Irene- The unabridged version

So I left school Friday with the anticipation of the first day of school, being two days away and with a fear of the impending weather about to strike our area. Little did I know.
Friday evening I cleaned out a cooler, readied the flashlights, put batteries in the radio. Charged the cell phone and Ipod.
Saturday, got up, went to the store to get a few items. and at around 1 PM, the rain started. Paul got home from work around 3:30. At around 5 we noticed a drip coming from the ceiling in two places. We quickly moved the furniture and got buckets to collect water. Paul went outside and inspected the downspouts. in the pouring rain, I held the ladder for him. All looked ok.
We put the kids to bed, as the wind picked up and the rain came down. We watched the coverage on tv and around 11:30, we called it a night. I was feeling anxious and was praying that our power would stay on.
Well it didn't.
at 2 Am I heard the power go off. Does that make sense? Miss M's sound machine went off but since i am such a smart mom I remembered to put batteries in it. BUT I had to go in, unplug it and then it would turn on. Of course, she woke up. I had a flashlight and she was crying. Took about 10 minutes to get her to go back to sleep. I crawled back in bed, hoping that when I got up, the power would be on.
It wasn't.
The kids got up. We at Peanut Butter sandwiches for breakfast. I quickly got the ice from the freezer and put the milk and a few other things in the cooler. No coffee for this mom. ug.
By 9 Am the kids were going nuts. So was I. I was wondering how I was going to deal with all of this on my own. Paul had to be at work. So I went into talk to him and started bawling. I guess I just lost it! God love him, he got on the phone and called out. Love that guy! IT helped me feel less stressed. at least a little.
So I sent him out in search of ice and a land line phone. I couldn't find the one I keep for reasons like this. An hour and a half later, he brought home 4 bags of ice for the coolers I pulled out of the shed. He also brought home McDonald's breakfast and coffee. He said the whole area was out of power. We decided to go out and search for a portable tv. I need to watch the news. I am a storm coverage junkie. Well, there was one Walmart open in our county. Everything was without power. It was creepy!
When we got home we had to decide what to keep (food wise). We filled up our coolers and decided to head to his mom's house to see what we could fit in her freezer. (She had power restored pretty quickly) School (the first day) was cancelled since 49 schools had no power and so we decided to spend the night.
We fit most of our stuff in her freezer/fridge and the rest we kept in the cooler on tons of ice. We got the kids to bed and Paul and I laid down to rest our weary selves. I prayed for patience. There were so many people who had a tree through their home or 6 inches of water in their basement. No power was nothing compared to that. But still, I was so anxious.
We got a call from a neighbor around 11 PM that the power had come back on. I was so relieved. We got up the next morning and brought our food home. I spent the day putting things back, cleaning up and such so was glad to hear of the school closing for Tuesday. I needed a day to recoup.
We were so blessed to have stayed safe, to have minimal damage to our home, to have saved our food, and to get power back so quickly. We went 21 hours without and some people are going on day three.
We survived. and I learned a lesson in patience. I truly learned that I am not in control.

The first day of school...almost

I am too exhausted and have too much to do to blog about the whole thing but to some it up, today WAS the first day of school until Irene gave us a visit. Hurricane Irene.
We had a lean in the living room. We are all safe but we had no power for a long time, we had to pack up and move food, I had a few meltdowns but we are all ok. Power is on and so it is time to clean up.

No first day of school today. Maybe not tomorrow, but perhaps. Many schools still w/o power.

Wow.....

We had an earthquake today. Never would I think those words would come out of my mouth. ever. really....
But we did. In Virginia, a 5.6 earthquake. I was in my classroom sitting at my desk talking to my coworker. I felt like I was shaking on my chair, but my coworker kept talking. Was I getting dizzy? Was the custodian moving larger furniture in the hallway? Was I imagining something? Then, my CW noticed the overhead TV shaking...I yelled GET OUT OF HERE! Apparently I pushed he towards the door but I don't remember. We were all standing in the hallway and people were yelling to get into the hallway. We still weren't sure what in the world was happening. Then the principal said on the speaker- :EVERYONE- GET OUT OF THE BUILDING!" I grabbed my purse and out I ran! I was shaking, my heart beating so fast. My CW was hugging me because she said I have such good instincts that I pushed her towards the door. We all met in front of the school and did a headcount. Only one guy had a phone with Internet and that is when we found out that it was, indeed an earthquake. Holy Moley.....a real Honest to Goodness earthquake.....here....
It took me about 15 minutes (which seemed like an hour) to reach my home via the phone. Everyone was OK...no damage.....It took almost an hour to locate everyone in the family but everyone is OK. We were allowed`to go home so I did. Of course, tonight was "Meet the Teacher" night at school so I had to go back. I wasn't happy about that but I didn't have a choice.
I am praying that this experience with an earthquake will be my LAST!

Update on "Prayers Needed"

Thanks for those of you who have been praying for our family. We are asking for God's wisdom. We have had many prayers answered, and still are asking for more guidance. Please continue to pray for us. We have seen glimpses of sunshine through this storm.

Wordless Wednesday

Prayers needed

I have asked everyone I know and trust to please pray for my sister -in-law and our family right now. I know some of my blog readers but I know there are some who I don't know. So I am asking you whether I know you or not, to pray for my sister in law and our family. I don't want to go into detail on a blog to respect her privacy but she is going through a lot right now, mentally, physically, personally. We are helping her the best we can....sometimes it is tough love.......but we are doing the best we can....but more than ever, we are asking for God's help......and I know that HE knows what is going on but would you keep Denise in your prayers? Also, would you ask your friends to pray for her? The bloggy world is so huge.....I have prayed for so many people that I don't know (besides what I read about their family) and now I am asking you all to pray for her. and for her family. Like I said, we are trying the best we can to help her. But it is hard. I appreciate your prayers. We are truly seeking out for what HE wants us to do next. Thanks!





Wendy

The Wolf Pack

No, I am not referring to the Twilight series (although I am looking forward to seeing that Wolf Pack when that movie comes out). I am referring to the Cub Scout Wolf Pack! We have had a lot of fun this summer with these boys and their families! J is well on his way to earning the Summer time Achievement patch which is earned by doing planned activities with their den.
The first event we attended was the local minor league baseball game. The boys got to parade around the field at the start of the game, which was super cool! Can you tell J was excited?

All lined up!
The parade begins.

and ends...

Our next activity was at the local Lowe's, where the boys made binoculars. IT was super fun for them and FREE! Even Miss M got in on the action!

Sibling love...

J was such a good sport. He let M take a swing at hitting the nails.

I was thrilled becasue it was soft wood and pre-drilled holes!

Here are our handsome boys showing their cool binoculars!

Next on the Scout agenda is the fishing derby (yikes) and a trip to a local amusement park. I am not a fisherman. I will leave that outing up to my hubs! :)