We interrupt these vacation posts to bring you...FLOOD 2017

Ugh.

I'll spare you many details, but this past week has been a bit of a challenge for us.  On Tuesday, Jon had to go to court and I was told to keep an eye on the sump pit while he was away.  A storm was predicted, and we had reason to be concerned.  I went downstairs to check the pit and saw the water rising...and rising...and rising.  I yelled for the kids to bring towels.  Scratch that, kids- bring buckets!  I couldn't get a hold of Jon, so I did what I do when I panic..."MOM!!!!!!!"  

My parents raced over and started to furiously help me carry buckets of water up the stairs.  We watched as the water continued to pour in and completely flood the basement.  We worked for at least two hours just trying to keep the waters from rising higher.  Mike and Carol came over too to join in the fun.  The kids worked so hard for the entire time- filling up buckets for the grownups to chug up the stairs.  We did this over and over...and over.

Finally, Jon was able to come home and our plumber showed up too with a new pump.  Then we were able to turn our attention for the next several hours to removing the saturated carpet, pad, and all of the MANY furniture and treasures that our basement held.

Most items from downstairs have been brought upstairs, so we are living in chaos.

The fans and dehumidifiers have been running non-stop, and it's loud.  The kids and I have been shutting ourselves into our bedroom in the evenings and reading many books on the bed- just to escape the messy house and noise.  (I think they are actually enjoying that and have been looking forward to it each evening.)

I realize that in the scheme of life, this isn't a real "trial" by some people's standards.  We were all safe and were blessed by the help of our families.   We are trying to take this in stride and hopefully set up better systems so this won't happen again anytime soon. 

Kind of funny side story...during the flood, my mom and I had our phones in our pockets and the emergency flood alert started sounding.  Natalie asked me a few days later how they knew that our basement was flooding.  :)

After the storm, there was a rainbow.  (A Marsh cookie rainbow, that is.)  I wanted to explain to everyone in the store why we were choosing a rainbow cookie (most icing).  No statements of any kind intended! 

Kind of off topic, but Kate said, "When I turn 18, I'm going to drive to Marsh everyday!"  :)