st. patty's day accident...

yesterday evening, i took the girls 2 corinn's tap class & curtis took jaden 2 martial arts practice....on our way home, the girls & i were headed to get some dinner....we were traveling on a road not far from our home - it's a 2 lane road, with a 55mph speed limit....i was following behind a 77yr old lady, driving little black honda accord....suddenly, she slams on her brakes for a dog that ran out in front of her....i also slammed mine, but did not have enough time to stop....i crashed in2 her rear-end, totally embedding her bumper in2 my hood, deploying my air bags & completely crushing the front end of my van!

gabby immediately started screaming in a panic....both girls had been sitting in the middle row of seats & their seat belts totally did their job! gabby's worked so well that she had a nasty scrape across her belly & she was screaming that it hurt....corinn was also crying & had a red mark across her left shoulder, but she wasn't in pain or panicked

the air bag deploying freaked me out - i'd always heard horror stories about the burns they can give....the smoke from the air bag had filled the van 2 the point that i couldn't see out my windshield 2 tell whether we were safe 2 get out or not

i turned on my flashers & slowly got out - i needed 2 get 2 gabby who was freaking out....the accident had forced my van in2 the middle of the 2 lane road, so i was blocking traffic both ways....about 5 or 6 vehicles stopped 2 help - they were 1st concerned with me & the girls, then started helping to direct traffic by, 1 lane at a time

i got the girls out of the van & we found our way safely 2 the side of the road....corinn was still in her dance clothes & neither had their jackets on....it was a rather warm day, but with the excitement, we were all shaking & cold....i sat them down, far far off the road & went back 2 the van 2 get their jackets & corinn's pants

there was fluid pouring out of my van & covering the road - it was quite a sight....the old lady that i had hit walked up 2 me at this point with the weirdest grin on her face....i said "are u the one i hit?" & she nodded...i asked "are u alright?!"....she shrugs & says very nonchalantly "yeah, a dog ran out in front of me"

i admit, once i knew she was ok - i really wasn't concerned with her....& her attitude kind of pissed me off....not apologetic at all, didn't really act concerned - i know it wasn't her fault, i probably would have braked 4 the dog too, but dang!

i went back 2 the girls & we prayed - thanking God 4 keeping us & the lady we hit safe....asking God 2 help gabby's belly feel better & that she's ok....& yes, even thanking God 4 letting the little doggy live

several witnesses had called 911 & came over 2 check on us....2 gentlemen on motorcycles said they couldn't believe the way the lady had braked 4 the dog....they were coming in the opposite direction & saw the whole thing

the firetrucks & ambulances arrived....the paramedics checked us out....because gabby (who by now, had calmed down quite a bit) complained of a sore neck & that the inside of her belly hurt too, they wanted 2 transport us 2 the hospital....i went back 2 the van again, 2 gather my purse & the girls' backpacks & we hopped in2 the rig


both girls were quiet during the ride - still shaken up, i'm sure....i had 2 give the paramedics all the info they needed & they checked gabby's vitals....it turned out that i graduated high school with the driver & one of the other paramedic's daughter is in preK with corinn....they were all very friendly & did a great job of making the girls feel comfortable & relaxed

(4 those of u that went 2 bway too - the guy pulling gabby out is brian huffman!)

meanwhile, i had already called curtis from the side of the road & he had pulled jaden out of martial arts & headed 2 the hospital....he was waiting in the ER when we arrived....once we got in2 a room & the doc came in2 see us, it was already almost 8pm (the accident happened at about 6:30)....none of the kiddos had eaten yet (remember, we were on our way 2 pick up dinner?), so curtis & jaden ran out 2 get some mcdonald's

gabby ended up needing a CT scan 2 check her belly & spine....& 3 xrays 2 look at her middle back (apparently, it's hard 2 read a child's CT scan 4 that area)....the CT scan required she have an IV, which was not fun - but other than that, she really seemed 2 enjoy the attention....she's my little hypocondriac & has always enjoyed taking medicine & going 2 the doctor....she was super brave & patient! i honestly think this girl might b a doctor 1 day - she's so fascinated by the scans (she was familiar with the process since i've had some done & have told her about them - she was anxious 2 experience it herself), machines & even her IV (at the end of the night, she was actually examining her IV 2 see if she could take it out herself! ~lol~)


i ended up sending curtis & the other 2 kiddos home after they'd all eaten & we knew we'd b in the ER 4 a while (at 9pm, the doc said it would probably b another hour & a half)....waiting 4 the CT scan & those results took forever (scan confirmed that everything was ok)! then, we were told that since radiology had already closed, gabby's xrays would b sent to australia (that's right, the country down under!) 2 b read??? then they'd send the results back


finally, at 12:30am!!! the results were back...a few bruised ribs, but she was fine!

i had asked my mom 2 come & get us (instead of having curtis drag the other 2 kiddos out of bed)....she came up & sat with us 4 the last few hours & really made the time go by faster - she & gabby were giggling like crazy....i think gabby was just delerious from being so tired - she passed out almost instantly on the car ride home! thx so much ma!!! 4 yet again, always being there 4 us!!!

2day, gabby is resting at home with daddy....she slept in till 10am & woke up saying she felt just fine....we expected her 2 b sore 2day, but she says nothing hurts - kids r so resiliant!

now, 4 the silver lining maybe?

i know what u're all thinking - & yes, i totally thought about it too!
just last week, i was complaining here about my van & how it's on it's last leg....we're praying hard that it's considered totaled (completely smashed front end, air bags deployed, totally not drivable - crossing fingers!) - that sure will make getting a new one a whole lot easier! ;0)

ps. i'm sorry, i didn't think 2 get any pics of the van (the others above were snapped with my cell)...but i'll get a shot when we go 2 get our stuff out of it soon