quickly checking in...

so much to say... so NOT going to blog about it today. In fact, it might be a long while before I get to reporting about our visit to see cousins, the week we spent at Bear Lake, & our fun family reunion at Cherry Hill.

Our vacation was cut short with a devastating phone call last week. While we were away, our dear friends and neighbors had a terrible accident in their home. Samantha (our favorite 12 year old babysitter) was tragically injured in a firearms accident. A gun was accidentally fired and the bullet ricocheted off the wall and hit Sam in the head. She is alive, but in critical condition at the hospital.

Keyonna (15 years old) is at our home with us. She is hanging in there after witnessing the event. She is SUCH a strong, beautiful girl. We are keeping her distracted, letting her talk as much as she wants about the accident, and trying not to stress too much about what will happen in the coming weeks. It's going to be a day-by-day, step-by-step process. We have shed many tears together and have said even more prayers. But we could always use more! Please keep these girls in your thoughts and prayers!

The picture above was taken when Simon was two weeks old. Sam is a lover of BABIES! When she's around, no one else can hold or change the baby. Which is great for me and not so great for her sisters.

These were all taken on my cell phone, which explains the terrible quality. Shopping together, painting fingernails, having a girls-only sleepover, playing foosball, etc.

Sam, Keyonna and Luke playing "Marco Polo" at the pool just a few weeks ago.

Last month on a field trip to the dairy.. Ben, Luke, Keyonna, Simon, Zack & Samantha.

I love taking Sam with me while running errands because she holds Simon the ENTIRE time.. (and he weighs as much as she does :) This was inside the dairy farm. Simon was fascinated with and scared of the talking "moo cow". Sam was getting him better acquainted with it.

It's amazing how one minute you think you know what's important and the next you realize what REALLY is. I haven't slept much this past week. I have spent many nights in bed quietly shedding tears and thinking about these precious children of mine and how badly they need our time and attention. I am truly grateful for the peace that has been in our home, for a husband who is level-headed and calming, for the love that has surrounded this wonderful family and for the knowledge that God is aware of us individually and He is watching over each of his children. Life is so fragile and so precious.

January 2009 just before their baptism.