The Watts' Adventures

Today was a very eventful afternoon............
I was having a pretty good day until I got a phone call at 3:58 pm from a very distraught father, asking me very quickly "where is Hunter?" My reply was "at the babysitters". He said "no, he isn't". Hunter was officially missing.............. My heart sunk and I had to think and react quickly.

First of all.. Let me back up a little. Michael called me at 1pm today saying he had a headache, throat hurt, his face was red and he just didn't feel good. I figured this to be true as he had the same complaints lastnight when he came home from football practice. David's granny went and got him for me and I told him to make sure that Hunter knew to still ride the bus to the babysitters. I also told the school's secretary the same thing..... Now back to the events that unfolded in a matter of 11 mins!

David had gathered all the important details.... The school secretary had told Hunter that Michael had gone home sick and to ride the bus to the babysitters. Hunter got on a bus... but not on the "babysitters" bus.. (finding that out later), which he rides everyday. I immediatly called my dear friend, Connie to see if she would run down to our house to see if he was there. She got right on it. Knowing Hunter the way that I do, I figured he only heard "Michael is at home, ride the bus". I called Mark to have him ride around the farm to see if he saw him, meanwhile I called David's mom's house to see if he decided to walk over there but the other kids at the babysitters said he didn't get on the bus. I still wanted to cover all territory. David meanwhile was in a mad dash to our house. David's mom answered, No Hunter. I started calling our house, no answer. I called none stop hoping that he would answer, I just wanted to hear his voice. Then David called me back! Hunter had been found! 11 mins. I watched my computer clock the whole entire time. I've always been told that time was of the essence when a child is missing and I was determined to find him quickly! I knew I would be no good to leave work as everyone else could get there faster than me. Everyone was within 5-10 miles of where the devil could have been. David called the house and luckily he had a friend helping him after work today. He answered the phone and told David that Hunter was here, at our house when he pulled up. Hunter greeted Carl with "Hey Carl, have you seen my Dad?" Carl said he seemed to be real glad to see him. Hunter made sure that Carl had a key to the shop because Hunter told Carl he couldn't find the keys. Our hidden house key was right where it was supposed to be, but I think Hunter was a little frazzled and probably wouldn't have seen it had the key hit him up side the head! I spoke to Hunter and he said, "Mom, they told me to ride the bus home." I didn't fuss at him or anything. I just told him how much I loved him and I was glad he was safe! I have spoken to the boys many times of what to do in certain situations but don't guess I covered this one! You better believe they know exactly what to do next time! For 11 mins today, I was one worried mom! I remained calm, but I was shaking inside. My gut feeling the whole time was that Hunter was at home, but for the life of me I couldn't figure out why he wasn't answering the phone. That is what scared me! After all was well and I announced to my office that he had been found, I back tracked and called off the dogs and let everyone know that he was safe! Everyone got a chuckle after it was all said and done, but during the 11 mins of complete terror, everyone reacted, pulled together, gathered information, and helped David & I when we needed it the most. My hats off to my wonderful babysitter that watches the clock and immediatly called David when he didn't show at her house! She's the best!

So there you have............ another adventure in the life of the Watts family!