Friday, January 2, 2009

Do you believe in miracles? You will!

“Miracle on 47th Street”

We had our own Christmas miracle this year at our house that will always be treasured and remembered every day of our lives. We have had the biggest sets of storms here in Washington and there is tons of snow on the ground, which is very unusual. Church was cancelled Sunday and Greg was out sledding with the kids, taking advantage of the fresh powder a few houses up on our neighbor’s very steep driveway. I had been out for a few minutes watching the action from below, but Sidney was sick and wanted to go back inside.

Just moments later, with both adults at the top of the hill and a huge tree blocking their view of the car rounding the corner, Brooklyn was going full speed down the slope when into view comes a huge white Hummer, heading straight for her. It was too late to do anything but watch, as Greg and the neighbor did in horror. She was run over, or rather she slid underneath the front of the car and under the right back wheel…they never even saw her. The car ran right over her.

A panicked mom arrived a couple of minutes later on the scene. Everyone seemed relatively calm (with the exception of me) and Brooklyn was awake, without too much pain and actually giggling and talking. With 911 already called and an ambulance on the way, and with the station being just down the road, even in the poor conditions, help arrived quickly. After loading her up, I went with her in the ambulance to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Greg stayed to take care of things and arrived later with the other kids (after sliding through two red lights in his 4x4).

The ambulance ride was longer than normal but Brookie was doing well (and got a new bear, “Snowy”). The worst part for her was having to get an IV, or as she called it a “shot” (even though she had to get another in the hospital). We got there and she got thoroughly examined by a caring staff and Dr. Hurt (great name for a doctor). She got some ibuprofen for her mild pain, which she said was never greater than a 2 on a scale of 1-10. She was all clear for internal and spinal cord injuries, and then got ex-rayed, which showed a couple of abnormal spots on her pelvic bone. They sent her to get a CT scan for additional diagnoses. She was in good spirits, but hungry, and after being on the hard backboard and being patient for a good long time, she was ready to go home. Her scan came back showing a tiny chip on her left hipbone. Her final test before leaving the hospital, or being admitted, was to see if she could walk on her own without too much pain, and boy, were those doctors amazed.

Well, we all left the hospital after about three and a half hours with our precious Brooklyn, all in one piece, with a very minor pelvic injury, a few bumps and bruises, a couple of new toys, and a great story. All the documentation specified she was run over by a Hummer, and we decided that (due to the outcome) that being run over by a Hummer was way cooler than being run over by a Geo Metro. She was very sore on Monday, but was walking by Tuesday, and is now about ninety five percent herself, still just a little slow and cautious.

The whole event has been remarkable and unbelievable at the same time. Days later, we still do not know how we were so blessed to have escaped this accident with a child completely intact. She is our gift and our miracle. I now call her Supergirl and dad wants a shirt for her that says “Hummer Proof”. I imagine this story with be recalled many times throughout the years when referring to miracles and the Lord’s goodness, love, and mercy shown to all of His children. We will always be indebted to the Lord and humble and grateful for our Christmas miracle.


The first picture is of Brookie after getting home from the hospital, and yes, she was wearing that shirt that says "Angel". Picture two is the next day with her new friend she got in the amulance, "Snowy".

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Okay, I think I am finally figuring this out! Now that it has been weeks after returning from China...What an incredible trip! It was nothing short of fabulous. I love the Chinese people, the culture, the history, the food, the sites, the beauty and diversity of the land, the toilets (okay, that's not true!), pretty much everything! I think it was especially exciting as I have never been out of the country with the exception of just over the borders, which I don't really count. Getting there and back was a bit long, but worth it! We were hopeless tourists, and I personally shot about 200 digital photos, 2 hours of video, and 3 rolls of film. If you ever have the chance to go to China, you have to go. I am already feeling like I want to go back, to see the things I didn't see, and of course, more Shanghai shopping. It was such a blessing to be able to take some time from away from my normal life (and yes, I did miss my hub and kids) and experience China with my dad and friends. I am glad to report that we are all STILL friends, and my dad was was a sport about going to China for his fourteenth time. The most amazing things to me were the number of people in that country (It's really hard to even imagine until you see it), the traffic (which although to put it mildly is insane but somehow works), and the amount of labor and craftsmanship and detail that seemed to be a part of everything manmade, big or small. We had so many wonderful experiences and have great stories too. Here's a start anyway...

Half way around the world

The never ending Chinese fruit stands...no wonder the Chinese are so healthy and live long!

What is better than being on the Great Wall of China? Being on the Great Wall of China with great friends!




An ancient Chinese village outside of Beijing.



We love "donkey man"! He was so cute and humble and very patient with us American stalkers.








China's landscape is beautiful and diverse!



Thursday, October 30, 2008

Welcome to me...I have joined the blogging world!

Okay, so I have finally been told enough times, "You have to start a blog!", so here I am after saying, "I will never do that, who has the time?" starting a blog. Even though I think there is nothing too exciting in my life (with the exception of my recent trip to China), my kids do do lots of funny things and what the heck, spending a little journaling and connecting online is better (says Greg) than shopping online. SOOOO...here I am, even though I have no idea what I am doing...enjoy!