Monday and Tuesday we were hit by an ice storm. Everything was covered with ice! It was beautiful to look at but devastating to the trees and power lines. By Tuesday night our electricity was off which meant no heat and no septic tank pump which meant no shower or toilet privileges (not fun). We heard on the radio that it would probably be 72 hours or more for the electricity to be restored. All night Tuesday we listened to trees falling and limbs breaking, it was pretty scary. In some areas, it looked like a tornado had gone through with huge trees totally uprooted. Thousands of power line poles were broken and towns all over Northern Arkansas and Southern Missouri were completely dark. We spent the next three days trying to keep warm and trying to entertain the boys - there are only so many board games you can play (soon after the lights went out Kannon ran upstairs and came down with a stack of board games). We did go up to Barry's school and play in the gym each afternoon. Enough sunlight came through the lobby to light up the court enough to play ball. It was cold enough outside that we just put all of our freezer and frig. food in coolers out on the back porch. Barry cooked on our grill and we actually ate pretty good during our black-out. Finally Friday night (almost exactly 72 hours) we got power back on! What a happy time! The first thing Kannon said was, "Now we can stop playing those board games" - he is a funny kid. The first thing I did was vacuum my house and start a load of laundry - it was wonderful. Corey ran quickly up to his room to play video games and everyone else just enjoyed the HEAT :) That morning when we woke up it was 43 degrees - in the house. I don't know if I could have taken another night. But we made it through and we learned a lot about being better prepared. We had plenty of food, water, batteries, etc... but you have to have a heat source. We are now proud owners of a generator. :)
Right where that huge limb is sticking up is where Barry always parks his truck. Thankfully he decided to move it from under the tree the night before. I think he would have had a new sun roof.
Playing in the gym each afternoon not only passed some time but also warmed us all up.
Thursday night we cooked at home but then took it up to Barry's school to eat it. It was about 15 degrees warmer there for some reason. So here we are eating dinner in the Teacher's Lounge. Hey, you do what you have to do to survive.
This face pretty much sums up how all of us were beginning to feel by the third night. Poor kid. I was very proud of my boys though for never complaining or whining throughout the whole experience. They did great.
Saturday was warm and sunny so we all got out and started the yard clean up. We are going to have quite the big bon fire!
Sunday we just had Sacrament meeting and then we were organized into teams and went out to clear yards. We worked all afternoon and completed our work order of six yards. The men used chainsaws to cut up the big trees and the rest of us hauled everything to the curb. It is amazing what you can do with a big group of people. Even Kannon got in there and picked up sticks and branches.
Even though this was a tough week, Barry and I both thought how great it was to have so much family time. Even Dustin hung out with us all week. We have learned a lot about being prepared and enjoyed the chance to serve others. Many times good things come from our trials. We are thankful to be safe and so grateful to have electricity.
