Miracles

"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle." --Albert Einstein 

Miracle of Medicine

Everyone, doctors, family, friends, and most important baby KyLin, was prepared for surgery. Even before she was born they knew what was wrong & how to fix it. It’s hard to see her like this but we’re all grateful for the technology and modern advances in heart surgery. 

She is very strong, pulling through amazingly well.   Just one week after her surgery and several weeks before expected she was released and able to come home. We went over to see them when they got home and everyone was in good spirits. This is the actual missing piece of Gore-Tex that is creating the separation in her heart chambers.   Considering an infant heart is about the size of a walnut that’s an impressive amount.

 

Miracle of Work

In case you start to wonder why it’s just me posing for all of these pictures it’s because there is a NO MEDIA consent form that says we won’t take pictures of the plant or processes.   So people can’t steal Idahoans potato magic making secretes.  SO I’M ACTUALLY BEING VERY SNEAKY FOR THIS BLOG….SSSSSHHHHHH

Since January I’ve been working at Idaho Supreme Potatoes.   

They are in a production agreement with Idahoan.   Look for them.

I started out in the front office as the Receptionist / secretary.    A few of my tasks included: handling applications, temp agency time sheets, folding/ selling T-shirts (uniform), and filing papers, answering the phone, handling the switchboards and organizing the office.  The first of March the regular receptionist (who was on medical leave) came back and I moved upstairs to Accounts Payable/ Receivable.    Here I ----receive, fax, file, and Final Notice Invoices, tally barley, corn, hay and straw prices from the feedlot, calculate the truckers fuel and mileage for each Haul by state, and organize their packets into Load, Log, Tickets, Tolls.   Plus a whole lot of other Paper work/ filing stuff.   Basically whatever they need me to do.  

Miracle of Timing

Preston just completed his 3^rd year of the Electrical Apprentice Program.    However “with the economy in the crapper” there is no construction happening in southeastern Idaho.   And Construction or otherwise jobs are hard to come by.   We’ve have been unemployed since October.     My job was a real blessing, giving me peace of mind, but it was temporary when I took it--5 months max

And now we see God’s Timing.    The very same day I gave my 2-week notice, Preston started working at the Firth Mill and Elevator.   He got a call around noon saying they might be looking for help--went over to see--come home 5 hours later covered in grain dust.   WOW.

Miracle of Location & Miracle of Scripture

When looking for your Miracles don’t forget they can be as simple as where or when.   My job is 3 miles away.   Prestons job is 26 seconds by car OR 24 by bike OR a whopping 85 steps out the back yard.  You may not notice things like this as Miracles but lets start counting.  

#1 He comes home for lunch.       

#2 We’re saving a butt load on gas 

#3 He’s getting exercise by walking  

#4 He’s close if I need him (baby coming soon) 

woRK & weDDinGS

Ok the outrageous physical pressures of the media and social expectations to be skinny and thin have gone far enough.     I mean really an  Anorexic fire hydrant

On to other news.  Dan & Malena have been working like crazy to get their basement ready for renters by semester.  Since they both work & are still in school, we help when we can.   Here we are (OK Preston  is) putting the final touches on  4/9 and the renters are coming 4/13.

While the boys were finishing up Malena & I took a load to the dump.  

We weren't quite sure what to do.   “Hey what if they stop us or get mad at us for dumping where we’re not suppose to?”   

Dan --“Malena just act blond, and Sierra you can be pregnant.”  

It sounds dumb but it worked.   They stopped us at the gate cuz we had 10 B plates in Jefferson county.    “Oh really…well this is actually my husbands truck he just sent me to dump this stuff and I don’t really know what to do.”  The tendant gave us a temporary sticker, directions on where to dump the various items and told us to let our husbands know to change the licence for next time.   Up in household we started unloading.  The watcher came to make sure we were separating it correctly.  My turn...I puffed out my tummy and grunted as I lifted the drywall scraps.  “Oh hey you're pregnant let me.”   He let us dump everything but the wood & carpet.  Blond & pregnant allowed us to shrink 4 dump sights to 2. HA HA HA  It was kind of fun really.  They have separate piles for absolutely everything.  Household, garbage, metal, TV’s, mattresses, wood, cardboard, appliances, animals, ect.  

Now that I've been involved in remodeling, I’m starting to notice when things aren't quite right.  Take our church bathroom stalls. I’m thinking #1 --off centered  #2 --if they had to put it  there maybe you could at least move the T.P. and Fem. Box to the other side?   Of course they did leave space for your head to fit between the two when your sitting down.   How thoughtful.    

Bowling for our elder’s quorum party was a blast.   They rented the building for like 2 hours.   We all played at least 2 games.    Surprisingly I wasn't the worse player though I am blaming my amazing score of 68 on the fact my balance was way off and I couldn't get into proper form.    And just in case you were wondering the “you’re not suppose to steal the bowling ball” jokes never got old. ;)

Taylor Wheeler and John Wayne Ashcraft.  04-16-2011

The Wheeler girls are the closest thing to sisters the Kelly boys have.

"I love weddings, they're so final and festive.  Like funerals with

Champaign.  --Eureka”      

Speaking of an occasion for hard liquor…have you ever taught the CTR 4?  

Ironically last Sunday the lesson was on the Word of Wisdom.  And it went fairly well. No one was sitting in the corner or out side, we didn’t have to bring out the Naughty chair, and everyone got to color and have treats at the end.  Yes even Preston.
The boys have a hard time sitting and being reverent.  Last Sunday Preston cornered them under the big chairs and the wall.  They were trapped but quiet and humming along, so we let them stay there.  The girls are sweet.  They all want to sit on my lap, and cry or talk to each other if I don't pay enough attention to them.   IT'S A TRAIN WRECK EVERY WEEK.   But it makes me happy when I know they have listened and understood.  Even if it’s not quite right.

At the end of the lesson they have to answer a question right to get their coloring paper. 

According to the W.o.W. what is good to eat?   Carrots, apples, chimichangas

According to W.o.W. what is bad to eat?     Worms, Dirt, Poop. 

Close enough 

A Season for Welcomes

#1 Cousin Angel Allen got home from her 18 month mission in Detroit Michigan.   She came home to 3 pregnant sisters.  It was exciting because she only knew about one of them.   It was funny to see her reaction.

#2 Andy & Holly Jensen welcome their first baby--Emily Jean Jensen.  ( Ohhhh I want one! )

#3 Next is the 4^th and final Kelly boy to return in honor—Elder Carson Kelly back from Ventura California.*Pam was super excited for Carson to come home.   I don’t’ think she was quite ready to be an empty nester—or Marc’s ONLY personal slave…Oh I mean “helper”.   We arrived at the airport 15 min. before his plane was to arrive so we could be front & center.   As we walked into the airport we were greeted by --- ELDER KELLY!  His plane was Way early.   It was kind of sad.   He looked like a lost puppy.   Oh well after the initial shock and hugs all around, it just makes for more laughs and a good story.

#4 Crystal and Andy Lyon bring home baby #3 Waylen.   For the first 2 weeks of his life he was required to wear these cute little leg braces because his hip joint was under developed and loose.   He was affectionately referred to as “Forest Gump” and “a little frog"

#5 Karl Jensen also returns from his mission in Philadelphia, P.A.

#6 Last but not lease was the arrival of my newest Niece or my 1^st cousin-once-removed.  (WOW that doesn't sound redneck or anything.)  KyLin Bella Kelly, 7 lbs, 7 oz.   She came Monday the 28^th.    There was some concern because she has a heart condition.   Truncus Arteriosus.  There are a few different defects, but the basic one is a hole in her heart between the un-oxygenated and oxygenated chambers.    It was such a relief to see she was so alert and vibrant. Surgery starts April 4th.   Our prayers are with JD, Echo & family. 

Stay tuned for more exciting arrivals

Jessica, Rockelle, & Me

All due in June All within 6 days of each other All Girls   How fun!!!

Time and Talent

 I signed up for a quilt kit from relief society’s humanitarian days.   People cut out the squares and make bundles and others take them home and sew them together in rows.  Then later we can have a quilt tying activity.   Mine wasn’t perfect, but I had fun.  Plus it was service.  Sort of.

Preston’s Grandma Southwick taught me to make croqueted flowers for your hair.   After a slight learning curve I really went to town. 

Syringa was also inspiring with her Grocery bag purses.   Preston was kind enough to help me make the yarn.  That’s the hardest part.   They are cheep and unique.   I also experimented with Baling Twine. 

Now that the ground is thawing Preston is excited to get started on some projects of his own.    His first priority is to fix our driveway. It was a patchwork of concrete pieces.  He’s breaking them up and hauling them away.   Yeah no more potholes!   Later we’ll smooth it out and add gravel.  

  

After sitting all winter some of the equipment needs some TLC.   The motorcycles we were able to pull start with the ford, but the lawnmower is being difficult. Then when the new part for the Ferguson didn’t fit Preston turned to the line in the famous motto from the Great Depression that says “make it do or do with out.” 

 Hey Spring is here!!!   
Lets Get off our butts & Bike, Sew, Swim, Walk, Picnic, or PARTY.    

After all LIFE IS MEANT TO BE LIVED.