Remembering 5 years ago

There are events in our lives that shape who we and who we become.

Hurricane Katrina was one such event in my life.

I am thankful for my family, friends that knew me before Katrina, strangers that became my friends after Katrina.

I am grateful for for stories of those who are rebuilding and making New Orleans a better place.

I am sad for my friends who lost everything but yet have kept their faith and grown STRONGER from the experience. This event shaped the lives of over 1 million people directly.

My heart grows weary and longs for heaven when there is no more tears, no more death and NO MORE FLOODS. Rainbows hold even more special meaning to me, God promised to never flood the entire earth. He has kept that promise.

I have 5 beautiful children, two were born after Katrina and were the reason we stayed away from NOLA for so many months. I love that the girls will only see the pictures and never know what it was like in the days following Katrina.

I am thankful to people who stepped up to help. Thankful to the communities that took in evacuees. Thankful for ALL time to the Raleigh SDA Church in Memphis who opened their arms to us for our time there. I am thankful to the people who don't even remember us for just being there when we needed them most.

I may never live in New Orleans again but I lived there as a child as an adult. It is my hometown, ya can take the girl out of NOLA but ya can't take NOLA out of the girl.

Katrina will forever be a part of me.

God is watching over me and I can feel His arms.

Conversations with a child

Yesterday I was taking my youngest son for a dentist appointment. This gave us an opportunity to talk just the two of us. He will be 8 next month.

So he says to me, "R only wants a wife no kids"
me "why"
him "he doesn't want to change baby diapers they are nasty"
me "well do you want kids"

At first he said "no"

me "but you love Ms L baby and Ms A new baby"
him "well I want 2 boys and 2 girls"
me "what happens if you have all girls or all boys"
him "well I will name the boys Michael, John and Eli"
me "what about girl names?"
him "I want one girl to be named Emily and the other Sara"

Okay he has put A LOT of thought into this. He's only 8. I love that little boy.

Monday evening relaxation

Friday I finished another semester of school!!!!!!! I have a two week break. So I enjoyed a weekend with my family, church, potluck and then some girly shopping. Oh the cute "big" girl clothes that are out this year. I am so excited. After shopping we met up with some friends for a light snack and to drop off some Pampered Chef products.

Sunday was mostly spent around the house reading and relaxing after the past few weeks I needed the rejuvenation.

Today was a day of doctors appointments. Brian has physical therapy for his shoulder. Therapist says he is doing good. He is still sore but only 3 weeks post op. ~R had a dentist appointment, sealing 2 permanent molars. And then ~E had a follow-up appointment in Boston. A busy day but overall not a bad day.

I am so grateful for being watched over and protected and loved.