A Little Life Update
It’s the first week of summer here in Michigan for my kiddos, and I’m so happy to have them home (and not be packing another lunch)! That said, being a work from home mom becomes just a little trickier. Especially when so much of my job is social media related and I’m constantly preaching to my kids about no electronics! Monkey see monkey do, right? It is hard to explain to my 11-year old that I’m on Instagram because it’s my job when she would like her own Instagram account (not happening!) So, that means things slow down here a little on the blog. I only get so many summers with my kiddos, and at 11 and 8 it seems like my time where they want to hang out with mom is on the way out. My oldest starts middle school in the fall and there are only mere glimpses in my day where I’m not an embarrassment to her :) So, I need to make them count!
Additionally, this summer will be challenging because the Mr. is going to be gone for most of it. He was accepted into the Stanford Executive Program after his company asked him to apply. We are all super proud of him, but that means he will be in Palo Alto, California for the summer. This program is super intense and is a sun up to sun down, Monday through Saturday kind of thing. We will be heading out for a visit for a few days, but I really want him to be able to concentrate and get the most out of this amazing opportunity. Convincing my kids that I’m really the genius all knowing one in the family is getting harder and harder with him being such a smarty pants.
Thankfully my mom is home for the summer and we are all pumped to have Gigi back at the lake. I will once again don my boat captain hat and she will be my first mate and spotter for the many tubing and skiing trips around the lake. Sidenote, the best time to take your kids tubing is when they are really hitting that last nerve. There is nothing more satisfying then tossing them all off around a curve when you are pulling them tubing ;) If you grew up on a lake you know what I mean! I understand all too clearly now why my dad delighted in tossing us off in the weedy part of the lake!
I hope you all will extend me a little grace with what is sure to be a less frequent random posting schedule over on the blog. I’m sure I will be on Instagram a lot more trying to share little snippets here and there. I’m also thinking of just doing shorter form posts for the summer? A few quick photos of what we are up to? We shall see! Oh and I definitely will be blogging about the basement redo soon as well. The new carpet was installed and it looks SO much better. Here is a little sneaky peek!
Thanks so much to all of you who have hung in here with me over the years. I started this blog 7 years ago just as a creative outlet when I was home with a toddler and a newborn. I really never expected anyone other than my mom would read it! God dropped this whole thing in my lap and it’s been such an adventure and blessing for our family. Our pastor just finished up a great sermon series about work found here. How all work matters from wiping little kids noses, to performing heart surgery, to designing a house. It made me stop and think that sometimes I feel like having the ability to run a blog or make a room pretty is a ridiculous job, but it has allowed me to connect with all of you. It has changed so much over the years and I’m so blessed you all have allowed this to become my full-time job, but with the flexible hours to work around being with my family. Truly thank you for every time you come over here to see what I’m up to, or click on one of my links, or buy something from the shop our home page. All the comments and encouragement and tips – it’s so fun to interact with this community and you all brighten my day!
Oh and for a little trip down memory lane here is how my kids looked when I started this whole thing –
and now – STOOOOOP!
Huge shoutout to my friend Kari who has been photographing our family for years. She also talked me through setting up my first website, since I hardly knew how to turn a computer on (still don’t most days!).
Our last photo shoot went a little awry when the Mr. (my biggest kid) fell into the lake mid-shoot. Yet these will go down as some of my most cherished photos ever, even if I look like a drowned rat.
Wow, I guess I’m feeling a little sentimental over here today so excuse my long musings! Happy Summer to you all!
We are just heading home from 2 weeks spent traveling the Lake Michigan shores when I came across your blog, how fitting!
I am trying to decorate our Florida condo and searching Pinterest for ideas. Your home looks wonderful and I am sure we passed right by.
I’ll be a new follower.
Oh thanks so much for following along Carol I hope you had a fantastic time in MI!
My dad went to Stanford as well when I was about your daughter’s age. We moved from Lake Orion Michigan for a year to be with him & it was the best decision ever… although all he remembers is studying and tests.
You must spend some time in Menlo Park & Sausalito when you visit. It’s magical.
Keep blogging… I love seeing your pictures. I reminds me of growing up in Michigan on a lake.
Thanks Tori, I’ll be posting all about our trip later this week!
PLEASE DON’T STOP BLOGGING… NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU ARE ABLE TO FIT IT IN YOUR BUSY SCHEDULE…. YOUR BLOG BRINGS SMILES AND HAPPINESS TO ME EVERY TIME I LOOK AT IT… NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES.. (and trying to get plans together to build our own dream cottage — hopefully VERY MUCH like your beautiful home. Thank you!!
Thanks so much for the encouragement Donna!! Good luck with your dream cottage!
You are so sweet thanks so much Donna! No plans to stop blogging as of now at least thanks for all your support and encouragement!
That last pic says it all! Dan embracing his family, you looking lovingly at Dan, Dan looking lovingly at your children! It brought tears to my eyes. Enjoy your summer, Kelly. ?
Thanks Jil, we are going to miss him SO much!
I have been enjoying your blog sice you started. You have a very inviting and relaxing way of decorating.
Greatings fron Ontario.
Thanks so much for hanging around this whole time Tina :)
I have followed you for years and love all you do! I love that you put your family first, my youngest of three just graduated from high school and it truly does go by fast so you making the choice to spend time with your kids will never be regretted. Thank you for being open about your faith too and sharing about your church. Keep doing what you’re doing!
Thanks so much, Kristin I really appreciate the feedback! Sometimes I wrestle with how personal to be on here since some people are just here for decorating – thanks for the encouragement!
I love the water pictures!! The comments about the tubing resonate with me too – I can’t tell you the hours and hours I have spent on the water doing the same thing.
Here’s to a hot, sunny summer!!
Thanks Jane! Hoping it warms up soon, this rain is driving me nuts!
Absolutely the correct decision. . . but you already know that. You’ll never regret it. And we’ll still be here. Happiest of Summers to you.
Thanks for sticking with me Kayden!
Thank you for sharing I hope your summer is full of lots of love and the energy you need for the two children in addition I hope your stay in California my home state is wonderful I’ll be just across the bay from you. Your blog always offer so many beautiful ideas and you certainly deserve some well-deserved time to enjoy your family and keeping your priorities straight is a wonderful idea they don’t stay little for long enjoy your time – God bless you
Thanks Sandi the kids are so excited to explore your beautiful state, I can’t wait to take them! Thanks for your encouraging words!
HI KELLY – Even tho I’m relatively new to your posts, I’ve enjoyed them immensely ever since discovering Lily Pad. But — I often wonder how wonder-women like you do it all, have it all, be it all, and stay sane! :>) Your last post here totally makes sense! You guys look like a wonderful family, with you as wife/mother/encourager/decorator, and all that goes into it! You sound like your priorities are straight, and doing all you can to have the best family life ever! Actually, I think your post is a call to PRAYER! I’m gonna pray for you, your summer, your husband, your kids, and sweet doggie, and family life right now! So glad yo mention these things in your blogs, so we can you are human and have needs to get through it all, even in your delightful setting!
Ha oh gosh the sane part is questionable at this point!! And truly thank you for your prayers that means SO much to me!!!
I have followed you since the beginning. We have two kids, 13 months apart, who also grew up on the lake here in Canada every summer. I’ve been a spotter, but never brave enough to drive with them in tow — I was afraid I’d run them over! They have now hit 22 and 23 (and one of them played for the Grand Rapids Griffins these past 3 years off and on). As they moved away for hockey and grad school in PA, I followed your blog more closely and hoped to run into you in one of the shops you recommended around GR (not a stalker – honest!) I loved all your ideas, bought the J Crew jacket, painted my furniture, and made your window boxes my window boxes. I wondered when you would have to slow down, as your two beautiful children required even more of your time than they always do. Enjoy every moment. Wishing your husband continued great success (we have a friend who did the program at Harvard and it was life changing — in a good way). Thank you for all your ideas and inspiration. You have a gorgeous family and a wonderful heart, thank you for blessing us all by sharing them with us all these years. I will have to spend more time on Instagram I guess :)
Oh wow that’s so cool Lynette we love to go to Griffins games! And I would love to run into you anytime, here’s hoping it happens :) So good to hear that your friend liked the Harvard program the MR. debated about applying to that one too but he felt the Stanford program aligned better with what he wanted to study – we are hoping he gets a lot out of it! Thank you so much for you hanging with me this whole time!
Hi Kelly,
Love your family photos. I was often told when my kids were little “enjoy your time with your kids because they grow up so fast” Now I know how true that is. My youngest of three is a senior in college : )
Have a fun and safe summer!
It really does go by way too fast! I’m trying to soak it all up!
Love this post! Nothing but grace for you. Enjoy your summer even through the tough times. I am alone a lot during the summer months as my husband is called out to the fires through out CA. you can do it, mama! I literally LOL’ed with the tubing comment as I am currently on a lake camping trip and all we have done is tubed with the kiddos. I have always enjoyed your blog and look forward to each and every post ❤️
Thank you, Natalie and thanks to your husband for serving in that way – amazing! I can’t even imagine! Have a great summer!
You have a beautiful family so enjoy them! They grow up too fast! I love your taste and enjoy seeing pictures of your beautiful home and your Mom’s Florida home too!
Thanks so much Susan!