"Mommy The Sirens Are Scaring Me!"

That is what Braxton said as he sat next to me while I was laying on the couch. I told him to stop and get over it figuring they weren't anywhere close by. Dave came down the stairs and went outside and came to get us. We went out and this is what we saw:
 


This lumber supply store right next door had flames shooting out of the air vents in the roof. The spindles were spinning out of control as the flames blasted out of them and then they began to catch on fire and fall off. We continued to watch as the whole building became completely engulfed and the roof caved in! Within 45 minutes of it starting there was a police officer evacuating our building and we had to leave. I grabbed the formula and some water and a few jars of food for the baby and we walked out to leave. We were going to take the car, but realized that our driveway was blocked and the only thing we could grab was the stroller. We were without anything else. We stood around for hours watching, waiting, hoping that our house wasn't the next to go. The police officer told me that if the winds changed (they did) that it would be in danger. Nothing like worrying your house won't survive the night!

This picture is from our back yard.
 

This is out at the main road across the street from our neighborhood.
 

If you look closely you can see our silver van in our driveway that the police car is parked at! Pretty intense moments......
 

This is what it looks like today, a total loss. They were able to keep the wood in the lumber yard from burning which was wonderful.
 

View from our back door.
 

View from the end of our driveway.
 

This was such a devastation! Our maintenance guy is a nephew of the owner and also works there during the day. Another friend of mine is the owners niece. The owner was out of state at a funeral for his sister's daughter when the fire broke out. He got here when there was nothing left. Two weeks before his niece died, his only daughter's husband died of a heart attack at the age of 28. This family has had much heartache this month and I hope you will all keep them in your prayers. They have it cleaned up so much already today! They've been out there for hours working.

We are thankful to have our home and that it was spared. It really made me think of all the things I should have grabbed in the moment, but didn't. Maybe if there is a next time I will be more prepared!