Aug. 29th

Remembering Katrina........

Pictures from our trip (evacuation) to Alabama

We toured the Taladega Speedway

Me, Clay and Joshua



In front of the racetrack - Kris, Clay, Jalyn and Joshua



Jalyn in front of a race car with Clay



Dreaming of driving? No, I think he was watching the Harley guy test driving the motorcycles - he would much rather drive that!



Jalyn and Joshua walking in front of the Taladega sign



These were of our visit to the Galleria Mall near Birmingham

We went on a big carousel in the middle of the food court

Even Jalyn went on



Joshua taking a ride



How fun!!!



Here's that glass elevator that Joshua made us to on - several times. If you look closely, you can see him in there with his Daddy.



And here is one of the MANY escalators in that mall that we had to go up and down and up and down. Luckily, his Daddy took most of those trips with him, and I just took pictures. (He's at the "I want Daddy next to me at all times" stage.)

On my knees

Where do I begin?

I guess with the beginning - starting last week.

When we were first told about this storm, and how bad it would be, I of course began to worry. I tried not to, and tried not to watch too much of the news, until it was aimed right at us.

When it became clear that we would have to evacuate, I began picking everything up high. The tops of my cabinets, shelves, the attic, etc. Then I packed all of our things that we could take with us.

I of course was praying almost constantly that God would weaken this storm, and that it wouldn't destroy our home. As I watched the news, I felt hopeless.

The storm was so strong, picking up speed quickly.

Before we left, at some point while I was in prayer over this, God gave me a vision. Now, I'm not "into" visions, and am not sure this has ever happened to me before. But as I was praying, I clearly saw something.

I saw myself walking up my sidewalk, approaching my house, and finding it untouched by the storm, dropping to my knees on the sidewalk, in thanks to God.

After that, every time I began to worry and pray over this hurricane, I would see that image come to my mind. I wasn't sure if it was from God, or my own wishful thinking. But it would come to me without me even thinking of it, like God was constantly placing it purposely in my mind - whenever I began to worry.

Now, did I have faith like a rock in that vision? No. Like I said, I began to worry that it was my own thinking.

And, it is hard to think positive when you are glued to the TV weather reports and you hear the things I heard.

"The storm of the century!" was what one weather person called it.

"We are going to see flooding that is going to shock the nation" another said.

We evacuated to Alpine, Alabama on Sat. It was a 6 hour drive from here. It was beautiful. I truly believe that if I had a house that overlooked those hills/mountains, life would be sweeter. Just to go to a Walmart, up on a hill, or a restaurant, and look out the windows while I eat and see such beauty, makes everything seem better.

The condo we rented was in the absolute MIDDLE OF NO WHERE. I got lost on the way there and almost started crying. There was no store or gas station around there. It was in in no man's land. It was a golf resort actually - not that we play golf or even like golf, but my friend Jenny booked it.

The road leading to our condo was a winding road that went from a hill to a steep valley and up again, with a steep drop off on the side of the road. Luckily there were plenty of trees to sort of prevent your car from plummeting down.

When we pulled up, Jacob especially was less than thrilled. It gave me the "cabin in the mountains/woods" thing I've always wanted to experience. Jacob wanted to be next to a mall or something.

There was a patio off the living room area, with a table and chairs, that overlooked the roller coaster road that led in and all the trees. It was too perfect, waking up in the morning, making a cup of coffee, going on the balcony with my bible and journal. Oh, it was beautiful. And what made it even better - no heat and no mosquitoes. I thought if my house was destroyed, I may never leave.

We took the kids swimming at the pool a couple of times and to miniature golf, that were on the resort (if you would call it that).

We went to Birmingham one day, to visit their "Galleria Mall". Wow, it was the biggest mall. It puts our little mall to shame. But, too many people. You could lose a child in a second in that place. Joshua drove us a little nuts, wanting to go up and down and up and down the very many escalators and the big glass elevator. Oh, and we couldn't pass up the Disney store - all 3 times! I got to know that store too well.

We also went to nearby Talladega. We aren't into Nascar at all, but our friends are, so we went with them and payed for the tour anyway. We saw the Talladega museum, and took a bus tour all around the actual racetrack and up on top of the track. It was okay. The bus driver had the most southern accent you ever heard, I could barely understand him.

It was nice to do things that took our mind off of what was happening at home.

Now, Sunday night, after hearing those 2 news quotes above, I gave into the crying. And you ladies know, once you start, it's hard to stop. I could deal with losing everything own - I've done it before. But the thing that worried me the most was, "Where on earth will we live?" The fact that we would be homeless, and possibly having to live with a friend and all the inconveniences that come with that were the thoughts that were looming in my mind.

I was really so upset that one night. Monday morning, I tried not to even watch the TV at all. Sunday said it all I thought. Me and Clay kept remembering different things that we should have taken, or should have put up higher. You can only do so much, we told ourselves.

I thought my house was "dead" for sure.

Monday came around, and I didn't know what to think. We couldn't get in touch with anyone who had been to our neighborhood, and we are so close to water, we just weren't sure. I was beginning to get a tiny bit of hope Monday evening.

I can't remember the exact time my house "came back to life", but I know that I could barely believe it.

There was no doomsday event after all. No flooding to shock the nation. And Katrina still topped all in the "Mother of Hurricanes" category. Wow. I just could barely believe it.

We planned on staying for a week, but when a neighbor called Tues night with news that our house was fine, and that power had just come back on, we began packing everything. The kids were already sure that everything in their rooms would be gone, and we had all almost accepted it - it was strange that everything was okay, and that we would be going home - to a home that was intact.

We left early on Wednesday morning, drove the 6 hours home with no problems - except that I could barely keep my eyes open at times. Considering I had 3 kids in the car, it was an okay trip.

As we were evacuating, a few days earlier, me and the kids were backing out of the driveway, then I stopped in the street in front of our sunny house, and we just sat there, looking at the house. I said, "I do love our house." I started to go, and Jacob said, "Mom, wait." He just wanted to see it one last time as it was.

And yesterday, we pulled up, and saw our house. Other than limbs and some trees down in the neighborhood, and missing leaves off our trees, and blown leaves and pine needles everywhere, our house was just as we left it.

You know what I had to do.

I walked up to the sidewalk, and got to my knees and bent over and thanked God.

WE ARE BACK!!!

I have so much to write, but not the time to do it right now.

I just wanted to touch base with everyone and let them know we are home!

And the best part of all - our home is not under water this time!!!

We evacuated to northern Alabama, and stayed in a condo in the middle of no where, in the hills/mountains. It was beautiful!

But, we are so happy to be safe and sound at home.

I haven't slept but just a handful of hours per night (last night 4 hours) - which I realized just how bad that was when I first got on the road today - at 6 am, and was almost falling asleep right away, and I still had about 5 and 1/2 hours to go! It was hard.

Our town was in such good condition. Power came back on last night, but all things in the freezer and refrigerator had to be thrown out - luckily I hadn't gone grocery shopping last week - knowing it would all be gone if I did.

I am imensely blessed that what little food was in the fridge and freezer is all we lost this time.

I am so tired, and have a headache. So much unpacking today. Also, I had to put everything back in it's place - I had picked up everything and put it high on shelves - assuming the worst.

I will write much more about all of this tomorrow.

Thanks for everyone who was praying for us - love ya'll.

Panic

Panic is what I am feeling, try as I am not to.

I looked at yesterday's post, and thought, "Can't I go back to that? Just looking forward to a bible study? With no huge worries?"

Gustav. Could it have a better name? Something sweet sounding, like Lilly or Molly?

Until another couple of days, they don't really know where this storm is going. Though why do all the models have it pointed to us if they don't know? We are in the middle of the expected path.

I needed to go grocery shopping today. Should I do that? Should I buy anything that we won't need within 3 or 4 days? I just filled my freezer with chicken breasts the other day - should I try to cook it all, before it's all gone? These are the things that are going through my mind. It may seem irrational. Like, I was going to by toilet paper - but really, we have enough rolls to make it till the weekend - but will we really need it after that? I can remember seeing all of the soggy, moldy toilet paper rolls. I remember fearing what may come out at me as those bathroom cabinets were opened. It was all disgusting - nothing could be salvaged.

I so do not want to sound like a voice of gloom and doom. I don't want to feel it either. How do you wish for a Hurricane to hit someone else? I pray that it weakens, instead of strengthening - like they say it will. And I also pray that it does not hit here, not again.

I turned on the news this morning, which is only feeding my panic. All they are talking about it packing up the things you need and want to take with you, now. Evacuation routes, getting out before the panic begins, and the like. I do not like this.

Having lost most everything you own, how do you part with things? Furniture, yes, I must leave. Just thinking of packing everything I care about, and praying my house will be spared, makes me feel such a feeling of dread.

Joshua was 2 months old when Hurricane Katrina hit. He didn't know that his house was destroyed.

Yesterday, me and a friend went to lunch, and he was feeling tired and asked me, "Mama, go to Joshie's living room?" All he wanted to do was go home. Now that he is three, how would we deal with losing his home? He would clearly know when he saw everything.

I know, I am going too far ahead. Having been through what I have - knowing the very very long road it took to get here - I can't help it.

Pray for me - and everyone in it's path.

Rain, Rain and More Rain - on its way!

TD Fay's rains reach us today.

How fitting, that at the end of August we would see something. How wonderful that is has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression.

We are expected to get 4-8 inches of rain, I think. Hopefully our neighborhood will fair well - no flooding.

One benefit of Fay making it's way over here, is that yesterday was a glorious day in the deep south. It brought breezes we normally never feel until usually the end of Sept, or Oct. Yesterday was sunny and so windy.

I was outside with Joshua and I just held my arms out and said, "Joshua, it's so beautiful outside." To that, he holds his arms up, and says, "Mama, it's so beautiful outside!". Then he went in the house. Kids, they can't appreciate it.

I have prepared in no way, so hopefully there was no need to. As long as we have power, we will be fine. Oh, and maybe cable. And a dry house. That's about it!