From Bulldozer to Toe Truck

Last week was a full, but very good, week, with a few unexpected twists and turns. Wednesday morning we had our "Grace Moms" kickoff; It was really encouraging to see so many new faces - and so many from last year. One of our mentoring moms shared about how to make the most of our time - being more productive and keeping God our #1 priority in the midst of everyday craziness. I'm just praying that God will help me to apply some of it now. It's easy to smile and nod in agreement; not so easy to actually do what I know He's asking me to do.

Wednesday night we took the kiddos to an area church where they participate in the AWANA program. Kari Bou was especially excited to go to Cubbies for the first time. The evening began with a wiener roast for parents and kids, and was supposed to end with a time for registration, meeting the teachers, and buying books & vests. For us, it ended with a broken toe and 8 stitches.

Watchful parents that we are, Danny and I turned from talking with someone to see Karis in the midst of a "no-breathe" cry. She was sitting by one of the headstones in a small graveyard on the church's property - where the kids were not supposed to be (I'm guessing). I sprinted over to her and saw that her back was pretty scraped up; at the same time I noticed part of a headstone lying near her on the ground. "You're ok, sweetie, I reassured my little girl, who had definitely found her breath by this time, as I helped her to her feet.

As soon as she stood up, I noticed her blood-filled sandal and knew there was more to this than a few back abrasions. Upon removing her shoe, we saw that her big toe was sticking out at a bit of a funny angle, and her second toe had already turned purple. Apparently, instead of just doing the normal thing and playing soccer with the other kids, Zekers and Kari Bou decided to wander off and play "Push the Headstone Onto the Foot."

Fortunately, the AWANA commander works for the fire department and knew what to look for. He pretty much told us it looked like her big toe was broken, and the second toe, which was lacerated to the bone all the way across on the underneath, would need stitches.

Unfortunately, he showed me the bone in her toe a few too many times - pulling the skin back (it was still bleeding pretty badly) and examining the wound, which, of course, made her scream louder and bleed more. I handed her to Danny, put my head between my legs, and passed out. Not exactly one of the more dignified moments of my life. I remember begging, "Please, God, don't let me pass out - not now. Please . . . and then waking up with a bag of ice on my head and numerous people staring down at me. I guess He decided the humiliation would do me good. I found out later that both Rachel and Zekers thought I had died.

Anyway, we took her to Children's Hospital, while some good friends and Grandma Wright took care of the other kids (Poor Grandma - she had to give up her appointment for directory pictures). Our little Bou got her foot X-rayed. She kept saying, "smile, foot - smile for the camera!" She also received 3 stickers, of which she was very proud. When each new doctor or nurse asked what happened, she would nonchalantly reply: "Zekey pushed a headstone onto my foot."

The funny thing was, she cried about halfway to the hospital, but once she calmed down, she seemed to be having the time of her life. She talked and laughed and carried on at the hospital like I've rarely heard her around here. Then it hit me - for possibly the first time in her life, she had Mommy AND Daddy all to herself - not to mention the attention from numerous hospital staff - and she was loving it. She got 8 stitches, a couple of bandages, and a super-cool blue shoe to wear, to keep her from bending her toes when she walks.

She spent Thursday on the couch, and I spent half the day on the phone (on hold), trying to set up her follow-up appointment for next week. Now, she's walking and running around in her new shoe like nothing ever happened, and was even able to spend the night with Rachel and Grandma Miller on Friday. It was strange, but a lot of fun, just having the 2 boys for 24 hours. The pictures of her foot are from Saturday night, when I finally had the courage to bathe her and redo her bandaging.

So although the week took an unexpected turn, I find myself so grateful . . . grateful that she wasn't hurt any worse than she was . . . grateful for each one of our kiddos and their unique personalities . . . grateful that I have a husband who can keep his cool in intense situations (unlike his wife) . . . grateful for family and friends who are there to help out . . . and most of all, grateful for God's goodness. He gave His Son to suffer so much to take my sins and clothe me with His righteousness. Thank You, Jesus! Thank you for undeserved blessings.