More Cameron

We have had such a fun time with Cameron and I can't believe he is almost 2 weeks old already! He has been a wonderful baby and has brought so much peace and joy into our home. The girls are great with him and love having a baby brother. Here are a couple more pics we have taken...

The girls meet their brother for the first time

First Bath by Daddy

The Proud Big Sister

Our friends had a baby boy 5 days before us. They are going to be best friends!

Marci and Mom come to town!!!

After we lost my dad I was so worried and anxious about facing giving birth on my own in Utah. I did not want to go into a hospital again so soon, and have to be in a hospital bed...the idea scared me. So, my Mom and Marci promised me they would be there and wouldn't miss it. Plus we knew that my Dad would be there in spirit and they didn't want to miss that experience. It was a crazy week, and poor Marci had her hands full with her boys and brand new baby. The kids had a blast though and made lots of memories. And it was priceless to have Marci and my Mom at the birth. My Mom stayed for a week after I had Cameron to help and it was so hard to say goodbye. When they both left I had a hard time and still feel lonely sometimes. I wish we lived in the same state-especially now.

Here we are taking a walk to try and go into labor 2 days before Cameron was born. I went to the hospital 4 times with false labor! I can't believe how much I contracted and for how long!

Playing dress up

Happy 2nd Birthday Carson!

Playing in the snow

Jordan went to tumbling with Katelyn and loved it

Skiing!

I am a little behind on posts...so now I am playing catch up. At the beginning of January Chad took Katelyn skiing for the first time. I was a little worried about how she would do, and worried about her getting frustrated and throwing a fit. But to my surprise she LOVED it! She took a little class to learn the basics and then Chad took her down a couple of times. Chad said she was a champ and didn't fall once. Of course he couldn't get her off the mountain when it was time to go and she has begged everyday to go again. I wish I could have seen her-I was home with a sick Taylor.

Cameron Boyd Kelly

Cameron was born on Feb. 15th, 2011 at 12:13pm. He weighed 7lb 14oz and was 20 in long.

I will write the details of his birth later, but must say that his birth was the most amazing experience. After losing my dad, and having such a hard month, Cameron's arrival was the silver lining and rainbow after the storm. I know that he was with my dad before he came to me, and that my dad was there to give him to me. I am so grateful for this gift of JOY that the Lord has blessed our family with. I am also grateful that my mom, Marci and Byron could experience this wonderful birth.

It was also priceless to watch the joy on Chad's face as he watched his firstborn arrive. I have never seen a man so emotional and proud in my life. Chad has waited so long for this moment, and it showed! I love you Chad, and am grateful that our kids have such an amazing dad!

When there are no words

I don't want to write this post-I don't want to write anything. But I know that I need to. I just want to completely forget the month of January, and I try not to think about it. It is just so surreal-the reality in our family is just so surreal. On January 27th I lost my Dad to a lung disease called Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was diagnosed with this about 2 1/2 years ago, and it was out of no where. We have no idea where it came from or why he got it. He suffered from it and it slowly got worse, until last Thanksgiving. In one month he drastically got worse and was barely able to get out of bed. It was unbearable to see him at Christmas, and I knew that he needed a miracle and a new lung fast. It has been very frustrating dealing with doctors and watching my dad get passed around from doctor to doctor, with no decisions or solutions. It took the doctors until January 18th to finally get him on the donor list, and at that point he was in ICU at UCLA. Time was short and we just prayed for a miracle. Marci and I were both about to have babies, and I had to get special permission to make the trip to CA. I knew that I needed to be there and I am so glad I went when I did.

The week before my dad passed was an exhausting and emotional one. I have never been on such a roller coaster of emotions. I have never felt as high and excited as I did when we found out that we had a lung donor and that my Dad would be getting the transplant. I have never felt as low as when we found out that his other organs were failing him and that there was no hope. The details of our experience will remain very personal to me. But one blessing that did come out of all of this was how close it brought me and my siblings and my mother. Our family is closer than ever and we have gotten to know each other on every personal level, and for that I am grateful.

My Dad IS an amazing man, and I will forever be grateful for being his daughter. It was amazing to see the lives he touched and influenced at his funeral. He was so talented on so many levels, and was admired by many. But in my opinion, his biggest talent was being an amazing father. I feel so lucky to have the childhood that I did and to grow up in a home where I felt loved no matter what. I had a wonderful example of a loving relationship in my parents.

I feel like my dad left us too soon, and that he was too young, but I have peace in knowing that he is no longer suffering or in pain.

I love you dad and think of you everyday. I miss you terribly and my heart hurts daily. I pray for comfort and peace, and I pray that I can make you proud by being the kind of parent you were and want me to be.

Boyd Kirkland Tribute