A new year has started and so we start anew. I have put off posting here on my blog for a bit. It has been some rough going for the past few weeks. I'll just get to the point.... We had a house fire on December 12th. WE ARE OKAY!!! We're better than okay really... We were home when it happened. It started on the front porch. It was a bit after 9:30 pm. Schon and I were in bed watching TV and Schon was rocking Lucas to sleep. Maya was sound asleep in her room. We heard a crackling noise and I jumped up to investigate. I walked out into the living room and saw through the window that the porch was engulfed in flames. I (apparently, because I don't remember) yelled out "the house is on fire!" Schon jumped up and yelled "get the baby! get the kids! get out of the house!" I yelled for Maya and she came right out. I grabbed Lucas and my cell phone. We went out the back door. Schon went out and grabbed the garden hose. I called 911. Within 5-10 minutes there were 5 fire vehicles on our street and I pointed back to our house (the back house). Schon had put out most of the flames and the team of firefighters took over from there. There was a lot of smoke pouring out of the attic. So they began chopping through the roof looking for hot spots. They doused out the rest of it and sprayed some foam all over the place. They were great.
Whew! Getting quite emotional here... We had alot of friends show up. We stayed at the front house with Julie, Jay, Aimee, Dave and Emma that night. The American Red Cross came and offered their assistance. This is an organization that I will be indebted to for the rest of my life. They really did come to our aid. They gave us a hotel room for a few nights as well as money for clothes and food to get us through for a while. They brought teddy bears for the kids and care packages with all the necessities... toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, etc.
Now for a public service announcement: If you do not already have Renters or Home Owners Insurance... run, don't walk to your insurance agent and GET IT NOW!!! It doesn't cost that much and in our case it actually lowered our car insurance rates when we grouped it all together. "Like a good neighbor", our State Farm agent showed up the next morning to check things out, to give the kids teddy bears and us some cookies. He let us know what would be happening. So here is what has happened with our coverage. We went from the hotel we were in, into a Residence Inn. Which is a nice hotel with a kitchen. They covered our stay until they found us a temporary home to live in until repairs are done on our home. They found us a very nice (very big) town home just 1.3 mi. from our house. We continue to pay our what we usually pay for rent and they pay the remainder of the lease. They completely furnished it for us! Down to the linens, cookwear, even a vacuum. We can stay here for up to 24 months if needed. Also, of course, we will assess damages to our personal belongings and they will cover that as well. We just have a $500 dedudctible. I am truly blown away at how well we are being taken care of.
Beyond that we have had so much love and support from family and friends. We are blessed beyond belief. The Pasadena Fire Department brought a firetruck with a surprise visit from Santa Clause who brought toys to Maya and Lucas. They have a program called the "Spark of Love". If you can, please donate toys to this great program. The joy they brought to Maya that day is indescribable. And if you are moved to do so, please donate to The American Red Cross. They really are using the donations to help people in need.
Every time I read about this, or even think about it, I cry. I'm just so grateful everyone is okay. I love you all so much!!!
Posted by: angelique | January 04, 2009 at 01:40 PM
you've been giving the blogging friends award. :-)
http://peachtreebliss.com/blog/?p=487
Posted by: angelique | January 24, 2009 at 10:35 AM
oops..
given, not giving.
Posted by: angelique | January 24, 2009 at 10:38 AM