News At 11

If you saw my cryptic post on Facebook earlier today, I am sure you were maybe concerned, but definitely curious about what this day held. 
Today started with a furious storm.  Lying in bed listening to the thunder and rain lashing the windows, I only thought of it being moving day.  Moving day for Jacob. We had packed up most of the cars the night before so there wasn't much to do this morning until we got to Iowa State.  Jacob left before us taking his chances when the rain broke. 
We arrived a couple hours later and much of the room was put together.  Jacob is rooming with two of his buddies.  They seemed to have worked out who was bringing what and it appeared that Jacob brought the nonsense.  I will admit that I am worried, worried that there will be room for all the gaming systems and that they will be able to sort out all the cords.  Worried that Jacob will OD on the fantastic chocolate milk at the dining hall.  Worried that, well, just worried, I guess.  We did not stay long as Jacob and roommates needed to figure it all out for themselves. 
Before I get to the rest of the day, I want to just work through the idea of my youngest going off to college.  I am not really sad.  This is the goal, right?  To prepare the offspring to leave the house and go.  Danny and I have always stressed that we wanted our children to be successful.  Not rich, not famous, just successful.  Meaning that they do what they enjoy.  College was always something we discussed, but we also discussed the military and trade schools.  We were always honest about the bill being theirs but so is the accomplishment.  I cannot take any claim to the success or failure of college.  This is all them.  So I bade Jacob a fond so long today knowing that we have done as much as we could to prepare him for this day.  Jacob will figure it out.  He will learn to set his priorities, he will learn to do homework first and have fun immediately after.  He will learn to eat well and not too often.  He will learn to live with roommates, the first time ever.  He will. 
I had different worries about Ashlyn and Hayley.  Worries that pertained to each of them.  Worries that were unnecessary as I am sure my worries for Jacob are as well. 
We offered Jacob lunch and that was the most important decision we made all day. 
Village Inn, because Jacob wanted pancakes. 
While waiting for our table, an elderly couple came in and Danny and Jacob offered up their seat on the bench.  I have the terrible habit of people watching.  I watched as this little lady grabbed the flap on the back pocket of her husband's pants.  I thought it was cute.  The second time I looked over at them, he was sitting in the chair looking out at the restaurant and she was reaching for her purse on the floor.  But she wasn't.  She had slumped over and wasn't ok.  I immediately got Danny who rushed to her.  She was not breathing.  Danny had them call 911 and with the help of the manager, laid her on the floor and began performing CPR. 
There are many sides to all of us.  I have the front side and the back side, the sweet and the snarky.  That's pretty much it.  I can live with that.  I'm no hero.
I have seen a few of Danny's sides.  I have never seen the Marine or Ranger in action, for that I am thankful.  I have never seen full on police officer either.  I have seen enough of that though to get the idea.  But today I saw the lifesaving training kick into gear.  It was very emotional.  She wasn't breathing.  Her heartbeat was very weak.  Her husband sat on the bench just watching two complete strangers do chest compressions on his wife.  I could not have been more proud of Danny.  It was very overwhelming. 
One family waiting for a table had to leave.  Jacob said that the girl in the group was very upset.  Another dad said to his son that "we picked the wrong place to eat."  Another woman, while chest compressions were in progress, asked where she should pay.  Jacob held the door for the first responders, I stood waiting for instructions and then sat with her husband.  Danny saved her life. 
Ames police and paramedics said that she had a strong heartbeat when they had her in the ambulance.

Jacob, after it had all calmed down and we were seated, looked at me and said "people need to know that this is what they do.  When someone says 'fuck the police', they need to know that this is what they do.  Dad didn't have to do anything, he is a dad taking his kid to school.  But he did, he saved her life because that is what they do."  Jacob makes a very valid point.

So that was our very interesting day.  We are exhausted.  Watching someone save a life is very tiring.  I am impressed with the response time and professionalism of the Ames police department and paramedics.  I am appreciative that Village Inn paid for our meal.  I am beyond grateful that Danny is well trained and is willing to rush in when I people watch.
In other news, Emmitt is glad that Ashlyn in home.  Ashlyn had a quick little get away with the Kiwi Snows and Crissy and Duncan.  They went to Chicago and Ashlyn got to Mata Trader and came home with two new frocks and two new tops.  Fair Trade!!!
Hayley is ready for her final year to start.  She is trying to have a bit of a plan for the future but it is hard.  She knows that there is always a place here for her to rest and regroup. 

On another note, I found myself bitching about my job again.  I hate that I do that. 
We have some home improvement projects that we will be starting soon.  Carpet coming up and flooring going down.  We have Ashlyn here so the nest isn't empty, but with her two jobs, it is not full.  And with Jacob away and Harlow gone, it is far too quiet.