These kids are getting old!

I'm never happy about summer ending... but the kids sure don't seem to mind once they get all their new school clothes on and head out the door. In fact, Eli who is now 8, set his alarm clock for 6:30 a.m. Monday morning... got up, put on his new clothes, ate breakfast and donned his new backpack. I was still sleeping since school didn't start until today and I don't go into work until 9. When I woke up and saw him in his new fancy schmancy clothes I asked him what he was doing. "I'm practicing Mom. I even went out to the bus stop and stood there for a few minutes!" They will rock this school year! Oh... and Trent is pretty excited that school starts today too!

A flash flood

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July 14, 2014-

A normal day by any means of the term "normal". Off at work at 5p.m. I went to my car noting a few dark clouds and a misplaced rain drop on my nose. I drove home and began cooking dinner for the kids and then the rain began to fall.... and the quarter sized hail. I could see blue skies in the horizon--so I thought for sure it wouldn't last long.

 

40 minutes is all it took to completely change my perspective forever.

 

After ensuring our back porch and window wells stayed clear of the rising water-- we stepped outside to the front porch to see the most shocking, amazing and powerful witness to how quickly a disaster can overtake our lives.

The road had turned into a river.

Our neighbors homes were devastated. The force of the water broke out the basement windows and their home was invaded by a culprit not easily recovered from. Family pictures, decorations, personal belongings and bed floating through sludge, dirt and debris.

 Despite the shock--- the community immediately rallied up. Forgetting about what they were wearing or if they had "time", neighbors jumped into the flood waters- many without even shoes- to help wherever it was needed. What an amazing site to see.

Before long- our streets were dry- and the remnants of rock and dirt lay scattered about as the only testament of what had just happened. City crews showed up to further the clean up efforts.

 

Want to help the victims? Here's how you can.

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/cp638?fb_action_ids=10204265452498144&fb_action_types=fundrazr%253Astory_update&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map=%257B%252210204265452498144%2522%253A872425199453351%257D&action_type_map=%257B%252210204265452498144%2522%253A%2522fundrazr%253Astory_update%2522%257D&action_ref_map=%255B%255D