she writes, “It was the tale of The Velveteen Rabbit, a book I had read to Lainey on many occasions, its most poignant and memorable words coming from the Skin Horse — the shabby old toy who shared the truth with the Velveteen Rabbit when he wanted to know what it meant to be real. The wise old Skin Horse, of course, told the inquisitive rabbit, who confused being real with being flashy and new, that being real is something that happens to you when you are loved. And when the rabbit asked if being real hurts, the Skin Horse answered honestly. He told the rabbit that, yes, being real sometimes hurts but that being real makes you not afraid of being hurt. In his final words to the innocent rabbit, the Skin Horse tells him that by the time you become real, you don’t look so pretty. You might not work like the other toys or look as lovely but that it doesn’t matter because when you are real, you can’t be ugly. I remember crying when I had read that story after Nella was born, comforted by the greater truth that my baby girl didn’t need to be flashy or like everyone else to be real. But I realized something re-reading that story a year later — something I never thought to consider. The story of the Velveteen Rabbit was not about Nella. No, it was about me.” (Kelle Hampton, Bloom)
if, by some small chance, you live under a rock, and have not read nella’s birth story. go here and read it. and then read the rest of kelle’s blog, in it’s entirety. all morning and all night the next two weeks. you think i’m kidding?
sensational.
misty
what great memories 🙂
and when i first found kelle's blog, i did the whole "read every post without stopping" thing and was completely in tears.
i want to read bloom too.
glad y'all had such a fabulous time.
looked like a little piece of heaven!
tracy
so while i love your lake post and the pics were great….i must comment on the link to kelle's blog. i am sitting here crying in my cheerios. what a wonderful story. thanks for sharing.
kaylee@life chasers
This looks like my ideal vacay.
Is this the lake house for October?! (still so sad I can't come)
Your kids are off of the charts cute.
I just told my husband I want a nose ring just like that.
Cory
Love this so much!
I laughed out loud at Foster just smiling while smoke consumed his face. Hilarious.
Unknown
looks like such an amazing time. glad you enjoyed your trip. i miss lake/cabin time with the family around this time of year.
lesleyzellers
Well hello friend! What an incredible vacay and such fun pictures.
Nick
o.m.g. loved!!!!
Sarah Crosby
love everything about this… we are lake people.
my inlaws live on a lake… it's almost like vacation everytime we go over there… except it's the inlaws so ya… not always relaxing… did i just say that?! 😉
Unknown
I just wanted to say that I tried making this grilled pizza you speak of and it turned out to be a totally scrumptious success! Thank you for this!
Bee And San
What a happy post!! so nice to read this!!!:)
Glad you r making so many memories with your family!! <3 <3
San
beesandsans.blogspot.com
Stephanie
i love your posts….i either laugh, or cry, or cry-laugh. Well, pee, i guess!
kate
you know why it was okay if Story didn't sleep?…because you are your are on Vay-Kay at the lake!
corn on the cob carriers. love it
fishing pics. love it
pic on Story with her little hand in her mouth. love it
i love moments like that…from vacation, that are burned in your brain and give you fuel to get through the year..you see the picture and it takes you back to that moment when you knew you were breathing in Gods perfection with your family by your side.
i want to see a picture of you jumping!