Sunday, February 20, 2011

A Series of Unfortunate Events, but not really!

(I gave this entry this name because Jen is sitting here reading that book and it seemed like a good title for this. )

I have a story to tell. It is a sad tale, an unfortunate event about a house that flooded. But this sad tale ends quite happily.

Last Monday I felt like I needed to stay home from work. I thought it was because I didn't feel well. I would soon learn that it wasn't that at all.

Heidi and Ian went off to school and I was meandering around the house picking up and straightening. When I was in Ian's room I found a wet spot on his carpet, under his bed. I moved his bed and the whole thing was very wet.

I panicked. I do not like to handle these kinds of things alone. It is absolutely no fun! As you will see I did not have to handle it alone at all. I knelt down and asked heavenly Father to guide me through this experience and help me pick and choose the right people to help me. I feel He did that. The right people came at the right time. It was amazing to me. I do not even talk about the countless people who asked me if they could help. Thanks you. You eased my mind and help me through this.

I went to Facebook and asked for help to find the right plumber. I received many responses and called a few until I found the one that I asked to come and help me. His name is Eric, from Eric's Plumbing. I continued to pray.

Eric came, made an assessment and told me what was happening.

I had a broken pipe on the top floor and it was leaking down all of my walls to the basement.

He fixed the pipe and told me who to call to help with the damage to our home.

24 hr Flood Response to the rescue. They were in our home within an few hours and had started the repairs. Damaged was done to the original wall where the pipe was in my garage. It went down into our main family room and damaged the wall there and the hardwood floor. It then continued down the wall to the basement family room/Ian's room and flooded the ceiling and floor. Major damage, shocking damage in such a short time. Our walls and floor have been drying with their loud heavy machines ever since. 6 days now. This company has been amazing. They have been reassuring and so helpful too.

Friday was the insurance day. I was a little nervous. I have heard several times from Eric, the plumber and 24 hour flood that my insurance company is picky about who they pay for floods. I have prayed continually about this and left it in the Lord's hands.

The insurance adjuster was here from about an hour and then she met with me to "discuss the situation." I was so nervous! I tell you. She told me that there was a little clause in my insurance, a little unusual clause and that everything would be covered 100%. I was in awe. I knelt down and prayed. This time it was a prayer of thanks and gratitude.

See what a happy tale this is now? Except for the loud dryers that we have to live with each day, and the few mild inconveniences I feel extremely blessed and happy about this little unfortunate event.

Now for a few photos.
Family room main floor.


Ian's room

Sunday, February 13, 2011

More from D.C.

More photos from DC.
I finally got Becky's photo card to download her photos. Our DC trip in Oct was so amazing. I just have to share more of our experience there.

We visited the Iwo Jima Monument late one evening. Awe inspiring!






Another nighttime experience. Nighttime was a great time to visit DC. Here we are at the Washington monument.



The wind was crazy. We laid down on one of the benches looking up at the Washington monument and this is how the wind was blowing.



Here we are the WWII monument.


In the hall at our hotel. Becky went crazy with the camera.


Our day in Alexandria ended with a nice dinner at a popular restaurant called Carlisles. So so good!




One of our daytime adventures took us to the Old Post Office bldg. We were told that it is more magnificent that the Washington monument. It had the same four way view, but large windows to view from and fewer people. It was a great find!








Awesome trip. Great memories.

Our home was full of SWEETNESS!

Heidi hosted dinner for the "Sweethearts" dance at our home last night.

They had a dinner of "yummy chicken", salad, twiced baked potatoes and rolls.
Then each couple decorated their own Valentine's cake.

And just a few of my thoughts about the evening.

Heidi has so many truly great friends.
All the young people at our home last night were so awesome. The young people today are amazing. The are of high caliber.
I love their creativeness in decorating and party ideas on a budget.
Heidi's date, Ty, is a very cute, impressive young man.
Heidi is an wonderful, beautiful, amazing young lady.

I took a few photos of the evening. Here they are.















Ian has a great season of basketball


Ian is such a great player. He is so fun to watch.
Here are a few of his pics from his last game.
They are so blurry, but it is all I have.



Sunday, February 6, 2011

Heidi is 17!

Heidi had a birthday too. And I will also share a few photos of Heidi this year. Heidi, you can't be 17 already. It is so fun to see your life unfold in such a wonderful way.