Syrup......Snorkeling......& Stitches!!!

So, we started off the day with giddy hearts, because IHOP was celebrating "National Pancake Day," and we wanted to be there!

Best part, other than the yummy pancakes, was that they were FREE!!!  I love free. :)

Parker enjoyed strawberry syrup, while others devoured the blueberry syrup.

After filling our bellies, we jetted on over to Bahia Honda State Park.

This is one of the best state parks in Florida.

There are a few beaches in the park and an rv park, if you can get a reservation!

This was a FIRST for the Golden Gang!  Snorkeling!!  We have had our snorkel gear for about 8 months now!  The time finally came!  :)

The kids enjoyed searching in the clear-blue water for sea life and plants, even if the water was a little cold.

Tanner was hilarious, trying to walk with flippers on!

What?!   Did Zach's head fall off?!!!

The kids also had a blast on the Harper's boogie-boards.

And then, the day went from wonderfully, perfect.....



To horribly scary.  All of a sudden, Zach told me that something cut his foot.  When he picked it up, there was blood pouring out from the bottom, and I could see a huge slice!  I felt so bad for him.  He felt so bad for everyone else.  (he didn't want to ruin everyone's fun day) :(

Praise the Lord for sweet friends, like the Harper family, because they all started helping; packing up all the beach gear, all the towels, goggles, shoes, chairs, toys......You get the idea.

Janet typed in a hospital, onto the GPS for me to rush Zach, and off I went.

 I was just praying that he didn't get stung by a jellyfish or worse.
 I didn't know if he severed a tendon or worse.  I was so concerned.

 After about 5 minutes of driving (remember, we are at the Keys!  Only two directions, surrounded by water), I felt a peace.  I honestly felt like the Lord was comforting me, and then I started thinking clearly.  I had Tanner call Todd (he was back at the rv park working!), and he gave me an address to an emergency clinc that would be less expensive than an ER.  Minutes later, we arrived to a nurse opening the door with a big smile.  I felt welcomed and immediately felt like Zach would be taken care of well.  Turns out, the doctor used to work in an emergency room for many years, before he decided to open a family practice!

God is so good.  Zach ended up with SEVEN stitches on the bottom of his foot, but it could have been much worse!  It was a clean cut, and will hopefully be a quick recovery. :)

Good Ole' Zach!

Blessings,
Steph