What a Saturday

Our Saturday was supposed to be a bit uneventful. The kids rode their bikes with my dad then we headed out to Sam's and Hobby Lobby. We were supposed to meet some friends for a shrimp boil at my (other) dad's that evening. Well, we made it to Sam's. As we were checking out I received a phone call from Chelsea's mom. I was putting the groceries on the conveyor thing so Eric answered. He was calmly talking and from the questions he was asking I thought maybe she had gone somewhere without permission. I was geared up for it when he got off the phone so I was unprepared for what he said. Chelsea had been involved in a car accident with her boyfriend. We knew no other details and waited while her mom was trying to find out. She called back and said Chels was being transported by ambulance to a hospital. We loaded the kids up and got there asap. As we were sitting at the red light to go into the hospital, the ambulance pulled up. What a scary sight. Eric ran in and I parked quickly. The kids and I found a receptionist and she assured me she would find her. Right as she told me that she was in Trauma room 1 they made an announcement for "Trauma Room 1: Stat: NOW! Now my heart was really racing. They told me they would let me know something asap. Chelsea's mom arrived and she ran back there. I felt it was best for me to stay in front, plus I had the little ones. I started calling grandparents. My mom was out of town and my dad was on his way to get her. My stepmom and brother arrived shortly to keep me company, then my dad. By this time we found out they were doing a cat scan on Chelsea because she was having a lot of abdominal and hip pain. 2 hours later we received the wonderful news that she was just banged up and bruised. Praise the Lord! There were 2 other cars involved in the accident and there were no major injuries. Our God is good! She was sent home that evening and went and bought some news clothes since they cut her favorite ones. She also got her new Hawk Nelson hat dirty and wasn't happy about that. ;-) We made it to the shrimp boil.

I cannot even begin to tell you the emotions that I experienced that day. I can say "I" not "we" because I cannot totally speak for Eric. I am sure his were close to mine if not worse. To know your child was lying on the street, screaming and scared, with no parents with her, is horrible. People were holding her hand and comforting her but it's not the same. To know she rode by herself in the ambulance and she did not even know where she was going; scary. I am so thankful to the Lord for this outcome. We have been told by 2 people who worked the scene that she is a very blessed young lady. The DPS officer that we talked with today told me they were very worried that she had some internal injuries and he was so thankful for how well she was doing. God's hand was so evident in this. There were 3, (3!), nurses there within 30 seconds who witnessed the accident and they started working on people. God saved all the people that were involved for a purpose; a purpose HE has for them. I hope they all realise this. I pray they give HIM the glory.

Please keep praying for Chelsea. She is in a lot of pain. She plans on trying out for Viewettes (the dance team) in May. Pray this will not hinder her, if it's God's plans. She already has several back/shoulder injuries. She had an appointment scheduled with the chiropractor today so that was a blessing. They ran x-rays and found her spine is a bit more curved since the accident. (It was already curved a teeny bit) She has another appt. tomorrow. She has been soaking in hot tubs and using heating pads and ice to help also. The pain pills they gave her are making her throw up so that's not good. Pray also that each and every person that was involved in this accident will draw closer to God and lessons will be learned. Her boyfriend is having a tough time. Please be praying for him also.

Lesson learned: No kid below the age of 18 should have their licence! ;-)

Can I get an AMEN?!

As many of you know, Chelsea is my "bonus child." She has lived with her mom full time with visits to us in between. We had the absolute delight of having her stay with us for an entire month up until yesterday. We talked over the weekend and she has decided to do a rotating schedule; moms for 2 weeks, then here for 2 weeks! WOW!!! Our God is so good!! We are simply giddy over this!

OUR GOD REIGNS!

Way to go Andrew!

Our small group went through the Dave Ramsey course recently. It convicted Eric and I to really start watching our budget. We have always done the envelope system with the kids and their allowances. Our HS ELO class is going through the course also. Many of my friends mentioned that their kids are working hard to raise their $500 for their emergency fund. (The adults emergency fund is $1000) We decided to do this with our kids also. Andrew reached his!! We did the calculations while divying up chore $$ this morning and he is now putting money away for a car. Abi is only $23 away and Chels is about $200. Not unreachable goals in the least. Granted Chelsea has not been earning an allowance until recently so it's understandable it may take her longer. It took Andrew only 2 years to do this. That may seem like a while but for a child that only earns $9 every other week, he has done well.

WAY TO GO BUD! WE ARE PROUD OF YOU!

Oops Forgot

Eric and I ended up spending a few days in Dallas for our little vacation. He surprised me the day before. It was a great time! We stayed at the Hilton by the Galleria and just relaxed. We did some shopping at Grape Vine meals mall and also visited IKEA where we bought the girls new dressers. It was a much needed weekend where we spent a lot of time talking and catching up on things we do not always get to talk about. I am so thankful that God allowed for that time!! He knew just what we needed.

The kids had a great time with their Aunt Jessi, Uncle Franklin & Cousin Lewis! Thanks Aunt Jessi for your hard work!!

Our Life Lately

Right now I am listening to Eric & Chelsea argue over geometry so it's hard to post pics and get all mushy. I will try my best.

We went camping the first(??) weekend in October. Wait, maybe the second. Anyways, we had a great time! The nights were cold but our kids were troopers! We enjoyed being together as a family. Each of the kids had time with their daddy out on the boat. We spent the second night around the campfire just playing silly family games that only our family gets.


I won 2 tickets to the Brandon Heath, Leeland, & Francesca ?? concert! I wish I had pictures! We had a great night. We all agreed that Leeland & Francesca were the best! Brandon Heath was a typical worship leader which is ok but it's not what you want to hear at a concert. The other 2 had us jumping to our feet!

Halloween was a blast for our family!

We carved pumpkins! Chelsea's was just about done and the entire thing fell apart. She felt better after we let her take it apart with a saw.


I can't get the kids costume pictures to turn so I hope to post those soon. Abi was a cowgirl and Andrew was an Indian. We spent the evening at Farm Fair. Chelsea & Eric worked hard in a booth all the kids helped him create at Farm Fair. Andrew won Judges Favorite for his Messy Cake! Eric won hottest chili & best pumpkin created by an adult. Abi won best pumpkin in her age group. After Farm Fair we took Andrew & Abi trick or treating. This was their first year to do this and they LOVED it. They couldn't get over the fact that people were giving them free candy.

Andrew turned 10!! I can't believe it! We had a family party on his actual birthday and his friend Ben spent the night. On Saturday night all of our families got together at my dads house for a bonfire, weinie roast, and just some fun.

It's been a busy couple of months. I have been horrible about taking pictures. Tomorrow Abi & Andrew have a piano competition and Chelsea is performing in her first Longview pep rally! It's going to be a great day for them all! I will have pics and I will update more reguarly. Sorry for the long break!

Fixin' It

*A picture post will follow soon but this was just on my heart so I wanted to share.

When things go wrong, don't you feel so out of control? And don't most of us want to fix the problem. This was something that came up in conversation earlier this week. I was speaking with someone that had lost someone special to them. They were so upset because they couldn't fix this problem. You cannot get back someone that has died. As I thought about our conversation, I recalled feeling the same way when we lost Hannah-banana. It occured to me that nothing about that situation needed to be fixed but ME. Hannah is in Heaven; she is just great. God still loved me and had not left me. Yet, I rejected His offer of mercy & grace because I felt something needed to be "fixed" because I wasn't in control. I still do that. I have such control issues and when I can't "fix" (control) them I get mad which causes me to sin. As I was thinking through all this I started thinking: I put myself through such turmoil and grief. I do this. No one else makes me in a bad mood. I decide to be in the bad mood. I can choose my mood. It's such an easy thing. Give it to God. Choose His Joy. I am trying to do this. Pray for me!

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Coming Soon!! Hahahahaha! I promise! LOTS going on and LOTS to share! Maybe we will see you at What-A-Burger for free burgers tonight!