My Grace-full Life: Fun, Not so fun, And then fun again!

Grace and I visited our cousins in Michigan this past weekend. It started out fun, then became not so fun as we got through the worst storm I've ever experienced, then it became fun again. Let me explain.

Grace and I started out early Saturday morning for our cousins' place in Michigan. We were to meet some other cousins there and have a swim and a pot luck. For the most part we had an uneventful trip to the US. Grace was great in the car most of the way, even though we had to make a few emergency potty stops. She ate snacks and slept and watched her Barney DVDs. When we got to the border it was quite backed up and as we finally got to the border guard, he asked us to move to the secondary investigation area. Needless to say, we were there a while sorting out Grace's passport, even though she has a US travel visa. I'm so glad I brought the correct documents!!!!

Finally we arrived at Chris and Jill's. Grace did not think much of all the dogs there but she warmed up a bit as the day went on. We had a good swim and play in the water, ate well and then headed back to Tim and Sue's to stay overnight. We weren't the only houseguests Sue had this past weekend. Her sister and her four kids, as well as her niece and her sister's mom were all there too. The house was full!!! Sue, always the gracious host, took it all in stride.

Sunday, we spent time at the beach even though the weather was a little ominous in the far off. Late afternoon we packed up, heading home for a BBQ dinner.

That was the fun part.

Once home, things were a little crazy, trying to get everything out of the car, kids cleaned up, dinner together for 15 or more people. Everyone was busy. We had set up a brand new canopy just in case it rained. At least we would be able to still eat outside. The clouds moved in a little darker and a little closer. A few drops fell. Sue and I cut the watermelon outside as the rain picked up. Eventually it was pouring and we all headed inside, knowing that it was pretty unlikely we would be able to eat outside.

And then came the wind. And the hail. Then more wind, more rain, more hail. Trees bent over backward, leaves and branches flew around everywhere. We decided it was a good idea to head to the basement for safety. The hail was so large and the winds so strong they broke several windows in the house, dented our cars and broke windshields and back windows and in my case the side mirror.

Just as we came up stairs thinking things had settled down, the tornado sirens started and back down to the basement we went. Thankfully I thought to bring the portable DVD player down to the basement with us and as you'll see in photos below, Grace was totally oblivious to what was going on around her thank goodness!

After the storm had moved on, we ventured outside to peruse the damage and damage there was. Windows, lights, lawn furniture smashed, cars dented, the siding of their house looked like someone had used it as shooting practise. Unbelievable. Water had poured into the windows and basement.

That was the not so fun part.

We were grateful however that everyone was OK, and once the shock of the damage has lessened, it was time to relax a little. See below how Tim and Sue went about doing just that!

That's when it got fun again.

The fun continued next day when Sue, Grace and I went to see her dad at his residence. He had always been excited about my adoption and couldn't wait to meet Grace. We took him out to dinner and he spent a good part of the time at the restaurant chatting with Grace, trying to get a high five.

We spent a quiet night visiting and early Tuesday morning Grace and I headed out to make a brief stop at our friend Kim's farm before heading back to Canada. I'll tell that story another day!

Our friendly host for Saturday's festivities, Jill

Tim and Suzanne, before the storm hit. They look so relaxed and calm!!! If only they knew what they would face 24 hours later!

This was a brand new shade structure

The street/river in front of their house

Now, that's big hail!!!! This was even half an hour or more after the storm had ended

Down in the basement it was crowded with so many people. Grace decided to stake out a spot for herself. She totally enjoyed sitting in her box!

Notice the missing back window

Both Tim and Suzanne took the whole situation in stride. They weren't happy I'm sure but still were able to manage a smile!

This may be the real reason Suzanne was smiling.....

Sue, joking around with the moonshine! Once the storm passed, we all filled our glasses with a good stiff drink. Then Tim got a good idea. We all took our drinks outside and used the ice from the yard for our drinks. Cheers to everyone ending up safe!