Sunday Scripture! "Hold On a Little Longer"

In the January 2010 Liahona there President Dieter F. Uchtdorf speaks of why we must endure the trials of this life and that through Christ we will be given strength if we are faithful. He says

"One of the many revelations Joseph received in Kirtland was a revelation he called the “olive leaf … plucked from the Tree of Paradise, and the Lord’s message of peace to us” (introduction to D&C 88). This remarkable revelation includes the sublime invitation, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me” (D&C 88:63). As the Saints of Kirtland drew near unto the Lord, He truly did draw near unto them, pouring out the blessings of heaven upon the heads of the faithful."

Then when referring to the "spiritual outpouring" that took place during the time the saints were in Kirtland he said.

"Perhaps the culmination of these spiritual manifestations occurred during the dedication of the Kirtland Temple on March 27, 1836. One of those present was 28-year-old William Draper, who described the day as a “day of Pentecost.” He wrote: “There was such a time of the outpouring of the Spirit of the Lord, that my pen is inadequate to write it in full or my tongue to express it. But I will here say that the Spirit was poured out and came like a mighty rushing wind and filled the house, that many that were present spoke in tongues and had visions and saw angels and prophesied, and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been known in this generation.”


I must say that of all the Sunday Scriptures that I have presented on my blog, today I was stuck on what to write. While I choose them by the impact they have had on my own life, I also pray that they are messages that will help and encourage those that read it. I prayed for some time to know that the things that I leave here today will be what the Lord would have me write. Then as I began studying the scriptures and articles I came across the above paragraph and I feel as though it pin points my exact feeling "that my pen is inadequate to write it in full or my tongue to express it". I am not a "spiritual giant" I don't know very much, I am still a "child" when it comes to understanding all the things of the gospel but with Christ as my interpreter I hope to present His message as best I can. Let me share an experience I had just yesterday.

I spent the afternoon doing some grocery shopping, I went to Costco knowing that I had a limited budget to spend there and then I would head to another grocery store to get the remaining and bulk of our groceries. Well as I walked through Costco I found myself looking into others carts and seeing how full theirs were compared to my very meager contents. I became jealous that they could come and buy all that they wanted or needed without a thought for the money it represented. I left holding in my hand the item I ultimately purchased, embarrassed, feeling like everyone else must know how little money I had. I sat in my car for a moment and the tears fell as I thought of how I would need to plan very carefully our meals for the next two weeks, and angry because of it. Then I thought back to a year ago and where we were, and I wanted to slap myself!

One year ago my husband had no job, we were staying with my parents and the prospects for future income was slim! Now, Here I was with a budget to work with, a car to drive, a beautiful home to take the food to, a neighborhood which we love and I am crying because other people have more food than me!! I plugged my ipod in, wiped my tears and put the car in reverse and the first song that came on was most definitly meant to get through to me, I have heard it many many times yet I knew that this time was my Heavenly Fathers way of letting me know he heard my prayers and pleading.





There are so many out there in much worse conditions and yet He knows my struggles and still cares about them. He cares about each one of us, loves us and wants us to be happy. I know this, and I am grateful for His patience with me and the kindness He shows me daily. May all of you have a wonderful Sunday

All my love (Oh and Don't forget the GIVE AWAY)

Flashback Friday! Back Logged Birthdays!

January is a busy month in our family! I have two children that celebrate their birthdays during the month, one sister, a sister in-law,and several friends! I guess they are all the equivalent of a possible tax return baby gone late! Just kidding, each of my children are treasured members of our family, and we would never think about the possible financial gain from producing offspring, NEVER!

Here is a little flashback of my January babies!

January 9th Lexi turned 11, holy smokes! Can I just say that living with a hormonal preteen is way too much competition for this high maintenance Mama, I am the only one in this house that is allowed to be hormonal! Oh wait, this is supposed to be about the good qualities, OK back on track!

Alexis was my little angel that saved me from myself and my brain dead stage of 17-20! From the moment she was born I knew that all my decisions needed to be made in her best interest and not my own!

After I separated from the "donor" just 10 days after she was born I only looked forward! I started school and focused on taking care of her. I didn't date or expose her to any lame guys for the next three years, I just figured if I was to marry again that my Heavenly Father would take care of it. He did, and boy were Lexi (3 at the time) and I super excited!


The years have swept by much faster than anticipated and she is just a few short years from driving, dating and then graduating! In the process however she is an amazing daughter, sister, cousin and friend! Lexi works hard in school, loves to read, ride her bike and talk (this could be from genetics but we are working to discover the source). I love her and I am proud of her! Go Lexi Go Lexi, shake your booty, Go Lexi, it's your birthday!


To celebrate this year we were actually in Utah for my cousin Rachel's wedding (which was on Lexi's birthday)! It was a great day we ordered room service for breakfast, got ready and then spent the entire day with family for the wedding. We ate lunch at a great Mexican place in downtown SLC and the best part of the entire day was when we were at the wedding dinner my sweet and amazing cousin Rachel stood and announced to the entire room that it was Lexi's birthday and had everyone sing to her! It made Lexi so happy, it was the most generous thing that Rachel could have ever done for her! Lexi was so surprised by it that she had to cry (remember hormonal), which then made all the rest of us cry! It really was a special day!






Then there is my James, how do I describe the boy that stole my heart from the moment he was placed in my arms? He was born on a fantastic day, January 24th, my sister Janna's birthday! I remember it was early in the morning, he was calm when they handed him to me, he looked up at me with those sweet eyes, and that was it for me, I was all his!



He is ALL boy, through and through, no question! He loves to jump, kick, punch, shoot, tackle, play with cars, and then when he is done he will come give his mama the nicest hug! He throws his head back when he laughs and gives his sisters a stern yelling at if they step out of line. James is silly, loves to be tickled and rides on the "big kid" swing, yelling "Dog! Dog!", meaning he wants an "Underdog"! (it's when you push your child in the swing and go underneath them). I am proud to be him mama!


This year for his birthday it was small and quiet with some cake and the usual Birthday anthem. This year I made cake pops for his cake and they were quite yummy! He is a good boy and I love watching him grow!


But don't mess with James cause I think he is gonna run this town someday!!

K Ya'll It's Give Away Time!!

I haven't done a give away in a LONG time and I decided I need to get back into the game!! So here are the rules:

Leave a Comment - 1 entry
Leave a comment & Add yourself as a follower- 2 entries
Leave a comment, follower & add link or post about the giveaway on your blog- 3 entries

Here are the prizes

Your choice of a custom made (MarylinKelley) Blanket, Apron or Hooter Hider

Or for those that live in the Colorado area and have no use for the above a home cooked meal on me!

The winner will get to choose their prize!!

Oh and the Contest Ends Sunday February 14th, 2010 so get going!!

BubbleGum, BubbleGum In A Dish, How Many Pieces do You Wish

I am a crazy dreamer! I have very vivid and bizarre dreams on a nightly basis, they tend to keep me asleep because they feel so real! Last night I dreamt that I had tons and tons of pink bubblegum in my mouth and no matter how many times I tried to spit it out there would be another wad in my mouth! I kept pulling and pulling but it was stuck to my teeth, people were talking to me and I was just standing there pulling gum out of my mouth! It got really annoying and finally I woke up and realized I was wearing my retainer!! Haa haa haa

Sunday Scripture; Prayer

I have such a testimony of the power of prayer in my own life. It has strengthened my relationship with my Heavenly Father, it is how I can communicate with Him and let him know of my gratitude. It is also how I am able to talk with him and let him know of my concerns, as He is All Knowing I realize that He knows what our concerns are before we tell Him, but He would so much rather hear from us. As any would Father, He wants to be in communication with His children, it makes the distance between us feel small.

I would like to share a personal experience and testimony building moment with prayer that I had some years ago.

January 20, 2005 I entered a hospital E.R via ambulance at around 2:30am after suffering excruciating pain in my abdominal area. They ran many tests on me and pumped me with Morphine to ease the pain and then informed me that I was going in for emergency surgery because my appendix had burst! They performed the life saving surgery, and after, told me I was lucky to be alive because the infection was throughout my entire body and that it had probably burst 3 to 4 days before I had any pain (which I guess is really unusual). Well due to the wide spread of infection my stay in the hospital would be prolonged, included in my stay was a catheter and a tube that went up my nose and into my stomach to aid in pumping the nasty stuff out!!

Well on the night of my 4 day in the hospital my nurse removed my i.v because the spot it was in was getting old and she wanted to move it to a new location on my other arm. Now keep in mind I had been unable to eat anything but broth and ice chips at this point so I was EXTREMELY weak and dehydrated! Well as she poked me once, twice, three and then four times she wasn't able to get the iv back in, (which is very bad when you are depending on it to give you all the medication and vitamins). Well she gave up and called in another nurse who tried multiple times and was unsuccessful and then a third nurse before calling in a lab tech who was "Very good", they began discussing that they would have to put it in my forehead if she was not able to get the iv in! Well by this point I had tears running down my face I was extremely scared and alone, since it was very late at night and my husband and mother had gone home. The idea of having it in my forehead was not pleasant and so as I heard them say "Ok we will try one more time, but after this...." I closed my eyes and prayed harder than I ever remember NEEDING to pray in a VERY long time, I pleaded with my Heavenly Father to be with me and to enable them to get the iv started in my arm and as I opened my eyes I saw the relief on the faces standing over me and felt the iv begin to work again.

It felt as if He had just answered the most important prayer I had ever said, I knew that He was with me, that He had guided her hand with steadiness and that I was not alone! I remained in the hospital for several more days and had many more miracles take place on my behalf during that time, but that moment when I felt His arms around me, and His comfort during and hour in which I dearly needed Him, it changed me. I was never the same after that, I was better for it, more humble, more compassionate, more open to His miracles and to His unwavering love for me. Little ole me, sick in a hospital, scared, and He was there for me!

I know that through Him all things are possible, and that He watches over us and is eager to hear from us. I know personally of His mercy and love and I am grateful for His hand in my life.

Flashback Friday! Inside Jokes!

My Family has many the inside joke! We all love to laugh and why not laugh at each other in the process, all in good fun of course! There are 5 of us "Holler" kids and I would say that my lone brother Jack is perhaps the most notorious for the start of several of our family jokes. Today I will share one of my favorites. First there must be a slight back story. Both Jack and Alyssa had little trouble when they were younger in school, it just didn't come as easy for them,while Janna and I had both managed to do ok.

Jack must have been oh maybe 1st or 2nd grade (not really sure), and my mother was sweetly tucking him into bed when he looked up at her and said "Mom, how come Janna and Marylin are smart and from Dad's side of the family, and Lys and I come from your side of the family and we are, well, you know?"

I am not really sure how my mother (whom is not dumb in any sense of the word) responded to the inquiry of the young lad, but ever since it has been a joke in our family! Anytime one of us acts a little um "you know" then we are from my Mom's side of the family and if we are "smart" than we must have surely come from my Dad's side!!

First Class: Not Just a Better Seat, but a Better Way of Life!

At the ripe old age of 31 I was able to fly First Class for the very first time! For some this is a normality, for me, well let's just say I could totally get used to it!

Alexis and I made a trip to Salt Lake City for my cousins wedding and the tickets were courtesy of a friend at Jimmy's work. He worked for United and got us great rates for "Standby" tickets and it turned out to be the best way to fly!

We took our comfy, over sized seats at the front of the plane ahead of the business class. Waiting for us was a fresh blanket and pillow, along with one flight attendant for the 6 of us in First Class and she was very attentive. We were served our drinks and snacks promptly and offered 2nds but my bird sized stomach was stuffed so I opted for my earphones and classical music while reading the New York Times instead. Once we had reached 30,000 feet I was taken on a tour of the cockpit and even offered a chance to fly the plane. Who knew that a thin curtain had been separating me from a new life all this time (ok well really I mostly have flown Southwest and they don't have First Class, but still)!! Sitting in the warm leather chair I stretched my legs out to their full 24 inches in length and took a breath of the fresh air of high class and knew this is where I belonged. It really was so nice knowing that my Coach bag was safe in the extra storage space provided and that a full day spa was available if I needed to freshen up before landing. The only difficult part was when the remarkable journey came to an end as the wheels touched down in Salt Lake City. As I exited the plane there was a little more pep in my step and a lift in my chin, I spoke in a British accent and thanked the crew for their devoted service to my safe arrival and deplaned. We had been well cared for, and my gratitude ran deep within my being, down to every fiber.






Please tell me that you picked up on my over the top description of First Class??? You know, if you start to think about it, it's kind of true how something as insignificant as a seat on an airplane is a symbol of a "better" life, as is a fancy car, a huge house, a purse or a fantastic pair of shoes! In it of it self none of those things are bad things, in fact it wouldn't bother me at all if I was forced to fly first class for the rest of my life, nor would I feel guilty, but it most definitely does not define the quality of my life now. I believe that at any income/status level there is Joy to be had, and I have for sure had my fair share. The most important lesson is to know that "happy" isn't automatically added when more "Quan" enters your bank account, you have to be happy first, then if the money, the life, the "extras" come (through hard, honest work) it's easier to see it all for what it really is, stuff. Would it be nice, I think it would be. Do I NEED it to live the rest of my life happily, NOPE!

Ask, and Ye Shall Receive!

*(deep breath and moving on from the hard and sad stuff, for now)*

For as long as I remember being able to talk, which is pretty much since my conception, I have said that I should have been born with red, *curly* hair, and a Southern accent! I dunno why I decided that would be awesome, but I did, so I wanted it, k. Well the luckiest thing happened while I was in high school my hair just started "growing"(enter sarcasm) red, it was a miracle! Sometimes it was a slightly different shade of red, but it really has been amazing ever since. Then 11 years ago my parents had a neighbor move across the street who was from the South and between her and my Grandma & Dad who were born in the South suddenly I started having people ask me where I was from! Southern words just pop out without even trying, I guess DNA even takes into account accents now, again, a miracle! This is where it just gets plain crazy, shortly after I had James I noticed that my hair was getting kinda curly, but I figured it might just be while my hormones where adjusting, well here he is almost 2 and my hair is even more curly. The best was when I recently went in for a hair cut to a new stylist and she was like "So I see you have naturally red curly hair." and I was like "Yeah, tough huh?" then we are talking for a few minutes and she says "Where are you from?" I said "Las Vegas." she says "Oh I thought you were maybe from the South." Um HELLO my dream has come true! Not only is my hair red, I talk with a Southern accent and my hair is curly!!! C'mon now ya'll, don't hate!

My Aunt Jone!

I have been blessed in my life to have lots of people who have left a large mark on my heart, but there is one that was so unique, so loving, so honest and so genuine that I often block out the fact that she is no longer here. Her spirit was so magnetic that it seems to still surround me even years after she passed away.

My Aunt Jone Novakovich was this women who smelled like sweet perfume and shampoo, she was tall and thin with a smile that lit any room and any mood! She was one of the strongest women I have ever known, she lived through 3 bouts of cancer, before succumbing to it on the 4th time around. She was vivacious and spunky, I will never forget the video she and my uncle made while she was undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer (1st time) and she had bought all these fantastic wigs and was trying them on for the camera. One was purple and one was shiny and silver, she could make anything seem funny. Jone seemed invincible, so with each time she was diagnosed with a new cancer I guess I just thought she would always be able to overcome it, so when the news came that her body was no longer able to fight I just didn't want to believe it. This was my Aunt Jone, the one that when I was feeling awkward and hormonal at 12 could make me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world. The woman who loved her 4 black labs and her family more than life itself, there was no way that she could die.

Today is her Birthday and I miss her so much! I think of her all the time, especially when life throws a curve ball. When she was deciding the treatment to take for her Breast Cancer, she said she just wanted to "Hack it off" cause her "life was more important that her boob", she never was afraid to "cut" to the chase on anything. I like to think that's where I learned it from!


Love and Miss you Aunt Jone

Sunday Scripture! Faith, brothers and sisters, Faith

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."


In recent weeks I have faced, what I will call "mini trials" the kind that are mostly dealt with on a personal level or with a spouse. There have been moments of sadness and discouragement and then after much prayer and scripture reading, the overwhelming peace that everything would be ok. Throughout my life there have been "big" faith building experiences, the ones that are undeniably set right in front of your face, but the majority of the time it is through the small "mini trials" where faith is drawn from.


Today in Sacrament meeting for some odd reason my children were sitting still for longer lengths of time and I was able to really take in and listen to those that were speaking. This was truly a blessing for me because as the words came from the pulpit it was as if I was the only one in the room and that they were speaking right to me. The spirit was so strong and then it was as if someone tapped me on the shoulder and said "Marylin, I know. Don't worry everything will be alright." Shortly after, the children began to rustle a bit and I had to take James out into the foyer, but it was like I had heard what I needed to hear.

I am truly grateful for these kinds of moments, that are small and when one is in tune with the spirit, they are Faith building. It is a wonderful feeling to know that my Heavenly Father knows me and really truly knew exactly what I needed to hear today, He worked through others to teach me and to let me know He knows. He sees me and loves me. I was the lamb today that
my Savior sought out to find.

Ketchup!! Just try not to get any on you!

It has been so long since I posted that I don't even look at my blog anymore! :) Now that the holidays are over and I am home again, I am hoping to have a little more time to chat about the daily nonsense, that is my life!!

We spent 3 weeks in Vegas and boy was it crazy, busy, awesome! We flew into Vegas on Wed. the 16th (the kids and I) and we drove to California on Thursday the 17th! First thing we did when we arrived was visit Jack & Ashley's new home (dummy me didn't take pictures), they had just moved in the week before so they were very excited to give us a tour! It is a pretty little house with a great backyard, the kids had a great time breaking it in! After visiting for little bit we headed to dinner and then to the hotel, this is where the best part happened!! As we were driving onto the freeway we were immediately passed by a speeding truck that was weaving in and out of traffic with 25 plus police cars right behind it!!! We were right in the middle of a HIGH SPEED CHASE!! It was so exciting, exhilarating really! When we got to the hotel everyone watched the chase continue, live on TV! It ended in San Diego when the guy drove himself up to the police station! Only in California!!












We spent Friday in Disneyland with 18 of us;

The Whole Dang Family (except Jimmy)


Mom & Dad Holler
Dave, Janna & Ethan (drove from Arizona)
Chet, Lys, Amy, Carli, Carson & Atlee (flew in from Texas)
Marylin, Alexis, Grace & James (flew in from Colorado)
Jack & Ashley (live in California)
Emily (drove from St. George)

It was a beautiful day, the weather could not have been nicer and while it was nuts at times keeping track of EVERYONE, a blast was had by all, yes, that includes you, Chet & Emily!
We rode on lots of things and even went to the "Build A Bear" for boys. Since Carson's Birthday was coming up we hit this great shop that lets you pick out your own car body and then build it to your desired specifications, tires, rims, details, remote control, decals, the works! James and Alexis both built one but Grace was happy with her prized Tinker Bell doll and was pleased just to observe! We ate tons of food and spent many hours walking the Land that is Disney! My niece Amy was chosen for the Jedi training, and she was so fun to watch, another highlight was listening to the 80's band, rock out for a couple hours in tight black pleather and bad wigs! Surprisingly I am not even kidding about that, I spent some good time watching James and Lexi dance to the music while Grace slept in the stroller.

































Saturday we checked out of our Hotel and headed to our favorite Breakfast spot (can't remember the name) , once again it did not disappoint! This time we added a few more to the mix with my SIL's mother and sister, I am sure they were loving sitting at the enormous table with all of us! After breakfast we said goodbye to Jack and Ashley as they had to get to work, but the rest of us headed to the beach. We let the kids play at the waters edge, running towards and then away from the waves, it really was another beautiful day in California! After some time in the sand we walked down the pier for some ice cream at Ruby's , mmm how I love that stuff!!







Then it was time to pack up and head back to Las Vegas, I was really bummed that Jimmy was not able to join us, I am hoping that we will be able to return again soon as a Kelley clan!


It really was a GREAT family vacation! I know that family and vacation don't always mix, but since all 5 original "Holler" kids are living in different states, getting us all together is rare! As an adult I can honestly say that they are some of my most favorite people in the world! Love you guys and miss you! Now mind you, this was just the couple days spent in California there is still much to come about the time spent in Vegas!!

All My Love

For those interested I caught the VERY tail end of the chase on video!

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