Bits of Pretty

This week I've been surround by "bits of pretty".  In magazines, photoshoots, nature, my bedroom, and I'm swooning over the pink vintage dress I found today ♥

XOXO

Kelly

Laney

I've known this beauty since she was just 3 years old. Her and Caitlin have grown up together. Had there battles and made up over and over again; yet still remain the best of friends. They are completely opposite; have been since they were little.

Yet they still remain the best of friends to this day.

When she was little she had the most gorgeous curly red hair that reached nearly down to her butt! LOL

I'm so proud of the beautiful young lady that you have become Laney. You are smart, dedicated and all about a great person.

Love you

Kelly

Girls Day

.Sigh. I had the best day yesterday. Spent with my bestie, Jen, her daughter, Laney and my girl, Caitlin. We laughed, shopped, spent time at the bookstore (picked up a copy of Kristin Hannah's latest book (the sequel to "Firefly Lane" "Fly Away") and then went and saw, "The Purge" which by the way was excellent. I had my doubts about whether or not I would like it but it kept you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend it.

Caitlin was relaxed and laughed and had a good time. It was good to see her laugh and made my heart smile. It was just what we needed.  A girl's day together.

It's been awhile since Jen and I had anytime to spend together so it was good to see her and hang out for the day. Stopped at this darling store called, "BLING BLING SISTERS, which I'm going to do a write up about later on when I find the time, haha.

When I can tear myself away from editing and reading my book which I'm already so engrossed in. Doing a photoshoot with Laney today so I'm looking forward to that. Kinda of a whimsical fairy tale theme.

Hope everyone has a great father's day and a glorious Sunday.

XOXO

Thank you

I just want to say, Thank you to all my friends who have reached out and offered their concern and support since my last post on FB last night.

I'm genuinely warmed and overwhelmed at the response I've gotten from people I haven't talked to in quite a while. People who I'm not even really that close too.

It really helps to know that there are people who are in the same situation  that Caitlin and I are not alone. And that their are truly caring people out there who care about Caitlin and wanting to help her through this difficult time in her life.

And I thank you and God for that.

XOXO

A Grateful Mama

Troubled Waters

 I had to make a really tuff decision tonight. I'm struggling with my 13-year old daughter, Caitlin. She is having some problems coping with life right now. I've gotten her into therapy with the hope that that will help. Tonight I made the decision to take away her cell phone for a month. She constantly lives on it. She has a problem communicating with people. Her way of communicating with others is through texting. In fact, that is how she talks to me. And if she does talk to me it is with attitude and I am beyond my wits end. Right now she hates me with a passion. Most days she is filled with a lot of anger. I try to talk to her but she refuses to open up and discuss anything with me. Right now I am the enemy and I have no idea why. This is very difficult for me and it is tearing my heart apart. I honestly don't know what else to do. This is consuming my days and nights. I'm sleeping very little these days, and am suffering migraine headaches due to worry and tension between us. I'm asking my friends on FB to please pray for Caitlin and I. I need God's strength and wisdom to pull us through this very difficult point in our life. Thank you very much. All my love. Kelly

A Daughter ♥ My Caitlin

My Cate.

She's such a complex mystery right now; at this age. She's in the middle of trying to find herself and find a spot where she belongs in this world. She's lost and I'm fighting to help her find her way and direct her in the right path. She's stubborn and resisting me every foot of the way. But what she doesn't realize is I'm her mother. I love her. More than I love life itself. I will fight whoever or whatever stands in the way of her happiness; even if it's the devil himself. And even if it's her.

Caitlin, I'm not here to be your friend right now. I was given the job to be your parent. To help guide you; make decisions for you; because regardless of what you think baby girl; no, you do not know everything just quite yet. I don't even know everything yet. I'm still learning; everyday. I fight everyday just like you do to be happy; and to enjoy the simple things in life.

I know you think I don't know anything but I do know alittle. Just ask your sister and brother. I'm trying to stop you from making the mistakes I made; that your sister and your brother made. I want a good life for you. I want more than anything for you to be happy and successful. But most importantly, I want you to love yourself; because YOU ARE WORTH IT.

You are beautiful, witty, spunky and have many talents that I would hate to see wasted.

 Really, it's simple. Just be happy. Enjoy the simple things in life. A walk down a country lane with a loved one. Picking berries in a strawberry path. Holidays with your family. Looking at photographs. Reading a book, yes reading a book. You can lose yourself into a whole other world through a book.

Don't be so hard on yourself and don't let others treat you badly. For you deserve better than that.

I know as a mother I've made mistakes. And I'm sorry for those. I'm going to continue to make mistakes because I'm human. But I do know that I love you more than anything and I will do anything in this world to make sure you are happy & safe.  So you can hate me, fight me all you want, I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be right here pushing you everyday to be the best you can be. I'm not  ever going to give up on you.

For one simple reason,

Because.

I. Love. You.
Heart.
& Soul.

XOXO

Mama

My Darling Child Caitlin

When I began thinking of
All the Unfulfilled Dreams
That I left behind in the
Journey of life
God sent you my way
To tell me that the
Best is yet to be.

Pastel Pretties

I'm in the mood for Pastel Prettiness today.

Today screamed Summer! And thunderstorms are on the horizon. I'm feeling the need to be close to family, softness, pastel colors, coziness and familiarities .  For being thankful for all the blessings in my life.  Three wonderful children whom I cherish more than anything. Three beautiful grandchildren. And my Special Princess, Alayna. A wonderful husband who I often take for granted. The fact that my mother is still here and will be 87 years old in September and is in reasonably good health.  And the opportunity to do what I love the most; shooting photographs.  It's a way for me to express how I feel when words often fail me; like today.

When there is no need for words; where a look or a touch will suite the occasion better. 

XOXO

Much love always

Kelly

RIP Tom

I'm tying to enjoy the simple things today. The place where I get all my photo work printed, buy all my camera equipment, the place I go too sometimes, 3 or 4 times weekly, is filled with a sadness today. I walked into the store today and even though I had already known by this time, there was a gloom that hung over the store. The owner, Tom who was diagnosed with cancer in January passed away at 7:30 am this morning.

Now he wasn't  a particular pleasant person to be around. He was a strick business man who had little concern or regard for his employees. Most of them who remained loyal to him and have worked for him for over 20 years or so.  I've gone to this store for the last 4 or 5 years; sometimes 3 times a week to have work picked up. I know everyone who works in the store. Most of them by now I consider to be good friends of mine. Every time I go in there we chat and I'm usually in there a good 15 minutes or so. Now most of the time Tom would very rarely talk to you. Occasionally he has struck up a conversation with me, and cut me a deal once or twice.  But more or less, he was not a particularly friendly person; especially for someone who owned a business.

Still, I'm sadden at the loss for his family. He didn't have any children, just a sister and a brother.  And I know the store is being taken over by a great guy who will no doubt bring much success to it and definitely be a lot more pleasant to work with.  But it saddens me that a life is gone and at such a young age. I'm not one to judge anyone; and I don't know the battles that he climbed or struggled with in his life.

So for today I will respect him and mourn him and hope that he is at peace.

XOXO

DAYS OF SUMMER

Often times, I have so many thoughts racing through my head at once it is so hard to sit down and put them into a complete thought without having to make a mental conscious note of it. Lately my head seems to be off my head and floating around above me somewhere. Where that is I simply have no idea. It just seems to be out there floating around in a million different circles; conjuring up a zillion different ideas and thoughts of things I want to do; things that need to be done; and things I'd like to accomplish within the next year.  

I have to write a note anymore of things I need to get; things that need to be done now; and things that can be put off for a later time; or I simply cannot remember everything.  And then there is always the problem of feeling so overwhelmed where I just want to go to bed and pull the covers up over my head.

I love summer; but it goes by way too fast. And this year we've had so much rain we've barely had anytime at all to get out and enjoy it. The bugs are horrible this year and if we do make it outside by the time we get back in we are all eaten up! .Sigh.

Today was a complete loss because of a migraine so I accomplished absolutely a big fat nothing.

I would like to go down to the bike path and take some shots with my polaroid of the wooden swing but I'm more than certain I'd get eaten alive down there by the creek!

So for now I think I'll make a nice glass of tea and sit on my back porch where it is screened in and enjoy the warm weather from there.

XOXO

Kelly