One Year Ago Today....

(I received this phone call one year ago today. I can't help but remember, and celebrate the moment my life COULD have changed forever, and praise God that it was not. I'm especially mindful this year of those whose lives are changed in a blink. Hug and love on your family today. SS)

It was an ordinary day. Only it wasn't.

Our schedule was amazingly light. Even for summer, the kids and I have been busy rushing to teach swimming lessons that they also attend, or to basketball camp, or to summer track. This was the first day since school had been out that NONE of that was planned. I was on my way to the gym for the first time in weeks, then we would hit the pool and Ashley had youth group stuff in the evening. Nothing but F-U-N on the calendar (yes, I am one of those sickos that count going to the gym when I want as fun).

It was an ordinary day. Only it wasn't.

The call of 'Mom!' sounded not quite right just as I was on my way out the door to the gym. One look at Riley's face with the greenish tint to it let me know he really wasn't feeling well like he claimed. Was he only dehydrated (it is impossible to get that child to drink water) or was it worse? No gym for me...

It was an ordinary day. Only it wasn't.

It was the first day in at least a month that I was headache-free all day! My migraine battle has become a chronic headache battle. Headache free and at home? What shall I do? Yes, I even cleaned out some cabinets! Definitely NOT an ordinary day!

It was an ordinary day. Only it wasn't.

When it was determined that Riley would survive, I finished my cleaning area, and tried to get started on an article I have in the works. Hmmm. For some reason, no one wants to talk to me at 3:00 on a Friday afternoon. Maybe they have 'fun' on their calendar, too. I left messages all over town for folks to call me back, knowing I would need to actually call THEM back. Ashley, who had been wallowing all over the house telling me how BOOOORRRRRREEEDDDD she was, and I left to go run a few errands. Final stop? The grocery store since the cupboards were bare here.

It was an ordinary day. Only it wasn't.

Walking into the grocery store, my phone rang. It was an unrecognizable local number. Assuming it was a source for the article, and knowing I wasn't planning on conducting an interview in the produce section, I sent the call to voicemail. Ashley and I perused the produce for what was on sale and checked that against our list. We laughed over the twin babies that looked like little balding men. We sampled coffee cake. After about 10 minutes we made our way over to the bread aisle and I thought to check who that phone call was from.

There were 2 calls and 2 messages from that same number and a call and message from home. Hmmmm.... something must be up. I'm quick that way. I listened to the first message: "Sarah, you don't know me, but I'm with your husband. He's been in an accident. I think they are taking him to (name of hospital)." *click*

These thoughts went through my mind in the 3 seconds after I let out the involuntary audible gasp:
--Accident? But he was on his motorcycle today... that means...
--If I throw up right here, who will have to clean it up?
--Should I check out? I hate to leave all this here. But I don't have time to put it away at home...
--Should I take Ashley home? I may be at the hospital all night...
--Should I go get Riley? How bad will he look? Do the kids need to see their dad now?

Gathering my purse and recyclable bags(!) we hustled out of the store while I listened to the other two messages which, blessedly, had a little more information. Troy had been alert and able to dole out phone numbers. Riley manned the phone at home and relayed the info to me and seemed to be super great to stay put, so Ashley and I headed to the hospital.

It was an ordinary day. Only it wasn't.

Pulling into a parking spot at the hospital, a rescue helicopter was directly over my car about to land about 100 yards away. Seeing one of those helicopters always makes me think of my friend Trina. Almost 9 years ago she saw the helicopter carrying her Kelly land at the same hospital, then take right back off headed to a hospital that could potentially tend to his head injuries better. Kelly didn't make it. I always wonder whose life is changing forever when I see that helicopter. Was it my turn? If Troy was alert, he wasn't in that helicopter, was he? Was he? Where had the accident been? How fast would the vehicles have been going? My stomach rolled over again. It was dubious comfort to realize no one needed to clean up the parking lot of the hospital if I threw up there...

Hurrying into the ER I asked the first staff person I could find:
"I'm trying to get some information about my husband who was in a motorcycle accident?" "You'll have to go to registration."

"I'm trying to get some information about my husband who was in a motorcycle accident?" "They are just finishing up his paperwork right there," she said pointing to a paramedic and another registration lady.

"I'm trying to get some information about my husband who was in a motorcycle accident?" The female paramedic who had been working on the paperwork had her back to me and turned in such a way to KEEP her back to me and walked away. HELLO??? Can you just throw me a little information? Please?

Sign papers, get looked at disapprovingly for not having my insurance card, wait as she hustle-bustles back to find out about if we can see him or what and FINALLY takes us back.

Y'all for someone who had been hit by a moving motor vehicle and lay on the road waiting for the ambulance to get there, he looked amazingly good! I was too freaked out to take an iphone pic! He was strapped to the backboard, head taped in place, the whole 9 yards, but only complaining of his ankle hurting.

I could go on and on. The gist of it is this: I'm not sure the helicopter person made it. I saw lots of family shuffle back to a corner room, dazed and weepy. I was there with my husband who was in a motorcycle wreck and was going home that night with a broken ankle. How could we possibly be so blessed?

I'm still quite weepy and humbled to wonder why, in the blink of an eye, everything went right for us when they can go so horribly wrong for some wonderful people. But our hearts and mouths are full of praise for the outcome of what could have been awful.

I didn't sleep well that night. The simple joy of the weight of his arm across my stomach -- like it is every night -- , or the warmth of his chest against my back -- like it is every night -- , or his toes reaching out for my foot -- like they do every night -- were all such simple pleasures that I am so thankful for that I didn't want to miss any of it in slumber, nor could I unwind enough to let the day go.

It was an ordinary day. Only it wasn't.

I will praise you with the harp

for your faithfulness, O my God;

I will sing praise to you with the lyre,

O Holy One of Israel.

My lips will shout for joy

when I sing praise to you—

I, whom you have redeemed.

Psalms 71:22,23

Quick Hello!

Ola, blog friends!

Blogging VERY late today. So much going on, but I have my list. I love a good list, don't you?

I am getting ready. Tomorrow is the day! I fly out of here to go to She Speaks. The family will drop me at the airport, then Troy will take the kids to "camp" (in quotes because it's about 50 hours -- grown-ups would call it a retreat). I think Troy is very excited for a weekend to himself. I hope he is, anyway -- sounds GLORIOUS to me!

So today is a day of packing, laundry, itineraries, interviews (still have a few articles out!), and running to and fro! AND -- I still think I'm going to try to get to the pool for a bit. I've just started doing the math... Let's see... we paid how much for that yearly membership? I've been there how many times this year? So I'm paying about $25 every time I go there so far? Yeah, about that! Trying to beat the averages!

THEN next week is more exciting laundry, packing, whathaveyou, and finally a family vacation. Ready and SOOOOO not ready!

Anyone else still traveling this summer? What's up with you folks?

Whew!

How did summer get so busy? This week has been appointment this and appointment that with a meeting thrown in for good measure. And? It's hot. I know, it's hot where you are, but I mean it is CRAZY hot. Actually today it is almost bearable hot, but earlier? Crazy hot.

Part of our appointments/ obligations have been getting the kids 'fixed up' -- braces for her, ankle checks for him, basketball game for her, soccer sign-ups for him. I am so thankful for all the comings and goings and doings I am able to be present for. Last night Ashley had a basketball game -- she's playing on a summer league (obviously). For some reason, she always wants her jersey number to be '3'. I can't tell you what it does to this momma's heart to hear the opposing coach yell, "Watch out for number 3!! Watch out for number 3!!" That's right -- watch out! I love it.

This year will be her first year to play athletics for a school -- 7th grade. Which means 7 a.m. practices. And, yes, if you play athletics, you play all year long. For her, that will be volleyball, basketball, and tennis ('cause she's not real into that 'track' thing). Approximately 175 days of 7 a.m. practices. Check with me in February, but right now, I simply cannot wait. Ashley is at home on any court (Watch out for number 3!!) as evidenced by the huge, cheesy grin she has pretty much the entire time she plays. I can't wait to help her get to practice what she loves to do.

And soccer sign-ups? We did check with the orthopedist if that was an okay venture or not. He gave his blessing, but we do have an appointment with a physical therapist (Riley is REALLY offended at having a 'therapist'! I told him all the awesome athletes do!) to teach us what we can do here at home to strengthen those ankles since, as the doc says, soccer is hard on ankles! Say a prayer!

That's the chatty news from Lake Wobegon. Blissfully un-dramatic. Just hot. Oh, I guess the biggest drama is our poor swimming pool's chemical battle against the green-ness of the water. It's been a rough year, let's just say, for the ol' pool. But, when it's 108*, one is in need of a pool. A blue, crystal clear pool -- not a green, cloudy one. I keep threatening to put one in at my house. I think it's time, don't you?

End of the Week!

Well, I had all manner of fun things to tell you this week, but I have had to do major battle to get to my computer this week. Generally, there is an offspring standing over me with a watch timing me to complete my one email I promised I would ONLY send then get off the computer.

Oh, it's TV-free week at our house, did I mention? I usually make that include all screens (computer, Gameboy, etc.) but I didn't have the gumption this go-round.

One thing that I scheduled us to do this week (this will show you how pathetic I am that I had to schedule this) was to go 'watch the stars come out'. Riley has been asking for OVER A YEAR to do that! (I know, really! I recognize how sad I am!) So Wednesday p.m. I told the kids to have a blanket and bug spray in the car before church. After church -- the talking and the what-not -- we piled into the car, headed north, stopping at McDonald's for sundaes (and cinnamon melts for me -- pause for 'yum' thoughts!), and went to a lawn on the ACU campus to watch the stars come out. It was too bright for actual star-gazing, but it was glorious fun to sit with my family and find a star that, 8 seconds prior, had been invisible. The weather was AMAZING and almost cool-ish. It was free (except for the sundaes) and a precious memory.

Go make a memory with your family.

Catching Up!

I have enjoyed being here a little more than previously, but I'm still a little bit of a slacker. Turns out, this week is just as busy as most school weeks! I am still teaching swimming lessons -- and enjoying it much more than years past. I've taken on a pre-lifeguarding-type class. I actually have to do a little preparation for that. I am SO the old person! I don't remember what I was ever supposed to do as a lifeguard and what the regulations were -- and it was so long ago it isn't still a regulation anyway. I have been time-traveling in my head as I remember some lifeguarding details. Stories soon.

The kids are also taking lessons while I teach. We just have a high time at the pool! We also are doing some traveling soon, having college kids at our house as soon as we return, mix and match in some teaching (yes, the book of Revelation to 4th graders -- no sweat!) and interpreting and singing at church. Your basic life, you know.

So, all the lifeguard talk has made me think of my first summer job. What was your first summer job? Would you ever do it again? A favorite memory from that job?

Dear Children,

Yes, indeedy, I realize summer is dragging on. And, this year, we have an extra couple of weeks of summer. And, because God is so very funny this way, this is almost the rainiest summer in our little town's history. So we have more and more weeks of indoors togetherness. I know you are wearying of me. Your none-too-pleasant words and tone of voice have illustrated this. The following is a list of answers to your questioning retorts. Feel free to use any or all of them at your leisure. I've found it best if I not speak right about now:

• I do NOT have to explain myself to you -- I gave birth to you.


• Because I said so.


• Because you live in my house, eat my food, and breathe my air, that's why.


• How 'bout I just let you continue living in my home rent free and we'll call it even?


• Nothing -- but I can tell you what I WILL give you if you DON'T.


• (Fill in the blank with whatever you deem satisfactory just do it for the love of Pete before my head blows completely off my body).

Summertime and the livin' is mouthy...

Summer Blahs

Yes, I'm actually in town. And perusing my list of summer-things-to-do-still-undone. And it is LONG. I haven't touched my sewing machine. I've done 2 of about 10 things I was going to do for my classroom. I have moved back in from the month-long hotel stay, but I still seem to have plenty of overflowing drawers and cabinets.

Obviously, I'm not really blowing the doors off the bloggy world, either. Because I'm not doing anything. Well, nothing to report anyway. And I'm evidently not thinking anything. Well, nothing to report anyway. "If you can't say something nice...!"

It finally is raining for less than an hour each day (I don't think it has rained at all today -- yet!) so we are soaking up our pool time. We're also in the middle of summer league baseball. It's two weeks of games and players change positions each innings. It's been a real learning experience for everyone. It is also the best summer ever to have picked to play summer league. It's the end of July and temperatures are in the 80's or even 70's by the evening. That does NOT happen around here -- ever. And, there's always Webkins, the biggest time-drainer, ever. But Goober's Lab was the game of the day yesterday, people! You CANNOT pass up a deal like that!

Yes, I know, I promised a report of our get-away, but I also promised a report on my Colorado trip 13 months ago. I've gotta pace myself. For the record, we went to Fredericksburg, Texas, and relaxed so well we slid around like the folks on the McDonald's breakfast commercials. You know, I THOUGHT that Troy and I were doing okay about protecting our time together -- we have fairly regular date nights and lunch dates -- but a vacation together is a whole other deal. Did you know that a vacation without children is actually restful and relaxing? Who knew? It was nice to find out we can still hold a conversation, laugh, and just sit together well.

So I shall go and do some more fun summer things -- like laundry and wiping the ice cream handprints off the doors -- and commit to try to think or do something exciting to report. So how's your summer going? Do you make a to-do list? If so, are you tackling it?

Because I'm a Mom...

... I read the directions to, and successfully loaded, the stink cartridge in a treasure of a garage sale buy: The Stink Blaster.

... I did approximately 15 loads of laundry in the two days prior to delivering two different children to two different camps and two parents to one get-away destination.

... I successfully planned and executed a baseball meeting and two camp drop-offs with a Sunday afternoon itinerary that resembled a NASA launch schedule.

... I swallowed a lump in my throat leaving everyone at his and her respective camps.

... I THOROUGHLY enjoyed my get-away destination while occasionally hoping with all my heart all was okay at all of the camps.

... I couldn't wait to squeeze little necks at the end of camp. I've only successfully completed half of this one -- still have to wait to re-claim one little neck tomorrow.

Can't wait to tell you about my trip! Glorious!

The Fun Continues

Some people call it City League Tournament. Some folks call it County Wide Tournament (which is more accurate). I'm beginning to call it Little League Hell Week.

As fraternities and sororities have a week of activities to stretch pledges to their physical and mental limits, little league has County Wide Tournament. It's a single elimination tournament that does only last one week -- Monday through Saturday. Teams travel to different sites and play on unfamiliar fields. Parents travel to small town America to realize that a clean bathroom means different things to different little leagues. Players and fans alike bathe in mosquito repellent to participate in the West Nile Virus roulette. Fans feast on rubbery nachos and lukewarm sodas to tide them over until they can eat "real food" after the game -- you know, real food like burgers, chicken strips, and fries. As the fans feast on the concession stand fare, mosquitoes feast on them.

For teachers or stay-at-home moms who don't have to go to school or work the next day it's not quite so much of a challenge, but folks who must arise and go to work the next day and/ or plan any work activities for the week have all kinds of mental obstacles. Since Troy needs to travel for his job, baseball, end-of-school activities, and plumbing/ reconstruction jihad have somewhat kept him tethered to town. This week, he has had to play the "my son may or may not have a baseball game in which he may or may not play more than 5 minutes on that night" game. I don't think it makes for very good business relations. Of course, he doesn't have the challenge of entertaining kids home from school, hyped up about this tournament business, who aren't to go swim the day of the game 'lest they wear themselves out. Considering the speed of the Tasmanian Devil tear through the house, the player isn't slowing down anytime soon. Maybe it would be safe to go to the pool.

And, just like any fraternity's hell week, as I describe this, some of you (uninitiated) are saying, "That sounds TERRIBLE. It must be awful." And, just like some crazy college kid, I would say, "No, it's awesome! You've really gotta do this sometime!"

Dollar Tree Fun

Why is Riley sitting in the middle of the hall and why is my linen closet door open so that I will bonk my head on the door as I walk by?
Oh, well, of course. It's the army guys defending the towels from evil stains and smelly feet.

Bag of army guys from Dollar Tree -- $1

Hours of argue-free fun in the hall on a drizzly summer morning -- priceless.

Updated to add: I've had several comments on the floor and, if you haven't stopped by, this is the wood floor that is my living and dining room and now hall (we had wood floors in the LR and DR before, but nasty carpet in the hall). Pretty much exactly where the Tinkertoy canister is is where the trough went from left to right across the hall during the plumbing excavation. Yes, the wood floor is MUCH better than a trough.

I've Got Nothin'

So I've been to the pool. Once. The water is almost completely thawed and, evidently, after you're in for a while, your body is completely numb and the cold doesn't bother you -- but your blue lips belie your image of comfort.



Gals, THIS is MUST READ. I love when a well-known figure allows us to see that she is human, nay, she is WOMAN. I'm trying to get an image of Beth Moore standing in Walgreen's with two econo-size boxes of feminine hygiene products. If it were me I may have had a huge box of Hot Tamales to go with it.

Yes, still loving being back in my house. We are just settled enough that I don't HAVE to get all of the contents of the hall closet out of my bedroom -- unless I would like to open and close my armoire doors without flipping down a box top. Much to do, even time to do it, no gumption.





I think I need to read The Secret Sisters.





The kids are currently watching ESPN (against my "No TV prior to 4 p.m. rule") in hopes of catching a glimpse of our friend, Matt Phillips, who is in Washington, D.C. for the National Spelling Bee. We understand that he didn't make it to the finals (that's a rumor I've only heard from people under 12 in my home, so I could be wrong about that) but ESPN is supposed to do a feature on him. Matt has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which you and I know as Brittle Bone Disease. He doesn't let it slow him down, and his parents have done a PHENOMENAL job of creating normalcy in their family where none exists. I look up to them so much and am honored to know them.





Baseball is still in full swing. The Express (our little league team) is going to the city league tournament. Next week we'll be playing in Merkel, America. Can't wait! We had a great little game against our toughest opponent Tuesday night. We played hard and scrambled back. The scoreboard showed that we lost 7-6, but we won on so many levels. It was one of those fun baseball games. See you at the ball park!





My M&M -- she's stylin'!

When Blogging becomes Procrastination

Yes, it is officially summer, although the '78*' reading on my computer is more of a spring break reading -- but I'm NOT complaining. What weird, wonderful weather we're having in West Texas (this sentence brought to you by the letter 'W'). I have truly enjoyed our rainy spring and I KNOW it won't last, so I'm not quite ready for it to be over.

Even though it's the time to sit out by the pool with your buds and relax, I'm not exactly in relaxing mode. I guess when you keep the pedal to the metal on the accelerator of your life for 6 solid weeks, it's best to coast to a slow roll instead of slamming on the brakes. My only guideline for what I'm doing around the house is doing exactly what I want to do, which is why I haven't been blogging. There's just too much around me screaming that it needs to be done! So I have a list longer than my arm of what all needs to be done and I just flit from item to item and do what I feel like at the moment. Except for today, when I lay in bed with a headache until noon, at which time I felt it necessary to get up to throw up, then head back to bed until 3. I did NOT want to do any of that, but it was definitely necessary. After I finally emerged, Troy was complaining about how little he got done on his day off. I scoffed while I stood there in my jammies with bed-head at 3 p.m.

I'm saying this via-blog and running: but I'm not quite all that fired up about sitting out at the pool this summer. I'm sure I WILL be in a few weeks, but right now I can only see what all needs to be done in my home and sitting at the pool feels like wasted time to me. I'm sure that after a few days of either trying to get my children a) on board with working on or in the house or b) out of my way, an afternoon of sitting by the pool will feel glorious. Until then, it feels like wasted time.