Today, I'm 28 years old again. I'd tell you what anniversary I'm celebrating but it would defeat the point of saying I'm 28 over and over. For those who know how old I am...forget! That's the best birthday you could give me.
As for the birthday blues...
It has been an upside down, inside out year for the Morrison Clan. Some of you know the trails we have been through and well...it sucks. The summer has been rough and we thought my in-law lost their home. Even though they didn't, they still lost a lot and have been working around the clock to get their life back in order.
Then we found out another complex of fires has now cancelled our annual vacation. This would have been the 40th year this family and friends have been enjoying this vacation. So this week has been full of friends and family trying to scramble to find something different. Thank you to all of you who got online and on the phone finding alternatives to include those who don't even go on vacation with us.
But last night my heart was broken. I was looking forward to this. This was keeping me going and now...
This one wants this and that one wants that. No one can get what they want because what we all want is not an option.
So...how I woke up on my birthday...first my hubby whispers happy birthday then we cancelled our alternative plans for vacation.
Ryan and I will still be taking time off and doing things with our family but our week long vacation in the mountains is gone.
NOW...I'm looking forward to tonight. I have amazing friends and they are all jumping to celebrate my birthday tonight. Dinner and drink! Just what the doctor ordered. Want to join us? Message me through FB for details or text me.
Thank you all for caring for my heart and life in so many ways. Those are the precious things to me. My phone has been beeping with FB messages and texts this morning wishing me happy birthday. Thanks!
So...off to work I go. Yes, I work on my birthday...but maybe that means I'll get some bonus tips. It is my birthday and my regular customers are amazing to me.
Today I'm trying not think on the "lost" vacation but rather the gift of life I celebrate each year on this day. I can't wait to see all my friends tonight and feel so blessed that my loved ones are jumping to celebrate. I have some of the most amazing friends in the world and tonight they join me from all areas of my life: long time friends, business friends, work friends and brand new friends.
This is an amazing year. I will not accept defeat. We joked with the kids last night that this would be the year that they looked back at as the year their grandparents lived together for a time. This will not be the year of fires and loss but of new experiences, new friends and hope.
Join with me today and find your hope. As a special gift to me, consider donating to the Black Forest wildfire relief funds. I will soon be joining an amazing group to raise funds to help the families who have lost so much. Be looking for a new blog for that organization. I can't wait to join the team and give back to the area I love so much. I hope to live in Black Forest someday soon with my family and can't wait to help rebuild it.
So though my morning started a little blue...I will not let it take me down. Birthday...here I come!
Friday, June 28, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
What else?
So in the end, my in-laws house is standing. It started on the green list, went to the red list and then in the end went back to the green list.
Of course, they had already started the total loss process with friends from the forest once we found out it was on the green list. It was horrible and we all were grieving. They were looking into rentals that would take 2 horses, 5 dogs, a cat & 3 people. Things were not looking great.
But then the miracle happened...the house stands. We heard the news but didn't know if we could believe it. Then we got through to friends of friends and police got to the property, took a picture & sent it to us. It was verified the house is standing.
Thank you all for the prayers. There is still so much loss for them though the house stands. All the out building on the property are gone. Some things were not covered by insurance. The goat did pass away. There is a lot of clean up and the house and it's contents are smoke damaged. My mother-in-law has asthma and the clean up process has caused her a great deal of breathing problems.
My heart aches as we stood on the property and saw the houses all around gone. There are burnt black trees everywhere. The house was saved and yet my heart aches. It looks like a nuclear bomb went off down their street. There are so many that just have nothing now.
This is a rural area. Many people owned the land and may have a trailer on the property...uninsured. More than 500 homes are gone. All this pain...
But of course we have our vacation coming up next week. We were looking forward to relaxing in rustic cabins, camping for a week with no electricity, no cell service, no running water, and no distractions. We were getting away for a bit. This would be the 40th year Ryan's family had been doing this. I've loved this tradition and found myself able to deal with everything knowing I was going to get away for just a bit.
And then today we find out another fire in Colorado has evacuated the Ranch we stay at every year. No vacation...
We'll probably do something or just camp for a few days, but no cabins. No fishing. No letting the girls ride their bikes between the cabins. No dogs chasing horses (that would be Lola of course). No dogs eating freshly caught fish before they could be cleaned (not Lola this time). No four wheelers on trails. No 40th year celebration at the ranch.
Pray for our family. This was the thing we were all needing. A break from reality and struggle. A break from fire. A break...we need a break.
Pray that another alternative that fits our needs and our large group will become available by Sunday. Pray that we are able to enjoy whatever we chose to do as we will not be going to the Continental Ranch. Pray that it will fit our financial constraints. Pray we will be able to "get away" and relax for a week.
At first I felt foolish for asking for prayer for a vacation but then I remembered that my heavenly father cares about it all. He cares that we need a break. He cares that we want to spend time together after such strife. He cares that we wanted to slow down for a bit...in that slowing down we know we hear Him better. This was going to be a time to rejoice for the answered prayer regarding the house. This was going to be a time to remember the important things. We need this time to be together. Thank you so much for listening and I covet your prayers! Your steadfast prayers were answered with a house that stands. Join me in praying for a break for the Morrison Clan, friends and family.
Oh and not to forget the most important thing to pray for...the fires and the fire fighters. Please pray as there are 3 fires in this area at are out of control, no containment. Pray for the 1st responders and their safety. Pray for the area because as of right now, no structures are lost. Colorado needs some rain and cool air and no wind. Pray for our state as fire is devastating it right now.
Of course, they had already started the total loss process with friends from the forest once we found out it was on the green list. It was horrible and we all were grieving. They were looking into rentals that would take 2 horses, 5 dogs, a cat & 3 people. Things were not looking great.
But then the miracle happened...the house stands. We heard the news but didn't know if we could believe it. Then we got through to friends of friends and police got to the property, took a picture & sent it to us. It was verified the house is standing.
Thank you all for the prayers. There is still so much loss for them though the house stands. All the out building on the property are gone. Some things were not covered by insurance. The goat did pass away. There is a lot of clean up and the house and it's contents are smoke damaged. My mother-in-law has asthma and the clean up process has caused her a great deal of breathing problems.
My heart aches as we stood on the property and saw the houses all around gone. There are burnt black trees everywhere. The house was saved and yet my heart aches. It looks like a nuclear bomb went off down their street. There are so many that just have nothing now.
This is a rural area. Many people owned the land and may have a trailer on the property...uninsured. More than 500 homes are gone. All this pain...
But of course we have our vacation coming up next week. We were looking forward to relaxing in rustic cabins, camping for a week with no electricity, no cell service, no running water, and no distractions. We were getting away for a bit. This would be the 40th year Ryan's family had been doing this. I've loved this tradition and found myself able to deal with everything knowing I was going to get away for just a bit.
And then today we find out another fire in Colorado has evacuated the Ranch we stay at every year. No vacation...
We'll probably do something or just camp for a few days, but no cabins. No fishing. No letting the girls ride their bikes between the cabins. No dogs chasing horses (that would be Lola of course). No dogs eating freshly caught fish before they could be cleaned (not Lola this time). No four wheelers on trails. No 40th year celebration at the ranch.
Pray for our family. This was the thing we were all needing. A break from reality and struggle. A break from fire. A break...we need a break.
Pray that another alternative that fits our needs and our large group will become available by Sunday. Pray that we are able to enjoy whatever we chose to do as we will not be going to the Continental Ranch. Pray that it will fit our financial constraints. Pray we will be able to "get away" and relax for a week.
At first I felt foolish for asking for prayer for a vacation but then I remembered that my heavenly father cares about it all. He cares that we need a break. He cares that we want to spend time together after such strife. He cares that we wanted to slow down for a bit...in that slowing down we know we hear Him better. This was going to be a time to rejoice for the answered prayer regarding the house. This was going to be a time to remember the important things. We need this time to be together. Thank you so much for listening and I covet your prayers! Your steadfast prayers were answered with a house that stands. Join me in praying for a break for the Morrison Clan, friends and family.
Oh and not to forget the most important thing to pray for...the fires and the fire fighters. Please pray as there are 3 fires in this area at are out of control, no containment. Pray for the 1st responders and their safety. Pray for the area because as of right now, no structures are lost. Colorado needs some rain and cool air and no wind. Pray for our state as fire is devastating it right now.
Friday, June 14, 2013
What we left behind...
My mother-in-law loves me right now but I think she always has...
No one was really worried on Tuesday but I called my best girlfriend and she was watching the fire live. Thank you El for making me realize how serious it was and encouraging me to defy my MIL and go to the forest.
The first list of homes was listed Wednesday afternoon and just as the news was releasing the info, my MIL had just shouted, "Oh, my recipes, I forgot my recipes!" I yelled, "Shhh, they are releasing the list" and her reply was, "What list?"
Frazzled brains, I tell you.
That was the first list and the house was listed safe that day. One of their friends came by moments later and she already knew hers was lost. So what did we do...we fed her. What else can you do?
Then that night, though they really didn't believe their house was safe, they rattled off the list of things they didn't get. My father-in-law, the 3rd most amazing man on earth (behind my husband and my dad) was the most amazing dad & husband. He didn't grab one thing of his for evacuation...not his guns, his motorcycle...I'm not even sure he had extra clothes. He made sure that my MIL and my SIL had what they needed and wanted.
Now to be clear, my in-laws were just pulling out to go camping so they have a week's worth of everything with them...and that's it.
As we began to clear the house, my MIL said she was thinking the whole time (till the last 20 minutes or so), that this was a waste of time. We were going to have to unpack it all later.
Well it wasn't...
All we got was a few family heirlooms.
Somethings that belonged to her mother.
A few photo albums.
Important papers file.
What we didn't get?
Recipes...in her mother's handwriting.
Some valuables.
The address & phone number book. (They have not reached the age of putting all in a cell phone).
Everything else...is just stuff.
Then came Thursday's list and well...the house is gone. I was in a meeting looking at someone else's phone. I had to run to the hallway and just cried. I called my dad. My in-laws are at their house. He was choked up talking to me.
I know it just stuff...but
We have our memories...but
The people are safe...but
The dogs, cat & horses are safe...but
My rehearsal dinner was there. Every Christmas since I was apart of the family was there (and before me was there). My kids learned to sew there and baked cookies there. We ate around that dinning room table for Father's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and because is was Tuesday.
They haven't made any decisions. We don't know much right now. They went to the victims's relief center yesterday. They feel better and equipped. They know what to do next...not everything but they have things to do.
BTW...shout out to the victim's relief center & the Waldo Canyon fire people who helped and are helping. You mean a lot to our family right now.
It is all STUFF and really not what it important. But if you are pre-evacuating or on voluntary evacuation, slow down and think for a minute. We only had two hours and that wasn't enough. Get a few of those things that cannot be replaced. The china may be old. The picture may be valuable. But Grandma's handwritten recipes are irreplaceable.
No one was really worried on Tuesday but I called my best girlfriend and she was watching the fire live. Thank you El for making me realize how serious it was and encouraging me to defy my MIL and go to the forest.
The first list of homes was listed Wednesday afternoon and just as the news was releasing the info, my MIL had just shouted, "Oh, my recipes, I forgot my recipes!" I yelled, "Shhh, they are releasing the list" and her reply was, "What list?"
Frazzled brains, I tell you.
That was the first list and the house was listed safe that day. One of their friends came by moments later and she already knew hers was lost. So what did we do...we fed her. What else can you do?
Then that night, though they really didn't believe their house was safe, they rattled off the list of things they didn't get. My father-in-law, the 3rd most amazing man on earth (behind my husband and my dad) was the most amazing dad & husband. He didn't grab one thing of his for evacuation...not his guns, his motorcycle...I'm not even sure he had extra clothes. He made sure that my MIL and my SIL had what they needed and wanted.
Now to be clear, my in-laws were just pulling out to go camping so they have a week's worth of everything with them...and that's it.
As we began to clear the house, my MIL said she was thinking the whole time (till the last 20 minutes or so), that this was a waste of time. We were going to have to unpack it all later.
Well it wasn't...
All we got was a few family heirlooms.
Somethings that belonged to her mother.
A few photo albums.
Important papers file.
What we didn't get?
Recipes...in her mother's handwriting.
Some valuables.
The address & phone number book. (They have not reached the age of putting all in a cell phone).
Everything else...is just stuff.
Then came Thursday's list and well...the house is gone. I was in a meeting looking at someone else's phone. I had to run to the hallway and just cried. I called my dad. My in-laws are at their house. He was choked up talking to me.
I know it just stuff...but
We have our memories...but
The people are safe...but
The dogs, cat & horses are safe...but
My rehearsal dinner was there. Every Christmas since I was apart of the family was there (and before me was there). My kids learned to sew there and baked cookies there. We ate around that dinning room table for Father's Day, Mother's Day, birthdays, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and because is was Tuesday.
They haven't made any decisions. We don't know much right now. They went to the victims's relief center yesterday. They feel better and equipped. They know what to do next...not everything but they have things to do.
BTW...shout out to the victim's relief center & the Waldo Canyon fire people who helped and are helping. You mean a lot to our family right now.
It is all STUFF and really not what it important. But if you are pre-evacuating or on voluntary evacuation, slow down and think for a minute. We only had two hours and that wasn't enough. Get a few of those things that cannot be replaced. The china may be old. The picture may be valuable. But Grandma's handwritten recipes are irreplaceable.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Personal Prayer Please
So many have you have already heard but my in-laws home is a total loss in the Black Forest Fire. Our family hasn't processed anything yet or made any decisions but right now I personally need some prayer.
I have an intestinal disorder that has because very aggravated by the recent stress. I'm in quite a bit of pain and its making it even harder to focus on anything. I have to work this weekend and it will be difficult to do with this going on. Please pray for relief.
Secondly, my phone has been having issues for a while now. I got the phone replaced and it still is having issues. I'm not sure why and that's not really the point. The point is I cannot receive calls or texts or voicemails most of the time. My family has had a really hard time getting a hold of me and it is EXTREMELY important that I can be reached. I'm not looking for tech support, I asking you pray over my phone. I've done everything I can through the manufacturer as well as my cell company. I just need my phone "healed".
These things seem so little in the midst of everything but this would help so much as we deal with everything we are facing.
Thanks so much for listening and I hope to update everyone as soon as my family has time to make decisions.
Continue to pray over my in-laws. This will be a long road.
I have an intestinal disorder that has because very aggravated by the recent stress. I'm in quite a bit of pain and its making it even harder to focus on anything. I have to work this weekend and it will be difficult to do with this going on. Please pray for relief.
Secondly, my phone has been having issues for a while now. I got the phone replaced and it still is having issues. I'm not sure why and that's not really the point. The point is I cannot receive calls or texts or voicemails most of the time. My family has had a really hard time getting a hold of me and it is EXTREMELY important that I can be reached. I'm not looking for tech support, I asking you pray over my phone. I've done everything I can through the manufacturer as well as my cell company. I just need my phone "healed".
These things seem so little in the midst of everything but this would help so much as we deal with everything we are facing.
Thanks so much for listening and I hope to update everyone as soon as my family has time to make decisions.
Continue to pray over my in-laws. This will be a long road.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Black Forest Love
As of this summer I have lived half of my life in Colorado Springs. It is most definitely home.
My city is once again on fire but this one is much closer to home emotionally & physically. Please know we are very safe and far away from the mandatory evacuation zone as well as the pre-evacuation zone.
But here's my thoughts...
When we moved here, I graduated from Liberty High School. It was rough being a senior in a new school and new state. Things were very different but it was one of the best years of my life. I made lots of friends that are friends today. At that time, my school district only had 3 high schools and Liberty HS was where all the Black Forests kids went...to include my husband.
Ryan and I met in high school at Liberty. His family lives in Black Forest as well as many of our friend's families. Today, my FB feed is full of my high school friends doing the same thing I did yesterday...evacuate their parents.
I had flashes of homes come through my mind as I drove to Black Forest yesterday. Homes I hung out in high school. Homes...beautiful homes. I could name so many but a few came to mind right away. Homes of friend's parents that I knew still lived there.
Because of the day and age of FB, I have heard that most everyone I know still live there...got out! Most got their valuables. Most got their animals...some only got the people but got out.
Please pray.
-Pray for my in-law as we evacuated them last night and this is the home they built with their own two hands.
-Pray for the goat that had to be left behind.
-Pray for my hubby & his sisters as this was the home they helped build...full of memories.
-Pray for our kids as this is the home so many holidays are spent and so many memories have been made.
-Pray for my sister-in-law who is out of state and feels so helpless.
-Pray for my other sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, my daughter and me as we all have asthma and the smoke is so brutal for us.
-Pray for blessing on my parents as their home is full of dogs and people.
Thank God for:
-My hubby's uncle who will be taking two dogs & a cat today.
-Our friends the Wills who will be taking another dog.
-My parents who jumped to help evacuate and watch kids and then put up my in-laws.
-Friends who took the two horses.
-Our friends the Wilkes who encouraged me to go & evacuated them (not a moment to soon) and then desperately tried to get to us to help us.
My city is once again on fire but this one is much closer to home emotionally & physically. Please know we are very safe and far away from the mandatory evacuation zone as well as the pre-evacuation zone.
But here's my thoughts...
When we moved here, I graduated from Liberty High School. It was rough being a senior in a new school and new state. Things were very different but it was one of the best years of my life. I made lots of friends that are friends today. At that time, my school district only had 3 high schools and Liberty HS was where all the Black Forests kids went...to include my husband.
Ryan and I met in high school at Liberty. His family lives in Black Forest as well as many of our friend's families. Today, my FB feed is full of my high school friends doing the same thing I did yesterday...evacuate their parents.
I had flashes of homes come through my mind as I drove to Black Forest yesterday. Homes I hung out in high school. Homes...beautiful homes. I could name so many but a few came to mind right away. Homes of friend's parents that I knew still lived there.
Because of the day and age of FB, I have heard that most everyone I know still live there...got out! Most got their valuables. Most got their animals...some only got the people but got out.
Please pray.
 |
| This is the fire crossing Black Forest Road when we made the decision to stop packing and go with what we had. |
-Pray for my in-law as we evacuated them last night and this is the home they built with their own two hands.
-Pray for the goat that had to be left behind.
-Pray for my hubby & his sisters as this was the home they helped build...full of memories.
-Pray for our kids as this is the home so many holidays are spent and so many memories have been made.
-Pray for my sister-in-law who is out of state and feels so helpless.
-Pray for my other sister-in-law, my mother-in-law, my daughter and me as we all have asthma and the smoke is so brutal for us.
-Pray for blessing on my parents as their home is full of dogs and people.
Thank God for:
-My hubby's uncle who will be taking two dogs & a cat today.
-Our friends the Wills who will be taking another dog.
-My parents who jumped to help evacuate and watch kids and then put up my in-laws.
-Friends who took the two horses.
-Our friends the Wilkes who encouraged me to go & evacuated them (not a moment to soon) and then desperately tried to get to us to help us.
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