Kelle, Author at Enjoying the Small Things

Enjoying: Funky Cartwheel

February 23, 2012 By Kelle

I was all set to write a post last night but ended up trading a night of writing for a night of roasting marshmallows with friends on our lanai. Or roasting friends with marshmallows on our lanai. Works both ways.

We played the “If” game, acted out embarrassing stories and applauded Brett for making sure our wood didn’t burn out. It was a good trade.

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I woke up yesterday morning in a mood–a funk that wasn’t helped by bad shampoo that left my bangs all butter-greased for the rest of the day. There are a number of day resuscitation techniques I’ve got in the bag for these occasions, some of which include going to Michaels to buy puffy stickers, painting my fingernails red, wearing tights, asking Lainey to talk in a British accent, taking pictures of Barbies doing strange things and texting them to my sister, carrying Nella in a sling, watching this one more time, singing this into a hairbrush, crafting something, baking something, modpodging something, and/or going to Whole Foods to buy a very expensive cookie.

Yesterday, I tried something new.

“I’m going to go do a cartwheel,” I announced to my family last night. Which is pointless because no one even bothers to look up at these sorts of broadcasts.

So I left the front door open while I walked out far enough to clear the house, tucked my shirt in and took the running start that would prep my almost perfect cartwheel. There were some form issues–some crazy stuff going on with the legs in the air, but seriously, it was almost perfect. And just as good as going to Michaels to buy puffy stickers, might I add.

With that prefaced, we are enjoying…

The Hat Thief.
In love with any head gear she can get her hands on, Nella was delighted to discover the drawer where I keep my hats.

Little Buns.
It’s my favorite way they wear their hair–twirled into tight little buns…

…that unravel to soft curls the next day.

Lainey Date
We headed to the park, just the two of us yesterday afternoon. She investigated every play structure, spending little time with each activity before looking for something new. We took a barefoot walk around the little lake…

…and ended up at the water park even though we brought no towels or bathing suit.

We enjoyed it so much, we repeated the fun with Sister today, at a different park.

Park Encore

I sat in the woodchips today and just quietly watched them. I sometimes lead their play too much, suggesting what looks exciting and adventurous–“Hey, want to swing? Want to slide? Want to go climb that fun looking thing?” Today, I sat back and simply watched. A park can be relaxing if you chill out.

The few kids that shared our spot finally cleared out, and it was just me and the girls.

I did not lead. I followed. And it felt good.

Lainey’s Leggings, The Measure

New Fish.
I should know better than to send Brett and Lainey to the store together.

We’ll see how this goes.

Pre March.
I’m craving flowers, pastels, Peeps, babies, lace, spring dresses and sweet sandals.

And yellow. Yellow is a cartwheel in a crayon.

Funk’s out. Creative revolution’s incoming. Look out.

What are you enjoying right now?

P.S.: I’ve been dropping book quote teasers on Facebook and Twitter (@KelleHampton) this week. More to come.

Stream of Consciousness

February 21, 2012 By Kelle

I’ve been sucked in. I joined Spotify and Pinterest in one weekend, and now I might as well just sell my soul to the devil. Or maybe listen to my Inspired playlist while I mod podge frames and pin cute vintage shoes.

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Thank you for your heartfelt comments on the last post. It felt really good to begin a weekend like that–to be emotionally moved in a lot of ways, to cry a little bit, to arrive home excitedly telling Brett all about what I experienced and to pull my sleeping girl from her crib so I could slide her next to me in bed and feel the tangible evidence of how lucky we are. I fell asleep with Lainey’s leg hugging my hip on one side and Nella tucked into the curve of my body on the other. Those quiet moments in the dark when I close my eyes and reach out to hold each of their hands, when I touch my lips to their foreheads and whisper goodnight and fall asleep thinking about how good it feels to be sandwiched between two little bodies that I created–those are the moments that center me. When past, present and future all melt into the comfortable reminder of “this is all that matters.”

You can’t effectively move forward in life unless you have those moments of letting yourself feel the darker side of reality once in a while. I do that, you know. Maybe not publicly every time, but I’m human (if you don’t count the unicorn gene). And even after those moments of pushing the bruise to feel the pain, I smile and think to myself…Life is so very rich. Even with the challenges.

Saturday evening’s sunset. Brett was driving and I made him pull over.

I don’t have a lot to say tonight other than we enjoyed one of the most unproductive weekends ever.

We stayed in our pajamas, made second pots of coffee, and Saturday morning, Brett stretched four eggs and a few potatoes into a giant late breakfast–like loaves and fishes to feed the masses.

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It seems my girls’ togetherness is extra special lately, perhaps brought on by the onset of Nella’s walking.

I find myself hiding in corners and sneaking up on their playtime as if their knowledge of my presence somehow cheapens what they have, just the two of them.

Usually when I take pictures, I naturally get a lot of shots of each of them individually. I’ve realized lately, without even intending to take pictures of them together, I browse a couple days worth of photos and there they are–perfectly together, as if I composed the shot for a shared frame.

And that makes me smile.

Our gardenia bush is in bloom. Our front yard smells like heaven.

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After a stay-in, unproductive weekend, Heidi texted me this morning in hopes of one of our let’s-wing-it-last-minute adventures. Sister speaks my language.

We loaded kids, crackers and a stroller into a minivan and headed to the Imaginarium in Fort Myers for the afternoon.

Look who’s tall enough to see over the edge of the stingray pool.

It felt good to be productive. It felt good to be helping a very pregnant friend fulfil her let’s-do-a-ton-of-stuff-before-I-have-this-baby list.

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And now, I’m here late on a Monday evening and I just received a text from my cousin in Northern Michigan who says the sky there is full of radiant stars and putting on quite a show tonight. I’m smiling. I love these texts. While our sky might not be as radiant tonight and certainly not contrasted by cold white snow, it is still the same sky, same stars. And I think I might take a little midnight walk to enjoy it.

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Congratulations to the Melody Joy $75 gift certificate winner:

Comment #172, Claire Imsen: Kelle, I cried during this entire video. Not just a few drops in each corner- I mean streaming tears. I have been reading your blog since my daughter, Elina, was born in July. Your bright rays of hope traveled all the way from Florida into my heart at a very dark and unstable time. Now I cannot imagine a more beautiful life for myself. Thank you.

Claire, you sweet mama, please send your contact info with MELODY JOY GIVEAWAY in the subject line to kellehamptonblog@comcast.net.

And if, like me, you finally feel like you’re in the swing of things post-holidays, don’t forget to check out Hatchedit.com to help easily organize your family’s schedules and to-do lists.

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One more thing. If you’re near Richmond, VA, my friend Abernathy is currently involved in this amazing new program with SPARC, and I’m so proud of her and the way this program is using art and theater to help children of all abilities. Watch this and be inspired. Their vision is growing, and they need your help.

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And that is all. Happy Monday, Good night.

The Dance

February 18, 2012 By Kelle

Naples Civitan Club Annual Valentine’s Day Dance

There were red balloons tied to every table, festive garland stretched across the walls of the gymnasium and a DJ spinning Lady Gaga, Elvis Presley, and Chubby Checker from the center of the stage.

“They look forward to this night all year,” my friend tells me. “It’s a really big deal.”

I can tell it’s a really big deal. There are fancy dresses. Suit jackets and ties. A medley of cologne scents and silk flower boutonnières.

We danced. Oh, did we dance.

And I made note of so many things. How nobody cared about the things that didn’t matter and everybody cared about the things that did. Like having fun, making people feel special, stopping to listen. Dancing.

I cried because I was happy, I cried because I am still learning, I cried because my emotions can’t contain that kind of awesome and yes, I cried because there were short moments when I felt sad, and it is important to me to let myself feel those moments when they come. They fuel the passion to be proactive. They fuel growth.

I danced with a young man who told me I was pretty. He held my hand and smiled. He was a good dancer. And when he dipped me at the end of the song, he didn’t let me fall. I felt so much kindness from him and when I finally sat down after we danced, I cried because I knew that he felt we were different. And I wanted to tell him we really weren’t.

There was pure love in the room. The kind that made me sit and watch and take it in.

The amazing thing about feelings is that we possess the reins to our perspective. It is a powerful thing–more powerful than the fate of being differently abled itself–to steer our minds and actions toward where we want them to go. I cannot change the fact that sometimes life is hard, that minds don’t always work like they are supposed to, that accidents happen, that bodies fail us, or that an extra chromosome happens to be present on my daughter’s DNA.

What am I going to do about it? I’m going to rock it. I’m going to raise the roof.

I’m going to find more ways to be kind and to teach my children to be kind, and I am going to ask others to help me do it. I’m going to fight for my kids equally, and I’m going to stop and take time to teach them to have fun. To never stop dancing and loving life, no matter what the rest of the world does around them.

I urge you to find ways to get involved in your community’s programs for differently abled adults. There are numerous programs, support groups and fundraisers for babies and children with special needs, but adult programs are often challenged in finding support. After being present last night, I want to help change this.

And let me tell you something else. That extra chromosome? There are dance genes on it, I am sure of it.

“That will be Nella,” someone said, nodding to this beautiful girl on the dance floor. And it made me smile because this girl was vivacious, happy and, Lord have mercy, could she ever dance.

Someday I want THIS to happen in our community. Regardless of your religious views, it’s an amazing video to watch.

We are all different, but we all deserve the same opportunities to be respected, to be treated kindly and fairly, and to party with the best of them. I was reminded of that last night, and I am so glad my friend invited me to come. It is a night that won’t be forgotten.

For more information on opportunities like this Valentine’s dance, contact your local Civitan organization.

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Friday Photo Dump:

Friday Phone Dump photos are taken on the Instagram iPhone app (free) and dropped into a 12×12 collage using a photo editing software (Photoshop Elements works). I am @etst (enjoying the small things) on Instagram if you want to follow the feed.

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Introducing new sponsor, Melody Joy of Melody Joy 1983, a fun shop full of funky knits, paintings and hand made jewelry.

You may have noticed my favorite chunky bird’s nest ring I’ve worn in several posts the last couple weeks. It’s a fun conversation piece and a great way to show some mama pride.

Freshwater pearls are carefully woven from your choice of silver or antique brass wire to make this ring, or you can choose it in necklace form.

Melody’s shop is also stocked with paintings and a fine collection of beautiful handmade cowls and legwarmers.

Tell me those cedar branch buttons aren’t fabulous?

Melody is offering a generous discount. Use Code 2for2 for free shipping, and for the rest of the month, Melody will be donating 25% of her profits to continue Nella’s 2 for 2 Fund.

All mama bird’s nest necklaces and rings are buy two, get one free for the month of February as well.

One comment will be randomly chosen from this post to win a $75 gift certificate to Melody’s shop.

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This was my favorite photo this week. It makes my heart hurt so good.