The Mursets

Ava is my wild child. Nathan has always been on the calm and cautious side, so I have never had to worry much about him getting hurt climbing and such. But it seems like every time I turn around Ava is getting into mischief of one kind or another.  Here is what she did on Friday while playing with my parents dog who was on a leash:

I was expecting a call and realized I didn't have my cell phone on me, so I ran downstairs grabbed it and ran right back. She was playing with the dog on the stairs. Nathan was bouncing a ball and I don't know if the dog got excited and ran or what, but somehow the leash hurt one side of her neck. I was so mad at that dog....one more reason to not have one of our own...

A few weeks ago when I was with her at Old Navy I lost at least 10 years off my life . I think I am a pretty on top of it parent. Sometimes I hover- I will admit it. I am totally paranoid when it comes to my children and their safety.

During this shopping trip I didn't put Ava in a cart because I ran in to get 5 pairs of flip flops since they were on sale for $1 each and 5 was the limit you could get. My Old Navy card was near its limit so I knew this was all I was getting and wasn't even going to browse at all. I held her hand the entire time. Then during checkout she asked to go see the doggy at the display at the front of the store. I was in the lane nearest to the display so I let he run over to see it. I was watching her while the lady rang up my stuff and only turned away when the lady asked me a question. It was only for a second. Then I didn't hear Ava. I went over to the display and she wasn't there. For a second I wasn't that worried because I figured she had just gone to see something else, the store was basically empty too. But then after a few seconds I started to panic. The lady behind me and her daughter started to look around where we were. I glanced over and saw a woman walking Ava back into the store from the parking lot. I ran out, burst into tears, and held her so tight and thanked the stranger who probably thought I was the worst mother on the planet.

I had to go back into the store to get my wallet and the cashier pointed out that the woman had the same color shirt as me, and had long dark hair, so Ava must have just followed her out as she left thinking it was me. The doors are incredibly heavy at our Old Navy so it didn't even occur to me for a  second to check outside. I felt so sick. All day thoughts of what could have happened to her wouldn't leave my mind. We came home and prayed. The boys were at Father's & Son's that night and I almost left the house without praying that morning, but didn't. I know that because Ava and I stopped to pray together that morning that she was truly watched over.

She was scared to leave my side for a few days after that, and when we went to Mc Donald's a few days ago I didn't have to argue with her to leave the play place when it was time to go. She also says every time we have to go run errands that she will hold my hand and not leave, poor little girl. I know I am not the only parent who has used the line "If you don't come right now I am leaving without you..." I won't be using that one again.

I had debated posting about all this but hope that maybe it will help one of you from having to go through this or something worse.