Hi girls. I'm sorry I haven't been around much...I'm still trying to get back to normal around here. For those who haven't checked my blog recently, my SIL Mandi is doing much better! She even took some steps today with her therapist!! My nephew Gabe is still on the ventilator. He's responding well...they are just waiting on an area in his throat to heal before they attempt to take him off the vent.
Alex stayed back with his family, but I decided I needed some quality time with my girls since I hadn't seen them in over a week. So, Wednesday (6/18), I headed toward Branson (following my brother & his family) to meet up with the rest of my family for vacation. We were only about 30 miles from the resort when we were in an accident. I'll try my best to explain it... I was driving about 70mph going South on the interstate in the left lane. A car in the right lane started to move over into my lane right next to me, so I swerved to the left to avoid him hitting me. Instinctively, I jerked the wheel back to the right and it shot us back across both lanes. We were going so fast, the rear of my trailblazer flung around and we hit an enbankment (between the interstate and exit ramp) and rolled the vehicle completely over. We ended sitting right side up facing North. It was SOOOO scary!! And, I was talking to my MIL on the phone when it happened (Yes, I realize I shouldn't have been on my cell while driving. I've already kicked myself for it.). I can't imagine how scary it was for her. I asked her later what she heard. She said I started yelling, "Oh my gosh" repeatedly, then heard screaming and a bunch of banging, and then I said, "Emilee, don't move. I have to check my girls." and then I guess I hung up. Praise the Lord none of us were hurt badly. Actually, my girls didn't have a scratch on them, and Braylee was already asking about going swimming while we were still at the scene!? My niece Emilee was sitting in front with me. Her neck had a burn from the seatbelt, but otherwise she was fine. I had a burn on my neck too, a goose egg on the side of my head from banging my door window when we started flipping, and my elbow was hurting. (I later had it checked out at an urgent care center. Thankfully, it wasn't broken...just fluid in the joint and soft tissue swelling. It has since healed just fine.) If anyone is wondering...both of my girls are in Evenflo carseats in my vehicle. Braylee's is a highback booster and Brynna's is a triumph model. I was so thankful when I found them in the back seat just like I had left them! (BTW, what exactly are the rules about replacing carseats after accidents? I know it's recommended, but ALWAYS or just if there was damage to them?) Oh, and Brynna is still rear-facing...not sure if it would have made a difference, but I'm thankful I haven't switched her yet. Anyway, the trailblazer is totaled. DH is encouraging me to get a minivan now. I know it would be more convenient but I'm not quite sure I'm ready. I think I'd rather just replace it with a trailblazer like the one I had. We ended up staying in Branson until Sunday. The trip was ok, but it seemed like something was always going wrong. I was sooo ready to be home after being gone for 2 weeks. Unfortunately, I had previously agreed to work extra this week since another NP is out on medical leave, which means I'm completely exhausted still and anxious for the weekend to get here. I'm not used to working 5 days/week anymore.
You can read about the mission trip I took to Mexico on my blog. I posted some pictures there as well. I'll post a picture of my vehicle below and a couple from our "vacation." (I really don't the vehicle looks all that bad in the pictures...most of the damage was to the back end.) Please go love on your little ones now!!
BTW, I've missed you girls and thought of you often!





Brynna helping Mamaw with supper.


Brynna loves to jump in the pool...you can barely see the top of her head in front of me.


Brynna loving on her big sis.


Rough night?! This was Sunday morning at the resort.

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Wow, what a crazy past couple of weeks we've had! I think you deserve some major relaxation. Glad to hear that you and the girls are alright,

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Amanda-24 Dh-26

Makenna Mae West born September 2, 2006!!

Wow Tera !! I am so thankful you guys are all okay ! How scary : (

I love the picture of the girls in bed and Brynna's bum up int he air..lol Daniel sleeps like that a lot too !

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OMG I am glad you guys are ok!


The pics of the girls are so cute! Thanks for sharing!

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Laura 28 Chuck 36
Married Septemeber 10th 2004
Our IUI Miracle Alexa Rae 9/08/06!!

OMG Tera - I am in tears just reading about it. I am so glad everyone is ok

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OMG!! I am so glad you are all ok!! You have had a rough summer so far, be careful!

As for the carseats... I would replace them seeing as it was a pretty serious accident, the seats could have been damaged in ways you can't see... possibly.

Be safe and take care of yourself!!

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Dom Loves to give Charleigh Kisses!

how scary. glad everyone is alright.

and the carseats definately need replaced. insurance should replace them for you. is braylee actually in a booster at 3.5yo??

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Tiana mama to Joclyn(12-02), Juliana(8-04),and Morgen(9-06)wife to Justin since 5-99

Hey Tera!

WOW glad to hear you are all ok, how scary!!! I too would replace the carseats--this is the reason we paid a fortune to put all of our children in Radian seats!!! so scary what can happen!

Have fun vehicle shopping!!!

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Dean (30) & Janice (27) Married May 27,2000

Our first princess: Tirzah Liberty November 6,2003!
Our baby in Heaven "Little Miracle" lost at 4wks July 6, 2004.
Our little "Angel Boy" Zion Courage arrived July 9, 2005 8lbs 7oz (2wks early)
Beautiful little Azlan Honor born September 13, 2006 8lbs 4oz (1 wk early)
Princess Azahria Peace born April 26, 2008 7lbs 12oz (2 wks early)

Our colorful family~little Azahria at 16days old

Tera, I've been following your blog, and I was so happy to read your update last night! I'm also glad you and the girls made it out of the accident OK. As far as the carseats, I think some insurance companies pay to replace them after an accident, so definitely check into that!

Take care!!

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Brandy

Oh my Tera! I'm glad everybody is ok. I would have freaked out. And your poor mom...I'm sure she was on pins and needles!

I would replace the carseats too. Just for peace of mind, ya know.

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~~~~Julie~~~~

Wife to Mike
Mommy to Grace (9-21-06) and another bean on the way! (EDD 4-3-09)

How scary! I'm SOOOOOOO glad that you and your girls are safe. How scary for the rest of your family as well. Take care of yourself and get some well-deserved rest.

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My heart belongs to Sam 8.15.06


In loving memory of Evan -
To infinity and beyond...

Eve
Married: 1997
TTC: 3 yrs +
BFP: 1-3-2006!
Samuel David born 8.15.2006

OMG Tera!!!! I was holding my breath the whole way through your post. thank God you all escaped with minor injuries(although they probably didn't feel minor to you)

Love the pics of the girls(Aoife sticks her bum in the air sleeping as well...actually, so does conor!)

On the car seats - I know the recommendation here is to replace them no matter what...you might think they're OK but they're probably not.

Delighted to see your SIL and Gabe are on the slow road to recovery...

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Maria - Mum to Conor(08/08/2003) and Aoife(09/09/2006) - Wife to Aidan June 8th 2001

HOly cow! That was CRAZY!! I think I would have gone home and locked myself in the closet after all that is happened....I am glad you were able to have fun after it all!

Glad all is oK

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Kerri
Mom to Annabella
& Gianna

I feel like the carseats should be replaced too. Alex thinks they look "fine" but I was thinking the same thing, Lauraine...about the possibility of things being wrong that we can't see. Great idea about the insurance...I'll definitely have Alex call and check to see if they will cover them.

Tiana- This is the high-back booster Braylee has. She's been in it since she was ~32 pounds. The back adjusts to grow with them. I love it. I'll buy another for Brynna when the time comes, but she's such a peanut, I can't see it being anytime soon. I plan to keep her rear-facing until 30 pounds (which could be another year or two).

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Tera, my goodness, I am just in shock!! I am so glad to hear you are all ok. What a scary thing to happen, especially after just leaving from a visit with your SIL and Gabe in the hospital. Was Alex a mess when he found out? I can't imagine being with his brother/SIL/nephew and then hearing your own family was in a rollover crash on the interstate.

As for the carseats, I would replace them. I know my insurance company pays for that (I have Progressive) because that was something I checked before purchasing my policy years back.

I read your blog and saw the updates on your SIL, as well. Wonderful, amazing news!!! Prayers going out for their continued healing and restoration.

We have the same booster--2 of them--for my oldest and he's been in it since about 3.5 too. We really like them!

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Brandy

OMG Tera. I can't believe it. I am so glad you guys are all okay. Thank God!

Love the pics of the girls. I can't imagine them being hurt. Hugs girl!

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Aisha, mom to Cami and Norah

I"m sorry that you and the girls had such a scare, but I'm glad that you are all right. Cars and carseats can be replaced...

You've had a crazy couple of weeks...if you and the girls need to escape to FL...come on down!

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I am so glad that you and the girls are okay. That must have been so scary. I would definatly replace the car seats. They say that you should replace after any accident. Usually if you give your insurance the receipts for the car seat they will replace them.

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Tera I'm glad everyone is ok vechicles are replacable but lives are not. So glad no one was seriously hurt.