Five Minutes with a Mom: ‘Kelly’s Korner’ Kelly

Name: Kelly Stamps

Daughter’s name and age: Harper Brown, 4 1/2 months

You have the super popular blog, Kelly’s Korner. How long have you been blogging and what prompted you to start? I started blogging about 3 years ago.  I just wanted a way to record our lives. I’m not into scrapbooking so I hoped this would take it’s place.  I think maybe 3 people (including my mom) read my blog for the first 2 years. ha! I have a lot more readers now – but it’s still a way for me to write things for me to remember.

Why do you think your blog strikes a chord with so many women? I started being very open about our journey with infertility and I think that drew a lot of people in. Then Harper was born sick and we had a lot of people read our blog and pray for her. Honestly – I don’t know why on earth so many people read my blog – but I think it’s maybe that I try to be real but at the same time share my faith. I guess it just resonates with a lot of women out there – whether they are new moms going through what I am now, struggling with infertility like I did or single like I was for so long.

Is the blog as helpful to you as it is to your fans? Sure – I love hearing from women all over the world (I have readers in all kinds of countries!).  I love all the advice I can get. When I have a “new mom” question – I can get 300 answers just like that by posting my question.

You’re very open with your readers. What’s something you’ve never told them? I think they don’t see my flaws. People tell me I’m an inspiration to them and I don’t want them to think that my life is perfect. I fight with my husband. I have bad days. I have all the same issues/problems/thoughts that they do.

What’s some of the best advice you’ve received from your fellow mamas? SO MUCH! Everything from what to take to the hospital to what to use for teething to breastfeeding tips – my readers are quick to share any and all tips for baby raising and I love it!

You say in your bio that you met your husband on a blind date. Where did you go and what was your first impression of him? He lived in El Dorado at the time and I lived in Fayetteville (we were set up by my best friend who is his cousin) so we met halfway in Little Rock at Park Plaza Mall and spent the day together.  I actually hid in the food court to get a good look at him before I came out to meet him and let’s just say …….I was quick to greet him because I thought he was super cute! 🙂

How has being a mother changed you? My perspective on things has changed – my priorities have changed. I’m trying to become more laid back.  I’m pretty uptight and OCD and I always like for things to be “perfect” and with a new baby who wants to be held all the time and never sleeps – I can’t always have a clean house and everything all in place. I’d rather take her out for a walk in the nice weather and spend time with her than vacuum. I’m a lot more concerned about her than I am about me at this point in my life.

You attended Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia (Ark.), right? What’s your degree in? I graduated in 1995 from OBU with a degree in finance.

Have you always lived in Arkansas? I was born in Dallas and we moved around a little when I was young. We lived in Dallas, Fort Worth, New Orleans and Benton, AR.  We moved to a small town in AR when I was 11 (my dad is a Southern Baptist pastor) and I’ve been in Arkansas ever since. My parents both have Arkansas roots.

What brought you to NWA? Why did you decide to stick around? I am a huge hog fan so I’ve always loved Fayetteville. My best friend moved here a year before I did so after college – I just moved up here and got a job.  I love NWA – it’s home to me. I’ve been here 15 years and I think it is such a diverse and wonderful place to call home.  It’s grown and changed SO much since I first moved here.

What’s your favorite catch phrase? Oh – I don’t know if I have one???

Where do you expect to spend your next vacation? We are going to Gulf Shores, AL in late summer (one of my favorite places ever).

If you could take lessons for any new activity, what would you choose? I wish I could sew so bad! I have a sewing machine but I can’t even thread it. I would love to make drapes and clothes for Harper. One of these days…….

What’s your favorite way to unwind? Laying on the couch watching a Lifetime movie! ha!

One word to sum me up … BLESSED!