From day to day as our children grow we start getting more relaxed as they express their need for independence...and we find ourselves giving in to make them happy with simple requests when there is a lot going on and they are crying. WELL, yesterday we had a major reality check and LESSON LEARNED. Anything can happen at any time...and stick to your instincts!!
Yesterday Andy got an awesome opportunity to bring Emma along with him to work for a "Breakfast with Santa" event. They had a great time with Santa, eating breakfast, coloring, painting ornaments... On the drive home she was crying for a candy cane they had gotten at the event and to make her happy Andy caved (knowing in his head he probably shouldn't give it to her, but assuming it would be fine...he wanted a smile on her face)....he unwrapped it all the way to the bottom and left a little bit of plastic at the bottom where she could hold onto it. He kept an eye on her in the rear view mirror...but not too much later he looked back to find her blue face attempting to say "Daddy" but couldn't...she was choking on the plastic wrapper!! I am so thankful for his quick reaction!! He literally jumped out of his seat in order to reach into her throat and pull out the plastic. They were at a stop light and while he is used to driving stick, this car was automatic and rear-ended the car in front of them. Just a few scratches and nothing major...the gentleman driving the car in front of him got out and after hearing what happened with Emma he looked at the minor damage, looked at Andy, put his hand up and said "Merry Christmas", got back into his car and left. Andy grabbed Emma and held her close while she kept repeating "Thank you Daddy. Thank you Daddy. I love you Daddy."
The most terrifying experience!! I am so grateful for Andy's reactions and that everything turned out to be ok.
Then last night we took the girls for a drive around to see some beautiful Christmas lights in the area and found a man stalled in the empty parking lot of our community center, alone and attempting to figure out why his car wouldn't start. He also had taken his family to see the lights for his son's first Christmas but when the car wouldn't start the wife and son had walked home. Neither of us had jumper cables on us so we drove home to get some and went back to help him out. Again thankful, that was all it needed to get his car started. It felt so good to "pay it forward" after a day like yesterday.
Extra hugs and kisses for my family this Christmas!! XOXOXO
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