Filtering Life

Remember this???

Published by Kelly July 24th, 2008 in Home sweet home. 2 Comments

You may remember our AWESOME, and what I mean by awesome is CRAPPY, surprise 7 days after we moved into our house where we had a “minor” (major) plumbing issue which caused all sorts of stress and drama….yet we ended up saving up enough to get an awesome bathroom renovation and new dry wall ceilings in the kitchen. I never did “after” photos of our kitchen.

Now let me preface this by saying the positives about our kitchen:
1-IT IS HUGE!!!
2-I love having an island to work off of
3-It has lots of windows, which I love
4-Lots of storage space
5-It has great wainscoting
6-IT IS HUGE!! (We had a galley kitchen in our last house, so I feel like I died and went to heaven.)

The cons:
1-The linoleum. It looks like a really ugly church kitchen floor that perpetually looks filthy and then the not so swift guy that was working on our ceilings dripped purple DYE on them. Let’s take something ugly and make it crappier…AWESOME!

Exhibit A:

2-The appliances. Gas stove that is in just so so shape and the worlds tiniest refrigerator….I HATE my refrigerator. I have envy of two of my friends massive, stainless steal fridges. SIGH…..someday.

3- The back splash on the sink and stove….the grout is NAST!

Exhibit B

4- The counter tops….cheap is as cheap does. The island looks like it has press board on it. Just cheap.

5- The sink and faucet. It is old, stained and the drain looks like a sewer pipe!

Now before you think I am ungrateful or “why did you get the house”. We LOVE our house. but…BUT it is old! So we knew going into it that we would need to love on the bathroom and kitchen which, let’s be honest, you will get your money back tenfold when you go to sell.

So future plans (hopefully in the fall…fingers crossed) we will get tiled floors, mosaic tile back splash, new counter tops, new porcelain sink and a sweet bronze faucet. The cabinets need to be painted and lacquered and the open cabinets need glass doors. OF course a NEW fridge!!!!

So here it is in it’s current state. Cute…just not polished. The potential is endless!

Can we draw attention to my favorite view in the morning…..

My wonderful husband is the first up (relatively speaking) and makes the coffee…just another reason to love him. I can walk straight into the kitchen and have warm, sweet coffee in my throat 30 seconds later. THANKS RY!!!

My window herb garden…let’s hope it is dummy proof. No green thumb here.

So there you have it. Just another peek into our cozy little cottage. Cheers!

What we have been up to

Published by Kelly July 22nd, 2008 in Uncategorized. 8 Comments

Thank you guys for giving me some fun facts about yourselves in my previous posts. It was really fun to read a little about you! For those of you who asked. That was NOT easy to come up with 100 facts. It took me all day popping on and off the computer adding things as I thought of them. It was fun though.

Okay…so life is yet again in FAST FORWARD mode. God is just blessing our business more than we could have ever imagined just 2.5 years ago. It is indeed a blessing and a curse. If it were all we had to do then we would be sitting pretty. Unfortunately, Ryan works full time for the school district as a web designer and I am home all day with a toddler and baby who do not think it is fun to sit at my feet quietly while I am on the computer. This makes for long, late nights editing our brains out. I literally have almost 5000 pictures to edit in the next 30 days. I WANT TO PUKE THINKING ABOUT THAT!!!!! When it rains it pours.

I refuse to be bitter because we love what we are doing and it is allowing me the freedom to be home with my ankle biters which I double heart love!

Anywho….please go and check out our recent labors of love. We are very proud of our most recent work and feel like God is opening our eyes up tremendously to new techniques, cleaner editing, more creative directing and all around better quality photos. You can not imagine how hard it is to be creative for hours on end when you are working with people who may or may not be easy to direct, may or may not be photogenic, may or may not have a ton of chemistry. It is also hard when people pick places you have shot many times. You want to make sure their photos don’t look like everyone elses! Can I get an amen from other photographers????

So go go go….I am not fishing for compliments, just want you to enjoy some of our work and understand the big fatty gaps in my blogging.

If you want to subscribe to our Kellan Studios flickr feed….we will be happy to friend you! We only use Flickr for the pictures we put on our blog. We have a proofing site with all our galleries…but that is for our clients. No looky loos available.

Enjoy some young love…..amore!

Me, glorious ME!

Published by Kelly July 18th, 2008 in For Kicks and Giggles and Kellyisms. 30 Comments

Seeing as I have the think tank the size of a gnat lately….I just can’t come up with any topics. I know it is a common blogging practice to write 100 things about yourself. I honestly don’t know if i can up with 100 titillating (oh man….love that word…WINK!) things about myself. But if you really do want to know because you are writing a book or regularly stalk me and my family…well here you go.

1. I am a horrible speller. A world without spell check would be disastrous. Like my first sentence in this post where I spelled gnat with a “k” instead of a “g”. Yes, I am THAT bad! Michigan education failed me!
2. I am massively computer illiterate. I was on the cusp of the computer being madatory for college….like you might have been required to have one internet source for a research paper….I never really learned and I am a total technology mooch off my husband.
3. I am a trend whore, ( although I will never, EVER pull off skinny jeans and I am not stupid enough to try) I get bored so easily and always want the next fashion. Thank God for Target and TJ Maxx…I can make a cheap version of most things.
4. Decorating makes me very very happy
5. I care much more about E News than CNN News.
6. I have five tattoos. You can imagine how happy that makes my parents. Only one is visible to the public on my left foot. It says “He leadeth me”. My stomach has a butterfly (how cliche) with the Greek word for “redeemed”, my back was three sittings and has vines and flowers and a Christian fish with the Hebrew word “righteous” and my left ribs have a sun thing with the sign of the trinity in it.

7. I only regret my rib and back tattoo.
8. I actually used to love my stomach (pre babies…dang babies…DANG DANG babies.) It was the one area on my body genetically small and easy to maintain.( I know…don’t hate me) Go one inch below and it is a different story. I miss it…..a lot.

9. I always wished I was 3 inches taller. I am 5′2″…but 5′5″ seems easier to buy clothes.

10. I love doing Chloe’s hair and I am secretly way more excited than her to play dress up and Barbies….I can’t wait till she is old enough
11. I lived 9 years in Michigan, 9 years in New York and 14 in Virginia, but will always consider myself a northerner even though you couldn’t pay me to move North again.
12. I don’t enjoy breastfeeding AT ALL…but I know it is best for my babies and isn’t forever.
13. I have traveled to Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Kyrgystan, Kazahkstan, Turkey, Northern Cyprus, Southern Cyprus, Mexico, Venezuala,Dominican Republic, Pureto Rico, and of course Canada. Love me some Canadians…you guys are some faithful readers.
14. I would love to be paid to travel and write travel guides on the best places to go, eat, and be entertained. Anyone, anyone…want to fund this dream?
15. I do crack myself up and think I am darn funny. (Does that sound conceited? I hope not)
16. Blogging was an obsession the first year, after I let it go…my site grew!
17. I love my hair and I am sad I cut it…VERY VERY sad. It will be a long year growing it out.

18. I cry when I watch Extreme Home Make Over. Really anytime someone is down and out or has a disability and something awesome happens to them. It makes my heart so happy.
19. I think people with Down Syndrome are adorable.
20. My favorite color is green…but orange and red make me very happy.
21. I have spinal degeneration so I have not slept a whole night through since I was 20 years old…that is 12 years of getting up all night long to adjust or pee. I miss sleep and wish it wasn’t so hard for me.
22. I hated going to bars. I felt dirty and desperate. I would much rather stay home.
23. I find guys more fun to be around than girls….I think it was because I only had a brother who was fun and funny to be around. Girls are too catty and serious most of the time. LIGHTEN UP!!!!!
24. I get a little rush of excitement when I splurge on a People or US magazine.
25. I have over 100 pairs of shoes. But I haven’t hardly bought any new ones since having children.
26. I am not into real jewelry.(minus my wedding ring) I would rather have Gadzooks plastic jewelry anytime.
27. I have a hard time receiving gifts.
28. I am a horrible gift giver…I can NEVER think of something someone would want when it is their birthday.
29. I think my husband is sexy when he throws a baseball or football.
30. I wish my ankles were smaller
31. I am a boy when it comes to movie taste. My favorite movie is “Braveheart” followed by Gladiator and Saving Private Ryan.
32. I wish I could learn how to dance like they do on So You Think You Can Dance. I should have stuck to dancing and not gymnastics.

33. I know nothing about car brands. I say, “the red car” or the “big black truck”. Doesn’t interest me. I would be horrible guessing prices on the Prices Is Right for vehicles.
34. I am very discerning about people and can figure out the real “issues” immediately, especially when it comes to their past and their relationships.
35. Most people don’t want to hear the truth, so I have to keep my mouth shut or it gets me in trouble.
36. I am easily annoyed but almost impossible to offend

37. I am very good at impersonating people, horrible at accents, wonderful at writing stories, terrible at telling stories or jokes.
38. I give too many details when I talk.
39. My favorite number is 11
40. I am still insecure when I think about my high school years.
41. I love to read and miss having time to devour a good book
42. I love doing photography with my husband.
43. I sleep with a body pillow every night that has a brown pillow case and we call it my “Poop pillow” or my “Turd”. That word is hilarious. Turd Ferguson anyone….anyone?
44. Josh Lucas is my Hollywood crush.
45. These were my favorite jeans of all time before I ripped the crap out of them stepping off a ladder. RIP jeans.

46. The only veggie I can’t stomach is mushrooms…GAGGGGGGG!
47. I had salmonella poisoning and a parasite all at the same time.
48. i lost 32 pounds because my small intestine shut down
49. I was glad I got sick, it took off all of my college and depression weight and all I had to do was poop a lot! Not a bad gig.
50. I hate not having a tan.
51. This is a picture that Ryan took of me back in 2004 where he knew he wanted to date me.

52. This is one of my favorite pictures of Ryan and I. It makes me smile everytime I see it.

53. I did my own hair on my wedding day because the stylist screwed it up.
54. I want to write a book, but I don’t know about what
55. I love having a really really ridiculously tall husband (6′6″) and I still get amazed when he can touch things that are really high up. Never gets old.
56. I am fairly certain I could survive on the following foods: cheese puffs, cheese, cream cheese, chocolate, caramel, coffee, bacon, steak, mashed potatoes, ….can I go back to bacon. YUM!
57. I think Sandra Bullock could play me in a movie.
58. I wish Dwight Schrute was real and lived next door to me.
59. I have a hard time being serious in a photo.

60. If I could bottle Chloe’s laugh and Bennett’s chatter and sell it, I would be rich. It could melt an iceberg.
61. I sing out loud all day long. I love to sing. Let’s hope my children like my voice.
62. My fingernails are really strong and can grow really long
63. I wish I could experience living in different environments like a major city, internationally, on the ocean, in the mountains, and on a boat.
64. My heart comes alive when I am doing missions work. I love serving overseas.
65. Sarcasm is my middle name….or it should be. I don’t understand people who are literal.
66. I have a compulsion about the couch cushions. I straighten them a million times a day even if I am going to come right back and sit down on them. OCD maybe?
67. I love my daughters butt. It is so cute and bouncy…it makes me laugh when she runs.
68. I had two surgeries on my left calf to remove a massive birthmark. One when I was 7 the other half when I was 13. I have a 9 inch scar on my calf and part of my muscle was removed so it looks a little funky.
69. My favorite form of exercise is swimming.
70. J-Lo and I have something in common…but i just can’t put my finger on it.

71. There is not much I won’t share about myself or not say.
72. I like being silly, even at 32.
73. I have never been to a real music concert.
74. I wish I had the guts to try out for a musical
75. I wouldn’t know what to do with an IPhone
76. I think Chloe looks like me as a wee one

77. I LOVE being a mom and my kids are the shiznit, but some days are boring if I have to be honest. I am looking forward to them being a little bit older so we can do more.
78. Being a special ed teacher for children with autism was so hard and SO interesting.
79. The only poster I ever owned was of Kirk Cameron ( I am obviously a teen from the 80’s)
80. I always wonder how people describe me when I am not around. “You know Kelly, she is…..”
81. I wish I wasn’t so afraid to try new things
82. i want to sky dive
83. I hate my profile (My crescent moon face)
84. I love the smell of coffee, fresh bread, laundry detergent, peonies, and a good sale
85. I have a really really hard time with emotionally needy people, arrogant people and mean/inconsiderate people.
86. I suck at napping. I probably only take 10 naps a year. I wish I could turn my brain off to sleep during the day.
87. When I smile really big I show a lot of gum. I call it my “horse smile”
88. I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome which makes for some GREAT stories. Just not funny at the time.
89. I think farting is hilarious and can smoke Ryan out any day.
90. I find my kids to be incredibly cute, devilishly sweet and funny and the biggest blessing ever to happen to me
91. I have a husband that loves me no matter what. It blows my mind sometimes. He is awesome
92. My life is different than what I thought it would be and yet it is exactly as it should be.
93. I would love to know what people will say at my funeral someday
94. I know how to laugh at myself

95. I love Ryan’s legs…he has great calves.
96. I have a fear of drowning, being set on fire, or suffocated. Gives me the heebie geebies.
97. I consider myself to be really well rounded and able to talk to anyone from any walk of life.
98. I am a born sales woman.
99. I laugh A LOT! My crows feet are proof.

100. I was able to come up with 100 things you may have found boring, enlightening, interesting or egotistical. Nobody made you read! Care to leave five interesting facts about yourself.

The Chloster

Published by Kelly July 15th, 2008 in Chloe Grace and Photoganza. 19 Comments

When is that moment that you pass from infancy to toddlerhood to childhood. There are moments I look at Chloe and I don’t know when it happened, but it did. Just a mere 20 months ago she was born in to the world.

Last week as we were hanging out on the porch I saw a little girl. One mindlessly eating pretzels, chatting away, getting on and off of a chair, nothing really special…but she looked so old! It is exciting and sad all at once.

With her growing independence I get more thrilled that we can communicate more, but with independence comes a stubborn will. She definitely has some donkey in her! Like mother like daughter.

I love her neck…it is so pretty.

She will kill me for this one day. Her little knock knees….like mother like daughter!

And so time goes marching on and so my little girl grows, learns and expands her world. I am so thankful to have a daughter. One that is so sweet, funny, sensitive, and intelligent. She teaches me patience, joy, love and how to laugh from my belly.

I realize the last few posts have been a bit melancholy. I don’t apologize for such things. So many things the Lord is teaching me and a deep appreciation for those around me and my family has swept over me. Ramey’s death has been a wake up call on many levels and I am so thankful.

her last breath

Published by Kelly July 10th, 2008 in Life in General. 23 Comments

Beware…this is heavy.

When I moved to Lynchburg back in ‘94 to attend college I began looking for a church to call home. Within my first year I settled on what would be my church of now 13 years, Grace EV Free. To say I love my church would be an understatement. It has been my rock during a long hard 10 years of my life. A support to my marriage and children. I have some of the most amazing friends and mentors. I am forever grateful for my time here.

One of the best parts of my church is the worship. Our church has a full band along with lots of really unique instruments. Just full of talented artists and song writers. Most of our songs are unique to Grace and some are common worship songs and hymns.

There was one particular girl who went to our church in the mid to late 90’s. Her name is Ramey Reeves. She is one of those girls that is just effortlessly “cool”. She never tried hard but she just had that really amazing sense of style that was thrown together but worked. Didn’t wear any makeup or style her hair…and yet she looked amazing! She has an infectious smile and laugh. You just instantly liked her. I didn’t know her well, but I wish I did.

Ramey was on our worship team for many years. When she sang, she sang from her toes. You knew she didn’t give a flying flip what she looked like. If she wanted to lift her hands, she would. If she wanted to cry, she would. There was one particular song she used to sing a solo on that is one of my favorite songs. This song runs through my head all the time even 10 years later and I can hear Ramey’s voice in my head and all the little licks and runs she would put into the song to make it her own. I call it “Ramey’s Song”. I love her voice!

She moved away sometime around 1998, got married and had a little boy a few years later. It wasn’t until a couple months ago that I heard some devastating news that she had brain cancer and was about to undergo a second major brain surgery to remove a tumor. Instantly I signed up for her husband’s blog to follow the journey, praying with so many for a full recovery for her. The news was touch and go day to day. She struggled greatly to recover from her surgery having very little function or ability to communicate as well as losing sight in one eye. Still the prayer warriors marched on standing in the gap asking for a miracle.

Last night I was checking my bloglines and saw there was an update. As soon as I read the first line my heart sank so deep in my chest I actually gasped. Ramey had breathed her last breath yesterday and was home in heaven.

If you only have a few minutes, please, PLEASE read her husbands entry about her passing. I can only hope and pray to have that sort of grace and heart of worship if I were to lose Ryan. This entry also includes one of the most amazing things, a dream her seven year old son had last week. If you don’t cry after reading that, then I question whether or not you have a beating heart. God has a way of preparing us, even children to come to peace with his mysterious ways and timing.

As I crawled into bed last night no longer able to fight back tears. I looked across at my husband as he was talking and thinking this simple act of laying in bed with my husband talking about our day is no longer available to John and Ramey. I had gone up stairs to check on my children giving them one last kiss and thinking that moment is no longer available for Ramey’s son Judah. A wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend was gone.

I have not been exposed to much death. It is still a relatively abstract concept for me to deal with. I realized last night as I was grieving for Ramey’s loss it opened up the doors of my heart to a bigger concept. One as a parent you don’t want to dwell on. What if I were to die, what would happen to my children? We have a host of family and friends that would be there to support Ryan, Chloe and Bennett….but not to have their own mother…what would that be like? It is an unbearable thought to me.

This morning I have spent a good deal of time crying on and off asking God for some peace and clarity that I may come to terms with the finality of death and the glory of eternal life with him. One free of pain, tears, or evil. The selfish side of me doesn’t want to let go of anyone I love. I know it is because my mind can not imagine a world beyond what my senses experience right now. The riches of glory in heaven pale anything that this world has to offer. It isn’t that you can’t grieve the loss of someone and thank goodness her husband and son have the assurance that they will be reunited some day by the saving grace of Christ. I can not imagine not having that hope, how devastating.

I want you to enjoy two songs by Ramey. Listen to the lyrics, they will blow your mind given her circumstances and ultimate departure. I haven’t stopped listening and singing all morning. My heart stirs with so many emotions as I meditate on the words and picture this vivacious girl, the one with her hands held high singing boldly into the microphone now singing at the feet of Christ.

I don’t have many hero’s, but after reading this article and watching this video, learning more about her last few months and how she handled this devastating situation, I most certainly call Ramey Reeves my hero.