Insta-Wednesday: September

September 10, 2013 by Kelli

Remember last year, when I lamented Florida’s lack of fall and I longed for boots and scarves and lattes and all the glory that comes with autumn?!

I wore boots and a scarf to church last Sunday. It was 90 degrees out, but I did not care. I’m bringing the fall to Florida. Look out now!

And of course, always remembering, never forgetting, the events that reshaped our country on this day 12 years ago. It is an ever present shadow that we will always live beneath. We remember those lost, we weep for those who are still directly affected.

Have a blessed Wednesday.

Filed Under: Instaram, iPhone, Photography Tagged With: iphone, iphonography, pictures

First Day of School 2013

August 20, 2013 by Kelli

Alternately titled Mama’s Gonna PARTY!

Yesterday we bid adieu to summer with a trip to the beach. It was awesome and perfect and lovely and beautiful.

Last night, the kids were bouncing off the walls, a combination of nervous energy and extreme fatigue. Everyone was in bed by 7:45, lights were out at 8:00 and I didn’t hear a sound from anyone.

It was a modern day miracle.

Today they woke up ready to go. I didn’t have to wrestle anyone from their beds. There were no tears. Clothes were changed quickly and teeth were brushed. I’d made their lunches the night before and I had already prepared pancakes so they just had to be heated up.

This is the most prepared any of us will be all year.

I mean, seriously. It was almost exhausting being that prepared.

Give us a week and we’ll settle into a nice groove of WHERE ARE MY SHOES?!

I DON’T WANT TO WEAR THAT!

I DON’T LIKE THIS BREAKFAST!

I DON’T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!

For now, I’m relishing in the beauty of a peaceful, simple morning. And now I’m sitting in my big, fluffy chair by the back door, looking out across the pool while I sip my hot tea. In silence.

Modern day miracle.

Of course all this silence will get old, which is where my playlist will come in handy.

*wink*

Filed Under: Kids, Life, Motherhood, School Tagged With: First Day of School, Motherhood, party time, pictures

Because sometimes you just need something to make you smile

January 4, 2013 by Kelli

Happy Friday, everyone. We are at the tail end of our break and I am relishing the laid back days. Next week life starts back in full swing. Until then, I hope that these images will bring a smile to your face, because they honestly make me laugh out loud.

Of course, I am only slightly partial to these tiny people, but whatever. Laugh with me, won’t you?

I puffy heart love this photo

Super Spy...

I have no idea...

I don't know why this one makes me laugh. I think it's Landon's too small coat and trucker hat. And Tia's toothless grin...

Filed Under: Family, funny stuff that happens, Holidays, Kids, Kids do the darndest things Tagged With: Funny kid photos, my kids make me smile, pictures

Day 6: Take the Plunge

October 6, 2012 by Kelli

Choose courage over safety, chance over predictability.

There’s freedom when you fly.

Happy Saturday.

This is the sixth post in my 31 Day Series on embracing confidence and living boldly. For more 31 Day posts, click here.

Filed Under: 31 Days Tagged With: 31 Days, Confidence, Courage, pictures

Contractually bound

August 21, 2012 by Kelli

Just fulfilling my “Mom-Blogger” obligations…

She's lost four teeth in the last month. That smile slays me...

This kid needs to stop growing...

Hot. Mess.

Ah! The freckles...

Landon, are you ready for school?

Here come the teachers...

The pictures end there for him because he began sobbing hysterically and had to be pulled from my arms, which you can only image was super duper and such a neat way to start my day.

It was an emotional day – just all around hard. I spent a lot of time praying that we made the right decision, wondering if sending them to school was the right thing. I had a pit in the bottom of my stomach all day. The moments when I wasn’t praying fervently were spent sitting in an Urgent Care getting a shot and prescriptions for the severe reaction I had to the fly bites from the other night. (Turns out I got bit by a yellow fly…which I’m apparently allergic to as evidenced by the fact my legs ballooned up like sausages and burned and itched like nothing I’ve ever felt before.)

So, you know – the first day of school wasn’t traumatic for me at all.

Here’s to better days to come…

For now, I’m praying over this prayer…and reminicsing a cute little first grade Sloan.

Filed Under: Family, Homeschool, Kids, School Tagged With: First Day of School, Mom Blogging, pictures, Was public school the right option?

Final

February 14, 2011 by Kelli

We had our final harrah in the snow this weekend. Or what we hope I pray was our final harrah, anyway. We donned our hats and our gloves, our snow pants and snow boots and spent one more afternoon playing in the white fluff that’s graced our yard for much of this winter.

We took one last run down the mole hill we call a front yard.

We ate snow one last time.

Then we licked it off our chins.

We made silly faces for the camera.

Some of us were just cute for the camera.

And, of course, we made our final snow angel. We hope. Seriously…no more snow, ‘kay?

Yes, on Friday we enjoyed one last romp in the snow. By Sunday it was 60 degrees and the piles of white fluff were transformed into black slush. And we were outside riding our bikes in shorts.

And by We, I mean They. I was just the chick behind the camera, taking it all in.

Come on Spring! We can’t wait for you to get here!

Filed Under: Family, Kids, Random Tagged With: Kids sledding, Photography, pictures, spring is coming, winter