Blair Flooding

As many of you may not know (since the national news has decided not to cover it for some wierd reason), the Missouri river is flooding in ways it hasn't done in over 50 years. By the time it is all said and done, it may be the worst one on record. We are very blessed to have bought a house that even though it is about a mile from the river's edge, is up 2 extremely steep hills and will not have a problem with being flooded. Although, if you go east towards the river, the street is closed off about 4 blocks down due to the flooding. If you go two houses to the north of us, that neighbor's backyard drops about 75 to 100 feet down to a very flat corn field.... which is now in the process of going underwater. We can see it from our backyard even. Dave got on the roof and took some pictures and before the road closed by our house, I got some pictures as well. The only things we are truly concerned about are the OPPD power plant doesn't get damaged by the waters getting into the machinery so they have a long time they are offline and the water treatment plant is down that road that is closed off by our house. The city isn't sure the waters won't get into the plant and contaminate it or that the road to it will continue to be open so the workers can get to it. We do have water storage though for this kind of emergency. And so, I am posting some pictures to show you what we are dealing with (and we don't even have the worst of it).

This is the view  into the neighbor's backyard

This is down the street from us where a corn field used to be

This is the creek down there that is normally a tiny trickle... now overflowing

These two pics are the view from our back deck today

We'll post more pics as we get them.

The "Eyes" Have It

So here is an update on my eyes and how the surgery went back on Saturday to correct my vision:

I feel fabulous! I still have to put drops in my eyes throughout the day but after the first month, they tell me I won't have to anymore. I don't seem to have the dry eye problems that many people have afterwards (which I am so grateful for). The surgery was done on Saturday and it was absolutely nerve-wracking! I did get a priesthood blessing the night before though and so I knew everything would go well. It was 20 minutes I would never want to go through again if I can avoid it, but I am *so* glad I did it. It has been so fabulous being able to see again. I have been wearing glasses off and on since I was 12 and full-time since I was 22. So this is quite a pleasant change. In one eye, I can see 20/20 and in the other 20/15. The doc even told me my eyes will continue to get better as they heal more. So I give it two thumbs up and recommend it for anyone who has the money and the guts to do it. Overall, everything is looking great!

Going Under the Knife

Yes. I am getting surgery done on Saturday. Nothing too major though. It is LASIK corrective eye surgery. I'm so nervous, but very excited as well! I have everything worked out for the day of the surgery. (Dave has to work and my mom is going to help me and the kids out.) All this week I have been thinking at random moments, "By this time next week, I won't need my glasses to see that" or "I can't wait until I don't have to clean my glasses off anymore and then realize the kids have placed the latest scratch on them." It has been something Dave and I discussed for quite a while, but we wanted to wait until after I was done being pregnant. And yes... that time is now. Plus, the doctor I am using has a lifetime guarentee on the work done so that if my prescription changes again, he will correct it for no additional charge.

So, hopefully all goes well and I will be glasses free on Saturday!