a tragic accident that almost included us!

TWO people died in a fiery accident in northwest Houston about 9:15 a.m. Tuesday when a UPS van slammed into a Saturn on northbound Tomball Parkway near Greens Road, police said. The Saturn had stopped in a moving lane, authorities said. The UPS driver got out safely, but the Saturn’s driver and passenger were killed.  (Houston Chronicle, June 8, 2010)

Carl and I were immediately behind this collision when it occured. We were almost to the Houston Temple exit, where we were planning to spend the rest of the day, doing work on behalf of many of our deceased ancestors.  We noticed a stalled car, which was sitting right in the middle of the freeway. We were in the lane to the left of it, and were a few car lengths away from passing it, when the UPS truck slammed right into it, going 65 mph. Debri came flying at us. Carl immediatley slowed down and veered off to the right when he saw that the truck, with the car underneath it, was careening to the left, where it came to rest against the median. Flames were darting across the road from the fuel tank of the crushed car. We knew that the passengers would have died instantly from the explosive impact. We were hoping that the car was vacant, since it was just sitting there, without  any emergency flashers on. When I looked over my shoulder at the wreck, I could see just a small part of the front of the car, (the remainder being totally under the truck) and could see no passengers. The UPS guy must have realized too late that the vehicle he was approaching, wasn't moving.
After we passed by, Carl was wondering if he should have attempted a heroic rescue of the UPS guy and was feeling bad he didn't. I told him that due to the fire racing across the freeway (and the vehicles potentially about to explode), and the fact that he would have had to cross the freeway with oncoming cars approaching, that would have been too dangerous. We helped by immediately calling 911, and were the first to do so. When we arrived at the temple minutes later, both of us feeling very shaken up and in shock, we could hear the sirens of the rescue vehicles. We felt very sad about the way that those poor people in the car had to die, and prayed for the UPS guy. We were so grateful to find out later on the news that he made it out O.K. We felt deeply grateful to have been protected and watched over and to still be alive on this earth. We were literally seconds away from being crushed in that accident. If we had been just a little bit ahead of where we were on that highway, the truck/car would have plowed right into us, since we were in the left lane and right in their path. I don't think we would have made it out alive. Luckily, there were hardly any other cars on that portion of the normally busy freeway, so no other cars were impacted, and Carl was able to move quickly over to the right and get around the accident.
When we pulled up to the temple, I expected to see the front of the car charred and damaged, but wasn't about to complain if it was. However, there was not a dent, or scratch or anything else on that car to indicate we had just driven through flames and flying debris. The freeway was shut down for 1 and 1/2 hours.  When we were driving home six hours later, the traffic was still badly backed up and hardly moving on that section of the freeway. The charred wreckage and police cars/firetrucks were still there.

summer days in Texas

Philip flew in for a few days of fun in the heat and humidity.

The fish weren't biting, just eating all the worms. Grandpa almost caught the big one -- a 5 foot alligator

who swam away with the hook and worm in his mouth. (There goes my alligator purse.) That gator kept trying to sneak up on the farm dogs who were cooling themselves off in the pond.

Walter caught a little bass.

The guys had better luck in Walter's dad's chicken coop, where they killed two 5 ft. long chicken snakes who had been eating all the eggs. Philip, finished this snake off by slinging it againist the fence post, almost hitting me in the face.  To quote Walter's dad: "Just another day on the farm."

Before flying back to Utah, Philip enjoyed a day at the beach, along with some of his nieces and a nephew and his doggie niece Lady Gaga,who sported a new swimsuit.

Graduation Day

Tomorrow, our youngest, "little" Carl will be walking across the stage at Moody Gardens in Galveston to recieve his high school diploma. Then, in August, he'll be a "Red  Raider" at Texas Tech University in Lubbuck (same place his Dad recieved his college degree 41 years ago). All eight of our kids have graduated from Friendswood High School. It's hard to believe that soon we'll officially be empty nesters.

Mother's Day thoughts

My journey of motherhood began with "mothering" my 4 younger brothers (here with the youngest, Billy).

Then, after Carl and I were married, the first to join our family were these two sweet little girls (Emily and Lauren). They made the job of mothering so easy and such a joy.

Soon, little Mark would join them.  Emily and Lauren were such helpful big sisters, making my job as a mother easier.

Our little family grew as Andy and Jessica joined us. My job as a mother became more challenging, more of a balancing act, and how I wished there were two of me.  Thanks to a very helpful husband, and  helpful big sisters, I was able to laugh more than cry.

Then came along Jeremy, Philip, and baby Carl.

 How did I do it? I ask myself that in retrospect. Well, I didn't do it all. Things didn't get dusted that often. I was tired a lot of the time.  There were plenty of challenging moments, especially as they entered the teenage years.  But through it all, I was happy, really happy, and so thankful for each of them. My love for them carried me through.  God always gave me the strength I needed.

I wouldn't trade those years for anything in the world. The journey of motherhood continues as I hold each grandchild in my arms (here is Emily's first daughter, newborn, Ava).

If I'm lucky, I'll get to hold some of my great grandchildren in my arms, as my mother-in-law did (here holding Lauren's firstborn, Elayna, in her arms about a year before she died).

Kids and Puppies

They make a delightful combination -- the grandkids and the newest grandpup, Lady.

After playing, they're all worn out. Grandpa's got a lapfull.

a trip to Bimidji

Last week, while a volcano erupted in Iceland and an earthquake rattled China, I took a trip to a peaceful place, far way, in Minnesota ---spent time with, and helped out our oldest son's sweet family, and met the newest addition, little Saige (2 weeks old).

The weather was perfect as we visited Bemidji State Park. What a pioneer woman Courtney is, going for a hike two weeks after giving birth.

          It was fun to see Colby interact with little sister --

and to see him give sweet kisses, along with a few pokes in the face, and stealing her tiny pink binkie.

       to see Colby enjoying time with Dad (on the shores of beautiful Lake Bemidji).

                             or taking care of their little princess

                         or just doing guy things -- like 4-wheelin'

       Colby enjoys spending time with Mom too--

      But most of the time Mom is busy with baby sister.

 So Colby got to spend lots of time playing with Grammy, going for wagon rides, and collecting rocks to throw out of the wagon--

It was so nice for this Grammy to see this face first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

and to give sweet Saige lots and lots of cuddles and kisses --

(P.S. -- Saige with the quilt I made her)

That was my wonderful week. 

celebration of 36 years together!

From this (taken on one of our first dates) ....

and, in the blink of an eye, to this!

As I reflect on 36 years of marriage (as of April 9), I feel thankful for being with someone who

• has always put God and family first
• has worked hard to provide a good living so I could be a "stay-at-home" mom
• is a man of honor and integrity
• has always been willing to pick up a broom or vacuum cleaner, wash dishes, bathe little ones, and finally , with baby #8, been willing to change a poopy diaper
•  can fix just about anything, including my sewing machine (extra brownie points!)
•  loves silly me!