Wow - Karsten's guardian angel is sure working overtime!!
Sadly I have forgotten some of the last two weeks events - those a mother swears she will never forget!
Last Friday while taking the kids to the bus stop in the morning before school we had a close call. Because it is always a rush to the car, Karsten rarely gets buckled in his car seat before leaving and since it takes time to get all 21 kids loaded and seated and we wait until they drive away so we can wave good bye, Karsten enjoys climbing around the car.
This particular morning as we pulled to the end of the street, another mom (Laura) came up and asked if I could give some neighbor kids a ride home since she wouldn't be there. During this conversation, Karsten had gotten out of the car, crossed the dirt road and was waiting with the other kids. As the bus was approaching, Kimball and Kierra both got my attention to tell me Karsten was with them. Laura turned around to hold his hand as he was crossing back to the car, when another came flying up the road and skidded to a stop nearly hitting Karsten by inches.
For a kid who isn't easily frightened, he was sobbing and as I scooped him into my arms to hold him tight, he held onto me for a very long time. It was such a close call that I was literally shaking and Laura (who was talking to me at the time it happened) started crying.
A week later he is still frightened by cars!
On Monday Karsten was climbing down from the Kitchen counter, missed the stool completely and fell to his back.
Tuesday, I accidentally locked the keys in the car, right after buckling Karsten in his car seat. I had unlocked the door and then decided to start the car while buckling him up. But, you have to lock the car first, or it won't start. It was one of the afternoon's Karsten was tired and he didn't want to get in his seat or get buckled up. He ran to the back of the car and was making it SO difficult. After minutes of negotiations to give him "choices" and rationally try and get an irrational two - year old buckled up, I shut his door and then realized the keys were on the front seat (years of habit) and I had forgotten to unlock the car before shutting the door.
At first my mind was trying to comprehend that the doors were all truly locked. Then I tried to get Karsten to use his foot and open the latch, but soon realized that wasn't going to work because the child-proof lock was on from the inside of the car (because he tries to open the door frequently while driving on the freeway).
It was all good until the car shut off. I came unraveled at the seams and was horrified! It was 107 degrees and my toddler was buckled in his car seat unable to get out of a car that was heating up to unbearable temperatures by the second.
While thoughts of finding a rock to break the window to get him out raced through my mind, I did the only thing I could think of and dialed 911.
The call lasted five eternal minutes until the fire department, ambulance and police showed up. I waved my arms in the air so relieved to have their assistance. My mouth had not one wit of moisture inside and I almost couldn't talk.
The firemen were joking around while they worked to get the door unlocked and I was still playing charades with Karsten through the window trying to get him to at least try and unbuckle his seat belt. One of the few times he sat in his seat without trying to get out!
The firemen were joking around while they worked to get the door unlocked and I was still playing charades with Karsten through the window trying to get him to at least try and unbuckle his seat belt. One of the few times he sat in his seat without trying to get out!
They got him out just fine. Someone got him (and me - who really needed it) a drink of water. The fireman showed him "knuckles" and Karsten gave him some back.
One of those moments where life comes to a screeching halt and reminds you to slow down and savor your precious little ones. As a lady who was standing by to give moral support while waiting for the fire department walked away, she commented that my day could only get better from there :) So True!
The kind police woman asked me if I was okay and helped me gather my purse and purchases into the car, while I gathered my senses. The remainder of the afternoon I was quite dazed and in somewhat of a state of shock. Two nights later, I awoke in the middle of the night (around 3:30 am) and could think of nothing else but this nightmare moment for over an hour!
Life is fragile - handle with care and prayer (which I did).
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