Life AFteR IkE...HoW LuCkY wE aRe!

Aaliyah is still not back at school. The status is 'Pending' due to no electricity. We are slowly getting back to life here. Derek worked a day and a half last week and started back up again full force this week. The building that he works in got hit hard and is repairing the damages. They have combined 2 departments into one on the 3rd floor, with no A/C working 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., causing everyone to sweat like a bunch of monkeys...not so fun for him to say the least. Traffic has been terrible because of the power being out in so many intersections.So what would normally take Derek 20 mins to get home now takes an hour or more!

We have it easy though, two of Derek's co-workers lost everything. One lives near the coast and has two young children. They managed to get out of their apartment before the entire complex had the roof torn off and was completely underwater. She and her two young girls (5yrs and 2 yrs) salvaged a few things before they evacuated to Dallas.

We went shopping at the half lit Target the other day...no A/C with a few scattered lights. Talk about getting a work out while you shop. You feel like you are at the gym becasue you are sweating profusely. We were moving as fast as we could through the store so we could get out before we melted.

There are still many people that live around us who are waiting for their power to turn on. One of our friends just had their electricity turned on this morning. That's a week and a half with out power!!! It doesn't sound that bad until you live through it., esp. in Houston weather which was like San Diego for a few days right after the Hurrican hit.

On a good note we had our trees cut down from the damage and we have a new backyard. We also have A/C and power to live comfortably and we are all ok! No scratches, bruises or broken limbs.

I appreciate what we have more than I ever have in my life. Derek losing his job a year ago yesterday, my grandfather passing away this summmer, and now going through Hurricane Ike has put things in perspective. I have learned to live simple...that less is more. Many people use cars, clothes, etc. and self promotion as status symbols and in an instant that can all be taken away. Our life lessons this last year or so has taught me to try and live everyday as if it were my last...no regrets, my family is "Everything" and they are all I need to get through life. All of our experiences have made me a better woman...mother, wife, daughter, and friend.

Thank you to all those who checked on us and kept us in your prayers. There are so many people who have it much worse than we do.