Hard Candy

What a day. O.M.G.
I am flippin tired. I woke up super early...Mari had to be at school at 9, Carmen had a check up at 9:15...but before all that, I had to see Marcus to work and the boys to school. Marcus didn't pack until this morning...for a 5 day trip. Yeah, can you say, wait until the LAST minute? I love him. But, I'm happy to say that all when smoothly. Until...later.
Carmen got 3 shots today. I hate immunizations. They hurt. I know the alternative is worse...I mean who wants their kid to get Rubella, or the Mumps, or Measles? But shots hurt. I hate when my babies cry. Stinks. I know there are tons of people who chose not to immunize...well I'm not one of those. I'll hold them down. I'm evil. Heehee. She did fine...even though she almost kicked Dr. Mercer in the face when he tried to look in her throat with the tongue depressor thingy.
I picked Mari up from MDO and her teacher says "Mari didn't want to clean up today, but other than that she did great." I wanted to answer "uh, yeah, she doesn't clean up at home either-that's what I DO." But I just apologized and went on my way. We picked up David and then...this where it gets interesting...pay attention. :) I had to go to the ATM for some cash. I drive up and I'm just about to roll down my window when Mari makes this horrible gasping sound and I hear "I'm choking!"....but it's barely a whisper. So I know she isn't kidding. I slam on my brakes, and run around the other side of my Expedition. Doors are locked. CRAP. David is sitting in the front seat looking at me like "Uh, Mom, what are you doing?" He finally understands my erratic hand movements and unlocks the door. Meanwhile, Mari is grabbing her throat, trying to cry and her eyes are the size of quarters. I feel completely calm for some weird reason, but I feel like I just ran five miles. Adrenaline. I fling open Mari's door and in one movement I unbuckle her pull her out of the car...carseat and all. I felt like I was handling another child...like a patient at the hospital, or a kid in the nursery at church...I definately didn't feel like I was dealing with my own child. I just always thought that in a situation like this I would freak out. But I didn't, that's why it felt like it was another kid. Anyway, my first reaction was to smack her back in between her shoulder blades. So I give her 2 big thrusts. Like HUGE blows. Nothing, she's still obviously choking. I look around quickly "Lord, help me...what do I do? Help me." I see bank customers watching me, approaching. I flip her over, and I wrap my arms around her and right as I squeeze her little body she lets out a scream.....sobbing she says "Mami I swallowed it." OMG. Relief. Confusion. Exhaustion. All at once. I hugged her and she started crying. I wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn't come. I think I needed to hold it together for her. I'm glad I did. Two ladies had come over to see if everything was okay...one had her phone ready, she had already punching in 9-1-1 on her phone..."Mama, I just had to push send!" I looked around and saw two police officers sitting in their cruisers just watching. Ugh. I'll save that for another blog. ;)
I called Marcus and told him what had happened. He said "wow, the kids keep you on your toes, huh?" "Uh, no....they keep me close to God," was my reply. I picked up Daniel then I let the kids run crazy at McDonald's for an hour and a half.
I feel relieved that all turned out okay. I'm glad she didn't choke. I'm glad I didn't lose my marbles. I might cry later. I may not. I just know that God was with me. Later on I got an email from Marcus thanking me for being a good mom and taking care of him and the kids. I know he wanted to encourage me...he's gone in Louisiana for a week. But truth is, even through all of that...I felt okay. I knew that ultimately God was in control.
And I'm so glad I took that boring CPR class all those years ago....God was preparing me for such a time as this.