Monday, September 15, 2008

What to say, what to say

What is there to say?  My baby turns a week old today.  She is soooo cute and perfect and just everything I could ask for.  I would post pictures but I am someone else's house using their computer, meaning I don't know how to get them up and I don't want to mess up their stuff. 

As for the hurricane. . . stupid IKE.  I want to go home.  I want to be spoiled the way a new mom should be. . .at home in bed with my mom and Bo bringing me water and eating fun food that I don't have to cook or clean up.  Instead I'm at my sister-in-laws (Bridget) brother's home with my parents and cousin's family, and Bridget's dad.  

So on Thursday morning, after not even being home 24 hours, we packed up really quickly, with my parents in tow (they had come on Monday to help with the baby) and headed up to Sugarland.  We only grabbed clothes and diapers and important documents.  I didn't grab my wedding ring.  For some reason Bo didn't take his laptop.  I blame the forgetting on the fact that we had guests and we had JUST gotten home from the hospital.  Oh well, we have our kids and that's all that matters.

We got to Sugarland fine, with no traffic or anything.  On Friday night, the night of the storm, we lost power at about midnight.  We still haven't gotten it back.  We were with Bridget's Dad, and after a day with no air conditioning, we decided to head over to Clint's, Bridget's brother, because he had electricity, he lives in Katy.  People, please don't ever EVER take electricity for granted.  It was hard.  IT was hot, the bathrooms were dark and had no water because they ran off an electric pump.  All I can say is, thank goodness for food storage.  Don and Carla, Bridget's parents, have  a wonderful supply of food and snacks and water and everything.  The prophet knows what he's talking about!!!  I feel bad for all the people down here who don't have that.

It's crazy here.  There's no gas, no electricity, nothing.  People are lining up at the gas stations that do have gas, no joke.  We went to a grocery store yesterday that happened to be open, and you wouldn't believe how empty all the shelves were. All the produce was gone.  All the breads and lunch meats and well really everything was gone.  WOW.  

Bridget's aunt gave me tons of baby diapers as a baby gift yesterday, and it is wonderful.  We didn't have time to get any of that before evacuating.  I need things for breast feeding that none of the stores that were open had.  It's just so weird not being able to just run to Walmart or some store and get what you need.  There are really not that many places open because of the no electricity.   I feel like I'm in some other country.

As for me. . .well I want to go home.  I want my bed, my shower, my clothes, my baby's clothes, my food, my new couches and recliner that I was so looking forward to rocking my brand new baby in. I want my life.  I am so grateful to the generosity of everyone around me.  Bridget's family has been WONDERFUL.  Still, what am I going to do in the upcoming days/weeks?

Galveston is closed.  The bridge is COVERED in debris.  There are a couple dozen boats among other things on it.  There is no power, water, gas, anything on the island.  They haven't even mentioned when they will let us in.  The school sent an email out saying that UTMB doesn't expect power for 2 to 4 weeks and that school won't be open for a week.  I find it hard to believe that they would be open before the power comes on.  My guess is that they are just taking one week at a time, in hopes the power comes back earlier.

One of the news stations had a helicopter fly over Galveston, along the seawall, and we were able to see the tops of the apartments next to the ones that we live in.  Their roofs look fine, which is a big relief to us.  We live on the 3rd floor, so while we weren't worried about flooding, we were worried about losing the roof.  Hopefully all of our belonging are fine.  IF not, it's just material things, right???

We are talking about going to Washington for a couple of weeks.  We don't have family in TX, and feel bad staying at someone else's for as much as we have.  THe thought of using their hospitality for that long makes me upset.  I need some stability.  My child needs her checkups.  Which she won't get here what with no power and everything. Crazy crazy crazy

15 comments:

Kacey Nielsen said...

I have been thinking about you guys every time i turn on the news as i sit with not much to do in my hospital bed. I cant even believe what a mess this has been for you! Here is all my sympathy and hope that you get to go home soon!

Aika said...

Wow... I have been thinking about you guys and wondering if you were ok. Cassidy, you are amazing, having the baby and having to evacuate right after. I know I'm in AZ, but if there's anything you need, please let me know. Hopefully you guys can get home soon.

Korbi said...

come stay with me!!!!! I have TONS of baby girl clothes!

cherie said...

You have a place to stay in Salt Lake!! Andy and I are thinking and praying for you guys. Is there anything we can do to help?

Robin Conner said...

Oh Cassidy. What a disaster this has all been. I've especially been thinking of you with that newborn. What a memory all this will make some day. You are so strong and doing well. Keep us posted with what you do. We're praying for you that this nightmare will end soon. God bless you and your little family. I'm soooo glad you live on the 3rd floor, that at least is comforting.

Kevin and Eliza said...

That is so crazy. I'm so sorry Cassidy. I sure hope you get to go home sooner than you think. I'm glad that you have people that are letting you stay with them currently. I will pray for you guys. I hope this is an experience you only have to go through once.

Samantha said...

CASSIDY! Oh my goodness- that is so crazy. Your little girl is going to LOVE this story when she is older- I think it will make her feel really special and unique having such a crazy birth story!

Christine said...

Holy cow! I've been thinking about you guys since the storm hit. I'm so glad you are all safe, although I can't imagine how it would be to be in your shoes. I know we're not family and you probably won't take me seriously, but you can come stay with us in OKC if you need somewhere to go. I know it's super far from Galviston, but it's closer than Washington and we have electricity and open stores and I also have lots of baby/breastfeeding supplies. :) I hope the cleanup goes well and you can get home soon.

Eric and Carrie said...

Wow, your blog was sobering. I am so sorry, I don't know what else to say. We will keep praying for your family!

Emily Rasmussen said...

You have been in our prayers. I am glad your sweet baby came before the storm and not during or after! We will keep praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Cassidy,
I tried Aunt Marcia for your phone number. I tried your mother. I tried Aunt Jane. I tried 411. I tried Ivin. I tried 411 for Whitney. I tried Jenny, who tried to put me in contact with Rachel, so she could put me in contact with Liberty. In short, I tried everything my pea size brain could think of to get a hold of you on Friday morning to tell you we are HERE. We have ROOM. And we're only an hour and a half drive from Dallas. However, none of it worked. If you need to head up here, the kids and I would be THRILLED to cuddle a baby. Let me know. Love Aunt RAchel

Mike and Lisa said...

I can't imagine how crazy this whole experience must be for you and your family. I'm sure you're grateful to have your parents with you too. Hang in there! You've redeemed my belief in food storage thats for sure. You never know when you might need it. Can't wait to see more baby pics.

Shawn and Michelle said...

you guys are in our prayers. we love you. thanks for the update.

Tiffany Fackrell said...

Thanks for updating us, I was driving David nuts with how much news I was watching about it, and just thinking and praying for you guys. Hang in there, good luck, and you will continue to be in our prayers. It will be a cool birth story for Megan when she is older!!

Briana said...

Hey Cass, just wanted to tell you that I've been checking your blog and appreciate with everything else you have going on that you've taken the time to update everyone. I wish I was going to WA with you! Have a good time, and give those kiddos big hugs and kisses. Especially Megan. She is ADORABLE! I love the little brown and pink dress with the hair bow. I'll admit, I'm jealous. I need to get myself one of those! We love you!

The Beus Gang

Bo, Cassidy, and Carter Beus