Family Farm Day

Brian has been working a 12 pm to 12 am shift at work to get his night vision goggle training. Sunday night he got off work and started the 8 hour drive home. He drove all through the night and arrived at 7 am. Instead of going to bed, he scrambled into his farm clothes and rushed out the door. He couldn't wait to get on the farm and dig the hay! It's amazing how that farm feeds his soul. If we could, we'd build a house up there. After I picked up Kylie from school, we also scrambled into our farm clothes and drove up to the farm (about 20 minutes away). Along the way we stopped at Big J's for hamburgers, fresh strawberry shakes, and tater tots. (FYI: Napoleon Dynamite was filmed at Big J's. As we munched our tots the bull kept bellowing for some. "Napoleon, give me some of your tots!") Brian stopped for 2 minutes to eat his food then was off again. Our job for the day was to clean up the fields--all 80 acres--of garbage and rocks. I hooked up a little trailer to the 4-wheeler then searched for Kylie who had escaped up to the horse pens. Sadly, the new colt born a few weeks ago didn't make it. Luckily another baby was born 5 days ago. They call her Bell Hop because she hops around so much. Kylie was terrified of the 4-wheeler and it took some authority to get her on. We baby-stepped the process and eventually got into the field. I'd drive the 4-wheeler 20 feet then we'd jump off and scan the area. Once Kylie was comfortable with that I sat behind her and had her push the thumb lever for the gas. She was thrilled to have control of that much power! Soon I removed my hands and she was in complete control. Once she was comfortable with that I jumped off and she gradually made her way up the field (in 2nd gear) while I walked along side, throwing rocks and garbage into the trailer. It was so fun to watch her face her fears and overcome them, feeling a sense of satisfaction at not only driving the 4-wheeler, but contributing to the work on the farm. We watched Sierra, Kylie's cousin, practice for an upcoming rodeo. I got on the "grandpa horse" and persuaded it to stroll around the arena a few times. Then we forced Kylie to get on with me to get over her fear of horses that she developed after she was bucked off last fall. She tolerated it, and was happy when it was over.

Synchronocity

Coleen had a session with the physical therapist today, who reported that everything is functioning just fine. If everything goes well then they may leave the hospital tomorrow. Dave expressed his gratitude at the outpouring of love and support that they have felt. He says that they "are very blessed, and that's all there is to it!" Coleen's brother, who was fairly anti-God, said that after this experience, he now believes that there is a God.

We don't know all the reasons why this accident needed to happen and how many lives it may change. But the synchronocity of all the details has been truly miraculous, testifying of the awareness our Heavenly Father has in our lives. Synchronocity can be defined as "when the heavens take care of the details of our life. It is the Spirit's way of letting us know we are moving into or choosing experiences that are in harmony with our core desires." (From Carol Tuttle's Remembering Wholeness.)

Miracles Continue

Coleen's condition was stable enough that they waited until this afternoon for her surgery, which went perfectly. It turns out she had 2 fractures in her C2 vertebrae plus a vertebral artery dissection. According to the flight nurses at Brian's work, each of the two fractures had a 99% chance of creating neurological damage. Miraculously, Coleen has absolutely no neurological damage! They will keep her intubated through the night due to the swelling in her neck. Apparently the vertebral artery bled out a bit, adding to the volume of her already injured neck. Everyone involved is absolutely amazed at her tremendous "luck" and advised her to take advantage of it and buy a lottery ticket. We know it wasn't luck, but the blessings of heaven. For whatever reason the accident had to happen, but Heavenly Father has provided blessing after blessing along the way. They feel incredibly blessed and recognize the hand of God along the way.

Coleen Update

I just spoke briefly with Dave on the phone. They just met with the neurosurgeon in Phoenix and they're anticipating getting Coleen into surgery this afternoon to have her two vertebrae fused. They don't think she'll have to wear a halo and she will be able to pick up Anabelle in the next couple of days. She'll have to wear a neck brace for 3 months. It looks like all the nerves in her neck are fine--whew! They are going to skip Florida, go to Louisiana and fly out to the Caribbean. Dave says they're just bored sitting in the hospital, waiting. But otherwise he sounded good. Let's keep praying that Coleen's surgery will go well and she'll heal quickly. We love you, Dave and Coleen and Anabelle!

A Blessed Day

As some of you know, Brian recently started flying life flight down in Page, Arizona. He has had some interesting experiences already, but today's experience was different than he ever expected.

He got a call to respond to a motor vehicle accident on the highway. The car had over-corrected and rolled three times. He landed at the scene and got out to assist the medical staff. Suddenly he realizes that he knows the driver and passengers of the vehicle: they're one of our best friends from Louisiana! Brian and Dave gave Coleen a blessing right away then loaded her into the helicopter. They were concerned that she had a serious neck injury. Brian flew her to the hospital while Dave and the baby rode in the ambulance. Dave is bruised and had a few stitches in his ear and the baby is totally fine--what a blessing! Coleen fractured her C2 vertebrae in her neck and had to be transported by airplane to Phoenix for surgery. Brian was able to stay with them in the hospital and took care of the baby and helped make arrangements for Dave to get down to Phoenix.

Brian called me right after he dropped Coleen off at the hospital and had to return to the base. He wasn't able to tell me anything due to a confidentiality contract, just that he needed Dave's cell number. After a few calls I learned that they had been in an accident but not much more. I made a few calls to friends in Louisiana to ask them to pray for them, knelt and said a prayer of my own, then called the Logan temple to have their family's names put on the prayer roll. After I hung up the phone I immediately felt peaceful and knew that everything would be okay.

I am so grateful that Brian was there to help our friends! He didn't leave their side until he got them in a rental car with a new baby seat, and dinner in their bellies, heading down to Phoenix. Dave called me later when he was on the road and said what a miracle it has all been. I couldn't agree more!

Dear Tooth Fairy

Kylie lost her first tooth today! The bottom tooth has been wiggly for 2 weeks. This morning she was wrestling with her daddy before he left for work. Suddenly she ran off, paused, and triumphantly proclaimed that her tooth was gone. Grandma got her a baggie and Kylie put it under her pillow in anticipation of the Tooth Fairy coming tonight. A week ago she was telling her daddy about her loose tooth over the phone. He asked how much money she thought the Tooth Fairy would leave. Kylie confidently replied, "$100." I stepped in and informed her that the standard rate was $0.25.

Aaron's Birthday Surprise

My sister Laura surprised her boyfriend Aaron for his birthday by giving him a helicopter ride. Before watching the slide show, first scroll down to the bottom of my blog. Pause the music player at the very bottom of the page so the music stops. Then scroll back to the top of the page and click "play". The slide show has its own music.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Easter

Our family continues the tradition of laying out a trail of easter candy leading to the baskets. Sallie the cat made sure that it wasn't a complete trail by morning. I could hear her giddy meows a she attacked the eggs and candy.

Easter morning I awoke to Kylie's exclamations as she discovered what the Easter Bunny had brought her. It was fun to see her so excited and repeatedly call out, "Thank you, Easter Bunny!"

Later that day Brian's brothers and sisters came over for dinner and an egg hunt in the yard. Brian had to work, but we made sure to wrap up a plate of food for him. We've been doing really well this year--he's been home for our birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's, and our anniversary! That hasn't happened for years. It was a beautiful spring day to celebrate the birth, life, death, and resurrection of our Savior. All week I've been discussing the symbolism of Easter with Kylie, hoping to instill the spirit of the holiday.

Another Year, Another Baby Animal Day

My favorite mountains, the Wellsvilles. Yes, those are buffalo grazing below.

Kylie was scared to ride the pony after getting bucked off a horse last fall.

A beautiful view from the Jensen Historical Farm.

My little cowgirl!

Watching the kids rodeo with some good 'ole mutton bustin'.

Kylie really wants to learn how to rope a cow.

This is one of my favorite spots on earth, in the open yard of the Historical Farm looking at the Wellsvilles.

My girl.

They had mountain men, indians, pioneers, and lots of baby animals!

If someone wants to photoshop that junk out of the lower-left corner, be my guest.

Kylie was fascinated by this sod house and the presentation given inside.

Put that tiger in jail!

I love all the old farm equipment they have all around.

Again, my favorite mountains.

Playing "Pooh-sticks" at the bridge.

Fuzzy little bunny, and Kylie's forced smile.

Kylie's favorite was the baby ducks.

This little piggy went to the market...

The summer kitchen.

The farm house. Here's some Cache Valley trivia for you: my great-grandpa J. Cash Smith owned this home in Benson. My grandma lived in it until she was 5. It sat vacant for a few decades until Grandpa Cash donated it to the Historical Farm in 1976 and it was transported to its current location. The right half of the house was added on later. My mom has memories of playing in it as a child. I love that a piece of our family's history is being preserved and shared with others.

Outside the summer kitchen.

Baby goats say, "maaaa!"

Kylie was infactuated with the little goats.

Kylie made an instant friend with White Fox.

Kylie asked what this wagon was for. I told her she'd have to ask her dad.