A Miracle Happened Today

Today was supposed to be a fun, easy going day. Mug went to Sea World with Gigi and Pop Pop. Brent was working in Temple. My mom, REW and I thought it would be a great time to go shopping in Round Rock for a little girl time.

It was raining-no-pouring, all day long. Dern. I was so determined to get my little growing man some much needed shorts though, I did not care. We were going regardless of weather. I went to my parent's house to get mom. I kept thinking maybe I should not drive because my dad has been riding me about my tires being "bald". Ah, but it is so much trouble to get all of my baby stuff out and transfer, I'll just drive anyway.

We headed down I-35 south bound. Chatting and chatting. It was really raining. I hydroplaned a couple of times, not much, but a little. Enough to make me slow down. Just outside of Salado, it happened. I felt it start to spin. On the interstate. I was spinning. I took my hand off of the wheel. I screamed, "mom!" She screamed, "Nicki!" I took my hands off the wheel, it was now pointless. I cried out to mom, "Here we go." Such a weird thing to say! Like it was a ride at Six Flags. I think I meant it was out of my hands. We were going to crash. And it was going to be bad. And there was nothing I could do.

If you have ever been in a bad accident, you know the feeling. It is slow mo, but it is quick too. My mind immediately went to my sweet baby in the back seat. She had fallen asleep. As I spun, things were flying out of nowhere. It seemed surreal. It was loud too. I kept thinking, please Lord, protect HER! Keep her little body safe, Lord! Then it happened...we rolled. It was awful. I saw mom's head hit the window. I was numb. Then, we landed. Right side up. Thankfully. It was over. The noise was gone. Stunned, I tried to snap out of it.

I gave myself a once over...I felt nothing! I looked at mom and asked if she was ok, she looked ok. Immediately, I scrambled to get out and look in the back. My door was jammed. My hearing was vague for a few minutes, I am guessing I was high on adreneline. Kicked the door open, glass and mud was everywhere. The door was jarred. I pulled that thing until the handle almost broke. I HAD TO GET TO MY BABY! When the door flew open, it was the biggest moment of gratitude I had ever felt. There was REW. Sitting in her zebra carseat, looking and me with her big blues, soaking wet, bow hanging by a thread of hair...smiling. Oh dear Jesus, you have saved me. Within seconds there were a dozen people running over. Horrified that a baby was in tow. I was bleeding. My mom had a goose egg and could barely see straight. And there was my girl, entertaining the lot. A couple of bystanders came to help. Funny how vividly I remember them. After I answered the "are you OK?" Question a dozen more times, I walked over and looked all around my smashed in car with no windows. And cried. One of the people was a teenage boy. He came over and hugged me so tight. That hug was the sweetest hug I have ever experienced. For some reason the genuine warmth in it made me cry even harder. I wish I had gotten his name to send him a thank you. Another man let me use his phone to call Brent. He was already so close because he was in Temple, he jumped in his truck to come. The 3 of us rode in the ambulance to Scott and White. Though we seemed to be unscathed, I wanted my mom and REW to be checked. As we drove off I saw many things that resided in my car scattered across the now backed up interstate. CDs, envelopes, dishes (some of them are some of yours--sorry)! My purse was empty, The diaper bags were empty. And a pair of scissors that had been in my console were totally bent. Why oh Lord have you spared us from all that could have happened? I PRAISE you for sparing my family.

After a hospital check, we were released. REW was so sleepy, she hunched over in the car on the way home. My mom had a mild concussion. I had a puncture wound and scrapes on my legs. Can you believe it? That was it. Can you believe my baby did not even have a chard of glass in her precious skin? Can you believe she did not cry one time, rather charmed the socks off of everyone she came in contact with? Can you believe everyone who witnessed it said we were saved by the grace of God?

Tonight, you better believe I am shaken to the core. One, because it was scary as hell. Two, because I saw the Lord today. I saw His arms holding my baby girl. I saw his mercy on me. I saw him spare my mother. I saw Him today. I know I am dramatic, but trust, this was real. Every moment. I have it on a reel in my mind. I want it to go away so I can sleep. I held my babies tonight a little tighter. I cried on many occasions. I talked to my mom over and over. I prayed for every single person who was kind enough to stop on the busy interstate in the pouring rain! Surely, the Lord will bless them too! Friends, I just wanted to share this with you today. I have witnessed a miracle! The Lord saved my life!

**ADDITION!!! (5/18/2009)** A few people have asked me what seat REW was in, so I thought I would share for those of you who have kids or may in the future. REW was in her Graco Snugride with the base facing backwards. I have to mention that it has THE SAFEST safety overall ratings of all infant carriers. It did not move an inch. Also, Tristan is in a Britax Marathon. The Britax Marathon is also the highest safety rated seat in it's class. While he was not in the car, his seat was totally unscathed and in steady position! I want to point out with these convertible seats like the Marathon (can you tell i am a safety freak?) that even though your children turn 1 and it becomes "ok" to turn them facing front, it is best to keep the Britax (or any convertible seat you may have) facing backwards until they can no longer fit that way. The "20 pound rule" is actually an old standard. Children are up to 5 times safer if remaing backward until the age of 2! Just something to chew on!! Buckle those precious lambs up and make them tight!!!