Serving Our Veterans

If any one ever asks us why we serve our veterans, I just laugh.  I cannot imagine not gaining from the experience.  Today was no different...the veterans came and we learned so much about their great spirit and pride for our nation and humanity.

We started the morning greeting the regular volunteers that we would be relieving.  This great group of volunteers arrive at 7am to meet the veterans who arrive for the earliest lab work.  They stay for the first 3 hours of the day to ensure all the veterans are given care.

Cousins and Friends

I cannot tell you how enjoyable my day was today!  The dreaded trip back to pick up the girls from their camping trip was made easier when I got word from my cousin (Karen) that she could meet us!

So the boys, Zaira and I loaded up in the van a little earlier than planned and drove to Jefferson...historical town in northeast Texas.  We both arrived at roughly the same time and wandered around to view the sites...including a general store with soda fountain...and museums (need to go back to get a closer look at exhibits.

Since it was just a short trip we decided to just enjoy a root beer float at the general store and then lunch at a hometown restaurant called The Bakery.  The food was great and so fresh!  Zaira especially enjoyed the sugar cookie our waitress gave her while the rest of us waited for our meal.  But best of all was the conversation.  Karen and I can always get together and talk until we run out of time...and wish we had more.  We really want to get together just the two of us so my darling rambunctious crew does not distract us a million times.  It is good to have such a connection with my dear cousin.

I wish we could have stayed longer but we were off to pick up the girls as planned at 2pm.  I arrived just before our scheduled pick up time, and the girls came running to greet me.  I thought they were joking but they seriously were glad to be back in an air conditioned vehicle.  It seems they had issues with their boat out on the lake and spent most of a 6-hour trip paddling against the current!  They were hot...sunburned...and ready to get home to rest.

The girls did say that they truly enjoyed the experience...including the raccoon that entered their camp site and a stalker on the trail (Not real funny but I did tell them before I left them that a criminal had broke out of jail...I guess that was not funny as they confronted this night time hiker very bravely!).

They also spoke of the wonderful fellow campers who shared supplies that the girls forgot to pack.  I had told the park ranger that they were being left without a vehicle due to a car accident...I guess word got around to the other rangers because the girls said they rarely had to walk from site to site...the rangers took very good care of them!  Ending the experience with the girls having their boat towed in by a larger motorized craft.  Memories like these will not soon be forgotten.

The girls are sleeping but I will add some of their pictures and get them to tell more of their adventures tomorrow.

Camping...Are You Kidding?

The girls were determined...I think they are crazy!  Amanda packed the things they would need while Christina was at work last night.  Then this morning Amanda and Christina got up early to get it all in the van.  I tried to convince them to wait for a later time but they said they were ready and still very excited about the trip.

So after a morning of fun at the library "Touch a Truck"
event, we were off to Caddo Lake State Park.  Now...I think I am the crazy one...I did not look at a map to see the distance and ended up way further north than I thought we were going!  But we got there and helped the girls get their tent set up before leaving them.

I also got them to promise to meet up with the camp hosts so they had quick help if needed.  AND...then as I was driving off...I was reminded of a new reality TV show...two people left to survive in the wild with nothing...not even the clothes on their backs...except they are allowed to choose ONE personal item.  So...I turned back to the girls and asked them what their item would be...

Amanda holds up her cell phone...and Christina holds up a 10-dollar bill...LOL!  So thankful they could have more than that for the next 3 days.

Oh...and I did promise that I would pick them up earlier if they realized that sleeping on the hard ground was too much after their recent ordeal!  We will see how they do...being the stubborn and determined girls that they are...I guess I will see them Thursday afternoon!  Say a prayer with me that they are safe and have a good time!

Remembering the Accident

For those of you who did not know...Amanda, Christina and another friend (Alysyn) were in a major car accident on Saturday.  Mainly to give Michael a better understanding of what happened and for the girls to have a full understanding of what occurred, I have decided to relate the story from beginning to end.  However, after going to Mass yesterday, I thought I would do this with God's light in mind.  Also, it is so much easier to reflect on the incident from hindsight...so I will try to keep from the typical 'what ifs' that often muddy the waters and do not help in the healing process.  In fact, the readings from Mass were about God healing (1 Kings 17:17-24 and Luke 7:11-17).

So...much like the church hymn "City of God"...we begin..."Awake from your slumber...Arise from your sleep!"  The girls were up at the crack of dawn...a rare occurrence but they had a plan.  They wanted to go on a camping trip but did not have any money.  So, I offered to pay for their trip if they did some yard work for me.  They were ready to make it work and were smart not to work in the heat of the day.  And let me tell you they worked...wish I had thought to take a picture of them working so hard...but I do have a picture of their finished job (I still need to add something to replace holly bushes!)  They were outside for SIX hours!  So, it still ended up being hot.

I had told them that I would fix a nice summer meal but needed to go to the store.  We ate lunch and I went on my way with the boys and Zaira.  BUT..wouldn't you know...I forgot the things I needed for the MEAL!  SO...I told the girls that I would have to fix something different.  They said not to worry that they would go to town and get what was needed.  I made a list and off they were into town!

SIDE NOTE:  For all parents...if you have a sense that you need to call your child (ren)....then do it!  I did not and soon after that feeling...

Amanda tells me that she knew as soon as she started driving that she was tired.  Alysyn offered to drive but Amanda had been told not to let anyone drive our vehicle and she stuck to that plan.  Christina had already fallen asleep in the back seat...sprawled across the entire back row.  Alysyn decided to not only play quiet music but to sing along with the song.  Amanda said the song was so beautiful (Need You Now by Lady Antebellum) and she did not want to tell her to stop.  So she drifted off to sleep and off the road...she realized 'right away' and lifted her head and tried to get back on the road but over compensated...she knew not to brake hard so she concentrated on steering the car through the curve that took them into a 180 degree spin and into a culvert ditch going against traffic.  Thankfully, there was only one other vehicle on the road that was right behind them and watched as the accident unfolded before their eyes!  Amanda did a wonderful job of keeping calm while it happened.  Then she realized how bad it was and lost all control...crying and seeing stars before her eyes.  All three girls were good to check on the others in the car...then the two women from the other vehicle came to them.

Then, I got the call...panic!!!  Christina told me that they had been in an accident...I asked if they were OK and then I heard a stranger's voice on the other end of the line!  ARE THEY OK?  Well...they are all talking.  WHERE ARE YOU???  I don't know!  NOT A GOOD ANSWER!!!!  I am on my way...don't go anywhere!!!!!

The boys and Zaira were already on their way out the door and into the van.  I was at the accident in less than 15 minutes...YES...I was speeding ...NO...I should not have done it...BUT...I was so scared...especially when I saw the lights flashing and knew that it was not just a small fender bender!  Oh...my heart just wanted to stop!

I saw Amanda right away...but not the others...I ran to her...Are you OK?...she was indeed talking and said she was fine but the EMT was already asking her to be placed on the board so they could put a collar on her.  WHERE ARE THE OTHERS?  Then Alysyn slammed into me...crying and asking for her mother.  She refused to be taken to hospital and she appeared to be OK...I got her back to the van and she called her mother (they happen to live several hundred miles away!)  Then I was back to the accident to see them pulling Christina from the vehicle...she was screaming in pain and they were placing her on a board to go to the ambulance. (We would later find out that her foot was jammed under the front passenger seat!)  I went into the ambulance with her and tried to calm her down...but she was having flashbacks to a previous accident.  I told her that I loved her and that God loved her too.  I prayed over her and then Amanda was brought into the ambulance.  She told me she was doing OK...and I told her to hold Christina's hand to help calm her (I would later find out that the EMT would not let them stay that way but at least it helped them for the moment.).

I ran back to the van...assuring the boys that the girls would be OK...and followed the ambulance to the ER.  I think I even beat the girls into the hospital.

Amanda was good but the ER had run out of rooms so she was placed in the hall way at the nurse station...and close to the room where Christina had been placed.  Alysyn and I went between the two of them.  The boys were taken home by a friend.  Christina's parents were called...and her father came and sat with her.

However, during the wait for treatment, Christina was very upset and was convinced that she was back four years ago when she had her accident that busted her hips (very traumatic) and she thought her brother was hurt.  It took a long time to calm her down and keep her stable.  At one point Amanda had enough of the neck brace and back board...as well as hearing Christina scream...so she released her back board straps.  I told her that if she got up they would make her stay there longer, so she stayed on the board.  And, they finally got her in a room...unfortunately on the other side of the ER!  So I did a lot of walking through the ER to keep up with both of them.

After about five hours of waiting, and CAT scans for Christina, she was examined by a doctor and asked to try to walk to the bathroom....they wanted to make sure she could walk without assistance.  She got a little dizzy but made it for the most part.  Once back in her room, I went to check on Amanda...to find her gone!!!  It took some time to find out that she was also taken to have a CAT scan.

And at this point we were told that Zaira and Alysyn would need to stay in the waiting room!  Zaira is not the kind of baby to go to just any body and had only just met Alysyn so it was an awkward moment of what to do.  I guess Zaira must have understood somewhat the situation because she went with Alysyn willingly (at least for a little while).

I got Amanda back in her room and a lab tech came in to draw blood (I am guessing because she was the driver they wanted to check for drugs and alcohol levels...which were both non-issues).  I had Zaira back with me also.  The tech was very nice and we started talking about large families.  She told us that she knew a woman with TEN children and she was a home schooler.  I asked who it was and she said we would not know them because they were not from this area.  She mentioned that it was sad because the mother was dying of cancer.  I told her that was so sad and again asked where her friend lived.  She acted like she should not tell...I told her I would pray for her...so she said the woman lived in a town where we spent many of our early years.  I was so surprised...and asked her the name of her friend.  She said her last name (still not sure if she should reveal details) and I immediately asked if she meant a friend of mine...and she said yes!  Small world!  AND...it just so happens that I will be going there this weekend...so I hope to visit her.

The doctor came in soon after this issue was resolved and Amanda was freed from the neck brace and back board.  The doctor determined that she was well except swollen lymph nodes so he prescribed her some antibiotics and discharged her.  That put us in Christina's room to wait...just about the time a fire alarm went off in the ward!  My initial reaction was to gather my chicks (LOL!) and I went to find Alysyn, but we were told everyone was to go into the rooms of the patients.  We could not leave until the alarm was determined.  Thankfully, I had Zaira back with me at that time...because I would NOT have left her in the waiting room with the potential of a fire or other danger AND I had a hard time letting Alysyn be away from us!  Thankfully, a false alarm!  The doctor soon came in and told Christina that she had inflamed herniated disc in her lower back.  She was given a steroid shot and prescription before being released.  Her father left.

Just when we thought we were done, the nurse came in and told us that Alysyn admitted herself into the hospital ER!  I think the adrenal had finally worn off and she was feeling the pain of the accident.  So...I found Alysyn and brought her into our single ER room...by this time we were back to the nurses used to us and letting us be together.  The nurse told us it was going to be a long wait, and the girls were hungry so we came up with a plan to go get food for everyone.  Christina (who had had her clothes cut off of her...and was in two hospital gowns) was to stay with Alysyn.  Amanda, Zaira and I would go get food and gas (I was on empty!)

We got out to the van, when I realized...I did not have my wallet...and my credit card was in the wrecked car.  YES...I had given the girls my card to buy groceries!!!  We had no way to do anything!!!!  The only solution was to call the wrecking service (we were told it was a 24 hour service) and get into the car.  My van registered that I had 12 miles to empty...so I called...he was not pleased but when I begged for him to open his gate, he finally agreed  IF we could get there in five minutes (so much for 24 hours!).  We made it after getting lost twice, so we were thankful he stayed longer than 5 minutes.  Then he asked for an ID...I just repeated over and over...I have no ID...I have no gas...I have to get back to the hospital...please let me in to the car to get my credit card.  I am not sure how many times I repeated this but he finally agreed.

The first glance of the car was quite upsetting.  We got what we needed...praised God that the girls were OK...and headed back to get gas and food before returning to the hospital.  Just in time to meet my friend Lyndia who would take the two discharged girls home.  (I had called her to update her on the situation and she insisted that Amanda and Christina not stay at the hospital any longer.)

So, on entering the ER room...there was Christina on the bed and a boy (Tyler) in the chair.  These two have known each other for a LONG time but I had only met him through stories and pictures, so I smiled and introduced myself.  He told me he heard about the accident and came as quick as he could.  It was helpful because he was able to get Christina to the waiting car.

And then there was one...the nurse came into the room and made sure we were OK...but also to tell us that it would be a long wait with several other patients ahead of us.  Zaira had finally fallen asleep and with the other girls safely home, we just settled back into the room and waited.

This was a good opportunity to talk with Alysyn alone.  Without going into details...we needed this time.  Right after she told me her story...in walks the doctor..."OK...third girl....lets get you all home!  You have been here long enough!"  So he examined her and determined that she would be sore but she was not hurt.  And we were on our way!  Praise God!

We arrived home at 2am... all were exhausted but wound up so much we could not sleep.  I finally got the girls and I talked out enough to at least try to relax.  One thing that continued to be discussed amongst the girls was an odd feeling that something liquid had splattered them in the wreck.  However, there was no evidence of any drinks in the car!  Christina (being the neat freak that she lovingly is) had just cleaned out the car right before leaving the house so they would have room in the car for groceries.  Christina even  had some of this mystery liquid on her phone...it was sticky and smelled of Dr. Pepper...but there was not any in the car!  I told the girls that we would figure it out when we saw the car.

Sunday was spent going to Mass...and resting.  I did have to take Christina to her first day of work later in the afternoon...I felt so bad for her but she had worked so hard to get this job...she did not want to lose it.  She told the people at work about the accident and they allowed her to sit on a stool when the store was not busy.  Then I took Alysyn to work just before picking up Christina.

SIDE NOTE:  I offered to let Alysyn live with us...begged her to get her high school diploma...again details do not need to be given out here but please pray for her.  All I could do was tell her that we were here for her and let her get things figured out.

Today we went back to the wrecking service and to the accident site.  Amanda and Christina were able to get all of their things out of the vehicle.  The company holding the car lost the key...I told them it would be OK...I did not think we were ever going to need it again and we could get into the car without it.  We took several pictures...thanks to Christina we were able to just pull out the baskets that she had just neatly placed in the trunk.  I told the young man who helped us that he must see a lot of walking miracles in a job like his.  It is hard to believe that Christina was not hurt worse than she was...the side of the vehicle she was on looked terrible...pictures do not show all the damage to the vehicle but it is obvious that the vehicle will be totaled.

Seeing the accident site was hard but again showed that God is good...ALL THE TIME!!!  I also insisted that the girls were being guided by their angels...if the car had gone even a few inches further to the side they would have gone into a creek bed and it would have flipped the vehicle!  I also told them that God obviously had bigger plans for them!

And the mystery drink...there really is no evidence of a drink in the vehicle!!!!  I told the girls that it must have been Michael's presence to give them comfort during a stressful time (We have a long standing joke in our house that Michael has to explode Dr. Pepper in vehicles!) .  All we know is that it happened and no explanation of why.

I am convinced everything happens for a reason...whether poor choices...to make a point...or because had it not happened this way it would have been worse with another choice...I do not know why this happened to the girls but as the hymn was sung on Sunday...."All Will Be Well."  Praise be to God!!!!

Obedience Training for Puppy or Boy?

So today was eventful as we took Hank (Beulah has not had enough of her shots) to obedience training.

Actually, the day started with a trip to the vet.  Hank needed his last round of shots and Beulah her first.  They did well at the vet and were deemed a healthy pair.  Of course, we knew that already!  They are very smart and we look forward to the adventures our family has with these two!

Edward has begged to take the puppies to obedience school, so I went to our good friend Donna to see if she had any classes this summer.  I was not expecting to find that a class was starting TODAY!!!!  We got all our papers in order and off we were to Hank's first class.

I learned what I always suspected...that the obedience part came with the training of the handler to give cues that the dog could understand.  Hank was likely the youngest dog there but he was not the only puppy.  Henry joined Edward in the training.  They learned some basic skills to get Hank used to the idea of following commands.

• Always give treats at the left side.
• Start by giving treats after a simple marker word ("Yes!") or click.
• Start out slow with any attempt as a success and treat offered.
• Stay consistent.
• Do not try to do too much.
• End on a positive note.

Today the idea was to teach the commands and skills...watch, hand touch, loose leash, and pace.

Hank did great...the boys need to be patient and follow the steps to be good handlers.  We have homework so hopefully we can stick with it and train all of us well.

Great Times

Friday

Woke up early and had time for breakfast by myself before the children woke up.  One of my favorite things to do when on vacation!

For all those new moms (and old)...give yourself this special treat when staying at a hotel.  If you eat breakfast first...you have more time to concentrate on helping the children when they are ready to eat.  When Michael is here...I let him sleep in with the children knowing all will be safe.  When he is gone...I have the oldest in the room know that I am leaving and tell them to bring the baby (or anyone younger than 3-years old) to me if they get fussy.  I almost never have a child awake as I am an early riser and up long before anyone else.  All the children know they can always turn on the TV at a low volume until I get back so all are happy!

The girls were in their own room so they woke up on their own and got ready for their adventures.  Amanda and Katy were dressed in costume for the day.  Not my idea of fun but they are having a blast!  Christina was set to meet her classmates at Six Flags.  I played chauffeur to the girls and a friend of Amanda's from New York.  I will let the girls tell their adventures at the end of each day.

I got everyone where they needed to be and realized I did not have the address to our hotel!!!  SO much for a GPS...but I got clever...I put in a location close to our hotel and got us there and then found the closest hotel to that location...VOILA!

The boys were happy to get back to the hotel in time to have lunch and then we were off to the swimming pool.  Bad news!  The hotel pool was not open!  Good news!  We got an upgrade to the fancy hotel pool next door!   It was a lovely hotel to view and the pool was nicer also.  Zaira had her first visit to a "big bathtub" and had a great time kicking her feet from the side and then jumping right in with the boys!  They all had a blast and we then enjoyed a quiet few moments of down time before going to pick up Christina.




Christina had fun at Six Flags even though she got a late start.  The school bus with her classmates did not show up until lunch time.  She made the most of it and waited patiently.  Then she enjoyed the long lines and the few rides with her friends. We picked her up and then enjoyed a evening at the hotel.

We even had time to run over to an ice cream shop and buy a cake.  We surprised Amanda with an early birthday 'party!'  We also gave her our gifts...a ring from Mom and Dad...a love knot ring to replace one lost when she was younger...as well as a pretty necklace from Christina.  I think Amanda was surprised!

Amanda and Katy had a blast on their first day of the conference.  They were dressed up like their favorite characters (I will add names later...I can never remember how to spell their names!)  Hopefully, I will get them to add some more details from their day as well.

We had planned on meeting with my mom this evening (She is on her vacation to Niagra Falls and was gong to be staying the night in Dallas!) however she was very busy having fun at a saloon with the friends!  LOL!  I cannot wait to hear about her adventures when she gets back!

Saturday

An early start to the morning...we got Amanda and Katy (along with her friend Anthony) to the conference.  The theme seemed to be Zombie apparel for the day...Amanda in her zombie warrior costume and Katy as a Zombie.  And Anthony just enjoying the laid back approach!

Then the rest of the crew headed to downtown Dallas...specifically the historical West End.  We really did not know what our plans would be for the day, but we thought we would visit a museum.  The closest one to our location was a Holocaust museum but it did not open for a couple of hours...so we took a stroll around the block.

We had know idea that we were at the famous "grassy knoll" where JFK was shot and killed almost 50 years before!  It was a true living history moment as a friendly guide walked up to fill us in on the details.  I was in a little bit of a panic because I rarely have cash on me and at that time only had a five-dollar bill.  However, the two older boys had just learned about this in their history lessons so it was fascinating to them which encouraged the tour guide to share as much as he could with little care about the money.  He said it made him happy to see the boys so interested in the history.  He even shared a newspaper that discussed all the aspects of that fateful day.

We continued around the block ending at the museum in which we entered just before opening...a big thank you to the curator who let us in out of the heat!  This gave us time to go to the rest rooms and cool off before going into the exhibits.  Once again the children had read about this in their history books so they were glad to have the opportunity to see the artifacts gathered.  However, Edward did say it was very sad and Brendan said it was important to remember that they died for freedom.  A good reminder not to let our children forget the past...or it might be repeated.  I think the curator was surprised that we would share so much with the younger children but none of the pictures in the museum were any more graphic then what we hear about and read in our pro-life efforts.

This time we did not pick up Amanda and Katy until the wee hours of the night.  I left Zaira sleeping on the hotel bed with Christina.  I would have made it back without her even being the wiser but I took Anthony to the hotel to catch his flight.  She made it for the most part...Christina had to settle her back down to sleep.  This was at 2am so I felt so bad for the person in the next room over but it worked out in the end.

Sunday

We woke up in time to get everyone dressed for Mass.  We found a nice church (St Paul the Apostle) not too far from our hotel.  The priest sounded like he had just come off the farm!  He had such a beautiful drawl!  He spoke of the importance of taking action.  We expect God to do something for us and sometimes we need to look around and see what we can do for God.  We need to remember that we are God's hands and feet in this world.

After Mass, we asked the locals for a good Chinese restaurant (that is what Amanda wanted to eat for her birthday dinner!).  We were fortunate to learn that there was one just around the block.  The children enjoyed trying sushi for the first time.  Katy made the mistake of choosing to place an octopus on her plate.  She thought it would make me upset to have it laced in front of me.  I got the last laugh however, as I told her we had a rule that if we choose something from a buffet, we have to try at least one bite!  Oh my, how she cringed as they tried to cut through that rubbery thing!  Fortunately for her, it could not be cut through and I did not have the heart to actually make her take a bite.

On this last day of the convention, Christina decided to go with Amanda and Katy.  There plan was to go around to all the vendors and end with one last 'lecture' (as Katy was calling the panels) about networking with writers.  Since it was such a short day, I decided we could just go to park close by the hotel.  We enjoyed the beautiful day on the playground and walking around to various statues of children.   This park was set up beside a children's hospital, so most of these statues were designed as memorials for the children treated in the various wards.

Zaira is getting really good at "walking"...but we were all surprised when she grabbed Brendan's hand and decided she would take a stroll around the playground with him!

We picked the girls up and then we made our way home...why is the trip home always longer?  We arrived late into the evening and were exhausted...thankfully, everyone did not mind going straight to bed.

Once again so glad for great times!  I think everyone had fun.  I know it was a restful weekend for me...with little concern for schedules and keeping house clean.  And as always after an extended weekend away...we were glad to see our own beds!  And...must add that the puppies were glad to be back with us as well.  They rolled around the lawn as if to say...We are home!

Taking a Long Weekend

Although most people took a 3-day weekend last weekend, our family decided to wait until this weekend.  We are off to Dallas for a gaming conference...known as A-Kon.  I suppose if you have any interest in this type of thing it would be quite exciting.  Actually, Amanda and Katy have been planning this for some time and the rest of us just decided to come along for the ride.  It worked out perfect as Christina's school had a trip planned for Six Flags this weekend as well.  The boys and I will most likely spend our time wandering around some of the 'free' sights we find in the Big City!

Of course, we could not leave town with a little excitement first.  

Today, is traditionally the feast of Corpus Christi...a day set aside to remember the belief in the Eucharist as the Body and Blood...Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The idea is that we should celebrate this everyday, especially on the days we attend Mass; however, if we look back to the Apostolic days, this was soon after the Holy Spirit came down upon the Apostles at Pentecost.  The Apostles were not fearful upon this transformation of spirit and remembered that Jesus told them to bless the bread and wine as was done on that fateful night of the Last Supper (also a Thursday) and consume His Body and Blood.  If we truly believe this (look back to John 6) then we should glorify at the thought of this presence in the Eucharist.  "Every knee shall bend and every tongue confess." (Romans 14:11)  

One of the many traditions to honor the Eucharist on this feast day in Europe is to decorate various floral arrangements at altars around town.  The community then processes around to the altars praying together.  These altars are created by the maidens in the town.  

Every year we have tried to do this in the many churches we have attended but it just did not seem to work out.  This year we were determined to make it happen.  We knew we would be out of town so we purchased fake petals from the local craft store (normally real petals are used but we feared they would wilt before Sunday) and designed a simple picture representing the Eucharist.  Amanda and Christina formed the design on the floor in front of the altar, as the rest of us prayed.  They did a great job!

We left the church for the house so we could grab a quick bite to eat before going into town for our wildlife meeting.  

Then we went home to pick up the puppies.  We had decided to leave the puppies with Katy's grandmother for the weekend.  This was a hard decision but we had no way of caring for the puppies at night as the hotel did not allow pets.  We picked up Katy and left the puppies in short time as we were trying to get to Dallas in time for the girls to check into the convention.  

So now we are in our hotel with the weekend ahead of us!  Looking forward to this time away.