We are alive and well after Hurricane Ike, I just wish I can say the same for my house and van (yes, "and van"). A big giant tree uprooted in our backyard and crashed through our house very early on Saturday morning. Fortunately, we (and Val, Izzy, and baby Joel), were having a big slumber party downstairs when the tree came crashing through our bathroom, closet, and bedroom. Part of the tree broke off and hit our van, which was parked in the driveway.
But God is good. And we are safe. We have moved out of the house temporarily and are living with my very gracious aunt and uncle about 20 minutes away. There is extensive roof and water damage in about half of the house, and pieces of ceiling keep caving in.
The van is already at the dealership waiting on the insurance adjuster (which could take up to two weeks, apparently.) In the van, a large branch went through the back half, breaking the rear window and 2 back windows and flooding the interior with the several inches of rain we received Saturday. The windshield is cracked, and something is making a very bad noise under the hood when you drive it now. It's just not looking good for my little blue van.
But we are safe and sound, with wonderfully generous family and friends. It's been a rough week, one without electricity from Friday night through Tuesday afternoon, unpredictability, filled with family and friends eager to help out in any way they can. Gas earlier this week was very hard to come by, and most grocery stores are still not fully stocked. Schools are out at least for the rest of this week, and we have not heard when most of the schools will resume. (Dane and Aidan go back to their little school on Tuesday. I told you God is good.) Some districts in other parts of town are closed indefinitely.
Dane and Aidan are doing very well with all of this-- it is the "Big Adventure". Every now and then when Aidan gets frustrated, he will cry "I want to go home". I just want to hug him and say, "So do I.". We brought their scooters with us, and every day so far Brandon has taken them on adventures in the walking trails in my uncle's neighborhood. They come home with stories of acorns and sticks and Ninja Turtles, of course. There is an abundance of new-to-them toys to play with here, and we have seen quite a bit of our friends in town, since many of us have not had work or school this week.
At this point we really have no idea how long we will be "displaced" by this hurricane. The tree is finally being removed from the house today, 7 days after it fell. It will take a crane to remove, and cranes are apparently very expensive and in very high demand at the moment. As soon as we have power on at the house (I turned it off out of concern for exposed wires, water, etc.), and feel safe that enough of the water damage has been taken care of, hopefully we can move into our guest room while they finish the repairs.
Thank you to everyone who has been praying for our little family during all of this. It has been greatly appreciated! We'll keep you posted.