Thursday, October 16, 2008

Thankful Thursday

Today...

1. I'm thankful that my mom will be here in 4 days!
2. I'm thankful that we got some pumpkins from our garden before it froze.
3. I'm thankful for country music television.
4. I'm thankful that I have almost made it to my 21st birthday.
5. I'm thankful for auto insurance.
6. I'm thankful that I am getting an education, even though sometimes I don't want to go to school, it really is a blessing.
7. I'm thankful that Jake did the dishes yesterday so I didn't have to (however, I'm not thankful that it's my turn). :)
8. I'm thankful for my eye drops, they are a life saver, my eyes are itchy.
9. I'm thankful for my job, I really like it!
10. I'm thankful that it's fall break today and tomorrow, so I don't need to go to school! *(even though school is still a blessing!)

Love, Kelci

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Very Thankful Thursday, to say the least!


I don't even know where to start. I have had quite the emotional past 30 hours, I have so much to be grateful for today! For starters, that I am here to write this blog! This is my story, hopefully I can get through it.


Yesterday morning I was driving home from school, looking down laughing at funny Kortney's texts. I was in the left hand lane on I-15 almost to the Payson exit, when I looked up and saw that I was drifting over to the left. Panicked, I tried to get back on course, and overcorrected. The next few seconds are a complete blur to me, it still feels like a dream. I could hear my tires squeel and just knew I could not get control as my car was swerving on the freeway. I could feel my tires coming off the asphalt in my efforts. The next thing I know my car was rolling, but off to the right. All I could think was that I was going to die, I thought to myself that I knew my head was going to be crushed any second, and I was really just hoping it wouldn't hurt. This is the scariest thing I have ever experienced, I have never felt so close to death, and to my surprise, I didn't even have time to be scared. I now know it was because I was being comforted. My car finally stopped rolling, and landed upside down. Glass was everywhere around me along with crushed car, I started bawling when reality hit me that I was totally unharmed, but hanging upside down by my seatbelt, with my head inches away from the roof/ground. I don't know how it ended up there, but my cell phone was in my hand dialing Jake (I know I had let go of it to try to gain control), but he didn't answer. I heard somebody asking if I was okay, and behind me was a man in a white shirt and tie looking through the shattered back upside-down windshield, the only place I could get out. I unbuckled my seatbelt and tried not to land on my un-touched head, and tried crawling to the back, but this man ended up pulling me out. (I later found out this man was behind me the whole time and saw it happen, his name is David Timmons, an earthly angel for me that day). The cops came, the paramedics came, and the firefighters came. One of the firefighters was a man that I work with, so he called my work right away to let them know, and to let Mandie (my sister in law) know that I could not get a hold of my husband. I called my mom, which I know it would only make her worried when she is so far away and couldn't do anything, but who doesn't need their mom at a time like this? I felt completely fine, no scratches or bruises, except for my thumb sort of hurt and I got a scratch from the glass while getting out, but it is less serious than a paper cut. I was shocked that I wasn't feeling any pain anywhere in my body. I knew I needed to say a prayer to my Heavenly Father for helping me walk away from this, but all I could say through my sobs was, "thank you, thank you," as I stared at my completely crushed car except for the part where I had my bubble of protection. They told me I could take an ambulance to the hospital, but I assured them over and over that I was completely fine. Jake, (who was having as hard of a time emotionally as I was) asked, "are you sure?" and I whispered, "Jake I could do a cartwheel!" (Even though I was sure not in the mood to try it!) Jake's family insisted that I at least get checked out at the hospital, so he took me there where his mom, sister, aunts, and grandma were already there waiting for us, in tears. Since the only pain I felt was in my thumb, they took an X-ray just to find out it wasn't broken (which I was sure I already knew), but they wanted to put a splint on it (which I was sure was completely unnecessary). Needless to say, it came off right away.

This is when we went to go look at it at the impound lot, it was right-side-up again. :)



Hmmm so why on earth would I be thankful today? Maybe because I had angels watching over me. My grandma was always a very protective worry-wart, and there is no doubt in my mind that even though she is now on the other side of the veil, she is still protecting me, along with my other family members (some that I haven't met). Oh how I can't wait to thank them someday!

I know the holy ghost was there to comfort me in those seconds when I was rolling down the hill to let me know it was going to be okay. I am grateful that nobody was hurt, there was nobody even close to me when I was swerving through the freeway, and going back this morning, I saw where I went off the road, right in the middle of those metal poles they have every so often. Some witnesses at the seem kept saying, "You are so lucky!"
Lucky? I don't think so, just very very blessed. I am so grateful that my Heavenly Father is watching out for me.

I am so grateful that I have so many people that love me. I wanted so badly to curl up in my mommy's lap like I was five again. But it still felt like that when I showed up to the hospital in arms and arms of hugs.

I am very grateful for my friends, family members, releif society, bishopric, my visiting teachers, work, who have come over to check on me/made dinner/called/ brought us treats.



I am still in a little bit of a shock. Mainly, I am shocked that my biggest pain was none at all. Today I feel a little tense, but that's it. I am still waiting for somebody to pinch me and say, "just kidding!" It still doesn't feel like it really happened! OH, and it turns out I did break a nail, NOT HAPPY! :) And I didn't even like that stupid car anyways! (OK, so I loved that car, it was so cute, but if I had to choose between my car and life, I'D PICK LIFE) :) I'm grateful that it wasn't long after we could make jokes about it.

Jake said, "If you wanted a new car so bad, you just had to ask!"

And I (in all my wisdom) pointed out, "I think Heavenly Father is telling us to have kids right away.." ;)

Jake said, "K That's really stretchin' it..." Hey I tried!



I know everything happens for a reason. It is amazing to me how it only take 5 seconds, and you could lose somebody. It is so scary. I am so grateful for my life, I know I am just not done, I haven't fulfilled my purpose here on earth, whatever it may be. I know that I still have a lot of work to do here, I need to get going! There is so many things I could be doing better in my life, and it is time for me to start trying a lot harder to be a little better, because you never know when your time is up!

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR SEATBELT. DON'T USE YOUR PHONE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING. Please learn from my mistake. I learned a good way to guilt you into it yesterday from my mother-in-law, "If you love your family, you will wear your seatbelt. If you love your family, you will pay attention and not use your stupid cell phone!"


Also last night, me and Jake just cuddled, and held eachother, trying to let this all sink in. I could not be here, and that scares me to death. Jake told me, "I just don't work without you." Life is precious! Don't take anything for granted! You never think anything like this can happen to you, but what I learned the hard way, it can! Fortunately in this case, everything in this accident played out perfectly, one nurse told me, "If you had to get in an accident, then you did it right." I still can't believe how many things could have gone wrong, or worse, and they just didn't. I really think I was in this invisible force-field where I was just untouched. What a blessing! What a miracle! (Can't you tell I'm still in shock?)

K now I know I am just rambling on. I just feel like I need to remember everything I am feeling, because someday when I am a mom, I will want to tell my kids what a loving Heavenly Father I have, that knows me, and knows when I am being dumb, and protected my life. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life. I am so grateful for the power of prayer. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost. I am so grateful for our eternal perspective we have, I know that someday I can be with my family, and my husband, for all eternity! I know that Jesus Christ is my savior and he has saved my life in more ways than one! I know that if we are trying to live like him he will bless us in un-imaginable ways! I know that he gave his life for us so that we could have second chances in life, in whatever it may be. I know that my life is a gift, and I know where all blessings come from! I know that Heavenly Father sends us angels from the other side of the veil, as well as here on earth! Today I just can't help but have the heaviest, and most sincerely grateful heart.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Thankful Thursday... on Friday

1. I am grateful for the woman my little sister has become. She is one of the best people I know, she has always wanted to make friends and include everybody ever since she could talk. She has such a strong testimony that it blows my mind, she doesn't let temptation get the best of her, she is just too strong. She has the best personality, she always makes me laugh, and everybody else around her. She is so talented, she has a beautiful voice, something that I definitely wasn't blessed with. I can't help but admit that I have always wanted to be just like her! This girl also has no shame, by that I mean she doesn't care what other people think about her, she is just "Loriel," and theres nothing that is going to stop her! I am so thankful to have her in my life and to be able to brag about her, and to look up to her so much! (Not just literally!)<-- that's such an old joke, I know.


2. I am so grateful for the family I married into. I have the best mother/father/sisters/brothers/aunts/uncles/cousins/grandparents-in laws that I could ever ask for! Seriously, people always talk about their in-laws and roll their eyes, not me, I love them! This family Jake came from is so loving and giving and I they have made me feel like I belong since the first time I met ALL of them at the Spanish Fork rodeo only a few years back. It's wierd how it feels like I've known everybody for years. And if I don't say so myself, I think my husband turned out pretty awesome, so I am eternally grateful to them for that. I am grateful that I haven't had to get too homesick, because even though my family is far away, I still have a family here! I know this is very general, I will get to specifics later, but today I'm just so thankful for the whole package!

3. I am grateful for good songs. This sounds silly, but let me explain. You know those songs that come on the radio and make you cry? For me it is actually many, it has always been a running joke with Jake, a song will come on and he'll say, "this song makes you cry huh." And I will already be crying. He knows me too well! However I love songs that do that, sorry I just have a lot of feelings! Lately the one that makes me cry everytime I hear it is Kelly Pickler's "Don't You Know You're Beautiful," at the part when she is talking about the homecoming queen in the back seat and she says, "if you talked to friends who have been where your at, I bet they would say they want their innocence back." I just love it! We need more songs like that that promote good values. "Don't you know you're beautifuuuuuulll just the way you arrrrrrrrrre." How could you not cry! I am just thankful for music that moves me to tears.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Having fun with Friends

This last weekend we got to go four wheeling up in Bird's Eye with Dallas and Kydee! I told Jake it just doesn't feel like Fall until we do just that, because we always do this time of year, ever since we started dating. So it finally feels like fall! All of the leaves are getting so pretty, this time of year is really starting to be my favorite, I thought I was a summer girl, but I'm pretty sure I'm really a fall girl!

Also, me and my friend Becca who is going to UofU went to the Hogle Zoo on Saturday. She is the best, she is like my sister from another mister, it was so fun to be able to spend some time with her because I just love her.





Thursday, September 25, 2008

Thankful Thursday

So since I don't have cute kids to blog about, I wanted to start doing a Thankful Thursday, because I still have sooo much to be grateful for! I am so blessed, and sometimes you just need to get it out! So what am I grateful for this week?

1. I'm grateful that my husband is such a hard worker. Besides all of his other redeeming qualities, my Jake works so hard, and I think that is a wonderful quality for a husband to have. He definitely takes providing for his family very seriously, and our family is only little! He takes such good care of me, here I am crying already and I'm only on number 1... but that's not a surprise! I just never have to worry, and neither do my parents ever, because he just works his butt off to make sure we are taken care of.

2. I'm grateful that me and my mom have always been able to relate so well. We have always been best friends, I don't ever remember being upset at each other, we have just always gotten along. Even back when I was a terrible teen I could go to her about anything! She never has made me feel bad for my choices or thought I should be doing things her way, she has only been there to support through everything. I just feel like I have been so lucky in the mom department, and I just hope and pray that someday I can be just like her and be able to be the exact same mom to my children. I love my mom.

3. I'm grateful for the organization of the gospel! I have been in a lot of different wards in the past few years, and everywhere there is church, it just feels right. Moving to Payson we moved into such a wonderful ward family, everybody has been so welcoming and nice, I have never been short of impressed with these people! It is just funny how everything happens for a reason, and I know I am right where I am supposed to be right now. It is so nice to feel like I have a home away from home. Seattle will always be home to me, but Payson is finally feeling like a close second.

I could go on and on about what I am grateful for, but that would just be emotionally overwhelming for me right now, and I have plenty of weeks to count my blessings. What a loving Heavenly Father we have! Maybe I should call this "Tearful Thursday" instead. :)

Friday, September 19, 2008

What have you done?

I got this from Callie and thought it looked like fun!

The idea is to highlight the things you have done out of the 200 items on the list.
1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a tarantula
10. Said "I love you" and meant it
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
21. Had a pillow fight

22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Taken an ice cold bath
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
33. Adopted an accent for fun

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment
36. Loved your job 90% of the time
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving

42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight
46. Milked a cow
47. Alphabetized your personal files
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke
50. Lounged around in bed all day
51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Done something you should regret, but don't
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Been in a combat zone
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone - verbal not physical
67. Bounced a check
68. Read - and understood - your credit report
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did
71. Called or written your Congress person
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth
75. Been fired or laid off from a job
76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school
89. Changed your name

90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read The Iliad
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
97.Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep
105. Ever dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all four

106. Raked your carpet
107. Brought out the best in people
108. Brought out the worst in people
109. Worn a mood ring
110. Ridden a horse

111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe.
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) play
115. Been inside the pyramids
16. Shot a basketball into a basket
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone
122. Ridden a train
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need
126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt
129. Lived in a historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating
135. Ran a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment
145. Written a love-story
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane
151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss
154. Sat on a jury
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem
159. Carried your lunch in a lunch box
160. Gotten food poisoning
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics
169. Can hula or waltz
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life
176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint
178. Laughed till your side hurt
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma
188. Built a camp fire
189. Kept a blog

190. Had hives
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible

198. Found a long lost friend
199. Helped solve a crime
200. Responded to a NJP newsletter

What have you done?

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Love Makes a House a Home

I haven't blogged forever, I know, I'm a slacker. So much has happened in the past 5 months! There is a lot of catching up to do! In June we bought a house, and moved in in July. We have been busy making our house homey. Jake loves taking care of his new yard, and I have loved trying to decorate. We had a busy summer, Jake worked a lot, and played softball, and I did swim lessons, which I loved, but it was sure tiring! My BFF Kydee got married, and we had a reception in our new back yard, so that kept us busy in August. I was also able to go home to Seattle for 2 weekends in August for Kydee's bridal shower and then her reception. It was so good to spend some time with my family, and see some friends. We have both started school again at UVU, and were even able to take a class together, so that makes the night class seem so much more bearable! We love our new house and our new ward, after a few busy months, it feels good to almost feel back to normal, even though we still have so much going on! Here's some house pics, more pictures later!