Anniversary Weekend Getaway

friday night:

beautiful drive up to the white mountains

dinner

movie: seven pounds

bed

saturday:

sleep in

bike ride...together!!

run

french toast, hash browns, and fresh peaches

pool (a little)

awesome thunderstorm

golfing (with the perfect smell of the afternoon rain)

dinner

bed

sunday morning:

beautiful drive home...

...to the best kids on the planet
a perfect way to celebrate 14 years...love you babe!

FYI

Just a little heads up that the blog will be going private at the end of the month. If you'd like an invite just leave a comment with your email address, or email me.

Because I don't want to assume that anyone wants an invite I really will only send them to those who express an interest. So, even if your family...leave a comment/send an email.

Hope you are all having a fabulous summer!!

Ella is 9

I need to take a break from this blogging hiatus to document my dear Ella's 9th birthday. It was at the end of May, but with the crazy events published about in the previous post, it just got lost in the shuffle.

We ended up being in Utah for Ella's birthday because of Max's accident...and Ella was thrilled. We got together with all of her Utah cousins and had a blast. First we all decided to go and see the Disney Movie "Up". I had low expectations of the movie, so I was completely caught off guard when the first 10 minutes had me bawling my eyes out. I was fine in the middle, but the last five minutes got the tears coming again. It was really cute.

After the movie we all headed to my amazing sister Shauna's house for pizza, cake, ice cream and playing in her fabulous back yard. It was so fun to have cousins from both sides of the family there. Paul even flew back in town just in time for the party. He wouldn't miss it for the world. He and Ella have a very special bond, and I love it.
Isn't she a cutie? I can't even stand how fast she is growing up.
Here she is with her rainbow cake from Grandma Mary. This girl LOVES rainbows. I can always tell when Ella's been around, because she will put everything in "rainbow order" and you find rainbows on everything she colors. She is just a bright, sunshiny, colorful girl.
Ella absolutely HATES getting pictures taken. Therefore, there aren't very many current ones to show you. She has the greatest smile and caramel brown eyes. I don't think there could ever be enough pictures of her, so I better work on her.
I know I've said it a million times, but Ella is the best big sister. I am so lucky to have her as my oldest. She has turned into the biggest helper and is always willing to be Nora's buddy. I'm sure I've said this too, but Ella is the rock star of all the younger kids in the neighborhood, church, and school. This is because she is nice to all of them, plays with them, and includes them in everything. To me that says a lot about a person. She is one of the most genuine people I know, and to me that is the most important attribute to have. There is no maliciousness, calculating, or manipulation that courses through her veins. She is good, kind, and real. I love her so much and could not be more grateful to be her mother. I love you Ella Belle...more than all the numbers!

Family Vacation...We are so blessed to have Max in our family

*written by Paul*

Friday May 22nd 1:30 PM- Family on US-60 still not sure if we will be spending the weekend in Rocky Point Mexico or St George Utah...Responsible parents decide that Mexico is not safe...so we turn north to go to St George.

Friday May 22nd 9:00 PM- Arrive unpack and go to bed.

Saturday May 23rd 9:00 AM- Fun family hike...photos pending (check for update later)...having a great time with the kids... don't fall or you might get hurt etc...

Saturday May 23rd 11:00PM- Swimming...kids are having a blast.

Saturday May 23rd 2:00 PM - Late lunch at a place called "Marv's", great food...Max eats a full foot long corn dog.

Saturday May 23rd 2:30 PM - I take Jack and Max golfing...photos pending (check for update later).

Saturday May 23rd about 5:30 PM - On the last hole Jack and Max are now more interested in bugs and rock than golf. Jack and Max each found what I remember as a kid as a potato bug, but my kids call them rollie pollie bugs, see photo. They each had a "lava rock" and a "rollie pollie bug" as we entered the golf cart. At some point there was some confusion as to who's bug was who's...which one was still alive etc... Photo of the boys and bugs moments before the fall.
Saturday May 23rd about 5:35 PM - We are cruising top golf cart speed on the cart path with Max and Jack focused on the bugs etc... Max falls off of the cart and onto the cement path. He is a tough kid...and just a sweet boy...I pick him up...brief exam, no bleeding, alert, crying, but still my little Max that I love so much...No big deal right??? Just a fall...right??? After all I'm a doctor with some training in head trauma...I should know...right???

Saturday May 23rd 6:45 PM - Start of Night At the Museum 2 movie... What a fun day for the Kelly Family...Hike, Swimming, Golf, good food, Movie... Max is on my lap and getting a little sleepy...Yet still waking to ask to go #1 about 3 times in a 2 hour show. I re-examine him. Max do you feel tired? Do you feel like you need to throw-up? Can you remember falling? He always answered the questions quickly and correct. No mental changes!!!

Saturday May 23rd 9:30 PM - Kara starts to worry more and more about Max. Should you take him into the ER? She always knows best...the credit is hers. He now has some swelling in his left temple area, yet no color changes... still alert...We decide that I should get it checked out. I had a neurosurgery rotation for 3 months, I should know best right? I got Max into the car thinking...Kara wants me to take him in, and I could not live with myself if I missed something on my own child.
Saturday May 23rd 10:30 PM - Max, myself and a St George ER doc spend 15 min or so talking...nearly direct conversation...(ER Doc) "he is so alert, his eyes are tracking, no nausea, no vomiting...Paul I think you should take Max home and wake him up every couple hours to check on him", (me Paul) "Ya that's what I was already planning on doing...", (little voice inside my head) "Paul ct scan your boy", (me Paul) "Doc you know I think we should scan him..." (ER Doc) "we could?", (me Paul) "I want to..I would feel better about it", (ER Doc) ok.

Saturday May 23rd 11:00 PM - Max in ct scan see photo
Saturday May 23rd 11:03 PM - The scan starts to come up on the computer in front of me...(me Paul) "no way!!! There it was a sub dural hematoma." (CT tech) "I think your right...lets get the ER Doc back in here" (ER Doc) Good call...I'm glad we scanned him...SLC, Vegas, or Phoenix (possible but longer) where do you want to fly into tonight? Not Max's film, but you get the idea.
Saturday May 23rd just before mid night- Max and I had quite moment to be alone... we talked, he was feeling fine and was not scared, still no symptoms...I prayed, he prayed, and I gave him a priesthood blessing.

Sunday May 24th 1:00ish AM- see photo, Max and I flew life flight to SLC Primary Children's Hospital.
Sunday May 24th 3:00 AM- Max is re-scanned in SLC and it shows that the SDH is actually getting a little smaller and not progressing. Still alert and charming the pants off of the nurses...that is Max not me...They could not get enough of his smile.

Sunday May 24th the rest of the day was pretty quiet as family arrived and visited. We have the best family on both the Kelly and Poelman sides. We are blessed!!!
Monday May 25th 10:00 AM- Max still doing well...re-scanned and he continues to improve.
Monday May 25th 2:00 PM - Max is discharged home.
Monday May 25th 10:00PM - I land in Phoenix alone...and have some time to reflect on how much I love my wife and kids...each one of them. We were watched over...no doubt about it!

Monday May 25th 11:45 PM - I'm off to bed after the Kelly family vacation and my couple hours of sleep all weekend...but not without dropping to my knees to thank God for MAX.

To my wife on Mother's Day

There have been very few times in my life where I knew I hit a home run... This was one of them.

I look back at this day as the luckiest day of my life and I did not realize how monumental is was. How does a punk like this...end up with such a awesome girl like this... I have been and continue to be sooo blessed. My wife is not a NAG nor a husband cop (see photo)...She is a perfect blend of beauty inner and outer (see any photo)she is the best Mom to our children...nurturing, loving, teaching, and understanding.It's been a fun journey from here...SLC

To here...To here...
Lousiville, KY

Frozen Tundra of Wisconsin

To here...The desert of Arizona

I would not have wanted to take the ride with anyone else...Love always, PK

Jack is 7

He loves me. He tells me and shows me. I love him for that.

I know I've been a complete blog slacker lately, but I have to draw the line when I don't post on my beautiful boy's birthday!! Jack had his 7th birthday last week and I just have to brag a little bit about him to celebrate.

Her is the text from an email I got on Sunday from one of his Sunday school teachers:

Kara, I just wanted to let you know how ENDEARING Jack is. The combo of he and the other kids can be a bit over the top in class at times, but there is just something about Jack. Its like he has this magical power over us that we cannot get frustrated with him. He has this subtle charm about him. We can't place our fingers on what it is. Maybe its the twinkle in his eye, or that grin, or that voice. His voice just kills me. I adore it. I don't know, but he is going to be a charmer with the ladies I am sure when he is older. Maybe a class clown, with the charm in tow. You know, the class clowns that never got in trouble because they had that charm wrapped up in their clowning around. You can't learn that. You are just born with it. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I ADORE him.

Yes, I cried...and loved this person so much for writing me. It made me realize that I need to outwardly express the kind feelings I have for others more often. It seriously was the highlight of my week/month.

In keeping with my kids birthday posts this year I will document for your enjoyment (okay...my history) the birth story of my second born. Jack was born 11 days late by some estimates. They changed my due date at one point, but I think they should have left it alone. Because Ella was Early by the Dr.'s estimates (can you tell I'm wary of due dates) I was fully expecting Jack to follow suit. BOY was I wrong. I felt like I was a month overdue.

Jack at about 6 months

I went in for an appointment on my due date and was sure they would tell me I was ready. NOPE! I was sent home with assurances that they wouldn't see me the next week for my scheduled appointment, but would see me in the hospital sometime in the next few days. Wrong again. I went in the next week. Many people were wondering why I wasn't demanding to be induced, but because of the poor induction experiences of family members I didn't want to go that route.

At my 41 week appointment the Dr. scheduled me for an induction if the baby hadn't come by Monday. I was determined to have Jack before that. I knew he was going to be a big baby, but that didn't scare me. Of course the Dr.'s thought he might be as big as Ella (8 pounds 5 ounces) but not much bigger. I knew they were wrong.

Jack as Harry Potter Halloween 2002

I did everything I could to get that labor started. Really...everything (okay except for Castor oil...too risky). I even jumped on my neighbors trampoline for an hour one night. NOT pretty. My poor mother had already been in town for almost two weeks anticipating the arrival of the baby. We were living in Kentucky at the time and it was close to derby. Now, anyone who knows anything about Kentucky knows that time revolves around derby. The calendar year is the derby calendar. It just so happened that the day after my 41 week appointment was "Thunder over Louisville". It is an amazing day that kicks off the derby festival season, and finishes with the most amazing fireworks show ever.

My mom was kind enough to stay home with Ella while Paul and I braved the crowds downtown. It was crazy and I had to walk A LOT! We were climbing, pushing, shoving, and maneuvering through crowds to get to a good spot to catch the action. I must say I was moving pretty good for a 9+month prego. The fireworks were incredible and it shook my chest to the core (I love that). I swear every year we lived there at least one woman went into labor after the fireworks. On the way home I was having a lot of contractions, but that wasn't unusual. I have braxton hicks contractions constantly starting at about 6 months...it's pathetic.

Jack and his yellow rain boots. He wore these boots almost everyday for about 6 months. I'm still kicking myself for not keeping them. I know I could do something cool with them.

We got home and I tried to go to sleep, but the contractions got stronger. By about 1:30am I convinced Paul that he needed to take me to the hospital. We got up and headed downtown. I got all hooked up and they confirmed that I was dialated to a 7. I got an epidural (big regret) and it put me in a major holding pattern. I tried to get them to break my water because I knew that would do the trick. They said they couldn't do it without a Dr. present and they didn't want to call him in because it was so early in the morning. So, there I waited until the Dr. came for his normal rounds around 8:00am. By this time they wanted me to be ready to have the baby so that the Dr. wouldn't have to come back later. (Yes...it was all about him)

What happened next I now realize was crazy, and wish I woudn't have let them do it. They gave me potocin so that when the Dr. came in to check me I would be ready. The contractions were unbelievable. It was obvious to me where my epidural started because below my belly button I couldn't feel a thing, and above it was pure torture. Jack was a big baby, and I carried him very very high. When the Dr. did come in I was at an 8. Of course he broke my water and in less than a minute I was at a 10 and ready to push. At that point I was so ready to be done with the contractions that I pushed him out in about 5 minutes.

John McMillian (aka Jack) was born at a whopping 9 pounds 14 ounces. Just 2 ounces shy of the 10 pound mark. I wasn't surprised...all the medical staff was. Jack was the most beautiful boy I had ever seen. The first thing I noticed was his big gorgeous lips and huge crying mouth. I wanted to kiss it forever. I think it freaked Paul out a little bit at first because they are so swollen. He still has the most amazing full red lips and I love to kiss them. The next best thing was his red hair. I love red hair and I was thrilled that Paul's genetics allowed me to give birth to one.

See those lucious lips?! And that hair...? Can you tell I'm in love?

I cannot even describe the love that I immediatley had for this boy. I had fallen completely and hopelessly in love with him. He still has my heart and I never want him to grow up. I watch him at everything he does and am amazed at how well he 'gets it.' He excels at school and sports, and he has a ton of friends. Jack is a boy to watch. We know there are great things to come with him. Like the email from his teacher said, "there's just something about Jack."

Happy Birthday buddy...I love you more than all the numbers!

I guess it's obvious...

Yes, I've been in a blogging slump lately. Actually more like a life slump. When you feel down on yourself it's hard to be inspired to write about and document your life. I'm hoping to shake it off soon. But, thanks so much to those of you who have emailed and asked how I was doing. It was surprising who took the time to do so. Don't worry, these slumps never last too long. Besides...I missed blogging about Jack's birthday, and he is just too darn special to forget. Check back.

In the meantime...my life long friend Ashley emailed this to me today. It inspired me and made me cry. I really love people. Enjoy...

A MUST BUY!!

I know I reference my amazing cousin Shawni a lot on this blog, but I just can't help it. She really is as good as she seems. I know it makes you want to hate her, but it's impossible. The more you know her the more you love her. She and her amazing Mom Linda have published a wonderful book on motherhood called A Mother's book of Secrets. The book itself is inspiring and inviting, and the pictures (taken by Shawni) are worth the price on their own.

Shawni's youngest child Lucy was recently diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called Bardet Biedl Syndrome. Among other things this syndrome means that Lucy will likely become legally blind by the time she is in her teens. This has prompted Linda and Shawni to donate a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the book to the Foundation for Blind Children.

So, since all of you have mothers in your lives...how about giving them this treasure of a book for Mother's Day coming up. You can buy your copy here, here, and here. You won't regret it.