us that all of our children and ourselves are sharing the same journey of life.
Have a wonderful day (but I know that you will!).
-Jennifer
Go Nella… I’m so proud of your sitting up… Big Sister you are doing a great job helping baby sister sit up too… Kelle glad you got some alone time in the tub with a book and beer, sometimes it’s just what us momma’s need… Enjoy the rest of your week!
Yes, we lost the match last Sunday, but having you, your family and all the other lovely friends gathered around us in the Orange lanai made us feel we won the World Cup. Lovely pretty Lainey served the cold drinks and beautiful adorable Nella……we all wanted to hold her and hug her. The words in my kitchen are indeed very simple but powerful: “Vandaag is mijn lievelingsdag”. Today is the reality, it is what you see, what you can smell, what you can touch and what you are getting. Tomorrow? Nobody knows. Today is my favorite day because I started this sunny morning with a fresh orange(!) juice on the terrace with my husband. After 24 years we are still best friends, so today is my favorite day! I’d like to thank your father for introducing us to the Hampton family. He has a very special place in my heart.
Have a great favorite day Kelle!!
YAY Nella!! What a great day!
I absolutely love that last picture of Nella!! She is precious 🙂
Way to go Nella. She is what…6 months old now? Jack is one year old and still working on sitting, so Nella is doing awesome! Keep it up!! We throw parties each time Jack lasts 30 seconds – 1 minute, etc. We have decided to keep champagne in the house for such marvelous occasions! I encourage you guys to do the same…a TOAST! To sweet Nella and her helper, Lainey.
“Today is my favorite day” wow I love this, In fact I think I’m going to make a sign for my house with this on it Today! OH Kelle, you and I have the same bubble bath essentials, except I’d switch the beer for a glass of wine, but the burts bees scrub (Or anything burts for that matter) and the glamour mag. with my most favorite lady on the cover and $15 dollar finds! I will be taking a long bubble bath tonight.
Miss Nella sitting up, what a big girl and her sweet as sugar big sister “spotting” her, it makes me smile inside and out!
Beautiful~
Something about your blog makes me want to give you a big hug after I read it:) I’m sorry if that’s creepy for a complete stranger to say. You have such a gift of finding joy in the small every day things. I just love coming here. Thank you:)
It’s incredible that one picture of a grandfather painting a little girl’s toenails can tell the kind of person he really is.
Ayer fue un gran dia de celebracion en mi pais,cuando el equipo nacional fue recibido por mas de un millon de personas en Madrid, me acorde de Nella y de usted, le cuento porque…El entrenador de la selecion de España tiene un hijo con sindrome de Down, adolescente.Cuando el presidente de España recibio a todos los jugadores en el palacio de la Moncloa, estaba acompañado de hijo del entrenador, orgulloso del triunfo de su padre y el padre muy orgulloso de ver tan feliz a su hijo levantando la copa de campeones del mundo , todo el pais pudo ver por television a este niño y la felicidad que sentia, recorrio la capital de España en el autobus descubierto donde la seleccion hizo el recorrido, creo que disfruto mas que nadie y emociono a mucha gente.
Cuando este chico levanto la copa del mundo delante del presidente del gobierno estas fueron sus palabras, “Esta copa es para todos y para mi padre que me quiere mucho”.
Hace tiempo oi al entrenador decir
“quiero a este hijo por encima de todo, pero sobre todo, lo quiero porque es la persona con el alma mas limpia que he conocido a lo largo de mi vida”
Usted esta feliz hoy porque NELLA levanto su cabecita, pero llegara a sitios donde el resto de las personas no llegamos jamas y eso hay que tenerlo en cuenta.Usted va a aprender muchisimas cosas de su hija y se sorprendera de lo que es capaz de conseguir.
En españa tenemos niños con sindrome de down que han conseguido ser universitarios, pero bueno esto no es tan importante.
I LOVE how the tread on the bottom of your Dad’s sandals is all worn down…It means he’s been places :0)
I have been wanting to find a phrase to paint above my cabinet in the kitchen. I keep looking at so many but none totally click. I think “Today is my favourite day” (Canadian spelling for me:) might be the one!
Thank you for a lovely post!
What a great day, days!!! I am so happy that Nella is sitting up. We are still working on Dylan holding her head up. Congrats Nella!!!
LOVE Poppa painting those piggies, and after reading his post up there, I have no doubt in my mind that he and Gary will be working hard to also raise money for Down syndrome awareness!!!! Nella you are one lucky ladybug!!!!
Hi!
You have the most wonderful blog 🙂 And your beautiful girls – my heart is weak for them.
Enjoy the summerdays.
Love from us.
This comment has been removed by the author.
🙂 🙂 🙂
,,,photo of poppa paitning lainey’s tootsies,,,stinkin cute!,,,
Your blog is one of the highlights of my day. Thank-you so much for sharing!
The magazine/beer/bubble bath pic reminds me of my friend that passed away a few months ago. She loved her bubble baths like nothing else, and always made them an ‘occasion’.
Karen in Toronto
Ü Nella melts my heart! and so does Poppa.
My dad call my this morning veeery early, just to wish me a good day…♥ I love him, I love favorite days with dads, kids, and all the love.
Thanx for reminding us how important it is to enjoy the small things Ü BTW if you need translation on the spanish comment above, let me know! XX
Today is my favorite day. What a simple, yet inspirational quote. I will keep this phrase on the tip of my tounge throughout the week. I adore you, your family, and this blog. Thank you for your beautiful words and pictures, and for you daily reminders to cherish each day, to admire the simple things, and to love like crazy.
I think this is by far my most favorite post, Ha!
I live in Holland and it’s so much fun to see “Hup Holland Hup” and a lot of orange all the way over there! Proud of my country (despite we lost from Spain 😉 )!
I follow your blog for a couple of months now. Began to read from your very first post in 2007.
Have still a couple of months to go and wanted to comment when i was finished reading, but how could i ignore this post!!
Love your two beautiful daughters, your family, pictures and your writing!
I may not comment a lot, i absoluty love your blog! Keep up the good work!
Love from Holland,
Kelly
http://kaatjebes.web-log.nl/kbs_logje/2010/07/viva-hollandia.html#tp
ps. Sorry for my lousy English, reading is much easier than writing!
And for your dutch friends:
Wat leuk dat jullie op deze manier het WK gevierd hebben!
Neem aan dat jullie daar wonen en zelfs tot daar reikt ‘onze’ saamhorigheid!
Jammer dat we verloren hebben, maar we kunnen trots zijn op onze 2e plaats!
groetjes Kelly
Ohh..I am just LOVIN the orange nail polish! 😉 Yes, it was a good day! Yay for Nella sittin up!
Hi…. I looove the top picture and how you celebrated the WC football with dutch friends.I live in Holland, as I’ve said before, and married a dutchie and now have 3 boys… so our whole house has been orange for over a month. Yesterday the flags came down and the orange hats and vuvuzelas were put away…till next time.
You would have loved to have found yourself in this Holland on Sunday night, a great atmosphere…..but then it looks like you did just that and found yourself in a bit of dutch “orange” heaven 😉
as well it should be your favorite day!! <3 it!! Kelle you inspire me to be a better mom with each post! thanks!
Tell Lainey I said she did a great job painting her nails! (And if she didn’t, no offense to whoever did!) My middle baby does her own, and they look very similar. Several colors applied simultaneously…and then never waiting long enough for a good dry 🙂
Love it!
Maybe it’s the “pregnant with twins hormones” that I have rushing through my body, or the fact that today I had an amazing day with my little boy, but something about this post made me cry. Actually, many of your posts make me cry. Thank you for your outlook on life, love and family.
it was a great day, wasn’t it? and i’m telling you, reading your dad’s comments is almost as good as reading your posts.
almost.
go nella!
YAY rockstar Nella!! Sitting up so big and proud. Whoo hoo. Love the picture of Lainey and her matching cards. She’s so cute.
Nella is sitting up way before my son was! way to go!!
and Poppa is just too much… in a good way. he is the jack of all trades, isn’t he? 🙂
Love your blog, and your girls are beautiful! 🙂
That Burt’s Bees – Deep pore scrub is just great! I love it!!
Cheers to another Coors Light fan!
We were cheering for Spain, because both my wee son and his dad are Spanish nationals … but now, a couple of days and this blog post later, I’m cheering for bubble baths. Hup Bubbles Hup!
Thanks Kelle, I needed this. I’m 3/4 through 2wks of rainy,cold winter school holidays with 4 kids under 7, and the oldest 2’s favourite hobby is baiting each other. AAARGHHH!!!
Thank you for the reminder that I am blessed, that these CAN be good days, and that today might actually turn out to be enjoyable!
Donna from New Zealand
It’s always a good day when we get to see your cuties!
Today was my favorite day because my little girl has been going potty all by herself (finally). On the other hand, it was my unfavorite day due to teething woes with the littlest one.
You can’t win ’em all!
It’s always a good day when we get to see your cuties!
Today was my favorite day because my little girl has been going potty all by herself (finally). On the other hand, it was my unfavorite day due to teething woes with the littlest one.
You can’t win ’em all!
sitting up already?! what a big girl!! I feel like a proud Auntie lol. And…those BLUE eyes!!! (Still no Brushfields Spots? I keep hoping.) Beautiful.
Hello Dutch Kelly! We live in Holland. Because we are totally in love with Florida and our Floridian friends we bought a second home by the beach. The very clean beach by the way! No oil around here. As a Dutch family you can not ignor the WC Soccer game, not even when you are 7000 KM away from home. We spread the Soccer virus around here, we had a great time! Your english is like my english ha! We call it “Denglish”= Dutch-English.
Bedankt voor je leuke reactie! Groetjes vanuit Bonita Springs…Francien
note to self: don’t look at blogs while drinking after celebrating court wins today. YAY ME.
another note to self: don’t comment in above state. Again, YAY ME.
I have to divulge a Poppa story and I hope he will approve the disclosure. One time when I was making my way across the state of MI for Lillith fair, I stayed the night at Poppa’s with my best friend and Kelle. In the vein of “painting toenails,” Poppa and Kelle not only produced a home hair salon where we did (my first ever) highlights (that ROCKED by the way), we danced to Pet Shop Boys and woke to whipped cream and powdered cocoa-covered mochas in the morning. To this day I am not sure what was more fun… crying my heart out when Fiona Apple played Criminal and I sat in the front row, or pulling into the driveway later that night where Kelle was just waiting with Clairol, pokey-hole highlight caps, music, and specialty coffees served in cool mugs.
I so remember, my Lillithniece! It was more than a visit, it was a vision etched on memory’s alabaster wall.
It’s seriously all I have in me not to request either Fiona Apple or the PSB right now so I can dance with my family in my head, and cry happy tears on a dance floor that will seriously question what is wrong with me. OK. Emma out. No more commenting for this ball of drunk love right now!
P.S. To all readers: apologies if this is a random comment. I just love my family. And it is really cool that you all do, too!
Your blog inspires me to be a better mother each and everytime I visit your page. With 5 children 8 and under I sometimes forget to just “enjoy the small things”…so THANK YOU!!! :o)
I’m trying to read between the lines here. Is Kelle’s mother alive? Are “Poppa and Gary” a couple? Cuz there seem to be lots of ladies subtlely trying to tell Poppa they’re interested.
Francine, you and Jan are the coolest people ever. We love your family! Except my dad is fighting us for you. “They were my friends first!” he says. Ha ha. And Anonymous, my mother is alive and beautiful and very much a part of our lives except she lives in Michigan. We get to see her about 4 times a year–not enough–but talk to her lots and lots. And Poppa is off the market…ha ha…thanks to Gary.
Emma!! Long live Oreos in hot tubs and Pet Shop Boys! GO WEST!! xoxo
To ANONYMOUS (7/13, 5:40pm)- Well, your questions are just put out there in general, so I just wanted to comment on them. Well, I wont comment on most of it, cuz I dont know the answers and really never have given it any thoughts, re: who is gay, etc. (and I have been here for a long time), but..You said many ladies seem to be “interested” in poppa? Hmm..I dont know but I guess I have missed that. I have never really picked up on that. I/many others have commented about poppa and how great his comments are, and his words and how he is as a father (and some of us want to “adopt” him)& grandpa, but I never once picked up on the idea of people being interested in any other manner. Maybe I have missed it. I think I, and everyone just feel like we know Poppa, thru Kelle, and we just love him as a person.
You’re pictures are awesome as always.
I get really excited when there is a new blog post 🙂
Kelle-
I don’t know if you get a chance to read all comments, but I just wanted to say thanks. I love your blog. I work hard to cherish the small things in my life and your blog is such a wonderful way to remind me to do so. I love that you are true to you, you have fun and you are a great momma! When I read it, it is like a breath of fresh air. I know we all have struggles and bad days, but it is so much nicer to cherish the little things and make the most of life. Thanks for the reminders.
Now, I think I need a beer and a bubble bath! Anyway…LOVE the blog.
Kelle – are you still able to read all of the comments now that there are so many?
🙂
Beautiful! I totally agree about the importance of enjoying the amazingness of each moment. The photographs are so expressive and wonderful.
Thanks.
warmly,
Erika
I made an earlier post, but for some reason do not see it here, so I thought I would make a similar one again…
I love how you have such an artistic eye through your photography! You have a way of finding the “small,” things that make our world brighter! Thank you for showing me the small things 🙂
I love reading your blog, it makes me enjoy life a bit more and not stress so much over really nothing. For that Thank you!
Plus, your girls are so beautiful!
Show the winner of the giveaway!!!
So many questions, so little time…I know for a fact Kelle reads EVERY comment…she loves them and I do too…some make me cry, but good tears. And Kelle’s mom is very much alive…and in the kaleidoscope that is life, every turn has its beauty. She is an incredibly talented pianist, she can bake anyone under the table, she can sew exquisite outfits for her grandbabies…and she adapts to every change and challenge life introduces her to. Our years together hold many wonderful memories and produced three fantastic children. Yes, there were discoveries and awakenings that introduced painful passages…like Renoir once said, “The pain passes, the beauty remains.” We are a “crazy quilt” of patterns and people, stitched with love. Gary is my partner and soulmate…yet he certainly sees the beauty I have always seen in Kelle’s mother…OK, it’s late and probably more than needed to answer the questions, but some of these were more than Kelle needed to respond to…Today is my favourite day and favourite is my favorite spelling!
Oh, whatever, Poppa! I still want you to adopt me!!! =)
Hey girl, I love your blog, I really do!! I come here looking for a bright post to brighten my day and always get it!!
Just a question though, and please forgive me for being a “Negative Nelly,” but don’t you ever have days where you just wanna roll back over and sleep some more when the girls wake up before you? Maybe it’s because I have 4 kids (ages 8, 5, 3 and 1) and am 15 wks pregnant with our “finale,” but I feel like a big, fat failure at the moment! Heck, I’m just trying to “live through” the small (and even large) things and barely have time to “enjoy” them right now!!
I did read back through your “early pregnancy with Nella” posts, and they helped some with my perspective. I keep telling myself I’m “gunna” make it thru this and “this too shall pass.”
Honestly, this comment that started out with me wanting to ask you to share your “grouch” sometimes has kinda turned into me trying to see the positive instead! I guess I see your point now that if you try to find the positive, it becomes what you see. Amazing!
Thank for a wonderful and sunny outlook! I enjoy it even when I feel like poop and “don’t wanna feel sunny!!” (spoken with my lip out and stomping my foot…)
Love,
Angela in South Carolina
Oh, POPPA!! I..we all just LOVE you to pieces. I feel like you are an adoptive dad to me ( I agree wtih Emilie, please adopt me). And I love your words always, and your light and spirit and compassion that shows thru. THAT’s ALL that matters to me – and that you are clearly such a great Dad and Grandpa to those kids. And your reply to all the questions put to Kelle? Well, as always, I just love the way you wrote about Kelle’s mom, and your life, and the passages and discoveries. YOU so rock! Each of you so feels like family to this gal in California! Thanks so much…
** Poppa** – “Favourite” is my favorite spelling too!
It’s me from before.
Ok. I feel like I’ve got it now.
I guess I misread all the “I love Poppa,” comments, and the readers must be way younger than me if they’re looking to be adopted.
Thank you for the clarity. With my own 14 month old who loves nothing better than banging on computer keys, I don’t have time to dig through the archives and figure out what is what.
Oh I wanted them to win as well!!! And this was the first time ever I’ve watched soccer 🙂
Kelle- did you know that if a child uses a pacifier too long that it effects how their teeth grow? I know from experience. So be careful. Love the blog!
Your words, enthusiasm, and optimism are infectious. Thank you for truly, inexcusably, being yourself.
We rooted for Holland too on Sunday . . . wearing orange and black also :). We were quite disappointed they didn’t win, because they definitely deserved it.
I also wanted to let you know about a story written on someone’s blog about an older child with Down syndrome. We all enjoyed it a lot . . . so much so, I shared it on my blog as well and I think you may too –
http://gotdownsyndrome.blogspot.com/2010/07/i-dont-have-down-syndrome-all-time.html
Have you ever explored the possibility that Nella has Mosaic Down Syndrome? I just get that “feeling” when observing her photos and hearing about what she’s doing. In any case, she’s truly wonderful!!!!
Cally (an OT)
Oh, Poppa…Your response above is my “favourite”!! Have you checked your angel wings lately…between your nice answer (and all of your other comments to Kelle’s blog posts and readers questions) and the recent great, grand, generous giveaway,I think they keep on getting larger and more beautiful! What a kind man you are!
Take good care!
Jill B (Overland Park, KS)
PS – I’ll be in touch when we finally get around to planning a vacay! The Bonita by the Beach properties look absolutely amazing!
OK, I think if we lived in the same city, we’d have to be best friends. Not only are you poetic and beautiful, your children loved and adorable. But you also drink Coors Light. And whilst in the tub no less. Seriously, you are one cool chick.
Hi Kelle. I love your blog and I love the way you love your family and your life. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
I have a question about drinking and nursing. No judgements here – I’m just a nursing momma who enjoys the occasional glass of wine. My question is do you nurse Nella after you drink or do you “pump and dump”. I have read that small amounts of alcohol are fine, and I perfer to avoid pumping whenever possible. Anyway, I was just curious of your opinion.
PS..if you prefer not to answer in order to avoid controversy and unwanted advice from others I completely understand! 🙂
Whoa. That Nella is so beautiful! (As is your Lainey!)
I know you already know how incredibly blessed you are, but I just had to tell you it. Coming from someone who knows how it feels to have your family not participate in your children’s lives. I adore the photo of your dad paint L’s toes! You are blessed, blessed, blessed!
I can’t believe Nella is sitting already! WOO HOO. Time is going too fast!
I love your words today….so awesome and makes me love my days more too….
love you girl…
I know this is your blog and all, Kelle….but I hope it’s OK that I scroll through the comments just looking for Poppa’s posts! hehe. Love him!! The idea of using Lainey in the wedding dress someday is so awesome, I cannot even stand it!!
Ok, and back to Nella…..hooray for her sitting up for such long periods of time. I wish I could clap and root her on myself. She’s such a beauty!! And Lainey spotting her is so very sweet. What an amazing relationship they have already….and it will grow stronger and stronger every day. Precious!
xo
Kris
The scent of Twilight Woods fills my bathroom frequently and I smile 🙂
Your Nella should meet my bug, Lady Lennon. Imagine!
Thanks for your blog.
I blogged about you and yours the other day.
Did you see the above comment about skipping to Poppa’s posts? Can’t you see how that could be interpreted as romantic interest? “Hehe love him!!” How was I supposed to know that was meant as wannabe adopted daughter love? “Hehe” usually implies naughtiness. So there. I’m not crazy. I’ve just been in a very bad mood for 38 years.
great blog—wondering what your family pictures are printed on? Love the way they look….
thank you for reminding me about feeding the soul with favourite things to do and remember! (I’d forgotten). My days will be brighter because of it. Thanks again. Love your blog and I cried when I read about Nella’s birth.
Suzie in Canada
Well, I’ll be darned. I’ve been ready for about 10 months and I didn’t know Poppa was ‘family’. Fun flippin’ times!