The worst 30 minutes of my life

Literally, I don't think I have ever been more afraid, sad, mad, and terrified in a span of 30 minutes as I was last night. Craig went outside to tell Jonas and Carleigh it was time to come inside, only to discover that he couldn't find Carleigh, and none of the other kids knew where she was either. I half-calmly walked around the center of our apartment complex, calling her name and checking the pools and playground. All the kids who know Carleigh were helping too- about 15 of them. After I made the full circle and Craig had too, I was no longer calm and began to imagine the worst. After 20 minutes I called 911. I was mortified- the idea that I was on the phone with the police because my adorable blonde blue eyed daughter was lost...even writing that makes my stomache drop. They said an officer was on the way and to take my cell phone and keep looking. At one point, either going up some stairs on when I finally found her, my forehead touched the ground because I have a scrape there today. I remember praying for calmness, but I also think I literally hit my knees in relief when she calmly walked out of a friend's apartment.
Turns out she had seen a friend and ran to her apartment and started watching a movie with her. I know this girl vaguely, but didn't know what apartment she lived in. They hadn't heard us calling for Carleigh because the tv was up and the doors and windows were closed. Her mom had happened to open the door to put something outside when Craig rode by on his bike yelling for Carleigh. She said "She's in here," and out walked the angel herself. It was about this time I rounded the corner and the police car drove through the gate. The officer was nothing but compassionate and nice. She made sure I was who I said I was and left. Carleigh didn't understand why she couldn't stay and finish the movie, but I had to get home and breathe.
I was much more upset with myself than with Carleigh. She's 4~ what am I thinking letting her play outside with only 8 and 10 year olds to look out for her? That's not their job! It's mine, and I failed. Thank God she is okay and she and Jonas both understand now why I've always said not to go in anyone's house without me knowing about it (Jonas was visibly shaken by all of this, too). I don't plan to permanently attach her to my hip from now on, but I do plan to be much more careful.

Gum in her hair

Carleigh walked up to me about an hour ago and pointed at her head. I was on a conference call with my boss, or I would have shouted the first thing that came to my mind.

In case you don't know, my daughter is "hair challenged". She is 4 years old and had her first trim in March, which was simply to even up the back. Even before the trim the back of her hair was less than two inches long. The front is even more stunted, and doesn't seem to have progressed past 1 inch. I constantly get compliments from strangers about her adorable hair cut, to which I explain God gets all the credit, since this is all He has given her. What you see is definitely no trendy trim. I long for the day that a bow or barrette will go in her hair! I did the head band bows when she was much younger, but she'll have nothing to do with those now. And I have even eeked out pig tails, but they really looked forced and not attractive.

So an hour ago, Carleigh alerts me to the wad of GUM in the front of her hair (about an inch behind her hairline, right in the middle). She has tried to get it out herself, but has only managed to get it spread around an area roughly 2x3 inches. If I were to cut it out, the entire front of her head would be bald. So I grabbed the peanut butter and started massaging it in the gum. Not sure if you've heard differently, but this did nothing but cause her to have gum and peanut butter in her hair.

I went online, searched for possible resolutions, and went with the cooking oil idea. I don't have any oil in the house, but I have a brand new can of cooking spray. It seems to have worked. Lots of her hair came out with the gum, peanut butter, and oil, but not as much as cutting would have taken. I wish I had snapped some pictures, but I wasn't thinking clearly.

Some seem to rebound quickly, it seems

That other table group birthed from ours didn't waste any time finding new friends. Cameron proudly announced that while us, the "old" group, had 17 people Sunday afternoon for Table, the McLendons had 18! And leave it up to those competitive folks in Brittany Lakes...they've already rubbed our noses in it! Of course I love this. I just have to act all hurt and upset, or it won't seem like a real break up. He he he!

Kuddos

Friday was a big day at our house. Craig and I both had our egos bolstered. Craig's boss took him to lunch and, long story short, told him he has big plans for Craig. Lots of big visions, and some of them may come to fruition within the next week. My boss went on vacation last week and left me as her out of office contact. And it was really cool to have some big time responsibility! Friday blind-sided me with a last minute big project that my boss's boss needed ASAP. I managed to get it done, on time and as requested. It felt good.

Answered prayer

When I was pregnant with Jonas, I remember specifically praying that my child would be intelligent. Above average, I believe I asked.
Now what is it they say about being careful what you ask for? Yep- I agree.
Jonas' teacher e-mailed me yesterday afternoon to let me know he has been not listening and acting out more lately than any other time this year. I went to talk to her, because I want Jonas to know that this is not acceptable, no matter how close to the end of the school year we are. I also think it's important that he knows that I will put everything else on hold to address what he is going through, no matter what it is. Mrs. Kowis spoke to Jonas with me in the room and let him know that she expects more from hims because he's the oldest, the smartest (!!!), and a natural leader. That the kids will do whatever he does because they look up to him and think if it's ok for him to do it, then it is ok for them to do it. He seemed to understand and she asked him to leave the room while she and I talked.
She then told me she is amazed by Jonas' reasoning abilities and has never seen a kid advance in reading as fast as he has this year. She said she is glad he will be going to Gilmore next year, because he will have a better chance of being challenged the way he should be. Where he has been at the top of his class at Weber, she thinks he will be closer to average at Gilmore. In the meantime, she wants me to get him outside and running around as much as possible this summer. She also said she will be noting in his file that his next teacher should call her as soon as he is assigned so that she can warn him/her. Not sure how to take that comment...
I'm very happy that God gave Jonas a sharp brain- but I think I agree with Mrs. Kowis when it comes to his reasoning. He's going to have to accept a few things "just because" as he gets older or he is going to get in trouble. I don't want him to ever stop questioning, but I also pray that God will give me the strength to endure his endless streams of questions and that the teachers he has in the next 12 years will be as receptive as this first one has.
I love my son so much. Thank you God, for this crazy, funny, emotional, deep thinking, boy I get to have for a little while. Forgive me when I lose my patience with him. Thank you for leading him to You at such a young age.

Breaking up is hard to do

While I knew this was coming, it still hurts. Cameron has announced this first "break up" of our table group. Two families will be leaving our current table and joining with another family to create a new table. This is great news, because it means that we are growing. This is sad news because I will miss seeing these people as often as I have been. I know in the long term vision of The Springs, this will happen again. Eventually, we want table groups to be pedestrian friendly. I can hardly wait for that day! With Cameron's blessing Craig and I will open the doors to our new house to a new table group as soon as possible. And I pray that each participant will have walked to get there. But in saying that, I know that means that none of the current members of our table will be there. This is a good thing, really. I just have to pout for my own selfish loss a few minutes...

Your mom does what???

What a great dinner we had last night! A family from The Springs came over and we had typical comfort foods- meatloaf, potatoes au gratin, corn on the cob, and brownies. YUM! But the best part was the conversation. Cameron talked previously on his blog about crossing the line between acquaintances and living life together, and we certainly crossed that line last night. Our kids were telling stories on us, while we told stories on our parents. Transparency was a word that was used, and I think I like that. We were real, and leave it to the kids to get that ball rolling! My only regret is that last night was the very first time we have intentionally had people to our apartment for a meal. We have lived here for 15 months- that's just wrong. Yes, we are in a small space, but it didn't bother anyone last night. The kids headed outside just as fast as they could anyway, which freed up lots of space!
Thank you, God, for creating us to be with other people. Thank you for our pastors who encourage us to do so, intentionally.