Oh, Friday…how I love thee. You bring with thee the promise of prolonged morning coffee hours, of lazy afternoons, of sprinklers and sidewalk chalk and impromptu walks where littles get tired half-way through and mamas have to carry heavy tricycles for blocks.
Behold, we baked.
Behold, we took pictures.
Behold, we failed to fold the now wrinkled pile of laundry that’s been sitting on the love seat for two days now.
But we do have some nice caught-up books for the littles.
Lainey’s Four Year Book:
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And Nella’s First Year Book:
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…and Friday night has a nice little heat lightning show goin’ on in the driveway now. Three little chairs lined up and my little waving me on from the window so…I’m off.
Happy Weekend.
Those books are amazing and just darling! I love everything you do!! Have a great weekend!
aackk!! just wanted to be in the first few comments..lol!! going back to read and re-comment, cuz I’m a nerd like that!! xo-n
I LOVE Nella’s hat. I’m on a hat buying mission for my little one that should be arriving in October. I’m always super jealous of your girls head gear. lol
much love and have a happy weekend! love the books!
lishy and the boys
Ok, ok! And thank you for starting MY friday off right, friend. I already have my bottle of Yeungling, and a Yankee candle a burnin’ (Early Sunrise smells divine during these last dog days!) and your littles faces over the past several months were just what I needed to get geared up for a long weekend of sewing my butt off. Cheers to another beautiful weekend babe! xoxo ~nicole
You’re so talented. Thank you for sharing! Speaking of, will you share your cake recipe? 🙂 Yum!
Love it, love it!! I totally stumbled on your blog randomly a few months ago and so.glad.I.did!! Completely inspired, every time. Thank you for sharing these lovely snippets of your life with us! Have a fabulous weekend :))
No kiddos yet for me, but I certainly hope I will be sufficiently motivated to make year books for my own children someday. Also, laundry needs to learn how to fold itself….
The books are amazing! So sweet. I adore the first one…such a thoughtful little message! Love it 🙂
-carlotta
PS I’m head over heels in love with Nella. 😉
Absolutely gorgeous books Kelle! Your cake also reminded me that I have a lemon poppy seed bread mix that I have been saving for the right time. After a couple of weeks of house guests I think tomorrow morning’s brekkie alone with my yummy hubby is thee perfect time! Yay for carbs and coffee!
Have a lovely weekend. Rebecca
you inspire me to be a better mother…and i don’t even have any children yet! no, seriously. it’s true. i’ve randomly stumbled upon your blog, but now faithfully read it because…well, your little nella? she is so.dang.cute. and lainey? totally sassy. you make me want bebes, and if i happen to become pregnant it’ll totally be your fault. also, i think…and if i’m wrong i’ll be totally mortified…but you may have spelled essence incorrectly. i don’t know if these get printed out and you put them in a book, so i just thought i’d let you know. anyyway, you’re gorgeous, your family is gorgeous, and the love you have for life is gorgeous. thanks for always inspiring!!
I love your beautiful books!!! I hope to do this yearly for my family as well.
I purchased a whole bunch of Yankee Candles in fall scents last night. It made me think of you! 🙂
You are so talented and I just wanted to say that you inspire me to enjoy the small things and the good things in life. With 4 kids sometimes it is too easy to get caught up with all the un-fun stuff. So thank you so much for inspiring me to love my life.
I love your scrapbook pages!! What font is the script you used in many of the pages? And the one with the stars? Thanks!
Ack! Thank you, Rose! I’ve had commenters catch other typos in the book before they go to print and I am forever grateful!
Thank you!
Beautiful books. You are such a rocking Mama! Go enjoy the night sky with those beauties. Keep on enjoying the small things and thanks for inspiration in each and everyone of your posts. Every time I walk away feeling like i just had a chat with one of my girlfriends over coffee!
Susie’s Hand for most of the script. The block script is Clementine Script.
All fonts are free from:
http://www.scrapvillage.com/fonts.htm
Kelle, I know you’ve mentioned what program you make your book pages with before (but I was obviously too stupefied looking at your kids’ beauty to make note of the name). If you could post it again, it’d be great. Thank you! 🙂
Oh I love it all! Over here in Seattle it is not yet cool enough to be considered “fall” but I lit my pumpkin candle and bakes muffins yesterday! Fall I am READY!
I live in Traverse City (Michigan) and we’re in the midst of a beautiful Friday evening thunderstorm. No rain yet, just that breeze that smells like fresh rain and the wondrous sounds of rumbling thunder. I have all the Windows open and enjoying it all. Tomorrow, farmers market and Ahhh…why not…a pumpkin pie just to fill my house with its wonderful scent. Enjoy your evening light show and well certainly enjoy ours.
Terrific books! I need to try that out!
Not sure if you read all your comments, but I can’t help myself with this one because this is your child’s book forever, and I am a teacher….. you spelled essence wrong on the first page. Sorry…. I just wanted to let you know!!!
Gorgeous pictures! As a special ed. teacher to many children with DS, I love reading your blog, and how wonderful your parenting attitude is!
yes, ditto a previous commenter…what program do you use and what do you do with the pages? do you actually have a book?
enjoy.
oh wait. you already do.
Dude. I love how you love. That sounds weird, but it’s true! Your books are absolutely amazing.
Happy storm.
xo
Kate
p.s. The cake looks delish… any chance you would share the recipe?
Kelle,
I heard a song that I KNOW you would love.
“Little Things” by India.Arie
🙂
Peace out,
Jamie
have a happy weekend, Kelle! Ours is going to be full of parties, picnics and church. I like the busy weekends, but i long for a slow, coffee filled one 🙂
Those books are awesome and will be very cherished as they get older. Thanks for sharing it all with us.
Loving your book preview Kelle ♥
I hope you enjoyed the lightening show with your littles.
Love and light from us here in Australia
http://www.stacewyllie.blogspot.com
soo sooo soo adorable–and i love nella’s french looking red hat and black and white outfit.
Fabulous pages in the book of your life!
Forget the laundry…use the love seat as a dresser. Within the pages, sealed in the binding, parenthesized by the covers you are recording moments and memories that will warm you like a crackling fire when you are old. They are, these children, changing even in their sleep and one day, when you go to check on them in their beds they will be gone, sleeping in their own houses binding books of their own. Yes, let the laundry go. You won’t remember folded linens and shirts on hangers some years from now…when you are reading once again, these precious volumes.
Love the books. Beautiful!
Just gorgeous! Your photo books have inspired me to do a better job with my family’s scrapbooks. What a treasure they’ll be! I was going to ask about the script font, but I see you’ve already answered it! Thanks!
What scrapbook program do you use? Your pages are awesome!
Okay. So I’m reading back through your archives, and right now I’m back to a little over a year before today. And so when I read your new entries, sometimes my brain gets confused with the timelines.
But can I just say that when I started reading this entry, thinking it was one from a year ago, and then I saw that first picture of Nella, I had this moment of realizing how PERFECTLY she fits with your family. Like she just goes with you guys so well. In the older entries I sometimes get confused about why she’s not there 😀
oh goodness me! the photo of nella wearing that fabulous red hat and the photo of your little sprite holding the ballet bar made my heart skip a beat and made me pick up my camera to take photos of my littles. love, love, love those!
I simply cannot wait to have littles of my own so I can create such masterpieces like you! You are amazing at this!
Not only are those book pages beautiful, they are such a great way to keep memories forever. You will always be able to go back and tell them of days they may not remember- but still assure them they were loved always.
When i have kids I hope I can do the same for them!
Oh my God, that picture of Nella in the red hat. She almost doesn’t look like a baby anymore. Thank you for sharing.
You guys are just the cutest – all of you!
I WANT A BIG BITE OF THAT CAKE!
you are so inspiring.. i am 22, not even thinking about kids yet but you are exactly the kind of mother i’d want to be. i love reading your blog. big hugs to you and your beautiful girls.
adele x
I love the books. Please share how you make them and how you go about getting them printed. Pretty please with a cherry on top??? Thank you, so much, for sharing with “us” all that you do!
I LOVE your photo books. Please do share what software you use and how you get them printed and bound. Your photography is amazing also. Helps to have such BEAUTIFUL subject matter also. 🙂
Can I just add something quickly? This is the only blog where I read all the comments. Everyone is just so…I don’t know…REAL. And happy. And loving. 🙂
Where do you make those pages for your books?
I love all the photos. When Lainey and Nella are older they will look through these books and smile.
K so I know I’m new, but oh.my.goodness. I love the year book idea! And those pictures are adorable. So much sweetness. 🙂
I have to second what ‘Kelly’ said about reading all the comments. I have found this nice little community here at ETST and I not only enjoy & am inspired by Kelle’s posts, but by the conversation that goes on among the readers. I often find myself reading comments thinking “wow, I totally agree” or ” that person was able to express exactly what I was thinking/feeling” or “what a neat way to look at life” or “I’m not the only one who needs a bit of an attitude adjustment sometimes”. This blog, and the community that surrounds it has become such a welcome and enjoyable part of my ‘day to day’. Thanks to Kelle, Poppa, all the readers and my buddy Lindsay who shared the link. Have a great weekend everyone.
TO Kelly – YES, I love the comments here too. Everyone is so positive and open. Oh POPPA, you ALWAYS say it so well! Yes, forget laundry; you are making memories. Kelle – oh, yummy cake. And LIGHTNING-yay! Nella and the hat; oh your girls are both such fashionista’s. They take after you in many ways. Wow, Kelle, you seem to do it all and do it so well. Love the (scrap)books you create. It is just one more way that it is so clear how easily and deeply you love, and show that love. Love you and your family, Kelle! Have a splendid weekend. (from your official Blog mama) xo
absolutely gorgeous…the faces, the pictures, the books and the way you love those girls. you often put into words what I feel and I’m brought to tears. Have a lovely weekend!
oh BAWL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love your scrapbooking or “booking”- i count my blog as my scrapbook- but i love how you make pages like this that you can print out. your blog inspires me to do better, live more fully, and embrace everything that life brings. Mwwwwaaaaah!!!!
love,
erika
theurthmama.com
Oh I just love the new pics of Nella!! Just love the look on her face and the way she is puckering her little mouth. Just adorable!! And your scrapbook pages are gorgeous!! Do you mind me asking what you use, program wise? Have a great weekend!!
Beautiful. I’ve always meant to make a book. Now I really want too…how cool!!! I love your little headband thingys. You are just adorable.
I have no idea how you do it! Baking, putting together yearbooks, and being a wonderful mama! Please tell me you have a book in the works on how to do it all:)
Thank you so much for sharing your spirit and positive outlook with all of us! You’re what I strive to be!
And, the bubbly blonde beatiful babies don’t hurt either 😉
Ah, Kelle…I loved your post, as usual. They always seem to say what I can never get out. All the things you never want to forget about the time you spend with your kids, but can never seem to find the words to get out. You’ve definitely got a gift and I wait, sometimes impatiently, for your next post. Have a great weekend!
LOVE Nella in the red hat! The books are perfect! I have done 2 books for my Brianna and working on more.
I agree with Poppa! Laundrey can wait! The laundry stops on my breakfast table…. I know it drives my husband crazy, but he’s learned to get his stuff there as it is not in his drawers! :o) He still loves me though! Today is our 16th wedding anniversary…. I must be still doing something right!
:o)
Fabulous books! The girls will cherish them forever.
Another lovely post!
how sweet your post is!!!
so much pictures of babies and it’s freshed my mind now..
have a nice weekend!
xo, Lorine
Oh how I am jealous of your gazillion talents!
Oh wow, same here. Dragging a little bike with training wheels along road after road while your eldest complains she’s tired and your lit’lun won’t fall asleep in the wrap. That was my walk today!!! But oh how they’re cute aren’t they?!?
Your girls are so precious! These scrapbooks that you are making for them are not only so great for you, but for your girls! They will love looking back at them and seeing all the memories you all made with each other! I say this from experience because I am now 17 and cherish being able to look back on the memories my mom made in my scrapbook!
Hope you are having a blessed weekend! Your girls make me smile!
Hi Kelle,
I have been reading your blog since your little Nella was born and I needed to thank you for “humanizing” down syndrome. For showing that these beautiful creatures are not just kids with down syndrome, but PEOPLE who want to love, to be loved and to experience life just like the rest of us. I live in Cali and frequent Disneyland quite a bit with my littles and more often then not, I’ll come across a mother pushing a special chair for their beautiful child with down syndrome. Before reading your blog, sympathy and sadness, would always fill my heart when seeing these kids. Now, I see them and I see love. I see happiness. And I can’t help but smile at those mothers…a genuine smile of love to let them know that I think their child is beautiful. So often I see others look away in fear, pity, etc. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for showing just how love knows no boundaries even when it comes from strangers.
you are one of my “inspiration blogs”. thank you for everything. I must admit….I *stole* your book idea. My fiance really wanted scrapbooks but I LOVE your book idea so much more and he’s so on board now. So thank you for the inspiration. Not just the books but how you go through your life. Thank you. You make me realize that even the hard parts of having babies aren’t as hard as they can seem to be at first. Much love….so much love to you!!
Kelle, I love you. And your girls. And your family.
*hugs*
After seeing the last set of smashing pages you created for Lainey’s third year journal, I vowed there and then to get on with finishing…er…starting… Jack’s first year journal. He’s three and a half already so I’m digging pretty deep into my memory banks (translation: making stuff up) to fill in some of the details. But hey, better late than never. Thanks for the reminder that it’s our responsibility to capture these moments…as Poppa said, (much more eloquently), screw the laundry. Those piles will still be making me curse in 40years so I’ll be sure to have some lovely journals to peruse and fill my heart with gladness whilst I rest my feet upon the ever-growing pile for ironing. At the rate I’m going, by then it’ll be the tallest peak in Canada.
You erase all of my fears of taking the plunge into becoming a mommy!
Kelle,
These books you’ve made for Lainey and Nella are spectacular!
The girls are so beautiful and Florida looks like a gorgeous place.
Have a great weekend!
Love the books for your girls! Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Ah… Chills, Kelle, chills. You inspire me so much in so many ways. You make me want littles, RIGHT NOW, so bad! 🙂 In good time.. Everything in good time… I just have to keep reminding myself.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the photos of Nella in her red hat!!! Yes it needed three LOVES.
Those first photos of Nella are stunning!
What software do you use to make the books? And how do you bind them? Do you make one per year for each of your girls?
I love your blog so much–it’s so affirming. A girl on babycenter sent me here. I’ve a new baby boy of my own-four amazing months!
I stumbled upon your blog about the time your daughter Nella was born. I can see the love you have for both of your girls, for life. You inspire me to be a better mom to my one year old daughter. Your photography is amazing. The girls’ photobooks are amazing. I am trying to get myself more organized and actually make her one. Thank you for the inspiration.
Hi, hope it’s OK to contact you here. We would love to include your blog on our giveaway search engine: Giveaway Scout (http://www.giveawayscout.com). Have a look and if interested, use our online form to add your blog (http://www.giveawayscout.com/addblog/ ). thanks, Josh
Oh Kelle!! These new books are just gorgeous…I am inspired…am thinking I would like to make one for my little Mason, who is five months old…can’t wait to get started!!
Gorgeous.
I just love little Nella’s painted toenails. So funky!
Part of the fabulous poem “Song for a Fifth Child.”
“The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,/
For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow./
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep./
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.”
Take that, laundry! Hi-yah!!
Oh, and I forgot to ask – the fabulous coral flower headbands? Where did you get those?
I am inspired by your blog. your girls are absolutely precious! and you are an amazing woman!
I was wondering where you print the books?? That is such a wonderful idea and having a 6 week old little guy I would LOVE to start doing the year books!
Crazy Mrs. B,
Patting my heart.
Yes, yes…oh, yes. Thank you. That’s exactly what I hope happens. xoxo
Kelle,
Love love love these books. I have made books like this before but never with such detail. What program do you use? Please share so I too can make some fabulous memories for my children!!! Thank you so much for sharing your family with us!!!
Amy
Gorgeous pages kelle! you must have so much fun looking back through your beautiful pictures at your littles adventures! would be so hard to choose the ones to go in their books tho. I love Nella’s hats! You are loving your babies so good mamma! you create amazing memories for them, and I love the way you focus on the home and activities and craft as well as adventures. Loving the inspiration and the gorgeous photos. Thank you for being awesome and encouraging us all to enjoy our moments just that little bit more xoxo
i loved seeing your beautiful summaries of your summer… revisiting the beautiful photos and reading the prose that makes my heart melt. These books are just amazing and your girls will hold them dear when they are older 🙂
Oh I hope you have a moment to answer me but I’m just wondering what program you use for your photo books? Or maybe you just do ’em from scratch in photoshop? I plan to do a bunch of photo books as my winter project. (winter is loooooong where I live ha ha) Love your blog!
I love making books like this on Shutterfly.
You’re so awesome to do one each year for your girls! I wish I had the time and the energy. I am luck if I make one family book a year.
You’re such a beautiful momma!
I love these books! So perfect and beautiful. I love how you dress your girls… Especially Lainey’s bright colors… Where do you usually shop for her?
Please, please share what program you use for those scrapbook pages. So wonderful! I need to get started!!
Yes Kelle, you are brightening the world for those of us who do not get the privilege of raising a special needs child. I wanted to give you an example of what I mentioned above… I was just at Disneyland yesterday and was presented with the exact situation. What a sweet moment it was for me to see this beautiful boy reach out to strangers…how greatful I felt to be given the opportunity to show love with my smile and “high five” when so many others just stared. I was brought to tears! So, thank you again!
And of course (of course!) I love your pictures and reading about all of your mommy adventures. You are a beautiful mommy and person and you inspire me to leave my laundry unfolded and spend more time with my three babes!
I have no idea if you have time to get back to anyone–(which is totally fine)…but I do have a question! Where do you get Nella’s super sweet clothes?? I find that they are just so sweet and neutral and not ‘typical’ (like all the pink onesies with a bumblebee on it you find everywhere!) I have a 3 month old, and she has a pretty cool wardrobe, but I’d like it to be better 😉 haha. For example, that cute little polka dot top nella is wearing?
Anyway 😉 At your leisure…if ever…!
ps: inspired by you and your beautiful writing!
Love the scrapbook pages Kelle! Can you share with us what program you use??
And ditto to another commenter on wanting the recipe on that lemon perfection you baked!
My goodness Kelle! How do you do it all? Seriously girl, you set the bar high….good thing I don’t have kids yet, so there’s no pressure!!
I love your pictures, the yearbooks are a great idea.
Every time I see a picture of Nella I just want to hold her!
Wow! Your girl’s books are so beautiful! LOVE that e.e. cummings quote. 🙂
Wishing you a wonderful weekend~
“When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.” ~John Ruskin
Love the albums! Don’t know how you manage to find the time and pick the perfect photos.
At least your laundry makes it to the couch… I end up having to run the washer again because the clothes smell musty. 😛
I am absolutely addicted to your blog. I found it through a friend’s blog last week and have been reading it every since. You are an amazing mother — and extremely talented photographer. I have to thank you for your honesty. I’ve always feared having a down syndrome baby. Your blog has taken that fear away and has shown me that there’s no reason to fear a life that is different than you imagined. I know that your blog has touched so many, especially me. Lots of love to you and your perfect family. Keep writing. And thank you.
Nella is so cute. I think I may have to steal her for myself. 😉
Crazy Mrs B, Please know, these are discoveries and points of growth we too are experiencing. I used to just look down or look away…with a compassionate shielding, not realizing I was depriving myself and this “special” child and their family of the joy in connecting. I was in the elevator the other day with a mother and her child, and I just shared with her my best Grade A smile, and she smiled back…and when she went to leave with her mother, she turned back again and gave me the parting gift of one more smile. Others in the elevator, I think, were looking down. They missed the magic! If Nella has taught us this, she is Love’s University!
Hi! I love your blog! You have two beautiful girls…
I made this for Lainey…
http://i37.tinypic.com/2nbbryc.jpg
Hope she likes it!!!
I see Lainey in Nella’s pictures with the red hat. Thanks for sharing your amazing pictures with us.
Oh kelle, I am so enjoying your amazing talents and how Lainey is a blonde mini-you. It must be so much fun to stare at her and see a familiar set of eyes, nose and mouth. Nella is precious too.
Amazing books – I don’t know how you do it!
I’m a brand-new reader…just started reading tonight, but I’m already in love with your blog, your words, and your two sweet girls! Can’t wait to keep reading. So excited to find a wonderful blog to get into 🙂
Beautiful books!!
I am so inspired.
I started making books for my boy, but once I went back to work I’ve been slacking. But now I want to work on it again – right now! Your pages are beautiful – thank you for sharing.
Amber 🙂
,,,mmmm that lemon cake looks as yummy as nella and lainey,,,
Just catching up with your blog. Love the shots of Nella’s reunion with Heidi….absolutely hilarious. Love the flappy arm. 🙂 Hope all is well (apparently it is….) with you and yours!
Kelle,
I know that we all agree that Lainey’s color is yellow. It makes her shine and she can pull anything yellow off. I was just thinking about what little Nella’s color is and after seeing those pictures of your sweet baby girl in the red hat, I have to say that I think her color is red. Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous and I too take a great intrust in Photography 🙂
You did it again! I’m tearing up! You have such a beautiful way with words that penetrate the soul. You are awesome Kelle….enough said.
polka dot onesie: Target!
I was reading this entry when my son (14 months) crawled up to sit by me on the couch. He pointed right at Nella’s photo and said “Bayyybeee”.
I said, “That’s right! Can you say Baby Nella?”
He replied “Bayybeee La-Laa”
🙂
Gorgeous photos. Your girls will treasure these scrapbooks.
Nella is Loves university… I love the way Poppa writes.. he is incredible… and just as fascinating and fun to read as You Kelle and the magic that is your family… By the way I purchased my first cinnamon broom to welcome fall in.. because you inspired me…
eatmywords40@yahoo.com
I love Poppa! His comments are amazing!
Gorgeous pages for the girls scrapbooks. You are so talented 🙂
Beautiful books as always – your girls will love them when they get older!
Hey Kelle! My name is Jennifer, I live in Ocoee, FL… I started following your blog about three months ago (right before my first little boy was born.) A friend sent me the link to read about Nella’s story. WOW! Being 9-months pregnant of course I was a mess! Tears and all. Such an amazing story and how you put it into words was just incredible. Needless to say, I have been following along your journey ever since. I actually look forward to my middle of the night feedings with my little Aiden (now 8 weeks old) when I pull up your blog on my iphone…gives me something to read while he eats away 🙂 lol… Just wanted you to know that you have inspired me! I have several of my friends reading your blog as well and they just LOVE IT. I’m inspired to enjoy the small things in life, to be the best Mommy I can be, to DO fun things with my boy and family, to capture the moments with my camera (so I will never forget.) You are a great Momma! Your girls are BEAUTIFUL! Anyways, just wanted to say “hey” and “thanks” for sharing your life via blogging and photography, truly inspiring!
~ Jennifer
http://www.thestellys.blogspot.com
Hi Kelle!! I noticed in the page book of the miami day trip that the letters look like open!?!? Well, for the clementine sketch font…
You have to start the word with the big letter and end it with this ^ sign so it closes the letter..
You have to write it like this,
/ Miami^ Day^ Trip^ / and they will look complete..
Kelle – the pictures of Nella in the red hat – oh my word, so cute!!!
I love looking at your picture books too. I remember at Uncle Bill and Aunt Sharon’s anniversary party, your dad brought one of Lainey’s books, I think the year one book, and we all loved looking at it! It was already a little battered looking – but battered from being loved!
KELLE, thanks for the info on that cute onesie! To J210209 – OH dont we ALL just love Poppa to pieces?! We’re so lucky Kelle shares him with us a bit. I think many of us wish we had our “own” Poppa, but we love this poppa here. Peace and love and Enjoy the small things!
Oh how your girls will cherish those wonderful scrapbooks, years from now. They are so very, very lucky!
Did your Mom knit Nella’s blue hat with the red flower? I just love it!
I love these year books and wish I had one for each of my kiddos. For now my blog is our digital scrapbook!
Also, Coke tastes best in a little glass bottle, how did I just KNOW Poppa would serve them that way! Only the best for those he loves, just like you!
I wanted to let you know I have given you a blog award. You can see it here: http://mommykellogg.blogspot.com/2010/08/i-just-received-my-first-blog-award.html
Your little ones are so adorable!
Ughhh that cake would taste so great with a milky mug of vanilla tea. Those books are so precious and such a great idea that your children will cherish when they are older.
can i just eat nella – omg shes gorgeous in those pictures
what was that font website?? let me try and use your new, awesome search button to find where you posted about that!? LOVE all the pages. the last one, the zebra print…my fave!! And, the first one of Lainey at ballet. thanks for sharing!
LOVE the pictures of Nella in the red hat!! So adorable! And love your scrapbooking! I can’t believe with all the pictures you take you can get it into one book a year! That must be hard to do! And you do a great job! Such a precious gift to your children when they are all grown up.
Love the books! I’ve been making some for my littles as well and I can’t wait until they are older and look back at them with fondness. 🙂 And that cake looks delish!
Hitting nails does not always mean building something good and there will always be those who make generalizations and construct critical words about things and people they only wish they knew.
Beauty has nothing to do with appearance–it is something far deeper some cannot see (Velveteen Rabbit beauty). I choose–and it is a choice–to focus on what calls from me my best and not my worst and I like to remind myself: I can walk away from people whose spirits are dark and mean…they cannot walk away from themselves. They and those they attract, will compose the sour symphony of their life. I choose to celebrate the small things…and in that celebration, there is no need for validation. Just sayin’.
I guess one of the risks in being brave and putting yourself out there, and in creating great writing and pictures, is that you get misunderstood or a rare person will interpret you in the light of their own issues.
I’m so glad Kelle that you choose to do it anyway for all the rest of us who feel nothing but joy for it. It just so happens that you and Lainey and Nella are all beautiful (can’t help that, huh?)but I think when we readers comment on it we mean more than skin deep. And I have to say I never read anyone who I felt was less needing or looking for validation from others – it is obvious you know yourself well,and are certain in how strong the love in your family is, and so what could you be looking for or needing on top of that?
I probably shouldn’t have dignified it with a response, negative comments are so rare here – but I just felt that one was so far off the mark. Maybe they have not really looked at this blog, but I hope they will be able to find a more appropriate response to things for their sake.
Seriously I want to kiss Nella’s little puckered lips through my computer screen!!!
First…that cake was not baked! It looks like you took a road trip to heaven and stole proof!! Second…Nella is so gorgeous! Last…you’ve finally convinced me to move to digital scrapbooking. I am so far behind on my actual books that I will never catch up. Time to take the plunge!
Sorry if I shouldn’t have responded to the Anons, feel free to delete my comment if it helps.
The photobooks will be so wonderful for everyone to look back on, perfect combination of enjoying the small things and knowing the big things.
We recently made a photobook for my grandma who would have been 100 this year with images from her life, and we’ll be hosting further centenary celebrations throughout the year!
Kelle, I think the books are great! I love the style of them! Do you create the layouts yourself or use pre-fab layouts??
I’m speechless. So I must comment lol. I absolutely love the books, so lovingly done. Great momma 🙂
I love your blog. Your girls are so sweet!
Best wishes, Cecilie
Ditto to Janet!!!
Those are the most amazing photos. And your kiddos are just beautiful! I have to know…what kind of camera do you have? I’m going to get one…and you can be my photography teacher. LOL
Tree @ Mother of Pearl It Is
Geez….someone’s a tad bit jealous! LOL I just read the “anonymous” comments from your biggest fan! And that was AFTER I mentioned how beautiful your children are. Mine are the most beautiful children to me too…and you have every right to feel proud in sharing your stories, your photos and your love for your kiddos. Mine don’t mind at all and I’m sure they will grow up just fine! 🙂
I like coming here. I find it interesting and inspiring. I like chatting with my friends about the latest blog post. Do I have “something desperately missing” in my own life? No. Do I like to be a part of a community that helps me be a more positive person? Yes. Does everyone who visits this blog feel the same way? No. Is that ok? Yes. However, I find it interesting that people who visit a blog and do not like it, feel the need to criticize the author & the readers/commenters, as well as make many assumptions about the intentions of the author. Do they have every right to do so? Yes. Just interesting. I will keep coming here. I like this place.
Oh Kelle, if only that insensitive and ignorant and of course, ANONYMOUS commenter could have read the comment I left for you about how you have opened my heart to those children with down syndrome. You ARE beautiful. Your children ARE beautiful. Inside and out. No exploitation there…just pure expression of love. What could possibly be wrong about showing the little things in the life that are truly important? And how wonderful for Lainey and Nella to be able to look back at this blog when they are adults and read about JUST HOW MUCH their momma loved them. It breaks my heart “that” person had to go down the snarky road when there are so many other higher roads available. I chose, at this moment to take the low road and tell that anonymous commenter to “F” off. Life is too short to be such a bitch. LOL. Kelle you ROCK!
Adeana Berg
It isn’t just one person making the comments. Many people are critical of this blog. I made the comment about the kids in 20 years, and if you read it, you’ll notice it was merely a miusing. I myself actually did read your comment about smiling at a DS child at Disneyland. Hurray for you.
Yes Anonymous, hooray for me! Kelle has single handedly opened my heart and mind to the joy of special needs children. I choose to shine light and love out of my heart rather then spread darkness and gloom. There are so many rude things I could say to you, but I would never stoop to such a despicable level and this is Kelle’s blog…Kelle there’s always one bad apple. But I see the thousands that love your blog and are loyal followers…..women who think you are amazing! Keep the light and love shining. Those that try to put it out are not worth the energy! 🙂
Crazy in love with my children. Crazy in love with my husband. Crazy in love with my life. This is why I am “Crazy.” And my name? Crazy Adeana. A badge I proudly wear, because there’s nothing better than being Crazy in love with life and because of that I don’t have to hide behind being “Anonymous.” Good luck to you and may someday you experience the joy and happiness that everyone deserves. 🙂
Correct. There are many types of anon. One group has one common theme: envy. They all have their reasons to be jealous for the things they didn’t have, don’t have and won’t have simply beacuse they are lacking love and kindness. These “envy” group of anons are the “Mrs Odie” type. Just dying to get a book deal. Dreaming one day they could get publish. Sadly, just like “Mrs Odie” they won’t see that happening. The truth is INNER BEAUTY attracts more goodness than ugly. Inner uglyness is so pathetic that attracts more of the same. Period.
Ahh, yes, haters keep referring to me as “Crazy” like it’s an insult. I love it! “Momma always said, Crazy is as Crazy does.” Or was it something about a box of chocolates? Or being stupid? LMAO! Thanks for the laughs ladies!
I would love to know where you get your books made from? They are fabulous. Would you mind sharing?
I was so sad to read the cruel comments by the anonymous posters. I look to your blog because to me it is real. The way you write about your daughters is the way I feel about mine, but I can’t put it into such eloquent words. I hope you don’t take any of the meanness displayed here to heart. I also love the pages what a great idea!
Wow! As I can assume that Kelle, LOVES all the opinions and comments that are posted on here I can’t help but wonder what is really the reason behind the cruelty and rude comments. I, for one, am a person who strongly believes everyone should state their opinion and how they feel (b/c I do with no shame what-so-ever), but knocking someone one down or criticizing them for something they love to do is not right! From what I see and read on Kelle’s blog is that she a woman who loves her children, family and life and loves to share it…someone who’s not afraid to share the beauty and “little” things that make life important that so many of us (including me) fail to see everyday. So what if she makes it seem like she lives in a “perfect world” that’s how she wants her blog to be so that’s what she writes. She can easily write stuff about how life sucks and the shitty things that happen but she chooses not to because that is NOT what her blog is for! Her blog is for her kids to see and read when they get older, much like the albums she makes for them as well as for others to realize that although life is shitty there are “little things” that make it worth living and enjoying. It just so happens that Nella’s birth story caught someone (who is “higher” up in the world) eye and they made it more popular, not her…her blog started as nothing until Nella was born and personally I like to read it b/c I find it refreshing! I find it a “picker upper” on my days when I feel down and maybe some moms (especially those with a child with Down Syndrome) do feel that Kelle has touched their hearts and opened their eyes in certain ways to let them know that they are not the only ones who have to go through this and that life really isn’t that bad if you just look at the “little things” that matter. So, Kelle, you ROCK ON, which I know you will!
Love a big fan and mother,
Kim from NJ
I just love reading your sweet words of life and I love the books that you made for your girls. Could you please share what site you do these on? I would love to start one for my newborn son!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! Soooo precious!!!! 🙂
Here Here Kim from NJ!
Keep at it Kelle. Just the fact that these haters are so obsessed with your blog says a lot. They are motivated by darkness and jealousy. We come to you for the light. Keep shining on sister.
I just ADORE Nella’s hats – are they etsy items too? So beautiful on her with her big beautiful blue eyes!
What program do you use to make those scrapbook sheets? You are such an inspirational mama – in all you do.
Thank you again and again for sharing.
Hope New York is as wonderful as it sounds!
For some reason, the picture of the girls covering their ears during fireworks makes me sad. And I wonder if the colors of the Armenian flag were used intentionally or accidentally.
Wow Anon…you are really stretching things now. ;( First of all…that is very common for children to cover their ears during the fireworks or any loud noises for that matter. DUH!! And I had to look up just what the colors were in an Armenian flag…they are similar to what you are speaking of, but not totally, and they aren’t even in the same order. I really think you’re reaching for ways to chastise this woman now. Makes no sense to me.
Dude!! I love that you say “Dude” a lot.
I am the anonymous from before. I do not mean to chastise. I hate fireworks. They make dogs and children frightened and remind me of bombs. Being Armenian, I wondered if Kelle shared my heritage and wanted to pay subtle tribute.
Love, love, love your scrapbook! How do you make them? Thanks for sharing your beautiful girls with us..your family is precious. Please ignore the negative comments you get and continue to love life the way you do. Life threw you a curveball and you are thriving and sharing that with the world, which is inspiring!
Kelle,
Your books you are making for your girls are just beautiful! I have made my little boy one for his first two years so far and I am about to start working on his third. I was just wondering what internet service you used for yours? The first year I used snapfish and the second year I used mixbook.
Thank you so much!
Melanie
Kelle,
Your books you are making for your girls are just beautiful! I have made my little boy one for his first two years so far and I am about to start working on his third. I was just wondering what internet service you used for yours? The first year I used snapfish and the second year I used mixbook.
Thank you so much!
Melanie
i absolutely love your blog! you are inspiration to me and many many others. i hope that i can someday be as loving to my littles as you are to yours. as i embark on my new journey of motherhood, i am inspired and buoyed up by people like you. thank you for taking the time to share with us your journey and for helping us find the small things in life that make us happy. your blog makes me so excited to be a mother and stay home with my babies. i love it!
also, i know a lot of people have already asked this, but i am also very curious what program you use to make your scrapbook pages?? i have been trying different ones for months and haven’t found anything as lovely as what you have made. thanks!