Say it isnt so....

Today at our first MOPS meeting of the year one of our mentor moms asked about Travis. She casually asked "how old is he now?" I replied, "Almost 10 months."

My how time has flown, last year this time I was pregnant with him. I was fixated on her question pretty much all day. For some reason I was just really stuck on it. Could it be because he is just shy of a year old and will enter the toddler years? Is it because he might be the last baby we have? Is it because he is almost "not" a baby anymore? I know, I know. He will always be my baby. But seriously he is just shy of not being a B-A-B-Y anymore. This truly made my heart sad.

So tonight when I was putting him to bed, I inhaled all his baby freshly bathed scent I possibly could. I snuggled him a little tighter. I prayed over him just a little bit longer. I shed a tear when I lied him down and slowly walked out the door whispering "Good Night Travis, I love you....baby."

Ike destruction....locally

So Ike has come and gone. It left some damage around for many to repair and sort through. It also left behind sadness as for some along the coast lost their livelihoods, homes and sadly lives. In our area up north it seems as if life is getting back to "normal." Grocery stores are almost at 100% as far as product. Gas, electricity and ice don't seem to be in such demand although last nights news reported that electricity is still out for over 19% of the entire metro area. That might not sound like a lot but after living with out power for days upon days I feel grateful that I am not one of the families in that 19%. There are a few streets in our neighborhood that are still with out power. I hear the hum of generators and am reminded that a natural disaster brings many to their knees. I praise God that we were protected from the storm and hold those that are without so much in my prayers daily.

This is part of our backyard right after the storm.
Clearly nothing but a few branches and leaves.

Then this is Daddy and Campbell out in a little rain and wind to "live" in the moment. Notice the tree down in the background of picture.

Blocked in a neighbors driveway....luckily not one of our trees.Here are the kids trying to entertain themselves during the power outage.
The heat was the worst the first two days. So they basically were naked most of the time.

This is Campbell trying to be helpful and handy with a rake. What a good sport she was. This was also day three after the storm and the generator (by fence in picture) had just arrived. Thanks Uncle Evan for the wonderful machine we got to borrow...so happy your power came on right away and we got to break it in for you. This was also the same day the cold front was to move in at night....cold front just meant that it wasn't HOT....not burrrr Cold!

Here are a few pictures from up and around our area. Thanks to Michelle and Missy
for sharing their IKE photo footage with me.

These are Michelle's photo's from around our neighborhood. Notice one tree crushes two cars. The sedan's frame was all the way down to the floor and the roof was collapsed. Yikes.
Also her husband is standing next to the root system of a tree
that clearly shows how small we are to nature.

Missy's photos I have placed in the side bar as a slide show. Be sure to take a look.

So our first hurricane has come and gone. This is my final thought on it....I have always said I wasn't one to camp....but I did survive a city wide power outage for days....maybe camping wouldn't be so bad.

Wordless Wednesday

We have Cable/Internet!!!

Imagine a child running around excited about a new toy. That is how I reacted this morning when I realized the clock was on the cable box. That meant we were UP and RUNNING!!!!!
Yahoo!
More later.

SURVIVED!!!

Just a brief update as I am borrowing an air card and don't want to ROAM to much on this card.

We survived IKE and I think I am ready to move back to the desert after all of this no power, no ice, no water, stores closed, no gas, etc.

We had no damage to our home or yard. Thank God for that. I am relieved that the babies slept right through the activity in the wee hours too.

I will post some pictures of our surrounding area when we are back up to speed with our Internet/cable connection. I don't know when that will be but we have power finally!!! We got that yesterday in the late evening.

Sorry to have report that the Sun Devils lost to Georgia last night. Good thing is that I got to watch the second half with A/C!!!

My First Hurricane!!!!

Hurricane Ike is approaching. We are buckling down for the storm. See you all on the other side.

6:10pm:OK will try to post some updates. Wind is starting to kick up in our area. Seems a bit erie...maybe it is because I know what is coming...though I don't know to expect.

9:08pm: Wind picking up steam. Trees are really swaying. Feels different outside from just your typical thunderstorm. About 10 minutes ago I was talking to BFF and we got cut off so I am thinking phone lines are going down. Received an email from Lance's Aunt in Florida and she said she has tried to call all day but that a recording keeps saying circuits in area are busy. Babies are tucked in bed now for three hours. Hopefully they will sleep through the storm and we will be spared a tree falling on house or windows breaking. We do have a safe room set up just in case and we have items packed ready to go in case we have to leave our home. Pray that we don't need to do that and that we weather the storm well.

10:44: I feel the storm is getting closer. I am watching a favorite show on DVR from today. I just couldn't take any more non stop IKE drama. But as I sit here I keep noticing my beautiful Magnolia tree (huge by the way) swaying oh so strongly in my backyard. No rain yet but I am sure it is on it's way. I think it is about time to go upstairs and unplug the router and turn off all the electronics so that we don't get damaged from a huge power surge. I will need to post again in the morning...that is if we have power. Oh! what was that. I think a branch that just feel on the deck from the pine tree. See ya!!!

God Bless America

Today we remember. Today we strive to never forget. Today we ask for God to Bless America.