It passed! After watching/listening to all things Ike for several days before the storm, I'm glad to say it's now over. Gratefully for us nothing of consequence happened: a tree down in the back yard (it fell opposite the house), parts of the fence are down, we discoved some roof leaks, and we'll be out of electricity for two to six more days.
We spent most of yesterday cleaning up fallen branches and taking the plywood off the windows.
We kept the kids up late the night of the storm hoping they would wear themselves by the time it hit. It worked. Somehow that high winds (which worried me) didn't disturb their slumber. We tucked them safely in the hallway in the middle of the house and when they awoke the worst was over and when they woke up they just went into the boys' room to play Legos like any other day.
The water we were storing in the tub wasn't needed for drinking or washing (we didn't lose water service) so we used it instead to cool off at the end of the day...a little too cold for my taste but after working outside and being even hotter in the house, it was welcomed.
To help us sleep through the night we had spray bottles by the bed.
We're now at a friend's enjoying all the luxuries of modern life: TV, DVDs, an oven, lights, and AC. That equals happy children. Oh and undergarments and towels will be clean and dry soon. That equals happy husband.
We now have an empty fridge and my friend has a full one. It was time to clean it outways.
Our little family's life will be back to normal soon (school should start Wednesday), but for many here that were hit harder it will be a long time and there will be lots of service opportunity. Wer are so grateful to have been protected and prayed for.