My foot is slipping...

I just have to share this, because it is so very incredible to me.  This morning I looked at the verses I wrote on the sidebar.  I put them there on Saturday.  I wrote them in my journal on Saturday morning.  5/21/11.  One day before our car accident.  One day before the airbags deployed and the seat belts caused enormous bruises on our bodies.  One day before my foot broke.  God gives us what we need before we even know we need it.  Before we even actually need it.

Unless the Lord had given me help, 

I would soon have dealt in the silence of death. 

When I said, "My foot is slipping" 

your love, O Lord, supported me. 

When anxiety was great within me, 

Your consolation brought joy to my soul... 

the Lord has become my fortress, 

and my God the rock in Whom I take refuge. 

Psalm 94:17-19, 22.

I never get tired of realizing this: this is not so random.

... not so random accident

So this is my view for the next few weeks... from my couch.  And a nice view of my Florida Orthopaedic Institute Range of Motion Walking Cast Boot.  *sigh*

Long story short... the kids and I were in a car accident on Sunday.  After church, Ryan had gone to get his hair cut and I took the kids to Sam's Club with me.  We were driving along on a local highway and were suddenly merged onto by another driver in the lane beside us.  He seemed to think we must have been in his Blind Spot... I only know that he hit the front passenger side of my car.  Hard.  And in that instant of realizing he was going to hit us and airbags opening and Ben screaming all I could think is "MY KIDS ARE IN THE CAR!!!!" and I hit the brakes with just about every ounce of my being.  And broke my foot.  I praise God with every twinge of pain and annoyance that Ben and Carly are PERFECTLY FINE.  It is not lost of me the miracle of that.  We are very, very blessed.

We are especially blessed in our friends and family.  Within moments of this happening, a family from our church stopped to help us... I have never been so happy to see Shelby Dubois in my life.  She never looked so beautiful to me as she did appearing over the door of my smashed car, so calmly telling me everything was going to be ok.  Talking to Ben and Carly as if it were just another day on the side of the road, keeping them calm.  Finding an inhaler in my disaster of a car.  Her and her mom were so helpful and I never want to forget that.  Many people from our church stopped to see us, helped call Rochel who was able to find Ryan (his cell phone was off) and just take care of us in a very crazy hour of need.  We are so blessed.  

I've spent most of the week thinking.  Trying to avoid the obvious "What if..." thoughts, but concentrating on God's Timing and Plan for us.  It's incredible to me to realize how many NOT SO RANDOM things had to line up for this accident to occur.  I mean, bizarre, out of the ordinary stuff that happened even 2 weeks prior to Sunday that had an impact on timing.  Just little things, like 2 weeks ago shopping with Ryan at Sam's... the line being long which led to him checking out without me, but using MY Sam's card, which then ended up in HIS wallet, which meant that it WASN'T in MY wallet, which is why we left Sam's early on Sunday without shopping, and how we ended up leaving early and getting hit... reasons why we ended up NOT driving together to church.... Ryan's special music day getting switched and other seemingly random things like this.  

Life seems so random to us, but it is NOT random to God.  He puts us where He wants us to be.  He showed me His protection on Sunday, but He also made it quite clear to me that this was His plan.  There has been a Still Small Voice in my head these past days whispering, "watch what I'm going to do..." and so far, it has been pretty amazing.  

Before Sunday, I was having a pretty crappy week.  I was feeling hurt and unloved and misunderstood.  And in one afternoon, I was overwhelmed by people loving me, caring about me, trying to help me... just amazing.  So many people have called us, emailed us, visited,  brought over meals, ordered food, offered to help do various things... it was just what I needed.  We've never really been in a position where we NEEDED help, and let me tell you ~ I hate needing it, but I sure have felt loved and cared for!!!  Even at my job, everyone has been so kind and helped make arrangements for the time I will have to be off work.  Crashing my car and breaking my foot was apparently just what I needed.  

When I went for my follow up doctor visit on Monday, he had my xray's up on the computer screen... of course I snapped a picture with my cell phone before he came into the room.  You can see my broken bone if you look at the bone on the bottom... it's supposed to be long and in one piece, like the ones above it.  That's my fifth metatarsal. 

Another seemingly random thing I'm am so thankful for is Ben's reaction to the accident.  He has been so fine!  Just OK about everything and acting so grown up and calm.  He has been trying to take care of me and helps me out when he can.  I'm so very thankful because he certainly could have gone the other way!  I will admit that he DID say, "Man!  I love that you broke your foot!  We've had GREAT meals all week!  Well.... you know what I mean!"  He's been enjoying all the food and treats that have made their way through our door.  Punk.  He has also been enjoying playing with my crutches...

My parents brought me roses on Sunday:)  They also picked Ben and Carly up at my friend Debbie's  house (She had taken them home for me when we were still on the side of the road so that Ryan could get me to the hospital and so they wouldn't be so worried!  What a huge help!) and came over and made dinner for us on Sunday night.  My friend Diane brought me daisies the next day, too!

SO!  This is how I'm getting around these days... Walker.  Which I'm VERY thankful for, because it turns out I'm REALLY bad on crutches, and this contraption is MUCH faster and easier.  My mom's friend lent it to her, and I'm borrowing it now... so THANK YOU SUSAN! It sure makes hopping around easier, and well, SAFER.  I can even skate around on it if I get really lazy.

And Carly.  She's wonderfully fine, too.  Her usual dramatic self... she now has a "Story" to accompany the theatrics.  She's has been trying to get to stay home from school so she can help me out.  I do think it would be very convenient, but alas, school is important!  I'm so thankful they only have 2 more weeks.  I tell you, if you have to be laid up, at least my peeps will be home with me very soon which will make getting around even easier.

Carly has been decorating my Couch for me...

And my sweet Jetta.  *Sigh* Totaled.  We sure had a lot of fun memories in this car.  I will admit that when the adjuster called me today to tell me it was for sure a complete loss,  I started to cry.  Which is so silly... It just made me feel sad.  This little car has taken us all over the country to see all the people we love so much.   After the accident, Carly kept telling everyone that she sure hoped they found our "VW" sign from the front of it so they could glue it back on.  I'm going to ask for it at the salvage yard tomorrow... Perhaps we could make some Couch Art out of it!

Weekend With Grandma and Grandpa

Last weekend, we had a very fun and busy weekend with Ryan's parents.  We started out with a Birthday party for Mom and Rochel, which Rochel had to create for herself, since I was working all day.  But I got out a little early, so I was able to eat with them and enjoy all of Rochel's hard work.  Yummy cupcakes and just fun sitting around talking. (above) It's pretty hard not to eat Leah.  She's like a sweet little marshmellow!  Carly loves helping out with Leah (and Eli)... she's going to make a great babysitter pretty soon.

Friday.... we actually started out at Ryan's school where he was heading up the Fourth Grade Battle of the Books competition.  He talked his Dad into being a judge.  The kids at the school thought it was great having ANOTHER Mr. McGregor around.  The kids were fun to watch and Carly is hoping to secure a spot on next year's team, when she's in fourth grade.  

Busch Gardens was next on our agenda for the day... Ryan met us at lunch time and Edgar took the picture (that's why neither of them are IN the picture) but they were there with us, too.  It was a nice, fun, relaxing day... 

... because we really needed one more picture of Carly on this gorilla.

Rochel was trying to get Eli to climb inside the hippo's mouth.  This picture cracks me up because he's having none of it.  He looks like he's begging her to stop asking.  He's pretty smart:  He saw what happened to Ben when HE went in the hippo's mouth....

Yup, Rochel wasn't talking Eli into that one!

Carly was thrilled to get to ride on the little kid rides with Eli!  Now that she's tall enough for the big roller coasters, she's too tall for most of the little rides.  Unless you're with someone who's still little.  Eli did great staying with her and enjoying riding.  He'll be begging to ride Sheikra before we are done with him!!!

My kids begged to ride the carousel.  Really???

More riding with Eli.... he looks like he's being chauffeured by Carly.

Leah enjoyed the water pad... and her mother!  She's pretty smiley.  And smooshy.  Yum.

And here's to Grandma and Grandpa.  Who actually wanted to ride on Sheikra.  Click on that picture and see them hanging on for dear life (front row, starting from the right... Mom, Ben, Carly, Ryan, and Dad) this part of the ride is where you hang face down for MANY seconds.  Before free falling.  Way down...

... like this

Bumper Cars...

... where Bad Driving is encouraged.

And I can't decide if this thing is cool or creepy.

Here are some giraffe's for Chloe.  MANY giraffe's!  

SATURDAY... Ben and Carly had a Swim Meet in Brandon.  Ryan's parents have been wanting to come down for one of the kids meets, and that is the Official Reason for their visit.  The kids did great on each of their races, and each cut time off of 2 of them!

Carly and the Fly.  

Lovely form.  And this would be the race the line judge didn't notice the hairband around her right wrist. The next race, he made her take it off.  And she made him put it on his own wrist, so he wouldn't lose it while she was racing.  Rats!  I'm certain that hairband was giving her an unfair advantage over the other swimmers!

Big smiles from the girl who cut many seconds off her Fly.  And her mother.

Ben... looking so grown up.  (Green hat)   He's gotten enormous over the last month.

... look for the green hat

My parents got to attend this meet, too, and I think Ben and Carly enjoyed their little entourage!  They certainly had the LOUDEST cheering section running down the length of the pool with them every time they swam!  And their own paparazzi!

We had hoped to go to the beach Saturday evening, but we ended up getting lots of rain.  The girls got an impromptu shopping trip, so we didn't mind that too much!!  Afterwards, Dad took all of us to the Olive Garden for dinner.  Back to our house for more visiting, and we stayed up late watching the Prince of Persia movie, which was pretty entertaining. 

Random Picture #8

Because it makes me laugh.

Our darling Kits.  Outside on the porch... scared out of their minds.  Because RYAN is on the porch.  Sweeping.    They are trying really, really hard to hide.  And the bottom of their jungle-gym,  is the best they can do.  It just made me smile.  After a really long, unusual day.  So I did NOT want to forget smiling.

Apparently, Miggy told them about the Hurricane's of 2004 and Papito spraying him with the sprayer... just sayin'.

Mother's Day 2011

I have to say... I had a GREAT Mother's Day.

I love being a Mom.  However, I'll be the first to admit I don't say 'I love being a Mom' like it's my whole reason for being on Planet Earth.  I think it is more something God handed over to me while He was smirking and snickering.  I'm really one of those Mom's who has absolutely no problem looking at their daughter somewhat dumbfounded, while saying, "You know, I never actually SAW you being born, so there is a chance you were switched in the nursery and I'm not completely certain WHERE you came from.  Your brother, however... now, that I saw.  So that I will take responsibility for, but you...".  I will definitely be the first to admit I kind of stink at it most days and the other days, I just get kind of lucky.  (blah blah blah, of course I realize a 100% any "success" I have as a mother is from God.  Duh.)

That being said, I do find my kids horribly entertaining.  Some days I think they are somewhat of a Science Experiment "Ryan and I" have created for our own amusement.  I will ALWAYS be entertained by seeing qualities in them that originally belonged to us or someone else in the family.  As well as by the qualities that are oddly, uniquely theirs!!  And I am fascinated by the scary reality of Ryan and I molding 2 people.  Everything we do impacts them.  Everything we teach them.  I love that God allows us a part in this.  It is truly why I love being a Mom.  That, and the humor.  

So, Mother's Day was good.  I'm all for a day where the People I Live With don't want me to do anything strenuous.  Where they sort of treat me like a Queen.  You know, by not bugging me.  Highly appreciated.  Day started off with the Carly creating breakfast for me.  Chicky has paid attention the last few years and served me what I always eat for breakfast, minus the coffee ("Because you said, 'Do NOT touch my Keurig!!!!'" says the suddenly obedient child.) then I was presented with gifts each had made.  Ben made me a necklace in Art class.  Well, he clarified with, "I was going to keep it for myself, but then I thought 'I need a Mother's Day Present' and realized you might like it, so here it is!!!!!" (with Big Proud Smile).  Reason #1 why We Love Asperger's around here.  Honesty.  Carly gave me multiple coupons for massages, clean rooms, emptying-cat-box's, and cooked dinners... with no expirations dates and guidelines of "You can use them as many times as you want, too!!!".  Really enjoying the dinners!  It's like I gave birth (or maybe not) to my own Personal Chef.

After a nice morning at church (see photo above... which I mostly included to show how VERY TALL Ben has gotten!!), we headed out to my Mom's, where we met her for lunch at an Asian restaurant... with Steve and Dad.  (YEAH! for them finally being home!) GREAT lunch, then we went over to Mom's where Carly and I got our First Glimpse of the recent Royal Wedding (remember the Camping Trip????  Well, it was during the Nuptials, otherwise, I would have had Baby Girl up at 4am to watch the fun!!).  We also enjoyed COFFEE, and then watched Tangled, which is about the cutest movie ever.

After we got home, Ryan rounded up the kids to clean their rooms.  This is my favorite part ever.  There was so much work that needed to be done to get Ben's Room Grandma Ready (Ryan's Parents are coming this weekend to see Ben and Carly's Swim Meet!) and he got everything taken care of!  It was the best gift ever!  He took apart bunk beds, rearranged furniture, rehung posters, and CLEANED, CLEANED, CLEANED!  He's WAY more patient than I am, and I sure appreciated his hard work.  And Ben's Room looks fantastic!  And has passed my Inspection of Ready for Grandma and Grandpa!  I'm certain they will be Delighted not to have to crawl under his bunk beds... if only the Tigers Fans can tolerate sleeping in a Rays Infested Room!!!  Hahahahahaha.

Shout out to my Mom... Happy Mother's Day!!! I love you and appreciate you.  And it was so fantastic to get to spend it the day you, even though you were still supposed to be in Israel.  I don't take it for granted that we were given a fun day together.

Shout out to Ryan's Mom!  Happy Mother's Day!!!  Looking forward to a very fun weekend with you guys!  I'm so excited Ben's Room is clean... please know that is ALL because of the wonderful Son you have!  I'm thankful you were his Mom.  You guys taught him so well:)  By way of reminder before you get here:  I still do not dust.  Just be OK with that... the kids are cute, though, right???!!

Header

With all the Camping Pictures, you had to know there would be a new header... I can hardly be surrounded by all this nature and NOT think of our Creator.  And I guess since it was raining when we started our trip, we spent a little more time with the kids talking about things we were thankful for.  We try really hard to teach them to always find the Good Side of everything.  I'll be honest:  I don't like to listen to them complain, and it is WAY easier to get them giggling and finding the Good Side than it is to keep yelling at them to Stop Complaining.  Of course, this means I can't complain, either... which might be the True Hardest Part.

You spend a little time without your warm bed, computer, cell phone, and all the other Comforts of Home and you realize how very worthless these things really are.  Spend a little time sitting around with your kids and husband and you suddenly see their value with Crystal Clarity.  We all loved our time together.

So, while we were hiking, I kept thinking of the whole Directing Our Paths thing... there were trail markers everywhere so we didn't get lost.  Beauty all around us that distracted us from the Path... Side Paths that looked like the right way, but weren't marked like the True Path was marked.  You get the idea.  I think there must be a reason God keeps revealing this seemingly obvious truth to me... I really struggle with consistency and staying on target with my relationship with Him.

Direct me in the path of your commands,

for there I find delight.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things;

preserve my life according to your word.

Psalm 119:35, 37

... I think camping was really good for me:)

Suwannee Camp Out

I'm pleased to announce that we have survived our First Solo Camping Trip!  Our previous camping experience was with CLOSE supervision of the Camping Experts so we were a little worried about how this gig was going to go.  ALSO, we made the QUESTIONABLE choice of choosing our destination from the Real Florida Guidebook, which brought us such adventures as THIS ONE last month.  Alas, it all turned out well... and before we even left we reminded ourselves that we can have a blast ANYWHERE and usually in the oddest conditions, so it seemed win-win!

We headed up to the Suwannee River State Park... through a rainstorm.  By the time we arrived, the rain had tapered off somewhat and we checked in and checked out our surroundings.  Apparently, we parked our car in the WRONG place and a kind gentleman (who was also camping) yelled at us about it.  To which Ben said, "Wow.  We already got in trouble."  My guess is, The Experts would have known not to park on the pine needles, so I chalked it up to our inexperience.  

Once our tent was up (ummmm, it seemed easier last summer.  Just sayin'.) we headed 12 miles into Town to get firewood, seeing how the Park Ranger was fresh out.  She sent us to Lowe's.  Who knew that they sold firewood?  They were VERY KIND there (so, SHOUT OUT to the folks at Live Oak, FL Lowe's!) and were happy to go up 2 stories in this contraption to retrieve 2 bundles of firewood for us... I guess anything for a sale.  A big $10 sale.

After this fun, it started raining again, so we decided to drive around and hunt out an adventure on our own.  We laughed for a long time when we came up on this school... mostly because we were in the Middle of No Where and of all the schools to find, it was hilarious that it's the same name as the school Ryan works at, and Carly attends!  

And you will be happy to know that this Lee Elementary is Tobacco Free.  See?  We are EASILY entertained!!

Well, it stopped raining and we were actually able to get a great campfire going (by WE, I mean Ryan!) which was good because we really wanted to eat s'mores.  I mean, dinner.  We roasted hotdogs and marsh mellows and spent a lot of time talking about things we were thankful for.  Because there is a lot.  Like, the rain stopping... a dry-inside-tent... a funny family to hang with... trees for oxygen... no cell phones or computer...

It got chilly over night, and were were VERY HAPPY it wasn't hot!  This was kind of late in the Season to be camping in Florida, so we were thankful for one last cool-ish weekend.  The next morning we headed out to do some hiking on the many trails that make up the Suwannee River State Park. 

Beautiful morning, with NO humidity! 

This tree was pretty cool... ENORMOUS and hollowed out... Ryan was the only one brave enough to climb inside (I was CERTAIN there would be bats up in it)...

He took my camera with him, and you can't see any bats...

Beautiful reflections all around

Balanced Rock, hanging out over the Suwannee River

Carly tried to tell us that she knocked this tree over... and she's so worried the Park Ranger might be mad.  Funny Girl.

Our hike brought us out to this railroad, just in time for a train to go by.  Kind of sad, but I don't think our City Kids have seen a train anywhere but Disney World.  Well, I guess they went on one in Alaska, but that was recreational.  This one was a working train, carrying lots of gasoline and other important looking stuff.  

I know it seems like something we would do, going on a road that is clearly marked ROAD CLOSED... and we did, but it is actually part of the trail, so completely legit.  

Ryan really wanted to follow the Trail onto the old bridge that crossed over the Suwannee River.  This part of the Trail is actually 12 miles long, and we thought that might be a little far for our Rookie Hikers. But we did check out part of it!

The next portion of our hike brought us to this long forgotten cemetery, which was pretty cool. 

I'm always fascinated by the stuff people used to write on tombstones.  We are so boring these days!

After a morning of hiking, we went back to our campsite for some peanut butter and honey sandwiches and a little rest... then we asked our trusty Park Ranger for some tips on a good Swimming Hole for our Advanced Swimmers.  She was kind enough to direct us to Madison Blue Springs State Park, which was beautiful!  The water is spring fed, so it's 72 degrees and crystal clear.  This portion was 25 feet deep!  Ryan and I just watched them swimming (and took pictures, of course).  Cold water never scares off our little fishies.

and yes... the Blue Springs are part of the Real Florida Fun!

Beautiful flowers on the side of the road... this really is pretty country.  Out in the Middle of No Where.

Our Alien Tent.  It served us well!

Camp fire fun our last night Out.

Torturing a few Peeps.  They are actually REALLY good this way:)

Peeps waiting to be tortured by Ryan.

Carly made Ben's breakfast for him... we weren't very adventuresome in the area of Campfire Cooking.  We continued being Camping Minimalists and only used/brought what we absolutely needed.  We did giggle for a while at our Camping Neighbors a few sites over who showed up with more equipment than they even carry at L.L.Bean.  It took them about 5 hours to get everything set up (you know, flood lights, changing room, fans, carpets...) that they made my Expert Sibling look like a Camping Rookie.  I probably shouldn't have giggled too much... we HAVE to be minimalists to fit everything in the trunk of our tiny little Jetta.

Mama's breakfast... Ryan said I couldn't bring my new Keurig.

SUCCESS!  FUN!  We loved every minute of our mini-vacation!!  It was excellent being with our little family of four, even though we missed our previous Camping Buddies ALOT!  We are hooked!