Enjoying the Small Things

Enjoying the Small Things

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The Things We Bring Home

July 31, 2015 By Kelle

I’m a dreamer–always have been, always will be. No matter how grounded in reality my feet are, there are these thoughts that still escape as balloons–brightly-colored ones that bob high in the air, sometimes breaking loose and sailing away to God knows where–a balloon carnival.

I brought a bundle of these balloons home from our summer adventures–optimistic thoughts inspired by all the slow mornings we enjoyed and the observations I had time to explore.

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I’m going home a better person! I’ll be more organized, more thankful, more attentive. I’ll read more, listen more, savor more, sip my coffee slower. I’ll plant a wildflower garden, dig a fire pit, mail postcards, wear a fluffy white bathrobe every morning (bought the exact same one my dad had at the cottage after falling in love with it). We will explore nature more together, gaze at stars more. I’ll be a better wife, a better mom, a better person. There is no shortage of helium in my balloons.

We’ve been home a few days now, and the balloons are off sailing somewhere. Yesterday after, I swear, my kids whined for the thirty-fourth thing within in a two-minute period and our clean house made the quickest transformation in history to messiest house ever, I got a little crazy.

“I’m going to be honest,” I told Brett last night, “I feel like I might lose my mind right here, right now in this kitchen. They didn’t do this on the trip.”

“I feel the exact same way,” he answered, “I can’t take it.”

“Well only one of us can lose it at a time, so you go first and I’ll take the little ones for a shower.”

Nobody lost it, and we managed to pull ourselves together for a family walk last night. Turns out three days is hardly enough time to implement life transformations and “life transformations” might be a little stretch on what is simply a sweetened approach to life after a full submersion in summer’s simple pleasures.

I’m wearing that bathrobe this morning and recognizing far more than yesterday the presence of those things we take home from adventures. I ordered the new book my cousin talked about, found the apricot scrub I fell in love with at my sister’s house, stacked the rocks I brought home from Glen Arbor which led to tidying a corner, rearranging a shelf.

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I’m thankful that in between I’m hungry, Open this, I want juice, Fix this, I want to go outside, there is wind in our hair and constant invitations–no matter where we are or what season it is–to slow down and enjoy life’s little pleasures.

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The last photos from our northern Michigan summer…


The gardens…the product of many, many hours of Gary’s hard work.

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Our completed summer bucket list vests

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The swing and the hammock ended up providing so many hours of fun for the kids this summer.

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My favorite nights. A big fire, a circle of family.

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Just like her mama.

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A visit to Detroit where the kids got to test out some cars…

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…and hang out by the river (Hi Canada!).

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Regular blog features to commence soon.

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Filed Under: Travel 30 Comments

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Comments

Leave a Comment
  1. Monique says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:54 am

    I look at every post..your family and photos always touch me.

    Reply
  2. Donna says

    July 31, 2015 at 9:33 am

    I think the kids might just be trying to adjust to home again after being on the road for a month. Sometimes it’s not so easy for kids to go along with everything that us seasoned adults want them to do. What we want doesn’t always equal what they want, or what they can handle.

    Reply
  3. jANICE says

    July 31, 2015 at 10:43 am

    Oh, don’t feel you have to hurry and commence with your regular blog features…this glimpse of your summer travels has been lovely! I’m so relaxed just looking at your beautiful pictures that I feel like I was along on the trip! I’ve enjoyed your blog for over a year now and appreciate the honesty you reveal in your writing and your pictures. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
  4. Jessica says

    July 31, 2015 at 12:09 pm

    Looks like such a beautiful trip!!! Your pictures could not be any more perfect! Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  5. Janet says

    July 31, 2015 at 12:35 pm

    Nella is so pretty…..

    I am very happy to experance Michigan through all your pictures. Makes me desperate to be back east, with green and water.

    Reply
  6. Maria says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    Beautiful pictures, Kelle. Can’t believe it’s August already. My Mom always use to say “School weather is just around the corner”. That meant buying new pencil cases & notebooks & uniforms in crisp, cool weather. We’re not there yet so enjoy the rest of your Summer!

    Reply
  7. Jennifer says

    July 31, 2015 at 2:23 pm

    Your kids are just beautiful! They has such captivating expressions. Still loving your blog and getting a peak into your family’s adventures and experiences. Such a joy, keep them coming!

    Reply
  8. Amy alberT says

    July 31, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    Looks like a perfect family get away! Two quick questions for you?
    First the little camera I believe Nella is holding, where’s it from?
    Second I love the GS sash idea for a bucket list for next summer. Where did you find most of the badges? Especially the ones related to specifics like the island you went too? My oldest did GS but after a while was just to busy and my Maggie has no interest, but doing something like this just might work!! Thank you:)

    Reply
    • Kelle says

      August 2, 2015 at 8:08 am

      Hi Amy!
      The Camera is an older model from Twig Creative: http://store.thetwigco.com/.
      The badges, believe it or not, I found on Amazon (most) with free Prime shipping. I did look on eBay for the location specific ones (found the Mackinac ones there). I just searched activities I wanted with “iron on patch” at the end (smores, campfire, library, kayak, etc.) and surprisingly most of them came up in the form of a patch! We now have the little sashes hanging in the hallway–a fun display reminder of our summer adventures.
      Good luck!

      Reply
  9. SHARI says

    July 31, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    Y’all were on vacation for what, almost a month? More than likely the kiddos need a little downtime to get back into the routine of home. I know that’s how my kiddos are; anytime there’s any change it throws everything out of whack. Can’t wait to see pics of the girls going back to school!

    Reply
  10. Heather Henricks says

    July 31, 2015 at 6:29 pm

    Lovely. Just Lovely. XOXOXOX

    Reply
  11. kara says

    July 31, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    My household is bat shit crazy nearly all the time. DRIVES ME INSANE. There isn’t a lack of rule enforcement, etc. (Type A girl right here.) All my kids fall under that stupid mantra of “they’ll be great leaders someday.” SURE. But their mother will die from heart attack/brain aneurysm/stress FIRST.

    Reply
  12. kara says

    July 31, 2015 at 6:54 pm

    love love love the pix, btw.

    Reply
  13. Alyssa @ Sweetly Tattered says

    July 31, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    Love these photos! You capture so much joy and happiness.
    http://www.sweetlytattered.com

    Reply
  14. Stacie says

    July 31, 2015 at 10:38 pm

    We stay in Michigan for about 3 weeks every summer and when we get back my kids always go through what I call the “detox” stage. They take a good week to transition back to regular life.

    Reply
    • Kelle says

      August 2, 2015 at 8:04 am

      Oh my Lord, detox. Perfect description. YES!

      Reply
  15. Beck says

    August 1, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    My balloons lasted almost a week (I only have one child). Could have sworn they were going to last forever! Thanks for the reminder to bring some of that vacation home. I think I also just need more vacation in my life…!

    Reply
  16. Katrina says

    August 1, 2015 at 6:47 pm

    I love all the photos! Beautiful.

    I have been following your blog for years, ever since Nella was born. Now I have my own Trisomy baby on the way (I’m 22 months along now) but my little guy has Trisomy 13 instead of Trisomy 21. And Kelle, to be perfectly honest, I have never wished for one of my children to have Trisomy 21… except for now. I really wish my little guy had T21 instead of T13. I see your Nella and I wish my son could have a life like hers one day; smiling and laughing and running around on the beach and playing with her siblings and going to school. But unfortunately, Trisomy 13 babies do not survive long. Nonetheless, I love my son with all my heart and have chosen to carry him to term, despite his diagnosis. I know his life, however short, has purpose.

    Reply
    • Kelle says

      August 2, 2015 at 8:13 am

      Oh Katrina, I feel you. I am so sorry for the grief you are feeling and for the loss of a dream that turned out differently than what you expected. This is what I love most: “I love my son with all my heart” and “I know his life…has purpose.” He will be held and kissed and cuddled by a mom who loves him so. He will know what it’s like to be cradled and sang to. Praying that those moments are sweet and that the brokenness of your heart as you care for him and prepare for loss is supported by so much love around you. Hope you find a little of that love and support in this place. Thank you for sharing your story. Hugs. xo Kelle

      Reply
      • Katrina says

        August 3, 2015 at 5:18 pm

        Thanks, Kelle 🙂

        Reply
  17. Gaia says

    August 3, 2015 at 6:47 am

    Nella’s sass is everything!

    Reply
  18. teresa says

    August 3, 2015 at 10:37 am

    Your pic of Nella “just like her mama” made me smile deeply and wonder if you’ve discovered Oliver Hellowell yet? Perhaps Nella will wow us the same way some day??!! http://www.facebook.com/OliverHellowellPhotographer

    Reply
    • Kelle says

      August 3, 2015 at 7:55 pm

      Just googled him…love. A great role model! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  19. Dede Taylor says

    August 3, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    Well, now I just want to come with you next year!!!
    Family, Fun & Friends, life doesn’t get much better than that!!!
    The picture of Nella sitting on the dock steps is priceless and the one of Dash bending over to drink …. Never mind, they are all just perfect – Thank you taking us along with you every year!!!

    Reply
  20. beth says

    August 3, 2015 at 9:22 pm

    Nella is seriously the cutest child on the planet earth!

    Reply
  21. joeyparkker says

    August 4, 2015 at 6:40 am

    Great ! It remember my childhood days

    Reply
  22. Jen says

    August 4, 2015 at 3:01 pm

    That is an absolute stunning picture of Nella in her bikini standing in the lake. Must. Frame. That. One.
    PS~ all your kids and pictures are stunning, btw.

    Reply
  23. Rebekah says

    August 10, 2015 at 10:27 pm

    That has to be the coolest temporary tattoo I’ve ever seen. I just showed it to my husband bc we were just talking about getting matching bears, since “Osborn” means bears. Dash is a little badass!

    Reply
    • Rebekah says

      August 10, 2015 at 10:28 pm

      Matching bear tattoos, that is.

      Reply
  24. Gretchen says

    August 18, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    Any chance you can share the bathrobe recommendation? I’ve been on the hunt for one and none of my usual sites has had much to offer. Thanks!

    Reply

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