Florida

We've been in Florida for almost a week, we came to go to Chase's uncle's wedding, which got cancelled due to hurricane Irma. I and Kelsey were terrified, and really bummed. It definitely wasn't the vacation we we're looking forward to, but Chase kept saying that he was grateful we were there for his grandma, which I tried to remind myself of to make me feel better. We did enjoy ourselves even though we were trapped in a house for three day. We had some laughs and watched the BYU football game until 2 in the morning. I could tell Lillie knew something bad was going to happen by the way that she was acting. She refused to sleep, and eat. And by the time the night of the hurricane came, she was a complete mess, screaming and crying at the top of her lungs when I put her to bed. Usually she puts herself to sleep so easily and peacefully, but not that night, we finally just too her out to crawl around and whined down.

We went exploring the first day, Chase's mom had to stay home because of a migraine, and we went out to Taco Lu’s, amazing! Then headed over to Brets to see his place (was supposed to be his wedding, that got canceled), right on the beach, seriously what dreams are made of.

We walked on the beach for a tiny, and Lillie hated it, wouldn't touch the water or the sand, terrified of the waves. Crossing my finger that it'll change, I was so hoping she'd be a water baby. She did love the golf cart ride though around the neighborhood, waving to everyone, and bouncing up and down. She was obsessed, so much like her father haha. 

We went back to Brets, hung out for a little longer, then headed back to Greats, with Emily, after some grocery shopping in prep for the hurricane. Some more water and snacks, just in case power and water went out. We later went back out, in the warm Florida rain, just with Chases mom to get some sweets and food for future dinners. We hit McDonald’s on the way back, and it literally took 35 minutes to get a drink, fries and 2 sundaes, it was insane!

But we didn't end out paying because of the wait. Later we put together a puzzle while watching “The Founder”, Emily headed home around midnight and then we finally went to bed. Although I stayed up watching a show until 2, big mistake….I was so tired the next day, but with the hurricane close, and the wind so bad, with the rain, we would be able to “relax” in a house we were trapped in for 2 days, so it was fine haha.

What the grocery store looked like. Everyone preparing for the hurricane.

Lillie first ice cream cone, and she LOVED it. 

They are the same person haha.

It was raining pretty much all day due to the hurricane, but we knew we had to get out because we would be trapped in a house for 2 more days, where we really couldn't leave. We drove around to see the old houses they lived in, and the place Carrie worked when she was little, then we went to go see Bret and Ashley again, but we went to Ashley's parents place instead. Typical southern house, with a huge backyard right up against a river. Truly amazing. 

We stayed there for a few hours and then headed back to Greats for Lillie’s nap, and some lunch. We finally finished the puzzle, while watching the weather channel literally all day everyday, because if the hurricane turned at all there was a huge chance for tornados. We had to stay connected just in case one landed by us. Seriously terrifying, I don't think I've ever been more paranoid, not because of me dying, but because I felt like I couldn't protect Lillie. She was my number one concern, and with a natural disaster like that, my hands were tied, I had no control over where it would hit, or if it would hit us bad. I almost cried a few times, and distracted myself with puzzles, and tv shows. It was the only way I could block out fear. Even sleep brought about dreams of tragedy.

I was so looking forward to Church, but I had a feeling it would be canceled. I wanted some comfort at this time, and I thought going to church would help, but I couldn't, and it was 
breaking my heart. The closest chapel was at the beach, which was evacuated. And with 
the hurricane coming sooner than later we knew we wouldn't have much luck trying other 
places. 

We stayed in, Chase's grandma watched football all day, and I did a puzzle, because it was the only thing I felt like I could do and keep the sabbath day holy. I really regret not sitting down, and taking at least an hour to study and read scriptures or conference talks, I know that would have given me comfort, but with all of the commotion and the tv on, I kept forgetting it was Sunday. 

It rained all day, but we braved it by taking a walk, the hurricane was hitting, and we would 
be stuck for a whole 24 hours, we had to get out. Kelsey was walking the dog, and it started to rain, she didn't want her hair to get all nasty, so she started running and so did Jax, but 
then he wouldn't stop haha, it was hilarious watching that. 

We got back in, made some chili for the stormy night ahead and some corn bread, honey 
butter and cookies. It was so good to have a nice warm meal, similar to the ones I make at 
home. I get food sick, and just want some of the dishes that my fam would make. It was 
perfect. 

That night Lillie wouldn't sleep, she scream in her crib for the longest time. I knew she was terrified, she could sense something coming, so I had to take her out, hold her, and then let her play to get some of her anxiety out. She didn't end out going to bed until about 10:00, but after I nursed her she was out. 

We all went to bed a little later, because we knew if the hurricane was going to hit at 
midnight, we had to get some sleep as soon as possible. The wind was already insane, and loud, and it was just going to get worse. We fell asleep pretty quickly, but I jolted awake at 
2:30 when my phone went off with a warning ring. We had gotten a few of these already, but I was waiting for the tornado warning. I knew where we were supposed to go, and I needed to get Lillie as soon as possible. I ran to my phone without a seconds hesitation, and saw 
that it was just a flood warning, which we had no concerns about where we were because 
we were on a second level duplex. Lillie was still sound asleep, although she had already 
woken up once, I gave in and nursed her every time she woke up which was about 3 times, because I knew it would bring her a comfort, that just rocking her and cuddling her wouldn't. With my heart racing I couldn't go back to sleep so we went out to the living room where we found Carrie and Great watching the weather channel, we sat down for about 30 minutes before we decided we should try to get back to sleep. I check my phone one more time for 
tornado warnings, just in case a text didn't get sent out, and then went back to sleep, until 
about 8 in the morning.

The worst of the hurricane happened while we were asleep, thankfully. We decided to stay in most of the day, but got out for a short walk around the neighborhood before spending the rest of the day inside. There was some damage, a lot of fallen trees, but most of the damaged happened else where. We watched the news a lot, seeing the damaged everywhere else was heartbreaking, but watching people help others was touching.

We drove to St. Augustine, hoping to take a tour, but it was closed due to the hurricane, along with all of the little shops. It was kind of a bummer, but at least we got out and did something different. The drive there and back was tragic, the damage was insane, and houses were destroyed. I was so grateful to have been where we were during the hurricane. 

Later that night we went to a restaurant with fresh seafood. the food was amazing, I even loved the shrimp and grits, and I hate shrimp. It was fun to try something new for our last night here. We go home tomorrow. It's been a crazy vacation, but definitely one to remember.