West Virginia Capitol

Charleston, West Virginia

Our favorite thing about this capitol was driving by the night before our visit and getting pictures with the building all lit up!  I would also like to add, that this picture was taken with my camera outside the panoramic sunroof of our new car:)  

Next morning, we toured for real... lots of walking for the Crutch Girl.  And again, Ryan was our photographer.  I really liked this shot of Ben and Carly walking up the back steps of the capitol... fortunately for me, there was a Handicap entrance.  Albeit with a very steep ramp.  Grrrr.

Inside the dome... that inner circle is a chandelier.

Carly noticed right off the lack of art work hanging in this building.  Most capitols have portraits of their Important People hanging everywhere.  She thought perhaps they had been robbed.  For real.  Just lots of long, plain, marble hallways.

Under a desk in the House... we thought that perhaps my brother Steve forgot to tell us he was a Representative in the State of West Virginia.  This guy has a serious Diet Coke Issue.  

The House and Senate Chambers were decorated a little better, with really pretty scrollwork...

... and the chandelier that hangs inside the dome.

Cute McGregor Children, sneaking up to the Gallery of the Senate, only to find it locked.

The Senate

The view from the front steps of the Capitol... (and the road where we stopped to take the first picture, outside the sunroof.  Did I mention it's a Panoramic Sunroof?)

Ryan and I really loved this stone house... it has a fantastic view, as it faces the First Picture.  Again, with the First Picture.

View from the back steps...

West Virginia is very proud of their State Quarter.

Plain Marble Hallway.

Hidden Staircase leading up to the dome.  Off Limits.

The Liberty Bell (each state was given a replica from the same cast iron as the original)... this is the first we've seen WITHOUT the tacky painted on crack.  Good Work West Virginia.  

Our Second Favorite Thing about this Capitol, the war memorials... and this statue of a female soldier.  Haven't seen that before, either.

And hands down, the best war memorial...

All the names of the soldiers from West Virginia are listed on each section inside... all these portions come together to form a circle with a pool all around the outside and you can walk all around the inside.  It's pretty neat and quiet moving.

16 down...

Georgia State Capitol

Atlanta, Georgia... we modified our vacation, somewhat, due to the Incident.  We still wanted to get our capitol visits in, if possible, so we started off with Georgia.  This was a few weeks ago, and I was hobbling around with the crutches (not so well, I might add) so my memories are slightly skewed by Ow... ow.... ouch... ANYWAYS, as usual, beautiful building.  We also enjoyed driving in off the highway and seeing all the Olympic Rings everywhere, left over from 1996.  Kind of fun.

Ryan took pictures (you know, can't do that so well with crutches)... loved the staircases.

Many people were waiting to get in to see the Governor, who happened to be there for Scheduled Photo Shoots.  By "many people" I mean, Many Beauty Queen People.  It was apparently pageant day at the capitol.  All wearing their crowns and sashes.

There were many old flags on display and there was even a special room for some of them that was light and climate controlled.  Many were from the early colonies and Civil War...

Replica of the Lady on the dome.  Ryan really loved this display, at least I think he did since there were about 50 pictures of it.   I shouldn't tease him, though... it was pretty cool.

Particularly the helicopter pictures of her being removed and returned to the dome once her renovations were completed.

Coolest model ever... model of the dome, complete with interior staircases.  Most capitols no longer allow non-employee people up into the dome due to the rickety staircases and modern fire codes, so it was really cool to see this model.

The House

Shout out to anesthesia...

The Senate Chambers

Yeah for Margaret Mitchell.  And Boo to Carly for wanting to be in the picture with me, then saying, "Wait, what was gone with the wind?  No really, what was gone?"  Just another reason why I think she might not be my daughter.  She got a little nervous when I handed her my SACRED hard back copy (thanks SUE!) as summer reading. 

Quick snapshot of the Disrespectful McGregor Children.  And Jimmy Carter.

Note the Lady.

This is EXACTLY why I loved Ryan taking pictures!  Especially when I showed it to him and said, "Really, Ryan?!!" and he tried to tell me he did Shadow Man on purpose.  It might make it into my Favorite Vacation Pictures File.

Carly took our picture... I guess we BARELY made it in the picture, which was probably better since I was REALLY not feeling good by this point and as I recall, quite cranky:)

We hope you have enjoyed this Capitol Tour... be warned:  There are 4 more to come from this vacation.

Perspective

So, yesterday I went to church for the first time since The Accident.  I will admit, on the drive over I was feeling somewhat apprehensive.  Did NOT help that a guy driving a red truck right in front of us suddenly swerved all over the road and so very nearly got in an accident right in front of us.  I will also admit that I have been having issues with riding in a car at all as of late, and do not like in any way other cars driving beside us.  Which is somewhat of a problem living in a Big City.  Also admitting that when we pulled up to church, I kind of started to cry and shake and had to force myself to get out. I was kind of surprised that I wasn't coping so well and not one bit impressed with myself.  I am somewhat traumatized by our ridiculous car accident.  But I don't want to live in fear.

Stupidly, I took a deep breath said, "You are being RIDICULOUS!", prayed for perspective, and shakily hopped on in.

I guess all was going ok until our Pastor asked for prayer for one of the kids in Ben's Sunday School class, Kai.  We hung out with him quite a bit at camp last summer.  We just spent 3 months teaching their class.  Suddenly diagnosed with leukemia this week.  In the hospital getting chemotherapy, instead of cracking jokes beside Ben in Sunday School.  And suddenly my fears seemed like a joke.  My foot, my crutches, my "ruined vacation", my car issues, my inconveniences.  Do. Not.  Matter.

On the way home, we stopped at Sam's.  I refused to allow myself to be afraid.  While the kids and I waited in the car and Ryan shopped, Ben asked me, "Is my friend going to be ok?" with blinking, blinking eyes.  It about broke my heart.  If you know Ben, you know that's his way of trying so hard to hold back his emotions!

If you think about it... pray for Kai.  And his parents, Scott and Suze.  And his little brother, Dakota.  I'm attaching a link to his aunt's blog... I doubt she will mind since it just might get more people to pray for Kai!

** Ok, thank you to Ryan for exiting Sam's in completely the opposite way we've ever exited before... your traumatized and baby-stepping wife thanks you for your kind sensitivity!!!

Random Update...

I keep emailing Rochel to update her blog so I can see the new tile in her kitchen, and she doesn't listen to me.  Seriously, I'm bored here on my couch... and I'm tired of Leah being 8 months old.  I figured perhaps I should update my own before I continue to call the poor girl out on it.  But seriously.  Are you REALLY busy with 2 small children?

Anyhow... it's been a real learning experience around here.  Well, mostly for me.  I have not been handling things so well.  You know, being dependent on Other People, as it were.  Had several rough days with pain, and I guess, coping with my Temporary Disability.  Trust me, I've told myself a million times it could be way worse... but I was still being a big baby about it.  So, I'm really trying not to.  I've even had to continue writing down things I'm Thankful For.  And yes, that really does help.  I think the main thing is, it's just not comfortable for me to hand The Reins over to Someone Else.  So, I'm guessing there could be Reason #1 for our little Car Mishap.  As I am lovingly referring to it as.

So, I'm going to try to get better.  I mean, better about posting stuff... because honestly, I do not want to forget this Feeling of Yuck.  Very soon, it will be gone and I need to learn something from this.  Already, I have figured things out a little better (with Ryan's help, of course!) and it no longer takes me an hour to get a shower, or 20 minutes to hop to the bathroom... this is progress.  

Enough of that, because it is boring.... oh, and you are WELCOME for not creating a post about a Typical Day on My Couch.  B-O-R-I-N-G...

So, The Kids.  

Last month, Carly participated in an American Heart Association Jump Roping Fundraiser.  She came home from school in tears about the "poor children" with Heart Problems.  Little Miss had no idea that there are kids who are born with issues that might immediately require surgery or lifelong medical problems.  She wanted to donate her own allowance money she had been saving.  She begged me to email Anyone and Everyone and tell them about The Children.  While I immediately agreed and started typing away for her, I did have to ask her:

"Carly, was there a video involved?"

"Oh yes Mom!!!  A video with music (sniff) and little kids (tears, gulp) and, and, HEARTS!!!!!"

Thought so.  Anyways, THANK YOU to everyone who donated on my Soft Hearted Girls behalf.  She actually raised the most money in her school, at $280!!!  She was very happy that everyone cared as much about The Kids as she does.  I would like to take this opportunity to divulge a statement Carly made the morning of the Big Jump Roping Event:

"Ummm, Mom?  I don't even know how to jump rope!"

But, apparently she learned... here she is with her Medal for being the Top Fundraiser in her school.  Again, THANK YOU to everyone!

And, another Breakfast from Carly.  She did point out to me that if I would rather my blueberries said, "WOW", I could just turn my plate around.  Clever Girl.  She also mentioned that she "Misplaced" my yogurt.  I found it 5 hours later.  On the shelf.  Not sure what happened there, so we will leave it at that.

And I've been fortunate enough to have had several visitors to my Couch.  Many of my friends from work and church have stopped over to see how I'm doing and to entertain me.  We've had many delicious meals provided for us, which has really really helped since Ryan doesn't necessarily cook.  THANKFULLY, I'm getting better at getting around, so now I can help him out with dinner a little more... perhaps I should keep some of this information to myself.  Hmmm.... anyways, Leah (who I've already divulged is 8 months old) came over with her brother who is now Too Fast to Photograph.  Anyways, she is so cute and funny with her brother's Curious George.  Gets pretty excited over that monkey.  If her mother doesn't update her blog soon,  Aunt Jenny might give Leah her own REAL monkey.  She can call him George.  

Our Car Saga... and the Elusive Platinum Grey Jetta Sportswagen.  I won't go into it, but this is MAYBE the car we are getting to replace my Smashed Up Platinum Grey Jetta Sedan.  *Sigh*  I'm shaking just typing that.  Anyways, provided This Car is actually delivered to our home on June 20th after it's trip from Atlanta, we will have a car we can take on vacation.  Which my Mother In Law would appreciate:)  Hey, did you know you can get a car delivered to your house?  Crazy.  But I'm going to make them do it just because it sounds so funny to me.  And well, I can't drive.  Anyways, STATION WAGON.  More room for camping supplies.  You know, when my foot is NOT broken.  Seriously,  I fall over climbing into the tent WITHOUT crutches and prefer not to press my Luck!

Here's the girl we refer to as Smarty Pants around here.  FOUR years running, an "Excellence Award" for her grades at school.  Supposed to be for Straight A's all year.  However, there was ONE B this year, and she got the award anyways.  Ryan refused to clap,  you know, since she didn't deserve it.  She didn't care.  She thinks she's all that.  Pretty sure the "B" was for Too Much Talking.  I can relate.  Actually, I think it was Reading.   Which makes me laugh.

So, the one thing you CAN do on the couch is shop!!  (You saw that car, right?  Surely you didn't think I went Car Shopping with my walker did you?) And so far I have bought birthday presents, End of the Year Teacher Gifts, Coffee, and these fun tshirts for our little swimmers.  Now, I ask you... are they PERFECT for Ben and Carly or what?  Pretty sure you can figure out which one is Ben's and which is Carly's!

Random Picture #9

Because it sure made me happy today... Carly made me breakfast this morning, to make me smile:)

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!