My Everyday featuring ... Casey Chappell

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
Settled into marriage, balancing two very demanding jobs and expecting our first child, my world was turned upside down when I was told at 28 weeks that my son wouldn't live past birth. For 10 very long weeks we prayed for a miracle. God did work a miracle the night Asher was born and the nights to come in that He held me close to His heart and carried us while we cried and embraced the emptiness that loosing my sweet baby boy brought.

Just 4 months later in a series of unexpected events a tiny baby girl was placed in our aching arms. We needed her just as much as she needed us. God knew she would bring so much healing to our home. Then 10 months later with just a few days notice opened our hearts to a newborn boy who needed us to be his foster family for a few months but now are over the moon to be his forever family for a lifetime.  

As if having two little ones so close wasn't crazy enough we really felt led to just start the beginning steps of an adoption process from the Congo. We knew then we would have some time on our hands to prepare. Insert heavenly laughing here. A 9 month whirlwind of paperwork, fundraising and growing excitement brought us across an ocean and into an unsteady nation and into the lives of not 1 but 2 congolese cuties.   

So now, as a mom of 4 who are 4 and under. I'm surrounded daily with the laughter of little ones, the cries for mommy and constant reminders that life is precious and to treasure those whose lives have been entrusted to you for however long they have been entrusted to you.

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?

I would say that my favorite part is two-fold. First, I adore the one on one moments I get with each of my kiddos. I intentionally make it a priority to cuddle, kiss on, tickle and hold each of my babies on their own during some point in the day. I cherish those moments and breathe them in like sweet air to my soul. Secondly, Because I know that making the choice to have a bigger family will directly effect each of them, I can't help but to smile and enjoy those moments when they are all playing so well together right after breakfast. They pitter patter around playing and letting their imaginations run wild, their adventures become bigger and their joy becomes greater because they are interacting and sharing and imagining with their brothers and sisters.

[#3] Name Instagram MOMS who inspire you.

@angiewarren / @naptimediaries / @jess_cudzilo

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?

So many. I'm not one who adjusts to change easily, yet my life seems to attract it by the bushelfuls. As a former professional hairstylist and photographer my days were filled with creative expression, so to be thrown into a world of everyday tasks that seem anything but creative, let's just say it's been difficult at times to get used to. But I've come to realize that just being a mom to so many little ones requires a constant use of creative forces in order to keep things humming. I just have to approach things differently. Maybe I wear a cute hat instead of get a shower....Maybe the kids can have a picnic on the floor instead of clearing a project off the table...  Maybe a friend gets talked to on the phone that afternoon or they might get a text that asks for a raincheck.... Maybe we order out instead of dinner getting cooked....  maybe the day looks more like a dance that when done right, and even when steps are added that weren't planned, can still be a very beautiful fulfilling creative achievement.

[#5] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?

It would have to be the kids jumping on the bed or flying of the couches .... because it depicts a lot of tiny bodies with abundant energy and lots of togetherness, and that, my friend, is what the Chappell home is all about.

[#6] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings. 

*The one of Kids before and after sippy cups. With a 1 year old, a 2 year old, a 3 year old and a 4 year old we have all sorts of fits being thrown, boo-boo's being made, teeth being cut, and feelings getting hurt. So sometimes (when my immediate attention isn't required) I have to take a photo to remind me to take a breath... and to remind myself that at one point I didn't have a baby to soothe and they didn't have a mommy to run to.

Be sure and follow @caseychappell on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms