Ryan and I had to take an emergency trip to Mexico to seek treatment for Ryan's cancer. On our drive home (still 8 hours away), we got a phone call from Josie, that went something like this......
Josie: Can you call Chelsey? (Chelsey Christensen is one of her leaders in the young women's program, who offered to help with the kids while we were gone).
Me: Good morning hun, what do you need me to call Chelsey for?
Josie: Mom, we need Chelsey, can you call her for us?
Me: (Getting a little frustrated at the lack of communication) Josie, what is going on? Are you guys okay? I can't call Chelsey if I don't have any information to give her. What is it that you need?
Josie: We've had an accident
Me: What? Are you guys okay??? Where are you????
Josie handed the phone to Macie :)
Poor Josie just freezes up in stressful, traumatic situations, and can't think or communicate through them. The girls had walked to the Tabernacle for an early morning seminary fireside. After the fireside, Macie's friend Kodie Godfrey offered the girls a ride to the school. Kodie did not see a truck coming and they were in an accident. We are so grateful that nobody was hurt worse.
Macie was in the front passenger side where the vehicle took the brunt of the accident. Her injuries were the worst. She is unsure if her head hit the side window, or if the window broke from the force, but either way, she got quite a laceration just above her eye and small ones on her forehead.
Josie hit her head on the side window and had quite a goose egg, along with a sore ankle from trying to brace herself for the hit. After it was all said and done, Jo said "I went to get into the front passenger side, but for some reason I decided to sit in the back seat. I don't mean to sound rude, but I am glad I traded Macie places, I don't know that I could have handled it like she did". I'm so grateful for the Holy Ghost who prompts us to do and say certain things, and I am even more grateful that she listened to the feeling she had. I hope these girls always listen to that still small voice, I know they will be okay in this life if they do. I'm grateful for this gospel!
Poor Kodie felt so dang bad for causing the accident, and all 3 girls were pretty darn sore after the shock and adrenaline wore off. Whiplash is no fun! Hey, accidents and mistakes happen in this life.
An ambulance came and checked the girls, thanks to Frank Estey who witnessed the accident from right behind them. He was a great help and comfort to 3 girls who had no idea what to do. Thanks Franklin!
Tomica Boehrer rushed over to comfort and help the girls, and Tone Soper was a life saver by taking Macie to the Mount Pleasant hospital for x rays and stitches. I don't know what we would do without all the amazing people in our lives who step up and help out in time of need. I am so very grateful to everybody who helped out, and for the gobs and gobs of people who stopped by the house with gifts, cards, concern, and love for these incredible young ladies. It looked like Christmas at our house when we got home, and I am not even kidding! Between Ryan being diagnosed with cancer, and the girls' accident, the love and support was beyond incredible! Our hearts are so full!
After the crash, Macie had blood all over herself and could see it on Kodie's arm. She didn't recognize however that it was coming from her. When she made the discovery, she immediately grabbed a pair of jeans from her volleyball bag, rolled them up and applied pressure to her injury. When I talked to her later, she said "Mom, you would have been so proud! I applied pressure just like you told me". I indeed was so proud of her for handling a tough situation like a champ! I love both of my girls and am so proud of who they are! Tomica said that Macie needed an award for being so positive and happy the entire time. Apparently she was joking in the ambulance and having a great time, while she trembled from the shock of it all (all 3 girls couldn't stop shaking). Not one tear from Macie all day, until I got home and helped her wash the glass out of her hair, and that was only because it had been such a long day and she was beyond tired! AND, mom was home :)
SUCH A TROOPER!
14 stitches for this gal!
Jesse is such an amazing brother and takes good care of his sisters. I couldn't ask for better kids!
Macie texted me the picture of her and Jesse (up above) after she got home. Her eye was swollen shut for 2 days after this. Ryan said to text Macie this picture and to tell her that we found her twin brother.....LOL. It made her laugh.
Healing up and looking better. She can open her eye again, HOORAY!
4 days later she got her stitches out. It amazes me just how quickly our bodies can heal up. Thank goodness for that, but I am betting on a pretty good scar! Every scar tells a story!
Macie says she like scars and kind of wants one, but she isn't sure she wants it on her face....lol
She will be beautiful no matter what!
She hated the bandage, but we had to keep the magic salve from Sister Allen on it!
Infection is the last thing she needs!
Kodie was so sweet and brought the girls over these soft blankets, along with cups full of goodies, and the sweetest letters ever! So glad everybody was okay!
