We're Back!

So - we did survive. Our power came back on Saturday afternoon. I was in Tyler baking cookies and thought I would try our home number for the thousandth time to see if it was ringing. And oh my goodness - it rang! I called Brian back in Houston (he stayed for work) and told him the good news, I also confirmed with a neighbor. I high-tailed it back home on Sunday morning - how good it is to be home! Brian was so great and cleaned out our fridge, bathrooms, and floors, and all the debris outside! He is the best husband! Today the trash people finally came and took it all away! The only thing now is our fence. We don't have a back fence, so we have to either take Dakota out on a leash, tie her to our back porch, or take her for a walk. I will definitely take this small inconvenience compared to no power!

Interesting fact - we were supposed to have gone to Galveston the 18-21st (last Thursday-Sunday for a long weekend with my parents and Brian's parents). This obviously did not happen. Our condo is a wreck and Galveston in uninhabitable at the moment! Bummer!

Things to remember for next hurricane:
1. Buy trash sacks for yard clean up before it happens (we had none and had to stand in a 30 minute line at Home Depot and be escorted one by one into the store for supplies) :)

Thanks so much to Brandon, Katy, Lexie, and Emily for letting us stay for a week. We had fun hanging out with you guys - ya'll are so generous! Thanks mom and dad for a fun weekend - Lilly enjoyed the fair!

Hurricane Ike

Hello from Houston! We survived the hurricane with minimal damage, but still no POWER!! We lost power Friday night when the storm was starting around 11 pm. It was crazy to hear the power behing the storm and the wind. Lilly slept right throught it all! In the morning, we found we had lost our fence and had a little water in Lilly's room from the window. Other than that, just a lot of limbs and trees down and of course power. It is day 6 without electricity and boy, that is so something we have always taken for granted! We have been spending the night at Brian's brother's house since Saturday. They are so gracious to give us a room to sleep in, food to eat, hot showers, washing our clothes, and letting Dakota stay too. Pray we get power soon! More to come....

Update

This week we found out the due date for the baby has been pushed back to November 12th. We have not met the mom and expect to meet her some time in October. Please pray for all the details to work out and for the birthmom and baby to stay healthy.

So, nothing too much to report. For now, I have to Rest in Him. I need to be still, and reflect on the greater purpose of our lives and yield to our Creator. I am so not in control, and that is okay.

First Day of Mother's Day Out

Yesterday was Lilly's first day of Mother's Day Out! I have to say I was so nervous for her - she obviously did not know what was coming - so I was the one with the nerves. I packed her little lunch the night before and got all her things together. I tried to take a first day of school picture before we left, but she was not into that as you can see, she is constantly on the move and so hard to take a picture of! I did get one of her back and her lunch box. She also has a cute backpack and princess nap mat. Yes, they eat lunch there and take a nap. Her MDO is from 9:15 to 2:15, which is a very long time when you are not used to it.

She did cry when I left her and I did get teary walking to the car without her. I spent my time going to the bank, grocery store, and working on my school lessons. When I went to pick her up, I peeked in and she was not being held or crying - which I was so glad! She was actually playing and when she saw me, she was so excited! We got a little report card and she ate all her lunch, liked the playground, and took a 40 minute nap! All in all, I think a good first day!

I know this is going to be so good for her and me. She will get to play with other kids her age and learn, too! She is at a church, so I know they will pray there and teach her something about Jesus as well! My little Lilly is growing up and gaining some independence. She is very special!