photos from ike

This photo is of the closet that we camped out in. Thankfully it was big enough for all four of us when Lonnie wasn't rolling me off the side of the bed. We had everything we needed just in case we needed to stay put for a little while. I thought about putting up wallpaper to make it look a little more homey but I decided it was overkill. :)

The back ard at our friend's house. What you can't see is the pool that is under the tree limbs.

The great group of youth who came over to help clean out the Weber's pool. Maya and Max were the supervisors.

Getting the pool cleaned up. They did a great job!

jeans and t's

Thanks to Ann Hinckley Stucki for these cute t-shirts she sent the babies.  They had their first day of wearing jeans and t-shirts.  I think they look pretty cute.  Yes, these kiddos were worth the wait.

We went to our 4 month check-up on Friday.  Maya weighs 12 lbs 13 oz and Max weighs 12 lbs 10 oz.  Most impressive is that they went through a serious growth spurt while exclusively breastfeeding.  It has been a long road, but we have finally made it.  

power

Our power came back on sometime yesterday afternoon. We were at the Hatfields until late the evening. When we came home someone had already cleaned up our lawn and piled up the limbs and leaves near the drive way. This morning we were told that someone from our church had cleaned not only our year but also the yards of several of our neighbors. Our neighbor Kelly, who had been in the city bringing food and ice to an older couple who had a tree in the middle of her house, said she was prectically in tears when she saw that her yard had been cleaned while she was out taking care of someone else. We still aren't sure who it was that was so kind to come over and help out. Thank you so much for your kindness.

Lonnie now out cleaning up the yard. The Weber's pool and yard still need a lot of work, but we thankfully the hard things have been done. We just need to get a lot of leaves out of the bottom of the pool and clean up their yard.

Also the blessing of an unusually cool weather front has come through the area, which is such a blessing to those still with out power.

still no power

We are still without power, but staying with our friends the Hatfields who thankfully have welcomed us into their home. Church was canceled today due to lack of power at the building. Several people got together at our friends the Weber's home to cut apart a large thee that had fallen into their pool. People have pulled together to meet every one's needs.

Due to the lack of power there are a lot of people siting on front porches, lounging on lawn chairs in drive ways and gathering neighbors together at the houses that do have power. Yesterday we spent time getting to better know neighbors that we are always meaning to spend time with but always putting off for another day. We didn't worry about getting anything done other than just spending time together and enjoying their cool air-conditioned house.

Houston is a city built on air conditioning. It is hot and humid and most houses are built to keep the cool air trapped inside. I love fresh air and open doors but here in the gulf coast I keep my windows and doors tightly shut to avoid even more costly utility bills. Maybe we should have power-down days more often, where we keep or doors open and visit with or neighbors and offer support, comfort, friendship and a glass of lemon aid.

But I still really miss my air-conditioned house.

after ike

We made it through our first Texas hurricane.  It was a pretty long and crazy night with lots of wind and rain.  We are have been with out power since about 3am this morning.  Some of our neighbors thankfully have power and have invited us to hang out part of today.  

The house did not have any damage.  We lost a fence that also knocked out the water for several house.  Lots of trees in the area and down, but we only lost a few small branches.  

We are still hearing stories about other parts of Houston, many that sustained much more serious damage.  

We are grateful to be safe.