It Was An Accident!

So today was the first time that my kids have ever been in a car accident. On our way to Hip Hop class for the kids, we hit a bump in the road... Well, a pick-up truck in the road. We were driving down the road in the right lane  headed north when all of a sudden a huge, blue pick-up truck heading south turned left about 5 feet in front of me. There was literally no time to react. No screeching of tires or anything. We slammed right into it going about 35 miles an hour. The kids and I were driving the beat-up, little, old Buick. Of course, I was driving. Faith was in the passenger front. Courage was in the front middle seat. Honour was behind Faith. Justice was behind me. Hope was sitting in the middle back seat.
Right before we hit, I heard the kids scream and saw them brace themselves for the impact. Then, after the impact Honour began his scream/cry.
In somewhat of a stupor, not really grasping what just happened, I searched the kids for injuries. Luckily, they were only scared. No one got hurt! Thank Heaven for asking for protection this morning in our family prayer! We were certainly protected.  The front airbags didn't even release. I am glad, because I didn't want them or the chemicals in them hitting my two oldest kids in their faces.
My poor dad.... I was on the phone with him when we hit. All he could do was listen to all my kids scream, a huge crash, me asking everyone if they were OK, and then dial tone. That would have been terrifying to hear as a parent and not know what was happening. I did call him back after few minutes. I had to call 911 first to report the accident. After I called my Dad back, I called David to let him know what happened because he was expecting us at the dance studio.
Here is how our conversation went:

Me: Hey David, we were just in an accident.

David: Who's fault was it, yours or the other guy?

Me: The other guy. He turned right in front of us.

David: Was the car damaged?

Me: Not really... The head light was busted. The fender and hood were crunched a little....

We're fine too! Thanks for asking!

Seriously!? First 2 questions out of his mouth were about a piece of crap car! He insists that he knew we were all fine. Yeah... yeah... yeah....

Later on in the evening I talked about what happened with Justice, because out of complete silence on the way home from swim lessons (Yes, we are busy..) he asked me which seat belts are the safest - the shoulder belt or the lap belt. I told him the most safe was the 5 point harness that Honour has. Next safest was his shoulder belt. And, the next safest was the lap belt. Then, I told him wearing no seat belt was the worst. He agreed then told me the shoulder belt "hurt his shoulder in the accident, but he'll be alright." I love my tough little guy! He said he was scared more than he got hurt. I told him there is no need to be scared if were are doing what we are suppose to be doing, like wearing seat belts and also when we ask for safety throughout our day in our morning prayers. It was a good talk on a nice drive home.
We are really blessed!

Look Who's 5!

Justice turned 5 on the 21st of this month. That was last Wednesday. I can't believe it was 5 years ago that he was born. They grow so fast! He had an awesome day. It was a preschool day, so for his snack, he wanted to take Slim Jims for a birthday treat. That is so "classic Justice". He had a birthday breakfast with Dad at McD's. He wanted chicken nuggets, but had to wait until I took him there for lunch. Yes... I know we are horrible parents for subjecting our son to McDonald's twice in one day, but he loved it. And.... It was only one day! When we were there we sat next to 3 old men who loved visiting with us. I think I got three dates out of the visit. And, Justice snatched a few bucks from the men once they found out it was his birthday. He was so excited.
Later he went to school and had a great time. When I picked him up I heard several of the kids telling their parents they had meat sticks or flap jacks for a birthday treat. The parents didn't seem to believe their kids. Haha....!
After school Justice got to open his presents. What is the greatest gift ever for our little man? A 3ds.  He freaked out when he opened it. It was awesome. We also had a yummy cake decorated just perfectly. To finish the night, he  went to his favorite class, hip hop then swimming. He thanked me over and over for his awesome birthday as I tucked him into bed and let him stay up (in bed) to play his 3ds. I love that little guy.
Then Saturday we celebrated Justice's birthday by spending the day at the local hotel water park.
The kids loved it because there were no life guards on duty, so they could do all kinds of crazy things down the slides. AND...... JUSTICE LEARNED HOW TO SWIM! He is so big and so stinkin' cute!
I am so proud of him and forever grateful to be his mom...

Below is a video of him swimming for the first time without his life vest or any help. Such a wiggly fish! I love it!

(For the full effect of the slide show...

 Scroll over the movie & then click the "Mute Button")

"Jibber Jabber" Honour

Honour is growing up so fast! He is walking like a champ. He knows tons of baby signs. And, now he is exercising his vocals. Pretty soon we will be able to understand what he says. I really would love to know what he says! Although, I want him to slow down. He is growing up too fast! In this video he has a lot to say. He is very serious about it too. You can tell by how deep his voice is. And he is very intent on pointing that gun. He is very observant! His big brothers play with those guns all the time. So, Honour knows what to do with them.

Honour the Stinker

This is what a 14 month old baby looks like after he keeps you up ALL night because he felt the need to climb all over you and nurse all night long. Needless to say, he is adorable and I am exhausted. I swear that the cuteness of babies is their only defense. And, man, is it ever a good one!

Worst Mom EVER!

It is the end of the school year and so the kids are having their end of school year programs. They include singing, dancing and art to display.
Well, Hope was very excited about this. She even made me a personalized invitation to her program. It was so cute. She colored in crayon "Come to my show" " I love you Mom" "Thursday at 2:00".
Well, Thursday at 2:00 came and went. I forgot..... I FORGOT! I am such a jerk!
So, when she got home and I saw her, I instantly remembered. I felt HORRIBLE! She did too. I gave her tons of hugs and kissed with tons of "I am sorry"s . I asked how it went and what I missed... She said she sang and danced. She told me she played the xylophone. SHe also told me she missed me and REALLY wanted me there. She said. "I looked all over for you and I couldn't find you." My heart sank and broke for her.... Upon hearing our conversation Courage said, "Mom, my program is tomorrow at 2:00." And then Hope said, "Well, at least you can make it to see Courage's show..." Ugh... My heart was breaking even more. THen she ended it with "I should have told Justice (her 4yr old brother, mind you...) to remind you about my show so you wouldn't forget." I felt think a giant piece of crap!
So I took her shopping with me and bought her a donut.
The next day, I pulled her out of her class to watch Courage in his program. I had Hope sit on my lap for the hour. She told all about her program.... where she sat, what she sang, which instrument she played, and what her art looked like.
I wish I could take that day back and redo it........
Here are Courage's program pics:

Here We Go Again!

Skip the chipped teeth and look at those tonsils! Poor kid's tonsils are so swollen that they are touching. So I took Justice to the pediatrician today to get an antibiotic. But in the exam, low and behold we find out he has double ear infections too!!! Here is the theory.... His adenoids and tonsils become enflamed frequently. They cause fluid build up in his eustation tubes. That causes the ear infection and problems for his ear drums. Therefore, I am checking with ENT next Thursday to see if we can get Justice's tonsils taken out. Hopefully that will put an end to his life-long ear infections, snoring, congestion, and swollen glands. I just want him to feel better and have healthy ears!