November 29, 2009 10:15 AM
Our day at the Smithsonian cost more than we planned :(
We had a great time at the Smithsonian yesterday. (By the way, for those of you thinking of possible vacation spots, DC is a great place to come as all the national monuments and museums are absolutely free.) Passing my camera around, we shot 149 pictures! I will put together an album later, but right now we are making a good-bye breakfast for Sophia to send her back to Liberty - then on our way to Mass.
The sad news is that when we finally got back to our van - Tripp and Zach had parked a mile and half away after dropping us off - it had been broken into.
Missing that we know of:
- the Zune (MP3 player) I gave Tripp for Christmas last year when he was struggling through his knee ordeal and couldn't do much at all except build a music library
- Tripp's very old and very beloved leather gloves
- Our handicapped parking tag (which we use when we have all the Downzers and not enough adults)
- A bag of turkey and cheese sandwiches :)
I wish they'd taken the ancient computer monitor in the back that we've been trying for weeks to find a way to dispose of . . . .
Losing the Zune is a real blow as we are living on a tight budget. And I don't know if we will need to fix the lock on the back door, which is where the break-in occurred (meaning the person had to slither all the way from the back to the front over the tops of the seats. What were passers-by thinking?)
If you would like to make a donation to this site, now's a great time to do it. Like many informational blogs, I have a Paypal Tip Jar - a little ways under my picture - where you can help support the work I do at this site.
But to tell you the truth, I'd do it for free! And I'm thinking of the person who stole our stuff and hoping it was someone who really needed warmth, music, and sustenance. God bless and keep him, wherever he is!
Comments
I'm so sorry. I know that these were material things but as someone who has been through something similar, it does affect your view of people. It took me a long time to get over someone stealing our personal things. It was at a point in my life where I was starting to feel safe with my place in the world. I think it caused me to stumble in some ways too. I was not as kind of a person for awhile after that. Thankfully God pulled me close and worked on my heart.
Hoping your Christmas is blessed. We serve a awesome God. He knows what you and your family need and even desire.
Ouida Gabriel
Posted by: Ouida Gabriel | November 29, 2009 12:37 PM
Is there a way we can help out with sending a couple of bucks through the mail instead? I don't use paypal but would love to help out.
Posted by: dirtdartwife | November 29, 2009 1:29 PM
Maybe they can track him down if he uses the handicapped placard? So sorry for your setback! It's amazing what thieves will steal.
Posted by: Milehimama | November 29, 2009 1:40 PM
File a police report. At worst, you become an official statistic. At best, it may help highlight crime in that area if your vehicle wasn't the only one targeted over the weekend. It seems that car break-ins have almost become expected/accepted, but they do become worse this time of year. Last November, thieves broke the window on my wife's car in our own driveway.
Tip for your readers: If you shop at a mall or shopping center and have to take packages to your car between store visits, get in your car and drive to another spot before continuing to shop. You never know who is watching.
Always put packages out of view (this can be hard with an SUV or minivan). I knew of a father whose family's Christmas gifts were stolen from his SUV while he and his oldest son ate dinner at a restaurant in the same upscale strip center where they had been shopping.
Posted by: Tom | November 29, 2009 11:49 PM
Oh Barbara, I am so sorry to hear this! we never know how God can work...maybe somehow the tracks on the Zune will lead someone to Christ? His word doesn't go out void, and He brings all things back to His good purpose. Praying many blessings over you and your family. ((hugs))
Kristy in Germany
Posted by: Kristy in Germany | November 30, 2009 4:38 AM
So sorry to hear this! Glad your family is safe.
Posted by: A Mac and a Mug O' Joe | November 30, 2009 8:03 AM
So sorry to hear you had all that stuff stolen! At least you are all safe.
Posted by: Laura Suer | November 30, 2009 9:31 AM
Our car was recently broken into too--late Saturday night at home (apartment complex). They smashed out a window and climbed all the way through to the back to steal a backpack, which turned out to be our DIAPER BAG. (They didn't want it.)
I see it as part of a broader pattern of spiritual warfare that has been waged against my family lately.
I do pray for my enemies, so now there is one more guy out there with the Holy Spirit dogging his every step and prodding at his heart.
Posted by: Peggy | November 30, 2009 10:01 AM
So sorry, Barbara! I wonder if Renter's Insurance might cover the Zune the way I think Homeowner's Insurance would? It would be worth making a call...
Posted by: Brenda on the S OR Coast | November 30, 2009 5:13 PM
Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry. How painful to loose such a deeply personal gift. It's irreplaceable and it reflects such an important time in your lives. Phooey!
Posted by: Greta | November 30, 2009 7:51 PM
Barbara, I am so sorry to hear about this...
Your kids always look great in pictures, btw!
Posted by: Lisa | December 1, 2009 12:49 PM
Sorry to hear about unfortunate news but glad everyone is safe. God bless!
ps I was trying to look for your Amazon's link cant find it, is it the dont tread on me flag or can I go thru any of the books you listed that is from amazon?
[Do you have an adblocker on your computer? That will keep the links from showing up. There is one right under my Google and another which i s always under my latest entry. You can enter through the Don't Tread on Me, though. Thanks for remembering!]
Posted by: mm | December 1, 2009 5:42 PM
