So, yesterday--Dad's at work, Mama and Caleb went to Tulsa
(to pick a framed puzzle and other stuff. The one Rita gave to Naomi of the unicorn.), and Samuel's returning job applications (more on that later), and Naomi's at her Sunday school teacher's house for a class party. I was going through old pictures to find some for Samuel's display board. Ethan was mowing, Joshua and Isaac doing edge work. Then it looked stormish. I helped the boys put away stuff, tucked the remote phone, Teddy, into a dry place, and we played in the rain. It was wonderful! I found 7 eggs and brought them inside just as the phone rang. 'Twas the wondrous Dad. We chatted until he heard the thunder and told me to get the kids inside so I hung up. I step outside and was quite shocked to find out that in the 5 minutes or less I was inside the storm had gotten much bigger. The wind was so strong (up to 80 mph I later found out) that the rain (there was a lot of it!) was horizontal. Joshua and Isaac were right by the back porch so I ordered them inside and went looking for Ethan. I was barely past the porch when the wind blew over the little chicken coop that's under the pine tree (the one Goldberry and Sparrow sleep in). I was looking intently at it to see if a chicken was in it (It had been really dark before the storm. I was afraid one of them had climbed up into it.) I wasn't watching where I was going and stepped into a hole. BJ, do you remember the c-shaped rose patch that was between the pine tree and the carport? It had the arbor half-way enclosing it. We took it out two years ago but the rain compressed where one of the posts used to be. I could tell right away I had sprained it bad (I heard a pop down there) and started slowly limping into the house. I guess I went into survival mode because I only remember it hurting a little bit at first. All I could think about was getting the boys into the house before a tree blew over on us. I hollered for Isaac who was shutting the gate before he went inside (all conversations outside took place at full volume. We had some good thunder going.) The little guy was all wound up from the storm but listened carefully for which I was very grateful. He went running off to find Ethan (but at least he didn't step in the hole, too!) just as Ethan walked up. Ethan thought I had gotten hit by a piece of the coop. He got the phone and I got inside with the little boys. As soon as I had them inside my body just pushed me down onto the floor. Things like that happened the whole time I was hurt: as soon as a little responsibility was relieved I became more aware of how hurt I was. I crawled to Mama's desk and called Dad. This is an interesting phenomen that my sibs and I have discussed. We call for Mama when we're upset but if we're scared or bad hurt we want Dad. I guess the storm was really bad-the goverment phones went out as soon as I had told him I was hurt. I was so grateful that God had them stay up long enough for me to tell him that! I can't remember goverment phones going out ever before. He called back on somebody's cell. By now I was in a lot more pain. He asked me if I had broken it or sprained it and I couldn't tell. He said he was coming home and hung up. I felt like I was going throw up it hurt so bad. Ethan was just wonderful: brought me a bowl, a blanket (we were all soaked!), 2 tylenol, frozen peas (for the foot, not to eat) cleaned up the little boys, and found flashlights (the lights went out while I was on the phone with Dad. Thankfully, I was on Blueberry who doesn't require electricity.) Almost right after Dad hung up Samuel pulled up. Once again, as soon as I had a little less to be in charge of I got worse. Ethan and Samuel were moving some stuff off the porch and into the new room when my vision started going. I hollered for Samuel who came and propped me up. I didn't actually black out but felt mightly close to it. By now it was hurting even more which I didn't think was possible. And Samuel had to leave to get Naomi. By the time Dad got home (record time, I'm sure!) the tylenol had taken effect and I didn't feel like blacking out or throwing up. We were pretty sure I had broken it by looking at how swollen it was. Mama and Samuel both got home about 5 minutes after Dad. They packed me off into the Mazda and to the ER. There was only one person in front of us. We got through lightning quick as soon as their power came back up. They had their generators going but wanted to save it for emergencies. Turned out I hadn't broken so they gave me crutches, a brace/splint, and Tylenol 3. The nurse that gave me the splint said he would rather break an ankle than sprain it bad. He was so nice: treated me like a little and hurt puppy. I slept fitfully last night and iced-then-heated it his morning. Mrs. P. came over to call her husband last night (who's in Midland, TX) because her phone is dependant on the electricity. She's bringing me an herbal gel today that helped Emma with a sprained ankle. Everybody's been so nice to me! Samuel has appointed himself "Fierce Watchdog of the Foot" meaning he keeps everybody from running into it. I told Naomi that this (being pampered) would be a lot of fun if it didn't hurt!

Whoa, that got long! Hope it makes sense.

And now, the final sibling bio *drumroll*

BonnieJean is 22 even though everybody thinks she's 16 or 17. What's funny is that when she was teen everbody thought she was 5 years older than she really was. Now it's reversed. BJ is named for Grandmother, Mama's mom, who is Betty Jean. When she was in school she went by BettyJean. Bonnie started going by BonnieJean when she was 14. It took a while for us to switch but I think I like it better. She looks a lot like Mama and even more like Grandmother. She has gorgeous brown hair that's naturally curly. And she has gorgeous brown eyes and tan skin. She's just generally gorgeous all around. She plays viola and piano. The two biggest "points of contention" between us are viola vrs. violin and Ford vrs. Chevy. ;) She's accomplished in many an area. Made 33 on the ACT, paid for a nice car in cash, and has two careers basically (certified paralegal and ESL teacher.) She could probably be counted as a music teacher, too. She taught piano to all of us but Caleb at one time or another. She's highly organized and has leadershipness.

Ok, now I really miss her. *sniff* *brightens* But I get to talk to her tonight!

Chera's back from S.C. and W.V. Yeah! I missed her blog posts.

I think I'll go have some Dr. Pepper. As part of pampering me Dad got me an eggroll and Dr. Pepper last night. :)