Sunday, February 24, 2008

Thankful...

After reading all of the amazing responses to my blog candy post (you still have a few more hours to post on that thread!), I wanted to follow up with what I am so thankful for---

We spent the day at a local state park today....what a gorgeous day--we had a picnic, hiked, waded in the water and enjoyed the waterfalls.

Here is my husband and three kids:

And me and my kiddos (yep, that is Ben who is pretty fed up with the pictures by now as he told me several times "Dinosaurs do NOT get their pictures taken!")

On the way home, we were traveling some back roads....there wasn't too much traffic on the road and we were just enjoying the scenery. After driving awhile, we saw two motorcycles parked on one side of the road and two men standing over a lady on the other side of the road.

As we got closer, we could see a motorcycle in the ditch on the side of the road that the lady was on.

We slowed down and pulled over so my husband could check it out. Not good. They were out for a ride and she got too close to the incline and the bike must have thrown her before landing in the ditch. The lady was banged up pretty badly. Luckily, my husband was able to do a quick vitals check on her (I actually held it together enough to assist) and she could have been much worse off than she was. She has severe lacerations to her face from her sunglasses and her face was a mess of blood. But the only real evident marking on her body was a huge gash in her knee. (I cannot believe I didn't faint when I saw this.)

Unfortunately she was not wearing a helmet. My husband said that she might have walked away from the accident had she been wearing one. At the beginning of the quick neurological assessment he gave her, she could see how many fingers he held up and was talking pretty well. But by the time the ambulance showed up (about 10 minutes later) she could no longer see and could not remember anything she had said. It is likely she has some bleeding in her brain from the accident and they made the decision right away to airlift her to the nearest hospital.

Once help arrived, we decided to leave...knowing that she would be in capable hands. Immediately, I was reminded how very lucky I am to have my wonderful family. I am so very proud of my husband who has the power to physically help people--and does so whenever needed.

On the way home, I counted all of the people on motorcycles I saw who were not wearing helmets.....I lost track at 19....

I had a pretty busy weekend but I managed to squeeze in a card yesterday. I used the adorable new stamps from Melanie Muenchinger at Gina K. Designs. I cased Mel's idea of creating a onesie for the bunny---because how cute is that? (You can see her original idea on her blog!)

The onesie and the balloon are paper pieced.

Materials used: Stamps- Just so Hoppy (Gina K Designs); paper-lilac, white, dollar store dp; Copics; ribbon (SU!); punch (SU!); Cuttlebug and Nestabilities; dimensionals (SU!).

When I came home today I had an email from a friend letting me know that Holly McMillen gave me an award:

Holly, who is such a toy-riffic artist (heehee...she is probably pretty sick of me using her SCS name "Toy" this way!) and whom I GREATLY admire, gave me an "Oscar" for great photos on my blog. You are the sweetest and I am so honored to receive this award. THANKS so much Holly!
Thanks for stopping by! (Blog candy winner will be posted tomorrow morning!)

34 comments:

Anonymous said...

Carolyn-That story is amazing. How blessed that woman was that you all came by when you did. I will say a prayer for you and your family!

Diane said...

Oh my goodness,I hope that lady will be ok,I'll keep her in my prayers. As if you counted 19 people without a helmet!! Why don't they pass a law like here in Canada,they have to wear a helmet or they will be charged!!
Your card is so lovely,I love that set,it's so cute!!! TFS!!!

Julie Koerber said...

Holy cow. Don't ya just believe in divine intervention when you tell a story like that. I think your hubby was meant to be there to help. Thank God he was! Rewinding a bit, those pics are great. That scenery is to die for!!

Amy said...

oh my gosh, I got the chills reading your story. I hope she is going to be ok. Can your hubby get un update on her? I HATE motorcycles!!!!

Hugs,
Amy

Anonymous said...

I think you and your DH were highway angels today. You can both be proud of what you did to assist her.
Your card is adorable and I cannot wait to get this stamp set - it's too cute!
Your pictures are great! It looks like you enjoyed the perfect family outing. We still have snow on the ground here, so I'm glad you enjoyed warm weather in your neck of the woods! Hurry up Spring!

Dawn Easton said...

Oh my Carolyn, sorry that your day had to end on that sort of note. It sounded wonderful spending the day together and then to come upon something like that. EWE! So glad you husband was able to help out!
Is it not a law where you live to wear a helmet? Here it'll get a big fine. I can't remember a time in Canada when we didn't wear them.
Your cards are wonderful too!
Congrats on your blog award!

Unknown said...

OMG! What a traumatic experience...for everyone! I am so proud of you for being able to hold it together to assist your DH. Isn't it amazing what we can do when we know we must? And I'm thankful that you were there for the injured lady. She was blessed today, although it may not seem like it on the surface.

Love your card....so, so sweet and cute!

Have a great week, my friend!

Jessie/knightrone said...

It drives me crazy to see people on motorcycles without helmets and that is why. How terrifying for you, but atleast your husband is able to be there. Sorry they had to rain on your perfect day parade,but I do pray that the lady is okay.

PS, I am so jealous, it is beautiful where you live, where is it, I want to move there!!!

Elizebeth said...

Wow, that is so scary! I'm glad that you were able to hold it together and assist with your husband. They were very blessed to have you drive by. I hope everybody is ok.

The colors on this card are too cute!

Shannan Teubner said...

Thanks to working in a county hospital, my hubby no longer wants to ride a motorcycle. It's fortunate that your hubby was there. Hope she's ok.

Rita said...

What a beautiful park, looks like you & your family had a great day at the park & enjoyed some fantastic sunshine! That woman was lucky that your husband was driving by & stopped to help her while waiting for the ambulance. Hope she & her friends learn a lesson about not wearing helmets. I hope she will be all right. Your card is so darn cute! I luv that DP!!!

Karen Kelly said...

I hope that woman is okay...what a blessing that you and your husband were where you were and able to help her. It's amazing how we have the ability to act or perform in situations we'd think we wouldn't!

Lee said...

Wow!! What a full weekend you had!! The photos are beautiful!! And you should be proud of both you and your hubby for being capable good samaritans!! I haven't tried that onesie design yet....it sure is cuter than cute!!! What a truly deserving Excellence award for your blog........it is amazing and thank you so much for sharing!!

Samantha said...

Oh my! Thank goodness you and your hubby were there to help her out. It's so unfortunate when accidents like that could be less severe if the person were wearing a helmet or a seatbelt. It's such a small thing to do to help yourself.

On a brighter note, your card is super cute!!

Ila said...

Wow!!...lucky for that poor lady that you and your hubby came along..It sure makes a person realize how important helmets are!!

You have a Beautiful family!! and I love your Cute and Fabulous card!! Thanks for sharing!!

Judy Rozema said...

What an amazing story -- so glad you and DH were there. I love your pictures, and your card is adorable!

Judy Rozema said...

I forgot to say I love your new header!

Christina Fischer said...

Wow -- what a rollercoaster of a day! Wonderful pics of your family! How fortunate that your hubby was there to help those bikers -- you definitely were angels sent to them!

Your card is adorable -- love the onesie! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, how scary !!

So happy that you were able to stop and assist them. Will say a prayer for all.

Lovely card!

TA Carbone said...

Well it looks like you all were enjoying the wonderful weather by the pictures you have shown us. Oh about your son, that is so funny because I remember my son at that age and try to take pictures where he is smiling and not looking like "do I have to take another one".

Well good thing you decided to take the back roads as it sure was meant to be as your husband was needed at that time because of the accident. Many years ago we too use to ride the motorcycles and my beloved husband who is no longer with us, not motorcycle related, was hit by someone who ran a red light. His helmet was found 58 feet away from him and even though it didn't stay on his head, he still was saved by wearing it. You would think more people would learn

--
Toniann aka "TA"
http://carbonescorner.blogspot.com/
www.angelfire.com/nv2/carbonescorner

Please don't put me on a pedestal because I'm not the person you think I am. Please don't look down on me because I'm not who you think I should be. Please look directly at me and accept me just for being me.

Rose Ann said...

Carolyn, those are beautiful pictures of you all!!! I wish it were that warm here! ;)

That is awful that so many do not wear helmets! It is a law here in Michigan.

Your card is soooo cute!! I love your paper piecing!!

Congrats on your award!! You deserve it!!

Judi said...

Great photos, looks like it was a nice day at the park. How horrible about the accident. Thankfully your husband was able to get her vitals, etc. I just don't understand not wearing a helmet. The few minutes of wind in your face is gone in the instant your life is gone. I'll keep this woman in my prayers.

Chris Scrappin and Stampin in Texas said...

What an amazing story, and so lucky your hubby could assist, and I am sure calmed her down..(I probably would have panicked)..Love the pictures of the park..and I cannot believe Texas does not have a helmut law..there are so many people who do not wear them..Hugs & thankful for physicians!!

Melanie said...

I'm so proud of you for being able to help!!
Unfortunately I seem to have developed blood injury phobia after seeing a few accidents over the yars, while I don't FEEL "grossed out", a few times even small amounts of blood have made me go lightheaded (I faint EASILY!) I pray I can do what I need to if my sons or anyone else really needs it!

I like you card better than mine! love the balloon, that paper is too cute!
HUGS!

Amy said...

What a beautiful family you have! So sad about the lady and the wreck! In Oregon we have a mandatory helemt law so there are some stiff fines for not wearing one! Good reminders of how fragile we are! Thanks to people like your husband who dedicate their life to helping and healing! Cute little bunny card!

Louise said...

Oh wow amazing story! So good that your husband could be there to help!!!

Your pictures are great! I'm so jealous of your weather. Here is Montreal, the snowbanks are almost as high as the house (I have not seen so much snow in years....!). I have to admire the nice water behind you in the picture! Lucky you!!! Oh, and you also have a beautiful family!!!

Unknown said...

Looks like you had a wonderful day with your family, despite witnessing the accident. I wish people realized the importance of wearing a helmet... my husband used to fly EMS and saw his share of helmetless victims, and the unfortunate aftermath....truly a shame.
Your card is adorable, by the way!

Katie said...

Great pictures! And, thanks for sharing your story too...so amazing! What an adorable card! I just LOVE Easter. Katie

Carolina said...

wow - what an amazing story and thanks for sharing it with us. I can't understand why people don't wear helmets...they're such life savers.

Your family photos are great as is your card...love this set!

Bee's Zen Garden said...

I am always utterly shocked by all the persons we see on motorcycles without a helmet, I think it is stupid and suicidal! My hubby is a doctor too, and I was a nurse in France, I know it is pretty cynical but every time we see someone on the road without a helmet on we say "and there goes another organ donor!". I know it sounds awful but actually there are a awful lot of transplants because people don't wear helmets! *sigh* Now that's not a happy comment, sorry!!!

Your day at the park sounds awesome! :-)
And your card is very cute!♥
But something bugs me, just like on the one Melanie made, so I'll be bold and share!!: The way I see the rabbit, I think the onesie should go all the way to the crease of the leg on the left side. The way it is right now seems to me like it's showing part of his belly... Does what I'm saying make sense?....

Michelle said...

Oh this card is soo cute, I love his shirt & balloon.

Bethany Paull said...

What a sweet little bunny card!

Nancy said...

Your kids are so cute! Thank you for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Scary story...firtunately up here in the "Great White north" it is required by law to wear helmets on motorbikes..and also on regular bikes here in BC! :-)

Hope the lady is OK. Thank goodness you came along...what a scare!