It's Just a Car

The inevitable has happened. At some point in our lives if we are driving we will have an accident. Today just happened to be David's time. On his way home from Orlando he wrecked his car. David is fine, however his car didn't come away from the wreck in as good of shape as he did.

I was on my way out of the office this afternoon at 2:30 when my cell phone rang and it was David on the other end saying, "I'm so sorry, I couldn't stop, are you alright?" I then could hear a man saying, "Yes, I'm fine are you okay?" The entire time I'm saying, "David, David, David are you okay?, David?" I never could get an answer from him so I hung up and immediately called him back. This time we could hear each other and I began to ask if he was okay and if his car was damaged really bad. His reply was, "I'm fine, but how did you know I was in a wreck?" I told him he had just called me but he wouldn't answer me and how I had heard his conversation and knew that he'd been in a wreck. He assured me he and the others were okay so I then began asking if anyone had notified law enforcement of the accident. He told me he was trying to call them when I called. We got off the phone, I made arrangements for someone to be at the house with Angela while I went to get him. While on my way to get him I talked to the officer on the scene and he assured me that David was fine but would be issued a citation and the car would be towed. Honestly all I was concerned with at that point was that he was not injured nor the others involved in the accident. I even offered to sign the title over to him now that he is 18, but he's not interested.

Dundee is a two hour drive from Clewiston and I couldn't get there fast enough. David chose to wait for me at a Hardees on the corner of the intersection where the accident occurred. He waited with his suitcase, laptop and a trash bag of dirty clothes. After seeing that he was okay I couldn't help but think that people walking in must have thought he was homeless or a runaway. I had to find some humor in the situation.

David explained that as he came to the intersection the light had just turned green so he pressed down on the brake to slow down as traffic in his lane was stopped but as he pressed the brake he noticed he wasn't slowing down. He then just pumped the brakes but still nothing happened. So he let completely off the brakes and gas thinking it would slow down more. When he realized he wasn't stopping soon enough he tried to turn the steering wheel into the left lane because nothing was in that lane, but his steering wheel turned without the wheels turning. He said at that point he pressed harder on the brakes but still nothing happened. He braced himself because he knew he was about to hit the Chevy truck ahead of him. The truck then hit a van in front of him. He said he was doing 50 in a 45 but he was issued a citation for careless driving.

We won't know for a while if his car will be totaled, but we are praising God tonight that he protected David from injury and the others involved. A damaged car and a ticket to pay are the least of worries. It's all nothing compared to David being able to walk away from the wreck with only a burn from the airbag and a few sore muscles from the impact.

David's Car in May

David's car on July 30

Another Shot from the Side

Friday's Feast

Appetizer - Describe a toy you remember from your childhood.
It would have to be Barbie Dolls. I remember playing with Barbie and Ken one day with my little brother and when I went to change Barbie's dress he covered his eyes.

Soup - On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how observant are you?
An eight. I'm basically a nosy person.
Salad- Where would you rather be at this very moment?
With David celebrating his birthday.

Main Course - When was the last time you learned something new?
Just this weekend when I was cooking hamburgers. I've always wondered why the oven door has a catch on it. Now I know. When broiling in the oven if you open the door to that catch and turn on the exhaust fan the smoke goes up into the exhaust and doesn't set the smoke detector off. Thanks Tom, for that cooking lesson.

Dessert - Fill in the blank: I have ____________ but I haven’t ____________.
I have a to clean out my closet but I haven't gotten around to doing it yet. Did I mention I am a procastinator?

Happy Birthday David

Today is David's 18th birthday. As I reflect on the past 18 years my heart is filled with joy and pride. David, I had no idea what joy you would bring into my life the day the doctor told me I was pregnant. All I knew then was that I was scared and nervous about being a mommy.

The pregnancy was an experience to say the least. During my seventh month I woke up one night with a terrible pain in my back. At first I thought it was contractions but soon realized that wasn't the cause of the pain. Your dad and I finally decided we better go to the hospital so the doctor's could figure out where the pain was coming from. Much to our surprise, my appendix was on the verge of rupturing. After the doctor explained that I would have to have surgery immediately our first thought was how are they going to put me under to do surgery, well as it turned out they didn't. I received an epidural and the appendix was removed. I went to sleep in the operating room while the surgeon removed the appendix and the obstetrician stood by in case you decided to make your entrance into the world. Thankfully you stayed put. Upon waking up my first words were, "Is the baby okay?" (We opted not to be told whether you were a boy or girl). Once the appendix was removed and a few days in the hospital we returned home with you still in my womb. However, the stay at home was short lived because somehow I got food poisioning within a week and had to return the hospital. Due to the food poisioning I began having contractions and the doctors had to give me medications to stop the labor. We returned home once again.

I returned to work and worked right up until the 26th of July. As I was sitting at work that morning I began to have contractions, but I didn't leave immediately. Finally at noon a co-worker suggested that I call the doctor's office since my contractions had been 9 minutes apart for the last 2 hours. Upon calling the doctor's office they told me to go home immediately and to go to the hospital when the contractions were 7 minutes apart. I guess you just didn't want to be at work that day because once I got home the contractions stopped but only after your daddy and your Granny Grace had left work. Granny Grace made me walk up and down the road for hours after dinner that night and your daddy mowed our yard. At 9:30 that night we headed to the hospital because the contractions were 7 minutes apart and had been that way for a few hours. All that walking helped I guess.

You remained stubborn though and refused to come into the world until 11:00 a.m on the 27th. My labor was long however I wasn't in much pain thanks to the epidural I requested earlier that morning. But Dr. Robinson (that's the OB) said you would have been born sooner if I had not had the epidural. I had never experienced such joy and love before until they placed you in my arms. My heart melted at the sight of you. And it still does to this day.

You have brought such joy into my life. I am so proud of the man you have grown up to be. God has taught me so much through these past 18 years of your life. You are a man who loves and fears the Lord and lives out his faith with boldness. Your laughter, jokes, tender heart and love for others is wonderful to see. As you continue this journey into adulthood I pray that you continue to trust and look to God to lead the way. Words cannot describe how thankful I am that God has allowed me to be your Mother. Happy Birthday!

"You sure Smell Better,"

that was the remark Cheyenne made tonight after Angela took her first shower in 6 days. Actually she has had sponge baths but tonight was the first night she braved taking a shower. After church tonight our friend and registered nurse, Mary, came over and removed her bandages. I attempted to remove it last night but almost passed out while trying to do it so we decided we'd wait and let someone with a stronger stomach do it for us. Her knee looked much better than we expected it to look.After removing the bandages we put the stabalizer brace back on until she was in the shower, at which point it came off and the water came on. Taking a shower doesn't seem like much work to most of us, but for someone that has had surgery it is very tiring.

We are so thankful that as each day goes by she is one day closer to being back on her feet. We are also thankful for friends that are willing to help out in so many ways.

Recovery

Angela's recovery is going well. Each day is a little better. She has been blessed to have family and friends calling to check on her daily. On Friday afternoon Kathy came to see her and brought her a gift card from Movie Gallery, her friends Breanna and Brittany came by to see her and brought homemade chocolate cupcakes and some books to read while she's recovering. Our friend, Tom, drove up after work to spend the weekend with us and brought her a pretty bouquet of flowers (and he even brought mom a rose). After Tom arrived, the two of us went to Movie Gallery to pick her out a couple of movies to watch after I cooked dinner. Once we were done eating, her friend Steven came over to watch movies with her and Cheyenne. Later in the evening when she got tired she began hurting pretty bad. She chose to sleep on the couch instead of my bed or her bed. After taking a pain pill, she finally got some sleep.

On Saturday, Phyllis and Jim brought her some banana pudding to enjoy. She spent most of the day relaxing without friends and even took a sponge bath. The bandage can be taken off today but she isn't comfortable yet with the idea of getting in the shower because she has to take the stabilizer brace off to do so. Tom and I talked her into going to Beef O'Bradys last night for dinner just to get her out of the house for a little while. She seemed to enjoy it. Last night she slept in her bed and didn't need any medication during the night.

She is taking fewer pain meds and is learning to fight the pain. She opted to take Advil this morning instead so I think the pain isn't as severe as it has been. Her spirits remain positive and I can tell she is getting restless just sitting or laying around. Later today I will take her to Movie Gallery to get a few more movies and to get her out for a while.

ACL Reconstruction

Angela had her ACL Reconstruction surgery yesterday morning at 7:30. At 9:10 Dr. Shannon came out to tell me the surgery went well and that there were no surprises. He took a graft of one of her hamstrings and made a new ACL by attaching the graft into the tibia and femur with drill guides. Once the graft is pulled through the drill hole and into the knee it is in the same position as the original ACL and it is then held in place with bioabsorbale screws or metallic screws. They did a femur block to help with the pain while she was still under. I was able to go into recovery to help her get dressed for the ride home. She had no problem waking up and was not sick this time. She has on stabilizer brace over the bandage for 3 - 4 days. She is allowed to bear weight on her leg when she is comfortable during so, until then she will use her crutches. I'm going to attempt to get her to start bearing weight on it at least by Sunday. On Friday we will travel to Fort Myers to have her stitches removed and watch the video of the surgery. Dr. Shannon will set up therapy on Friday as well. Thankfully we will be able to do therapy in Clewiston!

We got home around 11:30 on Thursday and she slept most of the afternoon. Around 6:00 p.m. the block began to wear off and she started on her pain meds. By 10:00 p.m. last night she was in intense pain even with the pain meds. Finally around midnight she fell asleep and didn't wake up again until around 2:00 a.m. for more meds. She has done better today but is still taking the pain medication as needed.

Her spirits are great and she is appreciative of everyone that has visited or called. Her best friend, Cheyenne, has been right by her side since she woke up yesterday afternoon. Continue to pray that she will not be in much pain and that her recovery goes well.

Napping once we got home.

Pictures from Surgery that we were given after surgery.

Friday's Feast

Appetizer -On a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being highest) how much do enjoy watching sports on television? Depending on what the sport is. . . if it is college football or baseball I would give it a 10.

Soup-If you could completely memorize any one work of fiction, which one would you pick? I have no idea.

Salad-What is your favorite breakfast food? Eggs, bacon or sausage.

Main Course-Name something fun you can do for less than $10.00. Rent a movie. Watch little league baseball or go to a soccer game here in town. Things I can do that doesn't cost anything. . . spend time with my friends in their homes or my home.

Dessert-How long does it usually take you to fall asleep? Most nights in less than 10 minutes.

Waiting

Have you ever stopped to think how our society is a "I want it now" society? I admit that patience is something I struggle with daily. I notice it when I'm driving (and Clewiston isn't a metropolitan area by any means), when I'm standing in line at Wal-Mart checking out, when I'm at the drive thru of a fast food chain, or any given moment. I am part of that society that wants things "now" and waiting is not something I enjoy doing. However, it is clear in God's Word that he desires us to wait. There are around 135 references regarding waiting in scripture. I don't know about you, but when I see that many references to a word in scripture it tells me this is important subject matter. As I've thought about this today I found this quote:

Wait on God and He will work, but don't wait in spiritual sulks because you
cannot see an inch in front of you! Are we detached enough from our own
spiritual hysterics to wait on God? To wait is not to sit with folded hands, but
to learn to do what we are told." ~ Oswald Chambers

So I leave you with this thought: Since patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit, time must be a special quality of the character of God himself. I find that remarkable - - even God must wait patiently for the fulfillment of his own plan for Redemption. So who are we to grumble when we are told to wait? My prayer is that I would wait, and find joy in the waiting. Too many times I've had to learn over and over the lesson of patience only after I've spent all my energies and manipulations trying to do things in my time instead of God's time and God telling me yet again,"It's not going to happen the way or the moment you want it to. You must wait."

Not So Quiet Anymore

I spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this past week alone. David left on Sunday afternoon to visit friends in Orlando and Angela left on Wednesday afternoon to spend a few days at Ft. Myers Beach with girlfriends. Everybody knows I don't cherish time away from them and how miserable I am when they are away. The house is eerily quiet without them. I counted the days until they returned and called them daily to see how they were doing. I know I'm pathetic, but they are my life.

With them gone I found things to do with girlfriends that kept me from being alone. On Thursday night, I had the opportunity to help prepare a meal along with my friend, Kristene, for a member of our church that recently was hospitalized. We took the meal we had prepared to them and visited with them for a while. After ministering to their need we returned to Kristene's apartment for dinner and wonderful conversation. Kristene was a gracious hostess and sent me home with a full stomach and several books that I look forward to reading.

On Friday night, I picked up Phyllis and Jessica after work. The three of us drove to Palm Beach to have dinner and watch a movie. We had dinner at Olive Garden and went window shopping at the Wellington Mall before going to see License to Wed. The movie was a great comedy and just what I needed!

David got back yesterday and Angela got home today. Everything is as it should be again. I enjoyed cooking for them today and just hanging out with them. It's great to have them home.

Welcome to the World Phoebe Grace Stowe

Congratulations to Sean, Diana & Hannah Stowe on the birth of their daughter and sister Phoebe Grace Stowe. She weighs 8 lbs 7 oz. and is 21 1/2 inches long with blue eyes. We can't wait to meet this precious little girl!

Friday's Feast

Appetizer-What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon.

Soup-Who is someone you consider as a great role model? My parents. The taught me so much about life and how to raise a family.

Salad-If you were to spend one night anywhere within an hour of your home, where would you choose? It's actually an hour and a half, but I'd spend the night in Miami Shores. It's one of my favorite places to go.

Main Course -Name something you do too often. Talk. . . I should listen more.

Dessert-Fill in the blank: I really like ___________ because ____________. I really like it when my kids are at home because I'm lonely without them.

College Update

After much pray and trying to figure out the financing of college there has been a change of plans concerning David's college education. He will not be enrolling at Full Sail, however he will be attending Palm Beach Community College. David and I have realized that at this time it just isn't in God's plans for him to attend Full Sail. Yes, he was disappointed at first but has come to understand that sometimes things just don't go the way we would desire them to go, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't pursue our goals. So, he is just going about those goals in a different way.

He received several scholarships but even with those scholarships and the loans that he was eligilbe for we still had to come up with a significant amount of money to finish paying for the tuition not to mention living expenses. That in and of itself played a major factor into deciding to attend Palm Beach Community College. His Bright Futures Scholarship will pay 100% for his two years at the Community College whereas it would have only paid 25% at Full Sail. The scholarship he received from the Lion's Club he can use once he enrolls at a University. We are still in the process of checking on the other scholarships he has received to see if he can use them at a later date.

He is up in Orlando spending a week with Debbie and Hope who moved there a few weeks ago as well as visiting Abi for her birthday. He drove up on Sunday afternoon and needless to say I was on edge until he called to say he arrived safely. He will return home on Saturday. Next week he will talk with the advisor at Palm Beach Community College and enroll for classes.

Although I know how much he wanted to go to Full Sail and move out from home, I am happy that he will be living at home and going to school. I just wasn't eager about him moving 3 hours away. He will still obtain the goals he has set for himself and I pray that he continue sees God's hand at work in his life.

Mile Marker O

On Thursday morning David, Angela and I headed out for our family vacation. They both invited a friend to go with us (Tommy and Cheyenne) and we were thrilled they were able to go. We drove to the Florida Keys to spend 2 nights and 3 days. David and Angela had been to Key Largo when they were Elementary School, however I had never been. We had a safe trip down although a frustrating one. Some where along the way I got lost and we ended up in downtown Miami lost. Being a female I was smart enough to stop and ask for directions. Once we were back on the road headed in the right direction the trip was more enjoyable. But like Tommy and David tried to make me feel better by asking, "What is a road trip without getting lost?" Personally I could have done without that part of our trip.

We arrived at our beachside resort in Grassy Key around 4:00 p.m. on Thursday. After checking in we were all starving so we drove 15 minutes into Marathon to eat and pick up snacks and drinks. Once back to the room we changed into our swimming suits. David, Angela, Cheyenne and Tommy went out in the kayaks while I laid in the hammock reading a book. Later that evening a friend of Tommy's (Gracie) from college that lives in Plantation Key came by the room to visit with us and we all drove to Islamorada for dinner at Outback Steak House.

The following morning we drove to Key West for the day. Driving over the bridges that connect all the different islands (there are actually 39 islands connected by 43 bridges) was breath taking. One of the bridges is actually 7 miles long and the water is beautiful on both sides of the bridge. While driving through Key Deer the kids saw a Key Deer but I missed it because I was driving. Once we arrived in Key West we purchased tickets for the Conch Train Tour where we toured the island while hearing the history of Key West. After the train tour we had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe. From there we went to Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. The kids enjoyed the museum however I wasn't thrilled with this attraction. Once we left the museum we walked along the famous Duval Street until time to board the Discovery Glass Bottom Boat. Once aboard the Discovery we arrived on a reef where we got to see the colorful coral, exotic tropical fish, and a variety of marine life. The glass bottom boat took 2 hours round trip but was well worth the time. Back on shore we walked around the island just people watching and browsing the shops until we all were ready to eat again. For dinner we choose Guy Harvey's Island Grill. After dinner we went to Mallory Square for the Sunset Celebration. Each night prior to sunset people gather at Mallory Square to watch the sunset as well as various performers and arts and crafts show. On this particular night we saw an escape artist, a fire juggler and a dog performing tricks. Once the sun set we traveled back to our room for the night.

On Saturday morning, Angela and I watched the sunrise on the beach while everyone else slept. We then made everyone get up and we packed the van before heading back to Key West before driving home. We went to the Ship Wreck Museum and then went to the Key West Aquarium. At the Aquarium the demonstrator tried to get Angela to put her finger in a hermit crab's mouth and amazingly she was afraid to do it. So I hesitantly took her place. By the time we finished the two attractions we were hot and hunger so we went to Dante's for lunch. Dantes has a pool that is open to the public as long as you order drinks or food. Needless to say we changed into our swim suits and enjoyed relaxing in the pool before heading to the Pirates Museum. Tommy wanted to see the Pirates Museum so we headed out and I was actually amazed at how interesting it turned out to be. Once we exited the museum it was time to head home. Before leaving the island we drove down to the Southern Most Point in the United States to snap a photo of all of us.

The drive home didn't take as long as the drive to the Keys because I actually took the right highways home instead of taking detours and getting us lost. However, 20 minutes from home I was pulled over by a Palm Beach Sheriff along with another blue van with a Hendry County tag. I knew the other van was the one speeding but as the officer explained he had to pull us both since we were side by side when he clocked us on radar. Thankfully, the other driver was honest and told the officer he was the guilty one.

We enjoyed our time in the Keys but as with all trips we were glad to be home. Here are some pictures from our vacation:
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Friday Feast Courtesy of Mike

Appetizer - What was the first job you ever had?

I worked at Hardees for one night.

Soup - (Taken from Bravo’s Inside the Actor’s Studio) - Name a profession you have always wanted to try. Social Worker

Salad (also from the Actor’s Studio) - Name a profession you would NEVER want to try. Anything in the medical field. I'm too squeamish.

Entree - (also from the Actor’s Studio) - What is your favorite sound in the world?
First my children's voices, then it would have to be the sound of waves breaking at the shore.

Dessert - (and from the Actor’s Studio) - If there is a Heaven, what would you like to hear from God when you arrive? "Well done thy good and faithful servant"

We're Back

We're back from our mini vacation. We arrived home tonight around 9:30. I'll post later about our adventure. Until then check out the Friday Feast courtesy of Mike.

On Friday evening I got together with a friend from church, Kristene Petersen and her friend, Anna Jo Springfield, for a girl's night out. We drove over to West Palm Beach to see the movie "Evening" with Meryl Streep and Glen Close. The best thing I can say about the movie was the scenery was beautiful. After being very disappointed in the movie we ate at Olive Garden in Wellington and enjoyed wonderful conversation with each other.

On Saturday afternoon the kids and I drove to Miami to see the Marlins vs the Braves. Thankfully the rain stopped in time for the game and stayed away throughout the game. As we got onto 595 in Ft. Lauderdale we encountered a downpour. David had planned on arriving at the stadium in time to watch batting practice, however due to the heavy rain we opted to eat instead. Following the game, which the Braves won 6-5, we stayed to watch the fireworks display and Joan Jett and the Blackhearts in concert. Even though it made for a late (we got home around 1:15 a.m.) it was worth enduring the drive in the rain and the lack of sleep. I love watching David at a baseball game. There is nothing he likes better than watching a game.