the flood, proof - come what may & love it

Since my last post was somewhat ironic...I posted it on Thursday and we woke up to this on Friday morning...a flood! So here is the flood and the reasons why I love it...

First - the pipe broke when we were home, instead of when we were gone for the weekend. Sadie woke up Ry earlier than usual crying, so he found it about 90 minutes before we would've and the damage would've been a lot worse!

*note the reflection of Ry's shoe below - the water was deeper than it looks*

Second - About a month previous to this flood Ry put in a patio. While putting in the patio he had to turn off the water main for the sprinklers - not even the landlords knew where this shut off was - so after literally half a day or more of searching, Ry found it about 50 feet away in front of another house...he became very familiar with this shut off and the location of the 6 foot long key my sis (who lives 2 doors down) has in her shed.

So when Ry saw the water gushing in - instead of opening the door, he popped out the screen and ran to turn the water off. If he hadn't known where and how to do this - we would've been in SOOO much deep water. Seriously. Like I said, not even out landlords knew where the shut off was.

Third - the fact that our couches sit up on wooden legs...saved our couches! All we had to do was move them and wipe the wood off. Thank goodness for that purchase.

Fourth - the fact that Ry left his laptop on the couch to charge overnight instead of sliding it underneath like he usually does...just a random thing that saved his computer and all his grad school research that is on it. Time to back up the hard drive again.

Fifth - our shoe tray located next to the door that floated on top of the water and kept our shoes dry - one less thing to clean up and dry out. The tray is plastic so we just sprayed it off.

Sixth - everything in the kitchen that got wet was plastic or easily dryed out...plastic water storage barrel, plastic play kitchen, homemade plywood stand that our deep freeze sits on...

Seventh - our amazing great aunt and uncle who rise early and answered their phone when we were frantically looking for a wet/dry shop vac (the restoration company couldn't come till noon, so we had to help ourselves)...then came over right away to drop it off. Then handed us their house key and insisted that we come stay and make ourselves at home - so generous and SOOO very needed. We would've had no where to stay. They are amazing.

Eighth - the ward members who dropped everything to come help Ry move furniture since my pregnant self can't...they were there so fast and were more than willing. Love being part of a ward family!

Ninth - the carpet guys arriving 45 minutes early and finding water had seeped into our room and office closet - the fact that everything there was easily wiped off and saved.

Tenth - my sis for making us dinner that night. We were exhausted and didn't have anywhere to cook and didn't want to eat out.

Eleventh - my amazing mom who came to care for Sadie so she would be out of harms way and I would be free to help salvage our property. I woke her up before 7am and she was there so fast. So willing to help. She watched Sadie all Friday and all Monday while we put our house back together. She rocks.

Twelfth - Our upstairs neighbors who checked on our apt twice a day over the weekend to make sure the 8 ginormous fans that were running 24/7 didn't flip a breaker.

Thirteenth - our good friend who came yesterday to help Ry move furniture back. Once again...I'm pregnant and somewhat useless when it comes to heavy lifting.

Fourteenth - our carpet/house is cleaner than it has been since we moved in. While waiting for the carpet to dry yesterday we wiped down walls, and deep cleaned where the furniture usually is. And as we put things back we de-cluttered. Thank you flood for making me deep clean.

Fifteenth - our sweet bishop who kept calling to check on us - I know he wanted to come help, but he had more pressing matters.

So - there it is. Instead of being a disaster - it was more of an inconvenience. I have more empathy for families who are displaced from their homes for flood, fire, etc. It is hard. You really feel homeless, not a lot with you, nothing to do, no where to go. If it hadn't been for great family and friends all last weekend would've been a lot worse!

I know the Lord was mindful of us and we definitely felt blessed.

Thanks for all your help! And seriously - everyone should make sure they have renters insurance. So glad we do! And maybe avoid living in basement apartments...this will be our last.