The new paint hue that’s been rolled onto our office walls is a color recommendation from my sister whose brilliant suggestions of Intimate White, Romance and Buff have already scored in our home.
Pensive Sky, this new one’s called–a pale, dreamy blue-gray combination that is both warm and cool, serious and yet whimsical. I cannot help but smile when I walk into this airy happy hue and think of its really cool name every time.
The sky was indeed pensive this weekend, rendering a rare and most delicious Sunday morning shower that woke us with its rumbling thunder early, while it was still dark, and continued its comfort with torrential rains that lulled us back to sleep. By daylight, sun and rain made some sort of compromise and so it was–we enjoyed that fine middle ground of pleasant but dewy, warm but breezy, and a pale, dreamy blue-gray pensive sky.
Which is what our home seems to be the past several days. Busy, a bit messy, lots to do, coffee table littered with tissues and aspirators, to-do lists half-crossed off…but nothing that would alter the response to the proverbial “How are you?” with anything but a genuine smile and an honest “We’re fine.”
Chaos–the good kind–comes naturally to our home because we subconsciously torment ourselves with giant projects at the most inappropriate times. Like, I swear, every time we have company–the kind of company I want to impress with a clean house, candles, and a bathroom that, for once, smells like lemon and verbena–Brett decides to clean out the refrigerator twenty minutes before guests arrive. This has happened at least four times. I’m lining up wine glasses and fanning cocktail napkins at the same time he’s stacking Rubbermaid full of moldy taco meat and rancid Shepherd’s Pie next to the sink.
I digress.
So there are projects and snotty tissues and lots of things to do before company arrives late this week. There are cunning canines who wait for openings in the front door for their quick escape.
Let me tell you about Sophie. She is a very good dog, but a rebel dwells within. She runs away about twice a month. And when she does, chaos ensues. Neighbors calling that they saw her flash past their bouganvilla bushes, boys chasing her on bikes, Brett taking one side of the neighborhood on scooter and I, the other half in a mini van. We holler her name and shake Milkbone boxes. It’s quite embarrassing. But she runs. Like Marion Jones. And, I swear, every neighborhood dog is rooting her on, their snouts pressed behind living room windows, dreaming they are with her. They cheer her as she runs and runs and runs. Go, Sophie. Run.
Needless to say, this happened this weekend. Her escape. And it added to our chaos.
Pre-sprint warm-up. She doesn’t want to blow a hammy.
But at least the mad sight of us all going crazy to catch her is really, really funny.
*****
The hot glue gun is gettin’ some action with a birthday party coming.
And, like digging out old leftovers seconds before company arrives, how about we throw some house-painting into the mix?
Fingers crossed, by the end of the week, things will be completed, house cleaned and maybe–just maybe–lemon verbena candles flickering.
*****
We had a birthday party this weekend at Gymnastics World. I actually remembered to get a gift the day before the party as opposed to five minutes prior. And we had a card but we forgot it. And there was no tissue paper in our bag. So I did this sorry presentation of “Hey, see that doll in that pink bag over there? Yeah, that’s from your neighbors with the really messy house.”
It wouldn’t be so messy if I wasn’t hot-gluing rootbeer labels all week.
My girls loved Gymnastics World.
And I loved glancing over to check on them on the tumble mat and seeing this completely unscripted moment.
Little Sister belongs at Gymnastics World. Her flexibility is just begging for parallel bars and balance beams.
*****
I could talk more about the chaos. The colds, the mess, the funny things that have gone wrong this week. But I’m over it. I’d rather swoon over the fact that a trip to the grocery store in the rain early Sunday morning to fetch some coffee cream granted us the bonus of coming home with fresh-baked donuts. And up there with Central Park in the fall or family reunions or holding a newborn close to your chest late at night came this perfect moment. A rainy Sunday morning dunking a glazed twist into an “I Heart NY” mug filled to the brim with hot coffee–swirled to milky perfection.
I’d rather remember that after that silly fit of hers came a heart-felt apology and a bout of infectious enthusiasm.
I’d rather focus on the fact that, beyond the temporary distractions in life, there are constant joys.
My dreamy blue-gray world of both warm and cool, serious and whimsical.
Wednesday will be the anniversary of the most blissful moment of my life.
Her Birth Day.
In the meantime, there is a very generous giveaway from a returning sponsor. I’ve told you I wish I could share all the sponsor stories with you as they are often heart-warming. Rachel, the creative designer behind Little Lesiw, is celebrating the finalization of her new son’s adoption today. You may remember Little Lesiw from the Bitty Bloom favors at Nella’s party. Well, she’s back and we are happy to extend our love for her well-crafted accessories. Our new favorites: Baby Snaps, perfect for Nella’s wayward wisps and Lainey’s fine strands that need a tight grip.
Use Code ENJOY25 for 25% off your order (!!), and one lucky commenter will win a $100 gift certificate (includes free shipping) to Little Lesiw.
Oh, but let’s make it interesting. I am curious…in the spirit of twisting positivity out of a pensive sky, I realize my tendency to look for and find the good is something I do well among the many things I don’t do well. I like that–recognizing an ability and becoming confident in it. We all have them, so tell me, what quality in yourself do you most cherish?
One comment will be randomly selected to win $100 of Little Lesiw goods.
Happy Monday.
I was LOL’ing at the Sophie story! Now *my* Sophie is a doll who never leaves the yard, but my Max is another story! I sooooo know what the call from the neighbor is like!
I like that I can have fun with kids and be a kid with them. We wrestle and giggle and have lots of laughs (most of the time)
I love the fact that I am a dreamer, through and through.
(And I love your blog because I think you are one too. Kindred spirits!)
FAVORITE photo of Nella so far… her in the green grass in her blue dress. LOVE it! and happy birth day to you and to Lainey!
I’m incredibly resourceful.
Erin
I can let things go…sometimes a little too easily, but I truly believe that everything works out.
Nothing sweeter than “sisterly love”! Growing up with 2 brothers, I am so glad that my girls have each other to share their dreams, heartaches, secrets, and that look that only they understand. Kellie, you have a beautiful family and I love how given the opportunity – you play! How I wish I had done more of that with my own children. My triplets are 21 and my youngest is 20 and how I miss those “little years”.
I’m not sure what quality I most cherish about myself, but one that I’m beginning to embrace is my ability to experiment with food (especially with baking). This sounds silly, I know–but my son has severe food allergies, and so many people in our life have allergies, intolerances, and other health issues, that I’m realizing that being able to make yummy food, be creative, and provide something ‘safe’ for those I love is a random, unexpected talent from God, one that I can improve and embrace. I am slowly becoming more confident, and the more I can provide healthy and safe things for my children (and others), the more I realize that sometimes, the most unexpected, seemingly insignificant ‘quality’ can be quite important and useful….
Kelle,
I have found sweet solice in your posts! I am too a mom of a little lady with Down syndrome, Jasmine. She’s adopted from Hong Kong and this July we’ll celebrate her 5th homecoming anniversary! She also has alopecia which is sometimes an added struggle socially. I have two bio kids too – Quentin, the big bro, age 8; Elise, the little sister, age 4. In addition to my similar chaos, we’re adopting again. This time, Joel, a 5 year old little boy from Hong Kong (same orphanage Jas is from) and he has DS too. We hope to travel this summer to bring him home, pending all govt. approvals. I say all this to say, your stories resonate with my heart. And truth is, there are constant joys indeed!!
I recognize that I am very creative and when I see things, I often think, “I could make that”…so I do!
I am a teacher of sophomores. I don’t have any biological kiddos. Yet. But ohhhh how my heart swells with joy & patience & love for the 14, 15, 16, 17 (and one 19!) year-olds that I have the pleasure to spend my Monday through Fridays with. I love them, and they love me. And I think that’s somethin’ special.
Your pictures are so dadgum real and beautiful.
I have a good sense of humor and love the simple life. Two excruciatingly important traits to have, in my opinion.
jessicaikiehn at yahoo dot com
I put my family first, and I love to do it.
Nella’s hair is getting so long, both girls are absolutely precious! My two are just younger than yours (2 1/2 and 1), so I really enjoy seeing their relationship reflected in Nella and Lainey’s, Plus I think they have every pair of pjs that we do!
My house is messy enough that teenagers don’t mind coming…and I like that I myself am ok with them seeing a mess sometimes…
i can make people laugh…
Oh sweet Wednesday to come! Happy Birthday Lainey!
What I love about myself, I am sooo laid back, sometimes it bothers my hubby, but I figure life is just way too short to fuss over it!
Oh, Lainey, have a happy birthday and a happy birth day to you too, Kelle! I hope you both enjoy every moment of the day, my oldest girl just turned four and already seems so much older than she did just a few months ago. It’s amazing how fast they grow up! I think that I always put my girls first, and it makes me happy to do so. A quick trip to the park or a picnic lunch in the backyard is way more important, not to mention more fun, than any chore I can take care of inside!
First of all, my son (15 mo) totally has the same book that Lainey is reading… the furry bear bible story one. and he woofs at it. Because all furry things are “woof”s right now. 🙂
Something I appreciate about myself… perspective. Though life may momentarily overwhelm or depress me, the “it’s not really so bad, in the scheme of things” quickly takes over.
Happy almost birthday sweet girl!! Can’t wait to see all your ideas for her partay!!
I cherish I have the ability to be the best momma to my son every single day!!
i most cherish my ability to be a mama. to love on and take care of my sweet sweet little people. joy and bliss and pure heaven.
I love that I’m a total knuckle-head, goofball. spaz underneath the pile of brains. Goofy like I guzzled a 32 oz Cherry Slurpee and I can’t stop laughing from the sugar and the brain freeze. I’m such a Lois Lane during the day (ehem, financial analyst) that I love when people find out that I’m goofy and silly and love things like fart sludge; and that I garden in the dark and sew until my contacts jump out of my eyes and into bed for me.
My husband has the same quality and makes me laugh without the use of any sugar, alcohol or elicit drugs.
PARTY ON. The glue gun wounds will heal. And BTW, her 4 year book is terrific. You really have a special gift of expression.
Happy birthday beautiful Lainey!
-Jennifer from Annapolis
My patience. Love the latest photos, especially the one of the girls hugging on the tumble mat!
I think my one of the qualities I cherish about my self, despite all the trial and error, is that I am a pretty good momma… Somedays I feel like it takes everything in me just to hold things together and others are a piece of cake, but at the end of the day when they come up to you and tell you that you are the “best in the world”, I know I am doing something right.
Hi Kelle!
My favorite quality about myself these days is that I can keep calm and carry on. I put my head down, persevere, do what needs to be done. And right now, with the dog in the ER after a chocolate bar incident, my room a mess, the job hunt in full force and myself exhausted after a successful climbing trip? I’m really happy that I can depend on myself.
One more thing- that close up of nella’s face in your living room? LOVE it. I picture myself on the other side of her, on the floor facing her, and I’m saying ‘alright girl, dish, tell me all about it!’ and She’s saying, ‘so, it happened like this….;
xoxo
Lina
I like that, in my mind, creativity trumps cleanliness. I’m not afraid to make a mess (or let my kids make a mess) as long as we’re creating something.
I most cherish the fact that I am the one of my friends that everyone turns to for comfort and solace. No matter what’s going on in my own life, I always have a shoulder and a tissue, or a smile and a hug for a friend.
I LOVE the picture of the two girls on the tumble mat! Completely adorable!
-Amanda
I like that I have almost endless patience with my four boys. They are mostly always sweet and patient with me too, and when they aren’t (… happens more often now that they are teenagers) I am usually able to remind myself of my new mantra — ‘more love’. Giving yet more love in a moment of exasperation has a surprisingly calming and often humorous effect.
Thanks for sharing your gifts, Kelle!
There is nothing like a new coat of paint with an incredible name to it. The smell (aside from the fumes) is so refreshing! Happy Birthday Lainey!!
I just love it – good to know others have a messy house. WHat do i like about me? Hmm…I would say that I have a real knack for looking at different sides/views (incl that of others ) and imagining what someone else feels. Also, i can be real silly and child-like, which is fun at the ageof 55! Love from the Blog Mama~
I’m a rule-follwer. I feel like if I follow them, others will too, and everyone will be happy. I know it doesn’t work out that way, but I can dream 🙂
What a lovely post.
I have a very strong passion for things. It gets me over emotional and worn out from time to time, but it very much drives my ability to work hard and accomplish good things.
my ability to love my boys—surpasses anything I have ever done in my life 😉
xoxo
cathy
The quality of myself that I most cherish is the fact that I am very comfortable with talking to anyone.
my ability to teach
christinebarry@comcast.net
Oh it’s so true that you have this great ability to see the good side of things. That’s what I admire the most about you.
I guess my own awesome quality :p would be that I am very nurturing. I know how to take care of newborn as if I’ve had a hundred, but really, I am not even a mom yet. I just have it in me, this confidence about trusting my instincts when it comes to caring for someone.
Talking about caring, that picture of Lainey hugging Nella, always made me cry. The love you can read on her face… priceless!!!
I’m fiercely loyal when it comes to loving my family and friends … I cherish that attribute in myself. I LOVE your photography!
My 4.5 year old daughter is sitting beside me…and when she saw me check your blog (once again for a new update) she said: “Aggggain?” haha. And now she wants to know why we can’t come play with those girls. Cute. 🙂
I love the fact that it’s the little things in life that excite me – I am perfectly content with the small joys in life. 🙂
Ok lets try this again…(my last comment disappeared)
I LOVE the picture of Nella in the blue dress and the one of the girls hugging. My eyes tear up when I catch my girls lovin’ on each other. I think I have a great sense of humor which comes in quite handy having an almost 2 year old and a 5 year old in the house.
Btw, I was just looking at the baby snaps. Sooo cute. I think I am going to place an order. I’m just having a hard time deciding which ones. Both of my girls have very fine whispy hair.
I love that I can ignore my messy house and laugh like crazy with my kids. That is what we will all remember!
The one quality I cherish about myself if my perseverance. Life has thrown a ton of curveballs my way and I’m sure I could have laid down and moaned about it all but instead I choose to push through. That’s what I think makes a good mother too. The ability to persevere even when things are crazy and chaotic.
To be strong. To be strong when I really really want to just crumble. It’s kinda my thing 🙂
Hi Kelle,
The quality I most cherish in myself is my ability to dream big. Having a great imagination is the roadmap that leads me to my creativity in my work, in my scrapbooking hobby, in my guilty pleasure of immersing myself in fantasy worlds like Harry Potter, and making plans for the future.
Loving the photo of Nella in the blue dress on the lawn! Happy Birthday lovely Lainey and Happy Birth Day to you Kelle.
I love how I thrive on chaos. It doesn’t always work out in my favor, and I tend to be a lazy bum when things are going good…but when work piles up,and stuff needs to be done, I go in to hyper-drive and Tasmanian devil it up real well. Having 2 kids under 5 keeps it interesting…and a hubby that is gone A LOT for his job in the Air Force keeps it real. Love that Nella closeup on the floor…she is a dreamboat!
Oh, such beautiful photos, as always! I really do appreciate your fantastic ability to enjoy the small things. I couldn’t get by without my ability to laugh – mostly at my silly self. And have fun preparing for the party! Woo hoo!
I love that I have patience. I don’t have any of my own children yet but I have been around kids my entire life! I currently work in a Special Education classroom and use that patience I’ve been blessed with every day of the week!
My husband just asked me what was so funny when I laughed out loud, and I told him about Sophie, because we have a Sophie, but her name’s Roxy. She’s a Jack Russell and she runs like lightning any time she gets the chance. I’ve lost count how many times we’ve went looking for her! She’s survived some kind of blood poisoning, got bit by a copperhead snake, nearly drowned in a flood and won a fight with a skunk (well, almost – she still got sprayed – ugh.) We say she’s got 9lives – like a cat.
My best quality (I think anyway) is my level headedness. Or as my friend puts it, the person who never rocks the boat but instead keeps it steady.
Love the sweet hug photo!
I love that photo of Lainey and Nella hugging! Pricless. I also love this quote of yours, “I’d rather focus on the fact that, beyond the temporary distractions in life, there are constant joys.”
What quality do I love about myself? Patience. I have lots of patience and encouragement for others!
I laughed so hard thinking about your wayward dog! HAHA. “Doesnt want to blow a hemmy” LOL
Ahh what do I do well? I’m 30 and working so very hard at figuring that out. I do many things good. I am an organizer and planner but my heart is aching to soar. I’ll let you know when I can put my finger on it!
I can’t wait to see how Lainey’s birthday party turns out… I’m sure it’ll be amazing!
I have always loved my organization skills. It makes things a lot easier on everything when someone organized is around!
I can be fully present for and supportive of others even when I feel like I’m barely surviving my own life.
Happy birthday Lainey! From the looks of it, it is shaping up to be one great party at the ‘ole ranch! I love the “golden hour” shots of the two girls. You captured the light perfectly! I think the trait I most admire in myself is my ability to talk to and relate to just about everyone, be it young or old! And I always feel more connected when I do so. Have a fantastic party!
I HEART Lainey’s polka dotted Danskos! Girl’s got style thanks to her Mama. Thank you for the challenge of finding something about myself that I cherish…I appreciate the reminder to think positively. I love that I’m honest and genuine, and I wouldn’t change that about myself for anything. In being honest, I know that the friendships and relationships I have are based on true connections – nothing fake or forced. Being honest has always been a part of who I am, and I embrace it.
Again, your words make me so happy. I cannot tell you how much you inspire me, how much I love reading about your family & your insights… Rock on Kelle!!
Love the sisterly hug, so real and tender. Must have melted your heart to see that.
I wonder how many moments like that we actually catch??? Hopefully being present, not too many!
My ability to be a good friend. Even with my crazy road life, my friends mean the world to me and I carry them in my heart.
Happy Birthday Lainey and Happy Birth Day Mummy!
I cannot even express how much I love looking at pictures of your beautiful girls. Thank you!
I’m so glad other people have messy houses, too. My parents are coming from out of state tomorrow and there is still laundry to be done and the whole bathroom to be scrubbed…
I like that I’m a planner. Sometimes I’m sure it’s a bit much, but overall it makes our lives much less chaotic.
Reading your blog always reminds me that enjoying life is all about your perspective. Thank you! I totally thought you would complain about Sophie constantly running away but you embrace the chaos and the fun of it. That is awesome! Thanks for being an inspiration!
I love the Gymnastic World pictures. What fun. A quality about myself that I like is my ability to share everything (my DS, my computer, my diet coke – I have a little diet coke lover, and the list goes on…) I always buy something to be just mine, but I always end up sharing it at some point. Also, less petty, my ability to quickly forgive (especially a very difficult child).
Such a sweet post.
I value my creativity…whether it be writing, or creative parenting, it keeps things fun 🙂
Living in Arizona, I can definitely relate to the rainy mornings. They happen way too seldom.
I would say I most cherish my ability to adapt. I have had many different roles in my life: daughter, mother, teacher, friend, partygirl, homegirl, and others. Each one has served its purpose and allowed me to grow.
Sophie needs to get together with my dog Arnie, we create quite a scene when we chase him around the neighborhood!
I am loyal, whether it be to a friend or the completion of a project, I never give up
I can’t wait to see Sweet Lainey’s Birthday Bash!
I am proud of my ability to be outgoing and include people…the more the merrier you might say. I find myself to be good at not leaving people out…and I like that about myself 🙂
Love Lainey’s silly smile! Cracks me up. Can’t wait to read more about the big birthday bash!
I would have to say that a good quality of mine is that I am a really good friend. I know that sounds kind of silly, but it is truly something I am proud of. Its nice to look back & know that I have always tried my very best to be there for my friends through thick & thin! I haven’t always had it in return, but thats not what matters.
I think this is my first comment on your blog, but I have followed it for a while now. I LOVE reading it & you always inspire me to be a better mother, writer, photographer & everything else you do!
We celebrated my daughter’s 4th birthday today..I would love to know where the last 4 years went, and a happy early bday to Lainey!! Gymnastics has done wonders for my hypotonia babies..the flexibility truly astonishes me!!
My favorite trait is I have the ability to talk to anyone and find some very interesting information about them without coming across as being intrusive or too nosy..I am just very interested in people!!
Hmmm…favorite quality. I think it’s my constant desire to learn new things. To grow. To challenge what I think is true.
Reading your blog always recharges my mommy instincts. Thank you.
What? No picture of Pensive Sky office walls?? Oy..learning to be patient!
What quality, you ask? I’m a kid magnet. Always have been. Blindfold a kid & put him or her with me in a roomfull of Moms & he or she will make a bee line for me. I worship & adore kids. All kids. I can snap ’em out of bad moods, quiet a tantrum, hold their attention, love ’em like crazy. That’s the quality I most cherish in myself.
All I could think was “why is she gluing labels now? The party’s DAYS away!” I plan the theme and details embarrasingly far in advance, then save all of the doing until the last.possible.nanosecond. God only knows why my husband, mom, and dear friends (who always get sucked into the madness) put up with me.
But I cherish my ability to celebrate life’s moments, big and small. I like that about you, too.
Is it weird to cherish my spontaneity? The older I get, the more I realize that it’s the gift that keeps life the most interesting.
If I had to write a bio, my first sentence would be my ability to be a kid with my kids. Any day, any where, I am happy to roll up my pant legs and blow bubbles, chase fireflies and give them a run for their money on a game of hopscotch. I hope that’s what they remember someday about me.
One thing I appreciate about myself is my ability to always look at situations from different perspectives.
Love reading your blog…reminds me to add in the joyful perspective when I sometimes am tempted to leave that one out.
Here in Wyoming we just had our own Wild West party for our buckaroo that turns 4 tomorrow.
I have my own brand of crazy that lends itself well to parenting. I see things, and we do them or visit them. It’s all about the expereince.
Love Lainey’s face in the photo of y’all three at the end!
The quality I have that I cherish the most is how nurturing I am. It gets me into trouble with the kids, when I need to just be alone, but I love taking care of others and letting them know how much they are loved, especially my kiddos.
Ah I love how organic the photos in this post are, you can see the love and see them growing!
The quality I love about myself is that I’m a planner, almost to a fault, I can fit more into a week than my husband could in a year, and on a smaller budget!
(and my girl needs some new accessories *hint*)
I don’t dwell on what can’t be changed. I try and move forward and solve the problem instead of feeling sorry for myself!
Happy birthday to your sweet girl!
The quality I cherish the most … No matter how big of a crisis, how life changing, horrible, terrible the problem to my boys they always find comfort from my words and my hugs! I’m sure soon the day will come that in their eyes I do nothing right and am a completely embarrassing mom but until then I’m enjoying each and everyone of their catastrophic problems that are completely resolved by a huge hug and some soft spoken words from mommy.
(I have a Sophie too, except her name is Sammy! Boy can she run!)
We just finished our weekend of parties. celebrating the day I became a mama, the Birth Day of our own 4yr old blond beauty Haylie was last Thursday. So much to celebrate on the birthday of our oldest little ones 🙂
I’m a good mom and I’d happily be good at that rather than -say- volleyball or anything else for that matter.
I show up! And I also find the best in everything, something we have in common. We also have our ‘littles’ with DS in common — I don’t think that’s a coincidence! My littles are too big for the giveaway, so don’t count me in on that … just felt the urge to comment tonight.
No matter how hard life gets…and it’s been pretty damn bad lately…I never, ever let myself give up.
I look for the good in everyone and and am forgiving.
I’m very empathetic, which I believe makes me kinder others and also helps me understand & better help the teenagers I work with.
I am learning to love myself for who I am, and this ability to see myself as a work in progress is a blessing, and a good trait 🙂
Oh my. I love your blog! So glad I found it.
I am a good friend. I am loyal and honest and loving. I hope I teach my children to be the same way.
I love that I have the soul of a person much older than me. Before my grandma passed away a year and a half ago I played bingo with her every week and I still try to go often to keep that memory alive. I also enjoy reading a good book over going out and have recently found a fondness of sewing. All I need is my girl, my hubby, our new puppy and our latest arrival that should be here around Thanksgiving:)
Finding the lone flower in the dry field, finding that awesome cloud within the downpour. It’s good to think of the ‘good’ in ourselves once in a long while.
Esther Dush
What do I love most about myself? I can run to the sunny side of the street faster than the rain can fall :). I hope that Lainey’s birth day is full of perfectly wonderful moments!
Wowza…some of my favorite photos ever on this post.
What quality do I cherish about myself….I’d have to say creativity. I can take a party theme from a single inspiring napkin to an over-the-top bash. I adore planning my children’s parties.
I love that I am so relaxed. Sometimes I wish I could be more of a go getter – like the times I let free things pass me by because I don’t go after them. But then I’m reminded that life can be so simple if you just go with the flow, and I realize again that this quality is something I appreciate <3
Charles, my husband who I like to read this blog with, said he is good at eating dessert and I can attest to that. He is the best I’ve ever seen at eating dessert!! I on the other hand am good at loving my beautiful, healthy 3 1/2 year old!
I LOVE being a mama…that being said, it’s easy to be good at something you TRULY love doing…so I think I’m kinda good at it. 😉 Also, I’m a fighter…I stand for things I believe in and have a passion for and I like that about myself.
Loving this post!!! Being truthful with myself and with other, but mostly myself. I feel by being truthful with myself I am able to overcome, learn and grow.
I embrace the notion (not original) that it is more important to be interested than interesting! I LOVE to learn about people, what makes them tick, what their loves and struggles and hopes are…..which is why I love your blog!
Your kids are amazing and fun and gorgeous which is another reason I love your blog!!
Your children are breathtakingly beautiful.
Lately I appreciate that I am not a denier of truth, even when that truth is unsettling or scary or goes against my instincts.
I love that what I lack the most of in every other aspect of my life (patience) is what I have the most of with my daughter. Guess I was just storing it all up for her.
i am a glass is half full kind of lady…i see that in my daughter. once upon a time my husband was VERY tidy, too tidy, I see that in her too:)
Your pics and story about Sophie gave me a much needed laugh…I really laughed out loud! Thank you so much!
Gorgeous pics as always, especially the last few of your girls.
I like the fact that I am HUGELY sentimental about everything to do with my 4 children.
My oldest turned 9 this week and I still have flashbacks to my long labour and her birth.
The magical moment she was placed in my arms. Bliss!
I still wish for time to slow down as I adore having my children little and don’t want it to flash past too quickly 🙁
Wonderful post Kelle, as always!!… You do have an amazingly positive and beautiful outlook on life, and it is so good for us readers!
The quality I most cherish in myself is my playful spirit. I like that I can find joy, humour, and a sense of freedom in things that reveals the beautiful balance of all things. It’s true, not all things should be treated with levity, and of course I respect that, but much of the time a light-hearted and playful approach makes life much sweeter and more congenial.
I love that you recognize that there are constant joys. That, my dear, is a priceless quality!
As for my most cherished quality…it is both a blessing and a curse that I am a people pleaser. Tis true…I like to keep everyone happy and content…even when it’s not my place to do so.
okay so Sophie sounds a lot like our little pomeranian named, Hurricane, he thinks he is tough stuff, and loves to escape and run the neighborhood. Love the polka dot clogs, and I love the bday party bottles, can’t wait to see it all put together.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I think my favorite quality is the ability to just relax. There are so many things in my life that could potentially stress me out, but I’m usually able to just step back, look at the big picture and take a chill pill.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
This comment has been removed by the author.
can’t wait to see Lainey’s party pictures 🙂 100$ WOW!
I love this:
“I’d rather focus on the fact that, beyond the temporary distractions in life, there are constant joys.”
Quality I cherish in myself–Compassion. I love that I can love people when other’s find them unloveable. I love that I love love. (Ha ha let me know if you actually understood that!)
Ohhh there is soo much I could do with $100 and that store. I would be dangerous! Congratulations on her adoption!!
I feel my heart burst when I see my girls, that my love and affection for them isn’t tied to performance or perfection. just pure love.
love this post. your blog is so life giving and wonderful to read at the end of a long day. love it!
Great shots of little Nella!
I cherish my artistic ability. I hope I give my kids the passion for art when they grow up. It has helped me enjoy life even more.
i like the fact that i am endlessly patient with my little one. now if i could only transfer that patience to my husband and other adults in my life, i would breathe easier.
shen
Happy almost Birthday to sweet Lainey! Love the unscripted hug to Nella 🙂
I cherish the quality that I will go out of my way to make a friend (or a stranger) feel loved and special. And I love that loving others brings me so much joy.
I like my adaptability. Change always shakes me from the inside out, but eventually the pieces settle into a new shape. I take on a new form, and I adapt to the new challenges and joys of that change. It’s a good thing, too, as it looks as if my life may make several new changes in the upcoming months.
I love that I see the silver lining-so far it’s working for us-my kids tend to see the glass as full too-when there is a hiccup they work it out, learn from things and move on-Pretty great for 6 & 8!
The desire to BE an example worth following is a drive from deep within and keeps me striving…..
Thank You — Thank you Kelle
for sharing your heart. You have encouraged me time and time again!
Happy Birthday Lainey!
~Sandy
I cherish the victories of getting the boys to ask nicely and politely after whining for something, and our new bed time ritual that consists of the boys jumping on their beds, making Fiona laugh. Doesn’t matter how bad the day was, with that ending, they are all good days.
I like the fact that no matter how many time I’ve been stompled over I don’t throw away my rose colored glasses. I always see the best in people, I look for the good in situations, etc. People take advantage often, but I like to think that one day the view I have on my life will actually be a reality for my daughter.
The best thing about myself? Oh my.
I see beauty in each person I encounter.
I think that is the best thing.
I am glad the girls had fun at the party. So happy.
Can’t wait to see the “pensive sky” room. I love your blog for your beautiful outlook. I like the fact that I am easy to welcome other into my life. I love welcoming new friends into my life, and seeing my children do the same.
Being laid back and not so uptight.
I cherish my empathy. Yes, it gets me in to trouble at times, I can never look away from a lost dog, or a stray cat, or another Mama looking sad and burnt out at the park. This usually results in unplanned trips to the SPCA or talks with strangers that run well in to nap time. It makes my heart hurt sometimes too… a story on the news will often reduce me to tears, and I cant stop thinking about a family and their tragedy. But, I know that it sets me a part from the crowd, I know my close friends love me for it (and tease me too) and most importantly, my girls will always know that I care, every scraped knee, and years down the road, every broken heart will be shared, by me.
I cherish my ability to laugh at the hard times. If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry. Although sometimes it’s ok to cry too.
I never count the calories. I believe with all my heart there are no calories in ice cream. This sounds silly. But truthfully, I could and probably should (wink) count them. But I promised myself in hihg school I would never be “that girl”. I don’t want my girls to be “that girl” either. Life is too short. I may have a heart attack and a half about a messy house, but ice cream is always okay. It’s never a “treat” or a special occasion. Calories are too mind consuming. And I am REAL good at that quality of ignorance 🙂
I cherish my oblivious nature. It’s the pure form of myself that scoffs at cynicism, avoid unnecessary pain, and embraces positivity!
Can’t wait to see/hear about Lainey’s party!! And the comment about Sophie not wanting to ‘blow a hammy’ had me laughing out loud. Such a great shot of the two girls embracing at Gymnastics World. Love it! My most cherished quality is my ability to look on the bright side of things. I’m definitely a glass half full gal!
I love that no matter how bad my house looks, I let people come over. Maybe if they see I don’t care to be perfect, then they will give themselves a break. Maybe…
Your party planning skills wow me. I love the Root Beer label idea. Can you share more? We are getting ready to plan my daughter’s first birthday.
My best quality is that I am (for the most part) very calm under pressure. I think that’s important in life, the ability to go with the flow and accept that this life is dynamic and always changing.
Thank you for this post!
Amanda
This comment has been removed by the author.
I am loyal. Yes, that makes me sound like a dog, but if you make me your friend, I will be your friend forever.
I cherish my ability to stay calm under pressure at work (still working on that at home :)) and not appear to be so stressed out when dealing with co-workers and the patients I see (even though I may be on the inside)!
forgiving…and i can always find the good in people
I am an incredibly busy Mama to 18 month old boy and girl twins. They keep me running every second of the day, an lately, all night. I pride myself in taking a minute or two here and there and pulling one of my children onto my lap for some Mama and baby time. I read them a story, sing them a song or just tell them how much I adore them. This isn’t easy as my other baby is usually trying to get some Mama time, too! It is so important to me to have one on one time with each of my children several times a day so they know how much they are valued and cherished.
My discernment – I can read people like a book!
I love the fact that I’m really learning how to cook. I’ve always been able to cook decent, but within the past 2 years or so, I’ve been trying new recipes and learning things I never knew before. In fact, this past Thanksgiving I made the entire diiner and it turned out great. A feat I never thought I would have the courage to do.
Any time, any where, I can drop what I’m doing to do my most important job…when my little girl walks into a room I give her the joy of my face lighting up and I see the sparkle reflect back at me from her eyes. I love these little (but oh so important) moments! Although, maybe it is her talent not mine.
Happy Birthday, Lainey!
I will be welcoming my second son on Wednesday 🙂 May 18th is definitely a great day.
I love that I can sit on the couch reading a book (or reading a blog) while my kids chase each other through the house….and I don’t say a word. Just let them go!
Happy Birthday Lainey!!
My determination to just make “it” work. Whether the “it” is a failed attempt at birthday decorations, dealing with the hubby being gone overseas working(non-military) and stumbling my way through all the specialist appointments on my own, I need to make “it” work. I’ve found the best way for me to make “it” work is just take it day by day, hour by hour.
I love the fact that I love to take care of people. I was the momma to my college roommates when they were sick, stressed and needed some mothering away from home. And now I’m mothering my own sweet nugget.
I love people deeply, sometimes a little to much. But, I love that authenticity in the way I love people and i wouldn’t change it for anything. even the hurt.
I think I am a genuinely nice person, someone who likes to, wants to, and actually enjoys, helping others, doing little favors for them, giving them little surprises just because.
Look at Nella’s golden locks flow and grow! What I do well….chillaxin. I am sooo good at it, though a lil out of practice with 2 wee ones!
Smiling picturing the dog chase. Been there, done that. Though lately~I am entertaining my neighbors by chasing my goats and one wayward chicken, Amelia Earhart, who loves to escape.
Best quality–finding random bits of beauty throughout my days. 🙂
I guess I would have to say that I love that when I set my mind to something…I accomplish it! My sweet husband reminded me awhile back that I’ve done everything I set out to do! Wow! Maybe I need to up the bar! LOL!
When I realize that God intended me to be in the exact moment I am in makes for a calmer and more peaceful me!
I la-la-la LOVE the picture of Lainey hugging Nella, melted my heart!
I choked up on this one, then again, I almost always get a little choked up while reading your lovely words.
I’m a pretty mellow person. I consider this a good thing and thankfully this has rubbed off on my little one as well, people are always commenting on how laid back she is!
Love the baby snaps!!
I absolutely love the picture of Nella in the grass.
I love so much that with becoming a mother, your focus goes from the terrible things that you should have already done to enjoying every simple little thing that our little ones do. I absolutely love my little beanette and wouldn’t trade her for the world!
happy almost 1st BIRTH DAY, little Nella! i’ve so enjoyed watching you grow this first year and can’t wait to see what awaits your wonderful life!!!
<3
I love that I don’t take myself too seriously. I’m a good wife, mom, woman, but I’m far from perfect. And most of my imperfections are somewhat funny.
I LOVE that I am strong and independent- let’s me feel like I can handle anything!
Happy birthday, Lainey! Can’t wait to see pictures of the party!
I love the fact that every single time we have something on or I have to organise something, even though I leave everything until the last minute, I can still pull it out the bag and end up with something amazing! I rock at procrastination, but always end up rocking out the end result!
I am a planner and am able to keep things very organized while being able to let go, let things get messy and dirty and still feel ok about it.
After a day like today (mom in the hospital), getting the “you are officially homeowners” go-ahead without the keys in hand, spending the day back and forth between my parents’ house and the hospital…. my strength is the quality in myself that I most cherish. I cherish it because I don’t recognize it until someone points it out.
My son will be turning 4 on the same day as Lainey! Unfortunately, his party won’t be quite as neat as L’s with personalized root beer labels. 🙂 Enjoy, can’t wait to see the pictures! XOXO
I give, but I really think I get more back. I am a daughter, a mother, a sister, aunt, a wife,a Girl Scout Troop Leader for my oldest and planning on being one for my youngest…… each of these roles I cherish. I am so proud to be given the honor to be the big sister, the leader in so many lives, and I can’t wait to see where all these kids go in life, whaterver they go it will rock! And i will have a small part in that, and that makes me shine…
I love my ability to live in the present and seize the day!
I can see the glass as half full.
we so need those clips here with my older daughter growing out her bangs!!
what do i cherish? my ability to bolster up my girls and working so hard to make them strong, confident, risk takers!
The picture of Nella looking at Lainey in the picture of the 3 of you took my breath away. Does Lainey know she’s a hero?
Loved this post, of course, Kelle. Your posts always touch my heart in a way that was totally unexpected.
I think I most cherish my God given ability to see the JOYS in life more than I see the sorrow. There’s so much sorrow we could focus on -even real, heart felt sorrow {not just silly drama} but I’m glad that God points my heart in joyful directions and reminds me that tomorrows are just around the corner and His blessings are endless. You just sometimes have to look harder than others. My eyes can so easily get blinded by sorrow, but JOY is always there.
Life is always “messy” with kids…it’s just how we find out how great we can manage the good with the bad. Mess with the kept, candles with the night-lights.
I am a huge list-maker. I’m always in the middle of projects that are larger than life and can almost always be labeled busy. But one thing that I’m good at? In the middle of all the busy, all the chaos I can fix the boo-boos that my kids have. Whether it’s gently putting on a bandaid with Buzz Lightyear or kissing an upset tummy. I guess this is why I just graduated from nursing school. Mamma will drop everything no matter what, and make it all better.
I really connected with the commenter above (Lindsey) who said “I embrace the notion (not original) that it is more important to be interested than interesting!”. I think this is my strength too. I love to learn. I love being exposed to new thoughts, ideas, & opinions. Thanks for another great post and happy party planning!
I am loyal to the death. Sometimes it gets me in trouble, but usually I love that about me.
Would love to win this one! My little girl still barely has any hair at 19 months, and I’ve been searching for anything that will stick!!
I’m excited to see pictures and read about Lainey’s birthday party!!! I
Oh my, the picture of Nella in the grass – gorgeous! wow. Also the pic of Lainey looking at the camera seems to give a glimpse into the future – what a beautiful girls you have.
Happy Birthday to Lainey! – looking forward to seeing pics of another fabulous party – you always inspire me!
I am a kid at heart and I know my kids can appreciate my imagination and ability to see the world through their eyes.
organized~ most of the time;)
can’t wait to see the party!
My strength lies in my ability to make the ordinary things special for my little ones.
that i see the good in everyone- even though there is so much that is not good in this world and some people aren’t good- i still see it there
oh fun, birthday week, I love preparing…I think that is probably the best thing about me, planning and preparing…I love to have a goal and go after it.
I love the fact that I hope….to a fault sometimes but always….I hope.
I am good at dealing with a crisis and comforting people.
Love the pic of the girls hugging – I am starting to see similar scenes with my two girls who are almost 3 and 8 months.
moberle@ymail.com
I love the planning and scheming part of me. I can turn almost any idea into a good one!
Birthday parties are so exciting!
I like that I’m forgiving. I’m a people pleaser through and through and I just can’t do the whole silent treatment thing.
Happy almost birthday, little Lainey.
I don’t give up. I keep going, and even when I think I failed, I surprise myself and realized I actually finished, grew, and flourished.
Something I hope I pass down to my daughter.
I feel like I’m able to work through problems calmly. The company I work for involves many people from all kinds of backgrounds, and hey,unexpected things happen ALL THE TIME! I have learned that I need to be flexible and also jump in and make things right rather than taking the time and energy freaking out.
I’m thankful for the roller coaster events that have happened in my life because they have prepared me to handle an unknown and exciting future!
I cherish my everlasting patience! I seem to always have just the right amount at exactly the right time when it’s needed! This makes me feel calm and confident!
Love, love, love the pic of your girls hugging. Nothing warms my heart than seeing affection between my children (preferably calm, quiet affection vs. rough and tumble affection!). Congrats to Little Lisew on finalizing her adoption… it’s the best!
Stacy
I asked my fiance what he thought his most cherished quality was. He said he thought he was driven {and he is, he gets what he sets out to do. Which I love about him} but then I went off and listed about 20 other things, he smiled. Kissed me. And just like that, there was our unscripted moment. Love, because everything else is secondary.
Oh, that one’s easy to answer: my ability to find the positive in any situation. I do it naturally and don’t notice it. I see it in my children though, since they’re the same way. And I’ll boast now and say that I love this about me and I’m proud of it!
(like: does it rain today? Well, don’t you love the scent of spring rain?!)
The dog! Lovely 🙂
As a child we had à dog just like that, so I’ve experienced the bicycling around calling out! Only…. our dog would pick fights with other male dogs, so the neighbors weren’t extatic…! *haha*
I wish you a wonderful tuesday!
Keep up this positivity heaven, dear Kelle! I love it here 🙂
Oh, was logged in on hubby’s and my common calendar 😮 Sorry! MySecretRooms, is who I am!!
I’ve surprised myself with the amount of patience I have with my toddler. That’s not to say I don’t have my own mama meltdown moments, but they’re fewer than I would’ve imagined pre-kiddo.
I love that I feel things so strongly 😉
Oh I like to think I am quite a good multi-tasker. It is stressful, but an exciting, adrenaline inducing rush! Women are superheros, especially the mom kind.
Wow! Hard question. I cherish being industrious (most of the time;).
I try to be a jack of all trades but when it comes down to it, I’m good at the details…
my strong will… because although sometimes it has gotten me into trouble… when veered in the right direction, it is a very good thing. .
I am an awesome party planner. I am very creative and always have the best ideas, in my opinion of course!!
I LOVE your blog. It always puts me in the best mood!
The quality I like most about myself is my ability to bring a smile to most people’s faces when they’re feeling down. I love pulling faces, telling random stories and just having fun!
Love the baby snaps!
One of my strengths is my “stick-to-it-iveness”. if at first I don’t succeed, I’m OK with it and just pick up and try again.
A.
I love that, for the most part, I can take a leap of faith out of fear of regret. If not, I’ll always wonder…and that, my friend, would drive me insane…so I jump! But always with a compassionate foot first.
Happy Birthday, Lainey!!
Hmmm I cherish that I can a little bit take photos. I love that I can snap away at various gathering or just those moments in time that happen daily so that when I am old and wrinkly and my babies are done having their babies I will be able to look back at these days and remember that time my four year old hugged her baby brother – just because 🙂
I always try to make people laugh- usually at the expense of myself! I work for that little comment or joke, or silly look or clutzy moment (so ok I probably don’t have to try very hard with that one, I am one of the world’s most clumsiest people) just to hear the laugh of someone I know and love, or even a total stranger.
I love that I am always accepting of what is. Is all perfect and exactly where life is meant to be to help me grow. And that is what I am teaching my kiddies. Always look for the goodness and the opportunity to expand and move into your magnificence.
I love that I can find a silver lining in most any situation. This quality has served me well because life certainly isnot perfect, though most of the time I view it that way 🙂
How can you not enjoy their sweet faces! Your photography is so wonderful 🙂 looks like happiness in every photo.. and relaxation in your dog photos ;-)!
I just recently discovered your blog, and oh what a beautiful place to visit! I found myself reading back over past entries to ‘catch up’ 🙂
Happy Birthday Lainey! I hope you have a wonderful day being celebrated!
One thing I like about myself is my creativity…and I love to create as I go with a project! 🙂
my creativity… I got it from my mom.
I love the fact that I’m able to have a sense of humor and laugh at myself, for the times when I’m clumsy and knock over the coffee pot or, in a rush, put my shoes on the wrong feet on the way out the door! Laughing gets me through so many things and reminds me to not take everything too seriously.
I may not be the best homemaker, always tidy or organized, but when the chaos ensues, and trust me, homeschooling 4 kiddos it ensues often, instead of getting frantic, and frazzled, that is when I become the most calm and patient with my kids.
I’m so excited to hear about Rachel, at Little Lesiw’s, adoption. Adoption is so close to my heart right now. I have four families I’m close friends with who are all in different stages of their adoptions of children with special needs through Reece’s Rainbow. One family is currently in the Ukraine now on their first 10 day trip to visit their two precious children that they are adopting. http://hopeinthegrief.blogspot.com/
I just love the close up photo of Nella with her finger on her lower lip! I love that smudge of a lipstick kiss on her forehead, just precious!!
Happy Birthday Lainey!!! You have grown into such a lovely little lady, and a wonderful big sister! <3 And Happy Birth Day to you Kelle! You are doing such a wonderful job imparting your beautiful outlook on life to your precious loves. <3<3
I like that I have a compassionate heart. I’m a good “feeler”, and in a world where that can sometimes be mocked or looked down upon, I’m OK with that part of me.
Love your words as always and the gorgeous photos! It’s hard to come up with specific qualities, my husband says I’m inspirationally observant, but I’m not sure what he means by that so I’ll go with emotionally sensitive. I love this because I know I’ll never miss an important emotional moment with my kids. xoxox
I have a lot of patience and a great listening ear – sometimes I wish I didn’t have that attribute with the things people tell me. 🙂
Happy Birthday, Lainey!!
LOVE the photos. What I love about me – I am willing to learn: Switched careers to teach SPED, now learning a TON about DS because of my sweet Ellie, and decided to take up photography when she was in the NICU just for me 🙂
And Ellie’s hair NEEDS something to control it – 11 weeks old and she rocks a mohawk!
I most cherish my resourcefulness. I like knowing that things will be ok no matter what, because I’m strong and I can cope, and I can find a way out of any bad situation.
Complete daydreamer through and through. Always imagining things for the future. I may be unrealistic at times but there are so many things we wouldn’t have done had I not dreamed it up first. Even though I am learning to be happy in the here and now I hope I never stop dreaming…
Another amazing post! You really can rock that camera! I have a hard time coming up with something positive about myself – but you really do inspire me and I am going to give it some thought today. Can’t wait for the party pics and paint reveal.
I love my God-given determination.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I cherish the quality of going to the mattresses for my kids when they need an advocate. I am a non-coddle mommy- four kids, oldest who has Down Syndrome, and I push them to be independent problem solvers. That said…I am gearing up to fight a major battle with little Bear’s school over retention next year. I am sweet as can be, until you mess with one of my children. Praying that they see it clearly, that they hold him back and that I don’t tear off any heads in the process. Oh, and that I win some of those amazing little clips- I have hair just like Lainey’s ; o )
My ability to empathize, not just sympathize with others.
always – love your photos.
im going to say, i tend to always look at the positive – which isn’t always easy. we’ve been through some crazy moments – but, i always tell my husband, if this is the worst we have to deal with, i’ll take it.
🙂
happy tuesday and almost happy birthday to your sweet girl.
Oh…this post was brilliant….I laughed out loud watching Sophie stretch so she doesn’t pull a hammy….hilarious and the picture of Lainey hugging her baby sister at Gymnastics World….heartwarming. It made me cry tears of pride and joy. So beautiful.
What a wonderful post. What I cherish most about myself is my determination. Most of the time, I am like that little engine that could. Happy birthday Lainey!
I cherish my ability to problem solve. I may have things planned well, but if something unexpected comes up I am able to adjust everything and make it work. It really helps keep life a bit less stressful.
i love your blog and i love the parties you throw for the girls. can’t wait to see lainey’s! 🙂
My ability to muddle through–sometimes loudly or not-so-gracefully–but to muddle through nevertheless…
It’s got to be resilience, that deep down feeling of no matter the barrier I’m going to climb that hill and get this family safely over. Bronchitis in a little citizen? Bring it, your a B witch by any other name. Torn Achilles? Moving an entire household? Staph infection? Oohrah suckers. And then looking back knowing my family not just survived the hill but flourished during the climb. Resilience, you ain’t gonna knock this mamabear down! Peace love, and love the chosen color!!
I love this post. My husband and I – and now our daughter – also thrive in chaos. Just as things calm down for us we start to throw something else into the mix. And then when we do, our lab, decides it is a great time to throw up on the carpet. hahaha….. But we love it all.
The favourite quality I have in myself is my ability to see the good thing in everything. Whether it is finding something great that happened in a crazy day in my classroom, or the wonderful snuggles that come out of a night where the baby hardly sleeps, or the fact that we had to pack up to move in a week because then my house is only messy for a short time. I love it all….
I cant wait to see Lainey’s party. Happy Birthday a day early Lainey!
I’m a mum of 2 girls of similar age to yours – and see so much of them in the pictures you take. Your children are just gorgeous.
I love my patience…..while it may be few and far between, when it’s here, it’s amazing.
I am loving watching Nella’s coppertone tan getting deaper. She is just so super precious and beautiful! Love seeing Lainey just making the best of being a litle girl, almost 4! Just wow! They grow up so fast.
The thing I do best is when I get an idea to do something, a project for the house, anything creative really, I just pour all of me into it to do it really well and the outcome is just exhilarating! And the praises that come are humbly accepted gracefully.
:o)
The picture of Nella in the blue dress…darling! Actually, many of these pictures on this post are at the top of my list of favorites! Happy birthday beautiful Lainey!!!!
One quality I am thankful for is my patience. I have had much practice in this area as I was a 2nd grade teacher before I became a Mommy. Practice hasn’t made perfect, but I’m striving for better and better! The little things don’t bother me like they used to. My husband is also a very patient man, so I am thankful to him for encouraging me in that area!
Love this post of serious and whimsical, and the stories of your days!
I am always trying to be positive and don’t take offence easily. I am also trying to teach my kids to be positive by doing little things like singing when I am doing housework.
Loving the story of Sophie’s escape, ha ha! We have neighbors like you! 🙂 Our Golden Retriever knows where his bread is buttered, plus he is toolazy to run like that.
I love that though a rainy weekend my husband and I could also just sit with our daughter and enjoy the “nothingness.”
Happy early birthday Lainey!
I love being the best Mommy I can!!!!! My children are my life:)
I love my patience. I am a teacher for students with autism/cognitive impairments and it requires patience. It pays off, too…especially when I see progress and growth within them :o) such a fulfilling job.
Happy birthday Lainey! We share our birthdays, However, I’m turning 30, wishing to be 4 again sometimes. I think at that time all I wanted was a pair of jelly shoes. I never did get those jelly shoes and remind my mom of that from time to time. Oh, but I did have practical lace-up sneakers and I rocked those suckers every day, all summer long. Have a great day Sweetheart. Wishing you lots of colourful jelly shoes and perhaps a pair of practical lace ups too…
I have a brand new niece who would look adorable with some bows in her hair!
I love my constant patience with children. I can remain calm in the most chaotic moments. It has made me a great momma and I am proud to say it!
i don’t take myself too seriously…that has helped me in many situations at work {with 22 6th graders} and at home with my two kiddos. i make mistakes, i learn from them, chuckle and hope for better next time!
Its both a fault and gift but I will do anything for anyone, anytime and though it wears me out, I like that people count on me.
Your awesome because you eat donuts. I can’t remember the last time I ate a donut…
Happy Birthday Lainey! Happy BIRTH Day Kelle!!
My quality, humor! Life is funny and sometimes you need to laugh and remember to not take yourself to seriously!
I love that I am organized…I can organize a party, a play date, a vacation, or just a cherished night on the town with my hubby! The only downside – I am always asked to organize events, park trips, get-a-ways, and those precious dinner dates!
holey bananas…please tell me where you got those polka dot clogs!!!
I used to be the best planner, but that has morphed into a more laid back approach as I’ve gotten older. I like that I’m able to sit back and enjoy the thing now instead of fretting over every little detail.
Pensive sky sounds like a great color! I will have to check that out. I guess the quality that I am most proud of about myself is that I know when to keep my mouth shut. It helps that early on in my life I was naturally a very shy child. But as I’ve grown older and more out of my shell I’ve realized that being the quiet one is actually a blessing. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but sometimes you need to keep it to yourself.
I love that I seem to have some kind of baby magnetizing aura. Everyone’s babies love me. When we go to playdates I am swarmed by little baby zombies crawling and clawing to pat my face and hang on to my sleeves. I love all babies and cherish that they love me back.
Can’t wait to see the Lainey celebration pictures… but first what quality in myself do I cherish… that is hands down the fact… that my friends can tell me anything they did good or bad… and I never judge them as a mom, women or person.
happy pensive sky
Pensive sky. That’s definitely a cool name. I am very open-minded. I always try to see others’ point of view. As a result, I’m also very empathetic!
I love that I am willing to drop everything and add to my already lengthy to do list by helping others. The other week I gave away our bike and trailer to a homeless man collecting cans. I recently took dinner and ended up doing a week of dressing changes on a dear church friend with 2nd and 3rd degree burns because his wife couldn’t take it without getting sick. I love that I just do it–enjoy it–and model for my little ones (4,3 and 1) how to show love to others by serving them.
Your first born shares a birthday with mine! My little love will be one and she definitely needs some new hair clips. Hope both of our birthday celebrations are as beautiful as the girls for whom they are dedicated : )
I love that I am organized & kind of strict but that I can be throw-down silly at the same time. And that I have fully grasped the concept that we are each responsiblw for our own happiness. Period.
As usual, you’ve managed to make me cry (that picture of Big and Little Sister at gymnastics) and laugh out loud (Sophie’s warm-up) within seconds of each other!
Most recently, I love my ability to be patient as a parent of my 10-month old. Patience has never been my strong suit…but with her its just natural.
One of the aspects of my personality that I cherish (and also need to work on at times) is my ability, or lack there of at times, to trust. It is the times that I am trusting, like when I let my daughter cut with an “adult knife” that I get to witness beautiful confidence spread across her face…and then there are those moments where I am feeling not so trusting, where I forgo the night out to instead stay home with my four munchkins, feeling good and confident that they are in my care and not someone else’s…where we get to stay in, snuggled up on the couch, piled under blankets, eating popcorn and having a movie night (even if the selection is Justin Beiber’s Never Say Never! HA). Yes, it is that part of my personality that enables me to enjoy so many of the wonders and joys of my kiddos, all four of them!
I love Lainey’s face in the picture of the three of you. So cute.
I am a hopeless romantic. Sometimes it isn’t the best quality, but it sure can make all the sappy things in life fun and exciting :o).
i can “make it all better” for my kids (for now, anyway!!)
“Pre-sprint warm-up. She doesn’t want to blow a hammy.” – just about made me spray coffee all over the monitor. Have a great day!
My strength.
I spy some adorable clogs – love them!
Now that my girls are three and five I love that I am finding time for my creative self to come out again, I also am proud that even though both girls need a different type of parenting, because of their different personalities, I feel like I am able to be fair and treat oth of them equally.
I absolutely ADORE your blog! It’s beautiful and real and inspiring. Thank you for sharing!
I so needed to read this today! I like how I very rarely let setbacks set me back – I’m typically prone to an “oh well, let’s move on” reaction. Except for this morning when I confirmed both kids (3 and 6 months) have pink eye and I have a cold…but nobody’s perfect, right? And then I read your post and, once again, your words inspire me to see the good and be grateful. Thank you!
My favorite quality is I’m extremely trusting. Some may possibly say, to a fault, but I like it. I live life in the ‘rainbows and butterflies’ world… and I like it that way. I love the bows and would love to see them on my baby girl– I hope one day, she, too, can be a ‘rainbows and butterflies’ kind of girl too!!
I look forward to your blog posts! Your girls are adorable and are always dressed so cute!
Jen r
LOVE the picture of Lainey hugging Nella.. what a beautiful moment you captured!
I am a pretty laid back mama, and let my daughter explore the world as she needs to. It doesn’t mean no discipline, but we have a good balance, I think. I cherish the mama I am. 🙂
The quality that I cherish is my ability to be flexible and go with the flow. I see mothers every day stressing over little things! I stand my ground on certain issues, but I’ve learned in life being flexible means being happy!
I am just goofy! Is that a treasured quality… sure is!
babblebabe0@yahoo.com
I cherish my giving quality the most. I was born a giver. I rather someone else have something than me. Seeing the price of someone’s face after i’ve given them something whether it be my love, a gift, friendship,a new path to jesus, it elates me in everyway.
I’m a giver and I was born that way.
I loved your caption under the image of Sophie stretching. I laughed so hard because we have a Sophie. In fact, while I was preparing for my daughter’s kindergarten class to come to my house for an egg hunt, my Sophie (named Izzey) decided to bolt.The funny thing was that I was tying balloons to my mailbox and I chased her through my neighborhood (more light sprinted) with a giant balloon bouquet in hand. I could almost hear my neighbors saying, “Honey! our crazy neighbor is sprinting through our backyard again….with balloons.”
P.S. I like that I can laugh at myself. I have too.
I am the one cleaning the fridge before guests arrive and bringing presents without cards. What a wonderful glimpse into your life.
Kelle, you are honestly such an amazing writer…I love how you relate the words to the photos, and then tie it all back in together at the end.
Also, I amazed at the birthday parties you plan for your girls!!! You can tell how much you love a good kid’s birthday!! Amazing!!
The quality in myself I most cherish is the ability to listen. I feel like that is becoming a lost art, since we have all become so ridiculously busy, that it feels like people don’t tend to care much about what others have to say. I listen well…respond in the right places, and never turn the conversation back to myself, as some people think that is what good listening is…it isn’t.
Thanks for sharing your days with us, Kelle!!
I can make anything funny.
Like, horrible life altering events- I can somehow work a chuckle out of the room.
Dude, I even made our OB laugh when he was telling me I miscarried……I am that good.
Is procrastination a quality?
Actually, I think what I am most proud of is my ability to not sweat the small stuff. I don’t worry, I don’t fret. I just do and hope it works out and if it doesn’t – oh well, there will always be tomorrow.
Love you pictures. The girls are beautiful!
OH I love the Sophie story. I just think it’s so true that she’s running and all the other dogs are rooting her on!
I appreciate my ability to be available. I’m the one my friends and family can call/text/email and I’ll always answer or get back quickly and be right there for them.
love this post a lot!
I make great chocolate chip cookies.
Is that a life skill to be proud of? 😛
Have a great week!
Your blog is truly one of the highlights of my day! I thank God for your gifts of writing, photography, and mothering.
I most cherish my faith and my ability to multi-task. My husband marvels that I can make dinner, listen to child #1 play piano, listen to child #2 sing her chorus songs, help child #3 study her spelling words, keep child #4 from pouring an entire bottle of glue onto the kitchen table, and make sure the dog doesn’t eat the glue — all simultaneously!
May God continue to bless your beautiful family — and happy 4th birthday Lainey!
I really wanted to see this pensive sky color and thought for sure you were going to post a pic! Did I miss it among the other photos? 😉
One small thing about myself that I cherish is my ability to really do a great job reading bedtime stories. My girls know who to come to if they want a story read right. 🙂 I love seeing them becoming such expressive readers themselves… love it!
my honesty is something i’m most proud of.
i can’t wait to see lainey’s bday pics!
What a lovely post – it’s funny how it echoed my life this week. Our dog Stella runs away any chance she gets. My middle daughter, who is three, has figured this out and ‘accidently’ opens the front door for her. We are also doing a major renovation. I am busy watching the 3 girls, mudding and sanding the walls, painting, creating lessons for school on the computer, cooking, cutting the lawn…but my house is in shambles. Laundry and house cleaning is begging to be done.
My quality that I most cherish is my feeling that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Learn to knit – sure! Build a room downstairs – yes! (My husband likes to say it’s just my competitiveness)
I love that I don’t give up. I’ve been gifted with a stick-to-it-ness that is sometimes annoying. This determination comes in really handy with raising my precious daughter. Most days I can outlast her two year old determination.
On this, the 4 th day of rain in a row here, I great.y appreciate this point of view. I needed to read this today. I cherish my *usual* patience with people…
Hey, I was waiting thru this whole post to see the color “pensive sky” you gotta post a picture. My quality is loyality. Have a great day!
I find myself smiling the whole time I am reading your blogs 🙂 Love your stories & inspiration.
I have a well-spring of love. It is fabulous.
My husband does the same thing! Or he will start cleaning at like 10:30 at night when I’m trying to wind down and go to bed! Must be a male thing.
i cherish that my ability love on my friends and family with really good food.
I guess it would be that I forgive very easily. I never stay mad. I hate when people are angry, so I try to keep it short! And the picture of Sophie stretching…I needed that laugh this morning!
I feel like I am compassionate for other’s situations no matter how stressful my own might be.
Loved the photos of the girls. So adorable! 🙂
It drives most people nutty but I can find something to laugh about in even the most depressing situations!
I listen. Seems small I think, to most, but so often people confuse hearing with listening. It’s funny, this quality, as it leads folks to tell me all – thankfully I’m also an extremely good secret keeper. However, I do need to work on talking more about me and my stuff – I get away with keeping quiet as most people love talking about themselves sans interruption. Your blog is beautiful.
I like my optimism. I’m a glass half full sun shining out my ass kind of girl and I love it!
I love ability to be empathetic and put myself in another’s shoes very easily. This is the same quality that often makes me sad, but can make me so happy in the blink of an eye.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at the part about Brett cleaning out the fridge. I swear – only when we’re about 20 minutes away from a party starting at our house does Nate decide it’s time to do some serious deep cleaning. Sigh.
The quality in myself I most cherish is my ability to live in the moment. I try not to focus on what has happened or what may happen, but to just love what is happening. It makes each moment all the more richer.
Happy Birthday, Lainey Love.
I adore your blog and your positive outlook on everything. Its very inspiring!
My determination and perserverance – my ability to create what I want in my life.
Happy Birthday, Lainey! I have loved watching that girl grow on your blog over the past year that I’ve followed you all. So excited to see the party and get ideas for my little love!
Thanks!
Hi Kel, your story about Sophie reminded me of how our dog, Hadley, used to run for the hills anytime she was given the chance and the only thing that would coax her back home was for us to leave a trail of potato chips like Hansel & Gretal. It was hilarious. I miss those days. Love this post. You are touching so many people.
I love the fact that I expect the best out of everyone. It’s a quality of mine that has been known to let me down a time or two, but I still wouldn’t change it for anything.
I’m organized and I like it that way 🙂
I feel your pain over the party prep though. Recently my husband began tearing out laminate flooring in our living room and kitchen, only 6 days prior to the biggest party I’ve ever thrown. To his credit, he replaced it with some gorgeous hardwood. But, talk about last minute stress!
Oh wow. My son (19 yrs old) has been in and out of the hospital for the past few weeks and will need surgery. Lots of appts coming up. I have been asked many times how I hold up so well under the stress of his numerous hospital stays and appointments over the course of the past 13 yrs of a chronic illness. I’m his mama and he along with his sister are my heart…that’s how. I have to be his rock and he makes it so easy. Throughout every curve ball that has been thrown at him he remains an awesome young man. His nurses and drs all love him and are amazed with him. He is a true inspiration to me. He keeps kicking his disease in the face. And now, I am on my way to pick him from the hospital. So, that’s my quality I cherish-being a positive mama and having children that inspire me daily. A 19 year old son and a 2 year old daughter.
First, I have to say your girls make me smile every time I see new pictures of them.
The quality in myself that I cherish is that I make myself laugh at least once a day, life can be stressful and overwhelming but if you can laugh you can get through it.
Have a great day
Shari
I’m not sure how long Nella actually keeps the snaps in her hair before swiper swipes them out but they sure are ~CUTE~.
My husband calls it my joy. I know what he means I’m just not sure how to label it. Its part dreamer/part rebel/part childlike enthusiasm. I can’t wait to see pics of Lainey’s party!
Uggg, so many that I want to change for the better but I think I’m most thankful for the ability to go-with-the-flow, be flexible, have a plan but change it…it makes life crazy but it keeps life fun too!
I like my ability to hit the ground running. I’ve had to do it many times and though I have misstarts and stumbles I persevere and always find my stride. I never thought I’d be a stay at home mommy and when I decided to stay home with Julia I was terrified because I had no idea how to be a mommy or “run the house”. I think I’ve made a success of it and even though I miss working outside the home I really wouldn’t trade the vocation of being a mommy and wife for the world.
I cherish my loyalty. I also am learning to cherish my newfound skill of ‘finding the good’. You have been truly inspirational to me and when I recently went back to work after my second baby it almost killed me. However, through continued inspiration and living for today I am super proud to say that I am at peace.
Another beautifully written post…
THANKS!
I appreciate my ability to read people and be able to make them feel comfortable in almost any situation. It’s come in very handy in my job as a teacher!
Can’t wait to see birthday party pics! I am a go-getter, if I have an idea, a to-do list or random thought I get it done. Most times this is fantastic but learning to relax is also on the list!
I have discovered that I have nearly unlimited patience as a mother. I’m proud to have that quality since my own mother had nearly no patience when I was small.
I’m organized. I cherish that in a house of six people. 🙂
Hmm, I think I like that I’m always ready to try again, to start over.. It’s hard, but it’s what I’ve learned is necessary – wiping yourself off the wall and starting again.
Love the Sophie story…it just made me smile ear to ear.
I like that I’m a loyal person. I’ve been nicknamed “the vault” because I can keep a secret. 🙂
I just need to say that right before our company comes, my husbqnd cleans out the garage and moves it all into the house…
I cherish the freedom of my spirit, even when it’s unrealistic or frustrating. I’m able to change my mind in 10 seconds if I want to or have to, and it keeps things interesting and entertaining. 🙂
Hmmm….I appreciate my ability to drop all household tasks and enjoy people when necessary.
I love the look on Lainey’s face in the photo of the three of you!
For me: I get over things a little too easily. I probably shouldn’t take as many things so lightly…but life’s too short.
Awwww….love the sisterly hugs! And love that my little Pax shares a bday with Lainey! He turns 1 tomorrow and I am in complete denial. Maybe that is the one thing I am good at….denial up until the point that it really matters. Not sweating stuff until I know what I am going to be sweating….maybe that is not a good quality, but it usually gets me through.
I love this question, women, including myself, rarely speak of what we cherish or find good about ourselves! So let me think…… I love that although I may not get all of my to dos done in regards to cleaning, I don’t miss those little moments with my daughter. I stop doing dishes to pretend to be a butterfly with my 2 1/2 year old girly, and as we are running through the house waving our arms about I KNOW that I am doing exactly what I am suppose to!
I’m focused! Once I decide I’m going to do something, it gets done. While the clips would look pretty silly in my 2 year old son’s hair, they would be perfect for all my nieces!!!
Peacemaker….not sure if it is a true ‘quality’ but I know it is something that I find myself doing a lot and it is important to me. I want everyone to be happy and peaceful – at home, at work, with my family, with a stranger at a grocery store. If there is a gentler way to do things to keep everyone happy, I can find it, darnit!
Unrelated…this just killed me today:
“Pre-sprint warm-up. She doesn’t want to blow a hammy”
….so funny…bahahaha!!!
I am resourceful! Love that about myself.
Thank you for bringing a smile to my face today amidst some sadness that has dwelled in our home. Counting my blessings and headed to kiss my baby girls!
I love reading your blog! And love the pictures as always. I like to think I am a very compassionate person with a big heart. I hope it comes across in my dealings with others.
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
We also have a Sophie – she is an overweight (obviously doesn’t sprint) & deaf dachshund 😉 Such a cuddler. Will you come and decorate for my daughter’s 2nd bday? I’m so not crafty.
my compassion for children with special needs. We hope to adopt, but our families are not on the same page as we are. I hope I never lose my compassion and understanding.
I like the fact that I can find humor in almost any situation. That, and the fact that I can laugh at myself….LOUDLY!
I cherish my perseverance. We have had a rough 2011, but I keep getting up, keep living, keep on keepin’ on. We persevere. That is the best quality.
I cherish my sense of humor! This girl is funny.
I am a “glass half full” kind of girl! I definitely have a knack for seeing the good in people and in life!
Thank you for your blog. You seem to be in my head sometimes saying exactly how I feel better than I could ever dream of saying it.
I’m very compassionate and loving…at least I try to be and people say I am. 🙂
Hmm… tough one, I have so many fabulous qualities. I guess I’d have to say my humility. (Just kidding!)
Truly, my lack of complacency. I can’t let things linger if they aren’t how they should be- unpaid bills, birthday cards unsent, inefficient workplace protocols, dentist appointments, etc.
The quality I most cherish in myself is my ability to just “go with it” and not take life too seriously. Life is short and I’m going to enjoy every moment of it!
I love that I am a fighter. I know I can get through the bad times and come out better for it on the other side!
My favorite quality…hmmmm…it’s either that I am ultra forgiving or that I love to laugh. It’s a tie…
I try to always be flexible….why bother getting worked up over things we cannot control! And we have all learned that life happens…whether we plan it or not! 🙂
I love this blog. Seriously. It is such an inspiration to me daily. You are an AMAZING writer and photographer!
I think the quality I most cherish is being a rule follower. Give me a line- I WILL NOT CROSS IT. I like rules. I also am very anal. It’s a quality that I both LOVE and HATE. A bit like the pensive sky.
I love what a positive person you are! I wait to have my coffee just to have it while reading your posts! my only complaint? I wish they were longer, like a book so I could read for a LONG TIME!! LOVE this blog!
tara
I love how I can start every day with a smile and the belief that anything is possible. Kissing my kids awake for school is such a joy for me and I try to teach them this optimism, too.
I adore Lainey’s polka dots!
I am a treasure finder—both at thrift shops and in other people. I’m not graceful or athletic or good with the camera or a good singer. But I love my talent. Treasure finding.
I love that I am overly content with my life. Also, very forgiving!
I practice grace
i like that the big picture is my everyday picture, how our relationships, all the ones around us, intertwine with our own and whether in good times or in bad, we are to be there for each other 🙂
I love that when I’m with my daughter, I’m able to shut out the world and focus on her. As a working mom, I want to make the best of every moment we spend together.
Beautiful photos and amazing words. Thanks!
I love that I can make any situation good, see the positive side of it all!
Happy Birthday sweet Lainey!
i LOVE the picture of the 3 of you where lainey is making a funny face and nella is happily watching her big sister. PRICELESS
Nella gets cuter by the day. Her expressions are endless. What kind of dog is Sophie? She *almost* makes me want to get one! Can’t wait for the Big Sister’s Birthday post!
I’m a really laid back & “fun” mom.
Love that picture of you and the girls! So beautiful!
Loyalty. I want my loved ones to know that no matter what they have done, or what is going on in their lives, that the can collapse on my couch and I will be there for them.
my ability to empathize. Love the root beer labels – adorable!
Can I begin by saying I love your blog, I just recently found it and now reading about your precious little girls is a highlight of my day.
My favorite quality would have to be my motherly instinct. I am and have always been the one person that takes the time to take care and plan for all those involved in my life. Often I feel like I have more than one child that needs to be looked out for and I love it!
….I can remind myself that everything will work out just fine….It is a skill that I have worked hard to teach myself, and I’m proud of it
When I find myself feeling overwhelmed and chaos is surrounding me, I’ve learned to stop and look into my little one’s eyes. Everything I need is right there.
Kelle, is that a pillowcase dress on Lainey? I’m dying to get one for my Sofia…
I cherish the fact that I can let go of the little things and move on pretty quickly. A bad grade? Snotty behaviour? I just discuss why its not ok with my girl until she gets it. Then I tell her how much I love her and then its time for ice cream. Such talks are far and few between as they aren’t needed and I truly believe that is why she is such a good and happy girl. 🙂
Happy Birthday Lainey.
I think the characteristic I cherish most about myself is my ability to let go – I can certainly get worked up (not such a good thing), but I am always able to brush it off, smile, and focus on the good stuff – no reason to hold on to frustration, there’s too much in life to enjoy.
One thing that I love about myself is that I am wholeheartedly committed and loyal to those that I love.
I love that I have an endless pit of empathy….you can tell me anything & on some level I “get it”.
Love the unscripted moment with the girls. Beauty:)
I don’t know why I had to think so long on this one. But, I’m a great storyteller! I love that I used to tell my cousins’ kids bedtime stories every reunion, and now I get to make up stories for mine kinders. I’m so glad that someone else’s house looks like mine! Sometimes I get overwhelmed by the typical daily and random clutter that occurs.
I am good at teaching my kids, and I suppose that’s a good thing as we homeschool 🙂
Must-get-doughnut-NOW! That picture looks delicious! 🙂
A quality I cherish in myself would have to be my deep well of empathy. I always try my best to see the perspective of other people. A skill that served me well in my career & can be quite useful in the mother-hood as well.
Can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve for the party!
The quality of of myself that I most cherish – “supportiveness.” I’m not a friend of filters so I work hard to support the people in my life, the people I love, as much as possible no matter what it is they are working towards or have done – I don’t judge, I just listen 😉
we have a sophie too with a rebel inside her! lol
love your writing. i enjoy your blog each morning when the house is quiet and a hot milky perfection cup of coffee 🙂
First I have to say that picture of you, Nella and Lainey and the facial expression Lainey is making had me laughing so hard. My daughter always does the same thing when I try to take pictures of her lol. She thinks it’s so funny.
The qualities I cherish most about myself is patience and hope. With the things I have gone through and still go through…patience and hope are definitely the two things that I cant believe I still have and are strong. Lol
I like how strong-willed I am. My mother always said that when I was growing up, she knew she would never have to worry about people walking all over me. I was, and still am, a survivor. And I love that I have passed that trait onto my own daughter. (though at times I wish she was a little *less* strong-willed… 😉 It can make for difficult parenting to a 5 year old..lol)
I Cherish my compassion. I am the girl who gets weepy eyed whenever she sees others crying because I feel so happy or sad for said person.
I’m a shy and reserved person by nature, but I’ve learned in the past few years that I can do ANYTHING I need to do, and I can do it convincingly well- particularly when life is chaotic and demands something to just be done. Leave my cozy work-from-home job to become a salesman, wear heels daily and lease townhomes for two years? Sure, I can do it. I did it. I still can’t believe I did that. (and I’m glad to be working from home again, in my bare feet, with all client interaction online) And when there’s a huge family gathering in a restaurant and there’s lots of chaos and the waiters are confused, I can stand up and clarify whose order goes where, which people are sharing a ticket and what’s missing (though I’d rather not have to call to order a pizza, ever). When it’s needed, I can just step up and get things done, without the anxiety that normally plagues me. I have my own autopilot, and it’s one of my favorite things about me now.
I’ve always had a hard time seeing the positive in myself, but I honestly do believe that overall, I’m a pretty darn good mom. Yes, I doubt my mothering abilities frequently, but in my heart, I know that I’m doing the best I can and loving/encouraging them with every fiber of my being.
so true…there are constant joys and you capture them so so well. love the pic of them hugging and those pics of sophie were so cute. love that pre-sprint warm up. you are too funny!
I’m trying to make one of my strength the ability to enjoy the moment: play in the hose, run through the sprinkler, and just live.
I’m really good at making a special occasion out of an ordinary day!
I love my multi-tasking skill: cooking a new meal, cleaning, making lists, reading a blog, teaching school to my kids, pulling some weeds and adding a new artist to my Pandora playlist- that’s the plan for today!
i think i’m pretty good at being open-minded. i will hear everyone’s side of the story and be objective, even if it means i made a mistake. 🙂
One thing I like about myself: I never do anything halfway. I’m either out or in, full bore or nothing at all. It makes life interesting. 🙂
The thing I love about myself is I can make something happen in a stressful situation. That’s why my hubby and I are so good together. He likes everything lined up, perfect and ready to go….but when a glitch enters the plan he freaks. That’s when I step in a make it happen. 🙂
Beautiful photos, as always…I wonder how do you keep up with your favorites — you must have way too many!
I love that others can depend on me for something. If I say I will do something, I will do it. No flakiness from me!
Me? I am amazed at the amount of patience I have with my children. Never, in my wildest pre-children days would I have pictured myself dealing with terrible two (and threes sometimes!) so gracefully!
Such beautiful writing and lovely pictures! I love that I can encourage others. It brings me joy to help someone that way!
That hug between two sisters is just precious!!!
I was told today that I was ‘encouraging.’ Which is a good thing to be, I think–especially when people don’t realize what they need is a little encouragment!
Your dog is just like ours! A royal pain… but we love him so much!
I am excellent at reading to my littles. We can read for hours on end… I love it!
I can thrive in the midst of chaos and pressure! As every momma faces it time and time again, chaos happens! I may freak out at the beginning but I have a way of pulling things together and making things happen. And not just happen but happen beautifully!
PS- Adore your bed!! The headboard is amazing!!!!
The quality that I most cherish about myself is the relationships that I have built with my kiddos. Making sure they know they are important. Right now, I love the special night time routine I have with my son, a little prayer, cuddling and a kiss or two good night and when he says – I lobe you mommy, my heart melts (he can’t quite pronounce his v’s yet so they are b’s). Aaah, he’s perfect.
I love visiting your blog. Your writing is warm and inviting and I don’t feel like like I am intruding on your life when I read but rather welcomed with open arms. Your girls are beautiful and when I read I am reminded to be more patient and loving to my two girls and to take more pictures.
I love that I always root for the underdog, no matter what.
What breed is Sophie? She looks like a mix with a pekingese (I have 2 of them) She’s adorable.
How is Nella’s amber necklace working? I’ve thought of getting one for my little guy.
Again, as always the pictures are gorg. Your children are beautiful. and I love that the house is messy, it’s lived in, it’s loved, and that’s all the should matter,
First of all, LOVE the Sophie stretching picture and the one of Nella’s chubby arm rolls!
I guess I would have to say “trying to be content in every situation”. I definitely don’t always get an “A” in this department, but I try really hard. 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your little miss!
ps-I feel a little guilty that I can’t put all that work into my son’s party. (He’ll be 4 too on June 4, but we are Wedding Photographers and sadly his birthday always falls in our crazy peak season.)
I love that I’m always willing to learn something new and when I decide to do something I go full force!
I love that I am passionate about my family and friends…sometimes it may be my fault, but as of lately I am embracing it!
We, too have a dog who is an escape artist, Oscar. So I know the feeling well. Happy Birthday to your Girl…wishing you a blissfully happy week! 🙂
I don’t get easily upset or stressed out. It takes a lot for me to be frazzled or angry. I have a very laid back nature. Thanks for the awesome giveaway! 🙂
I love that I able to go with the flow of life. Life changes so unexpectedly and I love being able to adjust and just ‘go’ with the changes.
Can’t wait to see your new office and of Lainey’s birthday party. The picture of Lainey turning sideways is just gorgeous!
The quality I most cherish in myself is my ability to love deeply. I’ll admit sometimes it feels like a curse. To love deeply is to also hurt deeply. But I wouldn’t change this gift for anything! Your writings always uplift me!!
love the sweet sister hug photo. it just warmed my heart.
When things start to get chaotic or overwhelming, I’m grateful for my ability to roll my sleeves up, check of some of those “to do’s” and perservere by tapping into the perfect blend of determination while keeping perspective.
Something that I am good at, only after working at it for many years, is letting the “little things” go. Or, picking my battles, if you will. I am even more proud of this because it hasn’t always been a strong point (in fact, I would have called it a major weakness in my past). Having my two girls has only allowed this ability to grow more…and it’s one thing about myself that I would love to rub off on them (instead of things like my amazing ability to procrastinate).
I think it my ability to see the good in people and my positivity. I believe that people are genuinely good, but we all make mistakes.
This comment has been removed by the author.
What quality do I cherish about myself? The ability to speak up and to advocate. Now, sometimes this gets me in trouble when I speak before I process my thoughts. I stand up for what is right–even when it isn’t the popular thing to do.
My husband tells me that he’s in charge of reality and I’m in charge of fantasy in our marriage…which works awesome for me. I like that i dont’ take things seriously and dream about everything.
There is anything I wouldn’t try to make myself! I’m a pro-copy-cat!
I think my favorite quality is my tenacity. When I really want something whether to lose weight or go back to school, I WILL make it happen!
We love that polka dot dress, too, gift to my older two girls from grandma. 🙂
I can’t always see what is so great about me, but I love that I can usually get someone to see what is so great about themselves. 🙂 It makes me feel good when I can turn someone’s attitude around about themselves.
Beautiful pictures Kelle your girls are getting so big!
I love that people feel comfortable enough to tell me everything. I am full of peoples secrets that I will take to my grave!
I think my ability and willingness to help others in all sorts of situations, from needing cookies for a last-minute bake sale to giving advice to first-time moms to coming to the rescue for a family member in need, is one of my better qualities.
I am proud of my ability to handle chaos and confusion calmly and collectedly. And then break down in private.
First of all, I LOVE that picture of you with your girls and Lainey making that funny face! Hysterical! Reminds of my little guy who is only a year older than Lainey!
The quality I cherish most about myself…being able to drop everything and find something fun to do with my family. Even if the house is in shambles, we make it happen!
This was a GREAT post, it had me smiling the whole time!
Growing up I had a retired racing Grey Hound can you imagine the spectacle and adventure it was to catch him?!?
I love Lainey’s over exaggerated smile in the photo of you three girls! 🙂
Nella is so beautiful! She is more striking every day.
I love that I am so adaptive! I can adapt to so many things and it truly makes my life easier to have this quality. 🙂
I have learned and love that I can just let the stuff that doesn’t get done or doesn’t turn out just ride… I have q knack for just appreciating what is!
YES! The refrigerator thing! What is it about that…that happens at our house on a frequent basis.
And…Lainy’s cheesy grin is too much, I love it!
I love the picture of Lainey hugging Nella- it is so sweet because you just caught it and it wasn’t posed.
I love that I am the most hilarious person to my sister. I don’t know what it is but it seems that every time I’m with her I can have her rolling on the floor laughing. She’s the only person I have that effect on and I absolutely cherish it.
I love that I am helplessly in love with every child that I meet. I can find their sweetness and love them to pieces. We are hoping to adopt…as long as we can get everything in order, so keep your fingers crossed!
I most cherish my ability to find the joy in life’s little moments. The little smiles, the giggles, the way my baby sleeps with her butt up in the air…and it all makes life so fun…and so full of joy!
Love the pictures (as always)!
My quality – I don’t give up 🙂 I don’t give up – whether it is breastfeeding, my MBA program, or some project at work, I stick to it 🙂
love the pic of you and the two girls with lainey’s funny expression. and the two under that… love the sun. need/crave some in ohio!!
hmmm… the thing that i like most about myself is that i would do anything and everything for my kiddos. we are jetting my girl to feeding therapy an hour and a half away once a week, to try to get her to tolerate eating solids. truth be told, i would drive her to colorado everyday if she’d eat. i want things for her… want them intensely… since things are harder for her than they are for my son. her struggles are my struggles, and i adore her.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I can be counted on.
Deanna
Determination – it has seen me through many tough times and led me to some overgrown and rough paths that the less stubborn may have let pass by…
God bless!
As I read through your blogs (daily) I like to pick my favorite part and read it over again. Today it was Sophie dog. The thought of other dogs cheering her freedom made me giggle.
The quality I most cherish in myself is the ability to look at someone and see nothing but potential. It can be quite frustrating to not see it realized as often as I think it should. But I see is good in people and I love helping them to shine!
My quality I most cherish is the ability to let things go…just focus on the now and not worry about what will happen tomorrow or next week…that it will happen regardless and we’ll accept it with open arms!
I can sew and bake. I love that I am (little by little) learning a new skill, gardening.
Hmm…not often do I think about what quality I like in myself. I think it would have to be that I can juggle a lot of things at once – the hats I wear throughout the day are too numerous to count!
The quality that I cherish most about myself is my ability to let things go and relax. When having a bad or stressful day, I like to hop in my car, roll down my windows, undo my ponytail, and take off down a long canopy Florida highway listening to nothing but my tires dusting the dark glistening pavement. I let my mind wander from the hustle and bustle of everyday chaos to the the warm and inviting mother earth that surrounds me. I take everything from the sounds of animals to the smells of the sweet magnolia trees, deep into my soul and it relaxes me.
I pick paint colors mostly based on their names, why? because they make me happy. Currently I have ‘gypsy magic’ painted in my bedroom, ‘warm brandy’ in my living and dining rooms, ‘irish cream sundae’ in the kitchen, among other beautiful hues on the walls of my house.
i big pink puffy heart you.
me though … hmmm. what do i cherish about myself? i love that i have made a realization and determination to make sure my kids see how happy i am EVERY time they walk into the room. EVERY time. ohmygod. it’s hard sometimes. like if they have a nose full of boogs. or if they just destroyed my newly painted wall. (candlelight – if you were wondering. husband was pissed that i decided to do that in the middle of kids being sick and NOT DOING HOUSEWORK. meh.)
I always try and look at things from others perspective, I like that about myself. I also am very forgiving, I don’t hold grudges…I don’t have the patience for it. Enjoy her day, your birth day!!!
I am confident in and cherish my ability to teach and nurture children. It feels so natural, it’s why I became a teacher and a mother!
i like that i’m dependable & friends trust me. i will not go telling the world their secrets, but i will sit there & listen to them & give them advice & comfort when needed.
i would love to win this giveaway! i just found out i’m having a baby girl in september. my family has been waiting for a girl to arrive for a very long time (26 yrs)! i’m the only girl out of 5 kids & my mom passed away 5 years ago. and the baby will be the first grand-daughter out of 6! so we are all so excited!!
I am a great listener…and I love that I can do that for people 🙂
You are an amazing mother- I don’t know you but you seem to capture the moments of pure love. I love reading your stories! Thanks so much for sharing and keeping it all real!
In all my time reading your blog I don’t think I realized that I share a birthday with Lainey.
May 18 women are strong, grounded, resourceful, fiercely loyal, loving and compassionate, all things that will serve her very well.
Happy almost birthday, Lainey!
http://itiswhatitisorisit.net/
My husband says I’m naive. I, however, like to think I just see the good in people. Though it has gotten me hurt and disappointed many times in life, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I just like to think that people are naturally kind, loving, and gracious.
And I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!
I cherish my honesty… I can’t lie. If I try, I’ll confess & tell the truth within the minute – haha, or laugh – giving away all of my secrets. 🙂 I can admit it and I take pride in this quality.
Oh wow, what do I love about myself. Maybe the fact that I am very friendly and not afraid to strike up a conversation with anyone.
I cherish the fact that I’m always looking for the “travel” in everything. How can we make this an “adventure to remember?!” 🙂
What I love about myslef is my ability to stay calm. With four little ones, I hoep it is something they admire in me. Because I admire it in myself. Like when all crazy heck is breaking loose and I am calmly reigning everyone back in and I really want to lose it crazy back at them. But I don’t. I just carry on, calmly, like no craziness is happening. And then, voila, they are all calm too, and we carry on.
BTW, thought of you on FB this am, babysteals.com has Trumpette Jellies for babies 45% off. Totally thought of your girls. And mine. Going shopping now.
Thanks for your blog. I love it. I savor it. Loved the post on Instinct. I was crying and nodding and saying Preach It Sister!! I could have written it myself. But you did a much better job. Thanks.
Martha
I love the fact that I am an eternal optimist. Despite the chaos that inevitably happens, I always remember that someday I will be nostalgic for right now. 🙂
I love to look for ways to help others despite what I am going through… It always lifts me.
After having kids I learned to pick my battles, and not let things bother me so much……I quality I never used to have! 🙂
Hey Kelle! I never realized our oldests were SO close in age. Mine turns 4 on Saturday! Such a sweet day!
I’d have to say I cherish my loyalty. I am fiercely loyal and have been know to be to a fault. But I’m a friend for life…..
Ok, Sophie not wanting to blow a hammy seriously made me laugh out loud. She’s one sweet looking pup 🙂
And one thing I’m good at? I just realized this yesterday. My grandma passed, my same grandma that I named my daughter after. I cried when I realized she was going to pass on, I cried and remembered the good times we’ve had.. and then, I moved on. It doesn’t seem stellar when I write it out.. but I think it’s a gift that I can feel something deeply, and accept it quickly, and then be there for other people who tend to fall to pieces with this sort of thing.. like my mother. I’m so glad I can feel my grief, but be level headed to help others.
I too appreciate your ability to see the good in things because it improves my ability to do so as well! Lovely post as always! For myself, I would say, I cherish the fact that people can count on me – I am organized and try to do things for others to let them know I am always here for them.
I cherish my patience, I have a lot of it, although it does have an end. I have a lot of going power, and it comes in handy with my toddler-girl!
islandgirl706@gmail.com
I always try to live for the moment, not at the risk of being irresponsible of course, but to try to see the best in each day and to do things today because we never know what tomorrow might bring.
I’m convinced that you are the only blogger that is gifted enough to make an amazing post centered around a paint color! You have such an amazing gift!
Can’t wait to see all of the details from Lainey’s party! Love the panning for gold and “Lady Lainey’s Rodeo Root Beer”! Holy creative mama!
Wishing Lainey a very happy 4th birthday tomorrow!
xo
I always try to see the sunny side of things. As a part of that, I don’t hold grudges or sweat the small stuff. I accept things for what they are and people for who they are. I put troubles into perspective, I recognize all that I am thankful for, and then the troubles don’t seem so terrible after all. There is no reason to waste precious life being unhappy.
I cherish the fact that I know in my heart I have loved fully and without restriction. Sucking up every bit of being that is my 7 month old baby girl and giving myself to her completely as the best mother I can possibly be.
YeeHaa Lainey! Tomorrows your BIG Day!
Ya’ll have a boot scootin’ fun time!!
And thanks to your big hearted Mama I know you will!
I am strong and after everything life has handed me, I still look forward to waking up everyday with hope. And I ask myself “how did you touch some ones life today?”
A cherish my heart for others. Although it does get me into trouble, and can make me an emotional wreck. My brother, Brad, who has DS, he taught me to love like no one else. So I do. And I’ve devoted my life to working with individuals with disabilities. My heart has also led my husband and I to adopt our first little girl…we hope to have her home from Taiwan in about 2 years. So…my wild, crazy, unpredictable, too big for it’s own good, heart.
Brooke Annessa
http://www.theannessafamily.blogspot.com
I can’t believe how big both Lainey and Nella are getting!! Lainey’s new goofy smile made me lol 🙂
Thank you for reminding all of us to dwell on the joy that is constant, and to pay only fleeting attention to the distractions that seem so much more important than they actually are!
One thing I do well is turn my kids’ tears into laughter!
http://www.moveanymountian.blogspot.com
Oh, oh, oh! Pick me! Pick me! Ahem, I mean, my darling whispy haired Sasha 🙂 Love those clippies and love your pictures.
Honesty and confidence – my negative qualities are constantly balancing with these positive aspects.
That girl is gorgeous. Happy almost birthday Lainey! 🙂 FABULOUS photos. Again. How do you do it? Amid all the party planning and chaos of life. Still the perfect photos.
And just wanted you to know that I open up your blog just to listen to the playlist. After I’ve read, drooled, and been totally inspired. Love your taste in music. =)
I’m loving this new found desire to sew and be creative. I never considered my self to be ‘artsy’
Happy Birthday, Lainey!! I forgive easily and don’t hold onto grudges. I like that 🙂
I’m loving this new creative side that I have discovered.
Love the feeling behind your Sophie taking off. Our dog tries every time we let him out but we have ecollars so a chirp is all he needs to hear to come back. The ecollar is a lifesaver for our busy street. If I had to pick something inside of me that is good… I’d have to say my compassion for others. I dream of winning the lottery and gifting my winnings to those that need it most or to my favorite charities. Enjoy your day! HBD early, Lainie!!!
We watched my Mother-In-Laws dog last weekend and he ran away twice…! Our 2 year old daughter rolled down her window and was yelling through the neighborhood “Bear R U?” as loud as she could..
I like to think the quality I most cherish is my mad multi tasking skills! you know the talking on the phone, cooking dinner and chasing my girl who’s coloring every surface she can reach with a sharpie kind of skills..
I’m told I have a very calming spirit and people feel comfortable around me…I like that! 🙂
BTW, hoping we see some pics of the Pensive Sky color and finished room 😉
Favorites of this post:
Sophie’s story…hahahaha! Shaking the Milkbone box LOL!
The gymnastics hug…UGH! Tugging at my heart strings, because I see that very scene in our home daily 😉
Beautiful Lainey in her dress with the ribbon around her neck!
Nella in the blue dress outside….Gasp! Breathtaking!
What I like about me:
I am merciful to a fault.
I am so easily moved to tears.
And just as easily able to laugh; mouth wide open, head thrown back, with a loud, hearty gut roll! LOVE laughing!!!
*Happy adoption day, Rachel….tears of joy for you!
Kelly
Sometimes it is difficult for me to accept that this is a “strength” but I love deeply and with my whole self. It does, however, mean that I also grieve just as deeply when someone I love is hurting.
Your girls are so beautiful and I love feeling like you are all close friends though we have never met. Wonderful photos!
PS
Dogs are wonderful! Love that Sophie!
This comment has been removed by the author.
Oh I love this question. I feel that I am so often focused on areas that I need to improve on that I lose sight of my natural talents.
For me, I am most proud of my ability to create powerful and enduring friendships with women that I have randomly met throughout my life… and because of that, those friends now also share those intertwined friendships.
I am lucky. Making friends has always been easy for me. And now I have this core group of girls that I could not imagine life without.
thank you for mentioning your birthday gift wrapping forgot card incident. i’m often that gal. i actually just gave a wedding gift that i wrapped in brown kraft paper! so embarrassing. but it did have a nice silky soft white bow around it. perhaps they didn’t notice?? and let’s see… i cherish my sense of humor and being able to laugh at myself. :0)
I am an encourager. I love that my words can influence someone for the good. My prayer is that I would only ever use my words to lift people up and give them hope.
My favorite quality is my motherly instinct. I had the biggest fear it wouldnt appear..
I cry at and love sappy commercials and movies and just life in general. I cry at the silliest things but not because they make me sad. Joy, pure joy, brings happy tears to my eyes. I love that love stories of all kinds do this to me.
I cherish that I have passed my love of reading to both my 6 year old son and 4 year old daughter. I love that my 4 year old is constantly bringing me books to read to her and she is trying desperately to read “in her head” like her Mommy, Daddy, and her big brother. Even as we have been sick with stomach bugs, strep throat, and food poisoning (just the hubs and I thankfully) all in 4 weeks, both children still beg for books daily and even while sick, I love reading to them.
I love that when things seem to be going wrong, I find the positive in it or remember how truly blessed I am. I remember that my problems are not problems at all compared to others….so I must smile and be happy!
One thing I love about myself is my belief in people and inability to hold a grudge. Even when people let me down, I find it easy to forgive and forget.
My parents have a dog that has the same run-away tendencies. It nearly always happens when a bunch of us are at their house and too many people are going in and out and forgetting to keep track of the dumb dog. The scene you described is the same. My dad zips around the neighborhood on a scooter, at least a couple of us jump into cars, and my husband and brother-in-law take it on foot. You’d think the dog forgets who feeds him!
Love your blog and pics of the girls and you – beautiful!! I cherish the fact that I always try to see the good in everything and everyone.
I cherish my ability to feel confident in myself and those around me.
What a great challenge!
We had a yorkie mix just like Sophie growing up. It became somewhat of a game to the neighborhood kids, teaming up to see who could catch him. Love the close up of Lainey, she’s so beautiful!
My positivity. It keeps myself, and the ones I love safe. I never let the worst get to me, and I’m always thinking “This is happening for a reason, what that reason is right now… I don’t know. One day it will make sense.”
I love that I can roll with the punches. When life hands me lemons, I choose to make lemonade. And also that I adore my kids beyond belief and think I do a good job of showing them that.
Sara W. from MN
I love that I have learned to put all errands and chores aside for an impromptu picnic and park date with my little girl. Errands and to-do lists will never really be done but the memories we make will last a lifetime.
I just love reading your blog! I love that I can laugh at myself. I try to not take life too seriously!
I love that I can not only recognize the differences between myself and others, but can embrace and value those differences instead of fearing them.
I really cherish my ability to see the positive in everything! With kids it’s easy to just get discouraged but I like to just stay upbeat. Who cares of there is chocolate pudding all over your carpet – now you can clean it all up together and teach them that messes are okay, life will go on! 🙂
I cherish my ability to see beyond the negative (or positive) behavior in people. “You can’t judge a book by it’s cover”, over used saying- but very true. When some one is treating me badly. Or when one of my children are misbehaving I try not to react to what they are saying on the outside. But respond to what might be going on, on the inside. Some times I do react, and I always regret it. Because eventually the “reason behinds” come out. I cherish the natural inclination to do this…It’s saved me a lot of grief!
Like you, I also always try to find the positive in things. It drives my husband batty sometimes but I know in the end he loves it about me.
I am able to be calm and do what’s needed when faced with illness or hurt. It may be because of my career as a physician assistant, but it really comes in handy with my two wonderful children, and that other big one they call daddy! 🙂 It also helped me get through my dad’s last days of cancer 2 months ago. I love your blog so much, you really do have that gift!
That my heart is on my sleeve. Sometimes it gets knocked around, stepped on or just plain crushed but it’s out there for the world to see. I used to hate that about myself but as I become younger, I realize it’s there because of me.
What a great post. Made me smile.
I like my ease of accepting
others. I (like Lainey) am the sister to a sibling with DS.
I like the way I will keep on trying to live life to the fullest no matter how many times it may seem that I have failed. I will always try things again. Love being the greatest of these things. It has totaly paid off for me.
Thanks for the challenge to think about what I like about me…it is a good challenge that should practice more often! I like how I can make my little boy smile like no one else can! 🙂
I love the picture of the three of you! It’s amazing. I enjoy that I am spontaneous and energetic with my kids.
I am a work in progress, still growing, learning, changing, and each day I can be better than I was the day before. I can, I didn’t say I am, but the possibility for change is there. I am a work in progress…
I love that I’ve taken the time to document my most cherished memories- in pictures and writing. I like that I use this creative outlet to learn more about myself, and be able to look back & see how far I’ve come.
I love doing things for other people, and I live giving them a little piece of wisdom that makes their day a little bit easier or brighter!
what do I cherish in myself…hmm…
I just want so badly to be perfect in everything I do and I cherish the fact that I’m okay when I’m not 🙂
Happy Happy Birthday to your Lainey Girl!
Funny, my Trippy and your Sophie would have a blast…sound like they just may be kindred spirits…
I am loving my new found ability to share a glimpse into our world with words. I love that I am able to celebrate the achievements of all my children with honest enjoyment. I also love the picture of Lainey right under her Birth Day.
patience. even when my little one is driving me nuts. there is nothing i would not do for her.
I like that I am ambitious. Last year at this time we were contemplating a huge decision in our lives. Should we move 17+ hours away from our family, our friends, and the only state we ever called home?
Ambitious me said yes! I don’t think I knew I was that ambitious until one October morning my bags were packed and I was headed to Florida.
*I look for your new posts daily, such an inspiration!
I try to be a good listener, my girls, my best friend, my husband…..we all want to be heard and so I sit back and listen.
Happy birthday Lainey!
I love that I can cry over another persons heart ache. It makes me feel full of love. It makes me feel like a woman.
Lovely! Huzzah! Wonderful.
I am empathetic, sensitive, sincere. I think it is my best and worst quality. My worst because I tend to take shit on that isn’t mine to take on, my best because I am a really good friend.
I like that I have learned over the years to stop comparing – my body, my finances, my children… Embrace the differences and be the best whatever-it-is you want to be!
Another beautifully written post, Kelle! I always read them with my morning coffee, just after my little Chloe has gone off to school. 🙂
My most cherished quality? Hmm. Perhaps my ability to view the world as a “glass half full”. My mother, who considers herself a “realist” and wouldn’t dare see the world through such rosy-ish colored glasses, will sometimes in the middle of a conversation with me, give a big sigh and say, “You’re *just* like my mother”. I don’t know if she’s complimenting me or not…but I like to think so. 😉 haha
I happen to think viewing the world the way I do, helps me get through the challenges I’ve faced and I will undoubtably face in the future. And so…I tackle it all, the best I can, with my “half full” attitude. 🙂
The trait I cherish most about myself is loyalty. I will fight for you and love you to the bitter end. While it has hurt me once or twice, my fierce loyalty to those I love grounds me in those relationships.
I am proud of my ability o turn my boys’ Asperger’s into a pocitive and my parenting style (most days) reflects a resolution to let my babies shine in whatever way they can.
I like that I’m a planner. It drives some people bonkers, but I like the order and knowing what’s to come.
Okay, first I have to say I almost choked on my breakfast (yes, I’m eating at the computer) when I read that caption under your dog that read “Pre-sprint warm-up. She doesn’t want to blow a hammy.” I don’t know why, but that sent me into a fit of the giggles this morning. Must be my mood. But ahhh it feels good to laugh, so thank you for that bit of humor 🙂
Anyway, the thing that I most cherish about myself? I guess that would have to be the ability to be inside my own head and always have a good time. I’m honestly never bored. I can sit in a room with nothing but white walls for hours and simply be entertained by my own thoughts.
I am a forgiver……it has saved many heart aches. Beautiful blog and love your transparency.
Gosh, Sophie’s story is the best! Along with that sweet hug at the gym….the surprise face and of course the bday girl just simply looking at the camera. You are so amazing. And so is your family. Thanks for sharing all that with us. Oh, and giveaways too! Yes, please…..
I love that I can almost always laugh at myself. Sometimes, it takes a little while, but I don’t ever want to take myself so seriously that I can’t laugh at the silly things that I do/say/see. It makes me feel better about those moments, especially when I can make others laugh too!
I love that I am a memory keeper and a memory maker. Writing memories down, taking photos, telling stories, planning things to do just because I know it will be fun to remember them later. I am my families little (BIG) historian.
Kelle, your littles are just adorable. I have a 17 month old girl and just cant get over how fabulous it is to be a mommy. I find my greatest trait is to trust in myself.
Happy Birthday Lainey!
I love my creativity and my passion for creating art!
I love reading your family stories!! You write so beautifully!
There is never anything funnier than a whole family chasing after a loose dog! Done it myself a time or two..
I love that I’m a strong woman and when the world gets me down I tell myself DESPITE it all I can do it!
Tenacity. I hate being wrong. I don’t mind being told I am, but I want to know why and I want to know what’s right and I’m going to keep coming back to discuss it until I get it. I’m tenacious.
Cole
Tenacity. I hate being wrong. I don’t mind being told I am, but I want to know why and I want to know what’s right and I’m going to keep coming back to discuss it until I get it. I’m tenacious.
Cole
Quality I love most in myself? The ability to become a kid–in most any situation. I can snicker with the best of them when it comes to double meanings and cherish a good game of Candy Land. 🙂 I can get lost in a game of tag and build a mean block tower.
My favorite ability in myself is that I am able to manage a wealth of different personalities well. I work with a group of women, all of whom bring something different to the table, and all of whom manage to clash at some point or another. I have found a style to handle each one of them and coax the best out of them. It’s a strength I am pleased to use daily.
I try to be optimistic always. There is always something to be thankful for or something that could be worse in any situation…..
Love!
I love that I tend to look on the bright side. Don’t get me wrong, I have my moments of “wrap me in a fleece blanket and make the world go away” but in general I tend to have the attitude of the past is the past- there’s no changing it, so let’s get on with tomorrow 🙂
Love, love, love your blog.
I may take it to the extreme, but I absolutely love my organizational skills. There’s just something about complete order that makes me happy.
Cute hair clippies-they’d be perfect for my little girls!
Love the description of the new paint color – can hardly wait to see photos of the finished room!
The headband you have on while hot gluing labels to root beer bottles (of course you are!) is fab!!
I appreciate your ability to see the good in the midst of crazy, and I very much appreciate your influence on me to attempt to do the same more often.
As for me, I cherish (and, way to use a term that forces us to look within and really love ourselves!)my ability to make people laugh.
I can take a tense moment and make it better. I lighten up even the darkest of situations with humor. If you can’t laugh at what life throws your way, what’s the point? I have found that you can laugh your way through any thing, no matter how hard it may be, there is always something to laugh at or about. 🙂
I love to create family traditions and celebrate each of my four kids and hubby in unique ways. My kids look forward to our traditions, and never let me get away with skipping any. They protest with, “But we always…” I love that these are the things that now define so much of who we are as a family!
Oh my goodness, the story of Sphie made me remember my dog Clementine….she’d do the same thing. Run off through the neighborhood. We’d either find her in an (unhappy) niehgbors pool, or in the lake at our nearby park. Something for me to laugh about now, although my parents certainly didn’t see the humor in this at the time.
I most cherish my sense of humor. It makes things so much easier!!!
The one quality in myself I most cherish is my generosity of self. I am willing to give as much of myself as I can in order to do good. I guess that’s why I am putting myself through 4 years of nursing school he!!. So I can help people. It’s all I have ever wanted to do. And it will be so worth it in the end.
PS, Loving the clips! So cute!
This is for sure not something I normally think about, thank you for getting me to think about my better traits.
I have to say that my ability to admit that I am wrong is one of my better traits. It hasn’t always been the case 🙂
The quality I cherish the most in myself is loyalty: I will never turn my back on someone I love, even when it stretches me a little too thin! It’s come back to bless me time and time again.
This is a tough question . . . if you would have asked what I dislike most about myself, that seems an easier answer. . . I like that I’m resourceful – I can make do with just about anything on hand (although admittedly, I always want more things, newer things, better things. . . ). Beautiful girls you’ve got there. Hope Lainey has a great day and that you enjoy the anniversary of your first mommyhood.
I love the fact that I am an extremely laid back and accepting person. Also, my favorite saying is, “Life is a gift…Unwrap it” and I do just that every single day!!
I always struggle to find what I am good at. Nothing I could use in a talent show: Calculus, writing greeting cards, cuddling with my baby boys.
Rania
Loved the pic of your girls hugging each other. My biggest joys come from seeing how my almost 3 year old and almost 1 year old light up every time they see each other. Pure joy for both of them = one happy mama.
I like the fact that I know what I need and that I’m not afraid to ask for it. I need to be alone from time to time – to read, to think, to not think, to just be alone. I used to not ask for that time because I thought it was selfish – and that being selfish was bad. I’ve realized now that sometimes a girl has got to be selfish and ask for what she wants….
I’m good in a crisis. I can take control. Delegate. Manage people. And I try to say the right thing.
Happy birth day for tomorrow!
I may lack patience and a lot of other great qualities but I can make anything a good time. You check for a poopy diaper and come up with a handful and shirtful – we’re gonna party!!
happy birthday Lainey!
I would have to say, I cherish my capability to “get it done”. I am reliable. And though some people might characterize my personality as “she gets it done, not caring who she kills in the process”, I get it done because actually I do care, and love who I am doing it for!
Pictures were breathtaking.
I have been following your blog for what seems like forever and I am still shocked a the beauty of your two little ladies. Sometimes certain pictures of your girls still take my breathe away. (That is a huge compliment to you and your photography genius-ness!!)
I don’t let things rattle me. I roll with just about everything and I can see the silver lining in just about everything. So many things went wrong with my wedding, but it did not bother me one bit. My brother is off on his fourth deployment and having his first child in July and I am the one keeping things together for my sister-in-law, and I am ECSTATIC to be doing this for him and her.
Kelle I most cherish the characteristic of being a little bit dramatic (cut to the movie Mean Girls and the head “mean girl” wears a shirt that says “a little bit dramatic”). My husband says he is going to buy it for me 🙂 Being dramatic is not always negative I think. I cry and the smallest successes and wail at the biggest hurts. I make a big deal out of everything because I think life IS A BIG DEAL. I also have a mama and big sister who taught me well 🙂
The quality in me is given thanks to my husband and child. Just being with them lightens my eternity.
Oh and the fact that, I can nurse my baby whilst doing the laundry, vacuuming, and doing the dishes!! When will that darn dishwasher arrive!! =)
Ok…before we get to the quality in myself I most cherish…I absolutely heart the unscripted moment of sisterly love on the tumble mat at Gymnastics World. That is like center ring on the skee ball machine 3x in a row in terms of points for you and Brett.
The quality I most cherish in “E” is…sense of humor. I do not use it to mask my true feelings, but I do use it to make the best of not-so-great situations. Otherwise, bitterness or cynicism might find their way into my life and well, that would not bode well for anyone…I mean, except for the Association for Bitter and Cynical People, but unfortunately, I feel their membership numbers are just fine.
I love that I put my kids first and my housework second. Granted my house is a mess, but my kids don’t mind!
I think its my determination, I am determined to enjoy my children, not worry about the stuff I didn’t do, can’t do or won’t do. I am here with them and that is exactly how I want it to be!
I love the picture of Lainey hugging Nella. I love when I catch one of those moments between my girls. It just makes me feel like if nothing else, I taught my big girl to love her baby sister (especially when I dont have to force her to do it to get a good pic!)
The quality I enjoy most about myself is my ability to be flexible. As a step mother to a 14 and 8 year old, and a soon to be mommy to a beautiful baby girl, it’s the most important trait they have all taught me 😉
And Happy Birthday! I adore your blog so much. It touches and inspires me with every post I read.
To find the good in everyone.
I love your passion, happy birthday to Lainey !
I love that I know what part of my purpose in life on earth is for now. God had to hit me over the head with it, but I think I finally got it!
The unscripted hug is so wonderful!
lovely post. Admire your honesty. Can’t wait for the birthday rodeo!! Such fun…I would love to make a gift from your new sponsor.
Sophie looks like a lot of fun! I can see the chaos and it sounds a lot like my house!
love the way you put words together!
LOVE the pictures of your girls. Looks like Lainey’s party is going to be a blast. My most favorite quality is my ability to get the impossible done. Despite running around like a mad woman while I’m doing it and stressing so bad all my hair will be gray by the time I’m 30, I still get it done!
I love the fact that I am a hippie at heart. My die hard Republican husband says he’s annoyed by this, but you should see him cosleeping with our baby girl and rocking out the Moby with her in it. I hate the fact that I have so many wonderful ideas, but so little energy to do them.
I have a Great Dane and an Irish Wolfhound, and Lord help me if they ever run outside. They’d be in Idaho by the time I got to the end of the block:)
I most cherish my patience. Because of a lot of issues in my family, patience is a must, and thought it’s something that I’m always working on, I know I am a patient mom. I’m thankful for that.
Sophie is hilarious! I would be a wreck if any of my dogs sprinted away like Sophie did. Thank you for sharing her story and photos though! I’m always curious about the furry pets in the background of your photos. 🙂
Thank you for the bow discount, just order some daisy’s. Can you tell me where you got Lainey’s dress, The high neck one she has on. Thanks!!
Our dog used to run away all the time too! We got to know our neighbors quite well 🙂
As for myself…I’m glad that no matter how old I get, I’m not afraid to be silly in front of my kids and my students. I will laugh at my own jokes, tell funny stories about my latest mishap, and generally refuse to be too stuffy or proper. Someday, this might embarrass my kids, but not today!
Our dog used to run away all the time too! We got to know our neighbors quite well 🙂
As for myself…I’m glad that no matter how old I get, I’m not afraid to be silly in front of my kids and my students. I will laugh at my own jokes, tell funny stories about my latest mishap, and generally refuse to be too stuffy or proper. Someday, this might embarrass my kids, but not today!
Energy. I can find an abundance in energy within myself even when I’m tired – it helps to get through those crummy days.
For my husband’s sake I would love to say – the ability to keep my house clean and organized – but that is NOT the case 🙂 I cherish my ability to give…
I am always trying to find fun ways for our family to spend time together…it doesn’t always turn out as I envisioned it, but hopefully the kids will remember how we always made time for each other and try to do the same with their children…
.seeing God’s grace. even in the darkest moments.
Kudos to Sophie for stretching before her run! I was running with a friend when she pulled her hammy…it wasn’t pretty. That Sophie knows her stuff.
Happy, happy birthday a little early for Lainey Love. That sweet girl is gettin’ big!
My quatlity…hmmm, I love the combination of being laid back but knowing when I have to bring it! There’s nothing like waiting until the eleventh hour. That’s when the magic happens. Whether it’s a paper that was due, a party to plan or a Halloween costume needing finishing touches…and when I say ‘finishing touches’ I mean the whole dang thing. I do my best work when I’m under pressure.
Enjoy the last day of your three year old 🙂
XOXO,
Angie from Ohio
I love that, despite having full days every day, I still have time to fit something else in. Even if the laundry doesn’t get done (again) 😉
I don’t hold grudges, seriously, you can be pretty mean to me and I will forgive you. I think this is a somewhat selfish thing though, because I don’t like the way I feel when I am angry with someone, justified or not. I would rather just forgive them and go on.
Oh, and my husband does the same thing as Brett! He always takes moldy crap out of the refrigerator at the absolute worst times. I think he is trying to tell me something, but I am not listening lol
An Irish poem says it best: “…an cailín a bhfuil áilleacht an bhróin ina gnúis,” meaning “the girl with the beauty of sorrow in her face.” Sadness and disappointments force us to grow and evolve and strengthen. I’m thankful I learned this at a relatively young age so I can spend the rest of my life in gratitude. 🙂
Kelle,
Great question, Kelle. It was nice to take a minute to think about your question and figure out what quality I like most about myself. I’m loyal. I love my family and friends and will do anything to help them along. In turn, I feel that my family and friends are loyal to me. It’s so nice to be surrounded by positive and healthy people. I feel very blessed to have them in my life. Cheers to good relationships and staying loyal to those who mean the most.
Take care!
Kate
Lainey looks so beautiful in so many of those photos. Not that she doesn’t always, but for some reason there are a few in this post that really took my breath away. Just lovely.
I am so grateful for my sarcastic sense of humor. Especially since having children, it has served me so very well in dealing with the ridiculously painful challenges that can arise while trying to be the best Mom I can be. I can laugh at myself or even at times at my child (out of earshot) and it makes all the rough stuff seem just funny. It even can work on sleep deprivation!
Those little hair clips are adorable! Looks like Lainey’s party is going to be so ADORABLE!
A quality…I would say I am fairly laid back. I go with the flow most of the time. Which is good in a house with a 3 year old and 5 month old, life is always on the move most of the time.
OH HOW I LOVE reading about your REAL LIFE!!! I love how you keep it real girl!! & completely diggin’ the polkadotty clogs!! 🙂 eeeeeee
I know some little girls that would love some new hair bling. (-; They’d be thrilled if we won.
Anyway, I hope all goes well with the house preparation, but if Brett’s still cleaning out the refrigerator as company arrives, don’t worry. What’s a little rancid taco meat amongst friends? (-;
Beautiful pictures, as usual.
I appreciate my ability to instantly tell when I’ve said the wrong thing or gone too far and my quickness to apologize. In motherhood and spousehood I think a well-timed and geniune apology can be a relationship-saver! I’ll never claim to be at all perfect, but damn if I don’t say sorry when I mess up. 🙂
-Naomi
I have confidence in myself and I like that! I’m not boastful or prideful but when push comes to shove…doggone it….I know that I can get it done!
I’m a great traveler. Although I don’t get to do it as much as I’d like, I’m good at it!
Looking at your pictures makes me think I could handle more than one child. The sweetness of siblings is amazing!
my thing… that i often forget that i can do…. because i don’t do it very often anymore…. is paint…. i love to paint portraits…. love it…. and it’s not something that i can plan out…. i have to have one of those moments where it hits me…. i’ll come across an old photo…. a song will come on…. something sparks…. and the next thing you know i’m high-tailing it to my paint supplies…. priming a canvas… going full tilt…. and i literally lose myself… it’s the most wonderful feeling….
–e
Oh so cute!
Oops, I deleted the rest of my comment! Oh so cute. I think I can actually keep my time much better organized than I give myself credit for. I always think I am not a good time manager, yet it all gets done and on time in the end?
I have a great quality of inventing fine excuses. Forgetting tissue paper and a card would result in, “That’s from me, I’m going green. Save the planet!”
Sophie is so cute!! I can’t wait to see party pictures, looks like you are making some really cute stuff!
I try my best to see the good in everyone, knowing that their faults are no worse than my own.
I wonder if the 4 week-old soul in my belly would appreciate the adorable bows from Little Lisew?
I cherish that each day my love of 19 years and I can share a good, hearty, mouth wide-open, gasping for air, knee slappin’ belly laugh. He makes the wings of butterfiles flutter in my whole being.
I suppose it would have to be that I consider myself a lifelong learner. I am always trying to take on new challenges and learn about as much as I possibly can! As long as there are enough hours in the day, I will continue to learn something new!
I’d like to say my strength. As a military wife I think i do well at pushing through the deployments, trainings that take my husband away from us, and navigating motherhood one day at a time:)
Happy birthday Lainey!!
The first thing that came to mind was having the ability to laugh at myself. As a former teacher turned homeschooler and a mom to three under the age of 6, I just can’t take things too seriously any longer. I’m loving every minute and cherishing every second of this dreamy world I’m living in.
LOL…The Sophie story is hilarious! I love the second photo of her!
The quality I most cherish in myself is my ability to take whatever it is going “wrong” in my day and make something go “right” in another persons day. I seek the opportunity to make someone else’s day – to make someone happy.
When everything has gone to crap, I’m the friend that comes over with a bottle of wine and lets you spill (your heart…well, the wine too if you wanted).
LOVE the picture of Nella sitting in the grass in the blue dress!!
Happy Birthday to Lainey!!
My favorite thing about me is that I’m creative…
I’ll say that it is my ability to versitile. Can’t tell you how often it has come in handy!
Kelle, I love your blog so much. Beautiful and inspiring, always.
An ability that I’m confident in… I give people the benefit of the doubt and I empathize with them. I have come to really like this about myself. Aside the many things I’m not good at, or the things that I might be but am not confident in, this ability I’m sure of.
If wednesday is her b-day, she and my little brother share the same b-day (although he is not little anymore, cause he is turning 19!!!!). HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIRL!!!
I love that I try to find the best in every child. As a teacher, I feel it’s the greatest gift I can give.
When I entertain, I am in my element. I could spend hours on end cleaning and organizing and preparing for guests and never get tired of it. When they walk through my door it’s like I’m in Heaven on Earth…All is right when guests are gathered around my kitchen wining and dining!
One quality that I most cherish is my ability to get up each morning and greet my children with a smile and a big hug. Even if I only got an hour of sleep the night before. It may be the one time in the day that they see me smile, but it greets their every morning.
Such wonderful pictures this time and wow Nella has the most beautiful blue eyes. I saw a lot of you in this series of her. 🙂 Does that count as a point? LOL!
As for me, I am giving to a fault. I love to help others and find so many ways to do that.
Every blog post I read of yours makes me happy!!
A quality in me I most cherish…I like to think that I notice things. Little things. If someone got a haircut that’s not really noticeable, if a little kid fell feet away from his mom, if a little kid is too young to say ‘Ketchup’ but wants some. I see her, and give her some more. That really happened, by the way. But with this quality, I like to think it makes me appreciative of people more. In the little things they do.
My sense of “git her done.” I do what has to be done. I may be in tears, or so stressed that I’m losing hair or gaining/losing weight, but I can git her done.
And I have a killer sense of humor. I, like so many of these ladies, can make anyone laugh. And if we can laugh, we can survive.
Oh, er…is Sophie a puggle? We’re looking for a pup for our family, and she seems good with the kids.
I love that I LOVE so well.. even those who aren’t so loveable.. I still LOVE ’em.. (and btw – that ability to love ’em anyway, has brought many friends into my life.. and they all end up being keepers.. even those that start are being ‘not so loveable’.. )
I like to think I have good intuition. That I have a sense of how people are feeling or even how they might feel if things go a certain way. It helps to diffuse tough situations…to be able to tell someone how someone might be feeling differently than they think.
I did the “snort laugh” when I read the story about Sophie…HAHA! I could see it in my head and couldn’t stop laughing. Definitely needed that.
I am a sap. I cry over commercials, songs, smells…ANYTHING! Used to be something I disliked, but since I’ve had my babies, I cherish it. I remember my Grandma being a pin cushion and I love that someday my grandbabies will remember the same about me!
I like to sit and listen to people talk about themselves. I like to hear what makes them happy, what makes them sad, and all about whatever is their pride and joy. I love a good, long conversation, and I love letting the person I’m talking to feel like someone really does care about them and their corner of the world. 🙂
I love that I LOVE so easily.. and can take a recipe for a cake and take it from pretty good to amazing with a few tweaks.. AND I love reading your blog.. I am almost 52 and the joy you have raising your kids is such an inspiration, even to this momma whose kids are 22 and 24…
I love that I can be witty without being cutting (mostly). And I am really generous. I will share my time and skills and food and love with anyone who needs it.
Great pictures and words. I think I am a very genuine person….and that’s hard to find in people these days! Happy bday Lainey….Kelle I know you’re in hot-glue heaven right now!! Look forward to seeing pictures of the cowgirls! xo
I am good at giving genuine words of affirmation. That’s because I also appreciate them when they come my way. So, whenever I am thinking something nice about someone, whether a family member or stranger, I always tell them. Today I found myself admiring my barista’s deep blue eyes, and I made sure she knew they were captivating. I think I gave her day a boost, and it made me happy too.
The candid hug shot made me smile. Yay for sissies.
Also, I love your Nike workout pants paired with a girly, flower headband. You are a great many things. 🙂
Love! I love that I create traditions for my children and carry on traditions that were passed on throughout my family. I love seeing my children become a part of those traditions!
I am a good question asker. Maybe that sounds weird but it’s true. I process stuff quickly and can ask the just right question at the right time whether it if for information gathering or for helping my husband with his work. I got it from my mom – she started it! 🙂
My newer level of spiritual maturity that trusts in God’s plan above my own.
I am a planner and everytime my friends or family get together, I take care of all the details. I enjoy it and it allows us to enjoy the day!
I feel like I have alot of love to give. I didn’t know how much till I met my husband, and I suspect I will learn I have even more when I welcome my son into this world. I know that love will never fail me.
The one thing I do well that I like is trying to engage elderly people in conversation that appear lonely. It breaks my heart to see an elderly person eating alone. So I find an excuse to talk to them.
Your Sophie has a kindred spirit with my Lexi; down to the running around like crazy to catch her!
Sometimes I wish I was more emotional about the decision making process, but I love my ability to prioritize and decide anything with a pros/cons list.
Love the sponsor! So far I’ve been able to resist online shopping for my little girl due to appear in (only!!) 10 weeks, but I may have to break my resolve for 25% off…
Quality I cherish most is my ability to juggle a full time job, both my little girls and everything in between all while keeping my head screwed on MOST of the time.
I cannot even freaking handle that picture of the dog stretching and your words that go with it. I busted out laughing.
I love catching a gimpse of the unscripted hugs and kisses that my kids give eachother every now and then. So sweet and heartwarming to see!
I can’t wait to see pictures of Lainey’s party – you always have the best ideas – I wish my kids parties where half as good.
I love that I can that I am a loving person and can often see when people are really hurting.I love helping people even it is just by listening to a problem or story or giving a little snuggle. I hope that I can pass on the compassion to my children and that they will be compassionate to others who need it. Right now I would honestly love to fly down and help you clean up – just so you could do something and not have to stress.Of course I would have to bring my two littles with me.I think they would love the sun – it is finally coming back and starting to warm up.
I hope you have a great week.
Surprisingly, this question is hard for me to answer. That is really eye opening. But after some thought, my answer is going to be my heart. I always find myself going out of my way to make someone feel special and help out when I can. It’s funny how leaving this comment is making me realize that I have some real work to do.
I cherish the fact that people look to me to make their parties or meetings more enjoyable. I love creating and adding excitement to things that could be dull and boring. I like being creative. Love Nella’s “oh my” picture. With her O face and her hand on her chin. Priceless. Happy birthday tomorrow to Miss Lainey!!
I love how when I get stressed about little things, I step back and think about how truely blessed I am with my husband and three children <3
I have a trusting heart that trust’s people rather easily. This, as with most things can be a blessing or a curse.
I think I am pretty good at the work/life balance. I know how to work hard and get a job done, but let me tell you I know how to play!
Happy almost birthday to Lainey!
Oh, I wish I shared your ability to see the positive, bright spots in life…but I don’t. Thankfully I have your blog to turn to, as well as many other bright spots.
My best trait? Attention to detail. That may sound boring but I do like it.
I LOL about Sophie, but know how heart wrenching it can be when a pet runs!
LOVED the pic of Lainey hugging Nella…awh, so sweet and precious.
My favorite quality? I am strong. I’ve found that I can take difficult and sometimes heartbreaking times, in both my work (I’m a pediatric nurse) and my own life, and find a rock inside myself to hold onto in any storm.
The picture of Lainey after the “Her Birth Day” line… I don’t know what it is about that picture, but I just love it! Such a beautiful shot of her!
I love that I almost always see the glass ‘half full’ as opposed to ‘half empty’. Even in the most dire of situations…I can find something good.
I’ve been searching for the perfect blue/gray color. Can you post a picture of your room when it’s finished? Maybe ‘Pensive Sky’ is the color I’ve been waiting for!
I love that pic of Nella playing on the grass…and I appreciate that I am flexible. It helps me enjoy the small things and the big things of life much more. 🙂
I love how industrious being a mother has made me. Sure, I haven’t lost those last few baby pounds, cleaned the bathroom, or finished my last reports for work. But what I will do for that baby girl even in the most exhausted circumstances? I still look forwared to waking up and mashing those fresh fruits and veggies, spraying those diapers, giving that nice masage after a warm bath, reading that extra story, taking that extra dance around the living room. But, I suppose that is what being a mom is all about. Thanks for helping us to enjoy the small things, Kelle! 🙂
I love that I am very accepting of everyone. Ever since I can remember I have been very non judgmental and I like that about myself! I hope I can teach my kids the same thing!
I could organize my way out of anything. I’m just really, really good at it. Conversely, this means that spontaneity, deviation from “the plan”, and flying-by-the-seat-of-my-pants is a real effort for me.
Bleeker Beige by Benjamin Moore historical line is the perfect color for everything. I know your friend Nadia is more for “de-beige-ifying” but when neutral is needed, this is what I reach for.
I love little lesiw!
What I love about myself, is my ability to be calm in ridiculously stressful situations.
I spent 2 months in the hospital before my first son was born, and then he spent another 2 months in the NICU. I was able to “deal” with it a lot better than I thought I would. Minor stresses might make me scream, but when things get *really* serious, I’m good.
I am the best at starting each day fresh. I can get over any bad mood, arguement, etc. after a little rest.
I love that I have overcome things in my childhood that could have shaped me differently. I love that I have not become what I was “bound to become” because previous generations of my family did not overcome them. I am able to start something beautiful and new for my babies.
I cherish that I have a personality that always asks questions. Always questions. Great post! It made me wish it was Sunday morning and rainy and that I had some good coffee by my bed. 🙂
Lately, I have liked my ability to solve a problem. Granted, they might be “my sister has what I what I want” problems, but I can usually come up with a solution that pleases everyone and do it fast. Most of the time I can approach things with an “I got this” attitude.
The thing I most cherish about myself is my ability to make lasting friendships.
Btw- I laughed out loud reading about Brett cleaning out the fridge right before you were having people over. My husband does the exact same thing!! Too funny!
A very happy birthday to Miss Lainey. Looking forward to reading about her marvelous birthday party!
Beyond in love with the picture of Nella with her hand by her opened mouth… adorable. And the one picture of Lainey with her on the right of the frame… she looks SO grown up, and SO MUCH LIKE YOU! 😉
And for the record… I love Little Lesiw!!!
I would say mine is very similar to your’s…finding things to be thankful for no matter what the circumstance.
I love the picture of Nella in the blue dress!
I love my ability to dig deep in people – to get to real meaning and depth and help steer people to healing through that gift.
I pretty much love the fact that worrying about your appearance becomes obsolete after having a baby. It doesn’t matter how your hair is, or if you showered, or even if you have makeup on and cute clothes. The way my daughter looks at me says everything, with or without the appearance factor that I used to possess. It all just falls into place when you are a mommy. And I am more than okay with that 🙂
i like the fact that i’m a neat freak … because on the days i want to chill out and relax … well i can with no worries!
My favorite characteristic is my long winded patience, it allows me to let my kiddos be more independent and try/participate in activities that wouldn’t be possible without it.
I cherish that I have learned to laugh at myself over the years. That picture of Nella in the grass is to die for and I love the photo of the birthday girl in the grass too. Happy Tuesday!
I love my unflappability. As a nurse, it has gotten me through a lot of tough situations, and as a mother, it has helped me beyond belief. I somehow can take a situation that seems full of panic, hopelessness and downright scariness and pluck a priority from that whirling tornado and say “let’s start here”. And believe me, starting is usually half the battle.
I cherish my ability to have emphathy and try to see the situation from a different perspective. I’m nowhere near perfect, but I hope that I can teach that quality to my son.
I am fiercely loyal and dependable. I love to make things beautiful and am learning that beauty is not always visible. I love my family.
I really love the music you put with your blog, it always seems to go so perfectly.
Always love reading your updates and learning from your Mommy wisdom! I am the multi-tasking queen. . .and am right there with you, enjoying seeing the glass half-full 🙂
Probably my love of finding the magic in everything. I try to see sunshine every day. Lame, cheesy, but true.
When I was in my 20s my best friend told me, “I’ve never met anyone who is as completely comfortable in any social situation as you.” I had never thought of it, but I really am comfortable around most people and can find some way to connect to most spirits.
I spread the news of your wonderful, heart-warming blog today to a co-worker that was taken back by her wonderful blessing of a son with an extra special something 🙂 After following you this last year plus, I felt that it was my honor to tell her how wonderful her life is going to be because of him…
Would LOVE to win!! Hope Lainy has a wonderful birthday! I also have a daughter named Delaney 🙂
Nella has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen. I’m loving these pictures. I can’t wait to see Lainey’s birthday party post!
I’m in the middle of planning my girls first birthday and it is so much fun!
A quality I love about myself would have to be my creativity. I try and use it in all aspects of my life.
A quality I cherish about myself… hmmm… I think this is hard for someone with an immense skill of self-deprecating humor. But I would probably say it is my ability to love someone with everything I have and show them all the parts of me – the good and the utterly horrible and trust they are going to love me. It was a learned quality for sure… fostered by my amazing husband. But it is a quality I’m learning to cherish about myself and something I’m proud to say I have. 🙂
I love that I put others before myself 99% of the time- cause hey a girls gotta have at least 1%!
Seriously Kelle…you keep me so grounded and so uplifted when I read your blog! I look forward to reading your blog every time you post!
I have a hard time talking about myself…but can honestly say, I LOVE being a happy person. Simple enough right, but there are so many people in this world that are not…and some for reasons I will never know, but I love that although my daily life is not always perfect, I can be HAPPY for myself and HAPPY for my precious family…friends and family always do comment that I am just a happy person ALL the time! Don’t get me wrong, I do have my moments as everyone do, but within seconds of being sad or disappointed I remember its just not worth getting down about…you can take a very sad situation and turn it around and that is the ability I know I have…:)Happiness
LOVE all the pictures of your girlies! And Kelle, thanks for being you!
Lainey’s polkadot shoes? The cutest!
My strength is that I am super optimistic. Almost to the point of annoying my pessimistic husband. I guess we even each other out.
I just find that seeing the good and seeking for the good in all people/things/situations makes me a brighter, friendlier person.
I love the fact that I’m a good listener and a great friend!
You constantly blow me away with your insight and genuine love for life! I love reading your blog every day! Its my guilty pleasure during the afternoon lull at work! My tendency to want to make everyone I meet laugh and smile is something I cherish about myself! The picture of your girls hugging at the gym is PRECIOUS!
I think the fact that I get things done. You ask me to do? I said yes? Then its done and you don’t have to worry about it again!
Organization…I’ve got it goin’ on!
i love my ability to adapt. i wear many hats and can get along with just about anyone (so long as i choose to, LOL). i love the picture of your 2 girls hugging on the tumbling mat. sometimes the best photos are the ones that aren’t scripted!
Love the picture of Lainey hugging Nella…reminds me so much of my two boys. That bond only gets stronger and stronger…Sad to say but I like the fact that I am good at multi-tasking. It allows me to be a mom, wife and actually have a career- all at the same time!!
I cherish the fact that I am a good listener, and I can devote my full attention, eyes, ears and heart to friends in need or to my little girls’ pleas or my husband’s dreams for our family.
and by the way, i found this site on etsy and thought you’d enjoy. especially this print:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/59055932/bloom-where-you-are-planted
or this one:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/62225441/enjoy-the-simple-things
or this one:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/70086951/i-am-a-big-deal-no2-8×10-print
I am amazed that I can look at a cupboard full of random ingredients and put together a decent dinner on short notice!
Pensive sky…LOVE! I also love Lainey’s pensive expressions in the last few photos of her!
Procrastination……a double edged sword, but a quality that I would never change about myself! I do my best work during those last hours. Creativity bubbles within me and seeps from my pores!
I am dependable- that is the trait I cherish most.
I cherish that I forgive easily. It is next to impossible for me to hold a grudge.
Perseverance. I may get frustrated, I may get angry, or even disheartened. But I never give up. LOL, even though sometimes I probably should 🙂
I cherish my new found Mama strength. Before I had my daughter, I was the baby about EVERYTHING. Now that she’s here, I love being the strong, patient person that she needs, to kiss booboos and tickle her when she feels fussy. I also love that this new Mama strength has made me a stronger person in all aspects of my life, and I find things easier to deal with, despite the sleep deprivation.
My girl is going to be a year soon, and I want to throw a huge, amazing party like you do, but we don’t know many other littles to celebrate with. I wish you, Nella & Lainey could come!
I am proud of how, when my child was diagnosed with a chronic, life long disease with no cure, that instead of crawling in a hole and sobbing for the parts of her childhood she may lose, I instead stepped up to the plate and raised over $17,000 to help find a cure and better treatments. I didn’t do it alone, of course. But I was the leader and I hope I make my daughter proud. You can read about our fundraising at our fundraising blog http://teamesella.blogspot.com/
Thanks for helping to remind us to enjoy the small things 🙂
Oh my gosh, I totally have a Sophie! Our beagle Stella runs away any chance she gets… I’m convinced she is on the lookout for a new family who will feed her steak for dinner every night (we have her on a diet!) and let her sleep on the couches!
I think what I admire about myself is my loyalty. If you are my friend or family I will do anything and everything and will defend you to the grave!
Leah
http://www.lovelifeandmommyhood.blogspot.com
Less than a day before Lainey is FOUR and you get to celebrate the life that forever changed yours! Hooray! Nella’s pictures on this post are breath-taking. And please continue posting silly-face pics of LL!
What quality in myself do I cherish? My love…it oozes and pours and it feels so good. Regardless of my views or thoughts or perspectives…I usually really just love people well…nothing can get in the way!
I too, have WAY too much fun when it comes to planning and creating fun themed birthday parties for my kiddos. Its nice to see I’m not the only one 😉
A quality that I have that I most cherish…tough one…but I would have to say my “strength.” No matter what comes at me, I seem to always find the strength to make it thru!
My ability to mother. Like you said in a previous post, we all have it within us. I have found mine and I rock it 🙂
And obviously, so do you.
I love people….deeply and easily. All people. I don’t forget people…my friends don’t like going places with me because it takes forever!! I love visiting with grocery store clerks, Mama’s at the park, lonely people in stores etc. I just really, really, love people.
I love that I’m affectionate and not shy about showing how much I care about the people I love. 🙂
I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures of Lainey’s party!
Love the sophie story!! Our dog Mo used to do the same thing….we’d most always find him playing with some neighbor kids in the sprinklers 😉 Gotta love dogs!
I think i’m good at making other people feel comfortable. Including someone in a group they don’t know, laughing at someones joke that no one else is. Making a fool of myself to lesson someone else’s awkwardness. (And I like to make a fool of myself, so its all good.)
such a nice post! i love ur red headband!!
Loyal to my friends – one of my best qualities.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your love and inspiration with us. I always love looking at your picutures and hope to be able to capture memories as well as you do one day. i love the one of her jumping on the bed, basically i love all of them
i was first referred to your blog when Sky was diagnosed with WS and since that day you ahve completely changed my life around
I am somewhat organzied- thanks to my iphone and family wall calendar….
I like the fact, that I am a fighter. If I get knocked down, you better prepare yourself for when I get back up. 😉
The quality I like most about myself is my small case of OCD- it helps me to make sure things are done, and done well 🙂
I swear, that Nella gets more beautiful with each blog post.
I most cherish my ability to always remember to show love and appreciation to my husband and my girls no matter how hectic things get or how cranky they are (or I am). “I love yous” and hugs and kisses abound in our house always.
I have the “amazing” ability to adapt easily. I just think “well, that didn’t work… on to something else!” It’s come in handy this past semester with working two jobs and going to school full time… all while still being a mom 🙂
Determination. Without being determined (and a little stubborn) I wouldn’t be where I am today in a job that I love and a sweet little baby girl!
I like my ability to edit and proofread. I never think about it until my husband is stuck on finding the right words, and asks for me to help. It’s so handy to be able to think of different ways to say things!
Love the photo of the girls hugging, melts my heart!
I like to find the positive in a situation as well. I am usually the first to change the direction of a conversation if it’s going negatively about someone. I have a compassionate heart and try to see the good in others before the bad.
(why is it so hard to say good things about yourself? Sheesh, this should be an exercise we should do every day!)
It would have been so much easier if you’d asked for a fault I’d like to change but here goes…
I love a party. I love to decorate, prep food, dream up gorgeous invites and think of fun surprises for the guests. I think I could do about one a week.
Jill
I cherish my need to serve others. I love making meals or cleaning others house when people are in need. I find lots of joy and pleasure in helping a friend.
I like that I pay very close attention to detail. While others go about their day-to-day business, they may overlook things that I notice right away. That can make someone’s day by pointing out their new hairstyle or that they’ve redecorated, so yes, I like that trait 🙂
I LOVE the girls hugging at the gym! My boys are the same way, they just love each other and are such good friends already!
I literally chuckled out loud picturing the chaos of chasing your Sophie…. because that is my sister’s life at least once a month.
What I like most about myself is my ability to completely make a mountain out of a molehill. Sometimes that can be a good thing:) – Celebrate the little things!
i love that i’m a great problem solver and that i can keep my cool under stressful situations. 🙂
i love little lesiw hair accessories! i am totally addicted! it doesn’t help when my little girl loves them too!
i think i am really good at letting unimportant things go and focusing on the positive in every situation.
I love that no matter what, I can make my baby happy.
I gotta get some of those snaps for my daughter, Nova. She is 18 months old and is finally starting to get a little hair. She doesn’t have much, but those snaps look like they might work for her. She needs something in her hair because she keeps getting called “little guy” a lot lately. lol.
I am a woman of faith. A BELIEVER that each day I wake up to combat this life of unknowns and continue to TEACH America… I too will one day be able to enjoy the little things- I have FAITH this will happen.
Can I tell you how wonderfully crafted your account of Sophie’s escape is? I laugh aloud- embarrassed as Buster looks at me…
XO
Let’s see the office!
eNJOY LaiNey’s DAY!
XO
I like that I take responsibility for what I say and do. It’s something my parents carefully instiled in me and my siblings. I find it sad when adults can’t say “I made a mistake” or “I will do that job” (and then do it). We need to do what we say we will – or explain why we didn’t. No one is perfect… that’s part of being human … so why pretend? 🙂
giRL.. I don’t know how you do it… Plan a wonderful party… and clean house.. I can’t do either. 🙂
Beautiful pictures!!!
ohh i adore these lovely dottet clogs…i cherish that i´m a good listener
I think my greatest ability is an (almost) never ending supply of patience. I prefer to think of it as an ability to empathize and think of how I would want to be treated.
I love that when things get chaotic and rough (house being a disaster, forgetting to pay bills, my husband giving me the ‘eye’ every time he sees in the inside of my car, or when my 2 year old still cannot sleep through the night) I can smile because I have life and nothing is more important then that 🙂
Patience! Well, atleast I TRY! 🙂 Love the hair accessories!
Kelle,
I have an 8 month old daughter and I am a good momma to her. I have found myself being blissful these last months. Even in the midst of colic and sleepless night, diaper explosions out at dinner and my inability to get her to sleep all night in her crib, I am in heaven. I always thought I would be a career woman…I was studying for the LSAT when my hubby and I found out about our little nugget. I now know that I was meant to be a mommy. It fills my soul and brings a depth to my life that I did not know existed. Right now, being a good mom is my favorite quality about myself. I love your blog because the things you say about mommy-ing resonate with my heart.
Kendell
I like my ability to be prepared, for ANYTHING. When I leave the house with my children I am RARELY met with a situation where I don’t have the appropriate tools/accessories/needed items for. I like that 🙂
Heheheheehhe…Kelle you do know that “I’m FINE” stands for F-F#*KEDUP
I – INSECURE
N -NEUROTIC
E – EMOTIONAL…..hehehhehe
I love that being a twin has made me very empathetic to others. Beautiful pics of your babes and you once again!
reading your blog always cheers me up! i can’t wait to see pictures from lainey’s birthday 🙂
I love that it doesn’t take much to make me deliriously happy. I often think I have the opposite of diagnosable depression – a chemical imbalance in my brain that makes me happy, whether my situation warrants it or not.
I think I am definitely a “glass half full” kind of person. When my husband and I are facing some struggle–big or small–I have the ability to relish what we do have and not let the worst get me down. This often backfires, as my husband thinks I’m not taking things seriously enough, but in reality, I’m truly happy with my life and regardless of the ups and downs, I’m confident of my course.
I like that I can be ME and not something someone else thinks I should be. Being true to ones self is the best gift you could ever give yourself.
I love that I’m ok with messes. Kids are supposed to be messy!
I had a dog that still used to run away at age 14! he was a standard poodle, he was a big part of our family…we still miss him lots!
I guess my cherished quality is that I am a very organized person with an eye for detail….except for this week amidst our move from one house to another….there is absolutely no organization and my eye for detail is shot.
I’ve been itching to paint something a cool blue. Now it’s worse. Tee hee. Happy almost birthday to your little love!
~Alexandra Hunt Photography
I love that I feel so happy and fulfilled being a stay at home mom!!! Love my little babes so much!!! Such a blessing to be able to stay home with them all day! 🙂
I love that i am loyal and can keep secrets 🙂 When i was a child i had a ‘sophie’ of my very own. His name was Renoir (a french poodle named after a french painter), and he would do the dash for freedom often, my heart would ache with every minute that we could not find him, but would love him all the more when we did!
The trait that I cherish most about myself is my ability to work with almost anyone. This has come back to bite me though too, but I usually get to meet some really interesting and great people.
What a great post, and a great giveaway. I love that I can do a million things at once, and very well, when under pressure. I work best that way, know it, and don’t consider it procrastinating, just setting myself up for my best work! 🙂
Hmm… I think that I cherish my organization skills at the office the most. 🙂 Now home is a completely different story.
Looking forward to birthday party pictures.
beautiful photos, kelle! i just got my first DSLR and am enjoying capturing moments with my little girl. i can’t wait to see the birthday party post.
i think that a quality i appreciate in myself is the ability to admit when I am wrong ask forgiveness, and try to grow in areas of weakness. i have learned through experience that not doing so can cause a lot of hurt. there are of course times of pridefulness, but i try very hard to be humble.
I love that regardless of how hard it is day-to-day to raise other peoples kids, at the end of the day I would do it all again! We have been foster parents for 2 1/2 years and have had 9 kids come through our home. We hope to be finalizing our own adoption by August. Our 3 year old boy has been in foster care for half of his little life and we are so proud to be able to call ourselves his parents!
I cherish many things about myself (and probably hate just as many), but my most cherished is my growing patience. I wasn’t always the most patient Mommy, but having a three small ones, one who has special needs, has brought out the patience of my grandmother, a saint.
I’ve never posted a comment on your blog but I have read it daily for months now…not sure what inspired me today, but here I am. Thanks for your blog, your love for your kids and your excitement about for life. You really are an inspiration! What I like about myself the most…probably that I’m a good listener. The world has a lot to say and most of the time, just want someone to sit quietly and hear it!
Good exercise, to think of the positives in ourselves…not always the easiest to do is it? Negatives are much easier aren’t they?
I would say I like that I’m pretty friendly and easy to talk to. And do you know I was going to preface that with a “not to sound like I’m bragging” kind of comment… :}
One quality I admire in myself is that I am a compassionate person. I think this makes up for some of the qualities that I lack.
The quality I cherish the MOST in myself is that I’m funny. Like, I seriously think I’m hilarious and wonder why SNL hasn’t contacted me yet. In my last job interview, I told my prospective boss that I’m a funny person and people like me. I had that job 6 1/2 years, until I quit to stay home with Owen (4) and baby #2 due in January. Owen thinks I’m crazy, my hubby just rolls his eyes, but I laugh at my jokes every single time. Hilarious.
I love that I am not a grudge holder. Oh, I get mad (I am bit of a screamer…) but as soon as it is over, it s over!
Being a mother of 3.5 year old triplets I was forced to have a few traits I never had before…and surprisingly enough I’m keeping them as long as I can (*ahem the traits I mean lol)
I have the new ability to STOP. Before I was go go go…now even if I am washing dishes I can STOP and watch the fishing boats steam back home…when it gets too loud here…I can STOP and instead of freaking I can stop and start screaming/dancing/singing along with my brood. I also always believe “It can always be worse”…the small stuff rolls off most days….ahhhh just to stop.
I am so freaking determined. If there is something I want, I don’t stop till I get there.
I am so excited to see Lainey’s party (I also LOVE children’s parties)! I think you should do some tutorials about the decorations and things you do for their parties. I’d love to know how you make some of the things you do.
i l-o-v-e that at the very deep core of who i am and what moves me, fires a passion in my belly, is i am and will forever be a Pollyanna. i believe wildly in the potential for good over bad, in right being victorious over wrong. i believe in brighter days, better tomorrows.
my girl’s fifth birthday is tomorrow. and i have been called away to DC–the downside of being a Pollyanna, fights for better tomorrows sometimes take you away from birthday cakes. i will be there when she rises, as i was when she came into this wonderful space. i hate to leave her. hate it times ten. we’ve had a few little early treats. we’re about to embark upon pedicures and she’s going to gloss my nails. i’ll think of her with every handshake. May 18 is a good date. good number pairing. wise and generous and friend to all. tender caretaker of hearts and feelings. but there is a fire in those sweet eyes. passion for the adventure waiting. here’s to the girls of May 18. may they rock on and shake things up.
big hugs, groovy girl.
I am so giving of myself to others – whether it be with my thoughts and feelings or gifts or time, etc. but I want/expect/hope for a dose of the same occasionally and normally get let down (internal expectations that I never realize I have until I have spent 20+ hours single handedly organizing the end of year gift for my son’s preschool and getting little more than a cavalier ‘Thanks’). And I always go back for more!
There is always joy in the everyday motions… even babies with colds mean more snuggle times!
I love that despite the fact that I talk to much, what I have to say is real and honest. I love to share who I really am – good, bad and ugly and not only is that freeing for me but I hope it makes others feel comfortable to be who they really are in my presence.
I love the fact that I am naturally a happy person. I can’t imagine going through all of life’s trials and tribulations without the sunshine!
Love those adorable hair clips….hopefully my little girl will grow some hair so she can sport those soon!!!
I love that I can usually bring a smile to a friends face with my odd, inappropriate sense of humor!
I like waiting until crunch time to finish a project. Well. Maybe I don’t like that mad rush, but I continue to do it. And, I must admit, I’m pretty good at getting it all completed!
My sense of humor. It gets me through the tough times and helps to create some fun times. LOVE those clips and could use them for my little loves.
my sense of humor, even if it occasionally verges a little too far into the sarcastic realm. I like to think of it as a sharp wit.
Oh my gosh, polka dot clogs! So cute, I want some for me and my 4 year old daughter! The quality in myself that I most cherish would probably be my resiliency, when I get knocked down, I get right back up again, can’t help it.
I love that I am always willing to keep going when I get tired. I love getting so much done in one day!
I love your girls. And I can’t wait to see photos of the birthday party! Let’s see. Quality I cherish in myself?
Um… I guess the fact that I can be very calm instead of freaking out, like my little sister can 🙂
I love my mama-ing! I’m a new mom, constantly amazed at the things I just instinctively know how to do.
Happy birthday to Lainey Love!
Love the pictures:) I would say that my best quality is my strength. I never know I was capable of so much until my Lanie was born and we have had constant health struggles since. She is now 7 years old and I am constantly, pleasantly surprised by my ability to deal with all of the stress that come our way medically and keep on going. I also wanted to thank you because after seeing all you did for the down syndrome foundation, I was inspired to do the same to benefit my daughter and have started “Team Lanie” in the kidney walk here in Oregon. I feel so helpless at times and I know that any money we raise for kidney research will help my baby so I am doing it! Thank you for your inspiration.
Erin
My best quality? Empathy. I am one of the most empathetic people I know, which allows me to have tons of other traits like acceptance, understanding, considerate, etc.
BTW– LOVE the close up of Nella, she is such a doll! I show her pictures to my friends all the time when I’m catching up on the blog 🙂
Quality I like best about myself. Hmm. I think I like the fact that no matter how many years pass or how “old” I become, I still believe that I have yet to reach my potential and feel that my next “big thing” is right around the corner.
I am so neat (not cool neat but clean neat…and actually I think I am cool neat as well 🙂 I am also very trusting (I think bc I am trustworthy…I dont lie to people or tell secrets, etc… So why would they do it) I may be borderline nieve.
I constantly strive to do and be better (i.e. be a better mom, wife, friend, sister, daughter). This allows me to approach most situations giving 100% of myself. I love little Sophie. Bless her heart.
Ooo, tough one. Is there anything harder than admitting you are good at something…for some it is not hard enough and for me it is a bit too tough. I would have to say I am really patient. Whether it is with my class of first graders, my sweet little boy, or my poor allergy ridden dog. Patience always (almost ;0) prevails!
~ Katie
I can’t believe you didn’t include a pic of the new paint color on the walls! It sounds lovely. One of my fave qualities in myself is my endless optimism. I don’t know where it comes from, but I am always hopeful.
Love a new coat of paint! Nothing like a new fresh transformation!
I’m pretty good at appreciating others. Thanks for the continuous inspiration!
I don’t hold a grudge and get over things quickly.
And I have a beagle who takes off like your Sophie. When he gets loose, he looks so gleefully happy!
i love that i get to be HIS mom… and how it’s changed me for the better.
happy birthday to your first baby girl
I like that I learn well from my mistakes, and rarely make the same one twice. This is good seeing as I am constantly learning by this experience in this parenting gig…
Busy women never like to talk about things that they are good at but I think I am a good listener and have a good heart. (Sometimes to a fault ? If that is possible.) God Bless you and your family. Your words touch my soul. I look forward to reading them. xoxox pattie.
i love that i’m a do-er. yes, it makes me crazy. yes, i wish i could just sit sometimes (and i do!). but i have not problem rolling up my sleeves and getting stuff done. my stuff, my sisters’ stuff, mom’s, whoever. nothing is safe when i’m around.
despite this, or in addition maybe, i do know when to stop. i MUST put my baby to bed every night. and i don’t care what the experts say…i rock that little bug for a long time, even after she’s asleep. (double whammy! rocked. to. sleep.) she’s the best little snuggle bunny i ever did meet!
Happy (almost) Birthday to you both!
The quality that I am most in tune with is my ability to help couple’s create their rainbow families via surrogacy. I hope that I am teaching my girls a different side of unconditional love. To be able to accept one’s calling in life and run with it like the wind.
Your Blog is very inspirational and I adore your ability to catch so many special moments and share them with us.
I’m sensitive. Sometimes too much so, but sometimes it’s helpful.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAINEY!!! And way to go, Momma! I love that a deep breath is all it takes for me to regain my patience. My twins have given me the ability to quickly hit the reset button. Frustrated and impatient about the sitter, the long line, my messy house? Yes. But when they cry or need something, I never waver.
Pensive sky is the color of my soon-to-be-finished basement. Love it!
Quality I cherish about myself… tough one. My first child is 14 weeks and I am just realizing that I make a pretty amazing mother. And that makes me proud.
The trait that I like best about myself is that my glass is half full, I try and celebrate everything…even flag day. Ha! Always an excuse for get together! Thanks for sharing this with us!
My willingness and desire to be completely spontaneous… it has ended, most times, with a splendid memory… usually sand between my toes, or crammed in a car with 4 screaming kids… nonetheless, all great memories.
I’m nosey, I like to know about people, about my friends, to know what makes them tick and what makes them who they are. I’ve been known to rapid fire my girlfriends about a new man or a new job. It’s the best way to get through to the real.
I cherish my ability to talk to anyone…anywhere…at anytime…;) or as my husband often says…well she’s a talker… 🙂
I cherish my thoughtfulness, both the deep-thinking and compassionate varieties. And now for 3 random thoughts: LOVED the little clips you showed (my daughter has sparse, fine hair); one of the last pics of Nella looks so much like you, Kelly; thought of your blog while watching tonight’s episode of Glee.
I like how I acknowledge children’s feeling rather than dismissing them. It helps a lot.
The thing I most cherish about myself is something that probably drives my husband crazy (but deep down he loves it)– I never stop dreaming. Every day, I come up with a new “million dollar idea” and I seriously try to make at least 3 or 4 of them a reality each year. Whether it’s writing a sitcom, starting a non-profit, making a living off of my blog… I convince myself that it can and will happen. And maybe one day it really will!
This comment has been removed by the author.
I love reading your blog!! My strength is that I am relaxed and chilled out so I am able to really let my kids be kids (most of the time!!)
I love that I am capable! I’m capable of many things.. in hard times I’m capable of being strong and positive. In good times I’m capable of taking full advantage and sucking up the moment like a sponge. I am more capable than I ever imagined I would grow up to be 🙂
I love reading your posts and find great comfort knowing that others lives are filled with chaos at times too. I have to say I love my creativity…love being able to take something and make it beautiful.
I make the best of every situation, no matter what. I see everything as an opportunity to learn and grow:))
First of all, Nella is quite the little woman! She’s starting to look so grown up and so like Big Sister:0) They’re both so beautiful!
As for my special skill… Hmm… Can I list two? I love making people smile/laugh. I think I do a pretty good job – I haven’t had any complaints:0) I also think I’m a great communicator. I’m pretty sure I could talk to a wall if that was my mission! (Pick me, pick me!! Those clips are CUTE!!)
My strength + subsequent resilience. I am forever grateful for that in myself!
I was just pondering my newest blog post and have come to the conclusion I am best at being the family photographer. Memory keeper for my daughter and whoever else might like to know our story.
I think when it calls for it I can be very brave. From sky diving to public speaking to volunteering to be a guinea pig in a tai chi class. If there’s a line in the sand I’m up for crossing it. Or at least trying. Maybe it’s more stupidity than bravery, or maybe it depends on the situation… 😉
As a teacher, one of our in-service workshops was a strength finder test. My top strength was positivity. It was awesome! 🙂
Hmmm I love that I remember birthdays most of the time, and get a card there within the week. I always think it’s funny to see things in your home that’re in my home. Of course the colorful chairs, that’s always surprising to see those, but let’s not forget The Foot Book! Left foot, left foot, left foot, right, feet in the morning, feet at night 🙂
A quality I cherish?
I am really optimistic and enthusiast, and really patient with my kids.
I can’t wait to see your next birthday creations!! Those little clippies are just adorable!
i love that i could squeeze fun out of a rock. 🙂 ’cause some days fun happens and some days you gotta be your own fun. 🙂
The Sophie story was hilarious!! Beautiful pics of the girls! Can’t wait to see party pics!
I cherish my own humor. I don’t take life too seriously. I dance with my kids to Ke$ha songs in the living room, even though the lyrics are completely inappropriate for a 5 year old, I can’t get over the way he feels the beat and just MUST dance! I say things to my 5 year old son such as “If you don’t go to school, mommy will go to jail” and “If you don’t brush your teeth cavity bugs are gowing to grow in your mouth and eat holes in your teeth tonight and it’s gonna hurt really bad, you don’t want that DO YOU???” bahahahha….I love messing with him!
I love that I am passionate (i.e.-neurotic about everything) Did he get enough to eat, did he eat too many fruit snacks, do I kiss him too much, Do I let him watch to much Yo Gabba Gabba, is it bad he slees in our bed most every night?
Thats what I’ve thought about in the last 5 minutes!
Rachel is a friend of mine and such a wonderful person! I am so happy for her and her family, what a lucky little guy! I am trying to come up with something I admire about myself but am not coming up with anything right now, maybe because I am sick and grumpy with a cold. I do admire you in every way though:)! Thank you for your inspiring words and pictures!
I like knowing that I taught myself to sew a year ago and that now my girls wear mostly clothing made by their mama’s hands. I have lots to learn and make lots of mistakes and use my seam rippers a lot, but it is so very fun to see the girls run and frolic and play together in outfits I pieced together, start to finish.
This question is so great. We all need to think about what we cherish about ourselves, right? ‘Cause if anyone is like me, I think more about the things I’d change about myself. But the thing I cherish is…I’m always hopeful that something amazing will happen, even if I’m just going to the grocery store. And I’m able to find the goodness in most things, even if it’s just a bite of a great strawberry while cruising the aisles.
Love it! What a beautiful family! Your not the only one with a messy house! 🙂
I love my adaptablility. I can be warm and nurturing most of the time, but if the situation calls for it I can also be totally laid-back and get on the floor to wrestle with my nieces or throw a football (in the living room no less) with my guys. Yeah, that’s how we roll!
I love Little Lesiw!!! PICK ME PICK ME!
I used to be the most impatient person in the world…and while I still have a long way to go…I have grown to have sooo much more patience since having children. So, I truly cherish my patient moments — especially with my children!
Hi Kelle!
I’m most proud of my desire to learn and grow each day. Whether it’s related to my children, or personal growth, I seek it out and am an infinitely better person because of it.
This comment has been removed by the author.
hmmm…i most cherish my ability to go with the flow. i love order and organization, but while the girls (4 of them) are awake, i go where they do. of course… organizing and ordering things along the way;)
thanks so much for your beautiful blog and reminding us the enjoy the small things.
My favorite quality is that I’m a good problem solver. I find it easy to rise above an issue and decide what it is I can do to fix it. The answer is usually for me to get a good nights sleep!
I love my faith in God and what is to come. I try to take everything He gives me and use it to grow in my walk with Him. Through doing this I have developed an abundance of positivity around me that I enjoy sharing with others. I also enjoy taking this fruit of God’s Spirit and sharing it daily with my Kindergarten class.
I love that I know what my baby needs. As a first time (very) young mother, I have found a lot of confindence in my instincts and in just getting to know her and knowing her. I love knowing that I am the *only* one that can raise her the way that’s best for her. That she really was meant for me.
as always, your pictures are beautiful! 🙂 i also thought the picture of sophie “stretching” and your caption were so funny! 🙂 something i appreciate about myself… i think i’d say that i appreciate how much i care about and put into my relationships (family and friends).
Umm…my insane ability to organize other peoples stuff way better than my own?
One quality I cherish about myself is my ability to put myself in other people’s shoes. I really try hard to see things from other people’s perspectives…it helps me better be able to help them and it makes me a better friend to them I think.
Your girls are (as always) adorable. Love the picture of them hugging….SO cute!
my best trait may be that i am even tempered…anger makes me a bit nuts…so you’ll almost never see me yell or go off the deep end. i deal with stress in a more low key-spiritual way if i can-and try to give it up to God. (this isn’t to say that I don’t get angry or stressed out tho-not perfect by any means!) haha
My ability to forgive, and just enjoy the moment!
My creativity…without it, life wouldn’t be nearly as fun!
I cherish my optimistic hope that everything will be okay and we’ll all live happily ever after. It always seems to work out, in the end 🙂
Though it sometimes sets me up for disappointment, I am always glad for my ability to expect the best from people. It makes everything feel worth it when I remind myself that we are all human and just trying to do the best we can with what we’ve got. I’d like to add, too, that those little hair clips are absolutely too cute!
I am there for my family and friends…whatever, whenever.
I suppose my most cherished quality is similar to your’s; my determination to have a good attitude in any situation. Most recently, it allowed me to fully embrace and enjoy my first daughter’s birth despite the circumstances not being how I imagined.
Quality…being able to look at a craft or something in a store and saying “I could make that!” and then going home and doing it. People actually bring me things or email me pictures and ask me to make one for them! I love the creative juices that get going in me when I got a new project to work on.
I am happy that I can let my kids be who they want to be.
Happy birthday to Lainey!
What a great, uplifting post (even though most of your posts are incredibly inspirational)! I love Nella’s “Oh” face with the finger to her lip… That might be one of my favorites. And is that a pillowcase dress that Lainey is wearing? It’s darling!
Can you send some of that gorgeous-looking weather to Kentucky? Thanks!
http://www.wyattzoo.blogspot.com
I love that I can find the humor in things, whether it be a cancer diagnosis, or infertility. There is something to make me laugh in spite of the difficulties of life, sometimes it’s hard to find the funny, but it’s always there.
Laughing because of the little bit of me, I see in you- I am one of those “play in the messes” too! And sometimes it gets to me, but mostly I just love it! 🙂
I cherish my sense of humor – it helps me to keep things in perspective as I wade through our own chaos right now and helps me to forgive myself and laugh a little when I am not quite as patient as I should be, when I let the chaos get to me.
A very happy birthday to Lainey and to you. My oldest daughter will be 4 this year and it’s amazing how quickly the time has gone. I love seeing your party preparations. They’re inspiring me (and thankfully I still have a few months, so maybe I could even pull something off).
Honesty. I am honest with myself, my husband, my family, and all the littles I take care of at our school. Honestly accepting the good the bad, and tellin’ it like it is. Sometimes it gets me into a few confrontations but rarely gets me in trouble. I think I’m good at that.
Your girls are gorgeous.
LOVE the picture of Lainey at the end looking into the camera. Miss Nella is more and more beautiful every day. What a beautiful, beautiful little girl. My heart melts into a million pieces when I see her. Wish I could squeeze her.
I’ll go squeeze my lil ones instead. 🙂
I am always in awe of your ability to capture the essence and spirit of whatever environment you are in!
As for me, I’m realizing that I am less and less fearful of giving my opinion, even if it isn’t the “popular” way of thinking. Being true to myself is more important.
Loved today’s post- each time I read your blog it is another reminder of why I head your direction in the first place. As for the quality like about myself: my determination. I will not give up. I may complain heavily during the process, but push me up against a limit and I’m going to make it happen- and do it well. This should come in handy when our second child is born next month!
I like to think I have a softness in me that is somehow increasing as I get older. So, you know, I can apologize to my husband the day of an offense instead of just pretending it never happened. Baby steps.
I like that I can remain calm through almost anything. It’s proven to be a great balance between my husband and I.
P.S. I LOVE Lainey’s polka dot clogs!
beautiful post!
i can multi-task like nobody’s business, except that means i never finish anything.
I love the photo with you and your two girls, and Lainey is making a funny face. Too adorable. I think that the quality I like best in myself is my ability to listen.
I love the fact that all of my daughters friends call me their second mom. I also love that all the girls are comfortable at my house. It gets crazy at times with 5 to 7 girls ranging in age from 12-14 but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
I love that all of my daughters friends consider me a second mom to them. It’s hard having between 5-7 kids here between the ages of 12-14 all the time but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
LOVE LOVE LOVE it all!!!! And I love that in the midst of craziness, I can still throw it all out of the window and be completely present with my two little ones. 🙂
~Tabitha
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAINEY!!! have an awesome day sista!
I love that I seem to know when someone needs to bust a gut laughing, and I know how to make that happen. Laughter is the best cure-all.
defiantly being creative and my ability to get along with pretty much everyone.
lately I’m learning spontaneity with my 3 yr old son and 1 yr old daugther! Everyone is so much happier when Mommy is having a good time!
Since I am allowed to brag for the moment, let’s just say I am the glue that holds my family together. With eight brothers and sisters, someone has to make sure communication is happening right?
After today’s hectic day with my three kids, it was nice to think of something I do well. 🙂
Oh, that picture of Lainey hugging Nella melts my heart.
What do I cherish in myself? I love that I can see how funny life is and laugh with it. I enjoy moments laughing aloud with myself when I see people walking down the street who look just like their dogs, or when the wind is blowing, and it takes someone’s hat flying (and we chase down the hat, only for the wind to switch directions and carry the hat past us again)…I love noticing these things, when I know most people are too wrapped up to see them. I feel like it is those small moments that make up so much of what is worthwhile in this life.
I didn’t even know you had a dog ha! she is so darn cute! I love the story of her running and all of you chasing her! your blog is my favorite thing to read 🙂
I cherish about myself that I try to give my all to everything I do. I’m a hard worker and it extends to all areas of my life– home and family, work, friends, etc.
wow good question- i think it is my ability to connect and empathize with others- I had a friend tell me once- AHh now i know where you get yoru caring from when i told her what i do for a living =) that made me not only feel good about helping others but about my job choice- ment to be !
being a WOOer…”strengths finder” told me so…but who needs a book/test to know it?? my friends tell me that all the time. i’d like to see it as being a “big ray of sunshine” in my friend/family’s world!!
I cherish the fact that I can continuously find the humor in all the mishaps that occur daily in our life.
That picture of nella in the grass was breathtaking, and of her making an “O” face- simply adorable!
My most cherished quality? The fact that I can make anyone laugh and my smiles are hardly ever faked. I’m naturally positive and that makes me see the world in a way I don’t think a lot of people take the time to stop appreciate. If I could bundle all those things into one quality, that would be it.
Ah, Sophie’s story is something I can totally relate too! And in other words, I love that I dont worry about things. Regardless of how important ( usually) … I just let things come and deal with them in due time. Sometimes, there are, well, interesting results!
You captured some truly amazing photos in this post! Love the one of Nella in the grass wearing the blue dress. AMAZING! And Lainey is growing up so much. Beautiful girls!! I like that you ask what quality we cherish in ourselves. It’s so easy to spend more time thinking about the opposite or comparing ourselves with others and missing the gifts we have. I love investing in people and helping them grow and embrace who God created them to be. And I love that I love being a mommy to my two sweet kiddos.
The fact that despite all obstacles, and bad parents, I turned oout ok!
I love that I am the optimist. I always look for the silver lining, and when there isnt one, I create one. With all of the chaos and mess in the world, we could use a couple more optimists. 🙂
Happy Birthday to Lainey, and Happy Mama Day to you! Four years ago you became a mom…what a grand adventure! You always keep me hopeful! I relate in many ways…my favorite quality about myself: my rabbit pulling abilities. I may not always pull the rabbit out of the hat, and generally it’s done in some disastrous way…but give me a moments notice and a rabbit you shall have!
I can handle stress like its my job. My hubs not so much. I can keep it cool and collected and he always tells me he admires that.
That’s a hard one. I like the fact that I’m adventures. Heck, we just picked up our family and moved to the South of France! 🙂
I have to love my optimism, my glass half full-ness. Oh it can get annoying and sure it often means I end up not getting what I was going for but those times I end up getting what I need.
I love that I can always see the good in others, almost to a fault. I have been known to be taken advantage of 🙂
Happy birthday Lainey!
I am for he under dog every time! Maybe it is why God gave me a DS son!( sam,2 years older then nella, we could set them up:) I love rooting for the underdog b/c i i am an underdog too, i guess we all are in some way!
I tend to be, a little bit, oblivious, lol. It’s embaressing sometimes, but other times, it’s nice. Does that makes sense? lol.
Love the pictures of the girls, as usual, you can do no wrong! 😉
Thank you, Your writing has helped me,,
i like this blog,,
By Diet Solution Program
I’m catching up–LOVE the posts where Nella is eating watermelon with her foot propped up on the table. Delicious!! – I cherish my ability to love. My friends and family say I have a knack for making them feel very special and loved–and that makes me feel good! Have a great week and thanks for always making my days with your posts. 🙂
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gorgeous photos, as always. I like that I can t always turn off my bad mood when I’m around my kids. They make me forget the annoyances of life and keep me smiling!
i like that i am an encourager…can give people a great big helping of good perspective when they can not see it that way themselves. thanks.
I am thankful for my trusting heart–things aren’t going the way I plan them, but I know there’s a better plan at work.
for my patience! Too many people, too many things, but I try to delight in it!
I try to make my family better because I’m in it.
I think I am a good friend and have the ability to talk to people of all walks of life and make them feel at ease. Thanks for prompting all of us to remember and appreciate the good in ourselves!
I love my openness. The ability to remain open no matter how many times a door may shut. I love this.
“I’d rather focus on the fact that, beyond the temporary distractions in life, there are constant joys.”
Happy Soon Birthday day!
I know it sounds crazy, but I like my ability to plan and obsess over certain things. It is not everything, but if it is important to me, I’m willing to go until it is perfect.
My best quality? I’m always pretty down on myself so I had a hard time thinking of one.. I think it’s my dedication to my little family, my husband and son.. I try to be the type of Mummy that I didn’t have.. I don’t always succeed but I try..
Happy Birthday Lainey! It only seems like 5 minutes ago you were writing about her 3rd birthday! I hope you all have a wonderful day. I can’t wait to see the photos and read about her birthday party! x
my favorite quality is one that’s taken me time to accept i pocess, strength. my husband is always telling me i’m strong, and it’s taken me years to really believe it. but i am. i survive sleepless night, i perservered (sp?) through being a 1st time new mommy along with working full-time and being in the whirlwind of graduate school FT with an internship. i decided i was going to do an unmedicated labor/delivery with my recently born 2nd daughter (after surviving a difficult 1st delivery with an epidural) and i did, I did it. I stay calm and collected during my 3yr old’s sassiness and tantrums(most of the time) and remind my husband to do the same b/c really, she’s just finding her place in the world and begging for attention (ok sometimes she’s begging for candy) but I too digress.
I am strong, and I”m finally owning that.
My favorite quality about myself…Family comes first!
My daddy was diagnosed w/ a brain tumor over 10 years ago. He has relapsed twice, had 2 surgeries, suffered a horrible fall, spent weeks in ICU and rehab, off chemo…on chemo, radiation…the list could go on. BUT, through it all, he has NOT ONCE complained! Sure, you get the occasional “I am just tired”, but that is as far as it goes. So, several years ago, I decided to adopt this mantra of sorts…’There is no use in complaining. No one wants to hear it and it doesn’t do any good.’ Being positive while I am drowning in 3 year old triplet craziness can be challenging at times, but when I feel like complaining, I just think of my sweet daddy, who is still alive (albeit not doing so great) and not once uttering a negative comment. I love you daddy!
Oh goodness, those hairbows are precious! Though I have my moments of undoing, I guess being typically easy-going is a trait I like about myself.
The quality I cherish most is my perseverance. It may take me a while to accomplish certain goals but I will reach them regardless.
Love this post!! The quality that I admire in myself is that I am always wanting others around me to be nothing less than happy. I never say no (something I am working on) because I just want people to feel pleased. To feel loved. To feel that they are important to me.
I can dig deep. Despite my stress and anxiety, if I really have to, I can find that little piece of strengh to get me through.
On a lighter note, as a forever student of Latin and ancient Greek, I can tell you the etymology of oh so many words. I’m like the dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. 🙂
I love the fact that I am an optimist! Always looking for the upside of things. The glass is always, always half full, no matter what! Happy Birthday Lainey, I hope it’s an extra special day!
One of the reasons I love reading your blog is that like you, I have a little girl with designer genes who is a lot like Nella (LOVES the bars in gymnastics and flies around on them like a monkey!) but unlike you, am about the exact opposite in my ability (or inability) to work amongst chaos; I need a clean organized space for me and my family. Which is probably why I don’t have an ounce of your creativity so I ‘steal’ from others! You are one of the most creative people I have ever seen, met, read about! I love it!!
My quality I most cherish about myself — honesty. I can’t lie to save my life! And most people know that so they know that I am always telling them the truth!
Angela
Your posts never fail to make me smile! I hope Lainey has a wonderful birthday!
Love your pictures as always! 🙂 The quality that I like most about my self is that I am very laid back. It comes in handy with two boys that are a year apart and it also comes in handy at work with the little ones.
My ability to throw myself into a project full force. I get really passionate when I start something new. My problem however … actually following through! Therefore, I have tons of unfinished projects lying around. Good intentions, though!
I like the fact that I can (usually) ignore a mess in my house, and instead enjoy a game of Candyland or a stack of books with my kids. That being said, that same quality is a downfall for me (ignoring and not seeing the messy house for quite some time), but I’m looking for the positive side of it, and there it is! 🙂 LOVE the pic of Sophie stretching, lol!
Love reading about your family Kelle! And the pre-sprint stretch is hilarious! I have a couple dogs who love to RUN too!
My quality…lots and lots of energy! Great story and pics. susan
Over the past few years I have learned to find the joy or the lesson in just about anything.
I like that I can conquer my fear of flying, to go visit my best friend whom I love, more than myself.
One thing that I love about me is probably something that drives others nutty. It is my laid back, we will get there when we get there kind of attitude. I don’t do well with plans, I am more of a seat of the pants gal, and that suits me just fine.
I like the fact that I can “roll with the punches” It is not always easy, but I don’t look back. A year ago my 9 year old son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. With three other active children our lives were already busy, and now this all encompassing daily factor in our lives. But, it is the new normal and we do our best. It is not always pretty, but we go on and are hopefull for a cure.
I’ve been following you since just after Nella was born and simply adore your photography. Thank you for reminding me to appreciate simple joys. 🙂 Your girls are absolutely precious, and I want to squeeze little Nella and cover her chubby cheeks with kisses!!! 🙂 And, I also have to admit that, your taste in music is impeccable. Sometimes I open your blog just to listen to your playlists. Thank you. 🙂
I love that I can pack up and go on a whim, pregnant and with a 18 month old we follow Dad around wherever he takes us!
The quality I most value in myself is my passion… I put everything I am into things I feel passionate about… One is example is with my daughter… She is on the autism spectrum and I become overwhelmed with passion when I am caught in a situation where I need to advocate for her… My passion helps me go from ordinary mommy to SuperMOM!
I’m able to be content where ever I am. We’re a military family with five young children, but for some reason, moving every few years doesn’t faze me as much as others expect it would. I miss old friends dearly, but I have no problem looking to the future with excitement at what God has planned next for us. I would consider myself a homebody, but as long as I am with my husband and children, it’s all good.
I love my ability to be a mother and everything that goes along with it!! I love being a home room mom and going overboard with all the class parties!!!
Happy Birthday Lainey!!!
Happy birthday Lainey, and Kelle your post was beautiful I love the soft pounding of the rain on my windows and enjoy the soft grey blue hue as well. The rolling thunder lulls us to sleep and has all week to. As we also have colds that need a little boost to sleep with. Thanks
My favorite quality about myself is my synesthesia. I’m asked about it a lot and I’ve learned to use it as a way to remember weird things, like the name of the B-actor in that terrible movie I saw 12 years ago or the phone number of the take-out place we liked on our European vacation. I can’t imagine going through life without the constant barrage of color and texture that most people don’t see.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAINEY!!
Keep up the good work with the hot glue Mom!
Amy
I guess if I had to choose something I liked about myself, I would have to say, I love the fact that I can find the humor in my mistakes, and the funny bone in my everyday life. If laughter is the best medicine, I should be healthy as a horse, because I have to laugh at myself on a regular basis. I am proud to be perfectly imperfect!
Happy birthday to your cute girl! I think a quality I have is that I put my family first and I’m so crazy in love with my little ones that I love doing it.
I love that I live in the moment and don’t worry about what will come next. My daughter is 15 months old and she will be a big sister at the end of the year. So, right now, she and I enjoy EVERY moment together before our family of 3 becomes a family of 4. Happy Birthday Laney!!
My almost 5 year old daughter was looking at pictures as I read your blog today and she saw the picture of the coffee and donut and says,”Is that a calipiter?” (catapillar) and I laughed and said, “No, its a donut, silly girl!” To which she replied, “It’s a donut that looks like a calipiter!” Hehehe.
She also noticed that your girls have the foot book, and she wanted me to let you know that she has it too. 🙂
Loving this post! Wishing you were my neighbor so we could have coffee and donuts at my messy house on a rainy morning… you’d feel right at home!
The quality I most cherish in myself is my ability to find the positive in almost every situation. I’m a forever optimist and try to always keep in mind that everything always works out in the end. Happy Monday to you as well my friend!
I love this blog so much. I feel like I can relate to you in so many ways and I admire your honesty and openness. If I saw you and your girls on the street I would wonder what your life was like and this blog allows me to see that. You are truly amazing.
That said, a cherished quality…
I am a researcher, I can find out just about anything about everything and it has helped me become a better mom. My researching obsession has helped my family save money, take fabulous trips and enjoy life!
I cherish my ability to stay level headed in a stressful situation. I do my best to handle things in a way that, years later, I will still be proud of, and most of the time, I’m pretty good at it.
I love the picture of Nella in the blue dress sitting in the grass. And the hug on the tumbling mat is priceless.
The quality in myself I most cherish is my ability to analyze, to problem solve, to “figure things out”. This is also the quality I admire most in others. That and the ability to count cards, a skill I do not have, but wish I did!
Adele
Loved the post, as always. I have a little boy and am about to step into the world of girl-parenting. Im due this summer! I actually just bought that cute polka dot dress that Lainey is wearing for my little girl 🙂
The quality I like most about myself is my ability to just *know* what my child needs, even when no one else has a clue. That and I make a delish banana bread 😉
I love having a great sense of humor!!! When I was in college, our RAs wrote letters to each of us before the end of the year. My roomates got long flowery letters about their wonderful qualities. I got a short note that simply said: “dear ash, you always, always make us laugh.” I was sort of insulted, but have now come to appreciate how wonderful and fun it is to be funny! 🙂
Hmmm what do I love…? I would say that I love that I am a fixer. Sometimes it’s a double edged sword to be hearing other people’s problems but the bigger picture is they keep asking me for help so I am needed somehow some way in this big world of ours 😉
I absolutely adore your red and white head band! Can you share where you purchased it from?
The quality in myself I most cherish is my complete disregard for order. Much like yourself, I don’t keep a clean house, but I’m o.k. with it. And so is the hubby. I like that I don’t have to worry all day, every day whether the dishes are done or the floor gets vacuumed. Mess doesn’t bother me and I like that a lot.
First, I love Lainey’s polkadot clogs…where did you get them? Too cute!! Once again, beautiful blog, pictures and daughters!! You are truly blessed!!
I cherish the fact that despite the negative that can be around me I can pull out the positive. You capture so much more out of life with a sunny outlook.
I embrace my ability to really connect with my friends. I can drop whatever I’m doing without any guilt when it comes time to be with a friend. I love that my kids get to see the joy that comes to my life from my frienships.
I am SO good at loving.
above all i’m honest. honest and optimistic. not necessarily a pair … but that’s me.
Your blog posts always make me chuckle 🙂 You have a beautiful family!
We love the Tiny Bear Bible too!!! 🙂 Fav quality – which is hard for me to really ponder – but must say, an automatic drive within me as I wake each morning – the drive to get the day going, rally the kids, clean the house, make the to-do’s and mark them off, and push on through the day. Guess it’s a firstborn trait 🙂
Lainey looks beautiful in those pictures 🙂 ! Congrats on raising two beautiful girls! Happy birthday Lainey !
I am nostalgic, in a good way, and I love how it can lead me into doing something with my kids that they enjoy and fills me with the same kind of warmth that my memories do!
You’re a great mom! Keep up the hot-glue-labeling, loving-your-kids-crazy that they’ll certainly remember fondly!
I love that if one of my friends is upset and crying I cry right along with them. My husband calls it emotional…I call it compassion 🙂
I love that sometimes I’m the only one who can comfort my boys. Whether its a hug, or a kiss, or a band-aid, a snuggle, or even nursing the little guy! It’s good to know that I’m good at that and they still need me.
Happy birthday, Lainey!
one of the qualities about myself that I cherish most is the ability to be stern with the children when needed but then in a moment that blurs past your line of sight I turn into the sweet loving caregiver they know and deserve with zero hesitation at the outreach of their arms for a much needed embrace or cuddle.
Your blog is so inspirational and lovely to read. I always get excited when I see there’s a new post to read full of stories and pictures of your family. I also love all the advertising you do for sponsers they have definitely led to some gift purchasing for myself and others!
I cherish the fact that I am a calm positive person, and usually can help other people see the bright side of things as well 🙂
Happy Birthday, dear Lainey! Happy Birth Day, dear Mama!
I am great at figuring it out as I go! I really like that about myself.
This comment has been removed by the author.
I also try to look for the good–especially in people, but also in just “stuff”. And I am creative.
Well I’ve often said that my trait is both a positive and a negative…I am a people pleaser..I want everyone in the room to be happy…I don’t ever wanna tell anyone NO ..and if I have to tell the PTO that yet again as their secretary I forgot yet another meeting..I feel like a LOSER!! ..and i wind up apologizing insanely!! It’s me..this is how i roll…
I love that I am able to see people for who they are, and not what they do. It’s the words spoken and how you treat people that matter in life. Not what you wear, or the possessions you have in life.
I like that I am a good loyal friend. I may not be the most exciting but I always seem to know when a friend needs a little boost.
For me, I take pride in the fact that I have respect. Respect that we all just human beings in this life. You can’t teach someone compassion, but you can be an example to others and hope that they too will follow- “do unto others as you wish done to you”.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Loving you and your babes!
I giess mine would be that I can see through the mess and know that there is light at the other end….
Love your blog Kelle. Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Oh!!! this would be awesome, my twin girls just about have enough hair for these 🙂 LOL
I cherish my ability be at peace with the fact that I make the best decision I can for each moment!
I painted our bedroom that same color last fall. I still wake up every morning and think how much I love it!
Beautiful pictures of your girls outside! I was having trouble coming up with “what I do well” so I asked my 5 year old what she thought I was really good at and she said, “I don’t know Mommy…you do everything really good!” So I’ll go with that! 🙂
Every time I read your blog, I start making a list in my head about every part of your entry that I love, so I can tell you. Then I pretty much would just have to blurt out “everything! all of it!” everytime.
But the thing about Sophie blowing a hammy made me snort. Heh.
My truly noble qualities are few, but I do enjoy my ability to meet people. Anywhere. Anytime. I’m a flirt. You should see me in an airport bar. Out Of Control 🙂
I am thankful for the part of myself that is always striving to improve and keep moving forward. I am thankful for the friend inside of me that can reach from the depths and bring me love and support from within.
I love that I have made my house, “THE HANG OUT”! I let the kids be kids at my house! Want to make a mess? DO IT! Want to turn out all the lights in the house and play hide and go seek? DO IT! Want to have a air soft gun war from door to door just because you can? DO IT!
And, I love that this has happened because I know they are safe and I know they are having fun and making memories that will last a lifetime!
I feel your puppy pain. Both of my rowdy rascals have led me on morning runs, one with me wearing only a tank top and skivvies and another time I had to run after a teenager on a bike that my pup was after-with no bra on. *sigh*
But I love that, like you, I try to see the bright lining on those dark storm clouds. We all need a little darkness to replenish, to grow, to learn, and to really appreciate the good. The dark is good too. My husband and I just got married. We found out he just lost his job. We’re having one of many dark times this marriage will no doubt experience. BUT we will get through this. We are still so blessed. We’ll come out shining and stronger for it.
p.s. LOVE this blog. It’s one of my shining moments each day.
That photo of Nella in the blue dress is divine.
I most cherish my capacity to LOVE.
Beautiful Nella looks more and more like her wonderful sister.
I have a pup like Sohpie… she’s a monster when she gets loose. Last time involved grass-stained jeans after several attempts to tackle her. So funny!
I love Nella’s teal and yellow shirt! Where is it from?
I just had to share this! Today I got Sarah’s speech evaluation results in the mail. And although I knew that she was begining to fall behind in the area of verbal communucaion, it just really hurt my heart to see “Greater than 25% delay” in black and white on that form. I pulled up your site, looking for a new post, and as soon as Sarah (13 mo w/Ds) saw Nella she said, “Bay!” for baby!! It’s the second “word” she’s ever said, and the first time she’s said a word that was clearly directed at what she was seeing. (She says Dadada but doesn’t direct it at Daddy yet) I’m overjoyed, and in tears. Very Happy Tears!!!
Oh the “hammy stretch”…too funny! Love the pics…you hot glueing root beer bottles (God love ya!), precious little Nella in the blue dress, and Lainey in the grass (one of the last shots). Beautiful Kelle. I am always mesmerized and inspired by your photos. AND, I just received my copy of “Mamarazzi” today!!! I went straight to your page, now I’m headed back to the beginning:). It looks like a great book and I think I will be purchasing some for Christmas presents.
Something I cherish about myself…I becoming a more compassionate person. I try to see the good in all people, even if it’s REALLY hard. That is a challenging thing to do, but I’ve found myself more at peace by having this attitude.
I have been sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what this birthday party entails! I wish I could be a guest! lol
I cherish my spontaneity….always ready to drop something and go! I don’t like to miss out on much and this makes life better 🙂
your commentary on the dogs was hilarious! I have a lab Brooklyn, who takes off after any person – I love him but he’s just the dumbest living thing – and I say that with love…the dog would go with anybody!
OK – so I think I’m pretty good at working under pressure – kind of forces me to stay focused!
Dear Full of LIFE,
Happy Happy birthday to that first little girl of yours. I have celebrated the Anniversary of my first daughter 26 times….and it never gets old: that feeling of remembering how it was to be a Mama for the first time. I would do it all again in a heart beat.
I love to listen. It is a learned art, and I am trying to teach it to my children.
love,
The little bits add up to lots of wonderful big things
in
NE
I am in love with your ability to seemingly always focus on the positive. I, too, try to do this, but I’m not always great at it. Sometimes, I have to try again a mere 5 minutes after I’ve decided to start. Then 5 minutes later. But I think therein lies the success… in the trying. And the “keeps trying.”
My most cherishable quality is my ability to live in the moment. I am constantly aware that my time with two little girls is short, and precious, and that they will (and do) grow so fast. I am able to relish each sweet moment, and when they pass, I can look back and remember them fondly and without regret. I am a very blessed Mama!!
I love that when I forgive-I FORGIVE. I completely forget that persons transgression and I’m as in love with them as I was in the first place. This comes in handy with my husband and children.
I can’t tell you how I love this post and the songs you picked for it…just perfect! Thank you for what you’re good at 😉
I love that once I make a decision to do something I never look back. Sometimes I spend a lot of time looking at my choices, and sometimes only a moment, but once the decision is made my path is set and I am ready to go. I used to think that I was just too nervous to look back for fear I would have regrets, but I have realized that I truly just accept that all things happen for a reason. I have made choices to get me where I am today because where I am is exactly where I need to be at this moment. There is something special to learn/gain from each choice in life and all I have to do is enjoy it!
How do you always manage to make me laugh out loud and sprout a few tears all in one post? Love the dog! Love the hugs!
I can love like no other, my two year old and hubs get way too many hugs for their liking and not enough for mine!!!
I like that I have a really soft heart and I can give mercy to those who wrong me. My heart breaks for those who are hurting and even though I have been told that I need to let it go, I still want to save the world. And I really like that! A lot of people see in so much black and white but I get to see the gray and love people in the midst of it. It’s something I want to teach my kids for sure.
I ALWAYS root for the underdog… no matter what the situation is. Even when my team is winning, I feel bad for a team that is losing. In real life situations…. I do the same thing!!
I am so glad I read this today because I have recently realized what my best quality: I am a kick ass friend:) I don’t want to bore you with the whole story but I assure you I am! PS I have a spunky chihuahua so I feel your pain:)
I know that I drive my hubby crazy with how many times I check on my kids before bed and how I don’t trust other people to watch them but I like my fierce love I have for my children and my intense desire to protect them and keep them safe. I also love colors and I like that I am good at pairing them together to make beautiful things. My favorite one for the last few months has been grey & that pensive sky is such a yummy color 🙂
My best quality (I believe) is my ability to laugh at myself and to openly invite others to laugh with me. For instance, yesterday one of my older daughter’s therapists was playing with us down in our playroom. My daughter (7-y/o and in the autism spectrum) brought a nekid Barbie doll over to me and asked “Mommy, do you have any bras I can use for my Barbie?” I simply replied “Hon, though I’m sure one of my bras would probably be the perfect cup size for your doll, I think the rest of it might be a tad large for her.” Our therapist lost it 😀 Mission accomplished!
My best quality (I believe) is my ability to laugh at myself and to openly invite others to laugh with me. For instance, yesterday one of my older daughter’s therapists was playing with us down in our playroom. My daughter (7-y/o and in the autism spectrum) brought a nekid Barbie doll over to me and asked “Mommy, do you have any bras I can use for my Barbie?” I simply replied “Hon, though I’m sure one of my bras would probably be the perfect cup size for your doll, I think the rest of it might be a tad large for her.” Our therapist lost it 😀 Mission accomplished!
Every night before I go to bed I’m always thinking “did I read my daily dose of “Enjoying the small things?” and even if I’ve already read that day’s entry – I go back and read it again… then I check out the archives! 🙂
PS: Love those pink-ish flats you’re wearing in recent photos. Where’d you get those?
Can I just say that the picture of your girls hugging at the gymnastic’s birthday party brought tears to my eyes. I had a son pass away and he would be 5. I have a son, Logan who is 16 months and it made me think of how it would be to see big brother and little brother together.
The quality in myself that I most cherish is letting myself feel. I dont fear my emotions. I fully embrace them and let them take me where they need to.
I appreciate my crazy sensitivity to others needs and feelings. Nobody gets left behind 🙂
No matter how I feel at the end of the day I know that I can read your blog & it grounds me. Makes me stop & think what’s truly important & allows me to forget the petty, unnecessary things that sometimes get in the way. I’ll be honest, I’m still trying to figure out what I do best. . . I think I’m a good mom, but try every day to be even better. It’s the most important thing I will do in my lifetime & I don’t necessarily want to be the best at it, but want to be the best that I can be for ‘her’. Ask me in a few more years & maybe I’ll have a better idea. . . until then, the journey will be the best I’ve ever had – trying to figure out what I do ‘best’ & that’s the best part!!
Stunning photos. Just stunning. Those girls are both gorgeous.
I am resilient and can bloom where I’m planted (and most people think I’m pretty funny).
I like that I can see the humor in things and don’t take anything too seriously, such as the time when some high school kids came through the neighborhood and ketchup-ed our cars…I found it hilarious, not so much for my husband who grumpily raced off to the carwash before the paint got ruined. (Might be that I spend my days with high school kids so I’m kind of one myself!)
Listening – I often say it must be written on my forehead because people I hardly know seem to “know” that I am good listener and tell me things that surprise themselves. Fortunately, I love to listen and learn so I get just as much as a I give.
-Jenny in Iowa
One quality about myself that I love is my organization. I love that I make lists for everything. I love that I now where everything is at all times, know dates of events, and am very financially aware. Some may not appreciate it, but I love it.
i love that i never take people for granted…I’m well aware of the enormity of their place in my life, the incredible things they do and say and ARE….people have always commented on my constant appreciation for them….
The gymnastics party looks like fun!! I love that I can make my husband laugh. Deep belly laughs where you know he’s really laughing and not faking it to be polite. It’s my favorite thing!
Seeing a need and doing something about it in the lives of others…someone is down, send them a card. A baby is born, take a meal. A friend who is swamped crosses my mind, write a note of encouragement on her FB wall. A fellow Mom is frazzled, take her kids for a morning….so on. I love helping others out and I need to do it more!
Your blog is simply amazing. You have such a way with words – its moving. No matter what you are writing about.
I think that the quality that I cherish the most about myself is my ability for empathy. I have a way of completely understanding how people are feeling in any given situation.
I have a Sophie at home, too! She’s a Yorkie, and I love her to pieces! She’s my little shadow – she follows me pretty much wherever I go in the house.
Love the Sophie story… I needed a pick-me-up and this did the trick!!! Thank you so much!
I love the fact that I can laugh at myself.
And I wanted to say my daughter shares your daughter’s special day. My ‘C’ turned 4 today 5-18!
How exciting.
Happy BIRTHday to you and your daughter. Hope it was amazing.
I must say that I am a good cook who is willing to try new recipes. I enjoy cooking with my kids and hope to instill the love of cooking in them also.
It’s interesting how easy it is for me to find faults of mine, but so difficult to find a positive! I cherish my ability to give all of my love to my little one and husband…before Ava, I didn’t realize I even contained so much love.
the quality i love most about myself is that i LOVE to give unique and thoughtful compliments to everyone i see. Making people feel special and cared about is important to me
What quality do I most cherish in myself right now?
It makes me think back to your post about new mothers and trusting your instincts. My daughter is five months old and I’m finally feeling like I’m getting a handle on being a mommy. That precious girl makes it so easy and I’m blessed to have her. I cherish that I have the ability to be a mother. My heart overflows.
Oh you are such a good mum… personalised bottle labels and all! Wow. Plenty of chaos happens in this house too. I think one of my strengths is to look beyond the chaos and see all the good things we achieve in a day… not a lot of cleaning, obviously, but plenty of building cubbies, blowing bubbles, art and craft, and playing with two beautiful boys.
Happy Birthday to Lainey 🙂 I’ve no doubt the celebrations will be lots of fun.
I never forget a thing. Not a birthday or an anniversary or the date our friends bought their new house. My husband would tell you my inability to forget has led to plenty of arguments in the past (he claims we had someone make a tableside appetizer at our first date – we did not.) But I hope my ability to remember important dates makes other people feel like someone out there is always thinking about them. ‘Cause I am.
I love my creative side and letting that creativity shine. Love your pictures as always!
Denise WI
oh your girlies are so adorable!!! happy BIRTH DAY to you Mama & sweet Lainey!!! I hope you had a special day today!!!
one thing everyone always comments on it how great at networking I am. I LOVE people and meeting new people & their special talents…SO FUN!
have a happy party ~ cannot wait to see pics!!!
I’m a new reader to your blog & I just want to say how absolutely adorable your girls are! I like the fact that I am a giver. I try to always help those in need & reach out to them in whatever way they need it. I pray that my children will follow that example as they grow.
No matter how crazy things get in life, I love that I can always laugh at myself and keep my sense of humor!
I’m a fairly new reader to your blog, but I’m really enjoying it! You have a beautiful writing style, your pictures are amazing, and your girls are beyond precious!
I love that when people talk about me or describe me, the first feature they mention is my big smile. It’s an automatic response in me because of the joy I have in my heart.
Loyalty, although being loyal isn’t always the best, it can get you introuble! Love your photos, your birthday parties are the best!!!
i love that i believe in the good in people–i have a naivety about me that makes me look through rose-colored lens 🙂 love those clips, and i hope i win!!! 🙂
I love the way you see little moments we all have as magic. I need to remember to do that more.
I love that I’m not afraid to try to tackle things I don’t know how to do. Like the wedding cake I’m making for the wedding that’s in two days and I’m sort-of wondering if I can still order one from somewhere and sort-of thinking I might make this work out afterall, but at least I’m willing to try. However, if I do finish this wedding cake it will be my last. Sometimes I succeed and sometimes I fail but at least I try.
I love that I am overly sentimental. I take tons of pictures of my kids doing anything and everything! I have a hard time deleting any of the “bad photos” and I can hardly ever bring myself to throw away any of my kids’ artwork (even if it’s just a scribble!) We celebrate every birthday and hiccup!!!
Happy Birthday to your beautiful little Lainey Love!!!
I love your story about cleaning out the refrigerator right before the company arrives. That would be a nightmare for me!
I cherish my empathy. I like that it keeps me humble and ready to give support to those around me.
Happy third year of motherhood Kelle! Happy 3rd birthday Laney! Hope this day is perfect for your family.
I love being that I am creative and crafty and can always manage to turn a rainy day into fun for my boys!
I know how to have a good time as I go through life…I don’t always have a good time… but I cherish that there is a part of me that loves to come out with a full on belly laugh pulled up at the end with a snort.
Oh, and I can so relate to the company/sweet smelling bathroom/cleaning out the fridge scenario…. thanks for sharing about life….
How in the world are you going to read 997 comments!! Hope I win!!
My unrelenting energy and ambition, for better or worse. Thank you for all you do!
I have a quick smile that makes people comfortable and they open up to me.
the hugging picture is heart melting. and your comment regarding “holding a newborn close to your chest late at night” left a lump in my throat. my daughter just celebrated her first birthday and i’ve been constantly reminded lately that she is no longer my “baby.”
I forgive easily. I love and hate that aspect of myself. I just can’t stay mad for any longer than say… 47 seconds. Sigh.
Happy Birthday, Lainey! My big girl just turned 4 last week- complete with mac and cheese for dinner too!! I can’t wait to see what you have done for her party!
Ah, too late for the giveaway. Did want to say that I absolutely adore that picture of Nella lying on the kitchen? floor looking into the camera. The world blurred behind her. Perfection. You are so blessed with BOTH of your little angels.
Ummmmmmm, I’m thrifty. Want to put a question mark, but that kind of defeats the purpose of the exercise, doesn’t it?
Behind in your posts…all caught up now!
My positivity out of a pensive sky…
Is my strength, especially in hard situations.
xoxo,
Bug & Ruby’s Gram
I love that I’m good at giving great gifts! I’m good at knowing the person and knowing what they would like.
love the pic of your pup!
I love that I am intuitive and can read a situation and people pretty well. (I also like being able to say ”See? I was right!”)
‘O’-pic of Nella with her big blue peepers–just kills me. So lovely!
Thank you for this daily inspiration and reminder of what is important in life. I love your blog– it is so wonderful to see a celebration of the little (BIG) things!
not that you will ever read this, but i must say- i wish we were friends. we are kindred spirits. i LOVE the heck out of this blog. i love your honesty. i love your vocabulary. your photos. your ability to relay theses sweet moments in life in such a perfect way. KEEP going! Love this.you are blessed, and you know it, and you embrace it. that is rare. most people can’t see beyond their struggles to absorb the blessings. each time i read your words i have a fresh perspective on life. i am able to take that soul of yours with me throughout the day and remember- it’s all a matter of perspective. And yours, my friend, is pretty stinkin’ awesome. thank you for what you give the world through this not-so-little blog. God has a purpose for you- and you are fulfilling it. and you are blessing others with it.
Suzy Stark
What a beautiful daughter you have!
I always try to be positive and do something helpful for someone every day. I love being able to make someone have a better day…even if its doing something small like holding open the door for someone or letting someone go ahead of me at the store.
I absolutely love your outlook on life and I personally strive to live my life like that every single day. You truly are an inspiration!
Happy Birth Day to Lainey!
P.S. – Where did you get that adorable red & white flower headband?? Love it!
Chaos–the good kind–comes naturally to our home because we subconsciously torment ourselves with giant projects at the most inappropriate times.
sooooo awesome!! hahahaha
I am in love with Lainey’s dress!! I have a 4 year-old daughter and would love to know where you found that adorable dress.
Oh how I love the positive nature of this question. I love that I am a creative problem solver. I think things through under a number of scenarios (its just my nature) and then I am able to mentally (and otherwise) prepare myself for the possible outcomes. I am also a great researcher and almost never take no for an answer, but I can accomplish what I need with tact and respect even if I have to be forward and/or persistent. I am most proud of it….and it is the reason my husband sends me to do all the difficult business and dirty work of those more complicated situations
I am stubborn, almost anyone who knows me might use that as one of many adjectives to describe me. It has taken me a long time to realize that I am the good kind of stubborn – justifiably unyielding : resolute. I can listen to the other side of the argument and even change me mind, if I believe that is the correct thing to do, but I can be unyielding when it comes to something I think is wrong or is in conflict with my character. I know this is frustrating to many in my life, it forces them to make realizations about themselves when I will not concede and they must truly face the fact of the situation. It has taken me a long time to realize their frustration with my stubbornness was a frustration with my expectation for them to take personal responsibility for their actions. I have never been the most popular girl, but the friends, adopted family and husband I have collected are phenomenal people is every sense. Besides, they are just as stubborn in their character as I am, and that is what I love so deeply about them, even if it frustrates me.