"Water, water every where, nor any drop to drink" (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner)

Thursday, April 18th, 2013:  I was quickly awakened by the news that our basement had  flooded. What a rude awakening! When I looked down the stairs I was shocked to see that the water had nearly reached the landing of the stairs going down into the basement! The water was a murky brown and I remember thinking "Ick! My poor books will never survive this!" For a brief moment I wanted to cry but I also didn't want to traumatize the kids. Jacob told me to look out the window in the backyard and what I saw was a pool the size of our entire backyard! It was shocking. It didn't even enter my mind to take a picture of what I saw until the water started receding from the pump our neighbor lent us. It was a crazy morning!!!

We rushed out of the house frantically grabbing what we could in the dark (no power because the breaker box was downstairs and there was a possibility it was under water). Okay, I realized that being rushed around while half-asleep and being told, "Hurry!" every couple of minutes are real joy robbers... But I knew we had so much to be grateful for, so in keeping with my water theme, here are some splashes of Joy I'll share!!!

Splashes of Joy #1: We were all safe and Jacob was home and not away on business!!!

Splashes of Joy #2: We have our wonderful brothers & sisters in Christ all around the world praying for us. And many friends here have offered us a place to stay or to share a meal :o)

Splashes of Joy #3: We met our neighbors! Everyone flooding at the same time has a way of quickly bonding you! And one neighbor lent a pump which was instrumental in helping us get our basement water pumped out!!!

See the water line on the wall? That little pump was amazing!!!

Splashes of Joy #4: Our wonderful plumber Ed Struck who came out before his next job to help us rig up pipes to get the water away from the house. He came by twice to check on us and help us with the pump.

Splashes of Joy #5: Our wonderful carpenter/handyman Dave Ratajczyk forwarded info about a Flood Restoration Company to contact. Our plumber Ed put in a call for us with a company he's worked with in the past. Krista's friend Michelle's dad has a flood restoration company (Castino Restoration) and they came on Monday, 4/22!!!

Splashes of Joy #6: We have flood insurance!!!

Splashes of Joy #7: Our sump pumps were still working (imagine how much more water we might have gotten had they been out of commission?!?)!!!

We called 911 to report our power box being underwater but they didn't want to cut the power because the sump pumps were all still working and that was a GREAT thing to know!!! We did lose the majority of my books (we rescued 25% of them), the furnace, the air purifier, the hot water tank, the sump pump back-up system, all the furniture downstairs, the TV, Wii game system, the games, special toys in the play room, all the craft stuff, all my Creative Memories pictures and papers, albums, etc. I guess I could go on but you'll notice they're all "just stuff" and stuff doesn't go to Heaven with us, so I'm learning to let go even though it hurts!!!

We had dinner with a wonderful family, the Chang's and they were so gracious to let us borrow their showers!!! Hot water is a luxury!!! My sweet friends Mary Ann W., Cheryl S., Esther C. and Vicky W. extended their kind hospitality, but we figured we would try to stay one more night in our house before staying somewhere else while Ed and Roberto (his heating and cooling expert) brought in a new furnace and hot water tank this weekend. Or so they thought...

The big bummer in all of this was that this weekend, our long-time dear friends, the Wong's were supposed to stay with us while checking out colleges through Wednesday. We had this planned to host them for months and I had been looking forward to spending time with my friend, Mary!!! But the flood changed everything---no heat, no hot water, no internet access and limited power are joy robbers when it comes to hosting personal friends!!! But then I realized how much I have to be grateful for...

Splashes of Joy #8: I intended to clean the guest bedrooms and bathrooms and wash all the linens from a visit the weekend before with our dear friends, the Beccue family (CA). My plan was to do it closer toward the end of the week. If I had cleaned pre-flood, I would have been annoyed that all my efforts were wasted, but since I didn't do anything, I have no regrets!!!

Splashes of Joy #9: We had a $40,000 plan for the yard and it's flooding issues but didn't start the first phase yet.  Had we spent the money, it would have literally washed away because the storm drains were charged and couldn't hold all that water (no thanks to the village who haven't cleaned the drains in 10 years according to our informative neighbors!)!

Splashes of Joy #10: We were flooded with rain water complete with mud and all. But other homes were flooded with city sewer... Triple Icky!!! I'll take mud over poop any day!!! Thank you, God!!! See, He never gives you more than we can handle!!!

Friday, April 19th, 2013: It was hailing and snowing today.  In April. This weather is so kooky here!!! Thank God the water got drained out of our basement! Ed and Roberto came by to check on the house and realized it was impossible to put in the new furnace and water tank without an electrician on hand to take care of stuff since the breaker box had been immersed in water. Their concern was mold forming if a flood restoration company didn't get here soon... Then, the entire basement has to be gutted and once construction starts, well, it will definitely mean we need to be away from the house for a few weeks.  I put on my rain boots and sloshed through the basement with my iPhone and what I saw were definitely some joy robbers...

This is the water mark on the door to the boiler room!!!

Here is the water level that's marked on the wall in the boiler room where the water tank is.  Can you imagine?!?

See ya TV, Wii game system and bookcase!

Here's a better view of that collapsed bookcase from the picture above

I found it comical that a bunch of books landed in the fireplace and the couches were pushed by the water into strange positions!

The guest bedroom #1: I couldn't get the door opened anymore because of the downed furniture and books!!!

But I found more splashes of Joy to reflect on...

Splashes of Joy #11: Once we have a flood restoration company come clean up the mess, Ed, Roberto, Dave and Tony and his own crew will take care of demolition and rebuilding the basement!!! What a blessing this team of men have been to us :o)

Splashes of Joy #12: See that white table in the third picture? That was our temporary fix while searching for the perfect entertainment system armoire... I'm so glad we didn't invest the money or put the effort in searching for the right one yet!

Splashes of Joy #13: Michael and I stopped by an extended stay hotel nearby and they had one 2 bedroom suite left. We reserved it and later, while having dinner with our lovely friend's, the Cesario's, Brad informed us that when he checked about availability at the hotel, they were fully booked. We got the last suite!!! And we finally have internet access again!!! It will be our home away from home... literally!

Splashes of Joy #14: We're on another adventure as a family!!! Thank you for your continued prayers!!! God is faithful and His provision, care and grace never cease to amaze me.

I have so many more Splashes of Joy I would love to share, but it's after midnight and I need to get some sleep because tomorrow, we'll be hanging out with our friends from NJ!!! 

Here is one of my favorite passages from Isaiah 43:1-5 The Amplified Bible:

But now [in spite of past judgments for Israel’s sins], thus says the Lord, He Who created you, O Jacob, and He Who formed you, O Israel: Fear not, for I have redeemed you [ransomed you by paying a price instead of leaving you captives]; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.

² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you.

³ For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt [to the Babylonians] for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba [a province of Ethiopia] in exchange [for your release].

⁴ Because you are precious in My sight and honored, and because I love you, I will give men in return for you and peoples in exchange for your life.

⁵ Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east [where they are dispersed] and gather you from the west.

And with that, I'll say thank you, Biblegateway.com and Good Night!!!

"You See, I Only Have 10 Spaces in My Brain..." and Other Extraordinary Insights by A Six-Year-Old Kindergartener

Since our "big" move across the country, I've come to realize that I have entered another season of my life. I've defined it as the season of children. For the past couple of months, I've been wondering where all my time is going. I haven't been able to read more than one book at a time or finish it in a day (this drives me the craziest I think!), keep up with my newsletter or blog anymore. Why?!?

And as I reflect on life here, I realize that there are a few factors that weren't present when we were living in California.  One being the fact that Michael no longer takes his 2.5-3 hour naps now (prime reading time!!!). I've tried giving him quiet time, but he is a child that craves company (translation: being in the same space as me!). And when he's in his room having quiet time, he's forever asking when he can come out of his room while asking a host of hilarious questions that makes "quiet time" anything but quiet! He is so funny! I love this stage he's in---he's cuddly, snuggly, hilarious and so inquisitive!!! He loves conversation so I spend part of my day hanging out with him and when Krista gets home from school, it's her turn to hang out with me.

It's a wonderful life! The other day, we had some stuff going on in the morning that created unnecessary stress. When I picked Michael up from school I asked him how his day went and as I expected, he replied, "It was terrible!"He wasn't happy about the morning and I asked him what happened that made him so unhappy about it. So, this is how our conversation went from there...

Michael: I don't remember what happened this morning. I just know that I didn't like it. Mommy, I only have 10 spaces in my brain so when something happens in the morning, it goes into the first space in my brain.  And then I can't remember it because then I go to school and I can only remember what happened it school because it takes up three spaces in my brain.

Me: Oh. So what goes into the other spaces then?

Michael: Well, then after school, I put things in the fifth, sixth and seventh space and then at the end of the day, everything else goes into the eighth, ninth and tenth space.

Me: Then what happens when you need more spaces?

Michael: Oh, then I start over again.

Me: Michael! Did you know that most boys and men do what you just said? The grown-up word for that is compartmentalize! You put your thoughts into little spaces like the spaces of a waffle. Do you know what most women do?

Michael: No. What?

Me: We don't do spaces because all our thoughts are joined together and manage to run all over and connect together.

Michael: Oh, you mean like a giant spaghetti?

Me: Yes!!! I can't believe you get it! There's a book by this author I interviewed and her book is called, "Men are Like Waffles and Women are Like Spaghetti! And it's totally about how we think differently!

I was totally blown away by my Kindergartener's perspective on how males compartmentalize their thoughts!!! I wish I could get a peek into his little brain...!!!

The other day, he was saying something in the car and I couldn't hear him, so I asked if he could repeat it a little louder. And this is what he says to me...

Michael: Oh, I get it. You couldn't hear me because sound bounced off the window and then never got to you and that's why you couldn't hear me, right?

Me: Yeah. It kinda works like that. How did you know that anyway?!?

Michael: Oh, I just thought it up. It's like the light and how it reflects the moon and then bounces back to us so we can see it.

And then we got home and talked about his day at school! This little baby is growing up fast! I want to hold on to these years and savor the moments we have together. Meanwhile, after Krista finishes this year, it will mean that we only have two more years left with her before she leaves for college. I love hearing about her day! She shares details class by class and it gives me a glimpse of what her day has been like in her shoes. We laugh a lot and her unique perspective and insight on life makes me smile! I can't wait to see what God's plans are for her!!!

So, when you come visit me here and don't see a blog update, you'll know why :o) Here are the ten things I choose to be joyful about today...

1. Sparkly crystal beads---they make me smile :o)
2. A full dishwasher reminds me of a wonderful weekend we had with our friends, the Beccue's visiting from California.
3. Our basement is still dry despite the frequent rainy days!!! I am praying for God's protection over our basement :o)
4. Today marks a milestone for Jacob: He's been with the company for exactly 1 year today!
5. Two sick children meant that I got to spend another lovely day with them!
6. While Michael was doing some school work, I had time to post some reviews on BarnesandNoble.com and on Amazon.com.
7. A refrigerator full of left overs are nearly finished :o)
8. Monopoly Deal---a game Michael loves to play and usually beats me at, but today, I won all the rounds. We're practicing good sportsmanship---being a good winner and a good loser.
9. Time out with my friend Mary Ann planned for tomorrow to do art! I can't wait!!!
10. Jacob came home after picking up Krista from her tutoring session at school with a milk tea boba drink for me!!! It was an unexpected surprise :o)

I loved what Paul said to the church in Ephesus in Ephesians 1:15-19.  I like how The Message puts it...
"That’s why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn’t stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I’d think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!"

And I thank God for you, too :o)