25th Fuzz Run

Today was the 25th Fuzz Run and we had a wonderful time. Just getting out made a world of difference. It was all outside so the risk of anyone picking something (sickness) up was less great. We got to see some friends we haven't seen in awhile. Our friends from Wisconsin are now back in Georgia! WOOHOO!!! They came and did the fuzz run today too.

Mike and Marlee Anne did the fun run. You can see Marlee Anne so very proud of her ribbon. She was hoping to get to run it with Andrew but they didn't find each other in time. They got to have fun later on. Mary Elizabeth, Michala & I waited on them with Miss Emmy and Beau. It always good to get to spend time with them.

We didn't win a door prize. Ashlen placed second in the girls 12-14 year old division. Way to go Ash!!!

Afterwards we went over to the Literacy Fair on the square. The kids really enjoyed the activities going on there. Friends of the Park even had a nice little set up there. Thanks to ya'll for doing that!!!

We had El Charro for lunch. The only time I get to go eat there is with Mark lately. Glad they are back!

We only had a quarter of a tank of gas so we rode through town looking for some. Three stations were closed because they ran out. The one we found it was $3.99 a gallon, limit $20. We went down to Hendersons and it was $3.76 for premium, regular was out. I have to praise Miss Henderson for not jacking up the prices. We filled up just before they ran out.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our friends in Texas. Hoping and praying they are safe and will check in soon. Prayers for the other families there too.

Mackenzie and Manu

I am not sure I have ever seen a friendship love as strong as the bond that Marlee Anne and her best friend Mackenzie share. They cannot come outside without Marlee Anne wanting to run down and see her. I have a hard time with this cause I know Marlee Anne loves her so but I also know they need to be able to go outside and enjoy family time without Marlee Anne running down there. Here are some pictures from the other night when we walked down to play. As soon as Mackenzie saw Marlee Anne she hollered Manu Manu - hug me. Ever since she could talk she has called Marlee Anne Manu. We love it!!!














These are pictures from Mackenzie baby sister's nursery. I cut the letters for Torianna's name out of green vinyl. Kendra made the beautiful curtains. I have been bragging on Mackenzie's talented grandmother Sally. Well here are some beautiful things she has made for the baby including her signature doll she makes. Yes she made the carseat cover and the diaper stacker. LOVE THEM!!!

Abe's EEG

They have scheduled an EEG for Abe on Monday. We think that he is having infantile spasms (I heard the gasps). I hope with all my heart that my mommie feelings are wrong this time. Those of you familiar with seizures know these are not the kind we want him to have if he has to have them.

I am having a really hard time believing that the mighty God I serve is going to allow his little body and our family to go through this awful stage once again. I am having a hard time believing that God will not reach down and heal his little body of these.

I have a dear friend that reminded me of where two or more are gathered in His name. Each night she and her daughter gather to pray. I am begging ya'll to PLEASE gather with us and pray that Abe has a clear EEG.

I am mad at the world right now because I am tired of seeing how unfair life is. I will continue to do all I can to give my children the best care that they deserve. This includes the best medical care. We will do whatever we have to do but I am praying hard we don't have to go down this road.

Abe hasn't slept in several several nights so I know that's not helping me mentally. I just want to protect him and all this is out of my control. God has him in His care and I am trying with all my heart and soul to trust that he will be fine. I wish I didn't know so much and all this was new. Then I wouldn't have the knowledge to be fearful.

We will be at Egleston all day Monday because after the EEG everyone except Marlee Anne (thankfully!) has an appt with neurology. Mary Elizabeth's appt will go fine I am sure. We will be discussing possible VNS and med changes for Michala. Please pray we along with the doctor have wisdom on the direction to take. I will update when I can.

Thank you so much for praying with us!!!

Here I am God!

WARNING: This is VERY honest! I am not saying any of this to hurt anyone's feelings. If you have been in this place in your life you understand. I am not asking anyone to fix this. I just need to share my heart. I need to work through this battle, this hurtle, this hurt, this pain, this sadness so that I can go on to do what I am here to do.

Today is just not turning out to be one of my finer days. Since this morning I have battled with these feelings instead of facing them. I opened the medicine cabinet for the 5th time this morning, this time to give Abe medicine for the 3rd time. Usually it doesn't bother me. Usually I do not see the multitude of medications up there. Usually I don't think about the fact those are for my children. Usually I don't think about why they take them. That time when I opened the cabinet the smell, the colors of the bottles, pills, capsules, tablets, synringes, each little thing hit me like a ton of bricks. I fought back tears. Held my baby tight and once again gave him medicine.

I usually look at it as it's helping him. This time I felt as if I was putting something foreign into his body. Not quite understanding where these feelings were coming from I swallowed hard and walked away. Holding him tighter, closer, kissing him as a tear hit his face. I sat down to nurse him. I turned the tv on in hopes of making these thoughts go away. Out of habit I clicked on TIVO. A new Jon and Kate plus 8. Big mistake. Usually I can sit and watch and really enjoy it. As soon as I saw those children I thought HOW, WHY can they have 8 perfectly healthy children and I can have 1.

I HATE these feelings!!! I hate when I have to face them to get through. I have learned over the years pushing to the back, sucking it up, putting on a front and becoming numb doesn't always work for me. Beth reminds me that I have to work through it. I have to face it. No offense to anyone but sometimes I need this. Sometimes I don't need those well meaning words of ah but look at all your blessings. Yes I see them! Everyday I see them. Everyday I pray for them. Everyday I am thankful for them. Today life stinks! It's hard! I love breezing through and taking it one minute at a time. Truth is some days it's ???? What's the word? I am not sure there is one.

Thankfully my phone rings. I have to get up, walk away from the tv to get it. I am crying hard by this time. Usually I would suck up the tears, answer the phone and cover up the fact that I am crying. For some reason I don't. When I hear that voice on the other end I know why. Michala's Aicardi sister's mom was calling. She could tell by my voice I was crying. How are you she said? I knew I couldn't get away with I am fine. So what do I do? I let it flow. The tears come along with every thought and feeling that I have bottled up inside at that moment. No fear of her wondering where I am coming from. No fear of her saying do I need to come over. No fear of her saying oh it's going to get better. No fear of her quoting a scripture. No fear of her praying with me. She knows where I am. She knows it will go away. She knows it will come back. She is right there with me.

I will say God is good. If not for any other reason today but the fact that he had this sister in Christ call me at this very minute. There are times when I am hurting when the phone will not ring. I will not receive an email of encouragement at that very moment when I think I need it. He knows best and He is saying turn to me. This morning I was right there with Him. He had heard it all. Even though I know He knows my heart I shared it with Him. Honest, open and with all the glory of my mood. He knew what I needed!

Then after that I get an email. It was a little lengthy and I promise I read it all but out of the whole email what stood out the most was Ok, I miss you but love you tons more! She didn't know what kind of day I was having. She just said what God knew I needed to hear probably without even knowing I needed to hear it. I am thankful God knows what I need.

So as you can tell this in an unusually day. Nothing usual about it. The same things I do most days but just something about it is different. Something I need to face. Something I need to deal with and work through. This too shall pass. It may return. No it will return. I will arm myself and deal with it when it comes. I am thankful that I can share my heart. I am thankful there are those in my life that will allow me to feel this way, some will understand, some never will, others will walk away cause it's too much, others will draw closer just to stand near me, others I will not see I will only feel their presence because they are so close to me they are lifting me up, carrying me through and standing in the gap for me, others will sit with me, not judge me and enjoy my pity party with me.

As usual I didn't proof this. I just let my heart flow through my fingers.

My OH BOY!

Marlee Anne's surprise

Marlee Anne got a special package in the mail a little while back. She got an autograph copy of Secret Life of Bees. It was autographed by Dakota Fanning who will be playing Lily in the upcoming movie. Here is Marlee Anne showing off her book.

Barbara's park message

I really liked Barbara's email about the park. Since I have permission from her I wanted to share it with ya'll. Thanks Barbara!

Hi! This is a report on the Marshall event for all would couldn't make it (and thus a rehash for those who did).

If you couldn't be there, you missed a wonderful event in the history of our park. What a team effort it was to pull off, and obviously we've got a team that works well together.

The "stage" was set just outside the library's Palladian window in the back. Urns of ferns flanked the lectern and mic system. Scott's beautiful banner - first used at the back to school event on the Square - made a wonderful backdrop. He also had installed our permanent sign at the library's entrance but it's down momentarily to get a pro forma Library Board approval. Cheryl displayed our design illustrations and they got a lot of attention. The actual park site has recently been cleaned up courtesy of Snapping Shoals EMC and thanks to Scott.

A beautiful flower arrangement made by Connie decorated the table where a sheet cake was served after the event. On another table, colorful Chinese food boxes prepared and decorated by Cheryl were displayed for pickup by the children as the kickoff of Pennies for the Park. They'll be returned to the library with lots of pocket change, we hope!
Kelli Hopkins made moving comments about the meaning of the park for her family in announcing the Pennies for the Park drive.

To open the event, I gave a brief rundown about the park's progress and the challenge we have to build community support for parks and greenspace and our park in particular. Then David Waller - who had arranged for Congressman Jim Marshall to showcase this event - introduced the Congressman who's been a great friend to this community. (His aide told me later that Marshall really loves Covington/Newton County because we've got the right people coming together to do the right things. A nice compliment!)

Marshall made heartfelt remarks about the importance of getting kids back at play in the out-of-doors and the need to do all we can to protect trees, greenspace and our natural world. He is co-sponsor of HR 3036, the No Child Left Inside Legislation, the goal of which is to provide funds to educate teachers about how to encourage nature appreciation and education for kids. Some monies might become available through this bill to provide programming for the park but not with construction, he said. Marshall is an avid outdoorsman himself and he seemed to be pleased to be here in support of our project. Thanks to David Waller for using his excellent contacts to get the Congressman here.

During the program, we recognized Tyler Venable who almost to the dot guessed the correct number of acorns at the back-to-school event. He's an adorable third-grader and was introduced to all the dignitaries there. He had his picture made with Jim Marshall. We gave him a nice wooden bird feeder and seeds as his prize for being the winner guesser.

Chairman Aaron Varner made closing remarks. Plenty of other special people were in attendance, including Mayor Kim Carter, Commissioner Monty Laster and Juvenile Court Judge Billy Waters. Certainly I've left out others which is why we didn't try to name them all at the event last night! Actually everyone there was special, particularly the children who marched in after the Congressman's remarks wearing Chimney Park t-shirts Scott had ordered for last night's event. It was a charming moment.

Both papers covered the event and made photos. Greg Heid reported that attendance was 137 people!

I've left out people who ought to have been thanked, as is usually the case, so apologies in advance. It's no surprise that Josephine Kelly drafted her family - this time Shelby - to pitch in. Everyone's on call in that household!.

Be proud of our park and our board. Barbara

Pennies for the park

Last night we had a kick off for our Pennies for the Park campaign. I want to share some pictures with you and will post more on the blog http://nomatterwhathappens-kelli.blogspot.com/ . We had a wonderful time being out together as a family. Words cannot convey how much this group of people that have a passion for this cause mean to me. I quickly formed a bond with them and they are like family. It has been since before Abe was born since I have been able to attend a board meeting. I have missed it so much. I have missed being involved. I was determined to get the girls, Abe & I there early to help set up. It was just great to be with everyone.

As the event got underway it was such a blessing to see so many people there wanted to help make this happen. It was great to look out past the people and see the woods being cleared and to invision the park being finished. It so very exciting.

We had beautiful t-shirts that Scott did a wonderful job designing. Thanks to everyone that came. Thanks to those of you that worked so hard to make it happen.

I also wanted to share Barbara's email because she writes much more eloquently than me. I will ask her permission so that those of you that did not receive her email can read it.

Thanks again to everyone! After seeing all the pictures I wanted to post I should have posted a link to them.