blast from the past

Last Wednesday we headed to a place that has just a bit of hearts...DC! Patrick wanted to attend the 10 year TAF reunion at the Department of Education and was even asked to facilitate a discussion after the Secretary finished meeting with the group. So we took the opportunity to visit friends and family. John and Jessi provided the perfect place for us to land and we were able to watch their house/dog while they were out of town for a couple of days. It also provided us the perfect opportunity to see those cute nephews and niece one more time. I was a happy camper!

Most of our time was spent visiting with friends who graciously hosted us for meals, play dates, coffee stops and swimming pool adventures. My two couldn't help, but be over the moon excited to reunite with their buddies whom they haven't seen in a year. Can you believe we were so busy visiting that I didn't get any pictures! Let's just say that each evening they were exhausted. 

We also got a chance to stop by our old neighborhood and see some of our neighbors. They were so excited to see us and catch us up with the news in the hood. Sweet Maiya, my 3rd kid while we lived there, came running down the street to hug the girls. 

We also squeezed in some fun adventures just the 4 of us like a 5 mile hike on the Billy Goat Trail followed by Georgetown cupcakes. The cupcakes were almost enough to make me want to move back, but then I thought about the traffic and changed my mind. Ha!

Our final day was spent with Anna's teacher who was so sweet to plan her own trip up to DC while we were there so Anna could take her on a tour. I mean that's just AMAZING! She had Ms. Blake last year and will have her again this year. They are two peas in a pod and it was so much fun to tour her all around downtown DC. Anna gave her a city guide beforehand and they've been chatting ever since. So when she said she was taking the train and staying at an airnb, we jumped at the chance to show her some of our favorite spots. We did 8 miles, all of the monuments and memorials, 2 museums, a food truck, and the botanical gardens. Whew! What a special memory and a special relationship. 

It was finally time to head home Monday so Patrick could return to his new job (more on that later). Our hearts were full with sweet time with special friends who made such a deep impression in our lives during our one year there. In many ways, it felt like we had never moved away and just picked up right where we left off. I knew how to get to places. My driving instincts kicked in and I gave a few honks. I remembered to take the bags to the grocery store. These are all things that are second nature now! And while part of our hearts will always be in DC, I was glad to leave the hustle and bustle behind and come home to a place with a little more elbow room. Parking spots and road lanes are so tight there! Who knows what the future will hold? I mean Patrick was even invited to come back any time he wants to give the word as they miss him. But for now we are trusting God has us right where He wants us. We'll let you know if that changes.

June 22, 2018

Yesterday was a really special day at our house. Paige prayed and accepted Jesus as her savior! I was driving home from church with her and asking her about why she didn't like to join us when we took communion. She's not allowed to take the elements yet because she hasn't made a public profession of faith, but she has the option to watch and pray with us. When I asked her about it, she replied she feels left out, like everybody else believes in Jesus and she doesn't. Well, I told her this wasn't true and communion wasn't necessary for salvation. We talked all about the gospel and then she was quiet a bit as she thought about what I had said.

I've really seen a maturity in her faith over the last year so I know she has a saving belief in Jesus, but just hasn't made it official by proclaiming it and asking Jesus to save her. She and I have had many wonderful discussions about God and His word. I love to hear her sweet prayers at the end of the day and often these are mumbled on her own after I have tucked her in and left her room. In fact, it was over a year ago that she approached me and said she felt like God was asking her to be baptized. So it was such a sweet moment yesterday to see all of these components come together.

After our car discussion, Paige and I were enjoying lunch when she said she needed to use the restroom. Well she actually went to her room and then came back to tell me she had prayed two things. The first was her simply talking to God and asking Him to tell her when she was ready. (so mature!) The second was her praying out loud the things we had talked about in the car. I hugged her and told her how excited I was for her!

She was so sweet and shy when she told me all of this. We both had tears in our eyes and she wondered why she was sad and crying. I told her God had given her a special gift of processing things with emotion. She wasn't really sad, but she understood it was a big and important thing! When big things come along she processes with all of her feelings and those come out in tears some times whether happy or sad or overwhelmed.

We had big smiles on our faces when she came inside to tell Patrick and Anna. They were both thrilled as were our pastor and a few friends whom she told in person later. We'll plan for a discussion with our church leadership and her baptism this fall. She says she is ready and excited! What a wonderful answer to prayer...something we have been praying for since before she was born. Praise God for His faithfulness!!

Drama Camp

This week was Paige's turn at camp. We selected drama as her specialty and it's no surprise that she loved it. On the first day when I picked her up she said, "Mom, I was definitely the most dramatic kid in there. When we auditioned all the other kids were just talking in their normal voice. I showed them how it was done! I used my MOST dramatic voice!"

She learned lots of wonderful drama concepts/vocabulary as well as had a chance to practice through fun games. They put together a little production of Snow White for the end of camp and Paige was Snow White! I was impressed when she memorized her lines in just one afternoon. She shows no fear on stage and loves to be in character. I think we'll have to sign her up for a bigger production this year.

Meanwhile the girls have been conspiring with the Powell kids to put on their very own production on The Greatest Showman. This isn't their first show together, but it certainly was their largest and most involved. It has taken the entire summer to plan and practice, but they finally had their performance tonight. Tickets were made and sold. The living room was transformed. Costumes were designed and put together. There were scene changes, musical numbers and background pictures. We even had a large audience-the Currys and friend, Ms. Andrea. I just love how creative they can all be and what a wonderful way to spend a summer! The show was amazing and you could tell they put a lot of work into. I have a feeling we will be seeing more shows from Powell Kelly Productions. I'll try to post pics of this soon. 

Harry Potter Camp

We don't typically sign the girls up for any sort of summer camps. In fact, this was the first year. Usually, we're travelling or doing other things and truthfully, I'm a little stingy with my time with them. Summers to our family mean hanging out together, reading, adventuring, etc. But, in the spring I was on a website looking for drama classes for Paige and stumbled across a half day camp program at the Columbia Children's Theater. They had a great little acting class and I also noticed a Harry Potter Camp. Up to this point, Anna did not want to do ANYTHING over the summer. Then I mentioned HP and well that was it.

She completed her Harry Potter Camp today. After all the anticipation and hype I was just hoping it lived up to a fraction of her expectations. She dragged out her miscellaneous HP items and practiced wizarding with Paige before the camp started. Trust me when I say it was an excited atmosphere in the Kelly household.

I had no need to fear. It was epic. Each day was themed with different activities like charms, potions, quidditch, care of magical creatures, etc. On the first day they were sorted into houses and Anna gotten chosen for Ravenclaw. Apparently, this was a good thing.

When it came time to make wands, Anna graciously used her craft time to make a wand for her sister. She even thought to put a unicorn hair core into it, whatever that entails. Seeing how she has three wands herself, it was nice to share. Potions included some dry ice and slime making.

By far her favorite days were those spent playing muggle qwidditch. They made their own broomsticks which were so beaten up by the end that you could barely make them out. She was a chaser (perfect for a speedy girl like her) and was able to shoot the quarfel into the hoop. When I picked her up from camp on the first day of this craziness, she was beside herself with excitement and told me "it's intense, Mom!" and "it feels just like it does in the books and movies, like we're really flying!" I also learned there are real collegiate teams that play this sport(?), including USC. I think this will influence her college choice.

This game also has a good amount of snatching in it...Anna's specialty

On Friday Paige and I had the opportunity to see her showcase where we witnessed some great magic tricks, saw a book of monsters and witnessed qwidditch. She was right...it's intense! All in all, it was a great week for her. I loved that she was with like-minded kiddos, dorking out over books and being imaginative. Next up, drama camp for Paige...

this week

Well we're getting back into the swing of things this week. Patrick left for a conference in Orlando on Tuesday so the girls and I have been hanging around and enjoying time. Bless them, they've been so busy this summer that I'm not sure they know what to do with a little down time. We've had to work through some sisterly fighting!

Some highlight of this week have included Anna's much anticipated Harry Potter camp and little dates with Paige. Anna has been so excited about this camp and I was just hoping it lived up to her high expectations. No need to worry, it's been epic with wand making, spell casting, quiditch playing and all around general Harry Potter reenactment. She's in heaven.

Paige and I have had some time at Starbucks where we practiced whistling. She's not quite there yet, but the attempts are funny. We've also been to a $1 movie and the library. Patrick even took her solo kayaking before leaving.

And both girls have taken turns making dinner this week. Anna selected teriyaki chicken bowls from her kid cookbook and Paige did some yummy blueberry pancakes.

My favorite dinner of the week was the nearly free one from Chick fil A for Cow Appreciation Day. All the mom's were there with their cow look alike children. I joined up with Emily and her crew and the girls went to play with them afterward. Winning!

Other than that, we're hanging out, reading, visiting the local market and generally running a muck in the backyard. I've had to replant my entire summer garden minus my zinnias due to bugs and heat. So I've been just as much in the backyard as the girls. Fun times!

trip to TN

We just got back from our week long trip to TN. This was the first time we were all together at Gary and Kathy's newly renovated home in the country. Their addition is beautiful and a great space for the family to hang out. We also utilized the newly screened back porch quite a bit. How lovely to sit out there and watch the kids playing in the setting sun while fireflies blink.

We packed in quite a bit of activity in one week. First up, Anna tested out the go cart Grandpa made for her. Let's just say the rest of the week she could be found racing her cousins all over the fields. She was in heaven! Fortunately she was happy to give anybody and everybody a ride. Paige also tried her turn at driving, but decided she was much more content to enjoy the ride.

My peeps joined Gary for a trip to the lake on Monday. It was a beautiful morning and the girls both did knee boarding. This was Paige's first time and she got right up. Anna also took her first attempt at skiing and got up on her first time. Of course there was also tubing and grown up skiing as well as swimming and snack eating.

Our final stop for the day was Big Ed's pizza which is mandatory. Needless to say it was a success. What a fun day!

One of the main reasons we were there was to celebrate Patrick's grandmother who turns 90. We were able to gather with family for a nice dinner and even meet several people we had never met from across the country. I was in charge of pictures and it was a little nerve wracking organizing so many people, but in the end we got the pictures we needed and enjoyed visiting.

The 4th of July was a little hectic with 60 people visiting our house. We hosted two separate groups each with a meal. I was so proud of Anna's help preparing and Paige's entertaining abilities. You can tell we've done this a bunch before! It was so much fun visiting with family, shooting off fireworks, catching fireflies and eating. In the end, we were all happy, but exhausted.

The next couple of days were much more low key. We hung around the house, played outside, rode go carts, splashed in the pools, blackberry picking, baking, haying, went for walks and enjoyed a hike at the nearby Frozen Head State Park. Gary also broke out the little boat and took the kids for a ride on the pond. There's just so much to do at the farm!

These cows got an earful! 

Anna, Great Grandma Kelly and the doll she gave Anna a few years ago

We ended our stay with some homemade cinnamon rolls thanks to Patrick. He actually had to do two attempts as the first ones turned out terrible due to a really cold fridge that prevented the dough from rising. No worries, the second batch was devoured.

It was a fun week and we were all happy to return to our own beds. I LOVED seeing my niece and nephews whom I haven't seen in a year. They are so big! They adored Uncle Patrick and begged to be picked up any time he was in the room. One of my all time top moments was when Carson arrived late on Saturday night and came running down the hall to give me the biggest hug. I missed you too buddy!

gift offerings from some sweet toddlers who pick up everything and bring it to you!