Normally I don’t jump on a lot of linkys because they intimidate the heck out of me, but I just adore the ladies at 5 Minutes for Mom and couldn’t resist partying with them this weekend. Especially because I get to party at home in my fat pants and without any make up.
However, there is currently a cold Margarita sitting right here next to me so this party’s about to start hoppin’!
This post is for all of you fellow partiers that are joining me from 5 Minutes for Mom. You can read a lot about me and my family on my About page, but I’ll add a bit here as well.
I’m Kelli and this is my blog. Obviously. I am a story teller and humor is both my defense mechanism as well as my outlet for simply enjoying this wild ride called life. The pages of this blog have evolved over the last four years as I’ve grown and matured as a mom, a wife, a writer and a friend. When you come here, I hope you laugh and walk away encouraged.
I try to keep things light-hearted around here, but every once in awhile life throws a curve ball and my posts become a little…heavy. Last summer, our family moved from St. Louis, a city we loved and adored, to Tampa, Florida. We love Tampa, we really do. It has a beach. Like an actual beach…not a patch of sand dumped in front of a pond.
But moving is hard and we still don’t feel settled. It feels like we are on the longest vacation ever in the history of all the world. But in the move we’ve found joy and laughter and a reignited passion for one another that I wouldn’t trade for anything else. We are being refined every single day.
I am homeschooling my kids this year. It’s been amazing. It may be the only year I do it, but I have been so grateful for the chance to gather my little ones under my wing and ride this wave of change together.
I am smack dab in the middle of writing a novel. It has the potential to be amazing. Or to totally bomb. I’m not sure, but I do know it’s a story that I’m supposed to tell and my characters are so engrained in who I am that it’s second nature to tell their stories.
My husband is extremely handsome. And that’s not an exaggeration – it’s a cold, hard fact.
I love Nutella. Like, maybe abnormally so. I would bathe in it. Is that weird? That’s weird isn’t it…
I love writing and blogging has been an amazing tool for me to expand myself as a person and a professional. Blogging has opened up a world of opportunity for me (some of it thanks to Janice and Susan who let me write for them on occasion and how grateful I am for it!). I have blogged from Austria, from Montreal and in three short weeks I have the amazing opportunity to travel to Tanzania on behalf of Compassion International.
I absolutely adore my job. Every day I’m in awe of what I get to do. Last night as my husband and I enjoyed a beautiful dinner on a palm tree lined street in downtown Tampa I proclaimed with delighted surprise, “I am an international writer. This is my dream job!”
And by God’s grace I get to do it primarily from my home where I can get up at a moment’s notice and play a rousing round of Pretty, Pretty Princess any time of the day. Because Lord knows I can’t resist my daughter’s huge puppy dog eyes.
It’s nice to meet you. Leave me a comment so I can hop on over to your place. Let’s party like it’s 1999 this weekend!
I just had to say “hi” because it just so happens I too am drinking a margarita! LOL! Love Nutella too, especially with peanut butter. Mmm!
We are kindred spirits. 🙂 Bottoms up!
You had me at “cold margarita” 🙂 Congrats on your novel, and if it’s anything like your blog, I think you’re right- it will be amazing! Cheers from UBP
~Heather from Recovering Working Mom
Thank you, Heather!
Love your blog and your sense of humor! I home school my youngest daughter and am loving it!
Awesome. Thanks, Heather!
Nice to meet you! Visiting from twitter and UBP 2012.
Hi there! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Kelli hello! I am so excited to meet. Love your style and look forward to reading more from you. Moving stinks but if I move any where again it would be Tampa. I long for the days of sitting on the Siesta Key beach in Sarasota ( my favorite beach in the world). I have a few other places I love. I dont want to blow your mind now so hopefully I’ll talk to you soon.
Ha! I can’t wait to hear more. 🙂
Stopping by from UBP 12. I’m a minivan driving momma. I love the light-hearted tone of your blog. We’ve moved a couple times and have another one coming up this summer (right after we have another baby, b/c that is perfect timing, right?), and I can relate to how hard it is to adjust. We’re hoping that this move will be our last and will bring us where we want to go. I like that you seem to be making the best of your move…I need that kind of inspiration sometimes.
It’s great meeting you and I look forward to reading more!
Oh good luck with your baby AND your move!
Hi Kelli. Popping in from UBP12.
Your kids are adorable. My husband is hot too so we have that in common.
I live Compassion.
I just read your about. I’m pretty sure I like you. And I love my minivan.
Aw thanks. Minivans (and the Mama’s who drive them) rule the world! 🙂
congrats on your novel! Loved your party post. Came across your UBP post in my dashboard…Heck I’m already following you. Minvans are hot, yeah they are UNTIL their transmission goes or the head gasket goes….lol.
*sigh*
But anywayyys, have a wonderful time bloghopping!
Ooohhh…busted transmission is ugly.
Happy partying! 🙂
A margarita sounds so good right about now. I need to make some and have one on the patio later.
I’m stopping by the from the UBP. It’s my 3rd year hopping. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
I can’t participate in the mini van thing right now. I do need another one. I have a ford escape right now, but 8 years after my last, twins at that, I was blessed with another baby girl Jan ’12. I definitely need a mini van, being that we all can’t fit in the truck at once. Hey, when life throws you apples, make lemonade. Lol. Stoppin’ in from UBP ’12 for this party for my first time. Thanks for sharing your blog.
Well, I am not exclusive, that’s for sure. All Mama’s are hot, even if they don’t drive the minivan. You are still welcome here. Ha! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by.
Yes minivans are hot!
Nice to “meet” you! Just dropping by from The Ultimate Blog Party I am looking forward to networking with you and getting to know you better! I hope you have the opportunity to visit our blog! http://www.thehealthymoms.net/2012/04/ultimate-blog-party-2012.html
Thanks for stopping by, Cascia!
Hi Kelli! It was great seeing you last night at the UBP12 SpreeCast party…you’re adorable! I live in Overland Park, KS – not too far from St. Louis, and I’m originally from Florida – my hubby graduated from the University of South Florida in Tampa! I love your humor 🙂
Kim
http://kimperfection.com
http://sevenmillers.com
Hi Kim! Thanks for saying hi. It was fun last night! 🙂 I’m exhausted today, though! Fun connections. I’ll check out your site as well…tomorrow. Cause right now I must sleep.
Hi Kelli! Glad to find you here partying it up! So nice you have a job that you love. I just started a love for Nutella so you had me there! Your family is sweet, can’t wait to learn more about them. PArty on!