LUCKY!!! (warning super long post but has to be journaled)

Yesterday  I was very lucky!  No I didn't win the lottery, bunco, or even hit all the red lights on Center Street. I was lucky, mostly VERY blessed because I got to say goodnight to my little Jo Thursday evening.

You see we had quite a scare Thursday afternoon. I took her to preschool, running a little late due to the snow, and told her to run into class because she was going to miss the visit to Santas village. Well she ran up, stopping to wave several times, went into the door area, there is a wall blocking my view completely, came back out, and waved again and I said "go go." (She does this all the time walk.. stop.. wave.. walk..._)

So she was at school and Ryker and I went on to do our normal stuff, we thought. We went to the bank, came home shoveled snow, and went to get my hair trimmed. While getting my hair styled, I had a phone call on my cell. I didn't recognize the number so I sent it to voicemail. After getting into my car I sat to listen to the message and it goes something like this.

"This is the principal from Orem Elementary and we have something to tell you. Today when you dropped Jo off at preschool, the doors were locked, we don't know why but they were. So after trying the doors, Jo started walking home. A family found her at 400 S and Main and took her in called the cops and she is now back at school!" (Okay at this point I am bawling hysterically in my car.) I listen to the rest of the message about how Jo just thought school was closed, I drove off and she just thought to walk home.  Now we live about 11 blocks east and 4 blocks west of her school and on the other side of State Street. I know she would have never made it home, although she was headed in the right direction.  Then the tears really came.

The great principal went on to say that he took her in his office and they had  a chat about this and he walked her around the school and showed her all the doors to try and how to never walk home and how she was soo lucky that good people found her.  WHAT a scary moment!  

So I drove home, called the principal and we talked. He said she was fine, and I called into class to check on her.  She was fine, but boy was I not. I was feeling so guilty that she had come running after me and I just drove off.  I was thinking about all the bad case scenarios and what ifs?  I called my mom -who happened to answer her cellphone-  and  just cried and she helped me calm down. I tried to get ahold of Jim for 2 hours, but he was working away from his phone and desk. It was a BAD DAY!!!

I am soo grateful that this story ended good. I love my JO and I wouldn't know what to do without her. She is my mini me, my copy cat, my only girl...right now and I love her. I finally got ahold of Jim, and bawled hysterically to him. Thirty minutes later, since he was more calm, he picked her up from school.

When she arrived home I was waiting. I ran to her, hugged her, didn't let go and talked to her. I asked her why she didnt' come running after me, she said she did so then I started to cry again. But remembering I had stopped to scrap my windows and was there awhile I asked again about her running after me she said she didn't and she  didn't say anything either. So it appears that... last time she came back out from the doors and she was waving and I said "jo  go"; that was her plea for help. It was not for me to go but to stop. We have had a long talk about how that was not a panic call and  how she needed to run and scream MOOOOOOMMM!!! It was a very long talk. 

WE talked about stranger danger. We talked about how she was soo lucky that someone nice found her, as she was trying to walk home. WE talked about how she was brave but how it wasn't a smart choice to try to walk home. We showed her how far in the car today and showed her STATE STREET and how scary it is to cross. What an emotional time it was for both of us. She cried I cried, we talked cried some more and so forth.

I asked about her story, She said after trying the doors, she didn't think to go in the blue ones, the main, she just knew she had to get home. She told me she was cold and and scared but she watched for cars and walked about 6-8  blocks on the sidewalk. She talked about how her shoes and socks were wet and she put her hands in and out of her pockets. NOW here I am picturing this and tears just come to my eyes. AGAIN and then to hers.

She went on to say then a nice dad was outside shoveling snow and she was walking in her PJS and coat, if that doesn't make it worse (it was PJ day at school) and crying. He asked her if she was lost, she said yes. He invited her in and let her talk to his wife and watch TV while they called the cops and then they, not the cops, took her back to school with the cop following. 

I am so grateful that they were good honest people, who didn't take or hurt my JO. I am so grateful that they could understand her as she has a speech delay. I am so blessed that she was able to tell them where she came from and what had happened and they were able to contact the right school. I am so glad that last night as I was driving to Lehi in the snowstorm that I wasn't out searching for JO. I am so grateful that the Lord is looking out for me and that his hand is in my life. 

I can't drive down that street without crying yet. I can't sleep because I have bad dreams of her running after me and me not stopping, her getting hit by a car  worse things. It's awful, really. Now I know this happens to alot of people and almost every parent loses their kid or something but I still just get so shook up about this. I seriously might need therapy.

I woke up this morning, went to her bed, she wasn't there and the fear came again. She was downstairs playing with the nativity scene quiet as a mouse. I again ran up to her hugged her and said " JO I couldn't find you, you scared me!"She said, "mom I am not gone I am right here." AND I am sooo glad.

She didn't want to go to school today b/c she was worried that they would lock her out and that I would leave her. She gets choked up at this part of her story every time.  I assured her that the teachers have promised to check the doors everyday and that it won't happen again. (and I gues the teachers witnessed the janitor who was suppose to unlock the door, get an Earful today:( ) JO added about the doors, and if they are locked I won't walk home I will go in the blue doors. 

I am so happy she has learned her lesson and we did make it to school today. Thank goodness it was a Christmas party that I was in charge of so I was going with her. She was ok about that. WE had a great time in her class decorating cookies, making crafts, playing games and all sorts Now we are on Christmas break so we have 2.5 weeks to heal from the trauma. I am sure Jo is way more over it that I will ever be and that is good as one of us has to have it together it's Christmas for heck sake! 

Now on with the FUN!!

Innes Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Something to CHEER about!

I am so glad to say that tomorrow is the first day of my Christmas Vacation YEAH!!!  I can't wait for family to come in town and the partying to begin.  I love this time of year!!

It's been a busy week and month and work and I need a break. Tonight I have my last Parent Showcase for the Games Club and then I am outta there. I get to work from home for the next 1.5 months and be with my kiddos! YEAH!!!! My pocketbook and online shopping addiction isn't cheering but I sure am.  I hope to get much done on this break, baking, home projects, and more!!! 

Something to blog about?

ok so I have to post why I love to shop at Smiths. Well not only are the sells good and I don't have to count up to a price to get certain $ amounts off my order at checkout but they have a gas station. TONIGHT Jim filled up my van for under $25.00.. That is crazy we paid 1.34 a gallon with our 15cents off coupon!! YEAH that was fun! We love you Smiths!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas!

We decorated our family tree last Saturday and then this Monday night, for Family night, we decorated the kids tree. Here are some pics of Jo and Rykers tree. They insist we turn the lights on every morning. Ryker is really in love with holiday lights and he is so much fun. He calls them"wites" and has to go outside to see our house lights everynight. He is now learning his colors and is soo proud. He tells you the colors of the lights. Also the first thing he asks for in the morning or when he goes to the grandparents house it to... "Cuwa" he says.

On Friday night we went up to see the trees at the festival Jo, Jim, Cuz Shelbey, and I. We left Ryker with Grandma/pa Herberts because of 2 fears; 1- he would get restless to soon and 2-he would break something. There were too many people there so it wasn't as joyable as the set up day. As of 9:30 last night my 4-H kids tree hadn't sold. I was sad but life goes on. I feel it's priced a little high and I didn't put enough stuff to go with it under it but oh well. All trees that don't sell are still donated to charity so it's still serving someone. There were some incredible trees there glass ones, wood ones and my favorite one all decorate in PEZ dispensers! The kids loved to search out their favorite pez head characters. I learned ALOT for next year. Especially to go in the day time and not the night before closing night. Here is my candyland tree these pics just don't do it justice.

WHERE HAVE WE BEEN?

OK so I know I haven't posted since Halloween and that is pretty sad however life has been BUSY!  We are happy and healthy and all is well. What we been up to? Well mostly work and play, either on the house, at our jobs or with family!

I have been organizing  my 4-H Afterschool Programs service project. We are donating a decorated Christmas tree to the Festival of Trees.  The tree and wreath is

  

themed and it has been lots of work, but fun. Here are some pics of the kid at school working on making candy garland, trains, gumdrop bulbs, gingerbread people and more! TOMORROW is the big day that I get to go take it up to the festival and spend hours decorating it. Jim is coming with me and I am soo glad. He is so supportive of my job and the extras that come with it! I will post pics of the final pics later. If you haven't heard of the Festival of Trees it is an awesome expo where ALL proceeds go to the Primary Childrens Hospital. There are tons of trees all sizes, gingerbread houses, boutiques and candy shops to browse, buy and just enjoy. Here is the website if you are interested in a good family outing...   www.festivaloftreesutah.com

I also had one of the parent nights for my cooking club. We had more than expected show up. I bet we fed at least 40 people. The cooking club kids did a great job making chicken tortilla soup, queso, salad, banana split brownie sundae! It was neat to see so much support for these kids and to see actual conversation going on between them and their parents. I LOVE MY JOB!!

This past week has been so busy. On Tuesday night after getting home from service project day, making  for along day at work, my mom called with 2 free tickets to "A Christmas Carol" at the HALE CENTER THEATER. 

Jim and I took her up on that offer and the offer to take the kids for the night. We made a date out of it starting off with yummy Cafe Rio!!!!

The play was good really got me in the mood for Christmas. I highly recommend it! 

We topped our  night off with some yummy ice cream and the newest CHUCK episode!

Our turkeys!! We had to disguise them so they wouldn't get cooked for Thanksgiving. This was our singing time activity for Primary last week! JO has played with them numerous times since and the kids in primary loved it, both ages!

Gwampa coloring with the kids. This is Rykers new FAVORITE thing. He knows all his colors and is so proud. This is the 1st thing he asked to do when he wakes up even!

 

Thursday was turkey day and it was delicious! WE ate dinner at the Innes.  It's always fun to eat special meals there, mom gets out her gorgeous china and goblets, lets us toast to the occasion and we always have meaningful conversations. Thanksgiving time is all about family to me! I love being with family. 

 

After Jim, Mom, Ross, and Ang all played the new "The Office"  DVD game while I searched the ads.  

 

who do you think won?

(Jim got the kids these cute matching shirts)

After the fun we went to the Herberts for pie and more ad looking. We scoped out our deals, grabbed a cousin to spend the night, had some more pie and BBQ turkey and headed home.

FRIDAY we went out shopping at 7:30AM. I tried to do 5 but wasn't feeling so hot. I was grateful that Jim went with me this year. It was much more fun! He found some great deals, doorbusters in return carts, randomly stashed items that we wanted and did it all with a smile! I love Black Friday!!! I love to shop in the crowds call me crazy but it is just fun. However we got alot on our list done, now what do I do when I get off work soon? hmmm home projects! :)

Saturday we took our kids to the mall to walk around BaD IdEA no not really. It was soo packed but still a good getaway and some good exercise! That night Ma and Pa Innes took our kids, even on his birthday grandpas Jim was so willling, and Jim and I went to the new Bond movie "Quantum of Solace" I liked it but  I like Bond. Afterwards we did MORE shopping just can't spend enough money I guess.

Today is Sunday and it's a good day. We just celebrated Grandpas 59th Bday with a great dinner and cake. JO helped make his card and we had some laughs. The cake was delicious even if some of it had some wax on it from all 59 candles takin so long to lite. heheeh!! really some were burned all the way down to the cake! 

WE love our grandpa Jim! He is so awesome! What a great example he is to our little family. He always shows us what's important. He holds and honors his priesthood and chooses the right! He takes care of his family, is healthy and fun we couldn't ask for a better one!