Remember this scene in The Notebook?
Allie: “I don’t paint anymore. I used to paint all the time and I really loved it.”
Lon: “So, paint.”
By some miracle I can’t explain or remember, somehow I got Andy to watch that movie with me back when it first came out, and ever since then, “I don’t paint” has become a line we use for when we’ve stopped doing something awesome that we love, and it’s often pulled out and quoted melodramatically. Like if Andy hasn’t gotten to eat a certain kind of cheese in a while – “It’s been months since I’ve had that brie! I don’t paint anymore!” or how we haven’t played volleyball together lately (“We DON’T PAINT ANYMORE!!”).
I got to spend a precious alone-time hour at Homegoods recently, and as I was wandering around looking at the decorations and thinking about how I haven’t done a single thing in our house in months, I turned melodramatic on myself and was all “I DON’T PAINT!” as I touched the curtains and considered the throw pillows tearfully. “I used to paint all the time and I really loved it!”
I MISS YOU GUYS. I get painful, incurable itches to write, and to decorate, and to write about decorating, and when I can’t, it makes me want to strip down to nothing but a blanket and paint a picture on the front porch of a Southern plantation. Metaphorically.
(If you haven’t seen that movie, I’m sorry for the unfamiliar references, but let’s be honest: this is a problem I can’t solve for you. It’s not me, it’s you. #FixIt.)
You guys are the sweetest and I can’t tell you how much it means to me to get your notes just checking in on us! It’s like a salve to my thirsty little not-painting soul.
Here’s what we’ve been up to:
1. (Primarily): Working and trying to keep our heads above water.
We started a company together a couple years ago, and it’s been the coolest thing to watch it grow beyond not only what we expected, but also anything that we even remotely envisioned when we brainstormed the business name while spoon-feeding liquefied peas into our infant at dinner.
If you’ve ever tried the entrepreneur thing, can I get an exhausted fist-pump over how amazing but crazy and needy it is?
Also, we have two kids. Who keep getting bigger.
2. Parenting.
Weston and Mila have turned 5 and 3 and UGHHH. I just can’t with this age. I JUST CAN’T.
Before I had kids, I thought 3 years old would probably be the cutest age, and 5 years old would be the second-cutest, and then after that, it’s all downhill and they get gross and have stinky armpits and hate you until they’re 21.
Right this second, I have one child at each peak-cuteness age and I WAS RIGHT. I can’t handle my children because they’re hilarious and still have tiny little voices and IT’S ALL GOING TO BE OVER SOON AND THEN THEY’LL HATE ME! The cuteness level is at its PEAK and I’m stressed out all the time because I know this is IT.
True story: right at this very moment, I can hear Andy and the kids doing their bedtime prayers. This is Mila’s prayer:
“Thank you for my mom. Thank you for my dad. Thank you for my bwudder. Thank you for my Mila. Thank you for my Jesus. Thank you for pee-peeing in the potty. Thank you for my sun and my sky. AYYY-MEN!”
See? It is so STRESSFUL how cute they are. It makes me want to send them back. I wish I could just push pause and make them stay 3 and 5 for all time, or have 14 more of them so there’s always SOMEONE in our house who is 3 and/or 5.
3. Celebrating 10 years
We’ve been married a whole decade! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we rented a big house on the beach and invited some of our best friends to meet us there for a long weekend. We had a dinner by the pool at sunset, and then had a DJ for a dance party, which by the way is SO MUCH BETTER if it’s just a small group of people who will still talk to you even if you look like a dying duck when you dance.
It was the PERFECT way to celebrate 10 years!
4. Inserting Foot in Mouth
My bud Chelsea from Two Twenty One asked me to do a podcast/interview thing with her for a new series she’s doing, and y’all? I should not be allowed to just SAY THINGS with no option for editing it.
I accidentally spewed all kinds of stuff, like my most embarrassing moment and the reason why Andy would never have married me if we’d met a few years earlier, plus some super honest thoughts on what NOT to do when decorating. You can listen here. It’s a bit silly. If I’m being real.
5. Getting started on some projects!
I have a few half-finished things I’ve been working on and so more things are coming! I miss you guys! Tell me how you are. Tell me everything you’re thinking!
Hi, I'm Kelly. Glad you're here! This little blog is where I chronicle our efforts to fix up our beaten-down home on a tiny budget. We're not there yet, but here's a peek at the view along the way...
I just saw your blog name pop up in my email as I was opening it and I thought, “No way! Jees louise its been forever!” and I miss you in my inbox! I know sometimes something has to give and those darn cute-as-all kids should win out. So glad to see you guys are doing well. No one deserves it more! 🙂
Thank you, friend! <3
KELLYYYYYYY!!! OMG AHHHH!
I guess systematically creeping on your blog and longingly reading old posts has finally paid off. I’ve seriously missed your writing. You’re my fav blogger in the blogsphere and I know I’m getting a bit too fangirl right now but so so so sooo happy you’re inching your way back to us!
In the time you’ve been gone, I made a major move from CT to FL. That is to say a giant move from itty bitty 750 sq ft apartment to big giant living space (said in genies voice from Aladdin). So of course I’ve been stalking your decorating 101 series. Glad you’re enjoying life, success, and taking time for your family, but come backkkkk!!
Yay!!!! Missed you
You are just the cutest. And your babes. Omg how did they grow so quickly?!! Sweet little babies (because they will always be). I’ve missed you but can totally relate to the blog absence thing… cuz life. Instagram is like the closest thing I have to reading or writing anymore. Lol. Big hugs! Can’t wait to here more about your new projects. Oh and congrats to you and Andy for 10 years! We hit 9 last week. It’s like every year there’s more to celebrate. 🙂 hugs
We miss you Kelly!!!! The kiddos are getting soooo big (and cute!). It’s understandable that your life has taken a different direction as the kiddos get bigger and your business grows. I’m in a completely different place since I started reading your blog – only 2 years ago, so I can only imagine the change you’ve gone through being married with kids and a house & everything. Just keep checking in with us occasionally! Even just FB posts are great!!! So happy to see a post today. Xoxo
OK…first I want to tell you my heart jumped when I saw your email. So exciting. Then…and speaking from experience…you can paint later. You will never get these years with your kids back. EVER. I am so happy you are embracing your life and enjoying the ride. In 20 years you won’t be saying “Gee I wish I had written that blog post.” You’ll be saying “I’m so glad I I was there for them.” Enjoy the rest of the summer. <3
Awesome perspective. 🙂 Thank you bud! You’re the best!
Definitely put the kids first! I recently asked my six year old if he could start getting YOUNGER each year on his birthday, but it was nothing doing. The good news is, he doesn’t hate me yet!
Oh Girl!!! I was soooooo excited when I saw your post in my inbox this morning! You are very missed!
Phew! I thought in the beginning of the post you might be breaking up with us. I’m so very okay with you only posting whenever you get a chance or feel like it. Just don’t quit altogether, because there’s a serious blogger void in my heart already.
Nooo let’s never break up! *Pinky swear.*
I LOOVE seeing your posts in my inbox. I won’t lie, I was looking for some awesome inspiration, but you delivered more.. Reality!! Enjoy each and every moment with your family but please just don’t EVER quit…. 🙂
Oh girl, you couldn’t make me quit! 🙂 Thanks so much!
So happy to hear from you!!! I was just thinking yesterday the I miss u soooo much! Your post brought tears to my eyes, especially the part about the kids “cuteness” factor. It does goes by much to quickly. I am currently having a pity party for myself. My kiddos are 27 and 30 and both getting married in the next couple of months. How the hell did that happen????
Thank you so much, Deb! Just think – getting married means maybe grandbabies soon? 🙂 It all does go by too quickly!
Those ages are sooo cute! I miss my daughter being a toddler (she is 9) I was snuggling on the couch with her the other day and I said how I missed that little girl who use to snuggle and she asked me if I wanted her to go back to that age and I said yes and no. While I miss the little baby girl I would miss my friend more. I said I loved how we talked now, like friends and that we shared so much more now that she was older. Every age has it’s beauty and while I can’t promise they won’t go feral when they are teenagers there are still good times to come. The friendship you have when they are older is precious beyond words. xo
That is so fun to hear. I can’t wait to be able to have those kinds of conversations and know their personalities more. You give me hope!
Welcome back 🙂 Missed your face!
Ahh, so glad you are back! I have missed the funny writing. It’s like missing a chunk out of my life, like no pizza or something. No fun!
I have a three year old daughter too, and they are just so sweet at this age. Wish I could freeze time.
No pizza?! We can’t have that. I’ll blog every day if it feels like pizza. 🙂
AHHHH I’ve missed you and all your hilarious musings. I don’t paint anymore…kills me. Your kids are adorable, and I totally agree with 5 and 3. I bet our kids continue to get cuter after 5 though. They are sweet which I’m predicting will make up for things like middle schooler smell. Congrats on 10 years!! What a way to celebrate! That house looks incredible! Here’s to more painting! 😉
Aw, I so loved reading this! I am super jealous of your anniversary weekend and would have probably tried to secretly crash it if I knew it was happening. You look so beautiful in the photos. I live in fear of the years to come with kids too and I don’t know enough yet to say it’s ALL going to be okay and they will still be awesome, BUT I do know that 4 and 6 are still pretty peak cuteness ages (learning to ride a bike, learning to read, still talking in darling little kid voices) so it’s not all lost yet 🙂 xoxo
I am dying to get you and your hubby together to hang out because I KNOW it would be SO FUN. Next time, you’re coming.
So glad to see you post! I love reading your blog, hopefully you’ll come back more often now 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Kelly! I’ve missed you! Happy anniversary! 10 years (and that party!!) is amazing! Praise God! Plus, your kids are too cute!! Mine are 2.5 and 8 mo so there is lots of whining, but they are SO ADORABLE that i can’t stand it. Except in the middle of the night, then, I wish they would leave me alone haha. I almost emailed you when i was having a conundrum with my excessively undecor-friendly couch a few months back, but I’m lazy and i never got around to it. Plus, I don’t actually know you so thought that might be weird. 😀
Haha! Not weird at ALL. 🙂 2.5 years old is CRAZY CUTE. And 8 months is like the beginning of the cute, so when there’s no whining, and it’s daytime, you totally have it good. 🙂 I’m with ya though – the middle of the night though, everyone just needs to lay down and shut up.
I haven’t been painting either! But I was so happy to see your blog in my feed. All I ask is that you keep enjoying life!
3 and 5 is the cutest! But it’s not over soon. My 15 year old is still the cutest, you should see her roll her eyes. She’s old enough to do big stuff with and I love every minute she’s around. But seriously do have 14 kids. It’s pretty sweet watching a teenager enjoy how cute her little 3 and 5 year old siblings are. can’t wait to see what you’re working on and congrats on10 years.
Oh girl! It is ALWAYS good to hear from people who enjoy their teenagers!
Thought of you the other day and hoped you were still planning to blog…and yay, there you were in my in-box this morning! Love your posts whenever you have time.
Yay! Thank you so much, Kay!
Hi Kelly. I’m glad all is well. You’ve been greatly missed and I hope we get to hear more from you.
Thank you, Rebecca! xoxo!
What a great surprise to see your post today! I was just thinking about you yesterday (again) and got concerned that maybe some difficult things had come into your life and that’s why you had been absent. I was actually thinking about writing you this morning just on the off-chance that you might see my note and could provide some reassurance that you were all ok. A big ol’ smile spread across my face when I saw your name in my email! Like one of your other readers, I was concerned you were signing off for good when I read the first part of your post, but was so happy to see that you didn’t say goodbye and you have just been busy with good things. As a mom of 5 now adult “kids” and 2 grandkids, I completely understand the importance of spending time with them. I do hope you can pop in from time to time and spread your cheer and good ideas around again, though! Really missed you!
Thank you SO much for this, Julie, and for caring about our family. <3 I will totally still be popping in - you couldn't stop me if you tried. 🙂
So happy to hear from you! I say that like you wrote me a personal note, ha! I totally get it. Your priorities are where they should be but I still miss your blog posts. You, your writing style and your family are so adorable. Enjoy the little ones while they are just that. Life is too precious and short not to! Not that you know me, but since you asked…..I’ve kept busy with small projects around the house. Just this week I made six outside pillow covers to cover some of the pillows for our outdoor sectional so they were no longer so matchy matchy. Love it! I’m starting to do research because we will be doing a kitchen remodel, hopefully this fall/winter. I want to buy quality cabinets without spending a fortune. To me this is the biggest decision although I know there will be many others to follow. It’s still exciting. However, the most exciting thing that will be happening this year is my retirement. Because of where I work I can retire a bit earlier than most but I. am. so. excited!!!! Wooohoooo!!!
ACK, YAYYY! Soooo many congrats are in order — retirement! And a kitchen remodel! So exciting!!
Thanx! Woot woot!!!
Kelly! You’re back! Yay! I keep wondering about where you are and how things are going. It’s great to hear everything is on track and you’re just focused on different priorities. Congrats on the business taking off – I checked out your website, which looks fab, and wow, you have a staff! Fancy!
PS loved your chat with Chelsea. I wanna hang out with you guys.
Okay, totally come hang out. Bring wine! 🙂
What I’m thinking is:
1. So glad to see a post from you!
2. Not going to watch The Notebook no matter how much you try to make me 😉
*sigh.* You just can’t help people who don’t want to be helped these days.
It’s cheesy, but it’s watchable. I have a highly sensitive cheese-meter, and even I can tolerate and enjoy it.
Oh man I missed your blog posts! I can’t wait to listen to the podcast and see what else is coming down the chute for your blog and family! And today is the first time I actually looked at what your AdThrive business does…thinking about filling out the application for our stationary business blog.
it’s been so long that i actually think this isn’t you but mila all grown up and weston has andy’s computer skills so figured out how to hack in and they are chuckling now, thinking they’ve got everyone fooled. joke’s on you, mila and weston! 😉
ok but for real, SOOOOOOOOO excited to see your blog pop up in my feed. i did a quintuple take and now have whiplash.
Uh oh. I don’t have blog insurance.
So good seeing you again, and glad all is okay. Just wanted you to know, the “cuteness” never ends, it just changes but will still fill your heart to near exploding, still laughing and loving them more than you ever thought you could! Trust me, mine are 28, 24 and 21 and not a day goes by where they don’t make me laugh or want to hug their guts out! LoL, well you know what I mean! Hope to see your posts again. They always make me smile!!
Aww, that’s so great to hear. Part of the reason why I want 100 kids is so that when they’re in their twenties, there will be lots of people around to entertain me. 🙂 (Living in their own homes, of course, but stopping by my house occasionally with my grandchildren.)
OH…..MY…..I’M SOOOOOO HAPPY right now!!!!! I have missed your posts, sense of humor, and all of it! You seriously need to “Paint more”!! Welcome back Kelly!
Thank you SO much, Micah! Totally made my day 🙂
I like this a lot. Thank you for sharing. I’m always looking for upcycles like this. In the end, you don’t know it was a shipping pallet to begin with!
I wish I could say I don’t paint anymore… mostly because we bought a house in April and I feel as though that’s all I’ve done since then.
haha! I knooooow that feeling. Hope it’s going well and at least maybe the cutting-in part goes quickly. It’s all easy after that. 😉
Thanks for checking in! Glad to hear all is well.
Also, I now have a 9 and 11 year old, and it is way the heck better than 3 and 5. Not as cute but so very great. More good times are ahead!!
Such a relief to hear that! I’m holding on to hope that more good is coming!
YAY!!!!! So glad you’re back and doing wel and the business is going greatl!!!! I agree, we are in the height of the cuteness age at my house too and it’s fabulous!
I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately! “Where’s my favorite hilarious blogger got to?” I know you’re busy. But also want you to know you’re awesome. Thanks for the post! Hope to see more when you can get to it 🙂
Thanks Jennie! I’m so excited to post more. Just this one silly post was totally refreshing!
Ditto to every word above. Your fans adore you.
<3 <3 <3 Thank you Susan!
So, paint.
My kiddos are ages 2 and 4 and I can’t handle how funny and cute they are either – I’m so glad I’ve got one more year of this. Thank you – I am not alone! I worry about the very same thing! Like, am I going to love them when they’re 7 years old and totally not cute and completely obnoxious? Prooooobably not. Ugh. So stressful.
Hope to see you next month at Haven! I’m sorry to say you will not be able to touch my flowing locks though because I just got a very bad haircut today where I went in asking for a trim and came out 6 inches shorter. It was a very traumatic experience and I’m not sure I’ll recover… until it grows back anyway (will hair grow 6 inches in a month?). So when you see me, please just act like everything is totally normal.
Looking forward to seeing your half-finished projects come to fruition! Pick up that paintbrush – I’ll be here when you’re ready to unveil your masterpiece. xoxoxo
Oh nooooo! I’m so sorry to hear about your haircut! I have to miss Haven this year (bummer!) but at least I can console myself that I wouldn’t have missed that amazing hair. Small consolation. I would’ve probably tried to sit behind you in the sessions so I could braid it or something, and it would’ve gotten creepy(-er), so it’s probably for the best. Miss you, friend!!
Kelly, it is so wonderful to hear your voice again. Life just sometimes bogs you down, doesn’t it? (I almost wrote “blogs” you down -Freudian slip? Too funny!) sounds like things are going well, just busy on another plane of existance right now. Just “keep on swimming”, is what we say around here, a la Dory.
Dory is totally our language around here. 🙂 Thank you Patty!
I’m a blog and DIY addict so basically I’m in love with your blog. It’s my favorite! Just what your blog is about is so creative! I’ve decided that when I move in September I’m gonna decorate my room. I’m excited!
Yay! That sounds so fun! Send pics! 🙂
I am thinking I want you to buy another house and reno it so I can spend time with your blog (aka you) every week!
Your is honestly my favorite blog. Thanks so much for sharing your lives with us!
Aww! Thank you SO much. I like your idea to just go buy another house. I’m totally addicted to the realtor.com app. House hunting is so fun!
Signed,
Girl who has no business thinking about any other houses when this one still needs so much
HIIIIIIIIiiii!! I’ve missed you, so happy to see you pop in to my inbox!! I don’t paint anymore either! Hardly anyways). Life sounds full and fun (happy 10 year anniversary!!) and the kids are even super cuter than they were before and you writing a blog post is making me smile, and, and, and…it’s just nice to see you again. 🙂 Sharon
I am so so so happy to see a new post here. You’re my OG DIY blog & I’m just not really ready to let VATW go!
Never let go!! (A cheesy Titanic movie quote, because this post already didn’t have enough sappy romantic movie references. Just needed ONE more.)
So great to hear from you! Totally aweaome references to the Notebook. I am a geeky movie quoter from way back. Usually more the sci-fi action type however. I love the flowers from your anniversary party! There’s just something about a mess of flowers in a tight arrangement that makes me all goo-goo. Your babies are so big! Congrats on the big 10 year anniversary! My Hubby and I celebrated 10 in February. This is not the first go around for either of us though, and our kids are all on their own now. You sound great and look amazing! Paint, paint, paint, and dance some too, Ducky!
My daughters are the same age difference as your kiddos. I thought 2 and 4 was the cutest, then 3 and 5, then 4 and 6… you get the idea. Now, they’re 11 and 13, and I find myself once again CONVINCED that this is the cutest age. I’ve heard all the horror stories out there and I can’t TELL you how many times someone has given me that knowing smile and said, “Just wait until they’re older…” Well, they’re older and I like them more every single day. Perhaps I just got really lucky. 🙂
I seriously miss your blog, but I have to echo everyone else. You won’t get these years back, to revel in the time with your little ones. Paint when you feel like it, and we’ll be here to admire. It’s great to hear from you!
Yay! Thank Kimberly. I’m SO relieved to hear that you still like them and think they’re awesome at 11 and 13. I’m totally counting on mine being as lovable for the next ten years at LEAST! 😉
Heyy, random person from Massachussetts here, I was happy to get your email, I love what you do! That said, I get that it’s painful that your kids are so cute you want to bite their faces off, but I think you can let go of the Stressful part, because, they will change in their cuteness, but will never cease to amaze you. Ever! and it’s wonderful! You are so blessed, and its great that you even KNOW that you’re blessed! So right on! Enjoy the love you have, give it away in spades, like you do through this blog, and keep on keepin on, because the joy you get from your life shines through in these itty bitty mailings 🙂 Blessed be God.
That’s so good to hear, and YES to wanting to bite their faces off and just completely eat them whole. Your comment is so encouraging. Thank you!!
I was so excited when I saw an email from you! I have missed you! Looking forward to hearing from you again soon!
Thanks so much Cheryl!
So glad to see a post from you! Your blog is one of my favorites and I can’t wait for you to “paint” again.
Greetings from Denmark, and thank you for finally blogging again! I’m in the middle of my own bathroom renewal, and I need you DIY tips and ideas!
Yay!! I’m so glad you posted! It’s so great you got to take time off to focus on what’s really important, but i’m selfishly really hoping you’ll continue posting. You’re totally my fav blogger. You even sorta made me think I could start my own blog, which is cray. But I did! Thanks for being such an inspiration!
Awhhhh! Congrats on the 10 years you two! What an amazing way to celebrate. We celebrated our 10th at this romantic cottage that was supposed to be just the 2 of us and then our baby sitter bailed and we had a less than romantic stay with our kids…but it was fun. Glad to see you back 🙂 xo
I missed you! So glad to see a new post and know y’all are all good. My boys are 6 and 8… the cuteness has not stopped yet. 🙂
So how big of a stalker chick will I sound like when I tell you I have been saving this to open & read until I could be uninterrupted? Not bad? So it won’t be worse when I begged my husband to hush because he came in and started talking when I was trying to read? Creepy huh? Oh well.
I totally get the reference and happen to Love. That. Movie. (As does the Mr., but he will deny that).
Bikram yoga is my new obsession….not that I can actually do much of it (yet). lol Working long hours, taking care of our 5 rescue dogs, trying to keep up with my 90yo Mama. (Who does a swim class every morning, plays Hand & foot, bingo & bunco, then cooks for ‘all the old people’ in her complex). She is a hoot.
I want to decorate and take beautiful pictures and write about it all….and yet, not happening yet. So I’m so proud and happy to get any notes from you! Thanks so much!
Haha! Not creepy at all. Husbands should KNOW when we’re in the middle of important blog-reading and commenting. Can we just get a moment of silence please? 😉 Bikram yoga sounds amazing! I’ve never tried it but it’s totally on the bucket list… after painting. ha!
Welcome back! You’ve been missed! Can I ask where is that beach house? I’m local to you, and think this might be agood idea for our 12th anniversary ( too busy with little babies to really celebrate the 10th or 11th).
Thanks! It’s actually in NC, which was about an 8-hour drive for us. We had to go far to find such a huge place!
You have no idea how much I relate to this post! Outside the thriving business part (instead I just have a busy full-time job and leave the “business” side to my employers) I’ve got the 5 year old and the (almost) three year old (who’s about to start potty training) that I barely have time to focus on my fun projects around the house versus just trying to keep my head above water keeping it clean between all the other things going on in our lives. My dad and husband both kept telling me they didn’t know what was going on since I hadn’t updated my blog in over a month! I haven’t even stayed up on reading my favorite blogs in a couple of months (you’re one of them). But I’m still here and love it when you do have time to post. You’re sense of humor is fantastic and I’ll take what you can give when you can give it.
Thanks girl! 🙂 Hoping things calm down in your world soon too!
It has been a long time! Thanks for the update. I read the post about paying off you house and was inspired! Lots to think about. 🙂
I miss you toooooooooooo!!! I hear ya on life just being so dang crazy that you feel like you just fell off the face of the planet. That’s where we’ve been at for a while. But with super personal stuff that we’ve only shared with a few people. So it’s a little awkward when people ask “I haven’t seen you for a while, how have you been???” because we’re not always sure what to say! LOL
“I don’t paint anymore.” That’s how I feel about some things in life right now. I used to make meal plans and cook a lot. But I don’t anymore. I used to exercise regularly. I don’t anymore. I used to blog and just write in general. I don’t anymore. AND I MISS IT ALL. I hate how disorganized my kitchen feels, and that when I look at my refrigerator and pantry I don’t have enough of anything to make a complete meal. I hate getting out of breath when I just go for a freaking walk, I hate hating how I look in pictures, and I hate not fitting into most of the clothes in my closet. I hate not writing. I just plain hate it.
There have been so many things in our life that have been out of our control these past two years, and we’ve just kind of been in survival mode, riding the roller coaster and praying we don’t puke or crash. We’ve gotten past a lot of those things but now we’re struggling to find our normal again. Maybe this post was the kick in the butt I needed.
WOW! (Now that I’ve moved from my stipid tablet to my phone, I can actually comment!!) Again,..WOW! I really am enjoying your blog! Tons of great information! I have recently headed down the blog path, my thinking is if I have someone outside of my circle to share our progress with, I will get projects finished. So far, so go. I wondered if in the midst of all your crazy-busy life (I understand) if I could pick your brain? I know its presumptuous of me, but I would appreciate your input. I love your blog voice and style. Thank you!
Kelly! I’m so happy to read an update from you. When you went on hiatus my little blog was just starting. It has grown.
Quick story on kids being cute…don’t fret, they will still be cute with smelly armpits. My 13 year old and I took my 3 year old to the Minions movie and the 3 year old was adorable for all the obvious reasons (first time to a movie) but my 13 year old was cute too. I looked at him laughing at all the allusions and jokes they put in to children’s cartoons for the grown ups, our eyes met, and we both had a moment. He talked about it all the way home. Super cute. Now he wants to go back and watch all the cartoon movies he loved as a little kid. Should be fun. You will love every stage. Can’t wait to see more from you!
I DON’T PAINT ANYMORE!!!! I feel that way about crafting. I used to make jewelry, and collage cards and postcards, and sew little stuffed animals for my baby cousins. And then we moved, and I didn’t have a dedicated crafting space that wasn’t the kitchen table. UGH. I used to do it all the time, and I really loved it. I might take over the kitchen table. It’s summer-we can eat outside. I WANNA PAINT.
I just found your blog through pinterest! I’m in love! lol… You’re my new idol! 🙂 Can’t wait to read, read, read and of course do projects!
PAINT, DANG IT, PAIIIINNNNTTT!
I’m suffering from withdrawal here 🙂
What’s the business y’all started? Am I missing something??
I enjoy reading your post so much! You have made my day! Thanks for sharing this to us. Have a nice day
Kelly, I just wanted you to know I miss you and your voice…I hope you are all doing well. I hope the new business is doing well, also. Come back soon!
I was scrolling Pinterest and saw a pin pop up from you so I thought I’d come say hi 🙂 You and your little family have been popping into my thoughts the past few days. We miss you! No pressure or anything 🙂 Come say hello when you have time!
Obviously I haven’t been over to visit for awhile! So glad to see you and your little family are still doing well! Miss your posts but hope you are finding time “to paint”. 🙂
Kelly,
So great to see your post. I kept checking back and I was so excited to see this. CONGRATS on your 10 year anniversary. My husband and I just celebrated our 20th year in July. Love those milestone years. Can’t wait to read the next post when you’re ready!!!
Jenn
Just to let you know I saw your paint rollar cleaning tip on Pinterest and was excited to think that maybe you were back. Hope all is well in your land. Miss you.
I just realized that was the third comment on this post. Is that too stalker-ish? I/we just miss hearing your funny voice.
Hi Kelly,
Missing your posts and wondered if you were still about or if this really is it and you will no longer be blogging. It would be such a shame as you were so good at it and really cheered us up on here.
Please come back, we need to know about the new business, how the kids are doing and everything – June was an age away and I hope we haven’t got to wait 6 months between every post.
Have you been painting?
Take care
Denise
So great to hear from you Denise! We’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to do any home projects, but I just volunteered to do a big decorating project for my church and I am SO PUMPED that I’ll have stuff to blog about! I’m hoping it’ll be done within a month or so! I miss blogging SO much!!
Hi Kelly,
Good to hear from you and really glad you’re busy, and looking forward to your next post.
You should blog anyway, not everything you did was about your home, just daily journeys with the kids, whatever, you were so good at it – what about housework tutorials? (lol, only kidding 🙂 )
I’m currently reading ‘The life changing magic of tidying’ by Marie Kondo, it is amazing, never thought I would be interested in a book about tidying 🙂
Hope you are all OK, take care
Denise xx
I LOVE this blog but, it’s been sooo long. How about a Thanksgiving post? Or a Christmas post? It doesn’t have to be long, or earth shattering. Just tell us about brass animals and DIY wreaths and we’ll all be able to get on with our decorating, feeling inspired. Come on… You know you want to… 🙂 #BlogPeerPressure
I feel like I miss this blog so much that I am going to write Oprah and ask her to do a “Where are They Now” episode! PLEASE come back soon! 🙂
Haha! Deal! We’re redoing Weston’s room now and I can’t wait to tell you guys about it! I feel like people don’t want to hear about room makeovers at Christmastime, so I’m going to hold it until January (plus it’s still in the works anyway). Thanks so much for checking in!!
This blog has gone into my evernote as “The greatest blog ever”, you are so down to earth and practical but have such and awesome sense of design. I love this post, and I love that scene in the Notebook because I relate to it so much on my instagram I posted a painting I made with that exact quote because it had been 3 years since I’d painted on canvas: https://www.instagram.com/p/9WoRQcnedN/?taken-by=artahmiss.
Cannot wait to dig into this blog and make my own wonderful things, thanks for providing such a good guide!
Still checking. Still hoping. Like a fan girl posting “still listening in 2015!” on a YouTube video of “This Is How You Remind Me” by Nickleback. Miss you and hope you are well! Real life is more important than blogging. 🙂
Thanks Caitlin!! 🙂 We started redoing Weston’s room and it’s coming along great – I actually have something real to post about and I can’t WAIT. Probably going to wait til after Christmas craziness, but it’s coming. Hope you’re doing well!
I had to look twice when I saw your email in the stack. It’s dated June 2015 and I’m just getting it. Whoa.
Anyway, very nice to hear from you! My kids are 47 and 43, and I’m retired .. are you JEALOUS? Haha. I tell you it’s a lifetime Get Out of Jail free card. Really understand how why you are concentrating on your kids. The business and the kids can sometimes get entirely out of hand. Do your thing woman and stroll in and out as you please cause looks like none of us are going away. Best of luck and happy anniversary to you both!
Just tell us about brass animals and DIY wreaths and we’ll all be able to get on with our decorating, feeling inspired.
I started feeling that feeling recently as well! I started a new job and all the things that I love doing went on the backburner, including actually painting. Last weekend though I grabbed my sketchbooks, shut off my phone and went to the beach for a few hours! Best decision I could have ever made! Glad to see you back! Thanks for sharing!
Hi again quite interesting post about art, you just ignited the past time when i started to paint again but i left it so i think should try again. thanks
I started a new job and all the things that I love doing went on the backburner, including actually painting.
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