I am sure that you are a little perplexed about what the worst day of being a mom could be. Well, so far the worst day had to be March 29, 2007. This day will always be on my mind. This is the day I thought I was going to lose my Virginia.
March 29th had started out like a regular day for us, watching television and getting ready for school. On this day Virginia would be getting on the bus for afternoon Kindergarten, Bekah would be going to the babysitters and I would be going into work. At 11:20 a.m. that all changed. I found myself looking at Virginia laying on the side of the street, after being hit by a car. I sat over her yelling "call 911". At this time I was also 7 months pregnant with Ellyn, I was screaming so hard and loud that I thought that I broke my water. At that time I wasn't thinking about my self I was just hoping that I wasn't going to lose my child. To make things even worse Bekah had seen all this happen, I can still remember hearing her saying that she thought her Big Sister was "dead". I was lucky to have neighbors that took her in and loved on her that day.
While Virginia was laying there in the street I remember her starting to come around, all she wanted to do was get up and go inside. She was so scared. I still can remember her not wanting to lay for the EMT's to get her in the ambulance. I made sure that she knew that I was there the whole time. I was not able to ride in the back of the ambulance with her, I had to ride in the front buckled up. At this time I had realized that my pants were wet. Luckily, I had only peed my pants. By the time we had gotten to the Emergency Room Virginia had calmed down a little bit. She still wanted to go home, and so did I. They nurses cleaned up Virginia so that we could see what her injuries were. She was very lucky. She had a cut on her cheek that needed stitches and scrapes on her forehead. They took her for some scans to make sure that there were no broken bones or anything serious. She did have a concussion.
When we had returned from the tests the Chaplin had come back and told me that the young man that hit Viriginia was in the waiting room and wanted to see Virginia. At this point Tate was still on his way to the hospital from Goshen, and my mom was with Virginia and me. I did go out and meet him. The first thing that I did was hug him...God had given me the strength to give this young man a hug. How much more suffering could I put him through? He was already going through his own struggle with what he had done. He had gone through the stop sign on a bus with red flashing lights and hit a little girl. He wanted to see for himself that Virginia was alright. I told him that I was not ready for him to do that just yet, Tate had still not arrived. When Tate did arrive we talked about what we should do. We decided to let him come back and see that she was going to be alright.
Virginia was admitted to the hospital for observation as she had a concussion and they wanted to make sure that nothing else was going to show up. When we arrived on the children's floor she was greeted by the nurses and given a Minnie Mouse stuffed toy. They did do a good job making her feel comfortable.
I am sure that you are wondering about Bekah at this point. She was still unsure what was happening with her sister. Tate went to the neighbors and picked her up and brought her up to the hospital to see that her sister was going to be fine. I still remember the look on her face when she came into the room, she did not want to get near Virginia. We did a lot of reassuring her that she could get close to her and give her a hug.
Later that evening the young man and his family came up to see Virginia. Their family has a story and I feel that I need to share it. This family is from Bosnia. Before they came here the older son was hit by a hit and run driver...now this explained a lot about why he need to see for himself that Virginia was going to be okay. The son had been in a coma and the driver was never caught. Now, I was in a room with a mother that understood what I was going through, I know that Virginia was not in a coma, but she knew what I was feeling.
We did stay in contact for a while with the young man. He would stop by see Virginia and talk to her. I thought that this was very nice of him to do, it showed that he really did care that he had hurt someone and had taken responsibility for his actions.
What can make people in such a hurry to go through a Bus Stop? For him is was that he claims that he did not see it in time, and he did not see Virginia on the curb, he was on his way to IUSB for an exam. HOW CAN YOU MISS A GREAT BIG YELLOW BUS WITH FLASHING LIGHTS?
For all of you that read this all I ask you to take away from this is that no matter what time of day it is be aware that a school bus can put the lights on at any moment.
I have been on the news a couple of time talking about bus safety and sometimes I do wonder if people are paying attention. I do have to say that we have not had any cars (that I have noticed) go though the lights at our bus stop.
What did I learn from this whole experience? That God is always in control. He could have taken Virginia Home to be with Him that day. He kept me in control when I really wanted to just let this young man a piece of my mind and fist. He gave me the peace and direction to just give this man a hug after hitting my daughter with his car, and tell him that it would be okay.
God is in control and I do not have any control over the people that are out driving when my children are getting on the bus, but when He gives me the chance to tell our story, I will.
I do have to tell you that the school bus after that day changed the route so that Virginia no longer had to cross the street to get on the bus, and this continues today.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Virginia Renae
So, it is about time I give you the story of Virginia Renae.
Virginia Renae was born on August 12, 2002 at 8:30 a.m. She weighed in at 7 pounds 6 ounces. She looked just like Tate, so he was not going to be able to deny that she was his. We joke about the kids being the mail man's but unfortunately that story would never stick! Virginia is named after her Great-Grandma Virginia Bennett. This was very special to me because she was the first Great Granddaughter for my Grandpa Jack, and I would not have had it any other way. She was a very special lady and I know that Virginia will be one too when she grows up.
Virginia is a very independent young lady. She does things the way she wants and when she wants too do it. Sometimes I wonder who she is most like, Tate or me?
She is also very creative and loves to be outside. If you are ever here on an absolutely beautiful day you will find her in the backyard playing in the mud or dirt looking for new bugs or anything that is alive to build a habitat for. I never thought that I would have to let her take a bath every night, and I still have to wonder where they find water to make mud when there is none around and the hose hasn't been turned on. I love this about her, but it frustrates me too.
I love Virginia very much and she will always be my "baby". She is 9 now and is growing into a beautiful young lady. Before I know it she will be all grown up and all I will have are memories.
Virginia Renae was born on August 12, 2002 at 8:30 a.m. She weighed in at 7 pounds 6 ounces. She looked just like Tate, so he was not going to be able to deny that she was his. We joke about the kids being the mail man's but unfortunately that story would never stick! Virginia is named after her Great-Grandma Virginia Bennett. This was very special to me because she was the first Great Granddaughter for my Grandpa Jack, and I would not have had it any other way. She was a very special lady and I know that Virginia will be one too when she grows up.
Virginia is a very independent young lady. She does things the way she wants and when she wants too do it. Sometimes I wonder who she is most like, Tate or me?
She is also very creative and loves to be outside. If you are ever here on an absolutely beautiful day you will find her in the backyard playing in the mud or dirt looking for new bugs or anything that is alive to build a habitat for. I never thought that I would have to let her take a bath every night, and I still have to wonder where they find water to make mud when there is none around and the hose hasn't been turned on. I love this about her, but it frustrates me too.
I love Virginia very much and she will always be my "baby". She is 9 now and is growing into a beautiful young lady. Before I know it she will be all grown up and all I will have are memories.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Rebekah Noele
Today it is Rebekah Noele, she is not named after any one in particular. We chose her name from the Bible and it fits her!
Rebekah was born on May 8, 2002. She is the second little girl that was added to our little family. She was by far the biggest of the three weighing in at 9 pound 6 ounces! The labor with her was much different than Virginia's. I woke up at 3 a.m. with a stomach ache, so I had a can of Coke. At that time Tate was working in Michigan and had to be up early to get ready. He came down and asked me if he should get ready for work and of course I had said "yes." By the time he was done, I was having severe back "pain", I was not thinking labor at that time, it was not until I couldn't sit or stand that I said "call your mom and get her here, I think we need to get to the hospital." I am very surprised we made it...we had her within 30 minutes of getting to the hospital! What a start and she arrived looking just like a Bennett- she looked a lot like my dad.
Well that day is still a vivid day in my mind, all was going well until that evening. I was nursing her and she stopped breathing! I was scared out of my mind, God gave us this beautiful little girl and what was He doing now? We knew that God was going to do one of two things- we going to get to keep her or he needed her in His Army of Angels. Of course the later would have been ver difficult to deal with. He let us keep her! She had come through the birth canal so fast that she did not get all of the fluid out of her lungs...they "sucked" out 2 ounces of fluid out of those little lungs! She was admitted into the NICU for 3 days after she was born. I never thought that I would see one of my babies in there not to mention she was the biggest one in there! If you know her today you know that she is "perfect!"
Today she is a very happy 7 year old little lady. She enjoys all the things that she should at her age. She is very smart and has a love of God that is a wonderful thing to see.
I do not know what the future holds for her but I do know that God has a plan for her life and she will follow Him, and I know this because He let us keep her.
Rebekah was born on May 8, 2002. She is the second little girl that was added to our little family. She was by far the biggest of the three weighing in at 9 pound 6 ounces! The labor with her was much different than Virginia's. I woke up at 3 a.m. with a stomach ache, so I had a can of Coke. At that time Tate was working in Michigan and had to be up early to get ready. He came down and asked me if he should get ready for work and of course I had said "yes." By the time he was done, I was having severe back "pain", I was not thinking labor at that time, it was not until I couldn't sit or stand that I said "call your mom and get her here, I think we need to get to the hospital." I am very surprised we made it...we had her within 30 minutes of getting to the hospital! What a start and she arrived looking just like a Bennett- she looked a lot like my dad.
Well that day is still a vivid day in my mind, all was going well until that evening. I was nursing her and she stopped breathing! I was scared out of my mind, God gave us this beautiful little girl and what was He doing now? We knew that God was going to do one of two things- we going to get to keep her or he needed her in His Army of Angels. Of course the later would have been ver difficult to deal with. He let us keep her! She had come through the birth canal so fast that she did not get all of the fluid out of her lungs...they "sucked" out 2 ounces of fluid out of those little lungs! She was admitted into the NICU for 3 days after she was born. I never thought that I would see one of my babies in there not to mention she was the biggest one in there! If you know her today you know that she is "perfect!"
Today she is a very happy 7 year old little lady. She enjoys all the things that she should at her age. She is very smart and has a love of God that is a wonderful thing to see.
I do not know what the future holds for her but I do know that God has a plan for her life and she will follow Him, and I know this because He let us keep her.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Ellyn Rosalie
I have decided that I would tell you a little about my girls, one at a time. I am doing them all separately because they are all three unique and deserve their own time.
First I am going to tell you about our little Ellyn Rosalie. She was born June 25, 2007, two days before Tate and I celebrated out 9th anniversary. We, or at least I, was hoping that she would wait until the 3rd of July so that she could celebrate with her Great Grandpa Jack, but it is okay that she came early because then we didn't miss his birthday party! She arrived about 5:30 a.m. and weighed in at 8 pounds 13 ounces!
Ellyn is named after her two Great-great Grandmothers on my Dad's side, Grandma Rosalie Bennett and Grandma Ellen Hardy. I never really knew either of them but I know that they would be honored to have our little Ellyn named after them, I do know that Grandpa was very proud.
Ellyn is now 2 years old, and becoming the handful that she should be. She loves to play with her sisters outside and tries to keep up with both of them in the most dirty contests that I know they are having in the back yard!
She likes to play by herself most of the time. And has found that pretend is fun. She likes to have tea parties with her new tea set.
I think that she is a good combination of both Virginia and Rebekah- she has Virginia's independent nature and Rebekah's mostly laid back attitude. But, she also has a temper, that we are going to have to work on if she doesn't out grow it as she gets older.
I am still learning a lot about her everyday. She is the first of my children that I have gotten to be with since she was born. She has never been to a day care and I am glad that she hasn't had to go. I have enjoyed not missing the most important things in watching her grow!
First I am going to tell you about our little Ellyn Rosalie. She was born June 25, 2007, two days before Tate and I celebrated out 9th anniversary. We, or at least I, was hoping that she would wait until the 3rd of July so that she could celebrate with her Great Grandpa Jack, but it is okay that she came early because then we didn't miss his birthday party! She arrived about 5:30 a.m. and weighed in at 8 pounds 13 ounces!
Ellyn is named after her two Great-great Grandmothers on my Dad's side, Grandma Rosalie Bennett and Grandma Ellen Hardy. I never really knew either of them but I know that they would be honored to have our little Ellyn named after them, I do know that Grandpa was very proud.
Ellyn is now 2 years old, and becoming the handful that she should be. She loves to play with her sisters outside and tries to keep up with both of them in the most dirty contests that I know they are having in the back yard!
She likes to play by herself most of the time. And has found that pretend is fun. She likes to have tea parties with her new tea set.
I think that she is a good combination of both Virginia and Rebekah- she has Virginia's independent nature and Rebekah's mostly laid back attitude. But, she also has a temper, that we are going to have to work on if she doesn't out grow it as she gets older.
I am still learning a lot about her everyday. She is the first of my children that I have gotten to be with since she was born. She has never been to a day care and I am glad that she hasn't had to go. I have enjoyed not missing the most important things in watching her grow!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Indian Beef Patties with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
Indian Beef Patties with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
Shared via AddThis
FYI- I did not add the salt that this called for and it was great with out it!
Shared via AddThis
FYI- I did not add the salt that this called for and it was great with out it!
Dreams
I thought that today I would share some of my dreams.
I have had this dream of having my own restaurant for the longest time. It started out in High School as just drawing a sign for my dream, I don't remember what the name of it was but it had to do with dining in the moonlight on the water- of course it was to be on a beach over looking the ocean, now I would be happy with it over looking a river or a small lake. I also remember the sign being similar to the sign that Tom Cruise's character drew in the movie Cocktail. Now the dream has changed to just a small cafe that serves home style cooking...of course that means that there will be nothing healthy- except maybe a salad or two. This may never happen but I am close, I am am Independent Consultant for Tastefully Simple- and I love it! The products are wonderful and easy to make, making anyone into a cook!
My biggest dream has always been to just be a MOM. And I am blessed to be living that out now. For a long time I never thought that I would get to be a stay at home mom. After Virginia and Rebekah were born I had to go back to work full time, and I missed out on a lot of the doing new things. We went through a lot of childcare. No one could handle Virginia- I don't know why she is such a great kid! And I sit here an laugh to myself...I remember the day that one of the sitters called crying...Virginia had found her scissors (that she said she was careful to hide while Virginia wasn't watching) she used them to cut off Rebekah's pig tails and then went on to cut her own. I laughed as she was telling me this. If you know me at all you know how I feel about hair- IT GROWS BACK! And shortly after that was when we needed to find a new sitter. We had two more after that and then Ellyn arrived! Finally, God gave me the chance to be a stay at home mom of some sort.
I am truly blessed that he has God has given me a hardworking Husband and family that has trusted me with their children to watch. I have enjoyed being the "babysitter" I have gotten to watch Nicklus grow and change, and been able to help out when I am needed for my sisters. I know know that my Niece and Nephew's will know who I am, and that is a wonderful feeling!
I have had this dream of having my own restaurant for the longest time. It started out in High School as just drawing a sign for my dream, I don't remember what the name of it was but it had to do with dining in the moonlight on the water- of course it was to be on a beach over looking the ocean, now I would be happy with it over looking a river or a small lake. I also remember the sign being similar to the sign that Tom Cruise's character drew in the movie Cocktail. Now the dream has changed to just a small cafe that serves home style cooking...of course that means that there will be nothing healthy- except maybe a salad or two. This may never happen but I am close, I am am Independent Consultant for Tastefully Simple- and I love it! The products are wonderful and easy to make, making anyone into a cook!
My biggest dream has always been to just be a MOM. And I am blessed to be living that out now. For a long time I never thought that I would get to be a stay at home mom. After Virginia and Rebekah were born I had to go back to work full time, and I missed out on a lot of the doing new things. We went through a lot of childcare. No one could handle Virginia- I don't know why she is such a great kid! And I sit here an laugh to myself...I remember the day that one of the sitters called crying...Virginia had found her scissors (that she said she was careful to hide while Virginia wasn't watching) she used them to cut off Rebekah's pig tails and then went on to cut her own. I laughed as she was telling me this. If you know me at all you know how I feel about hair- IT GROWS BACK! And shortly after that was when we needed to find a new sitter. We had two more after that and then Ellyn arrived! Finally, God gave me the chance to be a stay at home mom of some sort.
I am truly blessed that he has God has given me a hardworking Husband and family that has trusted me with their children to watch. I have enjoyed being the "babysitter" I have gotten to watch Nicklus grow and change, and been able to help out when I am needed for my sisters. I know know that my Niece and Nephew's will know who I am, and that is a wonderful feeling!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Who am I?
Who am I? This is a question that I struggle with everyday. First and foremost I am a Mom to 3 beautiful girls, two of which are at school all day and one that I am with all of the time- as she is only 2. I am also a Wife to a man that has struggled with where he is in life. I say this because we have been through job losses and depression together while wondering where life was going to go. Now he is teaching in the BEST Program in the SBCS Corp. and is the Head Coach for the Football team, so I suppose that also makes me a "coach's wife" or is that just a "football widow"?
But the real question is: Who am I when I am not in these roles of daily life? I have to say that I don't really know. I sometimes feel like I am a different person all of the time. I have suffered with Depression for the last few years, and I think that I finally may have gotten through it, but only time will tell. I have many different kinds of friends- and I love them all- they allow me to be who I think I might be. I do look to God for guidance in my life, and I believe that he gave me the friends that I have now for a reason- to teach and show me who I am. He created me for a purpose and only he will lead me to the people who will continue to shape me. This may mean that I might have to let some friends go, but they will always still be in my heart, they are just not part of God's plan for me now.
I am going to stop here for now, as the family duties of the afternoon are now calling. Homework is getting finished and needs to be checked. And as a note, I hate homework time as it is very stressful for me, and not that the homework is difficult it is just that both of them seem to have an adversion to doing the math portion of the assignments!
But the real question is: Who am I when I am not in these roles of daily life? I have to say that I don't really know. I sometimes feel like I am a different person all of the time. I have suffered with Depression for the last few years, and I think that I finally may have gotten through it, but only time will tell. I have many different kinds of friends- and I love them all- they allow me to be who I think I might be. I do look to God for guidance in my life, and I believe that he gave me the friends that I have now for a reason- to teach and show me who I am. He created me for a purpose and only he will lead me to the people who will continue to shape me. This may mean that I might have to let some friends go, but they will always still be in my heart, they are just not part of God's plan for me now.
I am going to stop here for now, as the family duties of the afternoon are now calling. Homework is getting finished and needs to be checked. And as a note, I hate homework time as it is very stressful for me, and not that the homework is difficult it is just that both of them seem to have an adversion to doing the math portion of the assignments!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)