Hello everyone!

Life with the Kelley's is nothing short of crazy, chaotic, stressful, fun, etc... I'm sure it's much the same in every other house, as we "prepare" for the all important celebration.

I've decided to not do all the baking I was hoping to get too-yes I had to face the fact that the supermom award would once again NOT go too me, maybe next year:) (I won't hold my breath) LOL

I think this Friday night were going to go to Bentleyville. For those that don't know, it's the coolest light display in our area. They offer cookies, hot cider, s'mores that you make over the open burning bins, popcorn, Santa, free knit hat, music and lights galore. Everything is in cute little huts built specifically for the event. I'll try to take some good pictures.

Here are pictures of the album I made for my mother-in-law, Judy. Not to worry, she's computer illiterate, so she won't see this. :)

This is Judy's niece that is living with them now, she's from Virginia, and her name is Samantha.

I love these two pages. I used my fun swirly stamps, I think it turned out great!

The kids in the picture below are some of Judy's cousin's grand kids. (what that makes them to Judy is some generation of cousins, but don't ask me to figure it out-I don't do math:)

The four people in the large group of people are Gordy, Randy, Diane, and Judy (the short one). This is the first time that all 4 had been together in 13 years. And than of course the other picture is with Grandpa :)

I'm now working on a calendar to complete her gift this year. (If your my family and wondering why I'm not making a calendar for you, the answer is simple, give me pictures and I could work with it-no pictures, no fun album's) lol :)

I hope that all your holiday "things" are going well. Have a great rest of the week!

Hi Everyone! I know it's been a while, but here I am. Thanks for waiting:)

I had a great weekend off and really enjoyed my shopping extravaganza! I was able to get the kids done and some stuff for several other people, plus we all got new pillows-what a difference that makes at night, ahhhh sweet dreams :)

I tried taking some nice pictures of my decorations, so here's a few of those.

My new stocking holders. This was my 5$ find after Christmas last year. This same set is 25$ at Target this year. Ahhhh, see it pays to shop the crazy sales. The other side of the mantel has a Santa and a tree.Scrappy's favorite hiding place. It figures, since it won't be staying. The first time he was down there, we went looking for him forever. It's not easy to find a black dog on a dark green fabric (guess that's something to keep in mind if we ever get to change the carpet)

my "homage" to snowmen.

The kids were really excited when I'd put up their little tree on the landing for them to decorate. I also got them a few new ornaments, they had a great time putting it all together.

Luke helped me get the impossible garland up in the doorway from the kitchen to the living room. I thought it would be fun to have it there and tie on the cards we receive, little did I know that the arch was plaster! (there's a little repair work to do once the garland comes down-oops :))

I couldn't resist buying this cute basket at Michael's, it's filled with cinnamon scented pine cones. I'll put a candle can in the middle once I get it made.

Here's one of the candle can's I made for one of Luke's two teachers. Luke picked the colors. I have 3 more teacher gifts to make and than 4 daycare moms and anyone else who I think this would be good for :) I used formula cans and I've been stocking up. I love this idea because it's so easy and they can be tailored for anyone. Find me a girl who doesn't love candles (than I'd say, fill it with chocolate :)

It's been great getting all my stuff out for Christmas this year. When I get the outside done, I'll take pictures there too. I have little things in the kitchen and bathroom too. Last year before my dad died I had bought quit a few new items and since everything came to a halt when it happened, opening my bins has been like opening presents with all the things I didn't put out and use last year.

As the day comes closer and closer, marking a year since my dad died, I'm reminded of just how very precious time is. We are only on this earth for a short time compared to the eternity we will spend in Heaven. I love the Joy that God has spread in my life and I plan on living in that glory this Christmas season. I'm taking the time to enjoy the little things, like Luke helping with decorations, the kids putting up their tree, time spent as a family playing games. I even managed to get us all to sit at the dinner table with no t.v. last night (I hope to make it a regular Wed. event-the only day with nothing going on). I love the memories were building every day. Making life special here and now before it's too late.

Take a minute today, too reflect on what your doing to let go of the needless stress's in your life, surrounding the holiday season. What are you doing to capture the moments?

I havn't forgotten

I haven't forgotten that I have a blog, there's just nothing interesting going on in the Kelley household.

I did start putting up Christmas stuff. I know some of you think it's too early, but I love the Christmas season and after last year I intend to enjoy it 110%. I always love taking out the decorations and there's always that irritating head shake as I realize what a crappy job I did in my haste to put it all away the previous year (when will I ever learn). I had some stuff get ruined this time so I ended up throwing out some things, but have no fear my favorite crafty homey gift store "birch street gifts" I'm sure will have just the right items to replace them with :)

The kids had their conferences this week and their doing Great! The Luke that Ms. Palm describes is not the same Luke that I've had to explain 5 times previously every year. He's really doing well and making a great effort. He got all B's with 2 C's which if you knew all the previous struggles you would know is HUGE!!! Kirsten is above grade level in math and at grade level in reading (last year at this time she was below reading level) so that was awesome to hear. She of course has always embraced school and thrives at it.

Other than all that I really have not a lot happening. I will soon though as I get a start on Holiday projects. The kids want me to make their friends in class the snowman soup packs (I'll share that a little later:) so I'll need to start that and I'm still working on the Christmas cards, and lots of other goodies.

Tonight is the Christmas City of the North Parade. Which always promises to be really cold and fun. I'll get pictures to share.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...

This is what I woke up to this morning (after my paper route was done, it wasn't there before)

pay no attention to the tent in the background-I know it's time to put it away, now stop laughing at me! :) the focus is on the snow

Now, I know it's been a few days since my last blog, so here's a few things that I've been thankful for:

I went out shopping on Sunday for winter jackets for Luke and Kirsten. While I ended up going all over to various stores, grumbling at the lack of sizes, and the outrageous prices. While knowing full well that the kids need really warm jackets, because lets face it, Duluth is down right cold! (the part about being thankful is coming, I promise) I was getting more and more mad that I couldn't find their sizes in anything that was worth buying for less than 50$ (last time I checked my money tree still wasn't producing the good stuff). We finally did find coats that both kids really liked and it didn't break the bank too badly, but after we left the store I had a reality check. I had just been able to buy my kids the jackets they so desperately needed. At the moment that I needed it God directed us to the right place with the right stuff. Not only that but we had the money when we needed it, and they have all the winter stuff they need. I was so thankful at that moment that they were taken care of and we weren't having to make due or head off to the salvation army, like when I was little. And man was I really thankful when we woke up to the snow this morning and I knew that they were prepared and wouldn't be cold.

This week I've been working on these wedding invitations and while they've taken quit a bit of time, I've been thankful that I'm able to help out a couple when they needed it. To add something special to their wedding that they might have had to really skimp on. I've loved doing it and I'm thankful that God has given me the talent.

final look for the card

This may seem petty but, I was really thankful when the kids school pictures came home this week and they look awesome! In previous years we've had some really not so great one's but these are great-don't you think? I may be a little bias but I'm pretty sure there the best ever!

Now, I have to tell you about my daughters amazing writing abilities. Again I may be a little bias but I think she's headed for a scholarship

If you can't read it, here it is in her words:

I wish I had a vendible garden. I would put carets in my garden and also beans in it too. I would put in green seilery and lattices and potatoes zoukenys and I can't forget the one and only tomatoes.Do you no why I want a vegdebl garden so much.becuse vegdebls are so so helfey for you and I would put one jest onw friut in it too. It would be a apple tree and mabey a fouw flowres in it too and mabey a fouw boushes in it too and the vegdebls would help my family out too.Sl rmeber eat helfey and wather owt. the end.by Kirsten.

(someday she too will discover spellcheck :)-but for now it helps make this so cute.

Kirsten has been writing lots of stories lately. Her most current piece is about a sea lion that grows up to join the army to learn how to fight the sharks, and has to leave his mom forever. When the story is completed I will put it up-it's currently 2 pages long! and yes, she's only 8! I think she's amazing!

Not to forget about Luke, he is doing exceptionally well in school this year. The last 2 spelling tests he's only missed 2 out of 20! That's a huge victory compared to the 5 or 6 out 12 from last year. I'm actually looking forward to his conference next week. I've never seen him thrive with academics so much. He really loves science and is enjoying all the experiments. I love watching him enjoy it! It's very refreshing.

As promised here's is some more of my current craft finished products

the top picture is on hinges and lifts up

I hope you all have a great day!!!

Sat whirlwind

Wow, today's been busy! I miss the days when I got to have a day off in the middle of the week, but I also still want both weekend days off as well-guess you can't have everything. I should have married for money not love if that's what I wanted :)

So today we tackled the basement closet, dun, dun, dun!!!!!! What a disaster. I think Scott said it best when he said "How did we let it get this bad?" now I wish I could say that it wasn't my fault, but unfortunately I have to admit that I was as much at fault as he was. We had also had some water problems when the last bit of rain storms moved through, needless to say we threw out just about everything-YUCK!!!!!! What a horrific mess!!! I'm glad it's finally done, and it will help to have it all cleaned and organized going into the holiday season.

Today I'm thankful for the car door we were able to find and buy at a junk yard for under 200$. I'm really thankful for the guy at Goodyear that has gone above and beyond to help fix it for us at a very low price. I'm so very thankful that we can close the car door now and not have to worry about it. Thank you, God, for putting the right people in our path that were able to help us out-the person at Dodge that found a silver door, the guy at the junk yard that worked quickly to take the door off the damaged car so that we could have it quickly, and the guy at Goodyear who wants to make it as safe as possible.

So as you read, we had a problem with our car door-the good car of course. About 12 houses away from being done with my paper route yesterday morning it stopped closing. I had to finish the route and drive home, while holding the door closed, and steering with one hand (it's not easy trust me). After calling around all morning to find a door we found lots but the colors were gold, black, purple, or green. Not good choices since our car is Silver. Finally Scott called the Dodge dealership and they found a salvage yard not listed in the phone book that had what we needed. My father in law went out to get it and it was 35$ less than what was quoted plus a free tire!


The nice man at Goodyear spent 6 hours on it today and it still needs an adjustment to the outside handle that he'll take care of on Monday but it looks fine and it works better than ever.

Anyways that the drama for the day-really fun interesting stuff :) if your still reading-sorry :)

Have a great day!

Fun Friday

Today I will start Fun Friday! On Friday's I will try to post my current project with "how she do that" answers if needed :)

I'm also going to start the 22 days till Thanksgiving Day Thankfulness. Which means every day I'll post something different that I'm thankful for.

Today I'll also give you the rest of Halloween pictures if possible :)

Today I'm thankful that my son is breathing well and able to run around in this cold air without any problems, so thank you God for his current health and please continue to strengthen his lungs.

What do you mean, my halo looks crooked? It's just taking a little rest :) (I used stamps with glitter on both mine and Kirstens faces to get some fun Halloween makeup effect in the mix-come on it's not like I can do it any other time of the year-and tell about it :)

Here is the wedding card that I've made for my sister's best friend. (Sarah it's all you :) The wording will be printed on the white behind the vellum, simple and elegant-this is what I'll be working on this weekend.

Now here's a couple of the layouts I got done over my crop weekend

It's that big Spooktacular day!

Happy Halloween !!!!! We have a busy day ahead. For those that would like to know, there was no diva hair moments this morning as Kirsten donned her costume :)

Luke however had managed to put his costume on inside out, upside down, legs in the arms-it was a mess! But I, the supermom

Took matters into my own hands and turned out the best ninja ever!

I'm so glad he'll be around to protect us all tonight, as even I will be in costume (not my superhero suit:( )

Tonight I will be the "momma angel" I know it's not real origianal, but you can't expect me to be the "momma ninja" now can you? Seriously do not want to see this mom in a bodysuit-I'll save you all from that horror:)

Here is the final member of the family in his costume (daddy, and Rascals are being party poopers)

Herrrreeeeeessssss SCRAPPY, THE FEROCIOUS LOBSTER!!!!!!!

here's some pics of pumpkin carving. I will send pics tomorrow of the fun from tonight!

She couldn't believe that she had to scoop out he guts herself (I've always done it for her, but times have changed and this year they were on their own)-Luke was much better about it, as he yelled Wooo-Hoo, Oh YEAH!!!!

Ok well that will have to happen later as I'm having problems uploading pics :(

I'll be back with more on Halloween tomorrow!

fun project/gift idea

Here is the pocket folder that I created over the weekend. I had seen it done in the scrapbook store while in WA at Lasting Memories. I loved the concept and this is what I did with it.

This Bible verse reads: "Be Joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1Thessalonians 5:16-18

This verse reads: "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
Here is how to make your own: Start with a plain two pocket folder, I used white found at Office Max, colored would work fine too.
Reverse the fold so that the pockets are now on the outside and the folder looks wrong side out-as shown in the photo above. Now your going to quarter fold both sides so that the pockets are folded inside and you now have 4 even pages/pockets and it looks like an accordion, like this:

I started mine by inking all the edges using inks in the color palette of my paper. Now you all you need to do is cut and glue (I used a glue stick) all your paper and embellish as you wish. Tips: I cut the front paper, to be used on the front of the pockets, with an extra 1/2 inch in length to fold over the pocket. I also covered the back 3 sections with some solid card stock to finish the look instead of leaving it white (not shown in any photo)

Here is a link to the blog from Lasting Memories where I got the idea-it'll give you some other ideas

http://lastingmemories.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/08/index.html

(look under August 17th)

I also thought themes like shopping list, monthly receipts, coupons would be good or using as a unique photo album with the pockets for holding mementos.

Hope you enjoy!