Ultimate Party 2011!!

Welcome to my blog! I'm so excited to be participating in the Ultimate Blog Party for the third year in a row. It's always so fun to meet new people and find really neat blogs to read.

Anyway, I'm Kelly and I'm happily married to the sweetest guy on earth! He is a professional violinist, teacher of 3rd graders (can you imagine teaching about twenty 3rd graders violin at one time?! yes, he's a patient guy!) and conductor of several youth and adult orchestras. He is a busy man! Lately we've been enjoying "late night dates" after he gets home from rehearsals - they usually consist of a movie and popcorn...or just sitting and talking.

This is what we looked like about 3 years ago just before we got married. We look pretty much the same now except for some lovely bags under my eyes. "Why?" you ask? Just continue reading. :o)

 We have two little ones - 

Lily was born January 1, 2010

Levi was born December 30, 2010

No, those dates are not a typo. We really did have two babies (not twins) in the year 2010! Trust me, it was not planned...by us at least. We believe the Lord had it planned and we trust Him.

Levi was born with a midline cleft lip and will be having surgery next month. If you're like me and love to read birth stories, here is Lily's and here is Levi's.

I am a CAHM (craft at home mom) who is so thankful for the opportunity to be with my babes and still be able to help a little with the bills. I love making hairbows and pins so I opened and Etsy shop about a year ago. I would love for you to visit my shop, Kelly Joy Boutique, and "like" me on facebook too (there's a place you can do it at the top of my left sidebar).

My days are brimming with dirty diapers, baby snuggles, toys strewn everywhere, hugs and kisses, playing dolls, hardly time to get a shower, crying and whining, and the need for lots and lots of patience...but my heart is overflowing with thankfulness for this life God has given me. 

Yes, some most days I feel as though I'm losing my mind, but I remind myself that this is only a season and I need to enjoy every moment because soon I'll be wishing for my babies to be little again.

I'm so glad you stopped by and I hope you'll come again soon!

Ultimate Party 2010!!

I decided to do a little vlog to introduce myself "in person." It's the very first video I've ever done, so don't laugh too hard! My hubby says I look like I'm reading a teleprompter, but I promise, I'M NOT, I'm looking at my macbook screen! ha. Enjoy!



Yes, I'm a good ole' southern girl, but I'm sure you couldn't tell that from the video. Ha! My hubby, Jacob, and I have been married nearly 2 years. We have two chocolate labs and one precious baby girl.

After being told that we would never have children, God graciously answered our prayers and gave a us complication-free pregnancy and a beautiful little daughter. Lily Grace was born on January 1, 2010. I chose to have an unmedicated birth assisted by a midwife, which was the most amazing experience ever! Click here to read Lily's birth story.

I love taking pictures and if you stick around long you'll see lots and lots this girl! I am blessed to be able to work part time from home as an administrative assistant to the vice president of a large company. I absolutely love being a stay-at-home mom- it is the job I've always dreamed of!

There are some awesome prizes being given away at the Ultimate Blog Party! I would love to win:

10 – Young Living Essential Oils Stress Away Roll-On is a unique blend of vanilla, lime, copaiba, and other pure essential oils. Relieves daily stress, encourages relaxation, and reduces nervous tension. ($30 retail value)
Provided by: Oils For Wellness
Follow here: oilgirl2 or Visit Our Fan Page: Oils For Wellness

36 – The winner will receive 2 year-long magazine subscriptions…one to Taste of Home and one to Simple & Delicious.
Provided by: A Virtual Hobby Store and Coffee Shop
Follow here: bluestbutterfly

70 – $25 Kroger Gift Certificate
Provided by: Saidah @ A Proverbs Wife
Follow here: ProverbsWife or Visit Our Fan Page: A Proverbs Wife

If my top 3 picks are already chosen, I'd love any gift cards or anything related to babies or children.

Thanks for stopping by! Happy Partying!!

Blog Parade!

I'm participating in Abigail Kraft's fun blog parade! She has some awesome giveaways lined up, so you should for sure link up!

This is my little family. I'm Kelly, my hubby is Jacob, and Lily Grace is our sweet baby girl.

Lily has just started smiling a lot. She's a great baby and such a joyful addition to our family!

Ok, now on to the questions.

1. What's your favorite time of the day, and why?

Early morning. The last few weeks I've really been enjoying when Lily wakes up {around 6am} and gets her morning feeding. It's just a special time for the two of us but I also like getting up early! 

2. If health wasn't an issue, what food could you live off of?

Definitely dark chocolate and natural peanut butter. 

3. If you could have one wish granted (besides wishing for more wishes), what would it be?

Oh I don't know, I'm not good at questions like this.

4. What's one thing that you get teased about a lot?

My feet. They are super ugly, errr...unique. ha!

5. If you could choose one movie, book, or TV show to spend your life in, which would you pick? What type of character would you be?

Hmm, that's a tough one.

6. If you could have one talent that you don't already have, what would it be?

I would love to play beautiful music by ear.

7.If money were no object, where would you go on vacation?

Europe. 

8. If you were an awesome singer, which genre would you sing?

Opera. Haha, just kidding!

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, what would it be?

Target. I could use it for clothes, food, house stuff...anything! 

10. If you could live in any point in time, when would it be?

Right now. I love my life and I wouldn't change it.

11. If every outfit in your wardrobe had to be one color, what would it be?

pink. every shade of pink.

12. If you were one of the seven dwarves, which one would you be?

Probably Happy.

13. What's the last album you listened to?

Bach for My Baby. Seriously. ha!

14. What's something we'd be surprised to know about you?

I love washing dishes and folding clothes.

And just for a laugh today. 

On the way to my parent's for dinner yesterday, we saw this and just couldn't resist taking a picture! Yes, the bright orange paper says "4 sale." Only in Hickville, USA. Ha!

Harvest of Friends Blog Party!!

Lynnette over at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground is hosting a Harvest of Friends Blog Party! It's such a cool way to get to know your bloggy friends better and also to make new friends! Be sure to head over and participate.

If it's your first time here, I'd like to welcome you! I love making new friends, so please take a look around and leave me a comment so I know you were here. The About Me section in my right sidebar tells you my basic get-to-know-you info.

Lynnette made up 20 random questions for us to answer to help you get to know us better. I took some of them out because I just couldn't think of an answer...even after asking my hubby.

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?  peanut butter & dark chocolate or chips & cheese

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?  my dishwasher

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice? mountains, I guess. I like being close to my family, so I don't want to move.

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty? cleaning the bathtub! Gross!

5. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam? well, getting together with our families (not sure which that would be)

6. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night? sleep in it...wash it off every morning in the shower.

7. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it? I'd love to learn to crochet and play the cello. Yes, my hubby is a violin teacher and can teach/play all stringed instruments and I have only had 3 or 4 cello lessons since we got married last year...maybe when we're old and retired I'll get my cello lessons. ha!

8. What first attracted you to your spouse? I don't really know. I just always knew he was the guy I was going to marry.

9. What is something you love to smell? cinnamon

10. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it? give it to our neighbors whose 16 year-old son has Crohn's Disease and they need money to fly to Utah to see a specialist.

11. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest? usually not really loud unless we're at home and i'm laughing at my crazy hubby. he makes me laugh the hardest.

12. Where is your favorite place to shop? Hobby Lobby

13. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time? read

14. Are you a big spender or frugal? frugal

15. Would you want to be famous? no

Today I would like to remember my dear Granny (mom's mom) who finished her race here on earth two years ago today. She was (and still is) very special to me, and such an example of a godly woman.

She asked probably six months before she passed away if I would be with her when she died. I promised her that I would do my best since I lived six hours away from her. I praise the Lord that He granted that desire and allowed me the privilege of being with her as she entered Heaven.

I love you, Granny and miss you terribly!

Ultimate Blog Party 2009

Welcome to my blog! I'm so excited to meet new people through this blog party!

My name is Kelly. I've been married for 9 months to the most wonderful husband a girl could wish for. He's my very best friend!

We don't have any babies yet, although we both LOVE children. We do have one furry child though, a 10 month old chocolate lab named, Roo.

I'm a Christian and desire to glorify God with my life. My main purpose for this blog is to share my life as I seek to bring glory to God through serving my husband and those I come in contact with.

I have the privilege of working from home as an administrative assistant to the vice president of a large company. The Lord definitely provided this flexible job and I'm so thankful for it!

I enjoy blogging (although I haven't had a lot of experience yet!), cooking & baking, knitting, babysitting, reading, and spending time with my wonderful family and friends.

My sister, Myra, who actually got me started blogging had her first baby in January. I LOVE being an aunt! I conveniently live between Myra's house and the grocery store, so she can drop the baby off at my house while she runs errands! Isn't he a sweetie?!

Well, I guess that's all. I could ramble on, but I'd better stop. I'd love for you to follow me on Twitter and here at Joyful Adorations.

There are so many awesome prizes at this year’s Ultimate Blog Party, but my top three picks would be:

• #58 – Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
• #7 — Ergo Baby Carrier
• #33 — Copy of The Second Nine Months (paperback) dacapopress.com

And if my top three picks are already chosen, I’d love any of the following:

88, 89, 19, 36, 21, 118 or anything else related to giftcards, pregnancy or babies.