Thankful Thursday on Wednesday...

This morning I am thankful for the countless hours of car seat and mini-van research I have done over the years. We've always purchased those with the highest safety ratings at the time and last night they proved their worthiness.

A woman decided to run the red light of a busy intersection and sailed into an unsuspecting Momma and her three babies. I had just started moving when my arrow turned green so I was not going very fast. I stood on the brakes when I saw her coming but there was no stopping for her. The damage is minimal and mostly cosmetic. Her van took the biggest hit thanks to our super duper reinforced Toyota Sienna bumper. Had I hit the gas two seconds earlier she would have t-boned us on the drivers side. It is so true when people say "it happened so fast I didn't see it coming". We are all OK. Wild Man and I were pretty shaken up at the time but the girls were blissfully unaware of exactly what was going on. I'm a little sore this morning but more than anything I am thankful.

Thankful we are all safe. Thankful for my delay in pressing the gas pedal because I was turning up the Christmas music. Thankful we spent extra money on car seats and a super safe mini-van when we could have spent it on other things. Thankful for all of the people behind the lights and sirens who come to your rescue when you need them. Thankful for a husband who is always brave (even when I'm not). Thankful I woke up this morning to a relatively typical day as a wife and Mommy of three.

Today could have been much different and for that "what if" I am grateful. You know...your entire world can change in an instant because of the carelessness of someone else. With the exception of a few small inconveniences (van repairs and researching new car seats), our world has not changed. Could there be a better Christmas gift than that? I think not. Thank you Lord for protecting our family.