Rare Saturday Post

I feel a need to get this "out" and am not sure where else to put it! Last night was scary. Well, actually early this morning. About 4 AM I awoke to the next-door neighbors having a bunch of guys over in their back yard. Obviously I wasn't too happy, but they haven't had any loud parties or even any loud music at all this year, unlike years past. I had chalked it up to the fact that they now have 2 kids in the house and another on the way and maybe, just maybe, were growing up a bit. I should mention, this is the drug dealer and his girlfriend. He spent 6 months in prison a couple years ago, and I know for a fact he is back on the drug task force radar. I should also mention all our bedrooms are on the side of the house that face their yard.

Anyhow, I was starting to fall back asleep about 4:30 when the voices got louder and the guys started to fight. Then one guy starts shouting "** (name removed to protect us!) you shot at me!" over and over. The other guys are trying to calm him down, but he keeps cussing and yelling. I didn't hear a gunshot (and I know the different between gunshots and firecrackers), but I'm getting a little nervous. Then this guy continues to yell and is going down the street out front and screaming about how ** shot at him. Then I hear it - a gunshot that sounds like it's in between our houses. I roll out of bed and call 911. By the time they arrive, things are quieter, but I'm shaking. DD is still awake (having sleep problems this summer), so she also is hearing all this.

I don't know if anyone was arrested or what happened. It quieted down after that, and I finally got back to sleep by about 5:30. This truly was a nice neighborhood before they moved in. I cannot believe that I have my children living next door to this. I want to move but can't afford it. Even if I could find somewhere else I could afford in a better neighborhood, I can't afford to get this house fixed up to sell! And no one can guarantee who the neighbors would be there. I hate this. I hate thinking that I might have to teach my kids how to hit the floor if they hear gunshots. I hate the idea that a stray bullet could penetrate my house. Isn't there enough to worry about without this?

All I can pray for is that God's will be done and that He give us His protection. That and cry.