Incredibly Thankful!

This week I have had to much to be THANKFUL for. I feel like God has been showering His goodness on us. I am humbled and grateful.

First- this past Sunday we decided to make a quick Costco run after church. I love how centrally we live to most things in Greenville. Our house is around the corner from church and Costco is just a 10 minute drive. As we were crossing a fairly busy intersection that we go through everyday- a car completely missed his red light and t-boned us. We were the third car through the intersection so he really missed his light. We're wondering if he was texting?? We'll most likely never know. Anyway, it was a terrifying few seconds of my life. I saw him just before he hit us, screamed, Jerel turned the wheel and wham...wham...airbags...dust...me screaming (maybe cussing???)...Jerel screaming...my babies screaming and crying...trying to see through the airbags and dust...waiting to spin into and hit more cars...finally coming to a stop...trying to call 911...seeing that we were all alive and no one was bleeding...trying to get my screaming, crying boys out of the car...sweet people stopping to help...police cars...fire truck...ambulance...

Beyond THANKFUL that we all walked away- including the guy who hit us. So THANKFUL that we did not, somehow, slam into other cars. Incredibly THANKFUL that we literally stopped in front of a city bus shelter that had a bench and shade (it was 107 degrees that day), that a neighbor was driving by and was able to stay with us and drive Jerel home, that friends from church drove by- stopped- and were able to take me and the boys home, that the boys have seemed mostly unphased the the whole experience. I do not take any of this lightly. All of this could have had a much different outcome.

Jerel went to the place that our cars were towed and took these pictures. Its obvious that the guy driving also turned his wheel at the last second. If he hadn't he would have slammed into Jerel's door. THANKFUL!

Our poor MDX- which we had been planning on driving for a very long time, has been totaled and we now have to begin the search for a new vehicle. Bummer. However, the guy had insurance through Nationwide and they have been great to work with. THANKFUL!! And we all walked away with nothing more serious than bumps and bruises. Have I mentioned how THANKFUL I am?? :)

Another thing that that I have been THANKFUL for this week with the 4th of July is our freedom, our sweet friends, and our home. I had decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to have a party at our house for the holiday. At first I didn't think anyone could come, so I kept inviting more people and it ended up that most everyone could come. We ended up with 25 adults and 23 children. C.R.A.Z.Y- but so fun. I am just so THANKFUL to have such great friends and THANKFUL to have a house that has a layout and yard that can accommodate that many people.

This was my one decoration! ;)

My sweet Bailey always loves a good party!

 Water balloon toss...

Three legged race...

 Water gun fights...

Watermelon seed spitting contest...

Playing in buckets of water...

 Sweet babies napping...

 Sparklers...

 Watching fireworks...

Exhaustion!!!

It was such a fun night! And again, so THANKFUL for the freedom we have to enjoy all these things. I know that many men and women have paid a great price for us to have this freedom. If any of you are reading- THANK YOU!!!