Heartfelt Thanks!

Hello everyone!! I want to first take this opportunity to thank all of you for all your prayers, they have kept me up and supported us through all of this! My daily rosary is for all who are praying and helping us in any way.


Well, this is the shoe that I was wearing at the time of the accident, and this is the shoe that I had for 8 years and this is the shoe that went in the garbage the other day!


No more heels of any kind for me. Ever.


Here's the story:


On Friday afternoon, we drove to pick up some greeting cards (a love card for my hubby and a b-day for my father-in-law) that the cashier had forgotten to put in our bags earlier in the day. The girls wanted to ride the "penny pony" several times, and we had time, so I let them. On the way home, it was just so beautiful and sunny (I think close to 40 that day) that I decided to drive around the neighborhood to look for any snowmen, we did find a couple. Then I looked at the gas tank and thought, it would be better to get gas right now, instead of later that night on the way to a homeschool play we'd planned on going to. So, again, since it was beautiful out, as I was getting gas, I was washing windows, all 4 kiddos in the van. When I got to the back windows, I stepped up onto the pump step (the pumps are about a foot up on a cement step ) and over the gas hoses. Well, I guess I should say I attempted to do that. I tripped on the hose and fell on my right shoe that twisted and my ankle bone popped out and my leg broke in 3 places just above the ankle. I kind of fell to my butt, I guess, I know I was on the ground sitting. I looked at my shoe, it looked kind of funny and I looked at it and moved it, and it was just hanging funny and all in the same moment, I realized that my foot was in the shoe and that was my bone sticking out of my sock. (it did not break the skin, thank goodness!) I laid back in the melting snow and water and mud, so as not to pass out. I then, yelled for help, and my kiddos came to my rescue, they got my purse and I tried to call, first my husband, 911 and several others, all of which I could not reach!!! I am not cell phone savvy, so, I had to mostly go by memory of people to call to come and help! I honestly can say I did not feel any pain or anything until in the ambulance when they asked me where my pain level was. I just could not move my leg at all.


I looked around, and still no one could see me, so I yelled again for help and the kiddos came out again, I asked Jedi to go into the store to get help for mama. He did and proceeded to wait in line once he got in! (cute, huh? He was scared and did not know what to do!) After what seemed like way too long, I sent in Ballerina Rosie with instructions to first find her brother and then tell someone it's an emergency her mom needs help!! That worked and they were right out, the store manager called 911 and gave me his coat, as I was teethchattering freezing laying in the water. I tried my husband 4 times, his cell was off!


After the ambulance came, and prepared me to be moved, they finally said, if no one can be reached they would have to call the Police and they would have to take the children. The children were with the Firemen, who were entertaining them, giving them stuffed Beanie Babies and tours of the firetruck. (they were great!!) I think it was one of the firemen that was trying to call my husband and my parents and anyone I could think of to come and get the kiddos! I told the kids to pray to their angels to get daddy to check his phone fast! As soon as they got me in the ambulance, he called!!! He came and got the kids. Poor Babycakes, who was in her carseat for the whole thing, saw nothing, except nice fireman and the kids going in and out. She yelled at daddy when he got in the van "No, mommy drive home, no daddy! Where mommy?"


After Tom got home with the kiddos, he finally got ahold of our wonderful neighbor, Jeanne, and she came over and fed the kids and later put them to bed. He did not get home until after midnight.


They operated on me right away, giving me a Spinal, which was the safest for the baby. I now have 8 screws, 2 rods, a cable and some kind of bolt holding all my bones together! I cannot put any weight on my right leg for 6 weeks. I have crutches and a wheelchair. Stairs are a killer, so I only go up once for bed. Yep, right leg, so no driving for this chick for probably 2 months at least!


We are so blessed. It could have been so tragic. I could have lost the baby. This is also temporary. So many things happen to people and it is permanent.


A lot of people ask (which I find a funny question, one of those "DUH" questions) if it hurts. Well, let's see, no pain meds, 2 incisions a few inches long on each side of my leg, and broken bones, uh, yes, it hurts. It is getting better each day though. And I look at it as an opportunity to offer more up to our Lord and hopefully grow closer to Him.


My hardest thing is elevating my feet 4 times a day for 30 minutes. I think I've managed to do it twice a day. I am also supposed to be up and down, keeping the blood flowing, to help prevent blood clots. I know one thing for sure, I will have very toned arms and shoulders from the crutches and a very toned left butt cheek and leg when this is all done, but also one very flabby and hairy leg after the cast is removed!!!


"Mary" my 4 year old has had the hardest time with all this change. She refused Grandma's bath the other day not wanting different people giving her a bath. (we are only having the grandma's give them baths) She only wants mama to do it and she wants mama back the way she used to be. It's been hard on all of them though, always having people here to help. They need privacy and quiet time too. I need someone here each day though to help me with Babycakes and just all the little things.


It is humbling to say the least. I am a perfectionist and don't like to ask for help and God has put me in a position where I have no other choice but to ask for help and accept it. Large slice of humble pie I've been given. I am overwhelmed by the outpouring of people offering to bring meals and help in any way they can.


Our book club is reading the book called "Holiness for Housewives". I am not sure of the author and it will literally take me 10 minutes to hobble to get the book and hobble back so, that's the name anyway! Well, we read the first chapter last Thursday and discussed it together. It was about our vocation as mothers and how it is what is bringing us closer to God, it is our way to holiness. All those little things we do, are opportunities to praise God and unite ourselves with Him. Well, it is one thing to read it and try to think of it when feeling burdened by the countless tasks we do as mothers, but it is another thing to have the ability to do those things taken away. I truly can say I cannot wait to sweep my own floor and pick up those things laying around, the clutter, the toothepaste on the sink, flush the toilets, straighten the hand towels as I walk by, push chairs in, wipe the table and the counters, give baths and all those other things we do as mothers, I will think of all of those things as blessings and gifts to be able to serve my family in that way. To serve God in that way.


My husband has taken over taking care of me and the children and doing errands and anything that needs to be done, he has been wonderful, I am so blessed to have such a wonderful man.


Thank you again for all of your prayers and well wishes, it truly is a gift to call you all my friends. My prayers are for you in return. May God Bless all of you!