Saturday, March 8, 2008

ABOUT ME!

Hello and Welcome!

You have landed at Aroma of Joy and I hope you will enjoy your visit! Please allow me to introduce myself and tell you a little about who I am.

My name is Kelley and I have lived in the Kansas City area all of my life. I am married to a wonderful man who loves me in spite of myself and together we are raising 7 children.

About those children, here is the FAQ:

1) yes they are all ours
2) yes I gave birth to all of them
3) no there are no twins
4) yes I know what causes that
5) yes we are done

Actually the best question I was ever asked was by my little girls school counselor:
"So, did your husband's first wife die?"......
I had to think about that for a minute......I am his first wife!

The next question people usually ask is, "Do you work outside the home?"

Well, yes and no. I serve outside the home. I am the Associate Teaching Director (ATD) of a Community Bible Study(CBS) class. It doesn't pay monetarily but I believe I am building my bank account above! My children like to say they will be driving their "ghetto cars" past my mansion in heaven some day!

Through my role as ATD at CBS I have begun writing devotions & speaking to women through teaching lectures. As a result of this experience I have discovered a purpose in my life beyond being daughter, wife, mother......So as I teach my little birds how to fly, I too am testing my wings!

Oh, did you ask about my leisure time? Well besides grocery shopping, laundry, cooking, cleaning and driving kids all over....

I love to read, go to the gym, travel, work on my bible study and of course go shopping! I also love visiting with old friends as well as make new ones so please come back often. Oh, and don't forget to let me know you stopped by!



25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! I can't believe the councilor asked you that.
Your kids are beautiful. I'm the oldest of 5, so from a biggish family. My husband was the 12th of 13 (combined families) , but no one ever really thought that too odd while he was growing up since he grew up in Utah.
Fun party post!

Melissa in Mel's World said...

Hey Kelley!

What a beautiful blog you have! I am so glad to have popped over here to meet you! (I must say I LOVE your hair in your photo...hair girl here, not in profession, but good hair IS important) <-- Wow, that sounded shallow, sorry...just know a great cut when I see one. Ha!

I am shocked, and yet not surprised at the questions you have received about having 7 kids, but hey, those same people will never been blessed with a football team of grandkids, now will they? Ha!

It is so nice to meet you...I would love it if you stopped by to visit me a bit over in Mel's World at http://www.melissamashburn.com.

Take Care,
Melissa

Joyful said...

Kelley...this is amazing! Thanks for doing this wonderful meet and greet! I feel like you and I jumped into the middle of a friendship, but it's so wonderful to read more of your background and what makes you 'tick'. I can't wait to see your next post.
Have a great evening.
Joy

Anonymous said...

My Aunt Marilyn had 7 children. I loved having so many cousins...I had only one younger sister and one younger brother. Now I look forward to having a family of my own...I would LOVE to have a big family!

I'm inviting you to party with me!

Win some chocolate from my-sister-in-law and I...we blog about CHOCOLATE...me from Australia...and her from Michigan. Here's the link: http://thechocolistas.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-blog-party-2008.html

What am I doing in Australia? I married an Aussie...and moved to Brisbane, leaving my family and friends and all the right-side-of-the-road drivers in America.

Win a handmade pocket place mat from my blog Comfort Joy Designs. Here's the link:
http://comfortjoydesigns.blogspot.com/2008/03/ultimate-blog-party-2008.html

Want to know more about life in Australia? Visit my A Cup of Joy site where I keep up with my family and friends in America. Here's the link:
http://acupofjoy.wordpress.com/

Happy Partying!

Anonymous said...

Hey, I had to come back and see the "party" post. Very nice, and I loved the slide show!

Angela Baylis said...

It's so nice to get to know you better! I love all of your answers! I think I told you I am one of 7 children. You are an amazing woman! I love how your children say they will be driving their "ghetto cars" past my mansion in heaven some day! That's great! You are a great mom! I will be back to see your slideshow!

Thank you for sharing!
Love,
Angie xoxo

4funboys said...

7... good for you! 4 in four years was tough - The older ones must be a great help.

you're blessed.

ps. your right about priorities... I'd rather he know God than his letters-- and I'm a first grade teacher. ha

Melissa~ said...

Hi Kelley!

Love your party, and your writing. I so wish I was going to the conference so I could meet you in person. Maybe next year!

Thanks so much for having us! Brought ya a little hostess gift!

See you again soon!

Melissa~
Pink Paper Peppermints

Anonymous said...

I too live in the KC area and we have a CBS that meets at our church, I wonder if it is the one you teach at? What a beautiful family and blog, come on over and check out my party.

Unknown said...

Hey Kelley,

Great party post girl! I especially love the slideshow! I just know if we lived down the street from each other, we would be buddies! You rock girl!

Teri

Glass Half Full said...

Nice to meet you Perky Pink! =)

And 7 children...oh God bless ya!

Lori

Yolanda said...

Thank you for sharing a little more about yourself.

Drucilla's Stitches said...

Stopped by to say hello, I came across your blog through a friend. Enjoy reading your posts, very inspiring! Have a great week!
I love your playlist of songs, how do you add this?

Rhonda said...

What a great blog you have! Your children are Beautiful - no wonder you had seven.

The question posed by the school counselor was laugh-out-loud funny.

You look as young as your children!! (You started young, right?!)

I'm doing my first giveaway - feel free to enter. It's Starbucks coffee!

Melissa said...

Ok...your family is gorgeous and you are funny! No twins, huh? WOW! I'm not sure I could have endured childbirth 7 times (I barely survived 3!).

I'll bet you have great stories to share so when I'm done checking out the other 900 blogs having a par-tay I'll be back!

2nd Cup of Coffee said...

I love coming here and am SO glad we found each other!

Pam said...

Kelley~

I really, really enjoyed the tidbits you shared in your party post. I can't wait to browse some more and get to know you better.

Stop by my party post, too, if you get the chance.

I'll come back soon!

Tonya said...

Kelley,
Not only did I enjoy your blog party, I also just got caught up on the posts I've missed since we went out of town. (I LOVE your sense of humor) I think the one that touched me most is your precious young son and his trouble with the alphabet. He struggled with the first, but GREATLY OVERCAME when he told of his GOD! How PRECIOUS is THAT??? You are obviously doing a wonderful job as "mommy," if he knows his LORD above anything else. I'll confess that after we learned our son had relapsed with cancer (and told he WOULD NOT survive) I CHUNKED his school books. (I homeschool each of them) What was more important? He was about to meet his JESUS! Yes, an education is very important in this world... but a RELATIONSHIP with the CREATOR of this world is the ULTIMATE! So give yourself a pat on the back and KNOW that you are doing a GREAT and MIGHTY work in your little man! =-)

A Captured Reflection said...

Awesome blog! Wow what a wonderful, full and rewarding life your lead - your joy comes through and blessed me heaps!

Anonymous said...

Kelly, I am sure if you looked through my blog you would have recognized that I attend Indian Creek. Wow, to find somebody that close in this blog type world.

Susan said...

Hey Kelly,

This was just great! You are such a gifted writer. I love coming to your blog.

You always make me smile~

Blessings to you my wonderful new friend.

I'll be back!

Aunt Angie said...

HOW NEAT! Kelley...you are an awesome encourager! Just reading what you do...and knowing you have 7...ahemmm blessings...made me tired! God is good!!!
Thank you for your sweet comment on my LWG post!

Missy said...

Kelley I am a BSF girl - is an ATD like the teaching leader - who gives the big speech? Or like a discussion group leader?

I have been wanting to do CBS for a while, especially since they have childcare for babies. But the closest one to me is about a 15 min drive :( Still might be something to consider for the fall.

Nise' said...

Nice to get to know you more! It kills me what people are bold enough to ask! Yikes, boundaries are sure shifting.

Lisa Smith said...

So nice to meet you! What a beautiful family you have! I have four children and get asked "are they all yours?" since they are all about the same size and not that far apart! I usually say, "I hope so!" or "We're still not sure..." (My husband is real funny)
Thanks for sharing.