Grab Bag Winter Weather and Miracles

Yesterday we got some snow/sleet/rain mix.  Today it is chilly and the girls and I "skated" to the bus stop.  There was a film of ice on most of the surface, and a dualie (spelling?) truck was fish-tailing a little as he went by the stop.  There is a stretch of road coming into our apartment that everyone (Jeff and I included) use to test the road conditions.
Jeff and I are grateful that we have a place to live, but sometimes to feel relieved to know your not going to be in the same place forever.  Last wednesday, a Sheriff came to our apartment.  He was looking for a different couple, but they had our address.  I had never heard of their name before--and we still get a lot of junk mail for other tenants.  Then, when I got back from the store on saturday night, three police cars drove up behind me.  They even had their spotlights on me.  I looked at them and then figured I would just get my groceries until one of the would yell for me to "get my hands up".  Luckily, it didn't happen!  They actually just asked where another apartment was.  We didn't hear anything, but cops are not an uncommon sight around here.  We will enjoy finding another place to live!
Our little family is well.  We keep praying for little Zach.  Even though I get sad at moments, I still feel so much optimism inside.  I just feel that he is young enough for his body to regenerate the dead tissue or for his brain to make new connections that can overcome what has happened.  I believe a miracle is in the making and it will take time!  The Lord has blessed us with so much in these last days!  I think nearly everyone in my family has had faith promoting experiences like this.  We have quite a list of miracles and I think about them often.  I'm grateful to have Scott, Emma, Ross, Ayden, Emily & Anthony, Jessica, Holly and the list just keeps going.  I love all of you who happen to read this, and I am so grateful for families.  They truely are central to Heavenly Father's plan.

"The Great Blizzard of 2011!"

Yes, the Indiana Michaelis Family survived the "Great Blizzard of 2011"!  The way the news reporters acted, we thought we would be digging ourselves out for the next two weeks.  It was a very windy night last tuesday when the storm hit, but we were grateful to be safe in our apartment.  I do have a thought on that, if I may digress for a moment.  Near our Walmart there is one particular homeless man that I have often seen.  He has a dog with him, too.  I never know what to do when I see people in need like that.  I want to help them, and yet I feel that I am barely making ends meet with my own family.  I wouldn't know what to do to help.  I do remember him occasionally in my prayers because I do know that the Lord can help him.
So, the kids got out of school early on tuesday in preparation for the storm.  Then they didn't have school on wednesday so people could dig out.  Then they cancelled school on thursday because it was too frigid (wind chills were in the -10 to -20 range), and then they had a 2-hour late start on friday, also because of the wind chill.
As we went out to the bus stop we saw the bus approaching.  Quickly, I yelled at the girls to run.  Then we hit the snow.  Now, up until this day, our management has been great at clearing the sidewalks.  Not on friday.  I was in the middle, literally dragging both Amelia and Zady as they kept falling in the snow.  The whole time frantically telling them to keep moving!  We had to make the bus!  As I neared the end of the sidewalk, and the bus, I could see the bus driver smiling.  I even think she was chuckling a little.  We eventually made it and I told the bus lady thank you.  I'm not sure she could understand me through my wheezing, though.  I have to admit that winter is not my time to exercise and to suddenly make a sprint in the snow, dragging two girls, nearly did me in.  I went home and laid on the couch for a minute. . .or two. . .hours.
I told the girls that I would meet them at school afterward and we would go to the book fair.  I arrived at the school and found the parking lot nearly empty.  I was baffled until a lightbulb clicked that fridays are early out day for us, too.  Soooo, the girls had been waiting for nearly 45 minutes before I got there.  Oh, well.  They were ok.

We had fun as a family during our time of incarceration in our apartment.  On thursday we ventured out to the snow pile in our parking lot.  Then we moved over to the snow drifts and dug some tunnels.  Ross especially loved crawling through them.  I've decided that our apartment is in a wind swept area because some of our friends definitely have a lot more snow in their yards.

Today we had more snow this morning (unexpected) and are told by the weather people--that we are convinced do not know anything about weather here--that we will have more snow next week.  This is supposed to be one of the snowiest winters in history.  I think we are at about 100 inches so far.

Sorry to be so long winded.  Thanks for all the phone calls and emails.  We love you all!

P.S.  I also wanted to mention that Ross turned 3 last month.  It is always a special milestone for me to think about having him in our family.  He definitely adds a new color to our palate!

Ross explores the first cave

Zady, Claire and Daddy digging

Amelia's Eye

Zady saying Hi