Giving Thanks

Well, here's a little update for all of you as far as our basement is concerned...we have much to be thankful for.

First of all, my hubby had the presence of mind to make a phone call during the big storm to a cleaning and restoration company that he has connections with at work. Because he did that, we were first in line and had the crew at our house at 8 am the next morning! They spent a good chunk of that day at our house sucking up water, tearing out carpet, setting up fans and dehumidifiers, and advising us on what we could do. The crew was wonderful; they moved all of our furniture and belongings, took the carpet outside, and ordered us a roll-off dumpster for the things we would need to dispose of.

However, a phone call to insurance the morning after proved heartbreaking. We were told that they couldn't help us because we don't have flood insurance (those of you in the rapidly flooding Midwest should check on that, because it doesn't come with your policy!!). After hearing our bad news, the supervisor of our cleaning crew asked if we had informed the insurance company that our sump pump had malfunctioned during the storm and wasn't working (it had given out during the 3-hour downpour that dumped 8 inches of rain in our area). Of course, we hadn't told them, but we were advised to do so, because some policies include coverage for sump pump malfunction. So, after another call to insurance, they looked into it and agreed to come out and survey the damage. Once the adjuster arrived and spent a couple of hours downstairs with the cleaning supervisor, we were informed that we would receive the maximum benefits allowed for the sump pump malfunction!!!

Overall, we lost all of our carpet, all of our kids' bedroom furniture, all of our basement doors/door frames, the drywall below both kids' egress windows, and the lower 10-12 inches of drywall nearest the floor in almost every room. It was very disheartening, and yet, it could have been a lot worse. Had the cleaning crew not arrived first thing the next morning and set up camp in our home for 3-4 days, we could have lost even more. We also hear about tornados all around us where people lose entire homes, or about the flooding in Iowa that is SO much more than ankle-deep.

We are thankful. So we lost some stuff...oh, well. We still have our family and a roof over our heads, and most importantly, a God who cares enough to provide for our needs and protect us from the numerous storms that have threatened our area since last week.

I was SO blessed to read a scripture yesterday that I shared with my kids, "...whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

James 1:2-4

We can all honestly say without a doubt that the hope we have in God is what got us through that night and through all of the ups and downs since then. We know that no matter what may come in our lives, good or bad, He is always with us.

Our family room (and some of the contents of the bedrooms as well)

Our oldest daughter's room (we put every imaginable container underneath of the windows to catch the water, but they all filled up and overflowed...)

A larger view of our daughter's room (yes, both kids' beds were directly under their windows...we may rethink that floorplan the next time around!)

And our oldest son's room (note the 4 FULL containers under his window and ALL of the towels and blankets everywhere - I threw every available towel, sheet, and blanket at the water to try and slow down the progression, but obviously, I am no match for nature's fury)