Day 3 of No Power

Yes folks we are still trapped with no power now going on 3 days. This is why....

Even though it looks pretty with all the snow, it also had a heavy layer of ice which caused thousands of trees to break. Thus causing over 200,000 people to loose power when they took out the power lines. We have been living off our generator which allows me to keep the TV, internet on occasion, refrigerator, & portable heater running.We wake up to 52 degrees in the house in the mornings, brrrrrrr is an understatement. Last night we finally headed to post with Banyan in tow to shower, eat real food & sleep in a warm bed. Thank you for a good friend willing to house this crazy bunch! She has three babies of her own & one deployed husband- so yikes we had a house full!
Power is not expected to return until Monday or Tuesday at the earliest. So we will be escaping tomorrow to post to the bowling alley for some fun , food, & HEAT!! Then back home to shiver some more. The kids had fun at first playing legos, reading books, & camping out in the living room. But the novelty has worn off and we just want our power back. I know the power company is doing it's best- but I can't help but wish it was quicker.Oh well- if you don't hear from me for awhile I may have actually turned into a human Popsicle-haha .

Snowed IN.........

We woke up to 8 inches of snow......

Clearlake at around 7:00AM

 

By the time it stopped falling from the sky we had 12 inches!!

16 Years and Counting

Sixteen years ago today at 5PM central time in Nashville, TN I was lucky enough to marry the most handsome soldier around. It was the middle of the worst snow/ice storm Tennessee had seen in years. Only those guests who had arrived from out of town actually could make it to the church. They where mostly Paul's family. All my good friends where trapped in their homes in the surrounding counties due to the highway patrol closing a lot of major interstates. At one point even the airport closed for twenty-four hours.Thankfully my parents, my brother's family and almost all of Paul's extended family had already arrived that week. They where all from Michigan, Colorado, & Alaska so they found the snow storm very funny. Especially since no one could get out and about in what they called minor snow. I guess if there hadn't been a lot of ice I could see their point but us southerns where shocked & frozen.Thankfully a few guests braved the roads and arrived. I was NOT about to delay my wedding as was suggested. My soldier had orders to deploy in April so we where going to be married before he left. I had already waited longer then I wanted because everyone felt I needed a proper church wedding. All I ever wanted was my soldier & Gatlinburg in the fall, but the beautiful snow would work as well.

Our wedding photographer could not even make it to the church so we had friends & family take a lot of snap shots. Now I look back with regret that I didn't let my maid of honor call the only photographer we knew who lived right down the street. He was super expensive and at the last minute I hated to add more expense to my parents already bulging budget.But oh how I wish we had  the picture from our reception at the Opryland Hotel on the grand staircase. It's the only time you can have wedding pictures taken on that staircase, if your reception is held there. But the memories will hold me and all my snap shots that everyone took. We actually have photos I'm sure we would have never gotten.Thanks to the Army I had a winter wonderland to get married to my soldier. He looked like Prince Charming & has swept me off my feet every since. As we celebrate yet another anniversary thousand's of miles apart I realize how rare & lucky we are to still have eachother. Not only due to multiple deployments, stress, but plain old American Society who often devalues marriage today.I love that my boys are just as excited about our wedding anniversary as I am. I just wish I could say it to my love in person not on a computer screen.

I Swear by John Michael Montgomery was our first dance as a married couple. We've been dancing together ever since <3

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

For as long as I can remember we have gotten snow in WA right before Thanksgiving & this year is no different! We woke up to a winter wonderland outside. So very pretty to look at until the boys decided to go play! They where out the door by 7:30 AM to play with the dogs. Banyan was not to impressed at first but eventually realized it was great fun! They enjoyed making an itty bitty snowman, snowball wars & jumping on the trampoline in the snow. Then we tromped inside to take off all the gear that took forever to put on them. I made some hot chocolate & let them eat poptarts while watching Shrek. A great way to spend a Saturday morning.

Jacob all bundled up 

Banyan looks mean but he was smiling for us-haha

Jeremy is tethered to Banyan who is ALWAYS working- this way they could both have some snow time fun!

A service dog is always working & not allowed to do a lot of "normal" puppy play. As part of his training Banyan is tethered to Jeremy when he is home. He must learn that Jeremy is his person who he stays with at all times. In order for Jeremy & Banyan to enjoy the snow we let them go out tethered together. Banyan soon learned that snowballs, little boys squeals all mean everyone is having FUN! All these experiences are new to Banyan so he seemed a little shy at times. But with some praise he soon enjoyed all the madness with Jeremy. Now mom must groom him so he stays super clean.