A Year after the Flood

Today is a much sunnier day than one year ago when our basement was filling with water and homes in Atlanta were completely flooded. Some of the families I work with saw their homes destroyed by last year's storm waters - one even watched their car float away. Marc and I were still in our bright-eyed, bushy-tailed first time homeowner phase when the rains came. We had just purchased our first home in April and the realities of home-ownership hit us hard as water filled our basement. How were we going to pay for this? What do you mean there is evidence of previous water damage? It was a sobering experience to say the least.

We have learned more than we ever expected to from our first home. We've learned that home ownership is expensive and stressful especially when we are trying to save any money we have for Marc's school. We've learned that Bailey can climb chain-link fences. Marc has learned that I really love pulling weeds but have no idea how to really use the leaf blower though I really do try. Exactly one year after the flood, we learned that we have to get a very expensive termite treatment - definitely not expected nor on our lengthy "to-do" list. Darn you termites! But, this is the home where have enjoyed countless cook-outs, had our first trick-or-treaters, had 3 wonderful friends live with us and will be where we will become parents and raise children. But, I won't get ahead of myself because no, I am not pregnant even though my mom asked me within the first 10 minutes of visiting her this weekend. It went something like this, "You look so pretty...are you pregnant?"



"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." - Matthew 7:24-25