(My husband, Jonny, is writing here today.)
Last Friday evening, while Ginny had the big boys at piano lessons, I was left at home in charge of the littles. The girls were occupied somewhere with something, and Ninny Man was with me while I cooked a delectable dinner of Red Lentil Coconut Soup and Roasted Cauliflower. (He’s ever so helpful…always wanting to stir or throw something into the pot). Once I had everything under control I decided to review the math test Gabe had taken earlier that morning. Ninny headed out the back door to the mud pie kitchen. I was keeping one eye on him and the other on the test. When the test became complicated and I had to perform three digit addition, I was momentarily side tracked with the mental mathematical manipulation and lost sight of the little guy. I quickly and ever so efficiently threw down the test and raced out the back door to locate the quick footed Ninny Man.
“YAAAAA YAAAAA!”, I called…wait for a response….none…try again…”YAAAAA YAAAAAAAAAA!…again nothing. (I’ll quickly explain…normally, when I call “YA YA”…rhymes with “Ha Ha”…Ninny Pants will respond with a “YA YA” and I can locate him easily among the trash outside.)
At this point I started to panic a little, although I had only looked down for a total of 5 or 6 seconds before he disappeared, and I knew he really couldn’t have physically made it with his funny toddler run around the house, out the gate, down the driveway and to the road.
Let me detour here again to explain the basis for my panic. Last summer, when we were all outside gardening, Ginny asked for some compost. So, I had the boys watch Silas for a bit so I could take a couple of loads of compost to the garden where she was working. They put him in the wagon and proceeded to take him for rides around the yard. After dumping the first or second load, I noticed the boys having a good time playing with the wagon, but with no Ninny Man around.
“Boys…where is Silas?”
“He’s with Lark.”
“LARRRK! Is Silas with you?”
“Nooo.”
Panic…the boys have neglected to keep an eye on Ninny Man…the gate is open…no Silas in sight…I hear a vehicle approaching. I take off for the road and run out a little into the lane in which a monster truck is driving…I look to the right and to the left but don’t see Silas (there is a hill just before our driveway, it’s a blind spot, cars cannot see over the hill). Because I am in the road, the jacked up monster F-350 with the giant mud bogging tires swerves to the other lane and drives on by. At this point I look back to my right and what do I see? A toddler standing about 3 feet in the road, just on the back side of the hill. Basically, had I not run into the road when I did, the truck wouldn’t have changed lanes and …anyway, awful awful thought…I couldn’t shake it for weeks…still can’t…I am always making sure the fence is closed and I have since installed a more secure latch.
Back to the current story…Silas couldn’t have made it to the road, but I still panicked a little and ran to the front to verify the gate was closed and that he wasn’t headed that way. All was well in the front yard and no sign of Ninny Man. So I went to the back and tried again.
“YAAAA YAAAA!”
Wait a second, was that a muffled sound?
“YAAAA YAAAA!”…Yes! That was a muffled “Ya Ya”…in the direction of the chicken coop.
I headed to the coop…looked in the run but didn’t see him. Then, I noticed the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life. Cuter than a baby lop eared bunny…cuter than a baby lop eared bunny playing with a fuzzy little kitty (and that’s darn cute!)
Ninny Man was crawling out of the little door to the chicken house with an egg in each hand. He also had one sitting just inside the door that he had collected and was planning to go back for. All I could see were his fat little hands holding the eggs and his cute as a button face. He looked at me, said “Abujewaya,” and smiled. I picked him up, made sure he wasn’t covered in chicken poo, and gave him a little kiss on his pudgy cheek.
“Abujewaya,” I replied.
Wish you could have been there…Ninny Man collecting eggs on his own…so adorable.
p.s. (Hi! It’s Ginny here.) When Jonny told me he wanted to share a cute story here, I had no idea he was going to include what happened last summer. As I read his words, I reacted immediately by telling him, “We can’t talk about that.” But he and I decided that we would. The memory of that day has been a difficult thing for Jonny to carry and I try not to think about it myself. I think that maybe he needed to write it down.
p.p.s. I took these photos of Silas yesterday, I wanted pictures of the hat I knit him over the weekend. The only way he would wear it, was if I let him go visit the chickens. These days, that’s where he wants to be. Unfortunately, Silas gathering eggs means broken eggs. We’re working on that. I knit his hat using leftover yarn that I dyed last year to knit him a whale for his birthday. The day he received his whale, he headed straight for the chicken coop with that too. He knows what he wants. In the photos above Silas is playing a little peek a boo and a little “How big is Silas?” “So big!!!” We love him so much.
everything betsy said. oh and i loved this post by both of you.
Amzingly cute pictures of Silas and his chickens today Ginny. Tell Jonny that I think most of us parents have been in his spot before. A terrifying thing to be sure but it does teach a valuable lesson. Those littles can get away and into trouble in the blink of an eye. God was surely watching over your little family in that moment and many more since then that even you aren’t aware of. Thanks again for the glimpse into your life. By the way, love all the knitwear on your little guy.
Blessings,
Betsy
A few years ago I watched in horror as my then 4 year old ran towards a street crossing when a large truck was turning towards him. As it was too quick for me to reach him, I screamed his name. At the same time a man who witnessed this happening screamed too. In the second it took my son to turn, I reached him and he was not run over. It was the single most terrifying moment of my life. I can fully understand the fear you felt and the thought of what could have happened.
Praise God for his hand of protection on our lives and our children.
This is my first comment as I only found your blog a few weeks ago. This story took my breath away. I think every parent has had a moment like this (if they haven’t they are one, very blessed person) and I think it is fantastic that you both had the strength to write it and share it here. I love when we parents can be open and honest and receive love and support rather than judgment. 🙂
I want to say I love Silas’s hat, but I really love all of the knits he’s wearing. Too cute! We truly all have a story like Jonny’s. And it seems like the more children you have, the more stories there are. My youngest wandered into the neighbors house, while she was out working in the yard, when an older sibling was “watching” him. I was convinced he’d been kidnapped and those 15 minutes were the longest of my life! And as for the primary story, well, I love a sweet toddler story but a toddler plus chickens…priceless!
Many of probably have a similar circumstance where we have felt God’s protection. When our two oldest boys were young, our family was staying at a hostel on the Pacific coast. We were out walking, and the boys were running ahead of us. We called to them to stop, and it I am so thankful they obeyed. Just a few feet ahead up a hill and they would have plunged into the ocean. I was always amazed thereafter that there were no fences or warning signs.
Oh my what a heart stopping moment. When your children wander it is amazing how far they can go so quickly. I love the photo of Silas in the hen house.
Indeed – your story reminded me of when my then 2 year old sleep walked out of the house in the middle of a winter’s night. i just heard the slightest noise that woke me up, and I found him at the end of our long drive in the pitch dark and below freezing temps. God woke me that night. The door is always locked at bedtime now.
The photos are just beautiful xx
The first thing I thought when I saw the pictures was : Wow, his face is just like Bea’s. Especially in the so big photos.
The Red Lentil Coconut soup with roasted cauliflower sounds very good. Any chance that you’d share the recipe?
Oh my… What an amazing story (and beautiful photos of your sweet sweet boy to go with it). Well done Jonny on making it out to the road that day! I really enjoyed reading your story – especially with it’s happy ending. 🙂 xx
Those moments are so hard to stop reliving; I hope writing it down was helpful.
The photos are precious!
Precisely said, Wendy. I had a moment exactly like that, and it still knocks the breathe out of me whenever I think of it.
Ninny Man is such an endearing nickname! Is there a story?
That story made my heart skip a beat and hold my hand to my mouth. Praise the Lord for good things.
The color of that sweater is amazing by the way.
we’ve all got those scary stories…..i got up early one morning (around 5 am—why?? God only knows) to find the carport door open; when I looked outside, my 2 year old was down by the street, as he said—waving to the trucks. That was 38 years ago (he’ll be 40 in a couple weeks) and I still get a bit freaked out when I think about that morning.
I remember that whale — I l-o-v-e that whale (but I love Silas in that hat even more 😉 That wool is soooo lovely, makes me smile every time I see it!
Thank you for sharing your gorgeous photos. This sweater is precious, as are the moments you’ve captured.
Thanks for sharing, that’s a good story.
Funny how posting will do this to you, you start on a story and you end up with another one, one that was lurking just below the surface, one that you are not sure you should share but it made its way there for a reason.
We all need stories that end well, we really need to be reminded to be grateful, to count our blessings, so thank you for this story, it reminded me of the good things that have happened to us over the years instead of letting me wallow in current misery (can relate to your crying sessions, Jenny, the snow and the grey sky is definitely wearing us down lately..)
I always say that my third child has 2 guardian angels, one on each shoulder, because one wouldn’t be able to cope on his own !
Found your wonderful blog via The Pioneer Woman. We keep a seaside bucket – the sort you make sandcastles with, lined generously with cotton wool for toddler visitors to collect eggs in. It pretty much eliminates totally bashed eggs, and the odd cracked one I break into a tub and freeze for a low egg day. (Not good for fancy baking but make adequate omlettes/scrambled egg/fairy cakes.) I’m in the U.K so hope I make sense!
Yes with active children – and praise God for their active life – we all need busy guardian angles watching over our small and not so small children. Our first major investment in the new house was a solid fence, but untill that was in place, I also lived through some scary moments with a run away whenever he could-toddler.
And him crawling through that little door to “gather” (crack) eggs, I had one (of six) doing the very same, there’s magic in the children/chicken combo.
Sweet little babe!! Mine is around the same age, and the chicken coop is the first place she runs to when we got outside – kids and chickens – it really is adorable 🙂
Would you mind sharing some info about his sweater? Such a beautiful pattern and color.
-jaime
Here’s a link to the details on the sweater! http://ravel.me/GinnySheller/kxm23
Great post as always love your blog. silas is precious!
Give that sweet little cutie a big ole smooch from his Aunt Angie. He is so stinkin adorable. I love his clothes and hat. Ginny you are so talented. Johnny we all have those moments. He is fine. I was outside one time with the kids, I was putting feed in one of the animals bowls, when peytons voice disappeared. I searched and searched for a long time scared to death. She went inside to the potty and didnt tell anyone. Everyone has those moments.
Jonny and Ginny,
These pictures of your little pumpkin pie Silas are SO CUTE! I love the image (in my mind) of him gathering the eggs in his little hands, so sweet.
It’s crazy how quickly our little ones can get out of sight! I sure have thanked my Guardian Angel many times throughout my life, I think you had an Angel watching over your family that day.
Love,
Taryn
I’m glad your husband shared his story and I truly believe God watches out for the littles ones! I lost my son at about the same age in a 150 acre brush filled pasture and I understand the panic your husband felt. I calmed myself and scanned the pasture and that is when I noticed my horse standing in the brush but not looking at me but down…I walked towards her and she was standing over my son watching him, whew!! The little ones sure keep us on our toes!!
Oh Ginny, I think we have all had those lets not think about what could have happened moments with our kids. Tell jonny that Silas’ angels were looking out for him that day. I know my kids keep them busy as well. I have my three yr old daughter in particular that disappears in an instant.
cute, cute (and scary) story! love how Silas’ sweater buttons were not lined up on daddy’s watch.
those moments they stay with you, and are an inevitable part of the parenting journey, a wonderful story thank you for sharing. We have a hill very much like that on our country road and it worries me often. What a precious boy. I love the hat too Ginny, I need to make one for my daughter while I still can!
whoa, scary story. heart-stopping, really. i love it especially in juxtaposition to the beauty of the story that is your babe’s grand adventurous style. i could have stopped at the pictures which told, beautifully, a sense of pride in solo discovery.
Hasn’t happened to me… yet. But I never say never! Thanks for sharing your story, Jonny, and reminding us that this happens to the most careful of parents! I am thankful no damage was done that day– and chuckled at the egg gathering of his most recent adventure. What a beautiful family you all have.
Oh, yes, I think you are wise to share this story. It may be just the thing that will keep another precious one safe, and prevent having to share a not-happy ending.
I am a new visitor to your site, and have really enjoyed being with you and your family during the last week or so.
Johnny,
I have an adorable, easy going, extremely sneaky, non verbal to strangers autistic 11 yr old that last summer we swore was upstairs as he headed up the road and travelled nearly a km before the neighbours saw him. Stuff happens. Doesn’t make you a poor parent just a good one that still worries about that day.
Such an adorable story! And yikes on the close call. I think we’ve all had various close calls with our littles.
Becca
Oh, sweet boy. What I great post by Jonny! I can’t really imagine my husband guest blogging for me—but I’ve never asked him, either!
The pics are so precious ! You have a beautiful family and I so glad to have found your blog.
I think we all have a few of those stories that make us ever so thankful for Guardian Angels. I really enjoyed Jonny posting on your blog today, I hope he shares again!
I like for him to post. He’s written a couple of other times: Once about our first experience installing package bees https://gsheller.com/2012/04/hello-bees-jonnys-going-to-tell-you-a-story.html
and once about knitting! https://gsheller.com/2012/08/yarn-along-special-guest-post.html
So sweet!
And can I ask, what pattern did you use for his little pants?
Hi Kelly! I didn’t make those pants, although I did dye them brown. We have a couple pairs of these: http://www.littlespruceorganics.com/disana-organic-merino-wool-knitted-leggings/ They run big, and usually last through two years–rolling the legs up a bit the first. I love them. They aren’t sold as diaper covers, but I lanolize them lightly and Silas wears them alone over a cloth diaper and they don’t leak.
I have a story like that too… My little one was only 2 and I went upstairs to get something and when I come back down the front door is open and my little boy was on the other side of the road toddling along. Thank god it’s a quiet cul-de-sac but it gave me the shakes for weeks and it still does. I never even told my husband…
wow. that is a scary story. those sorts of things hang on for a very long time. i am pretty sure every family has a story like that. THANKFULLY your wee guy was doing farm chores. 🙂 and that is just too cute for words.
All moms of many have at least one story like that. They are so hard to shake. Our 3 year old, who was 2 last Summer, spent the whole Summer giving us heart attacks. He tried to escape constantly. I can still see him across the street playing in the flower pots on the neighbors deck. My hubby and I almost fainted at the thought of him crossing the street. He has a legion of guardian angels, that boy.
As a mother of five children, I have had my share of scares like the one Jonny describes. My fourth child has given more gray hairs than the others but none the less, it happens to all of us. I know that when these things happen to me, it reminds me to be thankful for each day with them, even the hard days.
Love the pilot cap. I have made many of them and I adore that pattern. Sadly, my soon to be three year old won’t keep it on his head.
Again, Ginny and Jonny, thank you for your honesty! Thanks, Ginny, for letting your husband tell that story as it could very well save someone. I’ll never forget the story I read on a blog some years back about a young boy falling into a sand hole at the beach — we go to the beach a lot during the summer so if any of my kids just disappeared, I’d at least have an idea where to look besides down the beach! I think, as parents, we’ve all had a scare or two; I’ve definitely had mine. Glad everyone is safe!
oopss. my message disappeared.
Thanks for sharing and may God continue to watch over your adorable children.
Thanks for uplifting my day with the adorable egg story.
Guys,
This happens to parents ALL. THE. TIME.
My youngest sister, Michelle (now a 33 year old woman), did this to my parent not once, but twice and I believe she was around Silas’ age both times.
The first time she disappeared was just after the Adam Walsh abduction, while my parents were shopping at a Sears in a local mall. You can imagine how frantic they were. We looked all over the mall and finally, someone stopped my mom and asked her if she was looking for a little girl. Apparently, my sister had the foresight to return to the cashier station that my parents were at and they were making an announcement over the PA system that she was found. I think my parents aged about 10 years that time.
The next time, Michelle decided that she was bored playing in the house and crossed a busy street by herself. We’re not entirely sure how she got across the busy street we grew up on, but there she was with her pacifier and her security blanket. The honking of car horns is what alerted my mom to where she was that time.
All this to say that, it happens.
I think anyone who has been a parent for any length of time has at least one of these stories. We’ve had our share. It’s moments like that when I realize that despite my best efforts, I really am not in control, and ultimately I have to entrust my children to perfectly-loving, always-watching Heavenly Father.
Thanks for sharing. May God continue to watch over your adorable children. It is amazing that no matter how much we watch over our children they have the ability to explore on their own.
Thanks for the cute egg story. Thanks for brightening my day. Love it!!! Janie
Scary story. I have a similar one that, like you said, is hard to shake, only my girl was 7 at the time. She ran out with her friend from behind some cedars and the car stopped just in time. Thank goodness it was a middle aged woman driving and not a distracted teen. Oh gosh.
Do you have a lot of neighbors or do you live in the country? I know you have a few acres but I never see other houses in your pictures.
When my youngest brother was about 18 months old, we were at my grandmother’s. She lives in rural southwestern upstate NY but right off a two lane highway. We were preparing for my aunt’s baby shower and my mother was on the front porch painting favors. She heard the screech of brakes and kept painting. She grew up here, she suspected maybe a cow had wandered into the road or a deer. Suddenly she heard a man yell, “There’s a baby in the road!” My mom looked up in horror to discover my brother going across the busy highway over to the “crick” on the other side. These things happen, and thankfully, Ben’s guardian angel was putting in his time that day (my mother always accused Ben of wearing out his guardian angel). I have no idea who was supposed to be watching my brother (my money is on my Dad, but with so many adults around anyone could have volunteered to watch him) but that memory has served me well all these years later. Twice I’ve had a child walk out my front door (once it was Joey and a kind neighbor stopped him and brought him back, the other time it was Shelby, who you know cannot speak, thankfully she was going to a neighbor’s house she knew and another neighbor intercepted and returned her) and we have a latch on it now in addition to the dead bolt and door lock, but these things are terrifying and I think by sharing our close calls, we may help prevent another family from tragedy. Little Silas’ patron Blessed John Paul is definitely looking out for him!
So adorable! Silas is getting so big!! We’ve had a moment like that, too, so I empathize. I had taken my eyes off the two year old for a moment with instructions to my older son to keep an eye on him. Next I look he had followed his older brother into the road to get the mail from the mailman. Our wonderful mailman had gotten out of his truck and was stopping traffic for the two year old standing in the middle of the street. I still feel the adrenaline if I think about it. And the guilt.
Oh that child is so cue.
Yes, our children do and will continue to do things that can stop our hearts. I have learned to just thank Jesus for his protection of my children and family..
Thank you for sharing this, Jonny. I think we all need a reminder of how amazingly beautiful our wee ones are and just how quickly they can move.