Hurricane Damage
Here are a few scenes from the last week--really hard to put it into pictures what it is really like around here.
1 and 2) the storm approaches
3) Rose's storm shelter--she learned to climb into the dryer and thought it was quite funny
4) Rose's hurricane meal time
5) damage at our complex--this tree blocked our way out the first day
6) the awning from our stairwell is now in our stairwell
7) that was our carwash at our complex
8 and 9) just two examples of trees down--this is what it looks like everywhere you look around town. No tree was untouched. Some of these trees are huge.
10, 11, 12) a trip to the store. No power. No food on the shelves. Rose wonders...where are the lights?!
13) a FEMA line. People waiting for hours for ice and water.
Hurricane Damage
The Power is On
Just a quick note to say that the power is on in our neighborhood. We were surprised as there are many neighborhoods around us still without power. We are going to enjoy a hot shower and the ability to catch up on laundry and a good meal. Groceries will still be a challenge as stores are only selling non-perishable items. Gas lines are still long.
We will determine our next steps... and keep everyone posted.
Thanks for everyone inviting us and being flexible with us. We appreciate everyones calls, desires to help and prayers. We still have lots to be thankful for.
Pictures coming soon...
I happened to drive by the office and noticed the power is on, so I took advantage of shooting off an email. The office is next to city hall and the police/fire station, warranting power. The Target across the street is working off of a generator.
Things here are still quite bad. No power or clean water expected until November 20th. Phone lines are down. Cell phone service comes and goes. Only a few gas stations are open and the lines are hours long, so we are not driving around too far. Some stores are open, but only selling non-perishable items for cash only. The damage around the county is very extensive—we’ve never seen anything like this. FEMA is handing out water and ice; however, lines are so long, its not worth getting in them.
The airport reopened today with limited flights, so I am going to try and determine our next steps as our patience in a tiny apartment is a bit challenged. Rose, on the other hand, doesn’t know the difference. She seems to be enjoying herself having me home. The weather, too, has been a blessing—low humidity with the evenings in the mid-50s—record lows.
We are fortunate we didn’t have damage to our home or cars and there was no flooding.
I’ll try and post info on the blog when I can. Rachel has been our videographer trying to capture what its like. Hard to put it into words—definitely not something we want to experience again.
Rose turns One!
As you can see, she is all dressed up for the party--what a little diva we have! The last year has absolutely flown by. We can't believe that she once was 6lbs. 7 oz. and once sat still. Now, as you can see, is always on the go--looks like she would fit right into the South Beach lifestyle!
Our lives are richer from every minute this beautiful girl has been in our lives. Thank you for the role you have in her life--near or far.
Days with Mim and More
Here are those pics from Mim's visit to Florida. Of course, Mim isn't in any of them...you'll just have to take our word that she was part of the entertainment:
1-2: object lessons on Cookies. Looks like Rose got a bit involved in this one. :)
3,4,5: A nice day at the beach. We haven't been swimming at the beach since May because its been too hot; now that Rose is a bit older, she is really enjoying her time. Amazing what a few months can do.
6,7: Another object lesson on apples (which Rose can now 'sign). However, its dangerous to ask her to sign it unless you want apples in her hair (as all signs seem to involve Rose wiping her food on her hair, regardless of what the sign is).
8: Mom and dad's night out--we went to a new restaurant at the beach (the view was better than the food or service).
9,10: These were taken today, but thought we would post them anyway. Rose discovered a car at church--which she loves to drive. She also loves cottage cheese. My oh my. If you can handle looking, you can really see her top teeth.
Rose's Birthday Dress Rehearsal!
No, Rose has not actually had her 1st birthday yet, however we were visiting my family in Mass. last week and celebrated her birthday early. As you may have guessed Rose loves Elmo so that was our party theme. I had fun making the Elmo cake and she loved it. Rose had fun with her cousins Brooklyn and Ben. She loved to kiss Ben and would stand up high on her tippy toes to give him a hug and a kiss. Everytime she opened a present she got very excited and clapped her hands. Her uncle Jake and Aunt April spoiled her with "Shout" Elmo doll, which I think was her favorite gift. She loves to dance with Elmo. Her other favorite activity at Mim and Papa's was to go UP UP UP! (the stairs that is) she would constantly go to the stairs and yell UP UP UP! until one of us would help her walk up stairs. While in Mass. we also attended my little cousin's 2nd birthday, she was a preemie so even though she is a year older than Rose they are almost the same size. After our time in Mass., my mom joined me on the plane with Rose while Mike headed to Seattle--we'll share more of those pictures soon. Enjoy!
