I don't think that you can ever be prepared for that unexpected emergency. The fact of the matter is, when you are somewhat organized it truly will make dealing with the emergency so much better. The first time I was hit with the "unexpected" was back in 2000, when I got the call that my dad was killed in an auto accident. Although that situation was so much more intense than what I am about to tell you, it was helpful that I was somewhat organized in getting myself and my not yet husband, packed and on a plane within 2 hours headed back to Chicago. The next few days were a bit blurry, but I got through it...

Being somewhat organized in life can allow you to be much more prepared for those unexpected events... kind of like the one I had yesterday. My youngest son and I were cleaning up the family room when the phone rang. I saw on the caller id that it was the elementary school. I didn't think too much about it, because I had left some information for the principal on a program that I was wanting to present to the school... I just thought it might be him... but instead, here is how the rest of the story unfolds.

"Mrs. Spears, this is Mrs. C., from the office at the school. We have a situation here at school. Your son Maxwell fell at recess and seems to be favoring his arm. He is pretty hysterical and we would like you to come and get him."

Keep in mind, I was still processing the word "situation" let alone that I need to come and get him.

"Alright," I said "I will be there in a few minutes." I hung up the phone and quickly got Mason his shoes and coat and told him Maxwell was hurt and we need to go pick him up right now.

I immediate thought that okay, we are probably going to the ER what do I need to take with me?

I grabbed my purse tossed in a snack and some books (for Mason), I also told him to grab a toy that he wanted to bring with in the car. Since we just moved, we haven't changed doctors yet but all our information has been updated with the current address. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

My insurance card and ID are in my purse, not to mention checking my cell phone to make sure the battery was charged (and the charger was in the car). We were off... maybe 2 minutes tops!

Once we got to school (mind you I could hear Max screaming from outside at the car), I collected my child and we were in the ER, checked in and seeing a doctor within 25 minutes of the initial call.

Here is Max once he got home... happy as a clam considering he has a broken arm. I felt he had really earned the sucker before dinner...

I have to say that if I hadn't thought ahead and done a little fore thinking, the whole experience might have been much worse.

I should say that Mason was very well behaved considering the circumstances. Now, looking back I am really glad that things went so smooth. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to do it again anytime soon, but I expect with two boys... this isn't going to be my last visit to the ER...