This is how it starts.
It’s called slippage, my Friends. The unattended slow decline of a room that was once clean. It’s a critical stage this slippage is, a fine line between capable of restoration and destined for disaster. Unrecognized, it could exponentially worsen. And it wouldn’t be the first time three books, a wadded sock, a lone boot, a winter vest, the tag ripped off a new bra and an inside-out pair of underwear transformed overnight to the back of Sanford and Sons’ truck. I’m just sayin’.
And while I would love to weave this little ditty into some beautiful post with applicable truths about pulling our shit together, I got nothin’. Nothin’ except a call from my dad in about–oh, twenty-two minutes–about not swearing on my blog (last time, seriously). What I really want to say is I had this storm of contemplations this weekend–the kind of inner dialogue that would have spurred good conversation in a circle of friends where both fervent likemindedness and passionate rebuttals would have spurred further good conversation. But alas, I was not in a circle of friends but rather deliberating motherhood, God’s existence, cloth diapers, canned food, the presence of fear, pleasing others, pre-K, homeschooling, the state of the Union and Christina Aguilera’s Superbowl performance all by myself while I attempted to put away laundry and sort through Lainey’s old 2T clothes. Apparently I didn’t get to the vest and lone boot in the bedroom.
Anyway, I used up all my good stuff on fake conversations in my head. With that said, I’m calling it a night with another Enjoying-the-Small-Things post because, seriously…can you enjoy them too much? Small things are like McDonald’s fries, cheesy popcorn, beach sunsets…there’s no such thing as too many.
So…
The Shadow Hunter.
I laughed just typing that. Because it’s the funniest little quirk she has. She’s obsessed with shadows…will spot the smallest sliver of light from a mile away and boot-scoot her way over to it as quick as lightning just to make her shadows.
Let’s Play Friends.
It is Lainey’s most favorite thing to do. “Let’s Play Friends.” And it involves two stuffed animals and her mimicking their voices with this high-pitched Muppet-sounding squeak that makes me stifle laughter every time. It always starts with the same line: “Hi, what’s your name? You wanna be friends?” No one’s ever said that to her and I sure as hell haven’t heard my shy girl say it to anyone else, but still…it’s such a cool thing. I forget what my child development classes said this all means, but I’m pretty sure it’s some important stage of growing up where my three-year-old is becoming socially aware and more compassionate and all that good stuff. To me, it’s just another opportunity to sit and stare and be amazed that this little doe-eyed wonder belongs to me and that I get to watch her line up stuffed bears and shaggy dogs and peep out made-up conversations for a long time. And clarification: I just read this to Brett and he said he taught Lainey how to say “Hi, let’s be friends.” Glad we got that out of the way.
Saggy Tights.
I like ’em. That is all.
Fair Weather
I literally pulled one of these cheesy moves today. Because the sky was ten shades of blue, the wind was in a really good mood, and the sun combined with the sweet smell of grass and echoing wind chimes for one high-on-life February cocktail.
The bonus of nice weather? The thrill of it works like beer goggles. ‘Cuz I looked out my backyard and actually thought the pathetic dry remains of Nella’s party arbor and our irresponsibility in letting it sit out there for two weeks transformed to something pretty.
The backyard just wanted to give the lone boot and bra tags in my bedroom a run for their money.
Fair Weather Things
If fair weather makes me high on life, then the fun things you do in fair weather make me…hmmm…what trumps high-on-life?
Standing Attempts…
…make her feel all triumphant and proud.
And then she squints her eyes and smiles all Winston Churchill-like which makes me scoop her up and squish that little marshmallow as close as I can get her. Punch-drunk love, Baby. Makes me all slap-happy and filled up. And I can’t get enough.
Being Present.
It will be a repeated declaration here, something I will continue to remind myself to do by typing the words, and I’ll feel good just by saying it. I’ll celebrate triumphantly when I’ve had a nice stretch of days completely aware and undistracted and yet I know I’ll have days where I’ll feel guilty for multi-tasking and spending too much time checking e-mails or planning what we’ll do next. I think the see-saw of being fully present and reminding myself to be is good though.
I know I will always thrive on projects and people and having lots of things going on in my life…part of that makes me a better mom, I really believe it, and I want to model for my girls the amazing satisfaction having hobbies, fulfilling passions and helping others brings to life.
But I think that tiny uncomfortable feeling of guilt that arises when we feel we could have done better is good too. Because what follows it is the best of the best, Baby–the full-dose, the first fruits. If we’ve already arrived, we have no place to go. But if we, for just a moment, feel like we might have slipped, how amazing are those next efforts, eh?
My sister and I recently discussed the presence of fear because it seems everyone wants to be fearless these days. Don’t get me wrong–I want to be a badass. But, as my sister said, “A little bit of fear is good. Without it, we’d get into a lot of trouble.” I thought about it, and she’s right. Fear and guilt and all those bad emotions we think we, as moms, are supposed to detox out aren’t always so bad. Sometimes they govern good. And, while I ultimately seek a beautiful world of balance, until then, I will use a good occasional dose of guilt to propel me to deliver the best of the best. Ebb and Flow. One step back and three badass steps forward.
(and if you put fearless as your word, don’t feel bad…I want to be fearless too!)
And that brings me to the end here, and I’m sorry to say, Dad, I swore a few times. I don’t know what my problem is tonight. I’ll clean up my act. I’ll use my swear guilt to fuel a nice clean post next time around. The best of the best…I promise.
To make up for it, some giveaway winners. Winners, please e-mail your contact deets to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net.
*Timeless Settings $50 gift certificate winner, Comment#18: Rojas Family: Beautiful post. I love the look on Lainey’s face when she’s holding Nella. It made me chuckle
And two Lisa Leonard Designs $50 gift certificate Winners:
*Comment #1410, p.o.s.h.: AUDACIOUS 🙂 love the giveaway!!! and the blog…as always. ~CC
*Comment #2382, riversnake: My word of the year is “imperfect” because I need to stop setting myself up to such high standards and instead start loving myself imperfections and all! So, I bet you can guess which piece I’ll be getting if I win. ~ Jill
Renewing Sponsor Bambaroos Boutique (the cute flower headbands the girls wear) has an awesome Valentine’s Day special going on right now too. Check it out HERE.
Leaving you with some of your “words of the year” I so enjoyed.
Settled ~Kelly
Changed ~Tera
Celebrate ~Autumn
Forward ~Beachbum 0407
Purposeful ~Bonnie Spear
Triumphant ~Debbie T
Simplify ~Tara
Passion ~Linda T
Today ~Brown-Eyed Mama
Resilient ~Erin
Authenticity ~Emma
Have a great week.
I love reading you post and seeing you pictures!
Loved the photos of Lainey and the ice cream at the end! Made me laugh out loud!
the rooms may be messy, but the kids appear joyful–and the rooms can be done when the kids are sleeping. at least that’s what i tell myself. 🙂
yay nella standing! such adorable pictures.
i’d rather have a messy house and happy kids than a clean house where no one is present–and hopefully, sometimes, i can achieve that clean house with present people thing–for at least 5 minutes.
:::smiling in AZ:::
I had someone on her blog ask what I read just for fun!! and I put you. I love how you write, I love your pictures. Love the Russian dolls fabric dress. Even when you have swear guilt and I love the Shadow Hunter it made me smile.
Oh my goodness – the pictures of Nella standing!!! That smile screams ‘working hard and damned proud!’ Way to go Nella! I love messy ice cream pictures! I used to give the kids I nannied for cones that were overflowing with ice cream and sprinkles just to get the pictures!
And seriously – I’d give anything to see a single shade of blue. We’re living in a grayscale world up here recently. The sun has forgotten us!! We’re all fighting some pretty severe cases of cabin fever!! Definitely has me counting down to Florida – four weeks!
~Beth
The shadow hunter is too cute! My kids used to do that when they were little as well….that is, when they weren’t afraid of their shadows. ha!
Way to go Nella for standing!
Love the new blog header of Lainey!
And ditto what Sandy said. I’d rather have a messy house & happy kids than the alternative. Keep smiling, momma! You are doing just fine!
Lots of love from Japan!
Our house seems to have a trail of laundry on the steps, on the landings, in a room or two or three or attempting to make it downstairs. It’s all good.
Love Nella’s marshmallow smiles. Geez, happy kid x 1000.
GN. Sleep tight. Loved the words. Still reading them. Today is one of my favorites. It’s about living in the present.
-Jennifer from Annapolis
I have to chuckle whenever I see you swear on the blog wondering what your dad says to you after so got an extra chuckle from today’s post.
Loved the photos from this post kell! Beautiful and so… Summery! It makes me wanna grab that watermelon nail polish and slap it on in February!
Love <3
I have to laugh when you write: smiles all Winston Churchill-like. Now every time I see a picture of Nella smiling I instantly think of that. Makes me giggle all the time even just thinking about it.
Sweet photos!
🙂
Teri
Don’t even get me started on the pile of laundry, pots in the sink and that pail of diapers that isn’t washing itself let me tell you. I decided that a visit to my grandma’s was more fun than cleaning tonight! Kids had a blast like always and I half cleaned the living room after they went to bed. If someone pops in for tea tomorrow, it’ll look clean from where they are! I can do it all tomorrow, or the next day.
I just love these shots. And, do babies get any happier than your Nella is trying to acomplish things? Beatiful!
Cloth diapers! You do? Or want to? Or hate it? I love my cloth and you should write about it, get the word out.
On Saturday my boyfriend and I had a big talk about money and how different our opinions are. Um, in other words, I spend too much. Then like 4 hours later I spent $50 getting my nails done on a whim with my bestie! Did I ever feel guilty. But thanks for pointing out to me that I have another chance to be better for next time. Like a breath of fresh air.
Ah, I am at least happy with the presence of guilt for language you didn’t learn from me–that guilt is my little gift to you. As for rooms that seem to self-mess, I remind you, someday your house will be perfect…perfectly quiet and perfectly in order. Everything will be found right where you left it. There will be no fingerprints on your sliding doors and no Trix under your table.
You will be able to see the tracks of the vacuum on your carpeting and your coffee table will be smudgeless and pristeen. And you will sit in the serenity…and hope your children call or come to visit…and you will wish there was one more spill to clean up and one more tiny tearful crisis to calm with your hugs. But I’m still not letting you get off with the language thing. I love you…go to your room!
–Poppa
I swear I think my heart just exploded at the sight of Nella’s face in those first two standing pics–that kid has got the most awesome smile ever. 🙂
Hey that looks like my room!!! Most of my house actually. Its driving me crazy but for once I feel the need to play instead of clean. Plan is to clean it tomorrow cause I didn’t have the heart to tell my big girl that she couldn’t fall asleep in “mommies bed” tonight. When daddy is at work it is her right to fall asleep there. Or so she thinks. Gotta move her tonight cause we are potty training and I really don’t wanna go there!
Sorry, my word was fearless! I just am afraid of everything…that I am not doing enough, being enough, protecting enough, protecting too much…..
my fearlessness is letting go so I can enjoy the small things. One step back, 3 badass steps forward….I like it!
Seriously Kelle- I am so glad you posted pics of the inside your mini van (from an earlier post) and your messy bedroom today. It gave me just a warm and fuzzy feeling that I am not the “domestic failure” that I seem to be! I know that I can’t say this enough, and it isn’t like you haven’t heard it before from others but….. your words about this incredible journey of motherhood, friendship, and life have gotten me through some tough moments- thank you girlfriend- you truly are a rock star!!!!!
Oh- and I can’t get enough of those beautiful pictures of your precious “littles”. They are like rays of sunshine!!!!
Love the pics of Lainey with the ice cream cone – stunning!
I would just like to second in no particular order: the mess, the guilt and the shameless swearing! Too true and also so funny!
Love the pics of Lainey with the ice cream cone – stunning!
I would just like to second in no particular order: the mess, the guilt and the shameless swearing! Too true and also so funny!
Beautiful and perfect!
thought provoking and gorgeous pics once again!!! I look forward to reading your blog each and everyday!! The pics of Nella standing are stunning she has such a bright smile!!
Entropy = the tendency of a closed system towards disorder (that’s what I remember from Physics 101 and it surely applies to our home). Thank you, Poppa, for the reminder of how one day I will look back on our messy house with fondness.
Oh, and I love your grey boots, Kelle!!
I just have to tell you how much I adore your blog. Your pictures (and the 2 little princesses in them) are so adorable and I always look forward to reading your newest post! 🙂
http://vandylandmommy.blogspot.com
Hey, Poppa knows best! :o)
Here is another angle Kelle to not use bad language…. Children, well teenagers, read your blog! Well, maybe younger children do too. I sometimes read aloud your blog to my 12 year old girl. Of course I know to skip over it. But, what if she took to reading it on her own.
Remember,it is better to be a good example, than a horrible warning!
You are a talented writer and have proven to millions you can get your point accross perfectly without naughty words!
:o) Smooch!
Love your little shadow hunter!
So I love reading and seeing all the pictures (the moments of your life)…
And in saying that – you are beautiful (in many ways) and so are those wonderful little girls of yours. So I want to say thank you for sharing – your honesty, your thoughts and the little things. You are inspiring 🙂
Just wanted to share – that is all 😉
To BEth (Feas..). Only FOUR weeks til Florida ! YAY!! Kelle, i always love the pics and these with the shadows..eating ice cream, great! Hmm…the language and guilt and your DAD, too funny and cute! And Poppa Rik, your comment is so funny but also so true and tugs at my heart. For my kids are grown up and I tell all young moms, it really does go too fast and there will be plenty of time for housecleaning and other things, babies and kids do not keep and they will be gone. ONe day you will look back and wish for one more day with them, as “littles” – and you would give almost anything for that, over a clean, TOO-QUIET house! Love from the Blog Mama ~
I knew that ice-cream was going to end up looking oh so lovely on the sidewalk!
As for slippage…we call it “broken windows”, from that theory that if a house is abandoned it won’t be vandalized as long as the windows are intact but once the broken windows start it’s all shot to hell…that’s how it is with cleanliness around here, after we manage to clean everything up (rare) we run around yelling “NO BROKEN WINDOWS!!!”
Is it funny that I couldn’t remember a single swearword in your entire post? Guess it didn’t bother me in the slightest. Loved this post, those pictures of Lainey eating the ice cream just make me want sunshine and warm weather SOo bad!!!
i love what your poppa wrote… i think about that often. those days when i will remember how crazy this all felt. *tear*… i adore how your writing makes me really feel my moments. thank you. p.s. i kind of like a well used intelligent curse word. makes me smile. 🙂
Imperfect is the new perfect… thanks for sharing it all!
cora and lainey could be bestest friends. because she uses the same line. all. the. time.
it’s either that or …
“hey mama, you wanna play? we can play that you are my mom and i am the daughter and finn is my brother.”
well. alrighty then dearheart. i was kind of thinking that we were playing that already …
ah well. i usually just say yes and do as i’m told. which usually involves me juggling several babies and a coffee mug while taking her to the zoo.
Well, I have to say – fearless to me doesn’t mean I’m not without fear. Let me explain! LOL. I have fearless tattooed on my arm, it reminds me to take new journeys, not be afraid to try new things, to put myself out there a bit more than I like initially. Sure, I have fear, but it reminds me to step it up a bit, to TRY, to not give in and think, “I can’t do this.” 😉
Anyway, lovely blog post as usual. 🙂
the shadow picture and the one toward the end of Brett and Nella….heart is melting. Great moments you catch. Especially the mundane (seemingly) moments! My husband and I were having a funny conversation lately and I asked him about any red flags he’d seen in my life lately and he said my swearing!!! Wow… I didn’t realize I had that problem, but I guess it caught up with me. 🙂 sometimes, it just feels good to say it a certain way!
I’m always reminded of how grateful I am that I found your blog after posts like these–it’s like you’re in my head but with a better camera (=
p.s. I am dying to know where you buy/find all of the girls tights? I find lots of babylegs, but I prefer the full bottomed tights so any helpful hints would be appreciated.
TIA (=
Absolutely beautiful post! (When do you swear?!) I haven’t read anything too serious yet! 🙂
Love all the small things you shared today – especially Lainey and the many stages of a child’s ice-cream cone! I remember loving them that much too – but, prissy little kid that I was, I h.a.t.e.d. it, when the melting ice-cream trickled all the way down from my wrist to my elbow! Lainey appears much better able to cope than I was!
Don’t worry about the mess – lovin’ on your family is way more important.
And right back atcha for the great week wishes!……………Rosemary
i read “Being Present” as “Being Pregnant”!!!!! and sleepy pregnant little me gasped and was wide eyed!!! haha!!! anywho…=) love love love the Shadow Hunter!!! =)
Kelle-
This is one of you “Dad” readers that loves to smile along with the joys that all families experience and share the sorrows that are part of the connections we have in this life. I’m deeply sorry to hear about your friend’s son from Michigan…I had just read an article in our local paper about the accident shortly before reading your post. I cannot imagine what the family and those who had a personal relationship with him must have felt…know that we are praying for his family and all that knew him. On a final note, I loved the picture of Nella chasing the shadow. I have my own pics of my two girls discovering the wonders around them in the same way and I’m waiting for my little 1 year old guy to join in the hunt. A heartfelt,”Thank you for sharing”, from one of your Dad readers from Ohio.
Sorry…The name above should be Eric, not “Erid”, although I do think it makes me sound a bit more mysterious. I guess I just blew the whole, “Guys are great at technology” thing. Sorry guys.
Love the pictures! Glad to know my house isn’t the only one experiencing slippage:0) I’m so jealous of your warm weather – today I had spring fever. It was 25 degrees outside. Agh. Hope you enjoy your week as well! Thank you for another fun post!!
http://www.kansaspeaks.blogspot.com
Why is it that I always seem to either smile or cry, or both, every time I read your blog? For the record ~ there’s MUCH more smiling. 🙂
I love how you share how you FEEL ~ which in turn brings me closer to my own feelings.
P.S. I so get that point where it’s going to either get picked up and kept tidy or lost to complete chaos…
1. We talked about this. I love swearing. A carefully placed swear is the best. Poppa, ok?
2. Love Nella’s skirt.
3. One of my favorite posts of yours in recent memory. Just real and out there. Like I am talking to you on the phone. I like that.
4. It’s amazing we live in the same country. There are piles of ice hanging from my rain barrels and a five-foot snowman in my boulevard.
5. That shadow pic is fabulous.
6. Adore your inner dialog while sorting laundry and 2T organization.
I need some of you great weather. I seems so cold here in Utah. Shadow Hunter is great and I’m so amazed at Nella standing.
Nella is not only a shadow hunter, she is a “life hunter”; leading a large pack of blog followers who are hunting down the real meaning of life. She is amazing and inspirational and I adore all that is Nella!
-Jenny
Dang! Missed another giveaway.
Still – the image of “three badass steps forward” coupled with the cup o’ tea in my hand, the music rockin’ in my ears, and the sweet image of Nella dipping her fingers in the sunlight, and Lainey dipping her fingers in the remnants of the ice cream – they just propelled me three badass steps forward. Thank you.
Argh! And then I just read Poppa’s words and my eyes are filled with tears. Such beautiful words – and they hold such power when spoken from someone’s father – thank you for those, Poppa – you blessed me tonight in my [messy] house full of happy sleeping children. Thank you, too.
loved your post tonight! i’ve been looking for more blogs that shine through with momma creativity! with four little ones it’s where i need to be inspired! that you have done!
blessings to you,
olivia
Your post really hit home tonight! On your contest for one word year I couldn’t come up with a singular one for being present. 2010 was a year of survival and I want to be there for my girls this year and fully experience everything!
I love all your pictures. Miss Nella is such a smart girl. My 12 month old hasn’t noticed shadows yet.
The sticky ice cream hand of Lainey made me smile. And that can-do smile of sweet Nella has melted my heart a little bit more tonight.
Thanks for sharing!
The sweet smell of grass? Hmmmm. . . 🙂
xo
Shadow hunter made my night… thanks for that!
Way to go Nella, you are standing so beautifully!! And such a cute shadow hunter, too funny! I just love the toddler years, watching as they branch out socially, and playing “let’s be friends”, such a precious age. I meant to tell you in your post the other day how cute Nella was in her little polka dot cloth diaper!! I’ve used cloth with all 4 of my kiddos, and just love seeing a little cloth covered bum.
Thank you for the reminder to actaully be present. I chose to stay home with, and homeschool my children, so that I wouldn’t miss all these wonderful moments. But sometimes, when I’m pulled in 4 directions because everyone needs my attention, and the dishes are piling, the laundry is looming, and tummies are grumbling, it’s so hard to stop, take the time, and really Be There, with one child. I needed that reminder, and they need me. Just me, focused on them, even if it’s only for brief periods during the day. I had a system where each of my 3 older children (10, 8 & 5 this week) were my “helper of the day” with certain tasks like laundry helper, kitchen helper, and cleaning helper. I had kind of gotten away from it, and I’m going to start reclaiming it tomorrow. It not only gives them time to learn how to handle these important life skills, but it gives them time with just me, helping not only mom, but helping the whole family. One on one time, with a healthy dose of pride in themselves for a job well done.
I have to tell you, my little 10 month old, Sarah, is smitten with Nella.<3 She’s big into waving these days, and everytime she sees Nella’s photos on the computer she sits forward, smiles from ear to ear, and waves like nobody’s business! She waves at Lainey, and everyone else sometimes too. But Nella, she beams when she sees her picture, even from across the room. <3 And the picture of Nella waving at the end of one of your posts from the other day? Sarah eats it up! She knows Nella’s waving back. And I think she recognizes that they share the same magic. ;o) I finally got a video of her waving at Nella tonight, just precious.
Oh man – I thought you had somehow snuck into MY bedroom and taken a photo…LOL…glad I’m not the only one with clothes and stuff strewn all over the floor. And my husband doesn’t understand why! Someone needs to tell him that I’ve got better things to do with my time – like tickle my 10 month old and watch him sleep and take him for sled rides…etc, etc.!!
Loved this post – even the swearing!
Yet another post that spoke to me! 🙂
And thank you Poppa Rik for the reminder that the time for mothering is now, and that one day I’ll be longing for their messes to clean. It reminded me of the last stanza of a wise, old poem.
The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,
for children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
I am in love with your life. <3 Thanks!
oh my good gracious, how could you not squeeze and squish and smooch your nella?!!! those pics of her standing up are irresistible!
and i, too, love to sit back and listen to my 3 year old have conversations with his “buddies”…my favorite time is at night when he’s talking himself into slumber land!
as alway, love your honesty! thank you!
Apologies to your dad, but I like it when you let a little swear word rip now and then. You are by no means a potty-mouth, and every once in awhile, nothing less expresses it quite as bluntly. I say, keep it real.
TO ERIC (aka Erid – ha). Love your commnt and welcome to you, one of the “Dad readers”. I laughed when I read that you are Eric, not Erid. Hmm..I thought Erid DID sound kinda mysterious and kinda cool, but, yes, very different. I don’t see many “Dad readers” here, so it is just good to read your comment. But I do share this blog with my hubby, as I think many here do. From the Blog Mama
Please swear. Keep it real. Love the shadow stalker! Awesome photo.
Another perfect dose of small things to enjoy! Lainey eating the melting ice-cream is just oozing summer goodness! And…the messy bedroom floor can wait….there’s too many other good things to enjoy like shadow chasing, chalk drawing & bare-foot play 🙂
My 3 year old is also shadow obsessed. In fact she watches a YOUTUBE video over & OVER again. An old episode of Casper the friendly ghost being a shadow for a little bear, coz he was sad that he couldn’t find his shadow 🙂 I’ll send you the link soon….Nella will love it 🙂
xo
P.S. Kelle’s Dad….go easy on her 🙂 Hehe!
your updates make me happy 🙂
lovely little details {blog}
<3
I love your blog, it makes my day!
<3
I love your blog, it makes my day!
Nella is so gorgeous making a shadow with her hand!
The dialogue Lainey uses for her stuffed animals is so sweet.
xo
When I find a new post on your blog, it’s a great start of my day!
Have to say I’m a little jealous on your summer weather… Where I am, it’s snowing heavy, strong wind and minus 10 degrees C. How I long for summer…. Love your photos as usual. The girls are fab. Have my own marshmallow to squish, and I do know the feeling of not getting enough. Have a great Valentines day and take care! 🙂
Beautiful post, and I absolutely love the pictures of Nella standing up, just beautiful x
I found your blog a few weeks ago. I love the way you capture raw honesty in yourself and the world. You balance fear with courage. Keep it up =o)
Linda
I need to be more present. I find myself getting so caught up in my teaching, that I forget to spend some time doing the important teaching (being present) at home. Thanks for the reminder….maybe a forehead tattoo for me!
Oh, my house does just the same! But, after reading a comic strip in our Swedish paper the other week, I’m prioritising. The strip showed a picture of a mum sitting playing handpuppets with her child, surrounded by the everyday chaos. The caption read “No one ever said on their deathbed that they wished they had spent more time on housework.”
Made me stop and think. Made me sit on the sofa and read a book with my little kidlets. Made me do a quick lick and promise job on the kitchen and sit and draw. Made me not check the computer for emails/fb update and play playmobile. Made me….mamma again.
Love that you have a little shadow hunter, she looks great in her blue spotty dress with the duck on it. The series of shots with Lainey and her ice-cream, love that she’s allowed to enjoy it without worrying about the mess!
I had a crisis of presence myself a few weeks ago, and have since found that my periodic “checking out,” whether by multi-tasking or daydreaming or whatever, has really enabled me to be fully present with my son for more sustained periods. It’s like how a coffee break makes me a better employee, even though I’m stepping away from my desk.
You seem blissfully in touch with your girls and your family.
And you touch thousands of people daily. Good work, mama.
Your pictures make me ache for summer.
<3
What a great post! I loved the part on having “healthy fears”….it’s so true. I beat myself up for having fears but then I realize that maybe they are keeping me from doing something stupid!
And I adore Lainey’s dress with the russian dolls and those moccasins! And your outfit with the lace top, to die for!!! I love how you love your girls – it’s an inspiration!
what a great mama your little girls have! and all of y’all look so dang cute all the time! i love it! i’m jealous of your warm weather!! 🙂
ps. i have a lainey also! isn’t it the BEST name! 😉 what is lainey’s middle name? 🙂
Just another wonderful post, swear words and all. 😀
Cleaning is futile anyway, you no sooner get it done and it needs doing again…
In the last picture I am wondering if that’s a shot of yourself to the left of your bureau?
As always, a treat to read your blog. I’ve got my mom, sister and sister-in-law reading it too!
Love the proud look on Nella’s face. It’s one of my favourite things about my little guy too – the cute proud smile he gets for his small victories throughout the day.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kelle,
That photo of Lainey lining up her “friends” hand ‘n’ hand is one of the most precious things I have EVER seen in my life. I actually teared up…OK…maybe I am pre-menstrual or something…but still Precious with a capital ‘P’
Lori
Oh the saggy tights are out of control here! FLORDIANS are not cut out for tights, coats and scarves. I continue to send my girls out underdressed on freezing days thinking, well it’s gotta warm up by noon!! Love you!
I love the picture of you kissing Nella’s squishy face!
i vote to keep the backyard party arbor. it’s like a secret entrance to an enchanted world.
Ah, your dad’s comment. (Yes, I scrolled through to find it.) Full of wisdom that man is…
oh.my.god.
Lainey’s babushka dress?! I WANT ONE FOR MYSELF! I love it so much!
Lovely post, as always. Enjoying the small things like they’re going outta style… perfection!
I love your outlook on life.. Seriously.. You inspire me.
This morning I received a copy of the book “14,000 things to be happy about” in the mail. I ordered it after seeing a post where you mentioned it.. I love it already and I’m only a few pages in!
Loving this post 🙂
I love your outlook on life.. Seriously.. You inspire me.
This morning I received a copy of the book “14,000 things to be happy about” in the mail. I ordered it after seeing a post where you mentioned it.. I love it already and I’m only a few pages in!
Loving this post 🙂
kelle,
your poppa is so right.
one day when there are no messes in the house you will miss it.
but you are so present with your babies and it is just a beautiful thing.when the hubster and i keep our grandbabies for a weekend and my daughter picks them up on sunday nite our house always looks like 100 tornados ripped through it,toys, clothes, sippy cups, craft projects, snacks, and lots of kid junk just everywhere, it gets pretty bad. but we dont care, we are too busy lovin on them sweet babes. my daughter says geez mom how can you stand your house to get this messy?i look around and say what? i dont see nuthin but two happy babies!
God bless ya girl and your sweet daddy too!~
PS – Loving Poppa’s comment.. Such a way with words 🙂
Your posts always brings a smile to my face. After a long day with my two it’s a great reminder to enjoy the small things. Thank you.
I love your blog. It makes me excited to become a mother in a few short months. Your pictures are amazing as well.
I also recently gave up blog-swearing but I am dying to write a post filled with cussing, cause sometimes nothing but the f-word will do. Love your life story, your little lovelies, your writing, your photos. and oh….the clothes. Fucking LOVE the clothes!
I swear, you write what we all want to say…I “feel” your emotions with every blog entry! What a gift you have in writing! I’ve been following your blog for a little over a year and love, love every post! Btw, that little blue and white polka dot dress with the duck on the front that Nella was wearing in a few of the photos, my daughter had one like it and I loved it! It brought back memories of my little one scooting around in hers. :o)
Swear? My husband likes to tell people that my kids learned everything at home so they wouldn’t be shocked when they went out in the big world..tee hee..swear on.
oooh I love Lainey’s ladybug bathers! I always wanted some when I was a kid….I also love Nella’s little crazy legs in the shadow photo. She is the picture of cuteness!
Oh my goodness! I think the whole idea of Nella scooting over to light for shadow play makes my heart soar! Another creative Hampton gal, perhaps?! And I love Lainey’s friendship play! A social butterfly!
I get more excited when you have a new post than when I get my Martha Stewart magazine in the mail….seriously……You are the best – even when you swear – LOL. Love love love your blog. Your pictures are amazing as usual. Have a blessed week with those beautiful little girls.
Completely relatable post. My kids have totally mellowed out my OCD tendencies, and taught me how to prioritize what’s really important. Laundry…way down on the list today!
i think you made up for the swear guilt by putting in the biblical reference to “first fruits”… 🙂
well done Abel, well done.
omg. I just sat at my desk and laughed out loud through your entire post! You’ve got such a great sense of humor, and love that I’m not the only one that gets a call from the parents about “the cussing blogs”!
Send some of that FL weather to VA! We need some sunshine and ice cream cones!
Have a great week!
http://thefrogblogva.blogspot.com
oh and christina’s superbowl performance…
embarrassing
overdone
highlight of the game
those things come to mind.
Ah the pool pictures are killing me! We cant get about 30 degrees, and are still havent seen the ground since DEC.1st…I do love the snow, but Im tired of it!!! Can anyone tell me where to get the flotation device lainey had on…I love it, but have not been able to find one like it!
Reading your blog makes me so upset…..but only because I’m snowed in and you guys are swimming and are eating ice cream.
Ohhhhhh…I know all about those marshmellow hugs. The best! It’s like 15 degrees here today, so enjoy that sunshine! xo
I love to see the nice weather. We’re heading to Florida in just under two weeks and are so excited to get out of snow for a week!
Ha! so great!
When my house gets to that point, I think “If I don’t clean soon, like *really* soon, the only other option will be to burn it down.”
So I clean. But only because I’m too lazy to rebuild.
The Shadow Hunter photo made my morning. Thank you!
Sanford and son truck!!! My word woman you crack me up.
And you’re right, never too much of ETST!!
Love this post! I’ve been looking for a floatie like Lainey’s, can you tell me where you found it?
My house tends to spend more time in the slippage (and post-slippage) state than it does in a neat state. I truly believe though that when my son grows up, he’s not going to remember how clean our house was when he was toddling around, but he IS going to remember all of the fun experiences of discovery we had that shaped him into the person he grows to be. So slippage, you’re WELCOME in my house!
So many tidbits to comment on! I’ll pick one: The Shadow Hunter….
thanks for the smiles
love the post, and all the posts to come. your so inspiring.
love and blessings
the doughtys
My mom always says a messy house is a house lived in!
I will gladly take her 2T clothes from you 🙂 lol
I LOVE their style. I mean they DO have style!!!
Just when I get anxiety about having a second child, I come to your blog and get so excited again. Especially sisters! (fingers crossed) I’m so jealous of your beautiful weather.
I’m LONGING for some sunshine and warmth. It’s February in Michigan…Need I say more?!
I needed this. The steps backward… the steps forward… the days with too many emails… the bra tags on your bedroom floor… the multi-tasking days… the being-present days. I am not the only one who is constantly balancing. The see-saw. I’m on it, too. Thanks for reminding me you’re a Mom playing on the playground, too.
Slippage. I love it. Slippage happens in my house daily. Sometimes I wish I could let it go and just be…present, instead of always cleaning it up right.then.and.there. But my slight ocd self won’t allow it. It’s possible I am setting my son up for these tendencies as well. Maybe I should get a grip. At least for his sake lol
Omyword…shadow hunter is the cutest thing ever. Beautiful pictures…Nella’s smile gets me every time. Sweet. I hope Lainey wasn’t too upset about her ice cream cone mishap. She’s so photogenic. 🙂
xo
Kris
Just read through some comments and found your Dad’s. *tears* He has a way of reminding us what is important. I’m leaving the mess tonight. 🙂
Kelle,
One of the things I have always admired about your blog was your commitment to keep it real. You have an incredible “voice,” and it simply resonates like nothing else!
I adore your father and enjoy reading his comments, he is a true poet.
The few curse words you used in your post today were helpful and honest and conveyed something beyond a darn or shucks or dagnabit. People cuss sometimes, you are fallible…it is ok.
That’s my three cents (adjusted for the price of inflation and all)….
Ok I don’t think I’ve ever commented on your blog before but just have to. Your blog is so uplifting and you have found a way to put into words the feelings that all of us mothers have that we just can’t find the words for- the love we all have for our children. And I just have to say that your 2 little girls are seriously 2 of the cutest kids I have ever seen- next to my own of course! 🙂 I love looking at your pictures of them and had to show my husband a picture of Nella the other day that I thought was just so beautiful and he agreed with me that she is insanely beautiful. (as is Lainey!!)
Literally dying, with the shadow pictures. I have a son the same age as Nella and I can’t even imagine the joy my husband and I would get from seeing him do something like this. Seriously stop it!!!
Nella is always smiling! She looks like the happiest baby ever! Lucky Mama, you are!!! 🙂
I love the lone Cheerio in the picture with Lainey and her dolls/lizards/giraffes holding hands. It reminds me of my house.
I love Nella and her shadow. What a little smartypants she is! Way too cute.
Happy Tuesday, friend.
XOXO,
Angie from Ohio
Kelly your clothes are darling! I am so jealous of your sense of style for you and the kids!
I am always inspired by your words and photos…they bring a smile to my face and oftentimes a tear to my eye. One of my favorite things to do after reading your post is to scroll through the comments looking for your dad. This morning his words really hit home.
I am living the life your dad speaks of…My own littles are all grown up and off at college, everything is in it’s place, I can see the vacuum lines in the carpet and there are times I literally ache to hear one of my daughters voices. Hug your girls a little tighter today…they grow up before you know it!
The swearing keeps it real:) Keep it up Kelle:) You write from the heart and that is what makes your writing the best.
Haha…Nelia is obsessed with shadows too! She will stare at her shadow for so long and it is so fun to watch her expressions as she tries to figure it out:) We did shadow puppets the other night on the wall and she thought it was the coolest thing ever!
Love your girls!!!! They are adorable!
And can I just say that I am insanely jealous of the swimsuits, swimming pool, and ice cream cones???!!!! It has been raining and cold here the last few days!
Oh, and lastly, where did you get your cute boots? Love em!
Love the picture of Nella and her shadow! So cute.
Great post!! You always make me think. Which is good!
Great post.
When you mentioned preschool homeschooling, it reminded me of a great set of books on the subject by Barbara Curtis.
They’re called “Mommy, Teach Me” and “Mommy, Teach Me to Read.” They’re from a montessori perspective and we’ve really enjoyed them.
Your little shaddow hunter is probably the cutest thing I have seen in a long time. I want to reach through my computer screen and squeeze her in that picture! My word of the year: strength. I am finding strength coming from places I didn’t know existed.
I love coming into work and finding a new post from you to start my day! I totally am feeling the slippage of cleaning in my house, we just got over the flu and everything has fallen through the cracks.
I hate to admit it but I hardly ever read my friends’ blogs or any blogs for that matter but I visit yours everyday and this last post is exactly why: you are REAL. Everything about your blog, everything about your pictures, everything about your stories are real life. They remind me that it’s OK to have a messy house and it’s OK that life is not perfect and during those moments of doubt, we should all be enjoying the small things! So I thank you for it!
Oh my gosh! I’m still chuckling over that first paragraph. Seriously!!! You had me laughing out loud because my girlfriends and I always joke and hum the tune to Sanford and Son when we feel like we’ve let things go or “slip” a little too long :)! HILARIOUS! Thank you for making my morning!
I love Lainey’s dolls all lined up, my son Theo who is close in age to Lainey lines his cars up all over the house, I love it!
The shadow hunter is so adorable!! That is so funny! And Laineys friends game? LMAO!! That’s so cute too! And your dad would shit himself if he read one of my blog posts….lol
My dad would yell at me for using swear words on my blog too 🙂
Oh…and the previous post…the 2nd picture…with Nella on the floor…that absolutely cracks me up…laugh out loud cracks me up 🙂
Nella is growing up so fast! what an adorable lil face!
xoxoxo lucky you with your bathing suit, tank top kinda weatha! lil different than up here in boston! 🙂
I simply ENJOY this sweet blog. The swears and ALL 😉
With all due respect to Poppa whom I’m infactuated with and wish he was my daddy – don’t stop the swearing, girlfriend. That’s what makes me laugh the most because you talk just like I do. One of these days I’ll clean up my mouth, but not today. It’s just not who I am.
Loving the picture of Nella and her shadow and the pictures of Lainey and her ice-cream. :)))
To be mindful and to acknowledge and make friends with all our emotions is so important … all feelings are valid … each emotion has an purpose …
XOX ~Much Love~
“Feelings and emotions are part of our natural guidance system that helps us shape our lives and become the most authentic, deep, and best person we can be. Some emotions bring us comfort, while others bring us discomfort, but they all come bearing important messages meant to keep us flowing in the stream of our best life – one of joy, passion, and genuine prosperity. This steady, constant life stream is continually bringing us towards our deeper home, the ocean of wholeness itself…” ~Michael Talbot
Lately, I have felt like my entire life is a non-stop battle against slippage. And I’m losing.
Also: cloth diapers. YES. I didn’t do them with my first baby but am with my second, and I love them. I got bumgenius. They are easy and CUTE.
I just laughed so hard in the library at work, again, at The Shadow Hunter. She is too fun for words! 🙂
kelle this is my first time commenting. i’ve been reading your blog for only a few weeks but i am utterly amazed. your photos are beautiful (i’m a photographer as well) & your daughters are delightful. :] i love the photos of the girls together, and like you’ve said, i love how you can see genuine true love between the two of them. reading your blog is making me want to make changes to my own life. i want to live every day more fully & capture even more of my son’s life in photos. he’s 15almost 16 months old & this stage of his life is SO precious i try not to miss a second. thanks for the beautiful & heartwarming reading!
bailey http://www.baileyandleo.blogspot.com
i just loved this post friend… i think it’s great that you throw the swear words in!! i know i’ve wanted to and haven’t had the courage (yet!) 🙂 btw. did you get those grey boots at target!?!? if so, i have them too and LOVE them!! seriously, love them. 🙂 girl, i’m in Orlando (which isn’t far from you) love to meet in the middle sometime!!
hihihi “shadow hunter” <—- I love it!
Love the shots with the ice cream cone and your feet by the edge of the pool…makes me long for some sun in this 20 degree snow in Ohio!
I just love reading about your beautiful girls! I have a 3 year old daughter also, and I just laugh at the stories you tell about Lanie because my Hannah does so much of the same things! I love the pretend conversations with her “friends”! Have a wonderful day 🙂
Oh how I adore the shot of Nella in your arms…just says it all about being a mom! I have to admit, I look at your post everyday just to take a look at what warmer weather looks like! 14+inches of snow on the ground and yet another wind chill advisory in effect, yep, sounds like fun huh! NOPE. Anyway thanks for the great post…made me feel somewhat normal…and for the great pics as always!
Love this – all of it! Especially the picture of Lainey eating ice cream and it running down her arm.. perfect! And Nella with her shadow? ADORABLE!!!
Oh I so agree with your sister that a little fear is not a bad thing…keeps us grounded and not rushing through life like runaway freight trains. All emotions in balance are a good thing. And being the quote whore that I am I will end this with a quote on fear…excuse the phrase but you got to swear and maybe me calling myself a quote whore will distract your readers from your swearing..just doing it for you friend!!! I am cracking me up today for some reason!
“Each time we face our fear, we gain strength, courage, and confidence in the doing.”
Now isn’t that the truth!♥
Kelle,
I spotted that Leap Frog heap of plastic and my mind said, “ONE,TWO-THREE,FOUR-FIVE, SIX-SE-VEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEEEEEEEEEN!!!! It’s got the catchiest little tunes and most exuberant singer in there, huh?
Where did you get nellas adorable ducky dress?? My Lola needs it.
Ps the shadow staker made me laugh. I have an 11 month old & love her quirks. Lolas most notAble quirk is her “head tilt” where she cocks her head kind of like a dog does when they hear a funny sound.
Nella us a doll
I adore the shadow hunter. Made my heart smile. I also love the comment your dad made. I’ll remember that when my messy house is driving me crazy.
I laughed at your dad calling when you cuss…my mom leaves me a message on facebook. she just writes potty mouth on my page. cracks me up.
I just popped on to comment about your comment about cloth diapers and then I read your dads comment saying
“someday there will be no messes to clean…”
I actually teared up at the thought. Wow how I love my messy house right now.
Anyway, cloth diapers arent just for granola heads or whatever stereotype people have for them. I used them and I loved it. They come in so many patterns and colors. Almost like an accessory 🙂
LOVE THe shadow hunting! Hey where did you get the cute little babuska doll dress Lainey is wearing? The little girl we are adopting is from ukraine and that dress would be so cute to have for her and Bree. Thanks!
Kecia
I love your blog! 🙂 Nella chasing her shadow is too cute and Lainey is looks so serious with her ice cream cone! Your girls are adorable.
I always love your posts but 2 things stood out to me on this one that I especially loved! one… you wearing boots while your girls are in summer tank dresses! Love that you have your cold weather favorites & will wear them no matter what! and two… lainey eating the ice cream even after it fell — my Lainey would probably do it too!
xoxo-s
I am madly in love with your blog. You are just so darn relatable. And those kids are just do darn darling. Keep the posts coming. Love from another Michigan girl!
Hmmm…You conversely make me want to be a better mom, and not beat myself up over stuff at the same time. Nice paradox – it’s why I enjoy reading…keep on keepin’ on.And the swearing? You’re just keeping it real.
Sorry to your dad for saying this but don’t stop swearing…I love it:) (Ok maybe it’s because I have a bit of a naughty mouth myself:) hee hee)
Reading your blog is like flipping through the Bible, or stumbling across a great quote — I always feel like the post of the day was written for me. LOVE the pic of you kissing Nella’s little smushy face. Enjoy the weather!
I always said that ifI had a child or grandchild with a disability please make it DS. To me it is not a real disability. Your daugher is precious and I made sure my second cousin knew about your blog. She just had a little girl with Down Syndrome and I want her to see what a blessing it can be. Thank you so much.
cloth diapering…I thought I spotted a polka dotted swaddlesbee in a picture of Nella a couple of posts ago. We did it, not as much work as you would think, but I’m wondering if it will work for you since you proclaimed your tendency to get behind on laundry. Unwashed dippies not a nice scent, but you can’t beat the look of a squishy tush!
I love watching little Nella hit her milestones! My little baby girl is 3.5 months and I’m dying for her first tooth, first crawl and my first real hug from her.
Watching Nella gets me excited for what I have in store.
Never ever a dull post … you are such an inspiration!!! Thank you!!
never posted here before, but I love this blog. I can really relate as a fellow photographer/mom/project person/passionate artist-type. And who can help but be inspired here. I’m from Michigan, so I like to think we might have crossed paths once. 🙂
And your daughters are beautiful!
you just like the arbor because it looks like FALL
and the picture of Nella standing? uh-maz-ing
and you and all your bathing suits and dresses are sooooo making me wish it was summer (indiana)
I think every little girl of a certain age plays the same “lets be friends” game LOL! my 3 year old is into it hard core: “Hi, whats your name? Let’s be friends.”
Great post. Swearing and all 😉
Such sweet summer pics! I can’t wait for summers with my kiddos…currently pregnant with my first! I have been wanting to start a blog for so long and finally did! Check it out…we share a favorite quote so that was my inspiration!
Hi..I am new to “blog world” and stumbled across your page 2 mths. ago. Today’s post was my most favorite. Like others said-it was just so real and in a “in your head” kinda way. You have an amazing talent and I truly enjoy reading your blogs.
Your girls are precious. God Bless
As always… LOVE the blog…this post was a favorite because even though you thought you were talking about enjoying the small things… you were talking about some really great big gravy things.
I’m addressing valentines cards, listening to your Sufjan song choice and thinking of Lainey’s puppet voices, Nella’s hand shadows, and your ability to pull off the perfect skirt and shoe combo. I have blog love for ya. 🙂
You are an inspiration! I have a quick story:
My daughter ran for Homecoming Queen this year (she was princess last year). There were several girls in the running, one of them was a girl with Downs Syndrome, whom we have known since Kindergarten (she was my student). My daughter’s high school, overwhelmingly, voted for the girl with Down’s Syndrome! It was amazing, her face in that moment, was breathtaking. My daughter, who was the only girl who did not place, said to me: “mom, it is okay that I didn’t get chosen at all. I happily give my spot to Melissa, that is what God wanted.”
Keep on inspiring us with your words, your photographs, and your love for your children.
Janine
I had to stop back and look at the pic of Nella and the shadow. I do not know what it is about this picture, but it really touches me. It’s so sweet…the innocence and wonder of babyhood/childhood. I just love it.
There are two definitions of fearless.
oblivious of dangers or perils (bad) or calmly resolute in facing them (good) 🙂
I have decided to be calmly resolute in facing my fears, to not let them keep me from what I can be, or from doing what I really want to do. I get serious anxiety about everything and I don’t want it to hold me back anymore. For me, its not being afraid of the real that is bad, its being afraid of the imaginary.
My quote for this year is…. “I am not afraid. I was born to do this.” ~ Joan of Arc
PS. I personally think you are pretty fearless, in the second definition of the word. 🙂
Please share where you got your grey boots from! I’ve been stalking zappos and shoebuy for days trying to find something! I’m in love with yours!
Well put.
Could just help lick up that ice cream, yum!
Can I just say that you are amazing? How you find time to blog. And live a wonderful life with your family…inspiring. Truly inspiring! 🙂 Where do you shop? You and your darlings always look so chic and amazing! 🙂
xoxo,
Bug & Ruby’s Gram
long time stalker, er…reader, first time poster.
i’ve got a perfect first daughter and then 2 perfect younger daughters with special needs. so your words and positive attitude resonate with me on almost every level. i love my life and my children.
and fyi *ahem*, i read blogs simply for the thrill of possibly reading the occasional properly placed swear word because god knows they’re funny and always take the edge off whatever situation called for them in the first place.
shadow hunter — the most adorable thing ever. your photos are stunning and magical!
Where did you get your boots and shirt/dress?? love it!
Ok so seriously cracking up at your shadow hunter! She get it from her mama! Lol. This post was a perfect ending to a day of lost shoes,messy houses, piles of laundry, dirty knees on crawling babies from what I thought was a clean floor and pms. I’m officially in a better mood. Haha! Also, just venting…my mommy peeve is when someone says oh I feel so much better when you “fill in the blank” too. Good to know I’m not the only one. (Kid having a brat day or laundry mountains,messy rooms or totally trashed vehicle “guilty”.) Kick em while they are down why don’t cha right? Ugh. Just sayin’
nella seeking the shadow makers? – unbelievably awesome. none of my kids ever even *thought* of doing that. swearing? its ok kelle…swearing releases the pent up ****….see? i just swore, and i feel so much better!
It’s always such a treat to see there is a new post on your blog. I LOVE reading it and it always adds a little sunshine to my day!
It’s always such a treat to see there is a new post on your blog. I LOVE reading it and it always adds a little sunshine to my day!
LOLOLOL too funny!! Go for the cloth diapers, they rock! Used them for my 3rd and then wished I’d used them all along!
And there has to be a God, seriously, this all can’t be for NOTHING?!?!?!?! 🙂
Kristi
Tell Poppa, I just felt compelled to post his quote as my facebook status to remind my fiends that these moments with our littles are fleeting and the things we complain about now will be the things we long for when they are gone. xoxo
Jill
http://www.jillcarilli.blogspot.com
Confession: I try not to swear either, except when they slip out of my mouth when I trip in public, or stub my toe on the bed post, etc, BUT the way you perfectly place your swear words with such sarcasm and class… CRACKS me up! Seriously, I usually find myself laughing out loud at them. You do it so “tastefully” without going overboard, if that’s even possible?!?! (Poppa is right, and he’s giving you great advice and the perfect dose of guilt I’m sure.)
LOVE the Shadow Hunter picture… oh my goodness… TOO CUTE! And the fact that Brett wanted to take credit for Lainey’s social skills… PRECIOUS!
Loved this post as usual.
<3 Amber
So I make it through your entire post today with just a teary eye from looking at sweet Nella standing up all proud and then I read what your Dad wrote!! On came the “ugly cry.” Today I will leave the smudges on my windows and fridge and will step over the cheerios for an hour! Beautiful words and pictures as always!
Wow, do you even get a chance to read all these comments? I am going to tell you something, that is not new for you to hear. I just started reading your blog, and I love it! You are very inspiring and very creative! By the way, I went through your music list, and you an I have alot in common on our music likings. So I grabbed a few for myself. I hope you don’t mind 🙂
Kelle, Thanks for the glimpses of HOPE in the midst of my distraction. Yesterday was definitely a day of guilt for not being an intentional mom on yet another snow day. I was so encouraged by your reminder that guilt can be a good balancer.
My husband and I also find sooooo much encouragement from Nella’s developmental strides. Our little Garrett who also has an extra special chromosome is just a few months behind Nella and also loves light. He hasn’t quite figured out the shadow thing yet but we can totally see him doing that when he starts moving. And her triumphant expression at standing is a precious glimpse of the future.
Thanks!
The “Shadow Hunter” picture made my week! Truly beautiful.
You are all soo beautyful:-)
🙂 love the shadowhunter picture! my 13 mo. old does the exact thing!!! They are drawn to the Light!! God Bless you!
“One step back and three badass steps forward.” —-> love it!!!
I think I say this in every comment to you, but Nella is just the sweetest, most adorable, shadowhunter everrrrr! I just want to pinch her cheeks! And her smile is so contagious. Always brightens up my day.
Love what you say about slippage! I had a big tidy up in my room yesterday and have just been sitting in there contemplating the four or five random items that have arrived since and wondering whether it’s too early to bother to step in..
Some very cute dresses today, the Russian dollies and Nella’s duck ( goose?) dress, real raise your spirits clothes.
I like what your sister says about fear, I was going to say it is terrifying to think where we’d be without it, but that seems to not make sense!
Aw your daughters are so adorable aren’t they? I so glad of this post. I was totally feeling guilty mum wise. my house is such a mess right now. And you’re right, it happens every now and then. And then you spur yourself on. Thanks to your little nudge I shall do just that!
Kelle,
I love that you are so real! A messy house is reality. I live in reality, too! And because of that, I was able to forget about the dinner dishes and dance with my 9 year old, Gabe last night. He was wondering how he would know how to dance at him prom some day! If I had ignored that request, I might have had a clean kitchen this morning…..but who cares about THAT!
Some may say, “reality bites”, but I say it’s delicious!
Kelly 🙂
Those pictures of Nella standing are beyond words. I’d be punch drunk love too!!!!! And Lainey’s pretty sweet herself ;).
Loving the Shadow Hunter and the fallen ice cream cone!!
Sometimes when I’m out with my three babes people make comments like, “wow, you have your hands full”, my response, “better full than empty!” Which leads me to my view on our laundry and messy rooms, they can wait, these babes can’t, one day they won’t be making all these messes and I’ll wish I had them here doing it.
I am a research junkie…love data, studies, facts, SO when a study came out on swearing I was interested.
I have been known to have a potty mouth. Let’s face it, those words capture a LOT of emotion with brevity.
Well, this study was the justification I needed not to stop using appropriate-for-the-moment swearing. Apparently, swearing reduces road rage, swearing in fact is a release of pent of frustration that otherwise has the potential to become physical. As a mother of boys I turn a deaf ear to some of the language and say a prayer of thanks that words are used, not violence, and I still let it rip myself because sometimes there is no substitution for the foul-word. So, despite longing to be royalty and desiring to be capable of behaving like a princess, I give myself permission to swear like an uncivilized creature when appropriate.
I love the B&K on your wall for 2 reasons. 1. because my parents are ‘B’ & ‘K’ and when my siblings, husband and I refer to them we say things like “Going over to B&K’s wanna come?” 2. because my husband and I also have our initials on our wall connected with an ampersand.
P.S. I like when you cuss. Keeps it real. 🙂
Hi Kelle! I love you blog. It brightens my day. I’ve been following since Nella was born and I hear ya…can’t believe it’s been a year! It’s so fun to watch your girls grow. I love the way you write, you are so talented at creating beautiful pictures with your words…they seem to echo all that I’m thinking but can’t articulate so eloquently. I’m a mom to 5 between the ages of 8 and 7 months. I love every minute…whether chaotic or peaceful. That said, I’d like to weigh in on the swearing topic. My children love looking at your pictures also and they know your children by name. We are a non-swearing family, however, and my older children (who can read) always want to read over my shoulder. For now, I don’t let them and I must admit it bums me out to not be able to share without proofreading. Just a thought. I will always love your blog; it’s the only one I follow, but just giving you something to think on.
Blessings on your day!
Wow – 208 comments, do you even get the time to read them all?
Just wanted to say, although I surely do agree with your Dad (!) sorry 🙂 – I love, love, love, your posts… always they inspire me and make me want to be a better Mumma. I mean, REALLy want to be a better Mumma.
PS – I adore the smiles – so real. Gorgeous.
Go Nella with your standing – you are a rock star. And the happiness on your face is priceless. Love all these photos; Lainey + ice cream = perfect pictures 🙂
Whew, I just finished reading your blog from the beginning to present time over the last few months and I just wanted to say thank you! Thank you for all of your honesty, your positive outlook and your beautiful pictures. I just got my own copy of ‘14,000 Things to Be Happy About’ and I already feel like it’s feeding the ‘good wolf’ 🙂 You have inspired me to finish projects I had let get dusty, to get out, do more, be more and suck the marrow out of life. Thank you.
my kitchen could currently walk, or rather slither in a slimy fashion, and my son said “goddamnit” today. twice. he’s 2.
sometimes we have these days. then we get sprinkled ice cream cones!
Look at her standing! She is too adorable.
I just started reading your blog and you have truly inspired me. My daughter is just turning 18 months old, and it is so refreshing to follow the journey of other moms and read their stories. I’m not alone out there! There are other moms that love saggy tights just as much as me!
Ahh, now I have the perfect word for it. Slippage. Yes. I get that.
LOVE the photos of Nella standing!! Go Nella!
Esther D
i loved your post, swear words and all. i definitely feel like being at home is a balancing act, are we doing too much, are we doing enough? such a hard role we mommies have, and i love the punch drunk love when then make us all happy and we have to pick them up and hug them tight!
I loved the photos of you and Nella standing! That dress is adorable but not as cute as that smile! I wish that warm weather would find its way north. . I am ready to bust out the flip flops. I even got a pedicure to make my feet all pretty in hopes of warm weather to come and flip flop season to arrive!
As I was reading your latest post my 11 year old son snuck behind my shoulder and caught a glimpse of your little Nella smiling in her daddy’s arms. He let out a little squeal and giggled while saying “Oh, she’s so cute!” Your little peanut is stealing hearts, even from adolescent boys. Thanks, as always.
Fabulous. We got 7″ of snow today – I love coming to your blog and seeing swimming shots and drippy ice cream cones.
love you. xoxo
I don’t know what I would do without your playlist. Seriously, I think I’m on here everyday just to take advantage of your great taste in music while I work/play/enjoy life!
I love me a cussin’ blogger, though. I’m just sayin’.
Love that your Dad called you to tell you to stop cursing. And you didn’t listen : )
I was pondering the thoughts in this post when my word of the year came to me (I know I am really late) : balance.
This word will become my mantra, I think. 🙂
Thanks for the inspiration.
I am suppose to be doing work but I thought about just peeking at your blog to see if there are any updates….this is a common theme for me. I can’t help it, you’re an amazing writer (and I love your little dry humor ad ins that are easy to miss if not careful!)and the pictures of your girls are priceless. Both of them are beautiful and so sweet.
I have a good friend who always says, “Nykki, Im going to suck all the juice out of life that I can!”….I love her for that and respectably so….you as well! take care
i have those grey boots from tarjay too! i love them, they match my puppy 🙂
Eek the ice cream photos make me so excited for summer!
Also, I loved the word of the year idea. After I submitted mine, I thought about it more and came up with a new one: Twitterpated. I think twitterpated sums up my feelings and life right now being home with our almost 5-month old girl! 🙂
love love loved! the shadow hunter picture. beautiful capture 🙂
I ADORE Lainey’s Russian nesting dolls dress! I’d wear one if they made it for adults, darn it!
I just want to say how adorable your babies are. I have read your story and am so inspired by women like you who don’t hold back on their raw emotions. You have inspired me to not hold back on mine and to finally start my book I have been putting off. Thank you for sharing your story, I love seeing updates from you and your little ones!
Always love your posts–they renew me! Are you considering cloth diapers? I have been toying with this for some time and trying to determine if we’ll do it….
i added your pool side feet shot to my blog http://seewhereyoustand.blogspot.com/ hope you don’t mind! i just loved the colors 🙂
You have the most beautiful little girls! I love to peek at their faces! Thank you for sharing them. They make me smile.
As I was going through this post I immediately got in touch with my one friend who is my version of Rachel Zoe and told her I must have your outfit! (hat, lace top, leggins, and boots) I see a shopping trip in my future (and I don’t even like to shop! or dress up!)
Amazing pictures, i really like your baby pictures, she is very cute.
Just my size bras