Police Stand-off Yesterday

Yesterday started off just like any other...ordinary...breakfast, a family trip to the YMCA, lunch, nap. But ended quite different with a sea of police, SWAT teams, snipers, fire trucks surrounding my parents street with my kids quarantined in the basement with Grandma & Grandpa.

Here's the story...

After naps, around 2:45 p.m., I dropped the kids off at my parents house who live a few blocks away so I could go to the doctor. When I arrived, there were police sectioning off portions of the street. Unsure of exactly what was going on, I reluctantly dropped the kids off with my mom and dad and then zipped off to the doctor. Probably not the best move, I would later learn.

When I returned to pick up the kids about 45 minutes later, they had closed off more of the street and a heavily armed police officer approached my car. I learned that there was a gunman with a riffle just a few houses down in the house. They were not in communication with the man, but did not want anyone in the line of site. I wasn't allowed to go in the house or get out of my car.

Luckily, Barrett & Vivienne were with my parents. Safe and sound. But, the whole idea made me uncomfortable. I'm separated from my kids, unable to give them anything they need (milk, passy's diapers, ear infection meds) and I drove back to my house, helpless, and prayed it would be over soon.

As the evening went on, everything got more serious. They had some 70 officers, 3 SWAT teams, teams of snipers set up all around the neighborhood (even in my parents yard) buses of police equipment, flashing lights. Then they shut down the whole block. It was starting to feel more and more scary. I almost felt like I was on the set of a movie.

At about 6pm, John and I ran to the corner of the block with a bag of supplies for the kids to beg one of the officers to take it to them. Forget the medicine, the biggest emergency was Barrett's passy. It was getting late, and he needed it. I could hear him on the phone saying "Momma, momma, I miss you. Passy." Heart wrenching.I was about ready to walk that dang bag over myself (not really).

AND THEN--I hear my dad say, "Lauren! Lauren! We have the kids! We're out of the house!" I look up and see Barrett on my dad's lap driving the car. Honestly, behind the wheel. They had made an escape. The officer I was talking to, stopped and said "Praise God." I did. Once reunited (imagine an unnecessary dramatic jog down the block to catch up with my parents car), I learned that the two Sargents came to my parents house and allowed them to drive the kids because they had an attached garage and were not going far.

Being a former public relations gal, I was more than happy to give an interview to the media. I did a phone interview for CBS and my mom and I did an on-camera interview for NBC. Both pretty humbling experiences as I typically like to think of myself as pulled together and well spoken, which I did not seem or look in either interview.

CBS Click Here
NBC Interview (TV): http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Police-Close-Northbrook-Streets-for-Domestic-Disturbance-136340263.html

CBS Interview:  http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2011/12/28/northbrook-police-respond-to-possible-standoff-with-gunman/

In the end, I am a little more grateful for normal. Grateful for John, the kids, my parents. Not that they were in any danger, really, but it just made me stop and think. I am enjoying today's ordinary, boring, routine-ness. I played more with the kids and sat for a while just snuggling the two of them. It's nice to be reminded of how normal can be such a blessing.

As an update about the stand-off, it ended around 8pm. Sadly, the man in the house was not alive. It looks like he took his own life and wasn't really a threat to anyone. It's so sad. My parents don't know those neighbors very well, but everything seemed normal from the outside. Say a prayer for the family if you think of them. Their "normal" will never be the same again.

So Long Insecurity

"So Long Insecurity, You've Been a Bad Friend To Us."  by Beth Moore

I don't know about you, but when I read the title of this book, it just about jumped out and bit me. I will admit, I have wrestled with insecurity as long as I can remember--no matter how absurd or out of touch with reality it may seem.

Just today, we took our car in to be serviced. John, me, Barrett & Vivienne. Coats, boots, hats, stroller, diaper bag and all. We own a nice car, bought it used (eh-hem, sorry, pre-owned), so it's much nicer than anything we would be able to afford otherwise. When we take it to the dealer I always feel a little insecure. Like I don't belong and somehow they know it. Barrett walked into the dealership first, and I was instantly uncomfortable as the guy on the floor wasn't all that friendly. I immediately believed he was thinking, "Great, check out this riff-raff coming our way." I felt small, embarrassed and insecure.

I had to do a little self-talk to get myself back on track. Lauren, we're just here to get the car serviced. You're not pretending to be anybody, you're not doing anything wrong, you're here with your amazing little family, these little people and John are all that matter. You are a woman with substance, maturity, hold your head high. Plus, they are probably not thinking anything other than, "I hope this toddler doesn't eat all my gumballs." Which, I assure you, he did.

As I am entering my 30s, I've decided a few things. One, I'm going to grow into a mature, confident woman. The other is that I'm going to figure out my "look"(hair, fitness, clothes and all). Give back to others. Grow in my relationship with God and look for his path for my life.

This book felt like someone threw me a road map. Hmmm, wonder who that could have been? I know Beth from bible studies (via video) and she offers age-old wisdom, a Biblical perspective and it reads like a good girlfriend is having coffee and talking with you, face to face.

After reading it, I am feeling my confidence grow. I also gained some eye opening awakenings and I just wanted to share in case any of you out there are looking for some inner peace with your New Years Resolutions. My library even had it, so it was free to "check it out" (no pun intended).

My Kid is a Butter-Eater

 

Do you remember those kids who ate butter? I do. I always was grossed out (and must confess I always thought they were a bit off).

Come to find out, some 30-years later, I actually have one of those kids! Barrett was up on the counter helping me make lunch today and I heard him say "mmm, yummy." I looked up and saw he had scooped his finger into the butter dish and was licking it off his finger like ice cream. EWWWEEE!!!!! Now we also have the finger-lickin dent in the butter to prove it. DOUBLE EWWWEE!!!!

But, Barrett stole my heart right back just a few minutes later. I was telling him how much I loved him and I asked, "Do you love mama?" And, guys, I kid you not he started to sing me the song from the book Love You Forever, "I love you fowevah, I yike you for aweways, As sheem a me yevah, yada yada" Translation: I love you forever, I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my baby you'll be."

This book is about a mother who sings this song to her son all her life, until she is dying and then the son holds his mother, rocks her to sleep and sings the song back to her. Insert tears here. Honest, real tears, started flowing down my cheeks.

I don't know how he pulled it off, but he did. I'm solidly in love with a butter-eater.


In other news.....We've been having a whirl-wind of a time this Christmas season. Holiday parties, ginger bread houses, and oh yeah Vivienne started walking (13.5 months), with antlers none-the-less. It's been busy and magical all wrapped together like a mysterious Christmas gift under the fresh smelling tree.

4 Days Left and I still have a lot I'm looking forward to, baking cookies, the Christmas Eve church service with the kids and huge cookie, candy, popcorn buffet. Christmas morning watching the kids open presents with my family (minus my brother who's still in China, boo) and then going in the afternoon to be be with John's family and our newest niece Stella Rose who will be enjoying her 1st Christmas.

I think I need some coffee thinking about all these plans though....anyone with me!?!

Prepping for Holiday Parties!!

I'm on day 3 of a 4-night holiday party marathon. I love holiday parties, the food, the wine, the desserts, the music, the decorations, the lights, the special crystal... it's all so magical. I've never done 4 nights in a row before, so I've had to create a strategy to pace myself and keep sight of the whole point -- have fun!

My strategy is simple:
1.) Buy all the hostess gifts at one store that does adorable gift wrap. (My fav is our little local gift shop La De Da)
2.) Make the same dessert or appetizer for all the parties (as long as the guests are not all the same). I'm known for my lemon bars. It's a recipe my mom got from an old neighbor before she got married and it's one of the few that I like to keep a secret, just to keep it exciting. It's not a crowd pleaser, but those who like lemon or at least give it a try, like them.
3.) Nap during the day. It's a life saver, if you can sneak one in. Maybe it's just resting your eyes at your desk for 10 minutes and doing some light meditation, but it's a must for me.
4.) Pick out your outfits in advance .... I didn't do this, but so wish I had
5.) Above all else, don't forget to pack a positive attitude, have fun!

It's funny, I have never had more Christmas activities in one season, and I'm even focused more on God as from my Bible study, but for some reason I'm not feeling all that Christmas-y this year. John says it's exhaustion. Maybe it will sneak up on me when I least expect it. I still have 9 days left! I feel like little Cindy Loo-Hoo singing "Where are you Christmas!"

Santa Trauma

Aah, yes. The age old tradition of visiting Santa. Am I crazy, or did I get it wrong that this was supposed to be a fun experience? No more timeouts, now all I have to do is threaten a visit to Santa to keep the kids in line.

December 12, 2011 

(Barrett 2.5, Vivienne 13 mos)

We seem to be on a downward spiral with Santa. Each year seems to be worse than the one before...see for yourself.

 

December 21, 2010 

(Barrett 1.5, Vivienne 2 mos)

At least last year, Vivienne wasn't crying. Barrett's arms and facial expression are almost exactly the same!

December 11, 2009

(Barrett 6 mos)

Barrett is like a little blob. I don't think he even had time to realize what was going on ... definitely not smiling, but so far it's the least amount of tears in all 3 years worth of pics.

Maybe next year will be a little better? Or maybe I'll stop the baby-torture...but....probably not. It's too late, it's already a family tradition. And, I must confess I get a royal kick out of these pictures. I might be the worst mom ever as I'm hysterically laughing while my kids are crying. 

Why is it so funny to see kids scared by santa!?? 

Hope it brings a smile to you, at least.  

Happy Holidays from our happy family to yours!

You Know You're A Mother When.....

Top 10 List

You Know You're a Mother When.....

1.) Finding a pot, pan and egg whisk at the bottom of the laundry basket is not weird
2.) You say things like "Key-Que" to people in the grocery
3.) The distinction between pajama-shirts and shirt-shirts becomes very blurred
4.) You get excited when you realize the dishwasher is dirty
5.) You succumb to the fact that you are a human napkin
6.) Your entire existence revolves around a nap schedule
7.) You cry watching diaper commercials
8.) Exercising sounds like a special treat
9.) You have Good Night Moon and 6 other books memorized by heart
10.) You never leave the house without snacks, sippies, lovies, passies and of course, diapers and wipes

And I couldn't stop without saying the last one....Last night the babysitter put my kids to bed while I was at work. I was aching when I got home missing them. So I realized you know you're a mother smitten in love when you just have to sneak a peek at your sleeping babies just to catch one more scrumptious look before going to bed. (Disclaimer: this only applies to those of us mommies who have little ones sleeping through the night!)

Toddler Negotiation Skills

So lately, we've been working on Barrett's passy situation. Our new rule: only in the crib. But Barrett learned that if he throws his passifier behind the crib, later he can sneak in a few moments of bliss secretly under his crib. All of the sudden it's quiet, I go upstairs and see a few feet sticking out from under his crib and I know exactly what's happening.

Today the passy somehow made its way into the car on a breakfast run to Mc'Ds. After a mighty fit, we agreed Barrett could hold it, but not put it in his mouth. Then we looked in the back seat.....and look.

You gotta hand it to the kid, his deductive reasoning skills are really developing!!