Colbie here, Colbie Colbert. As I said in my last entry, I am a housewife to three beautiful children, while my husband, Van, works as a sanitation worker in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where we live.
I have two girls, Diamond and Kaitlyn, as well as a newborn baby boy, Granger. They are the lights of my world; I'd do anything for my kids, I love them that much!
My middle child (Kaitlyn) isn't like most five-year-olds. That is, she was born with disabilities, among them being a heart murmur that bears watching, astigmatism in both eyes, and mental disabilities due to Down syndrome. She is developmentally behind most kids her age; her mind is more like a three year old's.
Sometimes parenting a child like Kaitlyn is hard. She has her bad days as well as her good days, especially when she becomes sick or when her heart acts up. Twice last month we had to call for the paramedics because Kaitlyn's heart started racing uncontrollably; it was scary! Thank God, everything worked out okay.
Kaitlyn's doing much better now, but it reminds me just how fragile life really is. This is when I want to hang onto her just a little bit tighter...however, I know I can't restrict her from doing the things she loves, so I must back off, let her be a child, let her explore the world as only she can.
As I write this, we are in Memphis, Tennessee. We are here because on Monday, Hurricane Gustav hit the southern coast of Louisiana, with powerful 100-mile-an-hour-plus winds, extremely heavy rains, and flooding. We were told by the government officials of Louisiana to go to shelter elsewhere because back then, Gustav was a Cat-4 storm; there was a chance it could strengthen. It was a most scary time; still is.
We don't know how our house fared during the duration of the storm. I do know this: we probably have a huge mess to clean up. Who's to say if we have power.
Kaitlyn and Diamond think this is a vacation, but it isn't, no, not really. We had to flee if we wanted to survive the storm. The girls don't know the seriousness of the situation.
Let them have fun.
I've been through enough hurricanes (including Katrina) to know that they're nothing to fool around with. I know.
The girls are enjoying the anemnities of the motel we're at, including cable tv (we don't have it at home), free meals for kids under seven, double beds, and a nice air conditioning that makes the room feel like Alaska.
Granger, our newborn, could care less: all he's concerned with is that someone takes care of him when he is hungry, fussy, poopy, wet, or bored. LOL
We have been watching AGT; we've become huge fans of that show. We especially like Kaitlyn Maher, who is still in the hunt; she did pretty well last night; however, you could tell that she was nervous. She just stood there, arms at her side, looking like a little wooden soldier. Her voice wasn't as strong or sure as in prior appearances; however, the audience (as well as the three judges) loved her; they screamed for more.
I just wonder how far Kaitlyn Maher will go through; it's anyone's guess.
Other than watching television or trying to find things for Kaitlyn and Diamond to do, we've been laying low. Oh, it's nice here, but it isn't home. You know? I know Van wants to get back to work as soon as possible.
Next week, Diamond starts first grade, and Kaitlyn starts Pre-K, at the Developmental Center for children with disabilities; it is going to be a huge adventure for her (and a big adjustment on our part). I pray we get back home to Louisiana before school starts up for the girls! I'd hate for them to miss their first few days!
If our house escaped any serious damage, I'll be very surprised. Homes can be replaced; human lives cannot. I'm just thankful we made the decision to flee before the hurricane even got close to shore!
Well, little Granger is crying again, so I'd best go now, tend to him. I will write in here again; don't know when, but it will be as soon as I can. Until later, this is Colbie signing off; God bless and take care!
~Colbie Colbert. :(
