A day that COULD have changed our life forever

 

This Friday started like any other Friday. The kids had been so excited to go to the zoo. We actually woke up before them and enjoyed some quiet before they came running down the hall talking about the zoo and all the animals they wanted to see. We got ready and were out the door at 9:30! Little did we know when we left that we'd never make it more than 25 minutes past our house. I took this picture of them before we left in case I never got one of all 3 of them once we were at the zoo. You all know how crazy things can get-especially with three little ones. It makes me tear up to think this COULD have been the last picture I ever took with all three of them together. So thankful it wasn't.

 We headed down 35 on our way to Ft. Worth. Traffic was still pretty congested as we got close to Western Center and 820. It was stop and go. This guy had been riding us pretty close for awhile and Trent had made a comment or two about how close he was and how he had come close to running into us. A few miles go by and we had just gone under 820 and came over a hill. Traffic was at a dead stop on the other side of the hill so we start slowing down. Trent looks in his rear view mirror knowing that guy had been tailing us and he saw him coming. In preparation he tried to get into the grass shoulder before he could hit us but he was just coming too fast. He slammed into the back of us and sent us spinning into the grass shoulder. We spun 180 so we were facing the traffic and the next thing I knew we were rolling. We rolled one full time and had gone over again when we hit the concrete median. When we hit that, it sent us back onto our side where we landed. It was AWFUL!!! Madison and Cooper were screaming, Karsyn was silent. Trent immediately started talking to the big kids and we knew they were at least alive because they were screaming. They didn't appear hurt. Seeing Karsyn's feet still and not hearing a peep from her made his heart sink. He was able to grab her shade and pull it back. When he did he said she was just staring up at him like what the heck just happened to me?? Before I could even unbuckle--I think I was in shock and it took me a minute--a man was grabbing Madison out of her seat. All three of us girls were on the passenger side, the side that was on the ground. Madison's window had busted out in the wreck. I told her to go with him and she would be ok. I was then able to compose myself and climb in the back to get the other two kids out. I got Cooper first because he was hanging in the air. I passed him to the same man out Madison's window and then did the same with Karsyn. We were so lucky that several people stopped to help. I followed the kids out Madison's window while another man broke out our already busted front windshield for Trent.

 

 These were all taken when the car was still on the side-this was how we landed. In the first picture you can see stuff under the car in the top left of the picture. That was stuff that had fallen out of Madison's window. So thankful she was alright.

 These were taken once the wrecking truck pulled it back over. We didn't get any of the back or the other side but they were damaged too!

Once we all got out of the car we sat in the shade against the concrete median and let reality set in. We praised the Lord that all 5 of us were able to walk away without any injuries. Our biggest injury was a small cut on my knee. The back window that is gone was where Madison was sitting. The baby she was holding was smashed under the car and Madison didn't have one scratch on her. Not one. We definitely had the Lord watching out for us. I've had many say my Grandmom was watching out for us too! I'd like to think that she was. We had a super sweet lady stop after the wreck. She sat with me and the kids the whole time. She prayed with us and helped keep the kids occupied. She even called her husband and had him come pick us up and take us home. (She was taking her neighbor to the veterans hospital in Ft. Worth). Super sweet family! The police took all of our information, the medics came and checked all three kids out but we opted not to go to the ER at that time. I told them I would call my pediatrician and have them seen by her since none of them appeared to be hurt. 

Cooper was mad we weren't going to the zoo and Madison started crying because all of her favorite movies were in the suburban. So I'm thinking they weren't that traumatized by any of this. 

All I can say is it has made me realize that each day is a gift and you really don't know when someone you love can be taken from you. It makes me sick to think what could have happened that day. We were sad about losing our suburban that we searched for forever but more than that we were thankful that our family of five was all going home together! 

It's been a week since we've had the wreck and Madison doesn't talk about it at all. Cooper talks about how our car went sideways and how a man saved him. Neither of them are scared to get in the car. The highway STRESSES me out. Like I really can't handle it. My heart races, I'm a nervous wreck and have to look down the whole time. I am hoping that goes away soon. We are searching for another car although we still don't know what they are doing with our old one. We can't imagine they will fix it because it's so old but we'll see. 

We are thankful God chose to spare all of us on this Friday morning. I'm thankful to see three smiling faces at the dinner table and to tuck three sweet babies into bed. I'm also thankful to still have someone to go to bed with. We are blessed! 

Karsyn is 5 months

 

Can't even believe she's 5 months old. I know I say it every month but time is going by so quickly. I try to soak up each day and take it all in because I know these times will soon pass and I'll miss them terribly. I guess knowing Karsyn is my last baby I'm sad at each milestone. I know, I'm crazy. Our baby girl is growing up.
In the past month she:
-Is sleeping 10-11 hours a night. She did go through a phase where she woke up once a night for a week. I started feeding her rice cereal and that stopped. I'm guessing she was ready for food.
-She started rice cereal the week before she turned 5 months
-She is about out of the 3 month clothes. She needs 6 months now. She's been wearing 3-6 and grew out of that size in her pajamas. They still fit in her clothes.
-She is rolling all over the place
-Trent has seen her pull up on her hands and knees. I haven't seen her get on her knees yet.
-She loves her swing and often falls asleep in it for her afternoon nap
-She's not consistent on naps.
-She is constantly smiling. She is the happiest baby.
-She attended her first funeral; my grandmother passed away the first week in June.
-Wearing size 2 diapers
-Nurses in the morning and before bed but has bottles throughout the day. I couldn't keep up. Her bottles are 6 oz and she eats every 2-3 hours.
-She likes her Bumbo and sits in it a lot
-She loves Madison and Cooper. They can get her laughing so hard. I love it. I haven't caught it on tape yet.
-Everything goes in the mouth
-She's started blowing bubbles

We love this little girl so much and are so blessed by her easy going, sweet spirit daily! We couldn't have asked for an easier 3rd child. She is always happy and only cries when she's hungry or tired. Otherwise she's content to sit and watch all the action going on around her.

Happy Father's Day...

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad in the WORLD! 

My kids probably don't even realize how lucky they are to have the Dad they have. One day they will know. He is an amazing dad who is always willing to play with them--board games, baseball in the backyard, jumping on the trampoline, helping them ride bikes, wrestling, coloring and anything else they come up with. More importantly than playing with them he is setting an example for them. Teaching them the importance of memorizing scripture and reading their bibles. Teaching them to pray and be thankful for the things they have. We are all truly blessed.

 

 Cooper wearing Karsyn's bow before church

The homemade gifts from the kids

 Madison made hers at school before summer. Cooper's were made at church.

After church we went to Celina and had lunch with Gary and all of Trent's family. Trent and I are lucky that we have amazing father's as well. I couldn't ask for a better dad or step dad. They have always been there for me and gone above and beyond to make sure I had whatever I wanted. I'm so thankful for that. I know Trent feels the same about his dad. We love all of you!

Jump For Fun Party

We had Madison's party at Jump for Fun, finally somewhere other than Going Bonkers! Yay. Although I think she wanted to have it there again and it would have been A LOT cheaper! She had fun and she had a good turn out. I think all but 2 of her friends were able to come. They have this huge room full of different inflatables--obstacle courses, slides, basketball courts, different characters and such. They have a full hour to run around and JUMP! Then the last 30 minutes is spent in the party room, eating cake/ice cream and opening presents!

 

 Cooper and his best friend

 Kara and Karsyn

 Madison and Kennedy (a friend from school)

 He loved the big slide and the basketball court

 Lindsey and Madison

 Savannah, Lindsey & Madison (friends from school)

 Madelyn

 Savannah & Kennedy

 Laken, Lindsey, Savannah, Madelyn, Abby & Madison --All of these girls go to Liberty with Madison except Abby. They are some of her very best friends. 

 

 Eli

 Cooper watching Ethan, Reid and Reese play a game of air hockey!

All the kids from her party except Kailyn- She did not want any part of this picture! 

Party Room 

  

The birthday princess!

 Grammy & Papa even brought Cooper a present. He thought that was pretty cool.

 We had such a good time and are so thankful for all the friends and family that came out to celebrate Madison with us! Cooper's already saying he wants his party here too! I guess I better start saving now. Ha!

Madison is FIVE

I CAN NOT believe we have a 5 year old! A.5.YEAR.OLD!!! Where has the time gone? I made a sign and hung it in the hallway so she'd see it right as she came out of her room and we hung balloons everywhere--on her door, in the hallway, and in the kitchen. I wanted to make her feel special on her birthday. I actually was out running when she woke up so I didn't get to see her reaction. Trent said she just smiled real big. As soon as I got home she wanted to open her present. 

Trent had to go to workout camp so we had a relaxing morning. Cooper actually woke up sick--running 103.5 temperature. Madison wanted eggs and biscuits for her birthday breakfast so we had that and then she played with all her new baby gear. 

 She must have gotten worn out from all the birthday excitement

When Trent got home the girls and I headed to the pool. We originally were all going to go but since Cooper was sick Trent decided to stay home with him. I felt bad for Madison because I couldn't get in and play much. I did take Karsyn out (her first time to actually get in the water) so Madison could swim to me for a little bit. Then we sat on the side --Karsyn in her stroller-- and watched Madison play. She loves 'diving' for these rings. She drops them right by the steps but she does go down all by herself to get them! This girl could swim all.day.long!

 this one crack me up because she's holding onto the pole but trying to get a ring off the bottom of the pool

 I let Madison hold Karsyn on the way home from the pool. She thought she was SO big because she wasn't in her booster seat AND she got to hold her sister! 

After the pool we rested for awhile...

 silly kid copying his sister--he was starting to feel better after having a rotation of tylenol and motrin all day long

We got ready and headed to Olive Garden per Madison's request! This is her favorite place. She loves the fettuccine alfredo. Cooper started going down hill again so he spent most of the meal laying on Trent in the booth. 

After Olive Garden we got dessert at Yogurt Story -another one of Madison's favorites. Cooper was super grouchy by now so he's not in any pictures! 

I sure hope our girl had a special day and knows how much we absolutely love her. 

Friday we spent the day making Hello Kitty cookies and decorating them and making cupcakes for her party!