Thank you, whoever you are!

We went to our last summer playgroup this weekend!

It was so much fun getting together, chatting and seeing all the kids!

While we were there a friend gave me some really good advice!

She said if you go to the state fair take a picture of your children.

That way if any of them get lost you can show the picture to security and you will know what they are wearing and they will know what your child looks like!

I thought that was a great tip and decided to snap a pic before we headed into the Fairgrounds!

There is no way I can remember what everyone is wearing each and every day!

At the same time we had NO intention of losing anybody!

It didn't seem to crowded when we first walked in BUT as we got near the center of the fair and near the multiple food venues it became a 

sea of people.

Hundreds of thousands of people...

Both hubby and had regrets of bringing everyone. It was a last minute idea, so we didn't even have the children dressed alike.

 We decided to make the best of it and slowly make our way through the

crowd!

Just before leaving we went to the kiddie land and the children went on one ride each.

Then we headed in the direction to our exit gate and car.

I counted 11! 

Good we have everyone.

It was getting dark fast.

As we arrived at the gate I counted again...

There were 10 children, not 11...

Someone is missing I quickly called out.

Melissa? Where is Melissa?

Shear panic came over us. 

It was now dark outside.

The children said over and over again- 

Where's Melissa, where's Melissa?

Security was at the gate so we immediately notified them and showed them this picture.

Hubby went back and retraced our steps. 

The policeman looked at the picture-

It's the little girl second from the left.

Purple skirt, glasses, fuzzy jacket with peace signs.

Asian, 7 yrs old, 45 lbs, 3ft 11 inches tall and answers to the name of Melissa.

He radioed this information to the other officers in the area and then went to look for her.

We were instructed to stay put- which we did.

We waited...

We prayed together...

We talked to hubby on the phone- no sign of her.

We waited...

We prayed...

And then

 an officer came up to us and said they had found her...

PRAISE GOD!

Someone had found her and brought her to the information booth. 

Thank you whoever you are, THANK YOU!

We must have been separated as we were leaving kiddie land. 

I must have counted wrong...

The officer picked her up and brought her back to us. 

I called hubby and shared the good news.

She was in tears and scared.

We hugged her tight, she didn't hug back.

She looked so hopeless.

It was so sad.

We have been giving her lots and lots of love and TLC.

She is eating it up and loving every minute of it!

She is once again loving her Mommy and Daddy.

She slept with us last night...

sideways...

 and I got the feet.

No problem honey, 

kick me all you want!

We are so thankful she is just fine and where she belongs!

After all-

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME!