The unforgettable ice storm of '09

Well, there are no pictures to go along with this post (frankly, grabbing the camera was the farthest thing from my mind), but I thought I would still tell about our powerless, but fun, week. It all started a week ago Sunday when Scott and I went out with our good friends, Chad and Leslie. We went and ate at Hog Haus in Fayetteville, and then went to see Brian Regan live @ the WAC. What a funny, funny man!! It was such a great night....until 1:30, anyway... I woke up SICK. Some kind of stomach bug, apparently (I had made the comment that I had a "stomach of steel" just 2 days before this...). So, I stayed home from school on Monday and followed the weather and the storm that was rolling our way. The ice was definitely coming, so the girls' school let out at 2. Thankfully, Scott had waited to take his lunch hour, so he picked the girls up and brought them home (I was going to try to venture out myself, but still had the stomach stuff going on. Gross, I know.). This time the weathermen were right on - worst ice storm I've ever seen in my 32 years! School was canceled for all of us on Tuesday and I was feeling MUCH better, so I decided to make pancakes for me and the girls. As I was finishing up, the lights started to flicker. I thought, "I'd better take a shower before we lose power and hot water", and as I was stepping out of the shower - everything went dead. Wet hair still in a towel and not many options for fixing it. So, I put on my best sweats, put on a hat, skipped the make-up, and the girls and I took our places in front of the fireplace (which came on when I flipped the switch, thank the Lord!). And that is where we spent the entire day...me studying and the girls asking, "Can I have a drink? When is lunch? Can we go outside? When's the power gonna come back on? What can I do? What should I do? What time is it? When is dad coming home? Where are we sleeping tonight?" and on and on and on..... Scott came in around 5:30, listened to this for about 15 minutes, and started making phone calls. He was concerned that we didn't have power for the essentials like heat and refrigeration, but even more concerned that we didn't have power for entertainment, like TV's and computers and knew that he'd be stuck playing boardgames all night if he didn't find a way out! Luckily, our friend Blake called soon after and asked about our power situation. We told him it was out and wasn't looking good, so he and Beth offered to let us crash at their place for the night....and we stayed 8. No electricity in our house for 8 days. The worst part was the other street in our neighborhood was lit up like Silver Dollar City at Christmastime!! We apparently were the cutoff line for electricity restoration. So, we came home everyday with our fingers crossed, walked into a cold, dark house, and packed a bag for the next day. I know it sounds just awful and depressing, but it was actually a really fun week! Beth and I hung out and relaxed with the kids all day while the guys worked, then we spent the evenings eating out, watching movies, watching basketball...they even got us tickets for a charity bowl they were going to, and it was a total blast!! (I'll post pics of that later.) We loved the Hanbys before, but we love them even more now. They were the perfect hosts. So, while I was drying my hair Wednesday morning, Scott came in and showed me a text message on his phone - it was from our neighbor across the street saying that the power had come back on at 5:30 am. Hallelujah!! I didn't believe it completely, so I took the girls to school and ran by here to see for myself. Sure enough - there was light and heat! It's amazing how something like that can make you appreciate the things you normally take for granted. So...we're settled back in and have returned to normal life again. And now it's in the 60's....only in Arkansas....

What do you do when it's 70 degrees in January??

You go 4-wheelin!! Now, this is my idea of a good time!

Bringing up our girls the right way!

Everyone topping the hill.

I pretty much took over Dave's 650. I have the need for speed!

Payton's riding face.

Stacey mastering the clutch like a pro!

M'laine & Alyssa. Oh yeah, everyone in this family rides.

Oh so happy!

Dave on the dirt bike.

And now you see why I worry.

Scott sitting still....but, not for long!!

Christmas #4

We had our 4th and final Christmas this weekend with Scott's side of the family. We got together at Dave & Stacey's on Thursday night for eating and games, here on Friday night for eating and games, and Saturday for 4-wheeling (that'll get it's own post), present-opening, and even more eating. We are so blessed to have such great families and so many wonderful people to spend the holidays with!

Scott giving Oliver the ears. He was clueless.

Holland with her official Red Ryder BB gun. This one was M'laine's idea, and a pretty good one, I must say. Holland can't wait for it to warm up again so she can try it out!

Joy and Sullivan - his very first Christmas.

Payton with the Paper Recycling Factory she got from Uncle Seth & Aunt Joy. That's right - go green!!

Of course, a baby pic. How can you resist??

The 2 people that spent a great amount of time and money shopping for this crew. We appreciate you so very much!

Scott (holding the coveted 2009 family calendar), Dave & Stacey (and Seth in the mirror).

Scott's new clothes!

And the fam. We missed you, Shannon & Tony!

Christmas #3

Grant & Mandie spent Christmas day with her family, so they headed up this way Friday night. We all got together on Saturday for our family Christmas. We let the kids read the Christmas story out of the Bible and open presents, then we all went to Rock & Rhonda's house. We ate all day AGAIN, talked for a while since Leah and Jesse were in from SC and played Rummikub. Another great day with some of the best people in the world! I love you all!!

Christmas #2

After the girls rode the 4-wheeler in the freezing cold for a few minutes, we cleaned up and headed down to Pam & Henry's in Russellville. Matt, Gina, Corey, and Christian were in from NC... Marc, Robin and their new baby, Scout, were there... And Rock, Rhonda, mom and dad all drove down to spend the day. We had a houseful and enough food to feed 3 times that many people!! It was so good to be together, but we missed Lanell and her group, Leah, Jesse, and Ethan, and Grant, Mandie and Gavin (that will be Christmas #3...). Maybe next time we'll have EVERYONE there!

Henry, Corey, Gina, mom, Pam & Rhonda around the MASSIVE dessert tray

The cousins that never get to see each other playing Monopoly

Dad & sweet baby Scout

My best buddy growing up, my cousin Marc

Matt, Corey, Christian, Scott & Holland. Matt was feeling left out because he was the only one without an electronic device :)

Christmas #1

If you're reading this, I'm sure you've seen the Thanksgiving post on here where we all rode 4-wheelers while we were in El Dorado. Well, since then, it's been all the girls have talked about. Hey, thanks Dave!! They asked for one for Christmas, but we pretty much told them it wasn't gonna happen. And if you're reading this, you also already know how Scott is, and since he loves anything with an engine, he would find a way to make it happen. So....he got a smaller one for the girls and a bigger one for us to be able to ride with them. Scott had them in the driveway, so I snuck out with the video camera on Christmas morning, and Scott made up some story to get them out there. They were so surprised and happy! The looks on their faces were priceless! So, now we have a trailer, but nothing to pull it, which means we're pretty much limited to the backyard (and the rest of the neighborhood until we get caught). And you know what that means....Scott's on a new mission to find something 4-wheel drive. Does it ever end???

There are no words....