The Damage

The 'Voy...

The other car...

We are doing much better today. Brooke is her silly old self. All I have to show for the accident is a little stiffness and a bruise on my knee. 

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In Good Hands

The plan today was to fill in for Lori and babysit Amy's sweet daughter Rachel. I decided I was actually running early so I should treat myself to some breakfast. Well as I was planning my turn to the McDonald's, some courteous drivers stopped and waved me through to the parking lot. I proceeded to turn when, CRASH!!! We were jolted violently and tilted with the impact of another car smashing into the passenger side of ours. Then in panicked slow motion, I got out of the car and opened the back seat door to find my little precious baby in tears, wailing but safe and secure in her car seat. I dialed 911. I looked over to see the woman in the other car disoriented but talking on the phone. Her airbags had deployed. The tears came. Soon enough the police and fire truck arrived. I remember thinking, Why is there a fire truck here? I called Amy to apologize and tell her what happened. She immediately offered to come pick us up. I left a message with David's school, and before I knew it he was on his way too. The paramedics quickly examined Brooke and said she looked fine. 

Wait a minute...my baby was fine? I was fine? Turns out the other woman was fine too. What a miracle! We were safe and unharmed. 

From this point time went a lot faster. Everyone else took care of things from here. Amy took Brooke and watched her in her car. Meanwhile she found another friend to babysit Rachel for the day. The policemen called the wrecker. The wrecker called the service place. David came with a big hug and cleared out our bags and car seat from the car. Then he said, "Let's get some breakfast." So the three of us finally had that breakfast I had set out to enjoy. 

When we got home I knew I had a call to make other than the insurance claims. You see, my selfless and generous parents are lending me their car. Oops. I was afraid to call Dad, so I called Mom first. She assured me that all they cared about was mine and Brooke's safety, she loved us soo much, and she would call Dad. Dad called a few minutes later and said about the same thing. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. 

God showed us love and protection today, just like every day but I really noticed it this day. He showed me just how much everyone around us cares. I am enjoying every minute of being home with Brooke today. I need to remember just how blessed we are, and that we are always in good hands. 

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V for Very Good Effort

Well after tonight the Blue team is 2-0! Yeah!
REd team is now 1-1. I heard a parent say as we were leaving that it was good for the boys to lose one game; it will build some character. I think so too.
Well one thing is for sure: they are lucky to have such an awesome coach.
Brooke did so well watching Daddy coach for 3 whole hours. She slept through the beggining of the first game until one crazy 8th grader decided to stand right next to a carseat full of sleeping baby and scream at the top of her lungs. And it was just to get another teeny bopper's attention; nothing was even going on in the game. Well Brooke was frightened and woke up crying. She stayed awake for the rest of that game and the next one too.
We had a busy day today, one of the high points being Ladies Bible Class at church. I am so thankful that I can be involved in this study. Not only does it keep me accountable in my reading, but I am making some new friends. I was very nervous the first time a few weeks ago when none of my familiar friends were there. I look back and realize God just wanted me to branch out and meet some new people. Probably the best part about it is I get to know some of the older ladies of our congregation. I actually feel very comfortable around older ladies. Even when I was teaching, my best friends were the older teachers. It's good to have a variety of friends.

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Labor Day in MP

We had a fun Labor Day weekend in MP. Most of David's family was there to see Brooke and her cousin KayeLeigh. We went to Nannie's (Brooke's great-grandma's) house a few times. Nannie cooked up a big meal for the family while in her wheelchair, and I could tell she very happy to have so many of her family members around.

Brooke slept most of the way there...

Nannie w/ KayeLeigh & Brooke (great-grandkids # 15 &16)

The girls kickin' back in the recliner.

Brooke w/ Aunt Diana & Uncle Dodo

David's cousin Jerid w/ the girls on Nannie's porch

Brooke with Cousin Mark

David's little cousin Larkin right before she got in trouble for drinking someone's soda.

We got to spend some fun time with Jerid, Amanda, & KayeLeigh since we stayed in the same house. Everyone is so amazed that both girls are so easy going and sweet. KayeLeigh is 5 weeks older than Brooke, so we hope they will be close growing up. KayeLeigh is already teething and almost sitting up, which gets David & me thinking about what Brooke's next milestone will be (hopefully not teething). We missed Jeanett since she was in Tunica, but she was nice enough to let us and the babies stay at her house. Monday after everyone else left, David & I watched 4 episodes of "24" before we headed home. We need to pace ourselves.

On the way back home, David & I went over our new budget, the one that includes only one paycheck (YIKES). I know it's going to be hard, and I was beginning to have doubts. When we got home we prayed about it, and we were reassured that we would be taken care of. We just have to be faithful. I'm sure we'll look back on these times fondly as some of the best of our lives.

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Why me?

Brooke is 3 months old today! Which means I have been a mom for 3 months. It's hard to believe. It feels like time is flying sometimes, and sometimes it goes by very slowly. Jennifer recently asked me what my dreams were growing up and I answered, "To marry a nice tall man, and to be a mommy. Check, and check."
A question has been going through my mind lately and it is, "Why me?" I did nothing to deserve the blessings God has given me. I was born into a loving Christian home with, in my opinion, the two best parents in the world. They are the kind of parents that value my happiness so highly they would sacrifice their own. They have consistently been a strong and loving support throughout my entire life, in every step along the way. They have loved and supported me through every accomplishment and every failure. Dad and Mom always made/make me feel so incredibly special while still instilling the values of a humble and giving servant in me. I strive to be like them as parents. I was given a big brother, a big sister, and a little sister, which made growing up so much fun. What a privilege to have these people as lifelong friends. I am so grateful for my wonderful childhood. During the college years, I experienced many ups and downs while learning some lessons the hard way. I was ignoring God at this point, yet still somehow He blessed me with the determination and self discipline to graduate and maintain close relationships with my very best childhood friends. At the darkest time in my life when I was turning my face away from God, He gave me David. When my judgement was cloudy at best, He sent me a man who would lead me back to my purpose. I now find myself in a marriage centered on Christ with a man who consistently puts my needs before his own. God has blessed me with a sweet, generous, selfless, patient, supportive, respectful, wonderful, amazing life partner, and for that I am taken aback. We were led to a church full of people that have truly helped strengthen our spiritual lives. Friendships I had longed for were found here, more abundantly than I could have imagined. I have been given two wonderful years as an elementary teacher. I cherish watching my students learn and grow. I'm so glad to have the gift of relating to children. On top of all that, we've seemed to have fallen into parenthood without a hitch. We were pleasantly surprised to be expecting a baby. Then came the uncomplicated pregnancy, the healthy birth, and the amazing joy that is our sweet Brooke. David and I often ask each other, "How is she so perfect?" I am thankful every day for her, and I pray that we can be the leaders she needs us to be. What a joy it is to embark into motherhood. Thanks to the support of my awesome husband, I am able to stay home with our sweet girl for at least a year. I am living a life surrounded by people whom I love dearly and I am so appreciative.
God's love never ceases to amaze me. He knows my sins and He forgives me and continues to add happiness to my life. I don't deserve any of it. I am humbled.

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