June 4th - Fire Alarm

June 4th, 2010
So last night was very eventful! At about midnight, the hotel’s fire alarm went off. Holy sh&*! It scared me. I was very disoriented when I woke…wasn’t sure whether or not I was dreaming. I opened the door and fortunately didn’t smell smoke….but there was a PA announcement saying “Exit Immediately.” I needed this like a needed a hole in my head! I was shaking, trying to decide if this was really necessary. I know that sounds absurd…but I really didn’t know if I could handle four kids out in the parking lot with a hotel full of people. And the alarm was sooo loud…Barrett would certainly freak. Ironically, all four of the kids were sleeping through the noise.

But, what if there really was a fire? I grabbed my purse, phone & car keys. I told everyone to get up. Hunter and Audrey were very confused and I told them to pretend they were at school. I picked Cammy up out of the crib and yelled a little to get Bear up. He wasn’t moving. I had to shake him and I told him it was a fire drill. Would you believe he got right up and put his shoes on?

So off we went…down 7 flights of stairs. When we got to the parking lot there was no explanation and definitely no one in charge. I was so shocked that the three walking children were holding hands and following me that I just kept on moving to our car. I got them all in the car, when they asked what was going on. Poor babies looked confused and I couldn’t answer them. I locked the car and went over to the crowd, but no one knew anything. I called Rich…not that he could do anything, but who else could I call at midnight? Then three fire trucks showed up, so I went back to the car. I looked at the four kids and I just started chuckling. I mean seriously, I could not believe what was happening. But at least I had my kids and we were safe. I was also pretty damn happy that I had my phone, money, credit cards & ID. When do I have it that together?

They let us back in after an hour. Miraculously, the kids all went back to bed without any arguments. I, unfortunately, tossed and turned for about an hour.
Morning brought us daddy and we were all excited to see him. While he worked, I took the kids to meet Stephanie, a former speech therapist of the boys.
After lunch, we took all the kids to our old house, in Ellicott City. It was really weird…I felt nothing, truly nothing. It was like I was looking at any house, in any neighborhood, in any town. I think I was really broken when we lived there. Yet, there were some good times. It was the home where we brought Audrey after she was born…and the home where Hunter learned to speak. Those were two very bright lights in an otherwise very dark period.

We also went to Rich’s home, where he grew up & his school for grades K-8. He has such wonderful memories of his childhood in Maryland and it was really cool to share them with the kids. After our trips down memory lane…we headed to D.C.

I’ve caught Cammy's cold and I’m kinda miserable. Tired, congested, and coughing. I pray it passes fast…as it did for Cammy. Of course this doesn't bode well for the health of Bear, Hunt & Aud in the coming week.

We’re staying in Bethesda, at a full service Marriott. Its really nice – thanks Barb! I took the kids to the pool and then we ordered room service when we got back to the rooms. Rich met up with an old friend form UF and the kids and I headed to bed early!!!

Quote of the day: Some lady in the bathroom stall next to mine, “Oh hello. Who might you be?” – to Cammy, after he crawled under her door into her stall while she was using the toilet!
Silly Band Award: Audrey- barely!
Traveled: Ellicott City – DC 31 miles/45min
Lodging: Bethesda Marriott