Kelli. in real life

The Afterglow of a Perfect Weekend

This past Labor day weekend goes down in history as one of the best weekends of my life.
It was nothing short of wonderful, amazing, and unforgettable.

I grew up as a only child (biologically) in a small town in West Virginia. growing up I hated it. I found the slow pace boring and couldn't wait to venture out into bigger cities. We lived in a nice family oriented neighborhood where the neighbors held block parties, garage sales, and even sometimes cut each others grass. Friendliness was a way of life for us.

Our neighborhood was primarily white, but there were a few Greeks, italians, and us; the only African American family until my teenage years.

Although I couldn't wait to move; I remember the "safety" I felt. I knew my parents loved me. I knew my neighbors were looking out for me. I knew my friends (for the most part) wished me the best. I felt "SAFE".

In 2002 when I moved to the Detroit area I lost that "safe" feeling. I walked into unchartered waters. I encountered alot of jealousy, deceitfulness, and rudeness sometimes even in the Christian community. I wasn't used to experiencing this on a regular basis.

Even when my husband and I married; I married him because he had so many "genuine" qualities about him. There was no ulterior motive or intention. He wasn't too good to be true.....he just was.....good....and that was him. I felt "safe" with him. But life came at us fast, and within a year of our marriage I was pregnant, not working, and he was laid off from his job.

It had been a while since I had felt "safe" in my surroundings. We live in a very nice area, but due to circumstances out of our control we have to move soon. Its scary to have to pick up your family and move when you planned to be in a certain place for at least a year longer. My husband works full time but is not currently playing the bass, drums or keyboard at a church on Sundays which used to help sustain our income along with his full time, and my part time job. And although I believe God will give us more healthy children in the future; having a miscarriage this year shook me in an unexpected way.

I realized I've basically been living with a "what's next " attitude; waiting for the next tragedy or "fall out". I've become so accustomed to "not so good" things happening, that instead of asking God to keep us from them, I just ask God to continue to strengthen us to handle them when they come.

This weekend, I felt "safe".
My parents came up and spent the weekend with us, and it was literally perfect. We spent the weekend swimming, relaxing, reading, and spending quality time together. Not once did we disagree or get tired of one another. It was beautiful fellowship.

As I watched my parents with my son, I reflected on those days when it was the three of us. I felt safe because their love was unconditional, and still is. Its not based on how much money I make, how much weight Ive gained or lost, or whether I finished college or not. They love me because Im theirs. And that love; a love that God put in them to share with me, makes me feel "safe".

I am so thankful for my precious family. Daddy, Mom, my husband, my son, my stepson, my Mum Mum,my in-laws, and my "sisters" Mel, Kita, Jeane' and Anna. I have realized that though life has thrown us a few curve balls this last year, we ARE safe, and we HAVE SEEN GOD...because he has shown us His unconditional love through our family.

We are blessed.

This is me in real life.....Kelli.

Loud Green Frogs

It happens every morning around the same time; somewhere between 6 - 6:15 am.
My husband's alarm on his IPhone goes off and our room is filled with a bunch of LOUD GREEN FROGS. Yes, my husband chose the sounds of "ribbiting" frogs over a sweet symphony, or a ringing bell to wake up to every morning. He prefers to wake up to GREEN FROGS

Of course I don't mean that in a literal sense. I just mean that the sound coming from his phone is so loud and shrill that it fills our entire room. My husband seems to have a hearing problem between the time he goes to bed and the time he actually wakes up; so in spite of a crying child, a whining cat outside, or even the loudest alarm clock I've ever heard; he doesn't wake up without a nudge from me; sometimes more than one.

To top things off, he then pushes snooze until at least 7 am. So picture this; every 10 minutes from 6 and 7, my room is filled with loud, green frogs and my husband is absolutely oblivious; while I'm desperately trying to wake him.

By the time he actually does get up (a little after 7); I've been up for over an hour warring with loud, obnoxious, hopping green frogs. Not a very pleasant way to wake up every morning.

I love you babe, but the frogs must DIE!

Homebody or Social Butterfly???

The last 2 weeks or so, I've been putting in some extra hours at work. We've got a few things coming up that require a little extra money. Instead of expecting my husband to "hand it all over', I've been doing what I can to bring in some extra revenue so we can move(in a few weeks), get some new furniture (thank God), and I'm supposed to go away with a friend for a week. (yay for mommy!)

In my free time, I've noticed I've been out and about more than usual. I'm normally the type that likes to be at home, curled up in front of the tv or reading a book; just relaxing and being quiet. (Well as quiet as quiet can be with a 2 year old).

Lately, I've been meeting up with friends for coffee, going to the movies, having playdates, or just venturing out on my own more often. It's not that I'm a shy person (the thought of me being shy is hilarious), nor am I quite the loner. But the truth is, I actually don't mind being a lone. Biologically, I'm an only child, so I'm used to entertaining myself.

What I've noticed is that the last 2 weeks have been emotional and filled with lots of ups and downs. Some of those "downs" are still kind of "up" in the air. There's been death, overdue bills, misunderstandings with loved ones, etc. Both my husband and I have sort of "taken turns" finding outlets to keep us sane. He's been playing at gigs, and indulging in a few rock band challenges with some friends. I've had more "coffee and/or movie" dates more than ever. And together as a couple, we've enjoyed fellowship with other christian couples.

It's a weird season in our lives, but both us have found strength by managing our time well, communicating honestly, and having some good, healthy fun.

How about you? When life throw's you a curve ball do you tend to stay home, or do you come out of your cocoon and socialize to keep your mind off things?

Who needs an alarm clock?

When you've got a 2 year old who loves loud toys?
Picture this; my husband and I are snuggled up together enjoying the fact that neither one of us have to be at work until later on in the day. Our assumption was that our 2 year old was fast asleep in his room. However, one of us must have sleepwalked into his room and let him out of his crib, because SURELY he didn't climb out on his own.
It was such a good sleep.

Until our son puts his "hip hop escalade" on our bed, right in front of my face, and pushes one of the yellow buttons. Now look closely at the picture. This baby has SUBWOOFERS.

Boom Boom Chi Boom....ba boom boom Chi Boom!!!!!!

And naturally, my son starts dancing and making noises.

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

.......come to think of it I'm STILL trying to figure out how he got out of his crib.

This is me....sleepy....I mean Kelli, in real life.