Of course, I’ve given Nathan the 3rd degree 1o0 times today.

Why didn’t you just stay in the house?
Why didn’t you go look for Emily?
Why would you think we would leave you home alone?

Why didn’t you just stay in the house and wait for the phone to ring – someone ALWAYS calls first thing in the a.m.

Why… Why… Why??? Poor little guy!

And, then I had my own list of whys?

Why didn’t I go back in the house to wake up Emily and have her go lay down in Nathan’s room when I left when the thought crossed my mind more than once?

Why didn’t I move Nathan to her room? That’s what I used to do when Amanda was here.

Why didn’t I call Emily and wake her up when I was 1/2 way to town and was still thinking about how I should have either moved her or Nathan when I left.

Why didn’t I … and the list goes on….

So, now I’m just trying to concentrate on the good things.

God knows all.
Nathan knew to go to a neighbor’s house when he thought he needed help.
Even in a panic, Nathan knew to NOT go anywhere near the road.
He knew he needed to dress warm – he put all of his clothes on by himself including his coat and hat!
He knew how to lock the door (not sure that’s important – lol… but he knows that’s what we do and he did it).
I’m glad it was fairly warm outside.
I’m glad Daylight savings was last weekend so it was lighter earlier this week.
I’m glad to know that Nathan has a “plan” in case there is ever an emergency here. He would know what to do now.

I’m not normally one to panic, but I do have to admit that I was definitely distraught this morning. I’m hoping that this will be the end of me analyzing everything. I tend to do that you know.

You can be certain we now have new systems in place!

First thing… Nathan has now memorized both my cell phone and Tim’s cell phone #’s. Tomorrow we’ll make sure he knows how to unlock the house door.
We’ve started a little picture phone book/abc book for him.

Josh will have to quit basketball and Emily will have to share a room with Nathan (ok.. not really, but those did cross my mind!)