Scary

How horrible for you and your family! It is the sort of thing you don't want to believe really happens. I really don't have any advice except to encourage you to do what you need to overcome your fear and live your life. If learning how to use a gun helps, then do it. Personally, I would take a self-defence class with your girls, so that they can have the same some feeling of control too and share the time with you. I have been attending Austin Kuk Sool Won on Pond Springs road for 6 years with my husband. They have a 4 week introduction class and I felt more confident in myself just with that. Many schools have this sort of thing so that you can try the school out to see if it is right for you. God Bless!

You have been through an attack of the worst kind. Your safety has been shaken, and you had to go through a family's worst fear. Here's what to do: Start, right now, praying for that man. Yes, for him. To change and to come to know that there IS A GOD and HE sees what he does. Pray, like you never have before, for PEACE, PROTECTION, and an OPPOSITE SPIRIT for you and your family. Then - act it out. Praise God for protecting you through it all. Sing, and be joyful! Pray now that whatever else happens in your life, that it would be screened by God, and that it would only serve to test and strengthen you. Read the story of Job - now there's a man who went through a lot! Also, take the standard measure, call the police, make sure there was an account taken of all you can remember of his discription; I hope you have already done this! Peace be with you - I will be praying as well.
Jen

Oh my gosh. That is my worst nightmare. Are you alright? How did he get in? Why was he standing over your bed? Is your family alright? This may be a little bit personal, but do you live in Austin, and if so what part? You don't understand how afraid I am of something like this happening. It happened once to us when I was a little girl, but now I am the one with the little girls. I am so sorry you had to go through this. Have you thought about getting an alarm for your house? Did you call the police? Probably the best thing you can do is get an alarm, file a police report, and don't be afraid to see a counselor. This is pretty traumatizing what you've been through. If you need help getting any info on counselors or home security systems then let me know. God be with you and your family and watch over you.
-F.

How utterly frightening! Your post reminded me of that news story a few months ago about the men who followed a woman and her daughters home from the grocery store (they liked the car she drove), then hatched a plan to break in the house... Beat the father up and tied him in the basement, held the mother and daughters hostage before raping the girls, strangling the mom and setting the house on fire. That story was all over the news. How quickly society forgets...

Unfortunately, arming yourself with a gun will probably make your home less safe and more dangerous--at least for your children (and their friends). Young children and guns just aren't a good mix. Consider a monitored alarm system on your doors and windows instead. The only way that a gun would have helped you in this situation is if you kept it loaded, unlocked and under your pillow... which makes your kid climbing in bed with mommy in the middle of the night take on a whole other scary scenario. Plus, most gun owners who have limited experience with firearms are not prepared mentally to shoot someone without hesitation, which leads to a higher chance of the gun being taken away from you and used against you.

Of course, you can also acquire a bigger, more scary gaurd dog... Doberman, german shepherd, etc. But there are risks to children with that also.

Or you can move if you don't feel safe. And that might end up being your cheapest alternative.

Good luck!

I'm so sorry that happened to you. And, you sure don't need that playgroup 'friend' who made that trite comment...how very hurtful and insensitive those words must have felt!

Definitely get an alarm system or at the very least, make sure your locks were rekeyed prior to you moving into the house. Wasn't sure if you were renting or owned the house. I'm a landlord, and I always rekey the locks when a new tenant moves in, and I had to ensure that the locks were up to rental code. Call one of the locksmiths in town if you have any questions (i.e. Texas Rekey or LockDoc). They should also be able to do a free assessment of your house and make recommendations of what you can do with your windows/doors to help make them more secure. Hope that helps!

Dear J., im so sorry u have to go through this sort of thing. I never had to go through with it but i had a friend who had a couple of intruders in her house. I dont know what to say other then try to get a security alarm or a bigger dog. I've never had problems with intruders but i have HUGE dogs(a chow and a newfoundland mix). I hope u get through this ok.

I would tell the person you are renting from that u would like for them to install an alarm system. With this, you can also add features like sensors (if someone comes up to the house a light can come on, or if a window is touched the alarm will sound). Thank goodness your dog woke u up. I think you should lock your doors from now on though. Thanks for posting this even though it was a traumatic even for you and your family. Hang in there...God was definately watching over your family!!! God bless & best wishes.

J.,
I am so sorry, you must be terrified. Your home, your safe place, has been violated.
Talk with the police, they have great strategies, also, I belive there are counselors available through victim services. You might want to talk to them.
I would do some impowering things like: Take a self defense class, come up with an escape route for yourself and your children, reward that dog!
My heart aches for you. Please keep us all informed about the situation.
T.

Gee whiz! Find a windchime to,put on the inside of your doors on the knobs. You can hear the bells if someone opens the door.