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Makeup Days and Vacation

Our school's superintendent and a couple of school board members went in front of the Arkansas State Board of Education yesterday to ask for a waiver for the days that we missed due to the historic flood that devastated many homes, farms, and property. We missed 8 days of school, and they waived 3 days. I guess that is better than none, but not much. 

So... I would like to focus on the positive and tell you about our Florida vacation that we will be taking this summer. (I have learned some lessons on not telling everyone on Earth when you won't be home for an extended period of time. Have you seen http://robmenow.com/ ?) On January 1st we (Nick, my mom, dad, and I) spent some time planning our beach vacay, and we knew that we like laid back beaches that aren't heavily populated and we didn't want to be by rows and rows of condos and hotels. I got on Google maps and looked around until I found a place that we had never heard of. This place was Port St. Joe. Then, I found a beach house nearby on VRBO, called the owners, and we sent in the deposit!  We are staying at Cape San Blas in a house on the beach for TWO WEEKS! Yep, I can't wait. We were going to stay for one, but Nick and I thought two sounded much better!

Here is a view from the porch swing at the house.

Did I mention that I can't wait?

Graduation 2011

Nick and are both senior class sponsors this year, so we had to get graduation organized this year. That was not an easy job because we weren't even sure if we would have school, but the water receded and graduation went on as planned. We had some guests come to graduation practice, and I thought I would share. Nick was the MC for the night, and he did a great job!

Flood Update

The White River should crest later this week at 37.5 feet, but the level now is 37.11 feet. They have called off school for the remainder of the week, and we will try to go on Monday. Nick asked me what we were going to do for the rest of the week, and I told him we were going to enjoy our waterfront property.

Presley had to take a detour.

The River. That is our pastor standing on the edge. God has perfect timing. The lesson for the week in our Masterworks book is about natural disasters.

The road in front of our house yesterday.

The road in front of our house today.

The football practice field.

I saw a couple of men inspecting our road this morning, so, of course, I went out to convince them to close it because I was having to hold my breath every time someone drove through it.  They laughed. Then they closed the road. I should become a lobbyist.

Now I can stop looking out the window and holding by breath.

Prayers Please

If you haven't heard on the news, the White River at Des Arc is at a major flood stage. The River is at 34 feet now, but it is expected to rise 3 more feet by Saturday. The last time that it flooded was in 2008 when it rose to 33.78 feet. The levee at Sand Hill was in danger of breaking then, and we are looking at higher levels than the river saw in 2008. All of our material possessions can be replaced, but lives are precious. I just ask for your prayers that the people in the areas that are affected by these floods are safe.

Here is a hydrograph from the NOAA. I am so thankful for the technology that we have today.

I took some pictures of some of the flooding when we went out earlier...

The White River. Ususally you can see a boat launch, picnic tables, and a big parking lot.

Highway 11 to Searcy

Des Arc Bayou

Another pic down Hwy 11

This was taken from our front door. That is our neighbor's backyard.