The Car Rides

So this morning I walked out of the bathroom with my hair back in a short, stubby ponytail.
Guess who decided her headband hair-do wasn't going to cut it for today?
Guess who spent 10 minutes trying to slick up too short hair into two pigtails?
We were already running late.
(But she sure did look extra cute!)

Then we started down the one road that we drive to school.

Light
after
light
after
light.

And we were even later.

I started worrying about having her tardy for school.

And then the car in me suddenly decided they didn't want to run the yellow light...
And then slammed on their breaks.
And I slammed on my breaks.
And I rear-ended them.
First time I have ever had that happen.
We were in the middle lane.
There was no way to avoid anything but their back bumper.

The impact wasn't great.
The sound of the tires was yucky.

Miss M's reaction?
"Did we just hit something?"

We were both perfectly fine.
No airbags deployed.

The light was now red.
I got out and approached the car in front of me that I hit.
She was crying.
Big time.
Panic.
She was fine.
Just startled.
We were fine.
Both cars looked fine.

The light turned green.
We pulled off into the strip mall.
We talked.
We took pictures of all the paperwork, cards, etc and exchanged info.
We decided to not call the police.
(No damage and she couldn't find her insurance card.)
We hugged.
She hugged me some more.
It was her first accident ever.
She was young and new in town.
She was afraid I was going to come out cussing and nasty.
I was just glad we were all safe.

At one point, Miss M rolls down the window and says,
"Are you guys going to be friends now?"
"Can she come over for dinner?"

(We have to seriously work on her unhealthy,
too-quick-to-attach-to-anyone-who-smiles-her-way attachment issues.)

Miss M was tardy.

I'm sure the whole school knows about the incident.
My pride will survive.

On the way home, I was looking forward to no car drama.

Unfortunately, an eight-year-old in my life had a meltdown.

Tears
Sobbing
Humphing
Groaning
All the way home.
(I refused to turn around and go back for an art project she left at after school care.)

We got home.
She sat on the couch.
I warmed up her dinner.

I hear from the living room,
"Mommy, am I grounded?"

"Well, at my house I call it restricted.
No TV or electronics tonight."

"Okay."

And that was that.

It's been a quiet Friday night here with the M&M's.

Praise Reports:
*Thankful for God's protection this morning.  No injuries, no car damage.
*Thankful the arrangements for Miss M's visit with her mom and siblings was finalized today and happening tomorrow.

Prayer Requests:
-That I have patience as Miss M and I continue to adjust and learn to live with each other and set expectations, rewards, and consequences.