Van Collision

This is the result of a collision that the kids and I were in last Thursday. We were on our way home from writing class and a young, teenage driver cut in front of me and then slammed on his brakes. (we have later come to find out that even though this wasn't my "fault", it is my fault!! Because I hit HIM, it is my fault, regardless of the circumstances. ) Other than the insurance ramifications, I don't really care whose "fault" it was - it was not an experience I want to repeat!

God was so good though - within 10 seconds of the crash, two policemen (who were right there at the time of the crash) were at our window checking on us, telling me they had already called the tow truck, and telling me what to do next. I felt completely helpless and would not have known what to do if they hadn't been right there. I also was driving a carpool so I had another child with me - NOT a fun call to make - "by the way, I have your child and we have just been in an accident"!! I called Danny, and he made that call for me...

In the end, the kids thought it was a fun adventure!! Crashing, riding in the tow truck to Starbucks where they got a special drink , all the attention from the police, and getting to miss their next class!! (we were on our way to art)

We are currently without a vehicle and hoping to line up a rental for me to drive. The van had a lot of damage but was not totalled, as we originally thought.

Thank you, Lord, for protecting us!!!

Florida vacation 2009

January 1st, 2009, we left for Florida!! It turned out to be one of the FUNNEST vacations we ever had, and we did NOT want to come back to the dreary, wintery, cold weather in Maryland after all the sunshine and palm trees... Here are some of the highlights:

Jacob at Downtown Disney with a lovely skeleton...

Ryan speeding on a go-kart in Old Town

Another Downtown Disney shot - they had the most amazing Lego creations!

The whole family plus Sherry, Matt's lovely girlfriend, at Epcot! Matt and Sherry were with us on the trip for the first five days - we had an absolutely wonderful time with both of them and we were so sad when they left... they both had to get back to work - boo hoo...

Ryan taking a picture of him and Sherry with his new camera!!

One of the highlights was a trip to the Kennedy Space Center

The view out to the back of the property we stayed at - it was very beautiful and peaceful, except for the alligator that came out of the water right behind the house...

Our last night there, with a soak in the hot tub...

At Medieval Times, Hannah was thrown one of the carnations by this knight, and so of course, we had to get a picture of them together. Talk about feeling like a princess...

Hannah with her flower

Thank you, Daniel, for all your work to plan, pay for, and execute such a fun time for all of us. The break was greatly appreciated, and we made memories that will certainly last a lifetime.

Temporarily gone, but hopefully not forgotten!!

So much has been going on in our lives these last months, that getting to post something on my blog was, unfortunately, last on the list of priorities... we have had a Christmas Tea for the PC ladies, Christmas shopping, construction on our home, leak repairs, more Christmas shopping, a night at Ford's Theatre to see Christmas Carol, baking, constructing Gingerbread houses, a night at Olney Theatre to see Peter Pan, a wonderful Christmas Eve service, more Christmas shopping, tile installation in our kitchen, Christmas Day, a New Year's Eve celebration, a fantastic vacation to Florida, Christmas returns, and the arrival of my parents for several months.

Amidst that, we have had speeding tickets (hmhm, ahhh, Danny that is), lost phones, running over a dog (soo sad!), pulled teeth, doctor's appointments, movie nights, family nights, college decisions, grieving friends, broken down cars, stressful days, and many days of laughter and love.

I sincerely hope to get back on track with blogging and not lose the recording of our family happenings to look back upon some day!! Thank you to all of you who bore with me patiently - I will most certainly try to be more faithful in the future!!