I have been realizing that much time has passed since last posting here, and that much has transpired in the ongoing saga of the fire next door. Here is an update as to where we are...
As we speak, Katie and the kids are sleeping at our friend's--Randy and Regina--house. We have been there since January 18, living on a room on their second floor as well as the whole third floor. It's been a good provision for us.
The restoration company is in their second full day of cleaning our house, now two weeks later. Two bedrooms upstairs are cleaned from top to bottom...well, minus the carpet. And that means wiping down ceielings, walls, outlet covers, anything setting on shelves and the shelves themselves, light fixtures... The carpet will be left for last.
The big surprise of the day? They discovered taht the fire actually began to creep over into our structure, so the damage is more extensive than first believed--more than just smoke. They even found two dead squirrels in Lydia's ceiling (her room is the source of greatest damage), trying to flee the smoke from our neighbor's house.
All of our clothes are with the dry cleaners, cleaned but in storage. So, we are particularly grateful for those who have helped us attain a small wardrobe of things to wear in the midst of all this.
While the ceiling and floor are being opened up in Lydia's room, and the living room wall and ceiling are potentially being opened up as well, we are hoping to actually sleep in our own home tonight, living around the workers, but having access to homeschool materials, especially the computer. Katie should be able to get back on track, feeling a bit more settled in that whole arena, and not having to worry about the toddlers handling other people's things.
Did I say the smoke smell is just about gone from the house? Well, with the exception of Lydia's room. We just keep her door shut (and the air scrubber will be placed squarely in there too).
Friday, January 30, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Lydia on the Rodeo
Yesterday we went to to the rodeo. It was awesome! I got a pair of cowgirl boots (that I paid for with my own money), and we sat right by the family of Miss Rodeo Virginia! Surprisingly, my boots are a size 5.5 rather than the 7-9 that my other shoes are.
My best friend Nicole was there with me, and we bought some socks together. They are the warm fuzzy kind.
I liked the barrel race and the bucking borncos. I also liked the calf-tackling and the calf roping. I like when they swung the laso at their head and then their feet. And I liked when they tackled the calf and tied the one rope quick around the front and then the back.
My best friend Nicole was there with me, and we bought some socks together. They are the warm fuzzy kind.
I liked the barrel race and the bucking borncos. I also liked the calf-tackling and the calf roping. I like when they swung the laso at their head and then their feet. And I liked when they tackled the calf and tied the one rope quick around the front and then the back.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Status: Waiting, Wondering, Weary and Concerned
We are currently waiting on both the restoration company and a dry cleaning company to work their restorative magic. Seems like we have two weeks' wait on the home cleaning, although they have placed an air sweeper in our home to run 24/7 purifying the air. It still smells like a campfire with lots of trash thrown in it, but it does seem to be getting better.
Our biggest need right now is patience. We aren't sure whether our house is safe to live in, but would sure like to get back in. We're not sure what we can use and what we need to leave alone in order for the insurance company and its subcontractors to do their job. We just feel in such limbo. And one of the hardest things is having our children in other's homes, especially as toddlers, as they can get into everything!
We have a $1000 deductible to pay, lots of things to clean and move for others to clean, and we could use some breaks from the children in the midst of sorting through all of this. These are our pressing needs it would seem.
But even more poignant are the needs of our neighbor whose house burned. There was no insurance on that property, and no support system to step forward as there has been for us. Please pray for Maria. She has a place to live at the moment, but I am not sure how long that will be available.
Our biggest need right now is patience. We aren't sure whether our house is safe to live in, but would sure like to get back in. We're not sure what we can use and what we need to leave alone in order for the insurance company and its subcontractors to do their job. We just feel in such limbo. And one of the hardest things is having our children in other's homes, especially as toddlers, as they can get into everything!
We have a $1000 deductible to pay, lots of things to clean and move for others to clean, and we could use some breaks from the children in the midst of sorting through all of this. These are our pressing needs it would seem.
But even more poignant are the needs of our neighbor whose house burned. There was no insurance on that property, and no support system to step forward as there has been for us. Please pray for Maria. She has a place to live at the moment, but I am not sure how long that will be available.
FLOOD!!!
That is what we have experienced from the many people whom God has placed in our lives over the last five years here in PA. And they are all stepping forward in this time of difficulty for us. Katie's MOPS group is providing meals for two weeks. At least five families have offered their homes to us if we need a place to stay.
One of our pastors showed up yesterday to shoot a short video recording our status and current needs, and posted it on Facebook. That night, at a church event, it seemed everyone knew what had happened and were asking how they could help! Someone there gave us gift certificates for clothing, too.
With us being out of our home and needing things to do, places to go to occupy our time, one friend blessed us with a gift to just get out and enjoy the Farm Show Rodeo tonight, while another friend offered to take Gabe and Abby. Another friend connected with us on Face Book and offered a solution to taking the smokey smell out of the air while we wait for the restoration company to do their thing in two weeks.
And many, many people have e-mailed, called or Facebooked us with well wishes and many other offers of support.
We are truly overwhelmed with friendship, truly experiencing the love of God that is so lavishly poured out upon us.
Thank you God! Thanks to each of you!
One of our pastors showed up yesterday to shoot a short video recording our status and current needs, and posted it on Facebook. That night, at a church event, it seemed everyone knew what had happened and were asking how they could help! Someone there gave us gift certificates for clothing, too.
With us being out of our home and needing things to do, places to go to occupy our time, one friend blessed us with a gift to just get out and enjoy the Farm Show Rodeo tonight, while another friend offered to take Gabe and Abby. Another friend connected with us on Face Book and offered a solution to taking the smokey smell out of the air while we wait for the restoration company to do their thing in two weeks.
And many, many people have e-mailed, called or Facebooked us with well wishes and many other offers of support.
We are truly overwhelmed with friendship, truly experiencing the love of God that is so lavishly poured out upon us.
Thank you God! Thanks to each of you!
Friday, January 16, 2009
FIRE!!!
Yeah, so we were sittingin our living room last night when I heard what sounded like something slamming in to the wall of our neighbors row house. Just then Katie said something smielled like it was burning. The last time she said that was last Winter, and one of the houses behind us was on fire.
Well, remembering this, we ran to the back door to see if history was repeating itself. Nothing going on behind us, but out of the corner of my eye I saw an orange glow back towards our house. I looked back to see the adjacent window to ours, glowing with it's curtain ablaze!
Immediatley, Katie and I both started to call 911, while Lydia rushed up to the kid's room, arousing them form their sleep and rushing them downstairs and across the ally to our rendezvous spot, just as we have rehearsed!
The fire trucks were here within three minutes of my call, but the fire had spread throught the whole house. Gratefully, for us, when our home was remodelled, a fire wall was installed to protect us from such instances, when fires typically spread rapidly thorughout the entire row building via the attic space. The wall blocked such a spread, protecting us and the neighbors on the other side.
We ahve much to be grateful for at this time. Although we have smoke and a little water damage in Lydia's room, we did not lose everything as our neighbor, Maria, did. Thanksfully for her, she and her kids (who have a one year old baby) were not in the house when the fire statred. And thankfully for them and us and others, we were home and in a position to hear and smell what was happening so that a response could be made in as quick a time as possible.
So today, we're waiting on insurance adjusters, helping Maria as we can (mostly meals right now), and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy.
Well, remembering this, we ran to the back door to see if history was repeating itself. Nothing going on behind us, but out of the corner of my eye I saw an orange glow back towards our house. I looked back to see the adjacent window to ours, glowing with it's curtain ablaze!
Immediatley, Katie and I both started to call 911, while Lydia rushed up to the kid's room, arousing them form their sleep and rushing them downstairs and across the ally to our rendezvous spot, just as we have rehearsed!
The fire trucks were here within three minutes of my call, but the fire had spread throught the whole house. Gratefully, for us, when our home was remodelled, a fire wall was installed to protect us from such instances, when fires typically spread rapidly thorughout the entire row building via the attic space. The wall blocked such a spread, protecting us and the neighbors on the other side.
We ahve much to be grateful for at this time. Although we have smoke and a little water damage in Lydia's room, we did not lose everything as our neighbor, Maria, did. Thanksfully for her, she and her kids (who have a one year old baby) were not in the house when the fire statred. And thankfully for them and us and others, we were home and in a position to hear and smell what was happening so that a response could be made in as quick a time as possible.
So today, we're waiting on insurance adjusters, helping Maria as we can (mostly meals right now), and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Breakfast of Champions
So, I just finished feedng Abby breakfast: Fruity Pebbles and...V8 Juice. V8 Juice?! What three year old drinks, and enjoys, V8 juice?
Sunday, January 11, 2009
We Were on TV!
Did I mention that the kids and I were on TV? While watching the late night news yesterday, Katie pointed us out in the back ground as we were makingour way throw the Farm Show complex here in Harrisburg. Yeah, it's a small thing, but pretty cool to have it a part of Abby's birthday weekend. Neat conversation peice for the kids too.
A Really Good Day
Well, Abby's three!!! We just wrapped up operation clean up following her party which included HDc staff, former staff, friends of former staff, and former team leaders. Man of these are central in Abby's life now, or were part of her life when she first came to us.
All day long, Abby was so full of energy and excitement. She truly reveled in her day and was so appreciative at every turn. Every time someone would say, "Happy birthday, Abby!" She was quick to reply with a gracious (and almost adult sounding), "Sank you!"
While she got some cool, three-year-old appropriate gifts, she was most excited about a multi-pack of watermelon Extra gum. She really knows what she likes!
After church, Abby requested Texas Roadhouse for lunch because she "wanted to eat peanuts" (someting youdo there--and throw the shells on the floor). After a nice meal, Abby was placed on an old saddle and the whole restaurant gave her a "Texas-size, YEEEE-HAAAAA!!!"
It was a fun day.
All day long, Abby was so full of energy and excitement. She truly reveled in her day and was so appreciative at every turn. Every time someone would say, "Happy birthday, Abby!" She was quick to reply with a gracious (and almost adult sounding), "Sank you!"
While she got some cool, three-year-old appropriate gifts, she was most excited about a multi-pack of watermelon Extra gum. She really knows what she likes!
After church, Abby requested Texas Roadhouse for lunch because she "wanted to eat peanuts" (someting youdo there--and throw the shells on the floor). After a nice meal, Abby was placed on an old saddle and the whole restaurant gave her a "Texas-size, YEEEE-HAAAAA!!!"
It was a fun day.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Holiday Weekend in the Epp House
No, it's not Eppiphany. That was last week. Sunday is Abby's birthday, and around here, birthdays are a big thing. In fact, if a bday lands on a weekend, we're likely to celebrate all weekend long! Abby is so looking forward to this event that she sang happy birthday to herself...in her sleep two nights ago!!!
Attending the Farm Show today was laregely built up as we anticipated Abby's anniversary. But we also had snow today, also adding an extra twinge of escitement in the Epp household air. With all the squealing and cheers of joy that awakened katie and I this morning, you would have thought it was Christmas morning. In fact, it was more magnanimous than December 25 as far as the kids' energy level goes. Tomorrow has a lot to live up to as Abby's actual bday. We'll see how much more excitement can be generated then!
Until tomorrow (unless theirs something else to write about tonight)...
Until tomorrow (unless theirs something else to write about tonight)...
A Few of our Favorite Things...
We just returned from the PA Farm Show. For those of you who do not know what this is, it's a huge indoor livestock and farm exposition that lasts upwards of 9 days. It includes a rodeo, and is one of our family's favorite things to do around here in the course of a year.Gabe and Abby really enjoy the sensory area. they can pay in a huge pile of corn, collect eggs, milk a cow, pick apples...and most importantly they get their own basket to collect all this in and haul around for upwards of an hour! They love it! ...except for the clowns, but hten I have never been fond of them either. =O)
The giant carousel is also a family favorite. Lydia enjoys looking around at the wool spinning booth, hair wrap stand, and quilt making area. And she realy likes the rodeo. Today, she bought a straw hat with her own money. A very heart felt and thought out purchase!
We also like going around to all the food vendors and sampling the many tasty treats: ice cream, cheeses, salsas, pretzels, jerkey...you name it, it's here!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Are You in Time Out Again?!
Whoever said that discipline is work wasn't kidding. With four kids in the house last week, between the ages of 2 and 5, timeouts were a regular occurance, sometimes two at a time! Seemed like all we lived for in six or seven days' time was time out. We wonder, "Is all this really going to pay off some day?"
And then I remember the words of my sister back when Lydia was a tot, "I admire your consistency as parents." Consistency? Huh. We hadn't thought of it as that before, but what an encouragement that word has been to us! (Thanks, Vic!)
I realize, too, that discipline in my life, as a disciple of Jesus, is difficult work. And just as I am committed to my children through consistency, how much more is my Lord. True, "no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it."
So, all you disciples out there, stand firm. Parents, be encouraged, whether parenting your own children or doing the work of discipleship in the Body.
By the way, the two siblings that were with us in foster care--"Daniel" and "Maggie"--were placed with a new faster family following their hearing Monday. thanks for all who have been p[raying with us through this brief yet strenuous season.
And then I remember the words of my sister back when Lydia was a tot, "I admire your consistency as parents." Consistency? Huh. We hadn't thought of it as that before, but what an encouragement that word has been to us! (Thanks, Vic!)
I realize, too, that discipline in my life, as a disciple of Jesus, is difficult work. And just as I am committed to my children through consistency, how much more is my Lord. True, "no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained by it."
So, all you disciples out there, stand firm. Parents, be encouraged, whether parenting your own children or doing the work of discipleship in the Body.
By the way, the two siblings that were with us in foster care--"Daniel" and "Maggie"--were placed with a new faster family following their hearing Monday. thanks for all who have been p[raying with us through this brief yet strenuous season.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Say What?!
Gabe, what are you drawing?
"I drawin' amimals."
What kind of animal are you drawing?
"I drawin' a tree."
"I drawin' amimals."
What kind of animal are you drawing?
"I drawin' a tree."
Saturday, January 3, 2009
A Holiday Flurry
No snow this Christmas, but as I share my reflections on the Holidays '08, I recall a flurry of...gifts to wrap
wrapping debris
games of Skipbo, Imagine If and Settlers
transitions with foster kids coming before and after Christmas
relfections on my time with family and Christmases past
pictures taken
good food
late nights
miles driven
people in and out of our home
new friends on Facebook
time spent connecting with friends on FB
new pictures on our fridge from friends
trips to the store with family members (becasue we all enjoy shoppiong together so much)
trips to Lowes
love for my family, especially my wife ;o)
Friday, January 2, 2009
Guys Night In
A little down time here tonight--it's just the boys here in the Epp house. Katie took the girls with her. Lydia is spending the weekend with her friend Nicole on the farm in Newville. Gave us guys a little time to ourselves. We've been doing errands, playing with a big empty box, eating supper, and now watching Bob the Builder! It's just me, Gabe and Daniel (name changed to maintain confidentiality), our five year old foster boy.
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