a series of unfortunate events

what a dumb way to end a perfectly reasonable day...

On my way home from work tonight it was decided that I would pick up DragonRider from our house and bring him to Granny's so they could work on his religion class work together. I thought this sounded fine and worked on making arrangements. I called DragonRider just minutes away from the house to have him get ready. He got ready faster than I expected and as we neared home, I could see him standing at the end of the driveway. We live in a fairly desolate area - I can count the cars that go by in a day on my fingers and toes - so I decided it was fairly safe to cross over to the far left hand side to pick him up. As I make this decision I'm also making decisions on what I'll do if I happen to meet another car - of course as I'm crossing over and am nearly there, I meet another car. Ugh. So I pull over a little farther. Oops. I think I maybe went too far. Oh well. After he gets in the car I'll try backing up and I should be able to go back to where I was.

DragonRider got in the van and I threw it in reverse. Plunk. Into the ditch. The car was at a lovely angel and there was no way it was getting out. Grr. Oh well - not that big of a deal. FarmBoy would be home soon and he could pull it out. I called Granny to let her know that we wouldn't be there afterall. Of course as I'm sitting there getting mentally ready to unbuckle the kids and start the trek up the driveway, 3 more cars drive by! The first one stops and we let him know that everything is jim dandy - he was very sweet. The second guy pulls up, I've already turned the van off by now so I start fumbling trying to open the window - no avail, of course cause they're electric - so Dragon Rider pushes the door open (can barely do this because of the angel of the van and how heavy the door is) and I let him know that all is fine. He continues on his way.

DragonRider and I finally get the door pushed open and crawl out. As soon as we're out, the gravity of the door shuts it faster than I can blink and in the horrible three seconds that follow, I realize I have locked my three babies in their car seats in a van that is not running!

We coaxed and prodded LittleBoyBlue and PrincessGirl to get their seats unbuckled - but it just wasn't happening. Had I switched their seating positions, LBB could have easily gotten out of the other car seat, but the seat he was in was too difficult to unlatch. PrincessGirl started panicking and also couldn't get her seatbuckle unlatched. It was horrible. SquishyBaby was thankfully just minding her own business, having fun pulling her socks and shoes off and playing with her blanket. I was nowhere near panicking, I was mostly frustrated at how everything had played out to get to this point. I'm certain when I was fumbling for the windows that I inadvertently locked the doors. My keys had been thrown into my purse (on the front seat) in preparation for walking up to the house.

DragonRider ran up to the house and called FarmBoy who was thankfully on his way home. He also was able to find a small flashlight and some gloves, cause in case you haven't been outside today - it's c o l d!

Twenty minutes later I'm still trying to console my twinsies, praying for a miracle. They've twisted and squirmed, wriggled and stretched but there was no way they were getting out of that dang 5-point harness!! FarmBoy thankfully pulls up now and gets his lockout kit. As he's getting the kit my brother drives by. It is now the first time that I actually say the words, "I locked my kids in the car." I start tearing up. I don't have to be the brave one anymore - two of my most trusted and loved men are here to help. Thank you, Jesus.

They worked with the lockout kit for ten minutes and it just wasn't going anywhere so we decided I'd better call the police - I make the call - as soon as I'm on the phone with dispatch I burst out crying. My babies have been locked in there for 40 minutes now. They were so kind. They assured me that they'd send someone out so I thanked them and ran back out to the road. My dear neighbor pulled up about now and once I explained what was going on he boogied down the road so he could get turned around to help.

I don't know how it happened but by the time he was getting out of his vehicle FarmBoy and UncleMike managed to get the dang wire hangar around the lock and opened. What huge relief. We threw the kids into UncleMike's truck and got them into the house while my dear neighbor and FarmBoy grabbed some chains and rescued my poor van.

The babies were no worse for the wear. (Although, two were in terrible need of using the bathroom - poor sweeties.) Amazingly, they were still very warm, only their hands a little cool. I, on the other hand, feel terrible about the whole mess and frustrated with the huge feeling of helplessness. Soon I will stop thinking of all the should'ves and could'ves but for now it's all I can do.