update....our house

We went to check on our house today. The edge of the flood zone is about 6 houses down and around the corner, and boy, were they right with the line of the evacuation zone. Almost exact to the map.

It was sad to see, but at least now I know how bad it already is.

We took a family flood picture. Will sure look nice in the boys' baby books.

This is looking south, at the alley that wraps around to go behind our street down to our garage.

This is in the same spot as above, just turned to face east and look down our street, 2nd Ave SW.

A close-up shot of our house. The one to the right and below the 30th St SW sign.

A closer shot of our house. Water up to the bottom of the living room picture window.

I know it's only 'stuff', but it's our house, where we live, so it's going to be hard to see the disaster once we can get back in there, whenever that may be. Hoping the river crests soon, and the water doesn't go any higher, as we left some stuff in the house on the main floor.

You just never know what's going to happen, but at least I know we won't be on the show 'Hoarders' anytime soon!!!

not again....

Well, I don't have any water pictures yet to share, but we had to evacuate our home again. :( 

 We took all our furniture out, as well as many, many belongings, and bought a new house! We live in a camper now! Below are some pictures of Samantha modeling our new home, which we've been lucky enough to be able to park at Jay's house! We are thankful that they're letting us invade their space as well as park in their driveway and take us in!

The living room area. :)

The kitchen/dining area

Bathroom

Bed

Front door welcome!

It is a big bummer that we had to leave our home, but we are thankful for friends and family who helped us pack up and haul and house our stuff! We are hoping that we're far enough away from the river to avoid water in our basement or on our main floor, but just have to remember that things could be worse!!!

Please send any extra prayers our way to Minot! We could use them!

Will post pictures from our trip to Minneapolis and Brody's bone marrow biopsy procedure soon!

home again, home again, jiggety jig.....and Brody turns ONE!

We were able to come home only a few days after having to evacuate! We were some of the lucky ones!!! Hoping the rain quits for a while and the water goes down soon for everyone still out of their home or fighting water!

We were able to be home for Brody's 1st birthday, and have his party at our house last weekend.

what have we here?

a new toy to practice walking skills with! bubble mater!

A picture of the river going under 16th street by the water treatment plant. This is shortly after we were able to go home, but it was still up to the bottom of the bridge!

So happy to be home and swinging again!!!

Got you, mom! Brody and I spent the day together on his birthday. He visited his doctor and she said he looks perfect, which we agree with! He enjoyed playing with his own toys and not getting knocked over or having them taken away, as well as getting a complete nap and waking up on his own. We got Dane from daycare right after naptime. It was a great day!

Yaaaay! I'm one! And look how much bigger I am than this monkey now!!!

Birthday boy having supper and enjoying a birthday brownie.

Such a big boy :)

At his party, having some milk!

Friend Quinn came to the party!

Awesome, new books!

Let's see what's in here....

Woohoo, sand toys to use in the sand we just got from granny and gramps!

Doing a few pushups to keep in shape!

Three ball-poppers!

Dane IMMEDIATELY got his toolbox to help assemble Brody's new car. Such a helpful brother!

Tasty cakes.

Not too sure about this.....

Thanks to all friends and family who were able to come to Brody's party. We loved having you there to celebrate with us!

homeless family

Due to the flooding Mouse River in Minot, we are a homeless family! Well, we were taken in by a nice Smith family, but we were forced to evacuate our home on Wednesday by the city. We emptied our basement, and had to shut off electricity and gas. We packed up expecting to be gone a week or two but we still don't know when we'll be able to go back. Time will tell, along with any extra rainfall!

Cleaning out the basement. Dustin JUST finished remodeling this....we had extremely high hopes that we would not have to do this project all over again. So far, it's all dry. I went in today and we were able to turn our power back on. Everything was dry, and we'd not had any looters. Just waiting on the word of when the river level is low enough to allow us back home.

Brody, sneaking a drink of Dane's cup while he's in the other room. :)

Just driving around and making the best of not being at home. Luckily, we are able to stay at Grandma Smith's house! She and Papa Ken were nice enough to take us in, even though their own basement is empty in expectation of possible flooding. So far, it's all dry.

What's up, dog?

Playing a little footbasket.

Brody's first ever bed-time bottle. Tonight marks my first day in 1095 days that I have not been nursing and/or pregnant. To the day, 3 years ago, we found out I was pregnant with Dane. Sniff, sniff, they're growing up so fast.
In other news, I am looking forward to enjoying my first alcoholic drink in 3 years tomorrow. :)