My husband had to run up to the theater to turn on the boilers and came home about 7pm. He asked me where did I park the van. I was gone. Inside was all three of my babies' bikes, and their car seats and their hopper balls. (We do not have a playground in our apartments, so we have to drive to the park.) Our apartments are very nice,the most expensive around,a nd the doors where all locked. We can't even take the baby anywhere because the car seat was in there. The sherrif says there is o record of repo, and there is no reason for there to be. It was last seen yesterday around 2pm by my two sister-in-laws, who came to my daughters b-day party. Now those people have access to my insurance papers, listing my apartment number. They know I have kids and that I am a woman. I have the sofa in front of the door. I can't figure out if I am more angry, more sad or more scared. But I can't stop crying. I want my van back. and I am sure the chances are slim. Oh and among all the lexus's and explorers and escalades in our community, they took my little beat up 1998 doge caravan mini van.... took it from the one family who had the most to loose. I hate people. (And I have no one else to toss this ugliness onto, so sorry for this and thanks for listening.....) How do I get my three kids to stop crying for the biks and hoppers? We have been talking for the last hour about loss and that there is always a chance that the theives will abandon the vehicle with the stuff still in it, but it is unlikely. But sasha is hanging on me begging me for her dora bike. (Santa brought her a basket for christmas that went on the front of it.) None of s are made of money, I can't just go and get her a new one. And that wouldn't do any good anyway, I mean I know she is only four, but loss is a lesson that we all have to learn. SO I am letting her feel it, so that we can deal with it now, and not latter, when she asks to go to the park. (My kids trust me very much because they know I don't hide anything) I grew up around the scum of the earth (Which is why I do not associate with my family) and I know exacly what they are capable of. If these creeps stole my P.O.S. van with all the other candy that was in the parking lot, then they were looking for an easy catch for a joy ride and were probably kids, unsupervised and bored while school is out. Which means everything is gone.
Jen, ((((((((((HUGS)))))))))) I am so sorry! In the case that you van isn't found, do you have insurance to replace it? If so, it should also cover the cost of new car seats and bikes and anything else that you had in it -up to your $$ limit). Your van was probably chosen simply beacuse all the Lexuses, Escalades, and Explorers are likely have security systems. A big risk if you are stealing from an apartment community. As far as consoling your kids, just reassuring them that you are there and will do everything possible to keep them safe is all you can do. Unfortunately, kids will learn at some time that there are bad folks out there.:x Praying that you can have a sense of security and that the other stuff will work out! :love:
Yea, it was fully covered because by law you have to have full coverage on a vehicle hat has a lein on it.... It was a used van I got from carmax, and was making payments. NEVER late. We are in a bankruptcy, right now, but it was not repoed. We know this because the sherrfifs department says there is no recodr on file for a repo for this address. (Supposedly again, by law, they have to file a repo report with the police incase there is an altercation and they can prove there were not stealing the vehicle.) But then again, I have insurance, and a bankruptcy. Are they gonna say I had someone take my van? Are they gonna say that there were no toys in it, that we are padding the report? Are we gonna loose our insurance for making a claim? Even if it all works out, and the insurance pays off, I won't get any more than about 3 grand for it. ANd no one will finance me with a new bankruptcy. Oh and we have no playground here. SO we have to drive everywhere to do anything.... Like I said, the least able to afford this... I hate some people.
This is a little help. Many hospitals and/or health departments will exchange a used carseat for a brand new one. Perhaps they will just give you carseats if you take them the police reports? I would call and see if they have that program (sometimes police or fire departments ahve them as well, but not as often as the other two). Often a church will have an emergancy fund for their members, you can contact your church to see if there is a way they can help you replace some of the toys or make up the difference that insurance doesn't cover to replace the van. {{{hug}}} I am really sorry this happened. I remember when someone broke into my car and simply attempted to steal the radio. They didn't get it out, just tore the dash out. But I remember how violated I felt. It took a while to pass. The boys had both of their bikes stolen over a year ago. They cried for several days. But where we lived at the time, we couldn't have replaced them even if we had the money. Awful, awful, feelings and I am very sorry you and your children had to experience them.
I am so sorry too Jen! That really STINKS!!! You probably feel way more violated than we did with our arsonist! It's just so too bad! Are the police working well with you? I hope it gets worked out! Tell your little ones that your friends on Homeschool Spot are praying for them! And give them all hugs from us, and one for you too---guess you and dh can give each other hugs from us! I'll be praying for this situation to be resolved in a positive way!
That stinks! The fact that they have some of your information is the part that really gets to me. Just keep telling your kids it will all work out, it's a tough lesson for little ones to have to learn. Hopefully it was just a bunch of kids and they'll get scared and leave the car in a parking lot somewhere. So sorry you're going through this. It will work out, lean on our Father he'll get you through!
So sorry you're going through this. Aurie is right about the car seats though. Go to your local health department and disuss it with them. They will give you car seats. I hope your van gets recovered and your kids get their stuff back. We'll keep you in our thoughts for a speedy resolution to this matter.
call the news paper! people will be outraged, they will want to help! plus getting the word out may scare the people who took it more likely they will find it abbandoned. Also call the auto parts shops and junk yards incase it show up there!. I'm sorry for your loss it would be just as devistating to us.
Jen: I hope this works out maybe they drop the van off when it ran out of gas or something and everything was in it. I would go to the health department like the other ladies said and they will give you car seats. If there's anything else we can do let us know. I know it's hard but keep your head high. One person one time told me God only gives you what he thinks you can handle. SO, hang in there and remember we are here to help in any way.
Oh, Jen, I am so sorry. What a terrible thing for some person or people to do. Does your police department hand out car seats to those who need them? Ours does. When there are families who are in need or families who have had a car seat stolen, they give the families a car seat. It is worth a try to find out. Patty
Jen, I wish you lived here, I have 2 booster seats and a car seat on my car port, all but one of my kids are done with them. I so wish I could help out.
I am sorry, too, Jen. It just isn't fair when things like this happen to us. I understand your anger and fear. We once had our car stolen. I remember being SOOO mad because, like your situation, we were not in any financial shape to recover what we lost. All we could do was rely on God to help us through. He did!! The police found the car with little damage to it. We were able to fix it and sell it (which we were planing on doing anyway) and get the used van we needed for our family. So don't lose hope. It is possible they will find it!! If not, trust God to help you work this out. Hugs for you and your kids!!
I will pray that your van is returned with only the loss of a tank of gas. What a mess. It is amazing how people can perpetrate such misery on others. They probably only wanted the van for mischieve of parts etc. Urrgggh. Many local areas have orgs. that give out car seats. Call the police, the local paper, and the hospital, as well as the local newspaper. Perhaps someone will have information that will help. I am sorry for this loss to your family. The kids will come through it okay. Don't stress on that.
In Control IN CONTROL There are things you can control and things you cannot control. If you focus too heavily on those things you cannot control, it can lead to an overwhelming amount of frustration and anxiety. Choose instead to focus your thoughts and efforts on those things upon which you can have a positive influence. There are plenty of those things, and by giving your energy to them you can quickly and significantly improve the quality of your life. Stop worrying so much about what others are doing wrong. Instead, put your time and effort into discovering what you can do right, what you can do well, and in using your unique abilities to create excellence. Whenever you feel yourself getting anxious or frustrated by something that's beyond your control, stop and take a fresh look around. There's something you can do, right then and there, that will make a positive difference in the world. The more you make use of the positive power that you have, the stronger that power will grow. There is always something you can do, and it always beats complaining or worrying about those things you cannot do. Do what you can, when you can, where you are, with what you have. You'll find that it can make an enormous difference. -- Ralph Marston ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Jen, I was forward this from my friend that has all those nifty quotes, this sounds like something that can help you keep your chin up.
Oh my gosh!!! That sucks! And how scarey for you and the kids!! I used to work in the law field with bankruptcy clients and as long as you filed the police report you should be fine but you also may want to contact your attorney's office and let them know. That way you have covered all your basis. I know we live failry close to each other and I have a car seat here that you can have. Pm me if you want.
First, what an incredible set of people you are! My email box is full. Oh man. I am almost embarrassed by it all. Thank you so much for everyone reaching out to me. I am normally a tomboy with no outward emotions, but I am still in tears. (Partly because you women are so wonderful.) I want you to know that I have read every one of your messages, your emails, and your voice mails. And, I will answer each one as soon as I have a chance. (I haven't been to sleep yet..) I am real untalented when it comes to accepting compliments and even less gracious when so people reach out to help. I am so thankful. Thank you. Thank you! Here is what happened today: The van was found around the corner, literally. It is stripped and everything inside is gone, including the seats, with the exception of the driver and passenger seats. The toll road easytag was ripped off the windshield, they even broke the drivers sunshade when they ripped off the shade extention, the gate access remote is gone, the bikes, the hoppers, the booster seats and the car seat. They busted the lock from the outside and ripped open the steering wheel. They were so large that the seats are actually bent from them leaning back while racing around in it. They drove the vehicle through some type of grass or field as there is grass and mud rammed in to the tires and bumpers and exhaust. They left the stereo blaring rap music and put their cigarettes out on my dashboard. The vehicle's engine is torn up and the axles are about to go. And carelessly tossed soda cans (NOT our brand of soda). But what was most disturbing was what was found inside. A box of bullets (Empty). A gas covered sheet. Grease on the inside. (Rosanna's right! I am glad I did not encounter these people by going downstairs to get something out of the van, or worse, have my kids with me and encounter these people when leaving to go somewhere!) The items inside implies the vehicle was used in the commission of another crime. But the cops don't want to investigate, because they are sure it was professionally done and that he bad guys wore gloves. How's that for service? They would only tow it to get the prints if we agreed to pay for the towing of some $250. And my insurance company refuses to do anything until I cough up the $500 deductible, and refused to give me an answer on what to do in regards to having the prints checked. So right now the van is back in the parking lot (Barely made it, as it is barely running and out of gas), my husband is on the phone with insurance, I have to call the bank to get our account numbers changed. We went to the apartment office to inform them that the gate access remote was stolen. And my sofa is in front of my door. The police told us that this is the fourth dodge van stripped in two days from this same complex. Which is why they are sure it is a professional job done with gloves and so on.... I still feel jipped on the police protection. And you guys are so awesome! (My local homeschool group, who I thought I had no close connections too, have already joined together to find replacement car seats for the kids, and some bikes have been offered. Just when I type that I hate people, humans go and do something so gracious.... Thank you. Seriously. I think I am in tears over you guys, now. I sincerely apologize for this public tempest. I really just needed a friend and you so delivered. I will never forget this.
