Worst Storm in Arizona History

"The worst storm in Arizona History"  that's what the news is saying.  I know that for us, where we live, we have seen worse but for many parts of the state it was the worst.  We didn't lose the roof on anything this time and we are so thankful.  But we did get some much needed rain.  Most people, those not from the desert, think "Rain we get that a lot.  What's the big deal?"  When it rains here it is a hard rain.  My son in law is from Kalispell, Montana and he said the rain storms there are nothing like a storm in the desert.  He describes the thunderstorms here as "frightening and angry" in comparrison. 

The grandkids were all excited and worried about the storms.  This is how Payten spent her day.

She ran to the window and watched threw the mini blinds

Notice the water threw the blinds?

I raised the blinds for her so she could see better and so Grandma's blinds would survive Payten.  She stood there all morning!

I started to feel bad for her so I set up a chair in the afternoon.  This is what she asked ALL day long! "I want to go "imming"  all day!  The water is big outside I want to "im".  I want to go "imming" in grandma's pool.  Translation:  imming=swimming   Just in case you didn't catch that.

She took a brief break to do some of this...

and she is working hard on potty training so she did some of this...

But other than that she spent the entire day looking out the window!  She was SO excited to see this.

Kaitlen! Kaitlen's  Home!

Poor Kaitlen was running as fast as she could.  The strong winds about blew her over!  Notice Grandma's swimming pool?  Our front yard has never been landscaped.  Hubby doesn't see the need.  He did take a back hoe and dig down a foot or more for a water retention and I'm so thankful he did because the water now runs away from the house.  We have a standing arguement over what to do with the front yard.  I want trees, grass in the retention area with trees and shrubs bordering the yard.  Did I mention trees?  Teele wants to fence it off and fill it with horses.  I say NO unless he plants a permanent pasture for greenery and stands at the door and swats flies!  So the front yard stays as is.

Then the tornado warning was issued for Amanda's area so they packed up and came to our house.  By the time they arrived we had lost power and were seeing more and more roof shingles flying off and we were now under a tornado watch.  We called Crystal and they still had power so all of us went to their house.  Amanda cooked an amazing spaghetti dinner and we stayed tuned to the television for more tornado, flash food, and thunderstorm updates.

Then our tornado watch was updated to a warning.  We made plans to go to the laundry room,  moved the couch out from under the window and had the first aid kit ready...just in case.  We went home when the warning was over and our power was restored at 10:00pm.  We were one of the last cars to pass over the new bridge because minutes later the Sheriff's Department closed it off because a power pole was leaning over and threatening to fall .  This is what we woke up to this morning.

That's some swimming pool!  It's at least a foot deep!  We are expecting more showers today but nothing like yesterday.   I am so thankful the tornadoes never touched ground, the roof and awnings are still on the house, and that we finally got some much needed moisture!  I'm seriously thinking about letting Payten "play" in my pool.  I think I can talk RaLee into taking her "imming" tomorrow.  I would do it tonight but she has to cheer at a basketball game.

Jessica Pregnancy Update and Concerns

Jessica is 32 weeks!  Only 6 more weeks to go.  This baby has been full of surprises.  First we were told "He" was a "She" which would have been their fourth daughter.  John wanted a son SO bad and he kept telling all of us those first few months to never say "Girl" to concentrate and "Think BOY".  So when the ultrasound tech said, "It's a girl", we were a little sad for John but still excited for a healthy baby.  Then when Jessica had another ultrasound scheduled at 19 weeks John said, "What if we find out it's really a boy...that can happen...right?"  I told him that the other ultrasounds were early and they could have made a mistake.  Sure enough "She" was declared a "He" and they were on cloud 9!

He is most definitely a Boy

Then we went to her 30 week appointment for a regular check up and another ultrasound.  We didn't get to see his face because he was facing Jessica's spine but we did see some very familiar looking ears...we all laughed that he had his daddy's ears.  Then the Dr. told us that her water levels were elevated.  "Don't worry and Don't go home and look this up on the internet because it will scare you!"  She also told us that she was going to do another ultrasound in two weeks.  We were excited that he was head down.  Although the Dr. said he was a big baby at around 4 pounds. 

Two weeks went by and we tried not to worry.  The other ultrasound was yesterday and he is now breech and nearly 6 pounds!  His water levels are also up from 19 to nearly 23...not good.  Because he has so much water he is swimming and flipping thus the breech presentation now.  We also learned that Jessica has gestational diabetes which is probably why the baby is big and has so much water.  She will have another ultrasound in two weeks if things continue as they are they will do an emergency C-section. 

So we are again asking that you keep Jessica and her Son in your prayers.  We are staying positive!
I love the view outside her Doctor's office window...so comforting, beautiful and peaceful.

Oh yea Baby Boy Caldwell has a first name...it's Caden  "something"  Caldwell.   Any suggestions for a middle name?