Worst day of my life

We've all had those mornings where we just go through the motions; shower, make the beds, dress the kiddos, make breakfast, etc. etc. etc. This morning started out as one of those, even with the 2 hour delay due to icy roads. But when 9:45 rolled around and it was time to take Ash to school, our day went from run-of-the-mill to awful in the blink of an eye. 

For the first time since I can even remember I had all 3 girls with me for drop-off. They were all tucked in tight to their carseats as we made our way down the driveway. I tapped the brakes twice to check the conditions and was happy to see the ice had melted. As I left our driveway and crept onto the lane I was extra cautious knowing the corner is notorious for the slick stuff. 

And just like that we were sliding.

I tried SO VERY HARD to correct the slide. It all happened so quickly but it's amazing the thoughts that race through your mind at warp speed, and with such insane clarity. As soon as I realized I wouldn't be able to control the slide I started telling the girls "Hold on tight girls, mommy can't fix this. Mommy canNOT fix this. Please God, protect my girls." And instinct set in and I remember thinking "I need to see my girls and tell them we will be okay". I'm not sure the order in which it happened, but all-to-quickly we stopped sliding and hit the ditch and the Excursion ended up on it's side, drivers-side down.

The sound of broken glass and screaming made my ears ring.

So much screaming.

My cell phone, which had been in the cup holder, had flown over and hit me in the face and rested right next to my head. I immediately called Jake as I did whatever needed to be done to get to my girls.

God was with us. I know He was. I was all commotion and chaos on the inside but knew my girls needed Strong Mommy, so Strong Mommy is who they got. A quick scan told me Keely and Natalie were fine, just scared. It was immediately apparent that Ashley needed attention as she had a large laceration on her left shoulder. It was quite grotesque so I took of my cardigan and tied a tourniquet to help control the bleeding. 

I'm not sure why I remained so calm and collected. But I do know God is an awesome God and stayed with me like promises us He will.

I tried with all my might to open the top-side door and it wouldn't budge. I pushed with all.my.might and couldn't even get it to budge. Around that point I heard and saw footsteps on the drivers-side and was screaming over my girls frighted screams "GO TO THE BACK WINDOW! IT'S BROKEN OUT!" (all the drivers-sides windows were broken). I had Ashley stabilized and unlatched Keely and was still yelling "COME TO THE BACK." That's when I looked up and was met with such a kind face and outstretched hands. God had sent an angel who was so calm and relaxed and gingerly took my Keely Q from me and was talking to her and loving on her. I turned and grabbed Natty Kat and handed her out. Again, angels  hands reached in and surrounded her with love. Next, as carefully as the surroundings would allow for, I scooped up Ashley and handed her through. I believe Jake was there by then and I was desperate to tell him she needed a doctor NOW. Gentle and caring hands helped guide me out through the broken glass and that's when I saw 5 of our neighbors: 4 who had stopped on their drive to school to help and 1 who's house we were across the road from.

5 angels.

1 gal was on the phone with EMS, Jake was already 1/2 way to his truck with Ashley, Keely was in the arms of Gabrielle who was gently cooing her and soothing her and I had Natalie in my arms. I handed Natty off to Tina and she and Gabrielle assured me the girls would be taken care.

Never had I ever been so thankful to be surrounded by such kind, giving and loving neighbors. 

Jake and I got Ash in the truck and we took off for the ER. She was in obvious pain but being such a trooper. She asked me to sing her songs, so I sang Christmas carols or her choosing at God Of This City until we pulled in. She asked me to pray, so I poured my heart into a prayer of help and healing and thanks and praise. I was quickly falling apart but squared my shoulders and did my absolute best to remain strong for Ash. She was being so amazing which reminded me if a beautiful, precious and brave 5 year, 364 day year old could be strong, then so could I. 

The next few hours were a blur. Xrays were taken, her arm deemed broken and her lacerations needing a deep clean and closing up.

I prayed all morning long for strength and healing for body and soul. It's amazing that they were heard and answered *immediately*. It seemed every time I was --this-- close to crumbling, I'd look up and another family member or friend would walk in.

If you ever doubt you're loved, get seriously injured and then sit back and watch the love come pouring out.

We were visited by Kathy, Danny, Katie, Mom, Dad, Jeff, Kim, Peggy, Lisa, Aunt Jean, Jackson, Sara, Brandon, Sissie, Ashley's school principal and her assistant teacher (and her son). I was hugged and held and rocked and loved on so much today it would be nearly impossible to feel anything but blessed. I received something around 60 text messages, countless number of messages and notes on Facebook, a couple dozen phone calls and voicemails and have so many people saying prayers for my entire family right now that I know, without a doubt, God is with us. He's here in the form of friends kind words, loving embraces, great nurses and medical staff and texts reminding me that we are loved and blessed.

Ash braved her surgery like the rockstar she is. Her favorite princess is Rapunzel from Tangled, but today she was 100% Merida from Brave. There were tears and declarations of fear, but even then she was B.R.A.V.E all.day.long.

And her being braved was a great reminder that I could be brave, too.

Ashley's surgery consisted of them setting her broken arm and closing up her lacerations with 50+ stitches.

That's a lot of stitches.

We go back on Tuesday for a dressing change and then on January 2 to have the stitches removed. That means no basketball camp for Ash this year, and she may be a little awkward come ballet classes on January 9, but even a tutu makes a sling look classy.

In case I don't get a chance to do so formally, thank you to everyone who had a hand in our feeling loved and safe today. From the kind face and gentle hands that cradled my children as they were removed from the wreckage, to the coworker that drove Sissie from Salem to our hospital in Mac, to Nurse Sue who cared for Ashley as if she were her own flesh and blood. 

Some of the people that offered prayers and well wishes I may never see again so please know I include you in this prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for bringing these people to me today. Please find a way to bless every person involved today, in any capacity, the way they've blessed us. Thank you for holding us in Your hands and being the knot in the end of my rope that I clung to. Thank you for blessing us with true friends and family that stopped what they were doing and somehow contacted us and offered help in all forms. Thank you for your grace. Thank you for being with a mother, shattered and broken, as she prayed for the safety of her children. Thank you for forgiving us of our wrong-doings and for helping me to conquer these feelings of guilt and hatred toward myself. Please, I ask that you be with us as we look toward recovery. It's may well be a long road and I'll need you to guid me as I get frustrated, tired and weary. Thank you for all of these things as well as Your amazing gift. Amen.

And tonight I ask that as you go through the motions tomorrow morning, remember that today may not be like it was yesterday and tomorrow may not be like today. Cherish your days. Love your family. Thank your God.