Mama and her Blessings...
Do not go where the path may lead; instead go where there is no path and make a trail...
-emmerson
This picture of my entire family warms my heart.
We only had to take about twenty of them to get it right.
That's fine with me...
It was worth it.
***Just wanted you to know that taking pictures today was a very stressful idea for me.
The last time we went out somewhere to do this, my two oldest children were in
a severe car crash that almost took their lives.
It was a big deal to go out and do this again.
We did it and survived. No accidents.
Thank you, God.
I know I sound crazy, but... well, yeah, I am probably just crazy.
I jumped in the car to reach my other daughter. Someone had climbed in the back and I heard him telling his wife to tell the dispatch that he was an off duty police officer and to send rescue and someone with the jaws of life. Then I heard those words that still echo around in my head, "Tell Rescue that she isn't breathing and I can't get a pulse."
I felt like my world stopped in that moment. I started talking to her and telling her that mommy was there. Within seconds, that felt like eons, she took in a huge breath and started moaning.
To make a long story short, rescue came and cut her out of the car. She had broken her pelvis in a couple of places, broken a couple of toes, broken a bone in her face, teeth... cuts all over her arm, face, etc. She had been sitting cross legged in her seat and we were told later that this is what saved her legs. There was no floor board left and this would have cut off her legs.
She spent a good portion of her sophomore year in a wheelchair. She worked hard to heal. We all found out how important each and every member is in a family... even one as big as ours. We learned that love meant sacrifice. We missed sleep to take care of her. Everyone pitched in. Everyone felt how close we had come to an outcome that was inconceivable. It was months before we could talk about how close we had been to death.
Now? Well, she is seventeen and started a new job this week. She is a CNA. She is starting her senior year in highschool. I think, often, about how different the last two years would have been if she hadn't taken that huge breath. I think every single day about how very grateful I am that we still have her in our life. Anything else would be unthinkable. Thank you God.
Cadi came over after church and spent the day with us. I figured what better time to get a photo of all of the kids. Aren't they awesome?! When people see them, they are always amazed at how many of them there are, but it doesn't seem like that many to me. Well, most days at least.
"No pictures Mommy!"
Since we have a daughter who is in college, we truly understand how quickly they grow up. He is already getting so big. I love and cherish the time I have with this little boy so much.
These kids are so used to having their picture taken. If mom isn't pointing the camera, dad is.
We spent the day walking along the river. It was so amazingly beautiful. They are getting ready for the rodeo next week so there were horses and paintings and lots of sites to see. I will post again tomorrow to show you some of what we saw today. It was really hot. As we walked along the river we came to a slow running spot and we waded in. That water was freezing. Our feet turned red immediately. It was a blessed relief from the heat, though.
My dad called tonight. (I didn't know if he wanted his face on this site so you get his back.) What a pleasure it was to get to chat with him. I love to hear him ask about the kids. He seems so genuinely anxious to have us come out there. It makes me smile.
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