Heartbroken

Well, I was all ready to post a couple new pictures of our caterpillars in their latest form, only to come home last Thursday to discover our house had been broken into. The fence had been hopped in the back, the unlocked window found, and they were able to get in and out without setting the alarm off. Not a lot of stuff was taken, but definitely things that add up. Both my and Jim's laptops, our nice digital camera, the Playstation 2 (doesn't get used much, so no big loss there), most of my and Jim's dvds, the digital camcorder and the entire contents of my jewelry box.

Strangely, I'm not upset by the fact someone was in my house going through my stuff. I'm more upset over the sentimental value of some of the things taken. Irritated at the inconvenience of the laptop and camera being gone, but sad because the tape in the camcorder had Grace's last dance recital and preschool graduation on it, and no telling what else.

I'm most heartbroken over the loss of the jewelry. In addition to my new diamond earrings I got for my birthday, I had things like both the necklaces I received from Jim to honor of each of my kid's birth and all the gifts Jim has given me throughout the years. All the rings and necklaces I got for birthdays growing up are gone too, plus stuff I got from my mom and grandmothers. I had amassed a nice collection of earrings and necklaces for every occasion made by my friend Maja that is now gone. And I get so sad when I think about how one of Grace's favorite things to do was get my jewelry box down and try everything on.

This was the first break in we've had that the kids are aware of. They got a little traumatized because when I realized what had happened I whisked them out of the house to wait until the police showed up. Grace was concerned they had taken her "soft bear", and once we came back inside with the officer she was relieved to be able to point out all the things of hers that weren't taken. Alex just wants to "mush those bad guys."

Oh, and please send me an email if you read this. I once again have to rebuild my address book.