At The Very Least, We're Interesting...

Ahhh, the lives of Will and Natalie Giddens. Rest assured there is NEVER a dull moment. And I truly mean that. It seems that our life together will always be filled with extraordinary events, amazing tales and things that only seem to happen to "one in a million."

Our latest tale involves a rather intense car accident. Yep, you read correctly. The disabled Will, the pregnant me and the toddler Everett. Yahoo, right?! Yesterday afternoon we were on our way to visit family and were driving down the road minding our own business. We were headed through a busy intersection and had a green light when a car coming from the opposite direction suddenly decided to turn left. Right in front of us. And then hesitate completely and stop. Right in front of us. I screamed. Will yelled. Everett cried. Airbags were deployed. Glass broke. Cars crumpled. And I think we even hit a yield sign.

Will jumped out of the car to come around and check on me and Everett. He figured out pretty quickly that his left ankle/foot was probably broken. Yes, this is one of his two feet that had already been broken once before (in the mountain climbing accident). I was in serious pain as the airbag had hit me right in the tummy. Thank heavens for amniotic fluid! Everett was fine, just scared and fussy. The only injury he sustained was a pretty nasty carseat strap burn on the left side of his neck. 911 was called, two ambulances showed up, one fire truck and at least two police cars. It was a pretty serious scene, but thank goodness no one was seriously hurt. I had to be put on a stretcher, complete with a neckbrace, and put into an ambulance. Will and I were the only two who had to go to the hospital. They monitored me for about four hours, determined that Juliana and me were fine and that Will had definitely broken his left ankle. We went home tired, sore and grateful that we were safe. (No, this is not me on the stretcher. Or Will or anyone else from the accident.)

Today has been ok. MUCH more sore today than yesterday. Have any of you ever bruised your sternum? Man, it hurts! Of my two times in the hospital (to deliver Everett and yesterday), I have learned that there's definitely a reason they call the mid-section of the body "the core". I never realized how connected the sternum is to every day tasks. Add that to the fact that I'm 34 weeks pregnant and I'm practically helpless. I've begun to bruise on my arm, leg and right across the mid-section of my stomach. Will is doing his best to hobble around on crutches. And Everett has bounced back like a champ.

I'm sure we'll have more details as the week progresses. Our car will most likely be declared totaled, Will will most likely have to have surgery on his ankle and we will both most likely be stressed this week. But, as not to leave a "woe is us" feeling to this entry, let me list the things we are grateful for:

1) Airbags

2) My dad. He spent the morning fixing the 4Runner, which had been out of commission all week. If he hadn't fixed it when he did, we would have been driving our '94 Jeep, which has no airbags.

3) Paula and Logan for coming quickly and taking care of Everett.

4) Super nice EMTs who were professional and quick.

5) Nice ER nurses and doctors.

6) Parents who came to the hospital to check on us.

7) A sturdy carseat that did its job.

8) Priesthood blessings

9) Pain medication

10) Prayers and concern of so many friends and family.

11) Auto and health insurance

12) Juliana being just fine. She's still kicking her little heart out. Yea!

13) The gospel. Because even though things might seem bad, we know Heavenly Father is mindful of us and our trials and that all will be well.