A few days ago our home experienced a traumatic blessing. That is what I decided because everything was perfectly fine in the end and really nothing was wrong for very long.
Keira and Libby asked to go outside and ride their bikes. Keira is apparently doing "bike school" with Libby and teaching her to ride without training wheels. I have yet to witness this happening but Tom says its true. haha.
We have pretty specific rules about them being outside without a grown up and at the time, I really needed to stay in. So, I had my work at the dining room table where I could look out the Front Window (which was also open). They were instructed to go to the shed TOGETHER, get their bikes, TOGETHER and bring them to the front where I could see them on the sidewalk.
I quickly went upstairs to put Levi to bed while they went out the back door into the yard.
When I came back down, I sat at the table, opened my laptop to catch up on a couple of things and waited. Probably 3 minutes later, I noticed that the girls had yet to appear in the front.
A bit frustrated, I put my shoes on and headed out the front. I must admit, I expected to find them arguing in the back yard or something of the like.
I got around to the back yard....they were not there.
Libby's bike was in the middle of our small back yard but the girls were no where to be found.
Believe it or not, I did not panic.
Like I said, when I thought they were going outside, I went up to put Levi to bed which probably takes about 2 minutes.
So, I figured, they must have changed their minds and went up to the playroom (3rd floor) instead.
I headed in and up and checked.
They were not there.
At this point, I grabbed my phone and was running. I also have to say that these girls usually follow the rules. I cannot imagine them leaving the yard or walking away from the house on purpose because that just isn't who they are....now, when Janessa is a bit older, that will be a different story...because she thoroughly enjoys breaking the rules and apologizing. Ugh.
As I rounded the corner to the backyard, I heard faint crying.
They were IN the shed. (Being the paranoid person I am, I of course was just praying they were alone!)
I thought they had locked themselves in there by accident but apparently they had seen a cat.
A Cat.
Why my children have a crazy fear of cats, I will never know. Maybe its a subconscious knowledge that I am severely allergic?!?!??!?!
They saw a cat while getting their bikes, quickly shut the door and cried.
So, where's the blessing you ask? Here it comes.
The total time they could have been in the shed AT THE MOST was 5 minutes...which of course to them was an eternity. BUT, this is what they told me.
First, they tried to look out of the shed to see if the cat was still there and they heard it meowing. Then, they started crying....and hugging.
Keira tried to calm her terrified 4 1/2 year old sister by telling her that mommy would come soon when I noticed they didn't come out front. (correct, my sweet girl)
And then they prayed. My sweet, naughty, adorable, fighting, kind, frustrating daughters prayed together. Because they knew that Jesus would bring mommy quick.
And then I rescued them....or Jesus did depending on how you want to look at it.
After that traumatic experience, I did have to sit and console them for quite a while. Then I allowed them a tv show because they were completely exhausted from the drama of it all....but this is how they sat.
We talked a bit about how important it is that they always have a buddy because that way, if something bad happens, they will not be alone. I pointed out how much better it was that they had each other.
Now, I know that they will continuously go through phases and they will argue and disagree but the the last few days since that experience they have been completely inseparable.
What a blessing to have such a wonderful best friend sister. And of course, I feel completely blessed that there wasn't anything really wrong...well...except a stray cat!
