just when your ducks fall in line…

We got notice a couple days ago that our family doctor was finally getting the H1N1 vaccine, so we jumped at the chance to get an appointment. We were scheduled for today, Josh met us at the office, and we were in and out in a flash. Josh and I opted for the shot, but Abby was the only one brave enough for the "nose squirt". She was so excited about her purple lollypop and Pooh sticker. On the way out of the office, I told Josh, now that we had received this vaccine, I felt so much safer.

Then this happened on the way home…

I was driving home with the kids, when a landscaping truck ran a red light. The truck flipped on its side, and we spun around in the middle of the intersection. To the best of my knowledge, the passengers of the truck were ok . . . to the best of my knowledge. My airbags deployed and the kids began crying. I remember looking at the ground, seeing something splattered all over the car and my clothes. Once I realized it was only the rest of my mocha, I jumped out of the car and starting pulling the kids out. They were safe and untouched. Once I confirmed that my babies were fine, I began to feel my chest hurt. It was raining and a saint had us come sit in her car, and let us use her cell phone to call Josh. Her daughter covered Abby with a sweater and also shared a couple of her stuffed animals. After the fire department showed up, Abby and I were escorted to the ambulance, and I was looked over. Abby stayed with me, and wouldn’t let me out of her sight. Josh showed up, brave, but shaken, and gave us all hugs. Abby and I left in the ambulance, and left Josh with a sleepy infant and the task of talking to cops and cleaning out the car.

My ride with Abby was sad, surreal, and surprisingly pleasant. She was calm, and we just laid together on the gurney, chatting with the firemen and snuggling with each other . . . and the little stuffed animals that we accidentally took from the sweet little angel at the scene of the accident.

Our new fireman friends were so kind, and the staff at the Evergreen ER was incredible, as usual. They checked me over and did a chest x-ray. No broken bones, just a lot of pain. I can deal with that. Abby stayed with me the whole time, talking to people and playing games on my phone. I couldn’t have asked for a better companion for my day.

Meanwhile, Josh was still at the scene, talking to cops, and witnesses who were very helpful at giving their accounts. Zack also proved to be a wonderful little "helper" and traveling companion, and was as calm as he has ever been, giving Josh a chance to take care of business. They joined us at the hospital as soon as they could get there. An x-ray and two very poopy diapers later, we were leaving the ER. Our friend, Dean, got the "pleasure" of taking me, and one very tired, talkative toddler home.

After talking to our insurance company, we are still unsure as to how we will be getting around as a family in the near future, but its amazing the amount of perspective we gained throughout the day. We started the day, feeling secure that we had eluded the Swine flu. Then control was stripped from my hands in the blink of an eye. We are home now and my rib cage hurts, Abby is still saying she’s a little "scared", and we don’t know how or when we will get another car. All is not perfect, but all is SO WELL.