On Monday I went through the dungeonous atmosphere of the storage space to retrieve my Christmas boxes. It was a dirty job and one gladly done just once a year. I pulled out five boxes full of shiny things, mostly ornaments I've stolen from my mother's treasure chest of Christmas loot. She never knew (until right now).
The Chief was aiming to help. Aiming being inoperable because eighteen month olds don't help--they hurt, mostly. After combing through some boxes I assigned him the tricky task of taking out all the balls in the ornaments bin to test for durability. This involved tossing them over the railing and down the stairs to check if they would bounce or break upon contact with the kitchen floor. As you can imagine, he was just the man for the job. Brilliant at it really.
You should've seen my kitchen floor.
In my course of Christmas box discovery, I found four wreaths I crafted some years ago. Made out of ribbon and fake pearls, the objects are pricelessly pathetic. And something about their misshapen attempt to be jolly made me want to put them to use. The never-used guest room! I thought, on the top floor! A perfect place for pearl wreaths nobody will see. The best kind of inspiration is Christmas inspiration.
The guest room is a funny place. It is actually the master bedroom, laid with baby blue carpet from the decade I was born (I am guessing). I decided against my shacking up in there only because I wanted the room with a door to the backyard. And for the turquoise carpet. Turquoise over baby blue, if you ask me. And I know you will.
I decided on perching the wreaths on the great big windows in the guest room. Only, in doing so I had to unlock each window. When the wreaths were in place I thought about locking the window again, but had to answer the demands of that eighteen month old crash ornament test dummy. Cute dummy. Really cute dummy.
Later that afternoon, when The Chief had awoken from his nap pink cheeked and starry eyed he wandered into the guest room to view the wreaths. Somehow (this part is still under investigation) he slammed the door shut and locked himself inside the baby blue room. I heard the smack of the door and then my baby crying from within. I assured him I'd get him out as soon as possible. Shouldn't be too difficult, just a little finagling of the lock. But in trying everything plus a prayer, I couldn't get the door to budge. I used all sorts of tools and undid pens and safety pins and paper clips but I couldn't get the door lock to turn.
Then he started wailing and I sorta started to panic.
So I called Chup, who was in Minnesota. What is Chup going to do in Minnesota? So then I called my clever nephew Clark who said he'd be right down. I love having nephews with licenses and vehicles, just makes my life so much easier.
In that time, my nieces Claire and Jane showed up with their friend Katy to see what treats were on tap in my kitchen. They helped me talk to The Chief through the door, though he couldn't hear what we were saying because at this point he was hysterical.
Then Clark showed up, and he couldn't get the lock to unlock either.
The girls mentioned that they would "go ask the cop" who was doing "cross walk duty" across the street. And I thought about it for a moment and imaged a whole squad of Provo Police with a large log ramming the door open with a running start. Something inside of me knew we could handle this in house.
I went outside and got a ladder.
And I hoisted it up to the window in the guest room where The Chief was melting away in confusion.The windows were our only entry, the door was not going to open. If we could find away to unlock the windows . . . I thought while looking up at the ladder and the windows.
I had unlocked the windows. I had unlocked the windows! Just that morning!
So Clark climbed up the ladder, took off the screen, slid open the window and launched himself onto the bed.
The Chief was saved!
A simple desire to put up crappy craft decor in the guest room had changed the course of the afternoon. The inspiration no doubt came from a higher source making me believe--once again--in all sorts of angelic sources inspiring our smallest movements.
When The Chief was freed from his room, the girls gave him candy and made him feel like a brave detainee. Clark said after his break in, he found The Chief inside the suitcase we'd just emptied from our trip to NYC. Curled up and crying.
If that doesn't get your throat all lumpy . . .
70 Pieces of Opinion:
Awwwwwwwwwwwwww.....
Well why'd you lock him inbthete in the first place?
Truly a tender mercy.
That kid was trying his hand at Houdiniism. Don't think Magician is in his future. What a productive day!
How sweet!...
sandy toe
Several years back my 2 year old son did something very similar...I went to take the trash out, told him I would be right back, and upon return he had locked me out! A bit of panic and 45 minutes later, my husband "kicked"in the kitchen door to rescue him :)
What a sweet little story. Poor little guy! We just moved from UT to TN--this post made me miss all my family I used to have around the corner!
Awwww God is here, God is here...
I love ya Ceej, I love this post. My only complaint is that when you talk about pirates booty I have to eat some. So now here I sit, eating some. Oh well, sould be worse.
Two of our kids once locked themselves in their bedroom when a sitter was over. We came home to find her melted into a puddle of tears on the floor and her dad there with his tools taking off the doorknob. From then on we kept the doorknob on the wrong way, with the lock on the outside of the room. Very convenient for locking naughty children in their rooms! I'm not sure the sitter ever recovered!
Wait, Clark? You mean as in "Kent?"
Holy Hannah, girl, he could have just flown up to the window or torn the door off of the hinges. Well, perhaps not if he were really trying to keep his superpowers a secret...
...I could have done it.
I got really nervous about the unlocked windows and him locked inside the room! Whew!
When my sister was little she used to try out every bathroom that she encountered. One time she went to the bathroom at the Dentist's office and got locked in. It took and hour and the dentist had to take the door off the hinges but we got her out! LOL
omg, that makes me cry but I'm loving Clark!!
Oh the poor, sweet little guy. He was probably so scared and needed to be in a comforting place - cute that he found that in a suitcase. Adorable.
I had to giigle that is such a "typical" mommy moment....in all parts, the locked door YIKES and the angelic saving grace moment of realizing someone is ALWAYS watching over you.....zoom forward 14 years.....license and curfew....rememeber someone is ALWAYS watching over you! You are such a GOOD mom!
I once locked myself in one of those wierd under the stairs closets on an early Saturday a.m. while everyone else slept...I also took refuge in a big suitcase and fell asleep there. Unfortunately for me I zipped myself up inside...I could go on but you get the idea! lol
so nice to have a happy ending...the chief is safe! yay!
Woot Woot! Way to go Clark=)
I love how much your extended family is a part of your life. Nieces and nephews dropping in... sounds like a dream come true to me!
Oh my goodness, curled up in a suitcase crying...you're killing me. So glad that window didn't get locked again and the little man is free to wreak havoc in your home once again :)
What a blessing that you unlocked the window! You would have had to break down the door otherwise, I think.
In July, I stopped by my husband's work, trying to be romantic, to leave a love note in his car. I unlocked his car while mine was running with my 15-month-old in it and realized I didn't have a pen so I got out and the door swung shut behind me. And since the car was still running (with the AC) the door locked.
My phone was on the front seat, I couldn't leave my daughter there and I stood near tears because it was a time of day when nobody was in the parking lot.
Luckily right then a security guard drove around the corner and called my husband who had a spare key.
Sometimes we're just really watched over.
And my kid thought Mommy pounding on the windows was really funny. I'd hoped that she'd be able to liberate herself and hand me the keys through a window she'd suddenly learn to unroll.
Because my kid's brilliant. Unlike her mother.
Tender mercies indeed! I am convinced of that. We often don't understand why we do the things we do but there is someone in charge who does!
I love that Clark came to your rescue and I stand all amazed at his head of hair!
Now get rid of the lock on that door!!!
awww....God is good....and knows exactly what he is doing.
Poor guy. And poor you!
My two year old did this yesterday. I had to call my husband to ask him how to unlock the door. He told me to take a wire coat hanger and stick it in the hole in the door knob. I'm glad it was so easy, or I would have had a hysterical baby myself! Glad The Chief is ok!
ah, tender mercies!
i once had to kick a door down. i'd managed to lock myself in my 3 year old's bedroom--with the 3 year old. hubby was out-of-town. no neighbors to hear me out the window. thankfully, i live in a new house with cheap-o hollow core doors. kicked that puppy down and we were free. an added bonus? my son still remembers his bad-ass mom's sheer awesomeness (yes, just watched kung fu panda). glad you got him out without any physical damage (maybe a little mama emotional damage, tho?).
BTW, love clark's 'fro. few can pull that look off and he does it well!
Those moments can be terrifying... but if it ever happens again, just get a screwdriver and take the door knob off ;0)
The image of him curled up in the suitcase is pretty heartbreaking. This story reminds me of a family vacation many years ago when we stayed in some condos at Park City to see the hot air balloon festival. I called my mom outside to look at the balloons and the door shut behind her locking my 18 month old brother in by himself. I remember how freaked out my mom was running around the complex barefoot trying to find someone to let us in, so I understand how worried you must have been.
Oh that is a good story, happy ending. Really sad image of the chief though!
Curled up in a suitcase? Your heart must have burst.
When my daughter was 4 months old, we were leaving church, and my husband had started the car while I was buckling her in her carseat, but then he realized that he forgot to pay tithing. So he went back into the building while I finished buckling the carseat. I shut the door, and went to the passenger side, only to find all of the doors had locked, and the keys were in the ignition.
It was August in southern California, probably around 100 degrees, and luckily my husband had turned on the car. The A/C was on but not very high.
Several people stopped by to help and call AAA. and I was a wreck. She started to scream, and I could tell she was getting hot. Some of the men tried to pry the door open, but it wouldn't open. Somebody called the police, and they said they'd send someone over. 25 minutes later, a fire engine drove by, and my husband was able to flag them down.
The police showed up just as the fireman pried the door open. I felt like a hysterical mother, and it was even worse when the police took my baby and started checking her to make sure she was alright, and started telling me and my husband the legal consequences of leaving children in the car.
That was awful. but it ended well.
But, I'm so glad my husband had started the car and turned on the A/C. Ah, tender mercies.
It's amazing.. the smallest of things and He knows they are important to us..
Isn't it nice to be living in such a way that you can be blessed this way?
I have been taught this lesson time and time again. No matter how small, if it is important to us, it is important to HIM.
Don't mind me.
I'm just sitting here not entering your giveaway over at your other blog.
You know, because it rejects my comments.
I'm not naming your baby either.
Nope.
Just sitting here.
Softly sweeping my hand against the wall, singing quietly to myself.
Don't feel bad for me.
Unless you want to, of course.
In which case, go ahead.
Poor thing and you are right. Angels are around when we need them the most.
Okay, So Chup is in MN. Does he get to see your cousin? Who happens to be serving in my ward right now??? BTW your cousin is awesome!
awwwwwww......tender mercies, indeed, curled up in a suitcase, crying....awwwwwww.....I agree all that family dropping in and helping out.....love! love! love! hurray!
Yea!!
I was so afraid you were going to say he crawled OUT the window. Oh my. My heart couldn't take it. I'm so happy he's safe and sound.
So glad the day was saved!
My brother did this at my aunt's cabin one year when he was not much older than the Chief.
That memory haunted me so long that I insisted no room in our house be "break-in" proof should a wee one decide to slam a door! Every room in our house has at least two points of entry that I can get to should one fail, OR it must not have a lockable door.
I have total faith though that my daughter will somehow figure out how to lock herself into something... maybe my car... because that's how the universe works.
What a wonderful team of helpers! You were truly sent the best assistants for the job!
Awwwwww.....I love how you tell a story!!!!!
Funny how we all call our hubbies first...especially when they are out of town!
So thankful for nephews!!!!!
Oh my goodness, that is the greatest story. I'm so happy you listened to that voice to put those wreaths up there, even if they are crappy, which I'm sure they are not.
I'm glad everything turned out ok. I would have kicked the door down... So never come to me in that situation. :)
I'm not sure where Chup is in Minnesota, but if he's near Minneapolis, tell him to stop by for dinner!
I'm not sure where Chup is in Minnesota, but if he's near Minneapolis, tell him to stop by for dinner!
I was so afraid he found the unlocked window and was riveted to your story until I knew he was safe! Years ago I was staying up in the very dry mountains in this cool over the garage loft. We hadn't had a phone in there and that night I happened to find a phone shaped like a banana in a box and plugged it in to see if it worked. It did so I left it there. A few hours later in the middle of the night the neighbor came screaming into the driveway because their house was on fire. Thank God for that banana phone- I was able to call asap. This was in the days before cel phones so without that phone who knows. We all had to evacuate because it was so dry in those wood but everyone was safe.
mother of six here. i have countless experiences like this where something small and innocent i did turned out so helpful and essential later on. i'm with you on calling them tender mercies and believing the Lord truly inspires us in even the small things. even when we don't know we're being inspired at the time.
Poor Chief. Cute story. Sweet nephew.
My throat is definitely lumpy. I think I would have kicked the door in, in a total panic, and dealt with the damage later.
I am pretty sure it would have helped to use a little lotion (only a really good safe wholesome coconut oil lotion) inside that lock! ;)
love, did I mention love your blog!
happy your not so Houdini child made it out safe and sound!
My daughter came to meet her newborn brother in the hospital and locked herself in the bathroom she pulled the emergency cord in said bathroom.... you mentioned police squad, imagine nurse/ doctor squad... not cool. at all. p e r i o d .
Poor baby! Poor you! Glad everyone made it through unscathed.
I had to do a double take with that first picture of Clark giving the double thumbs up....without the big hair he looks like my red headed stepchild! Seriously...my kid makes goofy faces like that all the time...the two could be twins!
So glad Chief was rescued!! Hopefully you can find a new home for the wreaths where Chief won't end up in solitary confinement! Merry Christmas!!!
I am glad I am not the only one who has experiences like this. But it did just break my heart to imagine him crying like that.
Awww, Hooray for Clark!! I totally understand you calling your husband. Thats what husbands are for, even when in another state! I called my husband (who was in another state) when a really big tree fell on my car while I was in it. He wasn't much help either. I was OK, the car, not so much.
Hey! Totally off topic--but I was watching Glee tonight and thought of you! Well, not right away---but they sang a song "Smile, though your heart is aching" and I thought hmm...that sounds familiar. I went to Google it and then suddenly remembered where I heard it---HERE!!!! Your lovely rendition with your SILs and Mindy! LOL See--you left an impression...
I know how you feel. My daughter once locked me out of our apartment in Provo. I was standing at the neighbors door right next to our door. We tried to talk to her and explain how to unlock the door but she was too young to do it. Luckily it was spring and I had left the kitchen window open. My neighbor's son climbed through and unlocked the door.
that's a cute story and one for the memory books, and re-telling. the fact that the cousins were involved will ensure it's a tale that won't be forgotten! the chief will "remember it" because the girls will repeat the story enough times that he'll think he actually does!
once, i accidentally locked my daughter, chief's age, in the car. yes, she was strapped into the car seat already so she couldn't get to the door to unlock it. it was the day before we closed on our house, and it was parked in front of our new house. the neighbors were fussing about, and finally we just called the police, who came along with the fire trucks (welcome to the neighborhood jeannie!); it's florida, it was May, and it was getting HOT in that car. one of the neighbors (a vapid woman about my age) was freaking out - i was calm. "weren't you just so scared ??" she kept asking me afterwards. Uh, no. I mean, hello, i had the rescue personnel RIGHT THERE, it wasn't like i was stranded without help and my child would actually die of the heat inside the car (which of course WOULD be a worry if I was isolated when this happened). but i knew they would handle it...and they did. they smashed the side window of the car and unlocked the door, "rescued" lily, who was shrieking by now b/c she was sitting on a poopy diaper the whole time.
she claims she remembers this happening. i think she remembers bits of it...being taken into a (different) neighbor's house and allowed to play with her granddaughter's dollhouse and her cat.
the vapid neighbor i met that day? yep, still vapid. first impressions are usually right.
Love it!
ok, i have three children, word to the wise, get a power drill and learn to use it (and keep the batteries charged)...if you were home alone with the babies and your husband was out of town and you couldn't get ahold of anyone to help, you could drill it out yourself...speaking from experience...say if the chief were older and a bit more mobile and took the opportunity to exploit his unsupervised circumstances...just sayin'
i am so glad the story had a happy ending but it is always the little things that start the chain reaction train wrecking of afternoons!
so do you have to keep your house cleaned up at all times because you will always have company dropping in?
maybe that is a good idea!!! I know I would run the vacuum a little more frequently if I thought my mother could possibly drop by!
and Clark--- you ROCK. you saved a small child!
After I think 4 similar instances in one weeks time, I turned all my door handles with the locks on the opposite side facing the hall. My little crazy can no longer lock himself in. (And consequently make us late picking up my 5 year old from kindergarten.)
Awww! Poor Chief! I've got a 16 month old little boy and I am amazed at your strength not to go hysterical yourself! I'd have called the fire department!
What a cute pie Chief is.
Oh my goodness! What a story. Thank God you decided to use those wreaths. Poor kid...he must've been scared. Glad all went well in the end. Your nephew and nieces are so cute.
-FringeGirl
Can I have Clark?
This post brought me out of lurkdom. I didn't know where you were going to go with tender mercies and christmas decorations. i think our HF is very happy when we recognize those subtle tender mercies and give credit where credit is due. he is watching over us always. thanks once again for the reminder.
I love this. I've just been thinking of the many promptings I've received lately regarding my children. You are so right...the Lord guides us in our small, seemingly meaningless decisions...to protect these little people. :)I'm realizing now, that I need to document them so I can see his hand more clearly in my life.
oh my god i love clark's hair.
That little chief, he is such a cutie. I just wanna eat him.
This story is funny because almost the EXACT SAME THING happened to my little boy a year ago. He locked himself in my room, had to get a ladder, and my upstairs window happened to be unlocked only because our AC was broken during the scorching summer and I had the windows open for some air. I felt like I was reading my story all over again. Except he's done it twice now...the second time we called 911 (no open windows). Let's hope this doesn't happen to you!
--A reader from California
Isn't it amazing how God watches over us when we don't even realize it?
And that feeling in your heart? I have been there too! It is so hard and heart breaking, glad everything in the end turned out okay.
I can remember doing this myself as a child - only it was in my Uncle Clarke's room at my grandparents house... The came in through the window to save me too!
Tell your Clark he's a hero!
That boy with the curly hair is old enough to have a license? I hate to rain on his "I'm a grown up now because I can drive" parade, but he looks so young!!
My son locked himself in a bathroom once: by pulling out a drawer on a cabinet in front of it then pulling out the contents. With all the screws for the knob and door on the insde and no windows. A little more difficult problem.
Long story short, I called 911, a cop came, my husband came, and they used my landscape ruler to push things out of the drawer, used my giant butcher knife to chop into the drawer to push it closed, and freed my crying prisoner. Boys. And what mother would have used a butcher knife?!?
I mean the saws-all just made the door smoke...
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