Sunday night our family (minus Chip who was out of town) was just finishing dinner when the sky got VERY dark. In a matter of minutes I determined it would be best to get all of the kids downstairs and check the weather on my cellphone as the power flashed off a couple of times. By the time I got us to the bottom of the staircase I could see out our patio door that the rain was starting to come down in sheets and the wind was growing strong. We grabbed lots of blankets and a flashlight and closed ourselves in the bathroom. The kids weren't all that scared, and I wasn't either as I checked weather.com for a local weather update. I told them if they heard sirens we would know that the storm was dangerous, but until then, it was just a wild thunderstorm. Well, we never did hear sirens and in about 10 minutes time, our neighborhood landscape changed dramatically. The photos here are pictures of next door, and just across the street, and our backyard. There were straight line winds that down hundreds of trees in our community and as you can see, some damaged homes and rooftops. Our house was spared. We were without electricty from 7pm Sunday night until 9pm last night. The kids cheered when it came back on. We had been warned it could be up to a week before the power would be back on in our neighborhood.
We're so grateful to have stayed safe and other than losing most of the food in our fridge and freezer, we are back to normal. We're doing our best to help our friends and are watching kids and making extra food and lemonade to just help out a bit. It was all so sudden and unexpected, but could have been much worse. It sure puts things into perspective once again.
As the kids said, "This is the biggest storm in our whole lifetime"! They were happy to have their nightlights back last night and a toaster working when we woke up today.
Also, Chip's grandma, our dear Grandma Rose passed away on Saturday. She was such a sweet grandma and we are sad and will miss her very much. She lived in Minnesota, and due to Wyndham's upcoming surgical consult this next week, we will miss being able to make the trip home for her funeral. Seems our summer just keeps us on our toes. Never a dull moment, and when there is a dull moment, we're all just as happy about that too.
12 comments:
Hi, Jody:
Living in Alabama, those pictures are all too familiar. So glad you and your kids are okay.
I'm thinking of Wyndham this week. I hope all goes well with your consult.
Belinda
Wow - So glad you are all o.k.! :) Praying for you & Wyndham as you have your consult this week. :)
I live in Arkansas. We see this every couple of years. I'll be praying for you about the consult visit!
Being in Florida, I know very well the scene of your photos. I'm so sorry you all went through that, but am thanking God you're all okay.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your grandmother, and sorry you can't make it to her funeral. I will be keeping Wyndham in my prayers.
WOW! Glad no one was injured. Continuing to pray for Wyndham.
Hi, so glad that everyone is ok..looks like you had a hurricane come through like we do here but we get warnings. My condolences on the the Grandmother's passing. And again..so glad you are all ok..good luck with Wyndams consult. hugs Susie
If it weren't for the $ lost on all the food in the fridge and freezer, losing the power every once in awhile would actually be a good thing. We lost ours for almost 9 days last Sept., and we were almost sad when it came back. We had been having fun playing board games by candlelight, having Hurricane Ike dinner parties with our neighbors to use up food that was thawing, and playing hide and seek around the house in the dark.
Sorry about your neighbors' house and all the trees you lost in your neighborhood. It's so great that no one was hurt.
Holy Smokes!!! I'm so glad y'all are ok! I'm in KS and know how much damage some of those sudden thunderstorms can cause. You're neighbors are so blessed to have you near.
I'm so glad you all were safe from the storm and your house was spared and so sorry to hear about Grandma!!
My condolences on Grandma Rose's passing. I am praying that your sweet memories of her will comfort you all.
So much of our kids' reactions to storms is based on our own, isn't it? When we've had to huddle in a bathroom or laundry room, the kids might be a little nervous, but there's not that terrified vibe because we parents keep it calm. Makes the passing of the storm so much more bearable. hmmm..... guess that's true for the storms of life, too, huh?
I am so happy your family is safe. I will lift prayer to your community and to your family as they deal with the loss of your grandmother.
Fruitport or Spring Lake?
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