Take a Hike, Ike!

No, we're not getting a hurricane here and I know that isn't the first time you have heard that or seen this little slogan, but that is how I feel (at least for today)! Last night I woke up to the storms at 3am. I thought I'd check the radar and from there it progressed to checking email and so forth. I received a couple of emails from Thurston. He just wanted us to know that all his flights were cancelled and that he would be in Honduras with the rest of the Mission Trip team for another...another....4-5 days! I had to read that part a few more times, the more I read it the blurry it got with all the tears. I, as well as the girls are so ready for him to be home. I was prepared for a delay of some sort, but this completely caught me off guard and tore me up. How was I going to tell the girls that we weren't going to the airport today and that Daddy won't be home for several more days? Needless to say I tried to sleep but couldn't, so I'm tired. The following situation distracted them enough that they have not said much about Daddy not coming home tonight. The team will try to get a flight out Tuesday or Wednesday next week.

The girls and I got already for school and was starting to load them in the van, when one of our neighbors was returning.

He said, "Have you looked out the back of your house this morning?

"No," I thought.

"You probably don't want to go anywhere, you might not get back. If you do go, you should probably pack a suitcase."

There are three ways to get into our neighborhood. Our neighbor tried all of them to get to school (he is a teacher). Two of them were closed and he thought I could possibly get out through the park, but not back later in the day. The flooding is crazy. Then I think, even if Thurston was coming home tonight, we wouldn't be able to go and get him or we'd get out there and then we all wouldn't be able to home. Right now God has us where He wants all of us. We are safe and are taken care of, whether or not we like the circumstance. He is in control, not us.

I quickly called a co-worker, and she said not to worry about it. I was only suppose to work until noon anyway today. I called Kariana's school and let them know, even though school had started 20 minutes ago. They were receiving many calls of the same nature. I talked to a few friends and family members before I realized I totally forgot to call the babysitter....oops. Jaime (our next door neighbor) offered to keep the girls for awhile to give me some time to myself. He has two girls who are 14 and 9. Our girls think that are just great! I think I'll take him up on it. How thoughtful!

I really needed some more milk if we were going to be holed up for a couple of days and if I can run to the store real quick then I could be back before it got worse. The girls and I loaded up in the van and set out to the grocery store. I made it through the first area of flooding and got scared at the second crossing as people were in it and it was pretty deep. I turned around quickly. I don't think they will know much difference if I add a little water to it to make last, do you!? :) (our little secret!)

I emptied out the rain gauge last night and there was 2 1/2 inches of rain in it. This morning by 9:30am, there was over 5 1/2 inches of rain! Since then it has started to refill yet again.

The girls and I decided to go for a walk in the rain and take some pictures of the park, playground and a stalled truck. While we were out in the rain, Kariana was having a great time splashing in the puddles but Bronalea wasn't so interested in it.

"Pick me up Mommy"

"No, you're OK."

Very matter of factly she said, "No, my not. This is not fun."

Shortly thereafter, her sister was enjoying herself in the puddles, then it looked like fun. They played for a while and both were soaked from head to toe. We headed back to the house and my sweet Bronalea says, "Pick-up me up, the rain is getting me wet." She's silly. They both like to look our the back door and say, "This is NOT good, not good at all."

This afternoon we watched many people walk as far as our yard to see the flooding and take lots of pictures. There were many City trucks and police around the area as well. The rain has let up more this afternoon, it was very heavy this morning. We are headed for a nap. The humming and roaring of the water I hope will make for a great nap. The sounds makes me think that I'm on vacation at a waterfall, to bad that isn't the case! Here is some of the footage we shot. It should be noted that it is much higher now than it was when we took the photos.

The view from our backyard today.

The park in our backyard with baseball diamonds and more underwater.

The stalled vehicle on the main route we take to and from anywhere. They had to rescue this guy at 6:30am today(on Highland St. little bridge).

The playground that the girls frequent. If the water wern't rushing through, it'd make a nice little outdoor waterpark! Kariana thought that slide would be fun with water at the bottom.