Safe Keeping

Today, the Lord, saw fit to spare the lives of my boys and I. There is NOTHING else that could have stopped the events of today. No one.

While driving down the road this afternoon, with the boys, I was frustrated. The boys were being silly and fighting. While in the store, they spilt their drinks twice. We had to let a friends dog out, the boys let him out the front door. It was just one of those days. My fuse has already been abnormally short lately. I've stayed on edge. I've spent far too much time yelling and fussing at my boys.

It was really sunny this afternoon too.

I was driving, into the sun, and fussing at the boys. I was approaching a railroad crossing. One of those awkward ones, in the middle of a main road...one of those dangerous ones, with no gate that comes down - just flashing lights. I was paying attention to the road and watching traffic. The car in front of me kept driving. I happened to notice that the cars, on the other side of the road had stopped, that's when I heard the train honk. I looked up, just in time to see a train, approaching at full speed.

In that split second, I thought for sure, we were going to be hit. I knew if I gunned it, I wouldn't clear the tracks and the train would hit us head on. I immediately slammed on the brakes and yanked the wheel to the right. Instead of going on the track, I went down into the "ditch" alongside the train - the spot between the train track and the signal pole. If I would have rolled down my window, I could have touched the side of the train as it roared passed.

Something in my, in that split second knew, I had to NOT go on the tracks. I knew, that meant serious injury or most likely death for me and the boys.

I sat in the van. I didn't move. I didn't try to back the van up and get back on the road. I did nothing. After a second, the kids had calmed down and I had gathered my thoughts, I calmly got out of the car and got in the backseat with the boys. I immediately told them what had just happened. I told them that the Lord, saw fit to save us. To spare our lives. We stopped and prayed and thanked God for HIS protection.

The train conductor stopped the train a bit down the tracks. He walked back to the van to check on us and be sure no one was hurt. I apologized profusely and explained to him what happened. With the sun shining you couldn't see the flashing lights. I just missed it. The car in front of me must not have seen the lights either because he blew right over the tracks. He told me that people were on the way to get me out of the ditch and to come and help.

Within a few minutes the police had arrived and some more people to inspect the train - which broke something when it braked to try to miss hitting our van. The second train driver came back and talked to me for a minute - well, he talked and I cried, a lot. He told me, he was shocked that I didn't hit anything. He also wanted to be sure that the train didn't hit us at all. He was shocked. He thought for sure we would hit. He was so very kind. He said hello to the boys and asked them if they were ok. They assured him they were fine.

After we determined, my van was indeed stuck, the tow truck came to get me out. The driver of the tow truck was also extremely kind. He was patient and helped explain everything to me. He was telling me how he had to charge me, but to send the bill to my insurance and they'd pay us back. He also only charged me half of what he normally would. He told me he was glad we were all ok and that he knew I must be really scared.

The police officer, who wasn't quite as friendly, told me that he wasn't going to give me a ticket - even though he could have. I told him I understood all of that and that I really couldn't see the signal...he told me I might have been daydreaming. I didn't argue. I was too overwhelmed. He told me that the mental anguish of what just happened would probably be enough. He wanted to be sure I really understood what had just happened. I assured him I did understand. I told him, the Lord protected us and kept us safe.

I'm convinced someone else took control of my car in that split second. What made me choose to go off the road, along side of the train, I'm convinced was not me.

The Lord, for some reason, chose to spare our lives today. It isn't the first time God has spared my life, or the lives of one of my children. It is however, the first time, that an event, this large in scope has happened. Myself and my boys were a split second from being hit, tboned, by a freight train. A split second reaction changed that.

I struggle with why the Lord chose to spare us, when so many people will loose loved ones today. There is a purpose and a plan that God has for us. I'm certain of that. I thank and praise Him for allowing us to live.

Silly Phrases

*Matt was watching The Polar Express with the boys. There is a scene at the end where the reindeer at tired from pulling the heavy sleigh. M made us all laugh when he announced: If I was a reindeer, I'd totally hit Santa with my antlers for making me pull that heavy sleigh around! We all died laughing!!!

*O has recently learned how to play a few games on the computer. The other day, he wasn't allowed to play computer. When I told him no, I wouldn't turn a game on for him, he told me...That's fine, I'll just watch the blank screen.

*One Saturday morning, a construction crew was across the way. It was early and they were LOUD! Loud enough to wake several of us up, quite early, on a Saturday...but I digress... M, woke up scared to death. He started crying. Finally, Matt figured out where the noise was coming from and I was able to explain it to M. His answer made me chuckle...Oh good (insert relieved sigh here), I thought it was an alien ship landing in our front yard to come and take us!!

*S, has gone from saying lots of funny things...to lots of profound, sassy and silly things! He's getting to the age where he's far more serious than the other two about things.

*S, has taken to wearing sports jerseys as much as possible. His friend gave him several once he outgrew them. I had to make him take his Michigan jersey off yesterday. It had been three days...and nights. I assured him, I'd have it washed in time for the "big game" on New Years. He's getting so big!

*S got all A's on his report card - we were so proud of him! He's a bright boy and a hard worker. His teacher said his behavior is wonderful too!

*M, also got what would be the equivalent of all A's - he still gets number grades. His teacher said we need to work on bringing him more into "reality" without squashing all his creativity...good luck with that one!!!

Growing Up

My babies are growing up...WAY TO QUICKLY!

We just had to buy S, some new clothes. If it isn't holes in the knees of his pants, his pants are too short on him. This seems to be a trend for him..buy him new clothes in the Fall - buy him the next size in the winter. I love that he's still not picky about what he wears. There are a few things, I know he won't wear to school, but other than that, he'll wear whatever I set out for him.

M, has taken to a new "fear" thing. I'm not sure where it's come from, but he's afraid to go in ANY room alone. I feel bad for him, but struggle to not be annoyed when he won't back to the entry way to get his coat by himself.

When we were talking about fear, we were remembering back to some of the things are boys have been afraid of...ants, birds, balloons, spiders, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, ANY costumed character really, these little "playdough" characters that used to sing on Nickelodean. Lots of fun things. One of my favorites, was when S, insisted he had a family of bears that lived in his bedroom. He was right around 3 at the time. The most "challenging" fear, was O's, fear of balloons...that was just obnoxious. Birthday parties were a nightmare. We had to walk on the far side of the hallway if a store had balloons in the entry.

The other day, I was dancing in the living room. I was messing around with the younger boys and doing silly dance moves - as if I know any REAL dance moves - S, looked at me and asked me to stop. I told him no because we were having fun. Then he pulled out the big guns..."Mom, your embarassing me"...WHAT!!?!?!? Have we already reached that point.

While playing cars with the boys, the informed me that I wasn't doing it right. When I apologized, S, told me, sweetly, Mom, don't worry, your only being about 2% annoying. Good thing, I was only being 2 percent annoying...Sheesh. I'm not looking forward to the day when I'm going to be 100% annoying!