Scared out of my mind...

Something happened this weekend that will forever be etched in my brain. We were at a staff pool party at our pastor's house yesterday. I would have enjoyed myself if it weren't for the fact that Elana needed a nap, Jason left early to set up for a youth group event, Josiah was needy, and I wasn't in the best of moods...but that wasn't even the worst part. I was standing by the steps of the pool while Elana sat below me. I honestly don't remember what I was doing or for how long....all I know is I had my head turned and all of a sudden I hear someone saying "Get her, get her, get her..." ELANA FELL IN!! She was laying flat on the surface of the water motionless. I immediately jumped in, grabbed her and pulled her out of the water. It seemed like it took forever to get her...almost like I was in slow motion. And it took her, what seemed like forever, to cough out the water and gasp for air. I was scared to out of my mind that she wouldn't be breathing when I pulled her out of that water. I immediately started crying and needed help getting her and I up the steps and out of the pool. I sat down by the deck holding onto Elana SO TIGHT!! I couldn't believe I let that happen. I felt like the WORST MOTHER IN THE WORLD!! Everyone there seemed so understanding, but I still felt horrible. After that, I was done!! We needed to go home! So, with some help from some GREAT people, we headed home. Elana was fine. This incident didn't even phase her. She actually wanted to get back in the water after I pulled her out, but that was NOT going to happen if I had anything to do with it! So, we got home and I put Elana down for a nap before we had to head to the church for youth group. I called Jason to tell him what happened. He answered, and I started sobbing!! I was a MESS! I couldn't shake it! I just kept thinking "how could you let this happen to your precious daugther...she could have drowned!!" Satan was on the prowl. He was so ready to defeat me, but with the help of my amazing husband, everyone at that party, and our sweet pastor's wife who called me to let me know that these things happen, I was able to see that I'm not the WORST mother in the world...I'm just a mother. A mother who makes mistakes. A mother who simply turned her head for a second while her daughter got a little too brave for her own good. A mother who is SO thankful for God's protective hand! PRAISE GOD Elana is okay and hasn't skipped a beat! Thank you to all who encouraged me and helped me through this!