OK, this is going to be a hodge-podge of 3 blog posts in one. Why, you may ask? Well, these three topics are all "time-sensitive," if you will, and if I wait to post any of these three items, they will no longer be relevant. So...you get three AMAZING blogs for the price of one. It really cannot be beat! :)
TITLE #1: Motivated by Ice Cream.
Who isn't, really? I mean ice cream is cold, sweet, and just plain heavenly. Keagan is definitely my child in the love-of-ice-cream department. And I am OK with this, see why:
TITLE #2: The Flood of 2011
We have all heard of the horrible tornadoes in Alabama, Mississippi, and Georgia. The death toll and damage are unsettling, and this is an understatement. It gives me chills every time I see a video on the news or facebook. Record setting damage, deaths, displacement...devastating. So incredibly sad. We are incredibly lucky up in Western KY because we also experienced this same storm system. We were under tornado warnings for about 5 days, but luckily had only minor damage in the region. However, the immense amount of rain has led to a possible flood that is being compared to the Flood of 1937, and some are even speculating that it will be worse.
This picture is of a building in downtown Paducah with a high-water marker on it. The top marker is from the flood of 1937. This gives you an idea of what we are possibly facing.
This picture is of a building in downtown Paducah with a high-water marker on it. The top marker is from the flood of 1937. This gives you an idea of what we are possibly facing.
All the rivers and the lakes in the region are at record highs and are only expected to rise with the upcoming weather, cresting sometime this week. Josh's extended family live in Hickman, KY, which I have joked about as being IN the Mississippi River. Well, it pretty much is now. Josh's grandparents were moved out of their house last week because if one of the levees breaks that holds the Mighty Mississippi back, their home will be under water. Many roads in Hickman are closed because of the flooding. Josh and I drove out to Hickman yesterday to document history in the making. It was unreal. See for yourselves:
This is the view from Aunt Pat's house. She does not have lake-front property. In fact, when standing in their back yard the only water you can normally see is the pool!
This picture is essentially opposite of the above pic. This is Hwy 94, looking towards Aunt Pat's house. (I am standing where the cars are in the above pic)
Mighty is the Mississippi. Never underestimate it.
Praying these levees hold. See how close the water is to it?
This was a riverfront business. It is now part of the river. (Is it as appealing if it is called an "island" business?)
Driveway to Josh's Granny and Pop's house. This is seepwater, which has drained/seeped through the levees. This will not recede when the water recedes, it will actually have to DRY out! Not cool. These houses could be underwater if the levees break.
Granny and Pop's home. They have completely moved out in anticipation of the flood.
Sandbags.
Some fun....Keagan's first ride on the 4-wheeler. He LOVED it!
This is the view from Aunt Pat's house. She does not have lake-front property. In fact, when standing in their back yard the only water you can normally see is the pool!
This is as you leave Aunt Pat's driveway. Definitely can't go this way! (for those who have been to Aunt Pat's home, you would go this way to get to Uncle Lynn's shop...which is also severely flooded.
See where the cars are in the background of this picture? They are on Hwy 94, but can't drive further b/c it is completely covered by water. (this view is from Aunt Pat's house)
This picture is essentially opposite of the above pic. This is Hwy 94, looking towards Aunt Pat's house. (I am standing where the cars are in the above pic)
Mighty is the Mississippi. Never underestimate it.
Praying these levees hold. See how close the water is to it?
This was a riverfront business. It is now part of the river. (Is it as appealing if it is called an "island" business?)
Driveway to Josh's Granny and Pop's house. This is seepwater, which has drained/seeped through the levees. This will not recede when the water recedes, it will actually have to DRY out! Not cool. These houses could be underwater if the levees break.
Granny and Pop's home. They have completely moved out in anticipation of the flood.
Sandbags.
Some fun....Keagan's first ride on the 4-wheeler. He LOVED it!
This is what kids do at Aunt Pat's house!
Are you still hanging in there with me? The last "blog" in a blog will be short and sweet.
TITLE #3: Help Me Help Babies
Our family is participating in a fundraising effort for the March of Dimes to raise money for premature babies and their families. I need not go into detail about why this is important to me (if you are unsure, scroll up and look at the baby in the pics). I am under no obligation to raise a certain amount, but because this fundraiser is near-and-dear to my heart I am exhausting all options to solicit donations!! Please go to my team page and donate: http://www.marchforbabies.org/personal_page.asp?pp=3676425&ct=4&w=4690904&u=teamowens
We are walking in a 3-mile March For Babies on May 7th, in honor of Keagan and all he went through due to being born 4 weeks premature. Keagan was lucky. Many other babies are not and spend a very long time in the NICU, and their families are left shell-shocked.
Here are some pictures to pull at your heart-strings a little and entice you to donate (I can sell a product I love):
A HUGE thank you to those who have already donated: Aunt Mickey and Uncle Paul, Courtney Lawrenz, Stacey Malone, Grandma Gail, Aunt Karleen and Uncle Todd, Mom, Stephanie Watson, Tassie Pace, Aunt Pat and Uncle Lynn. THANK YOU! So far we have raised $540 for premature babies!!
AND, I'M DONE. (phew!)
