Munchkin Land

Kindergarten Adventure

2011-08-17T09:43:00.000-05:00

Samuel,

Here I am trying to find something profound to say on your first day of kindergarten and I can't think of single thing.

Instead, I'm searching my memory banks of when I first found out I was pregnant with you, they way you felt in my arms for the very first time, the overwhelming feelings you brought me of love, joy, excitement, and worry.

Today is the first day you start the journey of finding out who you are. I can't shield you from the naughty, disrespectful, scary, disappointing world this can be.

Your wings are feathered and it's time to leave the nest to try them out on your own.

With every progressing year it is my duty to help foster that you take the road less traveled and make something of yourself. That may mean that I have to stand idly by and watch you skin your knee so that you can learn for yourself- and how hard that will be!

Son:

Be kind to everyone even when it's hard.

Never make fun of someone else to make yourself feel important or to impress the"in crowd" only the weak and insecure do that.

Know that you are NO better but are also No worse than anyone else standing around you.

Don't judge- that is God's job.

Always try your best even when you get to the age where that might not be the cool thing to do- it makes things easier in the long run and you'll be able to look back so proud.

Ask lots of questions.

Be comfortable in your own skin- you are who you are because God made you special!

Learn how to be a good loser and a good winner BOTH are equally important lessons.

Be nice to girls- someday, one will win your heart and take care of you for better and for worse.

Enjoy life...there is disappointment, sadness, and anger but for the little you'll go through there is always more happiness, excitement, joy, and love to help get you through it. It doesn't always go your way but there is something to be learned from all experiences even if you don't see or understand it in the moment- clarity will eventually come to you.

Have a wonderful adventure son, enjoy the ride!

Waiting outside kindergarten doors before school starts

Still waiting- just happier about it. :-)

A quiet moment of observation- my how you've grown in five years!

You requested this picture after seeing another kid getting their picture taken by the school sign.

So big yet still so small...

Hellllooooo ladies, my name's Samuel Robert Kellen

A quick good-luck hug from daddy

Finding your hook all by yourself

Finding your seat on your own

Nervous and excited- waiting for instruction

Your very first assignment: drawing a self portrait

Getting crayons and pencils ready....

One of my personal favorite shots of the day:

THE BEGINNING

Starting your work

You thought I had left at this point, you're deep in concentration now.

"I love my mother for all the times she said absolutely nothing.... Thinking back on it all, it must have been the most difficult part of mothering she ever had to do: knowing the outcome, yet feeling she had no right to keep me from charting my own path. I thank her for all her virtues, but mostly for never once having said, "I told you so."
— Erma Bombeck

Son, I have already learned so much from all my experiences thus far in life that I'm confident in how I want to raise you, what I want to be for you- I hope I don't disappoint in the end of it all. I'll help you and you help me, we will grow and learn together through this wonderful journey called life.

I love you will all that I am and all that I have!

~Mommy

Gone

2011-08-07T15:54:00.000-05:00

I must say that being gone from my blog was SO nice and refreshing. I still might choose to lollygag about without as much of a word. Honestly, I got caught in the blogosphere. I suddenly realized that I was blogging for others rather than myself- and it's my stinkin' blog! So, I guess I'll be away for as long as I need until I feel that I can blog for me rather than for whom decides to read my pathetic attempts at journaling. Once that goal can be completed I think that I'll have a more fulfilling and complete blog than ever before and with that my friends, everyone will benefit.

Caroline's Room

2011-05-25T08:29:00.000-05:00

I have been meaning to post pictures of Caroline's room for quite some time now and I finally got around to it. This first picture is taken from her door looking into her room. I had originally painted the room a soft blue color for my little boy Isaac. I added the latte colored vertical stripes (NEVER again, vertical stripes are SO much harder to do than a big chunky horizontal stripe) for some whimsy and character. Before we knew it little Caroline was on her way so we sprinkled some pink in the room and wha-la we have a girls room- and the funny thing is that you are seeing this kind of blue for girls' rooms in Potter Barn kids. Who would of thought I was way ahead of the retailer designers? :-)

This next picture is her picture collage wall. I'll be sure to change out some of the pictures as needed as Caroline continues to grow. I found the frames at a thrift shop and used Pottery Barn matting (I used to work there and got 40% off). The cute tree/birdie decals came from Target.

This is the far right corner of her room. The dresser was something we bought at Target and used to be Joel and I's. Once we moved into our fist home we no longer needed it as ours. I like the black component in the room. It doesn't look like most children room accessories and the pink scalloped pulls I put on it (from Hobby Lobby) add a nice girly touch. Her little light is a tea pot, a vintage lamb that used to be my mom's when she was little. The cute doll house was found at a thrift shop in poor shape.... but with a lot of love grandma and grandpa turned it into a lovely doll house just for miss.

Right side of her room. Textured sheers help soften the light in the room. Pink gingham blackout curtains and flowered valence came from Potter Barn Kids. Normally I stay away from major retail stores but this was a very nice gift to help turn this "boy" room into a room fit for a princess.

This is the backside of her room- and yes I tore down her closet doors. It really helps open up the room and give the illusion that there is more room than there really is. Her black vintage looking spindled crib used to sit in here; however, now that she is such a big girl, big girls deserve a big girl bed. This is just the trundle part of the bed and is the perfect height. When she gets a bit bigger we'll put together the rest of the bed. I love the extra storage!!

Cream baskets with pink polka-dot liners were found at Home Goods. The middle basket was a gift. Vintage oil painting pictures were found at a thrift store. The back of the closet was SO ugly and considering I wasn't going to be using it as a closet I needed a way of hiding the bar that runs across the top. My mom and I came up with the idea of using fabric to help soften the space. Fabric is of vintage nursery rhyme scenes.

This piece has been around for a long time passed from person to person. It used to look quite country (not my style) but with a little paint and a little fabric this is a great space to add some memorabilia.

These wooden plaques were going to spell out "Caroline" but after the first attempt not coming out

not-so-hot, these pretty silhouettes came about. My mom happened to come across these silhouette pictures from a blog and had them blown up to an appropriate size for the plaques. A soft rose pattern scrap booking paper line the back.

And for last, her pretty chandelier! Not the best picture but you get the idea.

So, that's the girl's room for ya. I love it. At some point I'd like to get a smaller area rug for a soft space to play on the floor, but for now it is a nice little place she can call her own.

The Power of a Mother & Easter

2011-04-25T09:11:00.001-05:00

What are you gonna do? Right when I feel like I'm motivated enough to post more regularly, is exactly when I feel like I have nothing worth while to offer my readers. Life continues to be busy and the constant ticking away of time is yet another reminder of how I wish life would come with a pause button. Caroline was upgraded to a big girl bed this past Friday- A. BIG. GIRL. BED. Wow, since when wasn't she an itty bitty baby anymore? Armed with a twin size mattress, a six piece big girl sheet set, a cute pink polka-dot puppy pillow, and some new mermaid jammies, we were ready to roll.

Going from crib to big girl/boy bed can be a trying time for a mommy and daddy, but I've found that the Super Nanny's approach works wonderfully- that is if the parent can consistent and constant (that can be the tricky part)! When children want to get out of bed and seem to be resilient to all your other efforts try this approach and see what happens.... it is suggested that when a child gets out of bed to pick them up (with no words to be exchanged) and to put them back into bed. Cover them up, give them their security toy/blanket/ binkie/etc. and walk out. Keep it short, simple, and sweet. For littler-little ones, a lot of the times, they just want to know that you are present for them to feel safe and secure... don't, for-the-love-of-8 hours-of-uninterrupted-sleep lay down in bed with them! (I know that probably sounds mean, and really, what's wrong with a little snuggle time? But if this is something you do on a nightly basis the longer you go the harder the routine is to break. I've heard of some people that have their 7 year old sleeping in bed with them!) Simply put your child into bed and sit/stand there. No talking, to singing, just BE. When they start to fuss pat their back, then take a break. If they fuss some more try a soothing ssshhhhh, then stop. Knowing that you are present is all they need in order to feel your love. Isn't it amazing that with one mother's touch, one mother's voice or soothing sound, that a child will stop whimpering the instant they feel or hear those things. Mother's hold so much power when it comes to feeling loved and safe. It ALL begins with us. What an awesome and privileged responsibility that God has blessed us with.

I used to think Caroline looked so big in her crib, but now that her sweet little body is resting on a twin sized mattress she looks so small and baby-ish.

My sweet angel

So, the Easter festivities were rolling in full force this weekend complete with decorating bunny and egg shaped homemade sugar cookies, stringing Easter candy necklaces, dying eggs, and time with family.

Kiddies doing their thaannng

Caroline aka: a hot mess, did more eating of her cookie than decorating...

Easter egg hunt

(Isaac looks like he is already in a sugar induced coma)

Givin' the egg a shake to see if there was candy or change for his piggy bank

She was showing daddy her pretty new flip-flops

Isaac using their new swirly light spinner to see if there was an egg in the corner.....

turns out it was just a boulder to their super hero castle. :-)

Children ~~out-takes~~ pictures taken after church.

One of Joel and I

(don't you love Samuel's reflection in the mirror)

And the whole gang

Hope you had a beautiful Easter holiday!!

Sunday Morning Breakfast

2011-04-13T07:56:00.000-05:00

Cheesy scrambled eggs, home-fried bacon, and fried new potatoes. Mmmmm. Life is too short to not enjoy good food!!

Not a Care in the World

2011-04-12T09:46:00.000-05:00

The other day was a hot 92 degrees, mostly muggy beyond belief, until later in the day we were blessed with a gentle breeze promising evening thunderstorms. Earlier in the week I found myself being irritated with my home and all the junk being kept in it, which just kept finding itself more and more on the floor or ledges rather than in its own place. This had me thinking that if more and more "things" kept most conveniently finding themselves in less than desirable locations that: A. We have accumulated far to many "things" for our very modest 1300 sq ft, 3 bedroom home, or B. Joel and I have become exceedingly too lazy in completing our hourly, daily, weekly chores. I decided it was more of A than B which transpired in to a much needed purge/evaluation. I finally got down to business (thank you, Sarah from Clover Lane, to help jump start my 40 bags in 40 days)! First up was the bathroom pantry, then the hall closet, on to the living room, the laundry room, the ~~collect all crap~~ unfinished mud room.... and so it was, three days later, I collected five tubs and two garbage bags of stuff. Perfect timing for the garage sale that was happening over at Joel's folks and two days later we were $400 richer!

Release, exhaustion, complete satisfaction! All of my decorative items now have a place, the laundry is washed, fluffed, folded, and put away into drawers and closets. All surfaces high and low have been dusted, floors vacuumed and steamed, candles burning, and thus my mind, heart, and soul are content and at peace! I'm soaking up my slice of heaven here on my front porch sitting my bum in my bouncy iron outdoor chair, drinking one of my favorite beers (Fat Tire),

and looking at magazines. Isn't it amazing how those heavenly sunbeams that hit your skin can make you feel or the soft gentle breeze blowing through your hair?

Right now I'm thoroughly enjoying "just being". Being still, being thankful, keeping it simple, and so proud of where I am now and where the future might have me go. My starter house isn't perfect. My house came with plenty bumps and bruises that have yet to be addressed but it's the journey of making your house a home that should be enjoyed right? I'd like it to all happen overnight but reality is quite opposite. There are still projects that need to be painted, the laundry room still has work to be done, the second bathroom still needs to have the shower doors put up, but who cares? It can wait. Right now it is all about enjoying the simpler things. Simple as in the beautiful clear sky, the bright sun, the soft breeze, the sweet delicate blooms of my bleeding heart........

the steady bounce of my porch chair..........

and the taste of my bubbly ice cold beer....

At this moment all is right in the world.

Easter Basket Winner

2011-04-03T07:53:00.000-05:00

And the winner is.........

jgoode said...

Your pics are gorgeous!

Congratulations! Please contact me for your necklace design.

Thank you to the two ladies that took the time to enter my giveaway. :-) LOL....maybe if I'm lucky I'll get three entries next time.

Cheers~

Amber

Chuggin' Along...

2011-03-31T08:33:00.000-05:00

... trying to patiently wait for springtime weather. Much easier said than done!

A three part series:

Mommy, you're so funny

I want to eat your face

Okay, THAT'S enough!

I don't know why but blogger finally decided to let me upload my pictures for my chandelier project, YAY! So here we go...

This is a project that I've had done for a while but I thought that I'd share with you how I turned my ugly chandelier shades into a wonderful springy look.

Step 1: Gather ugly lamp shades, glue gun, glue sticks, scissors, and painters drop cloth

Step 2: Start applying very hot glue around the base of your lamp shade and roll fabric- taking care to pull tight. Fold drop cloth under on the bottom and in on the top.

Please ignore my half dressed chandelier decorations from Christmas, I took these pictures over many days. :-)

A couple almost finished pictures- the underside of the shade doesn't make for pretty decor, so it needed something extra.

Doesn't it give a wonderful fresh spring look?

I found some ruffled ribbon in white and hot glued around the inside base.

Add some springy garland, some birds nests with eggs, a few fabulous mirrored ornaments, and.... WHA-LA! A fabulous springtime chandelier.

Frustration

2011-03-25T07:42:00.000-05:00

Can anyone out in blogger land explain to me why I can't upload some pictures from my computer. It seems as though that I can use some pictures, but it won't allow me to use others, why is that?

DON'T FORGET TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY RIGHT DOWN THERE... go on.... enter. :-)

Easter Basket Giveaway!!

2011-03-22T10:12:00.001-05:00

I thought that I would give some of you moms out there an idea for that upcoming Easter basket, or a "just because" gift to leave on your daughter's bed. The best part is that you decide the border, the initial, the specialty stamp, and a choice of bobble charms to add to this unique necklace.

IN FACT.... LETS GIVE ONE AWAY!!!

In order to win.......

Leave me a comment (Do 2-4 for extra entries, increasing your chance of winning)
"Follow" me
Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about my giveaway with link in the comments section
Visit my Etsy shop "Timeless Treasures" and tell me what your favorite item is

Giveaway will run until April 1st and winner will be announced on April 2. Good luck!

On a side note: This little girl had fun with mommy and grandma in the dollar bins at Target!

I was going to share a project for your chandelier lampshades but blogger has conveniently stopped allowing me to choose the photos that I want.... sooooo..... that will be for another day. :-) Happy Tuesday- 3 more days until Friday!!

Cheers~

Amber

Time for Shorts!

2011-03-21T09:12:00.000-05:00

Don't you love chubby baby legs in shorts?!

Those have to make your Monday more cheery......!

T-Rexin' It

2011-03-18T08:09:00.002-05:00

Last night we took the munchkins out for a surprise and boy was it cool!

Sam is jumping for joy, Isaac and Caroline can't stop looking around....

Caroline is SOOO excited.... all the "see light"!

Some pictures of the inside. Sorry for the blurry ones, but you get the picture.

See the dinosaurs upstairs too? Everything moved!

We sat right in front of this moving lava wall

Now that's a BIG octopus

THUMBS UP!

Caroline recommends the pizza

Our AMAZINGLY awesome dessert, complete with dry ice magic!

What a great way to start off the weekend! We'll be enjoying sitting at home and watching March Madness and doing home improvement projects.... Life is grand!

Cheers~

Amber

FINISHED!!

2011-03-17T10:10:00.002-05:00

I am SO incredibly proud of myself! As I've grown older I have a fondness for homemade goods. My first attempt at doing something crafty was having my mother teach me to do counted cross-stitch. Minutes, hours, weeks, months, and years, my mom poured her heart out into beautifully hand made Christmas stockings. Something that I'll have for always and something that I wanted to do for my children (I have 3 started, none finished :-/ that is a goal to be finished for this year) Then, for Christmas one year she gave me a quilt that she had in the works for quite some time. At one of the most difficult points in her life, that is the craft she chose to keep herself calm and her mind at rest. With this quilt came the best note with it- I swear it makes me bawl every single time I reread it. In giving me a wonderful quilt made with her own two hands, she realized that not only would it keep me warm and keep her with me in my most trying times, but would also eventually be wrapped around her grandchildren and hopefully their children and so on for many years to come. Because of that quilt, my mother's memory will live on long after her. In my note, she told me to wrap this quilt around my children and my grandchildren and to tell them that their grandma is hugging them, holding them close to her.

Well, I can't quilt- not yet at least. ;-) However, I wanted to teach myself to knit. So a year and a half ago my mother-in-law got me the starter materials needed to get me going. I started off with simple dish rags, that are now my most favorite to use in my kitchen, then evolved to making hats, and now on to toys. Toys for my children. Toys that I'm hoping are well loved and well played with. Toys that look like they've been through thick and thin in the adventures and imaginative land that my children play in. Part of why I'm so proud, is that this is my very first toy I've made for one of my kiddies. The embroidery details aren't perfect by any imagination, but the charmingly imperfect details give it that homemade made-with-all-my-motherly-love that I put in that funny bunny. To watch my sweet Caroline's chunky toddler hands holding it tightly and lovingly totting it around couldn't bring my heart more warmth. I hope that in the coming weeks, months, years that I can create something for each of my children that they too will hold near and dear to their hearts. Something that they can show, play, use, with their children and grandchildren, that my memory will love on much longer than I'll wander on this earth. That, my friends, is a life well lived. To all my mama's out there.... here is to our memory living on through homemade goodies!

If you'd like to create this incredible toy run on out to your local bookstore or jump on Amazon and purchase itty-bitty toys by Susan B. Anderson! You can also friend her on Facebook! She creates incredible things and I plan to make just about all of them. :-)

Cheers~

Amber

New Jewelry!

2011-03-15T08:54:00.000-05:00

There are certain things that I make strictly for my jewelry shows to satisfy the needs of women or men that enjoy the instant gratification of "cash and grab" items. I've realized, however, that there is no reason that I shouldn't be putting these up for grabs on my Etsy shop until the art shows start up again. I am my own #1 fan and love each and every thing that I make, so I thought that I would let others see the things that they otherwise wouldn't, unless you live in my local area. First, I'll start off showing you these awesome antiqued copper necklaces. I've used my stash of antique looking images to make these necklace. Hope you enjoy the vintagey look on these as much as I do.

Vintage Copper Necklaces

$15

I know Christmas is a L-O-N-G ways off but isn't he AWESOME?!?

Vintage Copper Rings

And for those of you that love all things tiny....

The Newest in the Hand Stamped Sterling Dept. :-)

This sterling silver hand stamped oval bracelet is simple, soft, and subtle, a bracelet that will surely fit in perfectly with any type of outfit. Dress it up, dress it down, it looks fabulous either way.

Simply stated: "Be still" hand stamped with my uppercase curly-cue font and my lowercase calligraphy font, with a simple white pearl hung to the side. Sterling silver oval measures 1.25" in length and 3/4" wide attached on a sterling silver rolo chain, spring form closure as clasp. Total length of bracelet is 7.25".

Tweet Sounds of spring...

A variance in my "I love my soldier" necklace....

I LOVE when people come up with their own twist on current items in my shop, so refreshing!

I'm also starting to release some new rings to include vintage buttons that I've upcycled.

Size 7 - $15

This is such an awesome combination of teal and black vintage buttons that I have upcycled into a new and improved - ONE OF A KIND - wire wrapped ring! Once this ring is sold, no other can be made- used from a stash of unique vintage buttons, I have no others that look like the one shown in this listing. Funky, vintage, retro, modern, all in one!

Black button measures slightly over an inch (slightly larger than a quarter), teal button 1/2" (size of a dime). I have wire wrapped these two vintage buttons with silver artistic wire that will NOT tarnish- size 7.

More items will be coming soon! If my munchkins allow, more will come sooner than later. :-) It snowed here yesterday and melted all in the same day....here's to a happy and weird start to spring!

Cheers~
Amber

Time to Pick up Poop and Other Stuff......

2011-03-10T08:48:00.002-06:00

Yeah, I said it. After an entire winter of letting two dogs go out and tend to their business, it is time to go pick up the many land-mines in my yard so that the family can enjoy the swing set and run around like chickens with their heads cut off.

Gardening is right around the corner and I can't wait to get my hands dirty!! I have to do some reconfiguring around my garden border to keep my new goldendoodle O-U-T! Tulips are about 2" out of the ground and other tiny greens are popping up all over the place. Other than the soft quiet that a fresh blanket of snow brings, the next inspiring time for me is all the signs of life in spring. (By the way, you don't capitalize seasons for those of you that may be saying "she should have capitalized that"- learned that in my business English class (yes, you do capitalize English)). Back on track- okay.

I thought I would show you my fabulous finds from last weekend. It was my aunt's birthday and I was lovingly included in her and my mom's adventures that day.

(DISCLAIMER: locations of where I found these items are to be remained secret. I'm selfish because I can be. :-))

Isn't it wonderful?

I love my new restaurant ware plates. Vintage goodness at its best!

An old camera- dusted with age, that awesome owl trivet (which I'm going to spray paint an amazing color)

Everyone needs an old pulley- isn't it fabulous?! I love the metal adornment that is barely nailed on. Here is a close-up.

This is an old bottle that had been cut down and filed for a smooth rounded finish so to be used as a drinking tumbler glass. My new favorite thing to drink out of!

See my vintage camera fits perfectly into my cubbie shelf. L-O-V-E

Anyway, it was a fabulous day with two of my favorite ladies. I'm looking forward to a week of no commitments this following week. Spring break will begin after Friday. No classes for me, no homework, just time to do what I want to do- knit, jewelry, digging in the dirt! Hope you have a great weekend, I'll be rooting on my Jayhawks in the Big 12 tourney. Pop open a cold one and eat some junk food with me. ;-) Happy munching!

Cheers~

Amber

Let's Make Whoopie....

2011-03-04T08:50:00.000-06:00

Pies, lets make whoopie pies that is. ;-) I came across this fabulous blog that had this recipe on it and I thought to myself, "self, those look like a scrumptious treat, you should make those" and so I did. Hy-Vee had all of their Duncan Hines cake mixes and such for $.86. I ran out and bought 4-5 boxes. I always like to have a cake mix on hand. Anyway, back to the whoopie pies.... I made this recipe better by making my secret frosting I found on another cooking blog- they recommended store bought and I wasn't going to entertain that option AT ALL! I'm going to tease you with photos first and then I'll share how to make them.

Any Day is a Good Day for Whoopie

Whoopie Pie Recipe

1 box of Duncan Hines Chewy Fudge Brownie

1/3 C vegetable oil

2 eggs

Half a bag of mini semi sweet chocolate chips

Stir all ingredients together. Now, this is going to take some elbow grease, it may seem like there isn't enough liquid, but with a little umph and determination it will work itself into a nice ball of chocolately heaven batter. I use my mini "ice cream scoop" to roll out the perfect size cookie ball.

SIDE NOTE: If you do not own one of these mini "ice cream scoopers" I recommend you spend the $5 to go and get one. It will be your very best friend in all cooking baking matters.

I scooped these onto my airbake cookie sheets and baked them at 350 degrees for about 13 minutes. Take care to not overbake. Let cookie-brownie-cake batter pies to cool COMPLETELY before frosting and smooshing together.

WHAA-LA! I give you Whoopie Pie.

So, the same day I made whoopie, it just so happened the weather was more than beautiful. I opened up our sliding glass door and let the children run around silly on the deck. I love my new completely closed in deck!!! Caroline thought she was pretty hot stuff being able to play on the deck without the other kids (they were still napping).

Taking advantage of Isaac's old bike while he's napping

She's trying to blow that leaf :-)

I love my big dog!

I couldn't get a picture of Gus Gus because he wouldn't hold still....

Happy Friday Ya'll!

Cheers~

Amber

Mornings

2011-03-02T08:02:00.001-06:00

I'm sure every family has some sort of morning routine to start of their day.... I thought I would share mine with you.

My day normally begins at 6:00 a.m. (soon to be much earlier once daylight savings happens and it isn't so dark out at 5:30 a.m.) and I sneak out to the kitchen and choose one of three Green Mountain's finest individual vacuumed packed coffee cups. Right now I get to choose from German chocolate cake, cinnamon roll, or caramel vanilla cream. YUM! And of course I need to put my Cinnabun Coffee Mate coffee creamer in it- the best by far of ALL coffee creamers and usually only found at Wal-Mart. From the kitchen I mozy towards my couch and plop down. All is usually still quiet, no creatures stirring with the exception of my goldendoodle, Bailey, and I either start knitting an ongoing project or direct myself through the blogosphere to see what my favorite bloggers are up to.

If I'm incredible lucky my "quiet time" can last up to 30-40 minutes, but realistically, probably only about 20 minutes. Are your children demanding the moment their little eyelids shoot open? My sweet Isaac normally comes bobble-heading out of his room and sits on the couch next to me, shortly to follow his older brother Samuel, to which he immediately asks for cereal. Sam doesn't need a moment to himself when he wakes up. It is strictly: eyes open, get out of bed, "will you get me some cereal please", no nonsense, let's get down to business. Even my Caroline requests cereal the moment I walk in her room to greet her for the morning. I walk in her room, announce enthusiastically "gooooooood mooooorrrnning sweet guuurrlll" and I push back her drapes. Caroline looks at me with a grin and says, "Cee please" (cereal to those of you that don't speak Caroline).

So, here we are!

I mean, after all, even the heroic Buzz Lightyear and humble Sheriff Woody needs to start the morning off with a bowl of Captain Crunch Berries.....

Bailey, patiently waiting for someone to drop food

This was my view from my back window this morning, which makes getting up early to have some peace, completely worthwhile. I often feel closest to God at this time of the day.

Complete Wonder!

Ignore the horribly ugly-back-of-the-other-house view. I hope we can put up a privacy fence sooner than later.

On a knitting note (this takes me to a quiet state of peace place), now knit hat season is coming to an end, what more intrigued me was these little amigurumi toys. Remember the blue bird platypus a few posts ago? Ya. Well. I've gotten better. I made this reversible ducky/bunny toy, and it just so happened my neighbor knew of someone that just had a baby and was in need of something homemade and unique. She asked if she could purchase it from me and to have initials embroidered on the front; now, I don't pretend to be a perfect embroiderer, but, because it didn't turn out "perfect" so to speak, I think it came out pretty dang cute.

Thanks for visiting on this happy hump day!

Cheers~

Amber

Having Fun Accessorizing

2011-02-22T07:44:00.001-06:00

On another note I've been making more of these awesome leather beaded bracelets that are so popular. This one was a special treat for my mom, but if you would like to purchase one the cost is $28.

Summertime

We have been taking advantage of this spring tease weather by tackling some more ~~money sucking~~ home improvement projects, and let's be honest, we have MORE than our fair share. Once we are able to move from our starter home, first thing on the list, is to find a decent home inspector! Gawd!

Oh a happier note, the back deck now feels like a separate living space. I can't wait to buy a cute umbrella for our table, stain the deck/paint the railing, plant flowers, put up my cute bird feeder (with a fresh coat of paint), then sit back and enjoy! That picket door wasn't there before- we added that. I like being able to keep the dogs down and the kids in or vice-versa. I do believe we'll enjoy this outdoor space much more this season.

Spending Monday with my hubby was SO nice. I hope your Monday was as nice as mine!

One of "Those" Days at 7:00 a.m.

2011-02-17T07:50:00.000-06:00

Ugh! *sigh* What is up with Thursday? I woke up this morning a little sleepy, but in a great mood until all my children woke up and disrupted my early morning coffee- that is, my peace in the morning. Apparently my children didn't wake up in as good of a mood as I. Cereal was quick to be requested, so I proceeded to tell everyone to get into their seats. Harder done than said today. Curious George was getting ready to come on PBS and Samuel wanted a seat that has been deemed "Audrey's seat" while at our house. A meltdown of tears followed him right into his bedroom where he was instructed to go back to bed. I then heard another creature stirring in her room. I opened the door and was smacked in the face with a horrible stench. Something must not be "just right" in her little digestive system because her diaper was loaded- and mind you, was NOT AT ALL happy about having fresh diedees put on. Cry... cry.... cry..... cry..... more crying..... AHHHHHHH! There is only so much crying this mama can take at 6:50 in the morning.

I have a feeling there will probably be a lot of this happening today.

I'm going to go try and find my happy spot again by making jewelry or knitting Caroline's elephant. Hope your Thursday started out better than mine- I'm going to go lock myself in my room now.......

The Simple Things

2011-02-08T08:30:00.002-06:00

Mom sent this to me the other day and I thought it was worth sharing with everyone! Another reminder to sip my coffee a little slower and enjoy the simpler things in life.

On another note I tried to knit my first Amigurumi animal the other night before the KU basketball game (the key word there is "try"). I find it to be a mixture of a platypus and a bird. *sigh* Practice makes perfect, so, I'll give it another shot. I want to make one for all the kids for a little Valentine's gift. They have so many cute free patters out there. So I give you.........

Blue Bird Platypus

I also couldn't wait to make another beaded leather wrap for my shop, this time it is a single wrap with glass pearls and freshwater seed pearls. The colors are so soft and romantic- a perfect gift for a deserving woman out there!

What are your kids' favorite breakfast requests? I'm not much of a pancake maker (I'll leave that one to my dad) but I can make some mean waffles. In fact, if Samuel requests them and I respond with a "not today" he will break down in tears. LOL. Here is a stack of some homemade waffles with a little bit of secret mama ingredients that make them taste SO good!

A sweet lady -by name of Pam- writes on her blog Views From My Kitchen Sink asked her followers to leave her a picture of their view from their kitchen sink for her one year blogging birthday. Don't you just love blogs? I feel like I have many different friends even though I've never met a single one. It allows you to be as personal as you like or as vague as you'd like. You feel like you can really get to know someone by the way they write, the pictures they post, etc. I, for one, am not the worlds greatest writer, but I hope that I do well enough for you all to want to "follow" me. My view from my kitchen sink isn't the prettiest right now. The window needs to be cleaned but I'll share my view anyway. :-)

All the children have been playing and making laps through our house. They feel they are caged in, much as I do. No more puking! I had my dowse of stomach flu this past Friday. One of the worst nights EVER! At one point I just sat there and cried because there was nothing else I could do. I ached from head to toe, shook with chills for hours, and puked and puked and puked and puked.... you get the picture. The only good piece of news was that it lasted 24 hours and then another 24 to feel like a normal person again. Oh! I also lost 5 lbs in two days... not my weight loss plan of choice but it worked. :-) Now I get to play catch-up on homework. The end of this week will bring less stress and hopefully more creativity for my jewelry and more fun knitting projects to try. Have a happy Tuesday and I'll try to post more pictures of my munchkins soon.

Cheers~

Amber

2011-02-02T09:10:00.001-06:00

Wondering what has been going on at the Kellen household lately?

Here is my new bookshelf that I designed and the hubs built me.

We had a small electrical fire in our house the day after Christmas at the end of our hallway, so once the wall was fixed (still needs paint) I thought this was the perfect opportunity to dress up the end of my hallway going back to our bedroom and laundry/mud room. I have despised this area of my house since the move-in, but now I couldn't be more thrilled! I still need to decorate and arrange the books how I like and I'm just giddy to get busy!! I'll post an after picture once decorated and arranged.

Warning: THE NEXT PICTURE IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF STOMACHS!

You know what ISN'T fun to do? Cleaning up barf. Gross. Ugh. Blah. Gag! I don't know what's worse, cleaning up poo or cleaning up barf, but I think I'd rather deal with barf. Another bug has gone through all my children and luckily- thus far - has not gotten the best of Joel and I. My laundry machine has been going nonstop since last Friday and because of all the puke I think it's time to turn my machine to its self cleaning option!

So, what's worse than cleaning up barf?...................

Barf with raisins in it!!!!!

I know, I'm gross right? I mean, who on earth would stop to take a picture of their child's barf? LOL. I guess me. Other moms on the blogosphere always like keeping it real, so this is my contribution to keeping it real. Real moms clean up puke, poo, boogers, and any other disgusting thing you can think of- so here is my tribute to that! :-)

For those of you didn't know, I have a jewelry blog.... well, a stagnant jewelry blog. So I think I'm going to close up shop and mix in some jewelry posts over here. Managing my Etsy shop, a jewelry blog, my family blog, on top of everything else just isn't realistic. So a merge is in need to keep folks' interest. In ode to my merge I've created a piece that has become extremely popular! You can find these bracelets here for $158, or here for $168.... or at my shop (link above) for $60!!!!!

This is a triple wrap beaded bracelet made with leather cording, turquoise, and cherry/rose quartz. The threading used is NOT your normal thread for sewing. This is bracelet is going to last, so you don't have to worry about raveling and breakage that you might otherwise experience if someone used a sewing thread.

Other than the above, we are just hanging tight until we aren't barricaded in by snow drifts. So, kitchen here I come and knitting needles lets get busy.

Happy Snowy Wednesday!

Blurred by Love

2011-01-27T16:05:00.000-06:00

Clover Lane excerpt

2011-01-20T06:45:00.001-06:00

I love this woman and I don't even know her! Her attitude towards parenting and "old-fashioned" parenting is exactly what I hope to give my children. Her take on parenting is pretty much exactly how my parents raised me and something that I couldn't clearly appreciate until I took a big step to be out on my own by joining the Navy. It took three days in boot camp for me to realize my folks did it right and for me to be thankful they raised me how they did. I bet you have TONS of examples of how a younger generation (including my own) can't stand on their own too feet without their hand being held, and it isn't the child's fault, it is the fault of our own. The learning process starts young and we have to work as parents to not be lazy in our own examples if we plan on teaching our children anything. From what I can remember.... you always get more satisfaction from doing "the things you don't want to do" than from taking the easier road out.

Erma Bombeck said it best:

"I loved you enough to ask about where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home

I loved you enough to insist that you buy a bike, that we could afford to give you, with your own money

I loved you enough to make you return a Milky-Way— with a bite out of it—to the drug store and to confess “I stole this

I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes

I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, disgust and tears in my eyes

I loved you enough to admit I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness

I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall and hurt

But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when you hated me for it. That was the hardest part of all!"

Below I have included some of her post and please feel free to go HERE at Memories on Clover Lane to read the rest!

It is hard right now for so many different reasons, to not constantly rescue, coddle, and over-manage our children's lives. To save them from strive and troubles, to interfere in and solve their problems, to make everything easier and better for them. To give them what they want, because we can. Or to give them what they need, because we can.

But that is a big fat unvalid excuse, so it doesn't fly with me.

I have been realizing more and more, that our job as parents change drastically over the years. When we have babies and toddlers, we should be doing everything possible to make their world warm and comfortable, keep them well fed, and raise them in an environment that promotes their development.

I think that our job gradually changes as they grow from children to pre-teens to teenagers, from making their life as easy and comfortable and "right" as possible, to making it as difficult as real life can be.

Difficult as in snow shoveling.
Difficult as in piano practicing (or any practicing) for one more hour than you really want to.
Difficult as in working hard for most if not all of their wants and certainly some of their needs.
Difficult as in you will have to tolerate the crabby teacher all year, I won't jump in and save you.
Difficult as in if you forgot your coat twice, looks like you might remember it only when you are cold enough.
Difficult as in "take the bus".
Difficult as in as hard as it is, I will let you make that mistake, forget that homework, or feel that pain. I will stand back and watch you become frustrated, tired, sorry, or sad. and not rescue you.

As they grow older, I find I need to teach them survival skills...and not just the Boy Scout kind...the kind where you learn that life isn't about having all your needs met all the time. That life is uncomfortable, and requires hard work. That lots of time in your life will be spent "doing something you don't want to do"...and that it might be years and years before you see the rewards of that. They might need to learn that searching out others who have the same philosophy will greatly aide their psyche, and just the opposite...they will have to resist the temptation of those who seem to be getting rewards for taking the easy way out, and trust us when we tell them that it almost never turns out good, even if it takes a lifetime of trust before they see it with their own eyes.

It's so much easier to make my child's life easier. It really is, and more so as they grow older. I can say yes so much easier than no, and not only feel happy because my child is happy, but avoid the fallout of insisting that they do something they don't want to do" produces. But I am failing them terribly when I do this. It's a form of instant gratification and when I'm leading by example what an awful thing to teach. I am not forming the most important qualities that will lead to their lifetime happiness, I'm only rewarding behavior that will lead to misery. Their misery, and for me, misery also...regret that I can't have those teaching years back.

The greatest gift we can give our children is that which cannot be seen, but will play out gradually in the choices they make in their own lives...that which is embedded in their heart and mind and cultivated by us, their parents, over the years that we have influence. That gift is the chance to build for themselves, by doing the stuff they don't want to do, the strength of spirit, mind, and character, the strong confidence that cannot be magically created, but is earned by their own work, that leads to success in life.

Ramblings

2011-01-19T07:30:00.000-06:00

Does anybody out there hate to fix lunch as much as I do? Ugh. I hate lunch. It seems like you just get the kitchen all cleaned up from breakfast and before ya know it a little person is telling you they're "starving". So, then you have to conjure something up for lunch, clean the lunch mess up, and four hours later start the process of dinner! I for one get SOOO tired of the same ole things for lunch. There are only so much PB&Js, mac-n-cheese, frozen burritos, grilled cheeses a mama can fix-smell-eat before she goes crazy!

What do my other mama's fix for lunch? I need some fresh ideas before I go to the store this weekend. I prefer non-processed items, I'm sick to death of those too. So if you have some scrumptious, healthy, easy-to-clean-up lunch ideas, lay them on me!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Things About Me

1. I love this for breakfast

2. I fold all my children's clothes "the Navy way" ever since I completed my enlistment

(The boys share a dresser so I need everything to fit in nice square)

Yes. That is my reward for folding the clothes at the end of the table. Girl Scout cookies and milk...mmmm!

3. I can't stand loose hair in the bathroom or anywhere.

4. I have to have Cinnamon Bun coffee creamer in my morning coffee!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Samuel's idea of hiding while playing hide-n-seek

I love that boy! :-) Something new and funny every day!

Deck Your Husband, uh err... I mean the Halls

2011-01-18T06:57:00.000-06:00

This post is a throwback to November that I never posted. I figured everyone could get a good laugh out of it now. :-)

Tradition. Something that I may hold closer to my heart than others. There were high hopes of fond memories being built today; hopes of togetherness, hopes that my husband and children would be equally as excited as I to trim our tree. It didn't take long to realize that I, obviously, have much stronger feelings for this sort of thing than the rest. As I sort through all the Christmas ornaments, carefully packaged away with great diligence and great love, all the memories flood into my head of the exact day I chose certain ornaments. I think of the meaning behind childhood ornaments given to me by my grandparents or ones my parents chose for me so long ago. I tenderly remove the ornaments from bubble wrap, boxes, tissue paper, and I carefully examine each one. Some show cracks- evidence of the passing years, some are immaculate despite their age, some with fading colors, or others vibrant from a fresh year's purchase.

Each one is placed with purpose on individual branches. Some low- safe for curious wondering little fingers, others hung up high because of age, sentimental value, brilliance! Then you have those that don't take as much care with the visible memory in their hands. Popping open a box to send our 1st Christmas ornament flying through the room to take a shattering crash onto the coffee table. Crushed. I stood their feeling defeated like the father from "The Christmas Story" movie. You know what I'm talking about don't you? When Ralphie's mother goes to water her plant and purposefully broke the "major award"-although I know it wasn't on purpose, at that exact minute it sure felt like it. When I could finally gain my composure, I look up at my husband to see an "oh well" look on his face. Not a care, no remorse, no longing for that important ornament to return to its pristine state of that big glass ball. Nothing. His nonchalant response was what drove the knife right to my heart.

No more then 10 minutes later did Samuel tell me he broke his sister's BRAND NEW ORNAMENT. Just kick me! Kick me while I'm down... go ahead do it! I felt like I got the ole 1-2 to the gut, an upper cut to the chops and BAM! Down for the count! Have you ever had that moment where that little fire deep within starts building, you can feel it build and ~~you try to stop it~~ you let it build, because that is just the mood you've been heaved into? Still emotionally distraught from 10 minutes previous (but-choking- it-down-to-try-and-move-on-pleasantly-with-the-tree-experience) I lost it. Demanding for the boys to go to their room, I ~~toss~~ chuck the pieces of Jesse (the Toy Story Cowgirl) into the couch, stomp off to my bedroom, slam the door, and lay in my bed and ~~bawl~~ "have a moment". That's right, I'm not ashamed, I'm putting it all out there for ya.

It was done. The glow of Christmas tradition was snuffed out of the room. After I calmed myself down I came back out to the living room, turned on some very serene Christmas music (George Winston's December) and hung the rest of the ornaments all alone. Hopefully this isn't the year our Christmas tradition my four year old and two year old boys burn into their memory banks- "the year mommy flew off the Coo Coo's nest". Next year is sure to be more pleasant, but for now I'm going to sit in peace and recall past and present memories of decorating the Christmas tree. :o)

A Renewed Promise

2011-01-09T09:37:00.000-06:00

I promise to be better about blogging and posting more than, lets say...... 5x a year. :-) If nothing else I need to do this for me, because this is such a nice way to catalog what my children are doing and have done. How we change, how we grow, how we love.

A few words that have been exchanged that still ring clear in my head.

Joel and I were recounting the past and I lovingly told him: "See hun, I was the best thing in your life!" And he replies: "What are you talking about? You still are." I-love-that-man!!

Samuel, in trying to wake Joel up one morning said, "Daddy are you getting up yet? It's 16 o'clock!" Sam is trying to grasp the concept of time. He always asks what time it is and what the answer I give him means. :-)

Isaac is still obsessed with everything Buzz Lightyear, is quickly sprouting upward making all the evidence of his toddler chunky rolls disappear.... I miss those already. He still continues to want to be my snuggle bug and often tells me "I looooovvvee you!"

Caroline is independent as ever. Saying shoe - clear as day- night night, puhpur (slipper), buoy-boy (Bailey Boy), Guh Guh (Gus Gus), plssz (please), etc.

I'm juggling going to school, watching my friend's little girl, making my jewelry, and my new found love- knitting. The artisan/entrepreneur that has been buried inside me is slowly emerging... and I love that person! A new year to achieve growth, wish me luck!

Cheers~

Amber

When you don't sit in your chair correctly....

2010-11-12T11:39:00.000-06:00

...... this is what happens!

Chair 1 - Isaac 0

LOL. I am horrible for taking these pictures before proceeding to help him. Every time I would say, "Isaac, get out and sit in your chair the right way!", he would continue to push the chair further and further into the table (ha ha ha). Do you find yourself saying the same thing over and over again to your children? I think Isaac finally learned the hard way, and since then has sat in his chair the correct way.

Happy Friday!

Spaghetti

2010-11-03T08:18:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love spaghetti? It is simple, kids love noodles and slurping them up, and something different from the same old PB&J at lunchtime. This is how much one of my little munchkins loves spaghetti....

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Our Halloween

2010-11-02T09:30:00.000-05:00

All my hard work paid off! My kids had the best homemade costumes out there but I guess that could be because there weren't any other hand made costumes. That kind of makes me sad. I know it is easier to go buy a costume and this year I was tempted... but there is great pride associated with Halloween when your kids go crazy after seeing the costumes you made them.

My supplies consisted of children cardboard t-shirt forms, felt, boas, puff paint, elastic, flickering tea lights, craft paint, and these shiny plastic pieces.

Isaac's Buzz Lightyear wings blinked like an airplane with red and green tips, Caroline had beautiful butterfly wings and buggy antennas made from pipe cleaners and boa pom balls, and I already gave you a sneak peek at Samuels awesome Dino costume.

This was a: "Stop and say trick-or-treat" picture

It was impossible to get a good picture of them all looking so you get this:

Okay, on to our pumpkin carving extravaganza!! One of my most favorite things to do around Halloween time is to dig in and get dirty. We use spoons to scrape the sides of the pumpkin but it is all extraction of pumpkin guts glory by using your hands.

Isaac's true personality shinning through! :o)

Daddy's scary pose I asked him to do

(don't be scared he really is a gentle man)

Finally, for all my adults out there that are looking for a spooky beverage to serve on Halloween... this is a must have for next year's festivities.

I give you BRAIN HEMORRHAGE:

1.5 ounces of Peach Schnapps

1 tsp Bailey's Irish Cream

1/2 tsp Grenadine

Pour Peach Schnapps in first then slowly pour Bailey's on top to give it the "organ" effect. Lastly drizzle the Grenadine on top of Bailey's for an even spookier look!

Happy Halloween....now on to holiday decor.... coming your way soon! :-)

Dino Sneak Peek

2010-10-29T09:57:00.000-05:00

First let me start by saying that I boycott the Halloween industry by putting much love and thought into making my children their costumes. They may not be perfect, someone else probably wouldn't choose mine over a "store bought" but mine are still made with a tremendous amount of love that is over and done with in about 3 hours on Halloween night.

Toy Story is a family favorite and that kind of is the theme for the boys. I wanted it to be the theme for all of my kids, but procrastination let to the boys in Toy Story character and my baby girl as a bug. You'll have to wait for pictures of Isaac and Caroline but because Samuel had a Halloween party at school today you get a special sneak peek!!

Toy Story "Dino-Sam"

And I'm sorry, but I just can't resist her sweet fat legs in tights with her "Uggs" and cute little booty. :o)

Schaake's 2010

2010-10-22T13:45:00.000-05:00

Last weekend was the perfect weekend to go pumpkin huntin' at Schaakes! Not too hot, not too cool, and luckily the ground wasn't too wet where our feet would start to sink, or too dry where if the wind blows you have to hold your breath and close your eyes because of the dust blowing around. Nope, none of that, it was just right.

Headin' out into the patch on the tractor

I personally have always enjoyed the thrill of the hunt for my perfect pumpkin. The size, shape, and color vary from year to year but when you find it you feel victorious! I hope that Joel and I are instilling those same feelings in our kids. I also hope they'll have fond memories of Schaakes like I do.

The Hunt

Sometimes I forget how little my boys are. When we stay at home all day and we aren't around other kids to compare, they seem like such big boys! Then after a trip to the patch and looking back on my pictures I sit and stare at my computer screen at these and remember that they are still my little boys.

I start to feel bad about treating them so much older than they really are, but I guess we all probably do that at some point or another. And of all the "things" the retail stores try to promote... this is still their favorite!

Caroline couldn't fully appreciate the pumpkin hunt, so this was her favorite part of the trip.........

Freshly squeezed lemonade, and let me tell you, it was the BEST lemonade I've ever had in my entire life-- no joke! As you can see, I think it was Caroline's too. :o)

Finally after about 2 hours of pumpkin hunting, playing on their jungle gym stuff, drinking lemonade, etc, etc, we couldn't leave without the traditional "How Tall This Fall" pictures.

If I would have been thinking I should have gotten a picture of them with their respective pumpkins, or of them all passed out in the car 5 minutes after we started driving, but, I was just as exhausted as the rest of them so I didn't do any of that. Pumpkin pictures will come after carving time this weekend. Happy pumpkin picking everybody!

Caroline's 1st Birthday

2010-10-20T08:43:00.000-05:00

I figured since missy's birthday was over a month ago, now would be a good time to blog about it. ;-)

I had such good intentions to make Caroline's 1st birthday a huge pretty pink party, but this was all I got around to doing/getting:

Caroline's brothers got in on the pretty pink birthday fun while the birthday girl was napping. Goofy smiles and all ready to go!

Can you resist this shot?

The menu and guest list was kept simple. Immediate family members and all grandparents were welcome to come and join in the fun. Everyone enjoyed pizza, cake (that I made), and homemade ice cream (is there a better kind)? :o)

Cake Shots

(Don't you just love her?)

I'm sure it isn't a surprise to you when I say we had to remove her cute tutu after the cake feasting event was done... so we moved right into jammies so she could be comfy while opening all her gifts.

Open it Great Grandma!

Did someone say tea time?

Like a true child....who cares about clothes? Get outta here!

My 1st Cabbage Patch Doll

The entire day was very nice, the weather was fantastic, and my birthday girl (and her mommy) was exhausted by the end of the party. How time does fly, 1 year ago Caroline Marie was born in just 2.5 hours. Crazy!

Something to Read Each Morning

2010-10-05T08:06:00.000-05:00

Age

Age is a quality of mind;

If you’ve left your dreams behind,

If Hope is cold,

If you no longer look ahead,

If your ambition’s fires are dead,

Then you are old.

But—if from Life you take the best,

If in Life you keep the zest,

If Love you hold,

No matter how the years go by,

No matter how the birthdays fly,

You are not old.

:::: Edward Tuck

The Last of St. Louis

2010-09-29T08:56:00.000-05:00

By now I'm sure you are all tired of this long drawn out process of our St. Louis trip that happened months ago. :O) So with a break from the action we'll wrap it up mmmmk pumpkin?

If you get a chance to stop by college city and eat at Blueberry Hill - DO! I've never been in a place with such a cool atmosphere Loaded with ephemera, vintage jute boxes, miscellaneous taxidermy work of all shapes and sizes, and the overall glow about the restaurant was just awesome! This place would be a regular for this gal if not bound by 3 children 4 years of age and under.

Blueberry Hill

The wall right behind our table

The Dart Room to our side

Vintage goodies behind me

All excited to be there

After all the fun, it was time to pack up shop and head out to our last destination: Grants Farm!

One of my Favorite Pictures!

Gearing up on the Grant's Farm Tram

The Usual Hungry Goats

Can't have a vacation without some sort of poop situation

The boys touched this HUGE snake

Grant's Farm completed with snow cones and free beer for mommy and daddy! :o)

That will conclude our St. Louis trip. If you're lucky maybe I'll get around to posting pictures of my sweet Caroline's 1st birthday party! :o)

Cheers~

Cont'd....St. Louis ZOO

2010-09-10T09:01:00.001-05:00

After eating breakfast we headed across the street to the St. Louis Zoo. Due to the sweltering heat and humidity level so high you could cut it with a knife, there wasn't a whole lot of animals to see. Most were hidden away in their shaded areas, which just happened to be furthest away from the railings as possible! Why is that? People go to the zoo to see animals, and during the summer you know it is going to be hotter than Hades, so why not make their shaded areas closer to where people can see and facing towards the crowd? Irritating! Especially irritating when parents with young children are trying to distract them from the gawd awful heat!

Our first successful animal: The Elephants

Joel amusing himself in the zoo with NO visible animals

Next big hit: The Giraffes!

Thank goodness for Sting Ray Bay! The boys and I touched real sting rays...

Did I mention that the St. Louis zoo just happens to be all up-hill? So not only do you get to sweat like a pig because of the weather you also get to push your kids up the hill both ways in the gawd awful heat. See how amused we are?

(well, Sam seems amused)

On the way out we saw some more shade bathing animals.

Kangaroo

King of the Jungle

We left the zoo a little disappointed, with tired sweaty kids, and feeling ready to take a shower!

Vacation 2010 to be cont'd....

Catching Up

2010-08-30T09:45:00.001-05:00

With a found camera, and photos uploaded to my computer, I'm ready to catch everyone up on what has been happening in the Kellen household.

Sometime before our trip to St. Louis I was sitting on the couch wasting time on the computer and I kept hearing a clinnnk, clinnk..... what is that sound? I choose to ignore it and continue browsing on the web when I hear it again. Clinnnk. A lightbulb went off and I knew that sound was coming from my camera. BOOOYYSSSS, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? I found the two guilty parties under their fort in their room with my camera carelessly on the floor.

Sam: Mommy we were taking pictures.
Me: You are not supposed to be touching things that aren't yours Samuel.
Sam: But mommy, we got some really good pictures!

Samuel the Photographer

Artistic right? :o)

Meanwhile I've been wanting to cook up some new dishes because, well, I'm tired of the same old stuff! You should fix this dish if you don't want ANYONE but yourself to enjoy it (note the sarcasm).

A wonderful scrumptious pasta dish with pasta you have on hand, coarsely chopped asparagus, bacon crumbles, parmesan cheese, and a yummy white sauce made from sauteed garlic, half-n-half, and melted mozzarella cheese. YUM-O!

Now on to our St. Louis vacation photos, and what a better place to start than in the car?

After the 4 hour drive of "How many more longer will it be til we get there" questions we all had a lot of stored up energy to use. After all, what are hotels good for anyway?

The next morning we ate some seriously good food at Chris' pancake house:

This was the good ole' fashioned restaurant that had free coffee and cookies in the waiting area, with cute old couples standing around visiting. You know the kind? The kind where you can't walk a step without all of them telling you how sweet your little family is and to soak up every minute of them while they're young. The kind where everyone is friendly and will start up a conversation without hesitance. I love those kinds of places and so did the kids! Their buckwheat pancakes were superb, the chocolate milk was like a milkshake rather than the (joke-for-chocolate-milk) where restaurants use a wimpy half squirt of Hershey sauce for your chocolate milk.

With our bellies full and spirits up we headed off to the St. Louis zoo! To be continued....

Missing

2010-08-19T07:32:00.000-05:00

If I find my camera that has gone missing, I will share pictures from our St. Louis trip and various other fun photos. Anyone know where it is?

Early Birthday Post

2010-08-04T09:25:00.000-05:00

TWENTY SEVEN! Wow. Can it be that I’m only 3 years away from being 30? I’m trying to recall where I thought I’d be and what I’d have by the time I was thirty. I’m sure I figured that I would be married and have one child, a career….lol….that shows you how much I knew. At 27, I have been married for 5 years, I have three children (4 and under), a house, 2 cars, 2 dogs, and a garden! When did all of this happen?

I blink my eyes and I still have memories so fond of high school I swear I can smell them, I blink again and I feel my sharply pressed military uniform on me/my shined shoes to a mirrored finish on... one more blink and I’m back to my life where I'm at today – incredible.

Isn’t it funny when we are younger we believe we’ll still have all our best friends from high school, and be buddy buddy with them to the end? Or that time won’t fly by so fast, that certainly, there couldn’t be, one day we wake up and wonder where all the time has gone. Time is a funny thing. When we are in the moment it feels like time crawls but once we are out of that moment, looking back, that it seems like a blink of an eye. I remember being in the Navy, extremely homesick, without old high school friends to chill with, that I felt my 5 year obligation would take literally FOREVER to end. When you happen to live out of town, you don’t think of how everyone else’s lives continue on without you. I’d come home on leave and all of the sudden my brothers are 3” taller, another year older, another grade higher, new things were done to my childhood home, I no longer had a designated room of my own; new memories were made without me in them. Weird. I’m not sure of a more odd feeling then leaving home, making a life of your own, then to come back and experience that odd feeling. It’s almost like an out of body experience, where you feel like you’ve been dead or something; but then your time home comes to an end and you go back to YOUR life and you don’t think much of it until you go home again. (I know that all sounds like a bad thing, but there isn't a better experience then knowing you have no one to cling to. You learn so much about yourself and what you are truly capable of, I wouldn't change anything!)

That time of my life is done. I’m back in my home state, only 20 minutes from my parents, and see everyone enough that I can’t tell just how much we are all changing before our own eyes. Now I look back and can’t believe that I was in the Navy for 5 years, let alone it being apart of my life at all. As quick as it became my entire world, just as fast, it is hard to believe I ever took part in it. This is more of a reason to reaffirm my belief that everything happens for a reason. Be happy; be happy in the place you are currently in! If it were for one change in any of my decisions in my life I probably wouldn’t be where I am now. And I’m happy. I really am. Being a stay at home mother isn’t a glorious, we don’t receive daily praise for having the laundry done, supper on the table, dishes washed, diapers changed BUT, to me it is the most important! We can’t take our money with us when we leave this world, so why run around chasing a buck if you can afford to be home, loving your children? One day I’ll be gone, but it is through my children that I’ll live on. It is through MY hands that my children are learning to become decent caring people. This world could use a little more love in my opinion, and maybe there would be more of it to go around if there were more stay-at-home-mothers teaching their children the value of respect, honesty, integrity, good old fashion hard work, and most importantly, love.

And for god’s sake, just because there are stay at home mothers, don’t talk down to us! Don’t assume we are unaware of the latest current events happening, don’t look down on our job because we are with our children rather than being in a cubical in a building! Just as you wouldn’t want someone to “dummy down” to you at work from a person with a higher held position, us stay at home mothers don’t like the “dummy down” conversations blowing our way from business women. We both are businesswomen…just in different fields of work. Everyone has their time, so treat others as you would want to be treated, we might just need each other's expertise someday!

From a girl...

to a sailor...

to a wife...

a woman...

to a mother of 3, in a matter of 27 years…

who would of thought? Life is good!

Cheers~

Amber

Everyone Likes a Good Donut!

2010-08-03T15:43:00.000-05:00

Nobody is Perfect

2010-07-26T09:17:00.000-05:00

Some of the motherhood blogs I love most have mothers that tell it like it is, and I'm going to try and do the same. Telling of all the good warm and fuzzy events is easy, but it is a challenge to tell of your faults, so that is what I'm challenging myself to do this morning.

I've been a stay at home mother for 3 years now, and I'm nowhere close to perfecting this most important job. I find myself getting irritated easily on those "bad days," ~~sometimes~~ a lot of times, I feel myself being lazy with my household duties (washing clothes, scrubbing floors, dusting, etc),

some nights I don't feel like fixing dinner! There are some days where I'm in a funk and I allow my children to watch movies all day long so I can find peace in my brain, so I can Be. Still. Sometimes I don't want to entertain my kids, I do think that I'm hard on my children sometimes, so am I a bad mother?

I'm the kind of person who also feels just horrible for all the above mentioned. I reevaluate, ponder, guilt, guilt some more, and really try to come up with a better plan for me to be a better mother.

However, the more I think about these things, I also think that some of the above is okay too. Being a mother has taught me great patience, and according to my Mother I have much more than she did, I still feel like I have a low patience meter reading on some days. This is one thing I would love to improve upon. When I sit down and wonder why am I being so inpatient? The reason is completely selfish. Normally it is because I stayed up way to late the night before, I'm in one of those lazy mood days, I haven't gotten up and walked in the morning, the house is a mess, and my list of "to-dos" is just WAY to long! Is that my kids' fault? No. It is mine. This is where the guilt starts eating away at me. SNAP OUT OF IT AMBER! Get your rear in gear and get stuff done, then you can be less stressed and focus on playing, imagining, loving on your children all day long!

Much easier to say then do. Being a SAHM (stay at home mother) is also a monotonous job (this is why I hated working retail). Same jobs to be done day in and day out. Wash, dust, clean, tidy....wash, dust, clean, tidy...you get the picture. So. Some days I allow myself to let things slip. Everyone needs a break right? At the exact same time I'm finding reasons it is okay, I also know in the back of my head leaving work for today will make me grumpy tomorrow because I have more to do than I want. LOL....a vicious cycle, one I want to correct!

I love to cook dinner. I really do! There are nights that I just don't, and that is okay too. No one ever died from having a bowl of cereal for dinner. I refuse to feel bad about this, so I won't, I just wanted to tell it like it is on this one.

Entertaining my children. I do feel bad about this one. I often think I need to read more, play more, draw more, pretend more, with my kids. On the other hand however, I think it is a good thing that I don't do this with them all the time either. I believe it is important for children to use their imagination on their own. It is good for them to look at books and come up with their own story, but sometimes I don't do a very good job facilitating these things. Now, if I can do better on the above mentioned, I also believe I'll be a better mother in all areas.

Erma Bombeck on Motherhood:

I loved you enough to ask about where you were going, with whom and what time you would get home
I loved you enough to insist that you buy a bike, that we could afford to give you, but with your own money
I loved you enough to make you return a Milky-Way— with a bite out of it—to the drug store and to confess “I stole this."
I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room, a job that would have taken me 15 minutes
I loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment, disgust and tears in my eyes
I loved you enough to admit I was wrong and ask for your forgiveness
I loved you enough to let you stumble, fall and hurt
But most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when you hated me for it. That was the hardest part of all!

Does anyone else out there feel this way or have felt this way? What were some things you did to correct yourself if you believed your actions needed to be corrected. Advice? I am a good person, I'm a loving person, I adore my children and am madly in love with my husband. I love staying at home and resisting the over played hustle and bustle that a lot of mothers fall victims to, in the end I love being at home and doing the monotonous work in lieu of being in the business world! I really do. I just thought I'd share some of my most inner thoughts with the world to help keep me accountable for what I would like to change about myself.

A Little Bit of Everything

2010-07-22T09:51:00.000-05:00

Ready to get down to business!

I Don't Know About This Mommy...

What a HUGE surprise it was to me when he was fully potty trained by the third day! Amazing! We still haven't gotten through the night yet, but are well on our way. There have been no accidents for about a week now and that is surely impressive. He has taken to the potty like a champ. He loves his big boy undies, gives an ear to ear smile after he's done with some high 5's, and can't wait to flush and wash his hands all by himself. Another out of diapers is a great accomplishment, especially when they run you $21 for a box for 76 diapers. I can only hope Caroline will be just as eager to wear some princess undies to get her going. :o)

Homemade Peach Pie Helpers

Goobers

They were so proud helping to make the peach pie! Samuel couldn't wait to eat a piece, and was allowed to stay up about 45 minutes past his bedtime to enjoy in his work. Peach pie in a bowl, half-n-half, with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream while the pie is warm....HEAVEN! I forgot to take a picture of the final product but it sure looked pretty.

Helping Mommy Knit

Grandma, you didn't know two gals made your dish clothes with love now did ya? I was lucky I didn't have to fight through a huge knotted mess, but the girl had fun.

Not Sure About This Face?

So Innocent...

Lookie at my New Trick!

Daddy and Samuel Having Fun With Camera

My Babes

Other big news? Not much to report actually. With all the rain moving through, something has blown in throwing my sinuses into a MAJOR funk. :-/ Can't say I'm too thrilled about that. This morning I broke out the saline rinse and I need to make a run to the store for my sinus relief medication. My garden continues to be fruitful and beautiful! The weather is beautiful and awful all at the same time; 97 degree weather with a humidity level in the hundreds is not my ideal type of weather. I can deal with the heat but the humidity just stinks.

Lately I've been getting plenty of exercise around the house chasing after my stinking fast water bug scooting across the floor. Now that she can pull up to things, I've found my magazines and books on the floor on more than one occasion. Her little smile with two pearly whites peaking through are just too much to resist!

Samuel is super excited because we got him into pre-school for this upcoming year! He'll do great with all the other kids. His favorite thing lately is working in is pre-school workbook we bought him, and he is obsessed with Doodle Jump on Grandma's iPod, and now Daddy's iPod. The other day he scored over 21K points!! There was a bit of an obsession and that had to be broke. It wasn't pretty, a little bit of bratinsky came out, very very ugly, but I am pleased to tell you all he is back to sweet old Sam! ;-) Doodle jump is only played sparingly now and for small periods of time.

Isaac is getting into playing more with "super heros" (Kinex little figures) with his brother, and loves loves loves cars. He has a little more stubborn in him that I'd like, but his snuggleness still overpowers the big boy he is slowing turning into.

Summer is flying bye just as I expected it would, and a small bit of me can't wait for the crispness in the air with Fall approaching, but for now I'm enjoying today, enjoying summer, enjoying swimming and popsicles and our game called "corn hole or bags" depending on where you come from. So. Enjoy your moment, enjoy your upcoming weekend, and if you have some free time browse around my Etsy Shop for some early Christmas gift ideas. :o)

Peace~

Amber

Beefcake and Taters

2010-07-07T08:16:00.000-05:00

I told myself that we would start the potty training saga soon, but I am such a lazy mother when it comes to potty training! Sure I would love for him to be out of diapers, for more reasons than one, but at the same time do I really feel like cleaning up messes when I'm running around after a very mobile 10 mo. old? Yeah. Not really. *sigh* Last week I thought I would give Isaac a taste of how cool it would be, and how much better it would feel, if he agreed, to wear some big boy undies in hopes he would potty train himself. No such luck yet, but I will never get tired of these:

My sweet little Beefcake!

Aren't those the cutes Elmo buns you've ever seen? :o) I'm sure Isaac will appreciate these pictures some day....but such a stud-muffin!

For those of you craving some sweet little girl pictures I've got some for ya. Now that my gurl has some teeth and is ready to have some table food, we found that mashed taters are a favorite! Daddy couldn't shovel them in her "ready to go birdie mouth" fast enough, and temper tantrums would follow letting him know so! I decided, sure, what the heck? A plop of taters, right in front of her on the highchair...boy did she go to town!

Love me some taters!

Happy Hump-Day!

Cheers~

Amber

How Do I Remember?

2010-06-30T10:07:00.000-05:00

This morning I was reminded of 'time' when I was reading Clover Lane. Now, my entire day will be washed clean by the tears I find to cry at the simplest of things. If you feel like you need a tear-jerker her post will help, and I'm afraid what I'm going to write is extremely sentimental to me. That is my warning to you before you read my post and Clover Lane.

How do I remember? I want to vividly remember everything about my babies! I mean, isn't that part of talking yourself into moving out of the baby stage and into the bigger kid phase; by tricking yourself into the fact that you'll remember exactly how that fat precious face felt against yours or how those tiny fingers grasped onto yours so tightly?

Oh how I want to remember... but I suppose the cruel reality is that I won't. Time will pass and those tender feeling memories will eventually fade. I guess that's why becoming a Grandmother is such a wonderful gift to be given; you get to hold a precious baby again, press that chunky face next to yours, feel that tiny grasp around your finger, inhale that wonderful infant smell, give eskimo kisses to that tiny button nose, and snuggle all of that wonderfulness close to your heart for a second time.

I'm not there yet! Each day makes my babes a little bit older, a little bit ready to explore on their own, and me a little bit more ready to have a 4th baby. I just can't talk myself out of the baby phase yet, and luckily I don't have to, being almost 27 I have time on my side and against me all at the same time. What happens after the fourth, I ask myself? What will I feel when that baby starts to grow old? Will I continue to feel this way? I wanted to be done with children by the time I was 30, but how do I know that I won't continue having this exact same feeling I'm having now? I tell myself that eventually everyone HAS to stop having babies, but I'm just not ready. I want to have that memory of an infant so close to me I can feel it. (I'm chasing one around the house as I write this even). :o)

Can you remember this face when you were feeding your sweet baby?

My hopes are that when I look back on this picture I'll remember that exact moment. That special moment I was sharing with my daughter as I was rocking her while she ate her ba-ba, where she looked up into my eyes, and my heart melted in her hands. Technologic advancement isn't all bad. Cameras, video recorders, even iPhones give us the ability to capture all of those moments to help us freeze time and even if just for a moment re-live the past. I'm sure as my children grow older and older I'll be very appreciative of all this, more so than I do now. It helps us remember...

I'll always remember won't I?

Toy Story 3

2010-06-28T08:15:00.000-05:00

When was the last time you went to a movie at the theaters? It doesn't happen often here at the Kellen household for Joel and I let alone taking the kids. It's a shame that something so fun has gotten outrageously expensive! At $10 a pop per person that adds up, and yes I'm one of those people that sneak in treats to prevent spending $4.75 for small box of M&M's when I can buy an entire bag at Target for under $4. I do have a weakness at the movies though, and that is nachos! Ugh. So no matter what some cash is laid down for AMC indulgences. They have done an excellent job by the way of revamping the "movie goodies" section. Not only can you buy your traditional M&M's, Twizzlers, Jr. Mints, etc. but now you have the option of specialty chocolates, lattes, UNO's Pizza, chicken tenders, french fries, cheese sticks, ice cream, beer, wine...on and on. I tell you what though. I wouldn't mind getting away from all of the "extras" and heading out to a good ole' fashion drive in where you can bring your own cooler of goodies for 3x the cost. So, summer bucket list, to the drive in we go!

Pictures from Toy Story 3/ 3D

The Boys Loved it, and I did too!

Isaac has a bit of Ray Charles going on in this one. lol.

Happy Summer!

Cheers~

Amber

Friday Fun Day

2010-06-18T16:58:00.000-05:00

Don't ya just love Fridays? Today we went to a water splash park with our neighbor friends and had a great time! Plus the mommies get to tan...without even having to 'try' which I like even more. :o)

Samuel is getting too big!

Isaac has no trouble jumping into the fun...

Isaac's swimsuit model pose, LOL.

Oh come on! You know you are wanting to go buy some Tommy swimsuit attire now.

I want to kiss that precious chunky face ALL over!

Can you see that little tooth poking through?

Brother and Sissy enjoying the baby fountain

Feeling her first tooth!

Now the mommy needs a little R&R....come on 8:30 bedtimes. ;-)

A Mother's Thoughts and Ramblings

2010-06-16T09:26:00.000-05:00

It can be scary raising children can't it? For that matter it can be scary to go through life as adults let alone raising decent children in the process. The process of raising decent, caring, honest, humble children is a monumental task. I don't think a lot of parents out there understand the difference in "helping" and "crippling" their children. Todays world, expressed in books, magazines, TV, and even movies all tell us to hold our children's hands for so long, that now "adults" from 21 to, even more scary, 30+ are living at home with their parents.

You can no longer get an apartment right out of high school at age 18, you can't even get a checking account without a cosigner. What is happening?! Forget about taking out your own student loans too, even the way our government has set things up helps to cripple our children. You don't want student loans? Well what is the big deal with 'working' your way through college? For some reason, most folks these days think it is a race to get through school. It IS okay to only take as many classes that you can pay for. Isn't that better than rushing through school getting some degree that you won't end up using? Yes. I have many, many people I know that this has happened to. What a waste of time, effort, and money. Instead parents say....oh no...I don't want you to work while you are going to school...going to school is your full time job. HA, this is probably part of the issue with Americans struggling with time management and good work ethic! A person isn't any more or any less based on if they have gone to college. There are many ways to make money, and they don't all deal with getting a college degree! Having one will probably make things a bit easier, but not necessarily make you more money or make you more happy. I guess that is all I'll say about that.

Isn't our jobs as parents suppose to include teaching them to leave home and find their own way? Obviously we all love the journey with our children, and our hearts hurt as each one flies the coupe, but that is the end goal isn't it? I mean, if your child can leave home, figure it all out, be self sufficient/contributing citizens, and be successful (however it is you measure success), shouldn't that be as proud of a moment as it was seeing your new baby for the first time? For me, that would mean I did a job well done.

What happened to feeling pride that you can do it on your own, proud that you don't need your parent's money to get you by, proud that you are 'actually' an adult rather than 'pretending' to play the part? Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of times that I used to think it was bogus that I had to work to pay for my extracurricular activities with my friends, paying for my own car insurance, gas, issues with my car, special shampoo I wanted, etc. Other kids didn't have to do that....then I went into the Navy. All by myself. No hands to hold, shoulders to cry on, not even Mom and Dad's house to stay in. Five years later once that commitment was done there are STILL people I know that have their parents pay for their cell phone service, dish out money if they are in a bind, move back home....are you kidding me?! There was an article in a newspaper the other day that my cousin posted on Facebook that had a woman quote, "My mother got married when she was 24 and she said it was hard work, and that it would be better for me to wait until I was in my 30's before I got married." Yes. Heaven forbid you work hard on your marriage (or for anything else for that matter) before you are 30! Wake up call! Marriage is hard work no matter what age you enter into it at, and you know what, this world isn't always fair. That is as much of an important lesson to learn as individuals as it is knowing when it is okay to ask for help.

As parents we want to be one step ahead of anything that could hurt our children, to prevent the nicks and bruises, so that we don't have to see the tears of our children; although as hard as it might be....we would be doing a disservice to our children if we didn't let them make their own mistakes and see and deal with the repercussions that are to follow their actions. The reason you see children/'adults' these days that are being coddled it isn't the kids' fault, it is the parents. Parents are teaching their children to run back to them when they are in a bind, and you know what I think that also shows some disrespect towards the parents, that are undoubtedly helping to manifest. I've read some blogs lately, Clover Lane and Views from my Kitchen Sink that have addressed some of the same things. (These blogs are a must read and are a couple of my very favorites!) There is a huge lack of respect with children and their parents these days and I'm doing everything I can to help NOT contribute to that growing problem. Manners are used in our home, polite tones are used while speaking to us, chores are done, and if they aren't there are proper punishments to follow.

Call me old fashioned or a strict witch, but I love my children enough to say NO, and I'm so glad that my Mom and Dad did too!

PART 2: KEEPING IT SIMPLE

Simple ways I fear are long gone. I'm too young to remember shops being closed down on Sundays, but I wish this was still the case. I wish work was regarded as it is in Europe. I wish the way of living wasn't made into a "live to work" life but rather encouraged to be a "work to live" way of life. Running after that extra buck isn't always the way to go. Extra work also comes extra stress, extra efforts on your body to remain healthy, lack of time with your family, and a lack in remembering what it's like to enjoy just sitting on your porch watching the clouds pass by and the trees blow in the wind.

Speaking of porches, the day on my morning walk with Bailey Boy I saw a great screened in porch that was completely ruined by noticing they had a TV out there. Come on! Are we so consumed in mindless television that we can't even escape it long enough to sit on the porch in peace to listen to the sweet songs of birds? Such a pity really.

PART 3: KIDS

And for those of you who really could care less in my interpretation of how the world has gone astray (and that is perfectly ok) here are some recent pictures of the kiddos on Sam's birthday enjoying the Slip-N-Slide and other randomness. :o)

Samuel's Turn!

This Can't Be Good....

Move Isaac, MOVE!!

That. Just. Happened!

(no children were injured in this process) :o)

My Bathing Beauty

LOVE Those Bunners!

Love From Great Grandma Roddy

Cheers~

Amber

What to Say?

2010-06-15T07:19:00.000-05:00

Can a mother ever run out of things to say about their children? Surely not. I'm still trying to figure out why it has been taking me so long to post something new. Sure, it's summer time and I try not to be so much of an internet junkie, but something has to come to me. Anyone can post how wonderful their children are, how smart they might be, their funny personalities....does that ever get old to anyone? So if I'm not going to write about that, what is there to write about? I'm still thinking on it. Check back later.

~Amber

Birthday Boy Samuel

2010-05-19T11:51:00.000-05:00

Samuel:

I'm not quite sure what words I can put together to express the amount of love your daddy and I have for you.

Saying your funny, sweet, athletic, and full of life, doesn't quit cut the mustard.

Samuel, you have brought so much joy into my life and my heart. You were my first born

and what a ride we took, baby and mommy (all 9 months), to be able to spend all our lives together, learning from each other. I was so afraid that my shoulder surgery had harmed you in some developmental way I was sick with worry. Look at you now! Eating us out of house and home at the age of 4, and hitting a baseball like you are a second grader,

picking up phrases and expressing them at most inopportune times,

you are now a full fledged little boy. The only thing that still resembles my baby and toddler are those hands and arms. I look at where the two come together and still see a "pop-it-bead" and it makes me smile. In that small instant where my eyes meet that spot, I can feel you snuggled in my arms again as if you were a baby.

This picture makes me smile too! LOL. We told you to be careful of the cactus, and 2 minutes later Auntie Meeghan and I were pulling spines out of your buns. :o)

Did you realize that you mean the world to more than just mommy and daddy? You have already made a huge impact on so many people!

I thought that I had so much to offer you, but really, you have so much to offer me. You have taught me a great deal of patience, compassion, overwhelming love, devotion, how to keep going even when you don't want to, a little more patience... :o) Everyday I learn something new, and a new way to love you a little bit more. You bring so much brightness to our home and day to day lives nothing would be able to replace it.

I feel bad because I don't know that I took advantage of treasuring every waking moment with you when you were little; don't misunderstand I loved my baby more than anything, but as parents you don't really understand until the time has gone, more brothers and sisters have come along, and then it hits you hard; time doesn't wait, it keeps moving just as before and all too soon our babies are grown and going off to school.
I was stressed from the Navy,

my health, full-time school, and being newly married all at the same time. I loved on you, kissed you, cuddled you, wrapped you, rocked you, fed you, bathed you,

played with you, and watched you sleep. I loved every moment! At that same time I was wishing time to go by faster so my time in the Navy would come to an end, and in that wishing, I don't know that I soaked everything up as much as I should have. Time always feels like an eternity when you are in the moment, to find that it is just a minuscule amount of time after it has all passed.

Every day you amaze me with something new in your demeanor, with what you say, how your rationalize, how you crush a ball, the pictures you draw, or the books you "read", and by the independence you are showing. All evidence of growing up and there is nothing I can do about it.

In losing the time I had with you then, it can always be with me in photos, video, memory, and my heart.

I miss my sweet little baby but am looking forward to all the great memories and fun that are ahead of us. Good or bad you are in my blood and together we'll get through it all! You are my precious Samuel Robert!

Love with All my Heart~
Mommy

Baptism

2010-05-17T13:39:00.001-05:00

My sweet angel was baptized a few weeks ago. It was long overdue but better late than never right? No matter which child of mine it was, there is just a strong feeling of faith on those days. You feel enlightened, overjoyed, and at peace; it is an amazing thing to feel as a parent knowing that God has wrapped your child tightly in his arms. Caroline was beaming that day, all white, ruffly socks, her rosette headband, and that precious little bracelet! Angelic, no other words would be more fitting.

Isaac refused to be apart of the family photo! The weather was great that day.

God parents Auntie Kathy and Uncle Max standing with us!

Father Cullen pouring Holy Water on Caroline's head in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

Brother Samuel helping to dry sissy's head off, and so proud to do so! (I'm not sure what happened to my face in this picture?? LOL...oh well.)

Annointing with oil.

Uncle Max lighting her Baptismal candle.

Pictures with Father Cullen

Caroline wasn't looking for either of these pictures but I love them anyway; might have been the big hands or the tall all in white man, but she was captivated by him.

We love you Caroline Marie!

Bailey

2010-05-10T14:46:00.000-05:00

Isn't he as sweet as can be? I've already chosen the perfect name - Bailey. Don't you think that's perfect? Bailey and Gus. Yup, those sound just perfect together.

In this picture it is just a 3 month old Goldendoodle (Golden Retriever/Poodle Mix) hoping a praying to go to a loving family....but when he gets to us, he'll be Bailey - OUR Goldendoodle. :o) For a while now I've thought about how nice it would be for Gus to have a friend to romp around with, and to be honest I've always wanted one of each; a big dog and a little dog, that is.

Some of you may think I'm just plain out of my mind, as if I didn't have enough going on in my life, so it is a good thing I don't care what everyone has to say about this decision, (no offense) but Bailey will be living with me - not you - so please no remarks about my slight bought of craziness! I'm quite aware of my decision and as far as I'm concerned he is just the ticket. :o)

1-2-3 Tea for Me

2010-05-07T13:34:00.000-05:00

Can't you tell she is tickled pink about her new exersaucer? She ADORES it. The first time I placed her in her new toy she looks around carefully at all the moving toys sticking up.....looks at me....and just gave me the biggest grin she could muster up! I am gaga for my gorgeous girl!!

Happy Friday~

Amber

Puppy Love

2010-04-20T10:05:00.000-05:00

As many of you may know, Isaac is my tender hearted boy, and Lord help us he loves his "puppy" that his Grandma K made him. If any of you remember Linus from Charlie Brown he would be the spittin' image!

He drags that thing ALL OVER. Finally, the other day I HAD to wash that thing, and thinking that it would be less painful by having him throw it into the washing machine didn't go as well as I had planned.

Trying to explain to a 2 year old that his puppy needed to get a bubble bath because he was dirty went well until the click of the washing machine door confirmed he wasn't getting it out. Here came the crocodile tears. Oh my! Luckily our new washing machine has a speed wash cycle so the mental breakdown only had to last 18 minutes. (I wish dropshots was working properly because I have hilarious video of the mental breakdown....I'll try again later.)

(See Sam's "art work" all over our new washing machine? Where he found a Sharpe marker I DON'T KNOW, but luckily I know how to remove the 'permanent' markings)

Yup. Your 'puppy' is still in there!

Grandma K..... we may need a back up for times like these! :o)

Caroline's Food Breakdown

Seeing the food and mommy not getting organized fast enough

Signaling she wants a bite!

Happy for a split second after a bite.

Thoroughly peeved after 3 JARS of baby food are gone!

This is how my lunch time goes everyday, but wouldn't change it for the world. :o)

Flowers Make Me Happy

2010-04-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

Don't you just love tulips? Tulips are my favorite flower, though depressingly short lived, I love how cheery they are. They scream for your attention with their knock-out colors and stand so tall and proud. If only I could grow them year round, it would surely cure some of the winter blues in January when you are more than ready for Jack Frost to get the heck outta dodge!

These tulips are from my own yard. I'm proud. The other day when I was engrossed in house cleaning, I stood up from picking something up off of the floor, and noticed how the sunlight was hitting the vase of tulips. Stunning! It is in those quiet moments that I know God is smiling down on me and my family.

Tulips

Don't you feel it?

How about now?

Close your eyes. Breath. Be still.

Now look!

I feel peace. I feel overwhelming love.

I feel God right next to me. Amazing!

This next little group are pictures of my bleeding heart my Grandma bought me. Isn't it beautiful? It was precious the first year, but with a little patience and care, this year it is spoiling me with blooms all over!

Bleeding Heart Bush

Look how my pansies have grown!

Some of you may be getting tired of all my foliage pictures instead of pictures of my kiddies, but with everything turning out so beautiful I can't resist. For those of you needing your baby fix here are a couple of Caroline after a bubble bath.

Rub-a-dub-dub

Sweet Girl Wrapped up Snug :o)

These next two were took purposefully to match a picture that was taken of me when I was Caroline's age. It's amazing how much she looks like me. I'll try and post compare/contrast pictures later.

Caroline 7 1/2 months

Bubbles O Fun

2010-04-07T10:24:00.000-05:00

Aren't you so happy that the weather has finally gotten warm enough to enjoy the great outdoors? We are too! The kiddies couldn't of been more excited to break out their bubble maker machine that had been in hibernation in the garage. Tootsie was just excited to enjoy the slight breeze with her mama sitting on the deck watching those crazy boys! If Caroline's chubby chunkers don't make you want to kiss her all over I don't know what will. :o) Did I mention she is 7 months and gorgeous already? Here are some pictures shot that day.

Boys and Bubbles

run away, run away!

I'll save you!

wait....for it....

Get THEM!!!

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE NEW JEWELRY ON MY JEWELRY BLOG!

Happy Wednesday!

Amber

Updated Pictures

2010-03-22T11:00:00.000-05:00

For those of my fellow readers who only really care about seeing pictures of my kids, then this is the post for you! :o) I felt spiffing up the kiddies the other day and wanted to take advantage of that by taking some group pictures. I would love to know your favorites, so please leave me comments on which numbers you love the best!!

I know that a lot of these are familiar, I had to use my continuous shot option to try and capture the perfect picture, so that is why I need some help! Don't be scared to comment, if you want just post your favorites numbers (up to 3 please).

Oh, I don't want to forget to mention that there is a HUGE Spring Fling giveaway event going on at The Shabby Chic Cottage. There is something being given away EVERY HOUR for the next 2 days, so don't forget to scroll down all the way through the giveaways. My item will be featured tomorrow, but until then check out the other wonderful mompreneurs!

Cheers~

Amber

Out of a Sleepy Winter Slumber

2010-03-17T08:36:00.000-05:00

Renewal of life is all around me. When I open my eyes in the morning, the first thing I hear are the sweet songs of the birds that have finally returned home from their winter migration. I go out front of my house and see life poking up through my mulch all over the place! Earl May had the first POP of color sitting outside, and how could I resist. The friendly painted faces of Pansies, standing up tall, begging me to take them home. :o) I did! I guess you could say I am restless coming from a long winter slumber. With every season we beg and hope for the next to appear and going from winter to spring is no exception.

'Mammoth Pansies'

The heads on these are HUGE and beautiful!

On the few days we have already been lucky enough to have 63 degree weather I'm already opening up all my windows of my house to let that fresh clean air circulate through my home. It is a bit crisp but wakes you up, fills you up with vigor, and ready to tackle the obstacles of the day. It has me longing to get in the dirt.....and I did!

The garden has been hoed free of winter clover and the remainder of surprise green onions have all been pulled. Tilling is in store this Sunday, followed by planting my potatoes, onions, and lettuce! I have planted a large potful of Pansies and lucky me, I had enough to plant a smaller pot too! They are placed on my front porch to eagerly great friends and family as they come into our home.

Soon we will be surprised with more stunning flowers. I have green things popping up all over the place that I have either forgotten about or suspect squirrels or birdies have "dropped" something in areas that are now producing into a spring surprise for me.

My Bleeding Heart

Violas

Iris

These are surprises from birds and squirrels

With life springing forth, I wanted to share these pictures with you, and I hope it has inspired you to get outside and dig in the God's earth! Happy beginning of spring!

Spring Decor

2010-02-24T13:00:00.001-06:00

Ok. I haven't done a whole lot of posting about our house and the things I enjoy most about it so I thought I would share some of my favorite things with you! Keep criticism to a minimum, lol, I never said I was a professional at decorating. :o)

These first set of photos are the wall I look at the most because, for the time being, our TV sits on top of my cubby shelf. My cubby shelf was a great and lucky find and one of many favorite things. This wall also comes at a 90 degree angle to the wall our front door is on.

I L-O-V-E this cubby! Vintage bingo card, dice under smaller cloche spells out 'renew' on top of an old book with a great red color. Book pages cover this bird and I love the way the natural colors all look together.

These books are my FAVE! Wonderful rich colors and from 1915's give this cubby a fantastic look with my aged looking riser, and of course a small bird to complete the look.

I wasn't completely sold on the way I did this cubby, but it will do for now until I have my Mom help me with tweaking. :o) A silver patina bowl with a grass ball sits at the front with a neat jar holding natural colored yarn, string, and spools with a very heavy concrete decorative riser sits in the back.

This last picture is a little blurry but I love this industrial sized lightbulb! Got this little beauty from one of my favorite stores near by my house.

On to my console table that sits between the living room and the dining room. One of my favorite focal spots for sure!

I can't get over my burlap in my apothecary jar. Due to my limiting supplies for spring decor I had to get creative and I happened to have some left over burlap from another project so this look cost me nothing! A sweet birds nest and a couple eggs pull this jar together. My smaller jar has split green peas for a shot of green and a cute painted egg.

Did I mention I love apothecary jars and cloches? :o) So many possibilities for all times of the year.

On to a 'sitting' space that you see when you walk into our front door, the half wall helps bring separation to our living room and dining room.

The large clock on the wall was a wedding shower gift from my aunt and looked great hanging there on its own but then I found this great frame with great character at Hobby Lobby in their 60% section! Solid wood, great find! On the half wall is a wine bottle wrapped in jute twine (thanks mom!) and more shots of spring green to bring a feeling of renewed life into our home. Renew is my word for the spring season!

Next up is a great shelf the hubs built me that I have hanging above our couch. I'm still not completely sure on what I've done to it, but like I've said before it will do for the time being.

Fresh picked flowers from the garden (I wish, maybe if it ever stopped snowing here!) fall happily out of my green tin bucket (thanks grandma), and a great weave ball sitting on some greenery. On the opposite side my FANTASTIC birch boxes bring awesome texture, then my stick nest lined with moss sits inside a wood carved bird tea light holder. A small apothecary jar holds lettered dice that is a fun accessory to look at.

Finally my table that sits beside the couch is one of my favorite things. The lamp was a great find for a whole $7 (and it was NOT pretty when I found it but it is amazing what a little elbow grease does) and the champagne lamp shade for $11. Can you put together a fabulous lamp for $18?

So folks, there you go! My home in the spring. Pictures of my sweet Caroline's room coming soon. :o)

Tired of Winter? So are we! Summer Preview...

2010-02-16T07:21:00.000-06:00

Is it time for tank tops and shorts yet?

Tank top...check, shorts....check, cute sun hat....check

Yup I'm one good looking gal! :o)

I hope this post made you feel a little bit warmer. :o)

More Snow = More Fun

2010-02-10T08:03:00.000-06:00

Okay, well maybe we are all sick to death of the snow, at least this last time it snowed it managed to hang around 32 degrees so that the kiddies and I could go out and enjoy it!

Caroline was napping in her room, but I had the monitor out on the front porch so I could tell if our play time needed to be cut short. This was Isaac's very first time getting to play out in the snow. Last year he was the baby, and this year the big boy! He mostly just wanted to eat the snow and lay it. Isaac would run around and fall head first into the snow. That crazy boy! Afterwards he would tell me, "Cold Mommy, Cold" but then he would keep on going.

Next are a couple updated photos of Caroline. I had her decked out for the KU vs. Nebraska game, outfit courtesy of Auntie Meeghan and Uncle Raymond, bow accessory from Great Aunt Kathy, and that AWESOME car seat cover from Grandma Kellen! I can't believe that my sweet girl is going to be 22 weeks this Friday.

I hope this made your Wednesday!

Cheers~

Amber

Tights and Cardigans

2010-01-26T08:13:00.000-06:00

At this stage of my motherhood and Caroline's age, I have decided that I'm in love with all girl accessories to embellish her in, tights and cardigan sweaters are just some of my favorites! I bought her about 6 different little cardigan sweaters (from a secret store) for her to wear a few weeks back and now I'm adding tights to the list. These pictured were a gift from grandma, who just couldn't resist.

Here is one of the cardigan sweaters that I found. Isn't it sweet? Little flowers along the bottom edge and in the sweetest colors!

My next favorite thing to dress Caroline up with are barrettes! I have a friend who makes "Little Adaline" barrettes and the are just precious and starting at $8. These cute boutique barrettes would go for $12 in stores! If you are interested please let me know and Kim would be thrilled to send you pictures of her inventory. Great for baby - 7 years old!

Happy Tuesday! Pictures of Caroline's finished girly room coming VERY soon! YAY!

Cheers~ Amber

Happy 2nd Birthday Isaac!

2010-01-14T21:17:00.000-06:00

We have a birthday in the house!

My dear sweet Isaac ~

A whole two years! Wow! You are my sweet spot in the middle, my cuddly punky-do... how I love you! Isaac, you are mister expressive eyes and when you raise your eyebrows you still get a small furrow of wrinkles on your forehead, just as you did when you were a baby, one of my first favorite things about you.

In this picture you were a whole 7 days old. I knew you would have a big impact on our family but couldn't quite grasp what type of little boy you would turn into.

3 Months

At just 3 months you were the twinkle in our eye - the center of attention. You were new, squeezable, adorable, perfect!

On The Go!

I can't believe that when we moved into our first house that you were still in the baby car seat, still dependent on mommy and daddy. It is our house now that you first learned how to be on the move. What a big boy!

100% Personality

Your sweet face and warm disposition are intoxicating. Once people are around you they just can't get enough. Who could resist those bright baby blues and those chipmunk cheeks?

Becoming Mr. Independent...OR rather Mr. Ornery but only 20% of the time....right? ;-)

At this point in your life you are putting together a few words at a time to form a sentence, jumping off the ground with both feet, getting a mouthful of teeth (FINALLY!) and managing to do so without being irritable, counting 1-2-3 in the correct order, coloring (without eating the crayons), still a snuggler (please keep this up for as long as you can, I l-o-v-e it!), eating with utensils and actually getting the food in your mouth without help, obsessed with your pant legs being over your shoe laces, throwing balls, giving pay back to Samuel for all the times he was a bit rotten to you :o) and being the wonderful warm hearted boy that you are. I'm so happy that I get to be your mommy and that you get to be my son. One of the three best gifts God could have given me!

We Love You!

Love ~ Mommy

Christmas 2009

2010-01-08T09:52:00.000-06:00

Santa,

We were such good boys we would really love some cool new bikes!

And what ever you feel we deserve would be just fine.....but Rescue Heros, popsicles, new shoes, dinosaurs, planes, cars, and trains would be pretty sweet!

Mommy...what exactly is going on?

The Kellen's hope that your Christmas was as blessed and as full of memories like ours!

Elf Hat

2009-12-10T16:47:00.003-06:00

Don't you just love her new hat?

Tidbits of things you are doing now:

Smiling
Turning over onto your side
Bringing your hands together
Sucking on your two middle fingers on your right hand
Giggling
Being very alert to what is going on around you/following an object around a room
Smiling at your goofy older brothers
Reaching for an object close by
Going to sleep on your own (although I still spoil you often by rocking you because you are so addicting to me!)
Holding your head up on your own
Pushing up on your arms
Sleeping all through the night starting at 8ish

My dearest, sweetest Caroline. How can it be that you are already 3 months old? You have really started showing me that you are indeed a little girl. All baby coos are so sweet but yours are all sounds of a little girl. Little squeaks accompanied with the most precious smile I have ever seen, and what makes it even more special is that you are smiling all for me. You are so happy that I am your mama as I am overwhelming thrilled to be your mommy! I look at you and am so proud just for the fact that you are you.

I also look at you and know that someday down the road you will hurt my feelings, going through the teenage years, as I did with my mother; however I will try my hardest to remember that you won't really mean to hurt me, as I didn't really mean to hurt your Grandma. We all go through a transitioning period as we grow older and I guess that is just part of the ride even though it is an ugly part. This phase is a necessity so that once we have gotten to that magic age (whatever it is) we can truly appreciate the beauty of our mothers and just how much they mean to us. We will transition from a mommy/child relationship to a mother/daughter to a mother/best friend/forever daughter relationship, and I am looking forward to all the growing pains in the process, because ultimately I know you and I will be like me and your Grandma and therefore it is all worth it. It is a special bond, a mother and a daughter, and you won't be able to truly understand until you yourself are blessed with a daughter of your own and then I suspect that at some point, you will be writing close to the same thing to your daughter as I am you.

You are my forever pride and joy, forever my little girl. I love you!

2009-11-20T15:13:00.001-06:00

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing