hurricane irene

josh left for new mexico to start our first of three away rotations in orthopaedics. the first few days were rough because we missed him so much, but both josh and i thought the kids would get over it. well we were WRONG! they cried everyday for daddy. especially brooklyn, she had such a hard time with her dad gone. i tried to keep the kids busy doing our last of summer fun things. we went to the zoo, we went to the beach, we went swimming at the Y, we went to the library, we went to the park, but nothing seemed to be helping. well after almost a week being without josh, news of the hurricane started to really rise my fears. i prayed and felt comforted but still i just needed josh. i wish i were stronger, but i need my man in my life. after many emotions, i still got everything prepared for what this hurricane might bring. on thursday scott called and asked how i was doing. trying to not cry, i told him i was okay that i had gotten everything prepared. he asked about evacuation information but really where we live if they order an evacuation there is no place to go. the only way in and out of virginia beach is by bridges or tunnels which they close if winds get too high. well we were expected at the time to have 110 mph winds. the roads were already jam packed up everyone leaving. the gas stations took forever to get through to get gas. the grocery stores were running out of bread and water. it was very scary to be seeing all of this and hoping that we would be safe. well scott came to my rescue and offered to fly us out on friday. the hurricane was supposed to hit us saturday. i was more than relieved, i cried and cried tears of gratitude while i quickly packed up the rest of us and got the house cleaned for our morning departure. we were going to fly to arizona where we would stay the night and then scott and karen would drive me and the kids to meet josh halfway to new mexico on saturday. it really was all a blur now that i think of it. my heart is still so full of thanks to scott and karen and my parents for helping us escape the storm. yes, everything was probably going to be fine but it was so wonderful knowing we would be safe. our flight was great, the house got locked up and keys were given to our friends who were going to watch it. scott and karen were amazing to do so much to take care of us. they truly are my other mom and dad and i feel so blessed to have them in my life. my heart is so full of humility and thanksgiving for all they did for us. and on saturday they took care of everything and more (especially making brooklyn's birthday special) getting us to see josh. luckily, our house was one of the few that didnt lose power. we had friends come and stay at our house while their power was out for three days. the winds only reached 75 mph. we had parked josh's car at our friends house and luckily they moved it because were it was parked a huge tree fell there. our big tree by our house didnt fall over but a big tree down the street did smashing a car. we were blessed and protected. thank you thank you to scott and karen and my parents for taking care of us. i will forever be indebted to you.