Yes we are still here. I haven't forgotten about the blog, but I have had a lot on my mind lately. Where to begin. Mark went hunting with his family last weekend and had a great time. Our bro-in-law, Wes shot a really nice buck so it turned out to be a successful trip. I guess the next elk hunt coming up falls over Thanksgiving weekend so I may be spending it in Pima with my parents. Mom, save me a bed please. Most of you have probably heard by now but a few weeks ago I discovered that I am expecting a baby. Yes, this makes five, and yes, this was a surprise. I am both joyful and afraid and amazed that the Lord would see fit to send me yet another sweet spirit to look after. I am also really sick. This has never happened to me before, and I have sisters who get so much sicker than I am with every pregnancy, so I am not complaining. But it adds another bump in the road for us. One that I know we will look back on as only a blessing.
Mark is hopefully getting a new wheelchair on Monday, along with a bunch of other equipment we have been needing but didn't know about. The power chair he has been using has been so vital to Mark in just getting around and going places, but it is really built for, as Mark puts it "an old lady", and it's definitely time for him to get a chair that fits him and doesn't make his joints ache and his feet swell. The ALS association has been extremely helpful in getting him what he needs and so far has been good about getting back to him and following through with everything. It is getting harder for Mark to stand up out of his chair and it will help to have one that rises up and is taller to begin with.
Other than that things are going along somewhat normally. Football season is over so we all have a lot more time to lay around and Bryce is so happy to eat breakfast on Saturdays and not worry about making weight. Next year he will be in the older division and won't have to be such a slave to the scale. He's far too young to be even thinking about how much he weighs anyway. I am still using essential oils on Mark and trying to eat healthy. It is hard sometimes because I feel so wretched but hopefully it won't last long. Mark is a really good sport about it. He has always been so nice to me when I am feeling like crap (and acting like it too I'm afraid). He still is really good about getting the kids to help out and clean things up for me.

Ronald Reagan has inspired me with his light-hearted outlook

On March 30, 1981, Reagan, along with his press secretary James Brady and two others, were shot by a would-be assassin, John Hinckley, Jr. Missing Reagan’s heart by less than one inch, the bullet instead pierced his left lung. He began coughing up blood in the limousine and was rushed to George Washington University Hospital, where it was determined that his lung had collapsed; he endured emergency surgery to remove the bullet. In the operating room, Reagan joked to the surgeons, "I hope you're all Republicans!" Though they were not, Joseph Giordano replied, "Today, Mr. President, we're all Republicans."

The bullet was removed and the surgery was deemed a success. It was later determined, however, that the president's life had been in serious danger due to rapid blood loss and severe breathing difficulties. He was able to turn the grave situation into a more light-hearted one, though, for when Nancy Reagan came to see him he told her, "Honey, I forgot to duck".

The president was released from the hospital on April 11 and recovered relatively quickly, becoming the first serving U.S. President to survive being shot in an assassination attempt. The attempt had great influence on Reagan's popularity; polls indicated his approval rating to be around 73%. Reagan believed that God had spared his life so that he may go on to fulfill a greater purpose.

Every day we are faced with several challenges. How we respond and react to those challenges shows what kind person we are. Some people tell me that this disease is "not fair", some people react to my ALS as if I am a "DEAD MAN WALKING". I do not believe this and plan to Fight this disease till I die of old age or they find a cure! :)

I believe that God gives us trials in our lives to see how we and the people around us will react to it. Ask yourself...... How are you dealing with a challenge you are facing in your own life? Are you passing the trials God has placed before you? Is God happy with all of your family relationships? If not, change your life and live each day as if it were your last. Hug your family and friends, kiss and hold your spouse longer, spend quality time with your children, forgive everyone of every thing and forget it happened, right the wrongs in your life, repent, go to church, live your life instead of just going through the motions, and serve people. The more I would Serve in my personal and professional life, the better I would feel at the end of the day knowing that I had helped someone in need. Once a day, do something special for someone you know.

We must focus on what's most important in this life......FAMILY! Take care of them, love them, hold them, cherish them. Any day could be yours or their last day on earth. Treat everyone and talk to everyone as if it were your last day on earth. Your family is all you have....nothing else matters. Satan tries to destroy the family and cause contention. He uses all forms of deceit and trickery to damage family relationships. Satan knows all of us personally and knows which one of our buttons to push to set us off. Such as.... family differences in religious views, political views, Government, education, pet peeves and personal beliefs. All of those things really don't matter compared to family and most of those items change daily. If Satan has caused contention in your family, than he has already started putting a wedge between you and your family members. Don't let this happen or stop it from happening.

This was longer than I expected it to be so I will finish. People ask me how I am so positive during all this. I just say, "How else can I be? Mad or Sad? No one would want to be around me!" :) We must find the ability in all of us to turn a grave situation into a more light-hearted one like Ronald Reagan. Whether you are in my Family, my Police Family, or my friend.....I am your brother and I love you!! Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, love and support to me and my family while we continue the fight.

~Mark D. Kelly

Wheels

This post comes from Mark's mother, Carla Kelly. She usually does a much better job of keeping everybody informed. Thanks Carla. We love you.

Hello everyone,
Sometimes when you get promptings, you really should listen. For the past 3 days I have thought that I needed to call Dietmar. (Mike's Dad) When I called him the day before yesterday, I told him about Mark's condition.
Mark is having lots of difficulty walking and getting up from a seated position. He tries to get up on his own and when he can't, he will finally say, "Well, I can't get up" and then we assist him.
Well, long story short, Dietmar told us that he had Joan's electric wheelchair just sitting in the garage and getting no use at all. He offered it to us and we jumped at the offer. Julia drove to Vegas yesterday and picked it up. Mike took it to the wheelchair store, they put a new battery in it, adjusted it for Mark and VOILE! An awesome new set of wheels for Mark! :) This blessing came to us at the perfect time. We knew that Mark was close to needing it, and he and Mike were looking at 4X4 wheelchairs. Very cool, but very expensive. Now for the funny part of the story.
Let me first say that Mark had a ramp put on the back of the mini van to haul it around and Mike bought ramps so that Mark can easily drive into the house and office.

Of course Mark acted like he had a new toy. He was spinning in circles with it, driving around my house messing up all the rugs and just generally acting like a kid with a new remote control car or something. I got out my video camera, and as luck would have it I did not have it on when Mark decided to speed up the ramp on the back of the mini van. He was on a bad angle going up the ramp (did I mention too fast?) and before Wes and I could blink and react, he had that wheelchair tipping sideways and off he and the wheelchair went off the ramp. (then I turned on my video camera) Dang it, I could have made the funniest videos show! Of course Mark was laughing his head off and Wes and I were scared to death!

Wes picked him up off the ground and we saw that no damage was done. Then I went into Mom mode and had to say, "Well, let that be a lesson to you." Crazy kid.

Mark is still continuing to deteriorate. We pray for the stage to come when this thing slows down or stops completely. We know that he is in your prayers and that is all we can ask. We are asking for more time from the Lord and even a healing, if that is in Heavenly Father's plan. We are doing all we know how to be worthy of this great blessing.
I called Mark this evening at Bryce's Pop Warner football practice. Mark has not been going to the practices because it is too hard on him to walk so far. He said the new wheelchair was awesome and went over all the terrain with no problem at the school. He was doing what he loved, watching his boy play football. These are the things that memories are made of. I will write again when Mark has his Barrow's appointment on the 18th. Until then, and thank you so much for your love and support, Carla Kelly

PS: Feel free to pass this on, or reply to this email.

Summer's Over

I have started this post about ten times in the last two weeks, and I keep getting distracted. In fact right now I have a little person needing my attention.....
Ok- yes, it seems all of the sudden life has gotten busy for us. After a summer of going back and forth about it, I finally decided to put the kids back in school. Things are just too crazy right now for homeschool, and I'm afraid I don't handle the extra stress too well. I have a hard time trusting my kids with anybody else, but they are adjusting pretty well so far. I have to think back on the school I went to- and still turned out ok- and just tell myself they'll be fine. So here is a classic shot of Bryce at football practice- looking at me instead of the coach. It is times like this I am so happy to be sitting on the sidelines watching someone else teach him a little discipline. Not that he's a bad kid, but I'll see him not paying attention or just playing around with another kid and the coach makes them both run a lap. It is very satisfying.





Football practice every night has been difficult on the little ones. It is hard for Mark to go with Bryce because of the heat, and he has to either sit in the dugout where it is hard to see, or stand next to the fence and he gets pretty tired. Most of the parents bring camping chairs but those are too difficult for him to get out of once he is sitting down. So it's up to me to go to football practice every day. I'm finally learning the game and it is fun to watch Bryce work his butt off for two hours, but I miss my little guys while I am gone.









We spent this last weekend visiting my parents in the Gila valley. They moved back to their hometown about a year ago and have never been happier. I didn't think I could bear it if they moved away from the house I grew up in. But they did, and I can. When we go and visit, their little house still feels like home to me. They have a circular sidewalk in their front yard where the kids love to ride bikes, and a big front porch that is perfect for being lazy on. And of course, lots of flower pots and trees and gardens. Can you tell I love it there?









We also drove up Mt. Graham and had a BBQ with my parents, my sister and a few of her kids. So much fun. I loved seeing my boys climb all over the rocks I used to play on as a child. It was really cool and beautiful and a perfect afternoon. I did spend most of my time keeping Bryan out of the campfire and putting his shoes back on, but it was nice anyway. We found a nice spot that was pretty level for Mark to walk on. He has to be careful not to lose his footing and fall down, and always walks with his walking stick.









Here is Harley (named after his great grandfather) and my dad. He has made a miraculous recovery from his car accident in March. He broke his neck and had surgery to replace two vertebrae and fasten a plate to keep them together. He had a fabulous doctor, and my mom takes very good care of him. He says his fingers and toes still tingle on one side, as the nerves are still healing. It is amazing what modern medicine can do, and I am so grateful to have him with us for many more years. It is partly because of my dad that I have such hopes of healing Mark. I know it may take some time, but I know it is possible.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR COMING OUT AND ATTENDING THE FUNDRAISER! I was blown away from how BIG the whole ordeal was. It was a boost in morale knowing I had that much LOVE and SUPPORT from my family, my POLICE family, friends, and the community. It was a special day for me. Thank you all for making it possible. :)

Honesty

As I watched Mark walk through the garage this morning I had a thought that won't leave me. He was taking Bryce to town to run some errands, and getting into his truck, and the kids had left their bikes all over the place. So it was somewhat of an obstacle course to get to his truck. And just watching him, and trying to move the bikes, and worrying about him falling, and yet not wanting him to know how worried I am, I had the thought- I have to acknowledge the possibility that he may lose this battle with ALS and be taken from me. I never really believed it until now. We looked at each other when he sat in his truck and I wonder if he was thinking the same thing. That is not to say I have lost hope, but I just had a feeling that the course of our lives is not something we can always control. We have seen so many specialists and he is taking so many supplements, drinking special water, wearing magnets on his feet. And yet it seems that his condition is slowly and steadily deteriorating, in spite of our best efforts. And I ask myself the question I have been pushing out of my mind. How could the Lord need him more than I do? More than his four little boys? I have thought that it may not be that the Lord needs him, but that through this trial we will become better people, more fit to live with Him someday. Perhaps Mark is meant to touch the lives of others and this is the best way. I know God loves us and is aware of our needs. It may sound strange, but now, more than ever, I know that He loves me. He loves me enough to let me suffer and grow. He wants us to come to him. But oh, can't I learn the lesson and still keep my husband? Yes, of course we will be together forever, I know that too. I have been comforted so many times lately and felt assured that this just a chapter in our lives. I am deeply grateful for Mark's unfailing faith and example. And to everyone who has prayed with us and for us and helped us in so many ways. Thank you. I have never felt so blessed.

Sunburns and Snakes

So last week Mark and his brother took all the boys to the lake and went fishing. Towards the end of the day they decided to let the boys swim on the shore so as Mark was getting out of the boat Mikey goes to help him and they both fall in the water. (Thanks Mikey). So he took his wet shirt off and was exposed to the sun for about 30 minutes. Six days later we were very surprised to see his shoulders all blistered and peeling. He's never had a sunburn like this before, and after such a short time in the sun, I can only guess that he's either particularly sensitive, or his body just takes a lot longer to heal than it use to. Maybe both. What's really frustrating is that this weekend he is going on a river canoeing trip with his dad that has been weeks in planning. A really bad time to be still healing from a sunburn. But, I am comforted in the fact that Mark will be with his Dad and brothers (except Mitchell of course) and they are always very thorough in all their packing and preparation. He has a canopy for the boat, and protective clothing, and every kind of sun protection I have heard of besides just staying indoors. Anyway, I hope he has a good time. He has really been looking forward to it.
Well Mark got a couple of canes and a walking stick this week. They really help, and I am wishing we would have gotten him one sooner. That is what the physical therapist said- you should get the next level of help before you think you need it. Don't wait until you are in pain or you hurt yourself. Ok, lesson learned. He even got a Cold Steel cane with the sword inside. Let me tell you, this thing is downright scary. It's pretty heavy too. Mark checked it out and after admiring it for a few minutes, with the boys all watching with wild excited faces, he said "this is actually pretty dangerous, I might hurt myself". Thank you, common sense. We put an apple on the bed to test the sword, and Mark simply let the blade fall on it and the weight of the blade cut the apple cleanly in half, just like that. Scary. And it's sharp on both sides. Ridiculous. Who would ever need such a thing? Needless to say it's in the gun cabinet, hopefully to stay.
Last night we had a little excitement. The dogs were barking hysterically right outside our window so I went to the back door to yell at them before they woke up the baby. Well before I even opened the door I could hear what I thought was the sprinklers- weird, they are not supposed to be on right now. So I looked out, and right there on the porch was a rattlesnake, all curled up and rattling and hissing away at the dogs. So I told Mark and we brought the dogs in. We knew we couldn't leave it out there for the boys to find in the morning, but Mark was not sure he could kill it without risking getting bitten, as his speed and reflexes are not what they used to be. So we called our brother-in-law and neighbor, Brawner, who came right over and shot it with a 22. Nice. While we waited for Brawner to come over I watched it chase a big toad across the porch. I have never seen a toad hop so fast. Anyway very exciting. They cut the head off with a shovel and put that in the dumpster, and then left the body on the trampoline for the kids to examine. Thanks Brawner. Then we let the dogs out again, and they immediately went sniffing around the whole yard until they found it on the trampoline, and Cooper, our black lab, spent the next two hours running around the trampoline and barking at a dead snake.