Abbey is graduating...

Abbey is graduating from Speech class. She has successfully accomplished what they wanted her to do and she was tested last week and is ready to be done. I thought that we were going to go all through the summer so this is a nice surprise. She has done a wonderful job and we are so proud of her.
She hasn't had any side effects from her head injury. It is healing nicely.

Abbey's Accident

Last night after a fun, filled day at the girls carnival, we spent 2 1/2 hours in the ER. The girls had a dinner date with Nana and Papa and Nana was getting ready to leave. I was at the door talking to her and Abbey was sitting at the table eating some celery with dip and part of her leftover supper. The next thing we heard was this huge thud and then instant crying. The chair, which Abbey was sitting in, was now laying on the ground against a corner of the wall leading up the stairs. I was holding Abbey now and checking her out, I pulled my hand away from her head and there was blood covering my hand. Shannon checked and it looked pretty wide. Thankfully Nana was still here and she took Ashley with her while we took Abbey to the ER. Even Abbey's "boyfriend" was here trying to help cheer her up-thanks Shane. We spent over an hour in the ER before the doctor was able to even check it out. The ER was super busy with people having more issues than ours. She was so brave trying not to cry. We kept telling her it was okay to cry. We kept making her laugh...all the nurses would walk by and smile because she was doing so well. Brian, our wonderful nurse, found her a doggy to take home (stuffed not real) and then provided her with some smelly stickers. Of course she wants to share them with Ashley. She was so worried about getting her head cut off. She called Ashley and talked to Ashley. Finally the doctor came in and took a look. It was a toss up about getting stitches or just letting it heal by itself and having us just clean it. She didn't like the idea of stitches so after much discussion, we opted to go with the cleaning and healing on its own. So I would love to say that was it however Brian had brought her some juice and crackers. As the doctor was talking to us, Abbey said that her throat was hurting and started gagging a little. The doctor looked to see if it was a sore throat/strep and it wasn't. We were getting the paperwork to leave and I was holding her and all of a sudden she threw up all of her food. It got on her pretty dress (which is also covered in blood-what a combination) but mostly all over the blankets. The doctor wasn't concerned with head injuries since she returned to normal afterwards. Like myself, the doctor felt the reason she got sick was because of all the tension and being upset. Her stomach felt tight earlier while we were waiting.
We got home 3 hours after bedtime and she was completely wound up and being silly from lack of sleep. I washed her head and got out the blood. She put on her jammies and then slept wit mommy all night. She is fine this morning and for that, we are very thankful. What a scare for us. Ashley slept at Nana and Papa's all by herself for the first time....a night of firsts in different ways.

Kindergarten Round Up

Today was kindergarten round up for the girls. They met with the teachers and some of the other students while we listened to the principal speak about the upcoming school year. I cannot believe that this day has come. We were asked if they wanted to be in the same room and we said that they didn't want to be together...they are both so excited for school to start now. We get to come back for activities before school starts. Our babies are growing up :-(

Spring Weather

It has been so nice to be able to be outside playing. We were out all night playing with chalk and bubbles. Daddy has to get air in the bike tires before we can get out on the bikes. It is so nice to enjoy these wonderful warm days.

Ashley and church

Ashley won a coloring contest over the weekend. She was the grand prize winner for her age bracket at Wal Mart's Easter Egg Hunt. She won a sidewalk chalk set. She loves to color so this was a great reward for the job she does. Abbey was so excited for her, she kept saying "I knew you could do it Ashley" and "I knew you would win". They are so proud of each other's accomplishments. Abbey won a bug cake last year so now they both have won and are eager to share the prizes with each other. I love that we have raised them not to be selfish but to be generous.
The girls and I attended Good Friday church services during the day and we sat by some of the older ladies of our church. The girls were able to bring paper to color with because I knew the service was going to be a bit longer and Ashley wasn't feeling too good. They were complimented for their wonderful behavior in church. Then on Sunday, we didn't make it to the early service as planned because Ashley and I were up most of the night with her coughing, they were complimented again on their behavior. We expect them to behave in church and let them know what their expectation and consequence would be if they don't behave and I think that it has really paid off. We get compliments like this a lot. We know that kids will be kids but we firmly believe that there is a time and place for everything. I think that Shannon and I have done a wonderful job raising our girls and setting appropriate limits for them and it is nice to have the compliments re-enforcing that. We have had good role models!

Accident

I got a call last night, while I was in a meeting, from my nephew Sam. I ignored the call because of my meeting and when I called him back he was sitting in the back of an ambulance. He was in a car accident. He has totaled his car but he is okay and thankfully so is the other driver. It scared the crap out of me. He just got his license in February and accidents can happen in a split second...I should know I had three minor accidents before I turned 18. The important thing is he is okay. If he says I can, I will put up pictures of his car. Ironically this week they have the mock drill at the high school: the car crash, the funeral, etc....all to show kids what happens when they drive drunk or recklessly.
Thank you God for keeping him safe.