Steve

Well, I have put this post off long enough...I could not bring myself to blog Friday...I felt like I had "cobwebs" in my head and just could not think of what to say.
So...Thursday afternoon around 5:25pm, Steve was in a 4-wheeler accident. Wade, "Rat", and Steve had been riding since 1pm, they pulled out of a path onto the road and headed up to a driveway. Steve was in the back and nobody really knows what happened...I have heard lots of other stories...No, he did not get hit by a car, nor did he hit a pole...no one will ever know so lets leave it at that.
I will not give you all the details but basically, Steve was not breathing when Rat and Wade got to him, rescue was called, he was transported to RCH, and then airlifted to Pitt Memorial.
After arriving at PMH, he had a hole drilled in his head to releive the pressure on his brain. The pressure has fluctuated all weekend anywhere from 7 to 30-some...and finally stabalized last night. We are waiting for the end of the "critical" period before we will know what happens next. He is in a coma, has a broken collar bone, shoulder, arm, and ribs. Once the pressure remains stabile further testing on his brain can be done. His blood pressure and vitals are good and his lungs are clear.The doctor did say he would be heavily sedated for 2-3 weeks.
I went back to the hospital yesterday and Vicky was in good spirits...I am so very concerned about both of them and I wish I could fix this.
Mr. Steve and "Mickey", as Bentlee calls them, are very dear friends of ours...Vicky and Steve work with me, Steve and Wade ride 4-wheelers together regularly, they love our girls almost as much as we do...and there's just a strong friendship there.
This is a tragic accident and one I hope will show us all that we are not promised tomorrow...we are not promised our health...Vicky told me yesterday she felt like she was having an out-of-body experience...I can only imagine.
As of this morning...his pressure was still low and they were expecting the doctor to come in around 2pm. The ICU unit is very strict on visitation in Greenville. I beleive there are 4 times a day for 15 minutes.
Depending on how Steve is today and tonight, Ryan (their son) and Vicky are going to get a hotel room and alternate staying at the hospital. Jessica had to come home this week for school.
I will do my best to keep you posted on his status.If you would like to do something for Steve and Vicky, PRAY to the Lord above to heal Steve and keep Vicky and the children strong! You can send cards to their home address which is in the phone book. I have a feeling it will be many days before they come home for good but Jessica is back and forth.
There are alot of details surrounding this story but I am not going to list everything...just lift Steve and Vicky up to the Lord and ask him to help carry them through this ordeal.

Ken update

Ken had to have emergency surgery on his bladder late Friday night. The doctors had been watching it b/c they were afraid it was still leaking. So, he is talking "out of his head" again...not making any sense, almost like someone talking in their sleep. Julie says she thinks it was a blessing in disguise happening now before he recovers fully.

However, last I talked to her yesterday or this morning, can't remember which, his bladder was still leaking! They are saying again that hopefully it will heal on its on.

Continue to pray for Julie and the others...just when it seemed Ken was coming around last week, here is another set back.

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY "Fattie"!

Saturday, May 17th, Michele turned 30! She is a dear friend of mine and is a little afraid of turning 30...but everybody has to do it!

BTW, I call her "Fattie" because she is always complaining about being FAT! If you know Michele, for her to say this is OH SO ridiculous! I tell her I wish I could be as "fat" as she is...LOL!

I chose this picture because she complained the SDV pics were awful of her!

Update on Ken

Just wanted to update you all on Ken...he is doing a little better each day I beleive. He is still in ICU, he is breathing a little better, and opening his eyes. Julie says he is talking but very hard to understand. She is still encouraging everyone to wait on visiting just because he is not "Ken" yet.
We still have hopes each day that he will be moved to a regular room and everyone can start visiting. After my visit with him last week I understand why its best to wait...I visited on his worst day and it gave me a bad feeling. Julie says he is looking much better now. I know some of you are concerned that he has not really "come around" and he is still in ICU but the nurse said it is best that he is sedated and comfortable for the time being.
Again, we have to remember that Ken is phyically strong and STRONG headed...I beleive he will get through this but its gonna take time and its gonna take alot of prayer and encouragement. Please keep he and his family on your prayer list. Julie and Kenny, their dad, are traveling almost everyday to see him and Melissa is going as often as she can. She has not taken the kids but she will when the time is right, mothers know best and I think she is doing the right thing. Chase is giving her a bit of a problem but what child wouldn't...just keep them all lifted up as they deal with this accident and during their travels to the hospital.
Lastly, someone has posted my blog address on RaceRap.com and for those of you checking my blog for Ken updates, I am not updating everyday but you are welcome anytime. And I can bet you, #43 WILL RACE AGAIN! I will let you all know where you can send cards, etc. after I talk to Julie again.

The "Twins" 30th birthday

All the Mayle's refer to Wade and Elliott as "the twins" and they are...but I could tell them apart in the dark.



Here is Wade (bottom photo)at Bentlee's First Birthday party..and several pounds lighter, LOL!
And here is Elliott (top photo) at Bentlee's First Birthday party!
Not sure which twin is older...

HAPPY 30th BIRTHDAY to my hubbie!

Today is Wade's 30th birthday...along with his twin brother Elliott. So, I planned a surprise birthday party for him this past Saturday night...but it wasn't much of a surprise! Wade got a new John Deere lawnmower a few weeks ago and LOVES it! I planned the party, got Doneille to make a John Deere cake, and the John Deere lawn mower is exactly what gave away the surprise.

Wade started his 7 days off on Friday and I strongly insisted he cut the grass. I knew he would procrastinate and not want to cut the grass Friday and I had planned the party in the yard at the house. I never push him to cut the grass...unless you remember the goat sign I placed in the yard several years ago (LOL!)...another story for another day. He kept asking me why I was pushing him to cut it and I kept telling him to just do it! SO, he knew I was up to something.

The party went well, he was not SO surprised but we had a good time. And it was the thought that counts, right~

Happy Birthday Wilbur!

Happy Birthday Jerry!

Today is Jerry's birthday, my father-in-law. Jerry and I used to spend alot of time together and we have alot in common. We are both soft in our heart, share the same passion for family time, love our flower beds and our pictures....we used to walk each others yard and chat about different flowers or what would grow where, what wouldn't grow, what we "killed", and so on...we enjoy each others company and have had many memorable moments...when I was pregnant with Bentlee I had no one to shop with the day after Thanksgiving. I was in Franklin, he was in Emporia, and for some reason we ended up calling each other and meeting to finish our shopping. We had so much fun that day. This is just one of many good times we have had together. Before Wade and I were dating I would stay at their house most weekends because I lived 50 minutes away. Jerry, Alycia (Elliott's wife), and I would get up early, drink coffee, smoke countless cigarettes and chat about whatever...I will never forget those times. I could go on but my point is, since I have had children and my life goes "90mph down I95 everyday" we don't get to spend that time together anymore. Even when the family gets together, it always seems hurried and everyone has someplace else to be. Its unfortunate but I still love him and I wish we will have those times again one day. These days we have resorted to email or a 10 minute phone conversation.
Today, I wish you a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jerry! I love you and pray we will have more time together one day.
Oh yeah, this picture was taken almost a year ago and Jerry is over 33 pounds LIGHTER! Thats another passion we share, EATING! LOL!