False Alarm

Very early this morning, as in shortly after midnight the Muhlig household got a little more exciting. Ryan had been smoking deer sticks earlier in the evening but a mishap with the smoker caused that process to be delayed for a time. He had to transfer the deer sticks from the smoker to the oven halfway through the process. I finally called it a night around 10:00pm and left Ryan to his own devices. But shortly after midnight I was awakened abruptly by the sound of our smoke alarm I believe I said "damnit, Ryan," and simultaneously I heard a gut wrenching scream and little footsteps hitting the floor.  I have never ever in my life heard Madelyn scream in such a way. I new she was terrified. I heard Ryan say "Madelyn, Madelyn, it's just the smoke alarm, it's okay." She was still screaming. I was immediately out my bedroom door like a mama bear protecting her cub and shot Ryan daggars and I quickly picked up Madelyn to console her. She calmed down quickly and we chatted about the incident and then she spent the night next to me in our bed.
This morning all was calm in the Muhlig household again. Ryan said the deer sticks were finally done cooking around 2:00am and then he went to sleep in Madelyn's bed. I did observe the smoke alarm was no longer attached to the ceiling.  I guess Ryan showed it who was boss. My back is also a little sore and I figure that is from picking up my almost 70lb child. It was amazing how quickly my protective instinct kicked in when I heard that blood curdling scream, it made my heart hurt that she was so scared. But I do feel a bit reassured that Madelyn will be able to hear the smoke alarm in case of a real fire and will know to get the heck out. She even mentioned that she forgot to grab honeybear and piggie when she heard the alarm. I praised her for not grabbing them because they are replaceable but she is not. Whew that was an adrenaline rush, for sure.