Are You Going to Jail Mom?

The day started off like any other day. We had to go to Evan’s yearly wellness appointment and afterwards I decided to take the boys to the park. The boys’ pediatrician office is in an area that we don’t visit often, so I decided to find a park on the GPS. I often do this, just to break up the monotony. As we pulled up to the first park, I noticed there were only 3 slides so I explained to the boys that we would go find another park. So I looked up a new park and headed that way. A few minutes down the road, I noticed that the new park would be taking me out of the way. So I again, re-entered to find a new park. The third park was too secluded. By now the boys were a little antsy. So I promised them that the next park we found, we would stop.

So I followed the GPS into an unfamiliar neighborhood. After a few moments of winding roads and many turns, I found this park. I turned onto the street and happened to glance in the review mirror before pulling over to park. And there they were. The heart stopping red and blue lights.

What did I do? I truly had no clue. I actually for a moment, thought that the cop would drive past me but unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Because seriously, how could I NOT see the police following me?

I sat there for a moment in disbelief, when Evan unstrapped his seat belt. I quickly snapped at him to  “put it back on” because I could get in trouble if he didn’t have it on.

“Mom what’s going on, why aren’t we getting out of the truck, I WANT TO GO TO THE PARK!!”

“Well boys, mommy broke a traffic rule and I have to talk to the police officer when he comes up to the truck.”

“What rule did you break, Mom?”

“Well, Evan, I’m not quite sure.”

Then after sitting for a few more moments, I thought I should probably get my license and registration together. I HAD no idea what I am doing. Did I mention I haven’t been pulled over in 17 years!  So without thinking, I took my seat belt off and bent down to get my wallet from the floor board.

OH CRAP! I just took my seat belt off and bent over. The cop is going to totally think I am pulling a gun out or trying to hide something.

I quickly sat up and put my seat belt back on! And encourage the boys to sit still until this ordeal was finished.

The cop walks up by my window and I look at him.

“Excuse me ma’am, do you realize that you were going 41 in a 25 mile an hour residential area,  along with not using turn singles for the last 2 turns.” {holy crap, how long had he been following me, anyway! And seriously I didn’t notice?}

“No, SIr. I wasn’t aware that I was speeding.”

“Is there a reason your were going so fast? Because I usually give drivers a 15 mile an hour cushion.”

“I am so sorry sir. I was just really focused on trying to find a park for the boys and watching the GPS.”

“Hmmm, I see. I will need to see your insurance card.”

“Oh, okay” I start fumbling through all my cards, praying that I had the insurance card. I did! Whew! I squinted to see if it was the correct card, because I had to wear my glasses for several days due to an infection. And I so can’t see with my glasses on!

“I think this is the correct card.”

“Yes, ma’am this is an insurance card but it is expired, {um hello, it expired 3 MONTHS AGO} why don’t you continue looking while I step away.”

He walks back to his cruiser and I text Jeremy immediately. Because now I am REALLY FREAKING out! I just know that I am going to get arrested for having an expired insurance card.

Jeremy quickly calls me to see what is going on. I give him a few details but quickly hang up so the police officer doesn’t think I am cool enough to be on the phone. But before I hang up, Jeremy jokingly says, “at least I got the tags renewed.”

You see, Jeremy totally forgot to get the tags renewed on both vehicles before his birthday 15 days ago. He remembered on Friday! Can you imagine what kind of pickle I would be in, if he hadn’t of remembered last week!

After several painful minutes, the cop came back to the truck.

“I am going to let you off with a warning today, ma’am, since you do not have anything on your record.”

That is when I started crying. Yeah, I’ll admit it! Tears started flowing! I just couldn’t control myself.

He then started to preach about not speeding in residential areas and blah, blah blah. This was after he informed me that he wasn’t going to preach at me. He finished up and started walking away.

I reached my head out the window, and told him that my boys would like to say ‘hi’ to him. I rolled down their windows and the cop was nice enough to chit chat with them for a few moments. Come to find out, he has a 4 year old daughter and another daughter on the way. I congratulated him and he went on with his business.

“Finally Mom! Can we now go to the park?’

Yes, Evan, we can now go to the park.

And by the way – that park stunk too!