#FloodLyfe

So, yesterday marked a month since water came rushing into my home...a month since it covered my floors, my babies' toys, seeped into my furniture and cabinetry...

It has been a month since my family became homeless.

At 6am on Saturday, August 13th, I was woken up by a call from my dad. The boys had slept in my bed with me, and I tried to speak quietly as to not wake them up. My dad was concerned that I needed to leave since I was home alone with my boys. Michael had been forced in to work the day before, and knew that he would not be released until Monday morning at the earliest due to road closures. However, I was prepared to be stuck high and dry on an island in my neighborhood with two stir-crazy little boys. I assured him we would be fine, but that they needed to leave as soon as possible. At 9:30am, I received another text from my cousin next door to my parents...they were already ankle deep in their houses. They were trying to get off of their street, but the water was too high for vehicles. They had to wait for a boat.

I felt absolutely helpless. Around 10:30am, my father-in-law called to tell me they were coming to get me and the boys to bring us to higher ground. I did not want to leave - I thought it was overkill. I was perfectly content to just stay home and wait it out with my boys. However, I pushed my stubborn feelings aside, and agreed to leave with them. At approximately 2pm, I grabbed my boys and we left our home with a few changes of clothes, three books and a few favorite toys. I knew we would be back soon, so I didn't worry with much else. I never imagined that the next time I saw my home, it would be completely devastated.

We went up the road to Michael's grandmother's house. She was busy cooking beans for supper. There was some water in the front yard, but was not moving at that moment. Michael's older brother and girlfriend arrived. The house they were living in had taken on water that was now about waist deep. By 3pm, it was quite obvious that MawMaw's house would be taking on water very soon. I was watching it creep across the lawn. Spiders were all over the patio trying to outrun the water. We moved my car and hers up to the road, and then packed up what we could to leave. I realized as we drove down the driveway that in the 15 minutes it took for us to get collected to leave, the water came up high enough that my car would not have made it out at that point. I buckled Liam into his car seat and let Ethan ride shotgun in his uncle's truck - we had to get out of that area. Our caravan made it over to Michael's parents' house. They were still dry and had power.

About to leave MawMaw's house...

I was texting with my neighbors that had stayed behind. Water was rushing into the streets, and there was no way out. It was happening quickly, and all were certain that our homes would be flooding soon...

By 8:30pm, I received a solid confirmation that our neighbors had water in their home. There was no doubt now.

My street

My home...

It was all very surreal, to be honest. You kind of hold out a little hope until you finally see it yourself. Sunday morning, I received a picture of my house from across the street. Our neighbors, Brittney and Todd were still waiting to be rescued after spending the night with seven people huddled on top of their kitchen island. Their youngest son strapped into the only life jacket they could find. I broke down. That would have been me, but alone with my two babies. Stop for a second, and think about that. I wanted to stay behind. I almost fought for it. I would have been in the dark with a 5 year old and a 2 year old...nowhere to go for safety. Our only option being the highest place inside the house for us to all fit - my kitchen island. Thank God that for once I was not stubborn.

Sunday morning, we woke up to the realization that Michael's parents would be getting some water as well. The boys and I moved up the road to a family friend's house. They were still doing well with no water and power, and had a room for us to stay in until the water went down. Thankful does not even begin to describe the feeling. The Fennels gave us shelter, hot showers and meals, and WINE! :) During the next couple of days, communication was limited and it was difficult to tell exactly when we would be able to get out to see the damage we would be facing. Michael was forced to leave work Sunday morning after being "on" for 60 straight hours. He was able to get to Baton Rouge, and stayed with friends until the interstate was finally opened early Tuesday morning. At about 6am, the door to the bedroom the boys and I were sleeping in opened. Liam was the first to pop up, "Is that Daddy?!" Bring on all the tears.

Since the roads were clear enough, we decided to go see our house. Nothing can quite prepare you to see your entire life mucked up from a flood. Or, for the smell...

Back yard

Bed completely ruined as the water absorbed up into the mattress.

It almost makes you wish it had just been a fire. Then you wouldn't have to go through the painful process of pulling everything you ever owned out and hauling it to the road. Or, have to rip your soggy walls out and dig insulation until you get to something dry. Or...have to pull out every cabinet and built-in that was touched by water. When someone says, "Oh, it doesn't look that bad!" or "It could have been worse!" it makes me want to punch them in the throat. Please, PLEASE tell me how you think it's not that bad. I would LOVE to hear it. Please tell me how I shouldn't cry as my wedding dress is pulled from the mud, or how my son's foot and hand prints from over the years going in the trash "isn't that bad". Not everyone is completely insensitive, and I do recognize that some people just do not know what to say (and, as a result, may say the wrong thing). I've been pretty proud of myself for not completely snapping off at anyone for their not-very-well-thought-out commentary.

My "dream" kitchen

My master bathroom

The growing trash pile...

What I can say through this process is that we have had some absolutely amazing family, friends and co-workers that have come to our rescue. From demo-ing our dream home...being a listening ear...a meal and some time away...it has all been extremely humbling, and we are forever grateful. There are so many people I still need to personally thank... It's overwhelming the love and compassion we have been shown over the last month. My company actually gave our site the week off, and rallied groups together to send to affected employees' houses to help demo and gut. We were blown away.

The kids have handled it better than I could have anticipated. Naturally, they've been wound up and a little stir-crazy at times - to be expected. Ethan has taught me so much through this ordeal. He talks about the "mean flood water" messing up his house, but he has never been angry or overtly upset. He is happy to be alive and with us - that is all he wants. Smart, loving kid. My brother and sister-in-law have been absolute angels sent from heaven. They welcomed us into their home and have tried to make us comfortable, help where and when they could/can. It has been amazing...

I guess this is a sort of condensed version of my little family's experience in the "Great Flood". There were so many more emotions, high tensions, and side stories... Pretty much everyone around here has a flood story - whether it includes their house being flooded, a parent or other immediate family member, or even close friends. No one in this area is completely unscathed from this piece of shit disaster. Literally, 90% of homes in my hometown had water damage as a direct result of the "Great Flood of 2016". My mind still can't process it.

There is still so much to do, but we are getting it done one day at a time. I have had to learn to have more patience than ever before.