There's a tree in our house!
Pictures from our Branson, MO vacation later. Here's what we found when we came home last night around midnight. We got a call about 5 hours before we arrived from our neighbor, but we were still shocked.
Then we went inside…
This was after we cleaned up the piles of insulation, wood and leaves all over the dining room table, chairs and school books. The water that came in has swelled up the floors and leaked into my craft room below.
The ceiling tiles are mush, and water might be in the insulation behind the walls. I think my sewing machine is safe, but my patterns and satin aren't. It stopped dripping just inches from my thousands of dollars of scrapbooking supplies. Luckily my albums that have pictures are on the other side of the room.
We had to wait until morning to assess the rest of the damage and call in the pros. They should be here soon.
Before we left, our microwave burnt out and our van a/c stopped working (nice for a 105*F drive). Everyone got strep throat, except me who had a cold. We found out we're pregnant with #5, and I was feeling yucky during the vacation. So this is just the cherry on top.
The big branches just missed our house a/c and my new perennial gardens. My new peony was missed by one inch of the big piece of sofit and 2x6.
My curious kids have no idea what's about to happen at our house. The tree removal service and remodelers will be here soon. So much for going to my cousin's wedding today, unless they get it wrapped up soon.
It could be so much worse. These 80mph winds could have ripped through other parts of our house, or we could have been sitting down for supper under that mess. But God was gracious and told us to sleep in before making the 12 hour drive. He steered us towards sightseeing, instead of home. He watched over our house and kept all the little squirrels out. Every area that was damaged was next to either a Mary Statue or our Last Supper image, unharmed.
God be with all those who have to spend their holiday weekend cleaning up the messes. May they find peace in the help that comes, and the ability to see the blessings amidst the chaos.
