in two fridays

6 a.m. will be the best - unlike this Friday at 6 a.m.

I will get to try more of these types of photos.

I only had my camera for a week before this picture. Hopefully I have learned something in a year. However, there haven't been too many beach silhouette opportunities since then!!

I will look at these in person. Not just as our desktop background picture.

Dylan will say this to me! He knows I love this more than anything. :)

And then we will spend the rest of the day with this little 1 year old!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

the 'A' word - adoption

I don't know who reads this blog - if anyone - but it is obvious what types of blogs I read. I read a lot of adoption blogs. For the most part the families I follow along with are nothing like Dylan and me. At this point in our life.

So why do I read these blogs...

I have a few things in my life that I truly feel passionate about. Adoption is on the top of that list. I feel adoption in my heart so strongly. However, I am not the type of person to shout my beliefs from the mountain tops so at this point in my life my thoughts/desires about adoption are mostly internalized.

When I first started reading adoption and family blogs I knew very little about adoption. I thought I knew, but in reality I had no idea. I have learned so much about the process of adoption. Not the paper process, but the real life process. The joys and the PAIN.

I do not feel comfortable enough or know enough about adoption to openly talk about it. I do not have the personal experience of adoption so how can I really act like I have any idea of what it is all about. My only connections are blogs and a few distant family friends. Dylan and I are far removed from even the beginning stages.

I do know that I can not stand people's ignorance about adoption. It is the one adoption topic where I have no problem speaking my mind! The ignorance I see and hear greatly upsets me. I even have family members who honestly do not get it. At all. Almost racist like. It is painful.

Some of the question and comments I hear are ridiculous to me. "Don't you want to know what your child would look like?" I honestly do not have that desire one bit. An adoptive child is my child - that is what my child looks like! I do not care who's eyes or who's smile.

"Why do you want someone else's kid?" To me, if that kid is my kid he/she was always meant to be my kid. "Why don't you adopt within the US?" Sure, I will, that is an option. I do not care about where the child was born. Like I said, that particular child that becomes our child was always meant to be our child. Our family will be made of God one way or the other!

I do not know how Dylan's and my life will play out. We don't have that magical crystal ball (oh goodness do I wish we did sometimes!). I do not know how or when our children will come into our lives or if we will be fortunate enough to experience adoption.

But, I am so thankful for the community of blogging adoptive families. They are my connection and my resource to a world I want in my life. I am so grateful to have found each blog I have listed as a favorite. Each family is different and real. I have learned so much about the world, about others and about myself by following along with their daily adventures. And each day I realize more and more my heart's pull toward adoption. Thank you families.


This post was very personal for me. However, I had to write it because I wonder what the few people who do read this blog think when they see a list of favorites full of adoptive family blogs! :-) It also felt great to shout my thoughts from this mountain top!

i got burned

and zapped. Zapped really good.

Yesterday morning while getting ready for work something happened to my blowdryer. Nothing was out of the ordinary of my morning routine so I have no idea what happened. All of the sudden I felt pain in my arm, heard a loud crackling noise and then I smelled electrical burning stuff.

Honestly the first few moments I thought it was Dylan playing a joke on me. I started screaming because I thought the joke was going to far - it was painful! When I realized what was happening it was kinda scary. :-)

After I accessed that I was okay my vanity instantly took over. The thoughts in my head: Is that smell burned hair? Is my hair okay? I can't see the back of my head, I need a mirror, is my hair okay?

I was so relieved that the smell was electrical stuff inside the blowdryer and that my hair was spared. I only could have burned down the house or possibly been really hurt - but my hair was okay! :-) I am not so proud of the thoughts I had immediately following my little blowdryer incident.

Silliest of all, we just had electrical training last week at work! I learned all about major electrical safety and also about the minor at home stuff like Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters! Who knew all this would come into play just a few days later.

I'm only documenting this little incident because I want to know the date my new blowdryer was purchased. I'm guessing my blowdryer lasted about 10 years. Probably not the smartest idea to test how long a small electrical device will last just mere inches from your head...

free entertainment

It has been a couple days so I guess its time for another post about the dogs! (sarcasm) Without any kids they are our entertainment!

I am so glad I was able to get this game of theirs on video (blackberry video). Lizzie and Meeka play this little game pretty often. Like in this video, it is fun at first but after the fifth time in gets annoying and loud.

Supposedly withing a couple years all of Lizzie's teeth are going to fall out (according to our vet - just another wonderful trait of her breed!) so they won't be able to play like this forever. Lizzie growls the entire time and acts so tough. In reality, Meeka is in complete control and can take the ball at any moment if she really wanted.

This video goes on for 2 minutes but they could have played much longer. They took a short break and started all over. 10 minutes after this video they were still playing with Meeka pulling Lizzie around following me. Like I said, annoying and loud!

The clicking noise in the video is Lizzie trying to get some traction on the hard wood floors. The loud noise is Lizzie growling - the entire time. Usually I laugh when Lizzie jumps on the dog pillows and is pulled along, but in this video I realized how much Lizzie whips her little body around. Too funny.

thankful for junk tv

I watch junk tv. Not a lot, but a little junk tv is too much. It is a weakness. 95% of the junk tv I watch is DVR'ed so I that I can watch it while Dylan is out of town or out of the house. Dylan HATES my junk tv and he tells me this every time he catches a glimpse of it. Junk tv makes Dylan sick - sick to think people actually act like that.

I usually use two different excuses as to why I watch junk tv. 1.) It makes me feel connected to the world outside of our little world. Yes, this is a stupid excuse but it is true. I watch what people are wearing, how their hair is styled, what foods they are eating, their activities, types of exercise, etc. We live soooo far removed from any sense of style or new happening things. Sushi is still a new concept here for Pete's sake!!

And 2.) It makes me grateful and appreciative that we do live in our simple little world up north. I watch the people be so mean to one another. I watch as their world revolves around material possessions. I watch the bratty kids who have no idea what is going on throughout the world. It also makes me sick - but then so ever grateful for my simple life!

The other night I watched an episode of Real Housewives of Orange County. One of the housewife's story was about finding a new husband. This time around she was going to find someone who truly loved her, loved spending time with her and just someone who cared about her. Sure she had a huge house, nice cars, beautiful kids but she had never been loved by her husband. It was so sad to me yet at the same time it made me reflect and realize how blessed I am to be married to Dylan.

So there I am sitting on my couch watching junk tv and thanking God for my husband! Not just thanking God but in a deep thoughtful prayer to God for my husband. All because of junk tv!!!

- Did I mention this was also the day Dylan surprised me with grocery store flowers (my favorite) at work or that when I was changing for the gym after work I found a nice card and new perfume (that I have wanted but hadn't said anything) hidden in my drawer? Talk about the best husband. I felt so loved - not because of the gifts but the thoughtfulness of it all. -

Well Dylan is off fishing for a couple days while I get ready for a week of midterms and presentations. This also means I will being watching a few more episodes of The Hills, Real Housewives and whatever else is on Bravo. By the time Dylan arrives home on Sunday I will probably have cried 5 times about how much I love him and/or how grateful I am for him. I may also be sporting a new outfit I put together thanks in part to Whitney Port.

Happy Friday!

edited: I deleted the picture of Dylan. It was over saturated and he was wearing his old sunglasses. I don't like his old sunglasses - he is much more steezy now. This picture was taken by mistake with my old camera. I like the eerie effect.

dreaming of these types of fishing days soon!!!

# 1

Happy 1st Birthday Sweet Happy Girl Grace!!!

We love and miss you so much. We can't wait to see you in just a few short weeks. We are excited to see just how much you have changed! We hear you are a pretty funny little girl.

Hopefully we can teach you something really annoying that your parents will enjoy long after we are gone. :-) Your father tormented me for years so now it is my turn to get back at him! I know you are cool with that cause remember we are down! :-)



Love and miss you Gracie Poo! Happy Birthday!!!

quiet morning

P2084374, originally uploaded by keljochr.

Sometimes these two are just the best. This quiet morning they were!

Meeka is such a lovable happy dog. I wonder if its just Meeka's personality or if its the lab in her. Meeka is so patient with and always conscious of Lizzie.

Lizzie is ... Lizzie. She has her own ideas, more like a stubborn cat. But every once in a while Liz can be a sweetheart too and she definitely knows how to put on a show for visitors.

This particular morning Meeka was stealing the sun, stealing the rug, stealing the heater vent and had the best view of the back yard. I'm surprised Lizzie didn't try to trick Meeka out of the most perfect spot! Instead Lizzie decided to share it all with her!

Of course Meeka was willing, remember she is the nice one. :-) These two hung out at the back door like this for 30+ minutes. That is eternity for these two - especially with a toy laying just inches away!

its hockey night!

This little place we call home has a completely different vibe when hockey is in town. We don't live far from the hockey arena and I'm sure when I drive home for lunch there will already be cars parked for the 7:37 pm game!

Locals leave work early on Friday if its a hockey night. Restaurants are full with fans by 4:30. Hotels are booked solid months in advance for hockey weekends. Everyone dresses up for a night on the town. No joke - part of my wardrobe is "hockey clothes" and those same clothes are worn to nice dinners and special events!!

The arena is gorgeous. I mean no expense was spared with marble floors throughout and leather seats even in the student section (and seamless glass - yes I know this but that is another story!). Pro athletes describe the venue as the best in all hockey, pro or college. Its fun to watch people who have never been to a game just sit in awe taking it all in. :-)

Hockey is huge here. Its basically life. Its tradition.

Thankfully I learned to love hockey. At first I did not get it at all. It was a social event at a sporting event. I had just never experienced anything like it before! Now its fun to get dressed up and go to hockey! Its fun to watch the town and people come alive!

All in all, it makes for a great Friday!!!


This is from a couple years ago - before I was more serious about my hockey attire. :-)




There are hockey cheerleaders! Before the game and during intermissions they cheer from the ice on skates! Sometimes I watch the cheerleaders more than the game.

# 7 fuchsia with a dot

5lb Walter!! They caught 50+ fish!! And Dylan caught the biggest and the most fish! Good Job Dylan!!!

arsty fartsy crafty macaroni gluer

A little of this...raw and on sale



A few of these...simple and half priced


Some measurements and the help of my handy husband took this...


To this!


I love it! It's totally my/our style -- of course my style but he tells me he likes it! I'm trying to make our home our home. Of course there are some definite rules to follow, but I want to live in a space that is us. Sometimes its colorful and vibrant and sometimes its calm and simple.

Yesterday I decided it was time to put up some curtains in our kitchen/dining area. We love the openness of the new patio door, but sometimes the sun is a little bright and the night is a little dark. Until yesterday I was undecided what to do with the space. But then my inner arsty-fartsy-crafty-macaroni-gluer (a quote from a former Project Runway designer) took over and voila we had curtains!

It was so much fun. I am so happy it turned out. If interested, this is where I learned all about "mis-treatments". No sewing or gluing was required for my little project. I can't wait to do this in our master bedroom!

PS - Sorry for the bad pictures. I had limited time -- I had already subjected Dylan to the fabric store and I wanted his help on future projects!

it's mine

Dylan and I are pretty good at sharing. What's yours is mine type of thing. Dylan is most definitely better than me, but I am getting better.:-) To further this, we try to make it a point not to say my, mine, his, yours, etc. For example, it's not his boat, it's our boat. She's not my mom, she is mom (or memah!).

Then there is the camera. It's mine. I try and try and try to say the camera, but physically I just can't do in 99% of the time.

Today is one year with my camera. Yes, I love the silly thing so much that I remember the day I bought it! I remember calling Dylan in a panic (he was out of town) because it was the last one and the sale price was AMAZING. We had been saving money for a new tv and without hesitation Dylan told me to buy the camera, the tv could wait another couple months. (I know, my husband is AMAZING!!)

The camera and our portable hard drive full of photos are my prized possessions. It's not the camera itself that I love so much, its the photos. I love the adventures and the memories of the photos. My camera forces me to learn, to try new things and to be creative. I love the entire process.

Don't worry - we did get the tv. I wonder if Dylan remembers the day we purchased it? :-) Either way, I truly am grateful for our camera!

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the last year. By no means am I saying these pictures are the best photos. Usually my favorite pictures are linked to the fun and the experiences behind the pictures.

did you know

01. WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING? 5:50
02. DIAMONDS OR PEARLS? pearls
03. WHAT IS THE LAST FILM THAT YOU SAW AT THE CINEMA? The Break Up. We have a new theater now but we still haven't been to a movie since 2005!
04. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? The Bachelor
05. WHAT DO YOU USUALLY HAVE FOR BREAKFAST? Coffee
06. WHAT IS YOUR MIDDLE NAME? Jo
07. What Food Do you Dislike? Venison. Unless its venison summer sausage made by the best smoke master around - Dylan! :-)
08. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CD? Carrie Underwood's Carnival Ride (its getting old but I love it)
09. WHAT KIND OF CAR DO YOU DRIVE? Tacoma
10. FAVORITE SANDWICH? Almost anything at Panera
11. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO YOU DESPISE? ostentatious
12. FAVORITE ITEM OF CLOTHING? a newer pair of gap jeans
13. IF YOU COULD GO ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD ON VACATION, WHERE WOULD YOU GO? a remote beach
14. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR BATHROOM? tan and white
15 FAVORITE BRAND OF CLOTHING? banana republic
16. WHERE WOULD YOU RETIRE TO? the mountains or lake
17. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE BIRTHDAY? 25th at the lake with Dylan, my mom and my dad!
18. FAVORITE SPORT TO WATCH? the olympics
19. FURTHEST PLACE SOMEONE IS READING THIS? FL?
20. FAVORITE SAYING? NUMBERS! and MILK!
21. WHEN IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? May 28
22. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON? Morning
23. WHAT IS YOUR SHOE SIZE? 9
24. PETS? Lizard and Meeks


25. ANY NEW AND EXCITING NEWS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? nope
26. WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE? A nurse
27. HOW OLD ARE YOU TODAY? 27
28. What is your favorite candy? the stale licorice ropes from the bait shop at the lake
29. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER? orchids and columbine
30. WHAT IS A DAY ON THE CALENDAR YOU ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO? 3/12/09 = Florida baby!!
31. WHAT IS YOUR FULL NAME? Kelli Jo N____
32. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Sirius internet radio
33. Do YOU WISH ON STARS? maybe on a shooting star
34. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? this pinkish color
35. HOW IS THE WEATHER RIGHT NOW? bitter cold (-20!!)
36. FAVORITE SOFT DRINK? ginger ale
37. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Slopeside in Steamboat


38. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? my handmade, personalized porcelain doll
39. SUMMER OR WINTER? summer
40. HUGS OR KISSES? kisses
41. COFFEE OR TEA? coffee
42. CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA? twist
43. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? last night watching the bachelor. I am a sap.
44. WHAT IS UNDER YOUR BED? Dylan's shoes
45. WHAT FRIEND HAVE YOU HAD THE LONGEST? Abby, Amanda, Ali
46. WHAT DID YOU DO LAST NIGHT? gym, grocery store, wal*hatred*mart, petsmart and then watched the bachelor!
47. FAVORITE SMELL? stepping off the plane at the beach and smelling the salt in the air
48. WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF? the present economy
49. SALTY OR SWEET? probably salty
50. HOW MANY KEYS ON YOUR RING? 4
51. HOW MANY YEARS AT YOUR CURRENT JOB? 2.5 years
52. FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK? Saturday
53. HOW MANY TOWNS HAVE YOU LIVED IN? 8
54. DO YOU MAKE FRIENDS EASILY? nope! I'm shy and quiet until you get to know me.

6 weeks

Six more weeks of winter, that's all? I would make that deal any day! That means spring would be here mid March! I'm sold.

Honestly, I'm not complaining today. We had such a great weekend. It was enjoyable to be outside without gritting your teeth or walking like a drunk penguin. If you have never experienced extreme cold the drunk penguin walk means nothing to you, but if you have lived with extreme cold you understand the walk! :-)

Dylan and I really do only have 6 more weeks of winter. We are visiting my brother, sister-in-law and niece is less than 6 weeks in Florida! We can't wait to hang with little Grace, watch the Yankees and Red Sox and just chill on the beach.The diet and the count down have begun. :-)

We love and miss you Gracie Poo.

44 with 58

44 in January! 44 degrees in January almost makes you forget about all those 30 below days - well almost. Too bad the winds picked up and gusted to 58 mph making it difficult to fully enjoy the warm temps.

Yesterday morning we went for a drive in the country (we sound like we are 80 years old!) I had hoped to get some good pics of the snow and trees, but I didn't find what I was looking for. We still had fun though.

At one point we pulled over - well actually we just stopped in the middle of the road because with no traffic in the middle of nowhere there is no need to pull over - so that I could take some pictures of a snowy path and trees. As I walked down the snowy path past a large 'No Trespassing' sign a car drives by, slows and then puts it in reverse. The car ends up being the land owner! Thankfully my husband can charm anyone and the land owner left us alone.

On the way back home Dylan drove us through a cool little town. I really liked the hills and the river that the little town was built around. We live near several large rivers that truly are quite amazing.