Eye Opener!

Just days before Michael's accident I was really stressed. We had a new baby and I was nervous about life as parents of two children. Wondering if we could handle it...if we'd be good parents...trying to protect our newborn from sickness and this awful cold weather. Then Brody fell down hurting his tooth. We started to notice how it was turning grey...this meant that it was dying. Which meant it would possibly fall out and we would have a boy who was missing his two front teeth for several years. This caused me to be in hysterics. I cried and cried when I thought of a toothless son...wow, has my perspective changed. So when Mike called to tell me about his accident he said "guess what...I still have my two front teeth!"

Mike is doing really well. He has a great attitude and looks at this as a new adventure. He has always been one to roll with the punches. But I am truly amazed at his ability to roll with THIS punch! Its been really interesting how his mind plays tricks on him. Because he cannot feel his legs, he does not realize where his legs are. He kept telling me to check his legs and make sure they weren't dangling of the side of the bed, or dragging on the floor. I would then show him that his legs were in fact up on the bed in front of him. But to realize that, he has to look right at them. These past few days have been a real eye opener as to what our life will be like when Mike returns home. How we will get around, what kind of wheelchair he will use, what kind of attachments we will need for our vehicle, what our home will require, and the dynamics of our family after this event! Tonight while waiting to meet Mike's sister at the hospital, Michael's brother and I decided to experiment on a wheelchair! It was another eye opener. I recommend anyone who hasn't tried wheeling around on one, to try it, it's definately a new perspective (it's kinda fun too)!

We are overwhelmed at the amount of people who have shown concern and love for our little family! It has truly been extremely humbling! We just can't say thank you enough! We love you all! Thank you for taking care of us!

Love,

Michael, Michelle, Brody & Jocelyn

PS

Michael has had some feeling in his legs. We tried pulling the hair on his thigh and his knee, he got after us because it hurt! You know what that means....he felt it!!! This doesn't mean walking, but it's a start!

Laughter

It's funny what some of this medicine does to your words. When I brought some pictures of our kids into Michael's room, I asked him where he would Like me to put Jocelyn's picture. He said, "Why don't you put it on I-15 so that as I'm speeding by I can look over and see it!" It was pretty funny, needless to say, we left it on the counter next to him...I don't think is would have lasted on I-15! Well, Mike is as good as to be expected. He is recovering really well from his surgery. It was quite the extensive surgery...he has a fourteen inch incision on his left side that is not exactly comfortable for him. But according to the surgeons he is healing great! It's funny, when come to visit Mike, we are wanting to come and encourage him and show our support, but as we arrive we are greeted with smiles and laughter. He has kept us laughing more during this week then ever. After his surgery, I was very nervous to see how coherent he was and if he would recognize me at first. As I walked in I said "hey honey, do you know who this is?" He looked at me and said, "uh, uh, uhhhhhhh....just kidding gorgeous...of course I know you!" Of course, he can't help but be a Smart Alec....but definitely keeping us laughing! Depending on how things go, he is most likely going into rehab on Monday. There he will stay for three weeks to a month undergoing a very rigorous recovery! Today, Michael will be working with the physical therapist. He gets to sit up too! We are all excited for this. As you can imagine laying on your back for one week would drive you nuts...as it is for Mike! So today is going to be big!

Love you all, and we just are incredibly amazed at the love the support that is pouring our way!

Love,

Michelle

Another Prayer is needed!

I feel the spirit so strongly as I write this...we feel as though we are being cared for by the world. You all have truly lifted our burdens. Through all of you, our prayers are being answered...we know now more then ever that God does not leave us in our time of need. He is nearer now then we have ever felt. His power is so strong! We hope you know how much your prayers are with us, comforting and guiding us!

Now we are asking for another prayer. Tonight we received heart wrenching news of another couple who was hit with a similar circumstance as us. Last night a 24 year old man fell on the job site pinching his spinal cord and causing paralysis from his chest down. Today, he and his wife would have been celebrating their one year wedding anniversary. We feel so much for this couple and what they are going through and hope they feel and receive the same love that our family has. They now need your prayers more then ever! Prayers work miracles! This we know, they will need them and they will feel them. Why something so confusing and mind boggling happens to us in our lives we don't know...but I do know EVERYTHING happens for a reason and God is with us.

We LOVE you ALL!

With more thanks then we can ever express,

Michael, Michelle, Broden and Jocelyn Kemp

Thank you

Thank you SO much for your prayers! Mike had surgery and the doctors said that everything went as planned and Mike is recovering without any complications. We spoke with him after surgery and the nurses were surpised at how quickly he responded to everyone there. We feel your love and support for us and appreciate your wonderful messages Thank you! We'll keep you posted.

Please pray with us

Posted by Debie Bratt, Michelle's mom,

Difficult news is always hard to share but we are asking for your prayers at this time. Yesterday afternoon, while working, Mike fell about 9 ft off the scaffeling he was standing on. When he fell, two of his vertebrae were damaged causing severe damage to his spinal cord. He was life flighted to Utah Valley Hospital and will undergo surgery tommorrow. He's told he won't walk again but, like you, we believe in miracles. We would really appreciate your prayers and if you would like to join us we will be fasting today for him. We will keep you updated through this blog as to how he is doing. We are so grateful that he's been alert and in good spirits as best he can under the circumstances. Thank you for your love and prayers.

Free Falling!

This last August for Michael's birthday his family gave him a skydiving trip! He was so exited! He was going with his younger sister Kamie as well! I thought about going but being three months pregnant I thought better of it (that was my excuse)! Yes, it was quite brave of Michael to accept this challenge but you can only imagine how shocked he was when his mother decided accompanying them at the last minute (she shocked the entire family, this was a bit out of character)! So in the end it was a family event! Sadly we only have footage of Mike...and a bit of his mother. Hopefully we can add their videos soon but for now check this out!

Random pics!

Michael has been my Knight in Shining Armor in this whole adventure! Honestly...if guys needed tips on how to rock in the world of being a husband they could take a class from mine! Really...he has been amazing! There are not many husbands who work 6 days a week 9+ hours a day and are willing to wake up in the wee hours of the morning, run "girly" errands, make or buy dinner, rough house with a little monkey of a son, cuddle with his bitty baby girl, and still have time to treat his wife like a queen! Yes...this is my husband...gosh I'm lucky! I love you Mike! I think there is no question here...she's a "daddy's girl." She's got him wrapped around her little finger! (Michael and Jocelyn - 4 days old)
Brody is one proud brother (even with the poking)! If Jocelyn even grunts...Brody hears her. He runs to her and says "What's wrong baby? You ok?" Then he kisses her tummy and runs back to his playing! I think when the boys start to knock'n on our door for dates with Jocelyn, Brody is going to put that protective brotherly love into action! (Brody and Jocelyn - 1 day old)
Pretty in pink! When we found out we were having a girl...I said that I wouldn't have my little girl in pink all the time ... yeah I changed my mind, it has got to be my most favorite color on her! And I can't wait to buy more pink! (Jpcelyn - 2 1/2 weeks old)

A Few More!

Yeah, so I know I already posted today...but I just had to add a few more!

PS: Jocelyn only woke up once last night! It's amazing how beautiful the world looks when a person's had a few more winks the night before!

Grow'n Like a Weed!

Brody and Jocelyn

In just two short weeks my little six pounder is no longer...she is now my little seven pounder almost eight...what can I say, she likes to eat...and well...I feed her:) Jocelyn is now 4 weeks old! Wow, it's a bit of a change having two kids...I like having four walls to keep an eye on them at all times (well at least an ear). I am extremely fearful of venturing outside! Right now I have an excuse...it's cold and it's the sick season...but soon...I am going to have to step into the real world and accept that tantrums are going to happen...tears are going to happen...but hopefully smiles will happen as well...:) Baby steps right? RIGHT!!!

Happy Birthday Jocelyn!

Coming in at an wopping 6 pounds and 4 ounces stretching 19 inches long our sweet Jocelyn came softly into this world with hardly a peep! She was born January 28th at 7:17 pm! The labor was fantastically painful until something wornderful happened, I recieved an epidural! Nothing but pure bliss followed. In just 4 1/2 hours and 1 1/2 pushes she was born! What a beautiful baby! She has brown hair with a hint of red (of course) and loves to sleep! She passed all of her tests with flying colors! Brody just loves her! He can't look at her without cocking his head to one side and smiling.