Ike begins

Well we have had a relaxing morning with the Lanza family. The kids got up at their regular time, Vanessa made us pancakes, I was able to go for a run, and help get everyone ready for the day. We are currently over at Lester's parents house for a nice late lunch/early dinner. The kids have been playing with the bunny rabbit, playing some video games, ridding bikes outside and have eaten well. We are trying not to watch to much of the TV stuff, but keep checking in on it. It was weird to see images from the Galveston area that we know flooded already with 4 ft. of water and the main part of the storm had not even began to hit land yet. The League City emergency management sent an email out saying that their will be a mandatory curfew started from 6 PM to 6 AM and that the hurricane is expected to have a significant impact on League City and that homes and people in low lying areas should expect flooding and need to move onto higher grounds. The city is still not a mandatory evacuation area though. I took time to call and check in with friends that are in lower lying areas and around in other cities. I was able to get in contact with 2 of the 4 I called. I know one who lives in the La Porte area and they are sure that their home will be flooded, it's going to be a question of just how bad at this point. Another friend of mine has a home that is only 3 blocks away from the beach at Galveston. I am sure she will have little to no home to go back to, (I hope I am wrong) but she is with family now and is out of the danger. I am in contact with my dad every 4 hours, for those of you who do not know...he and his fiance Lois along with our neighbors are ridding the storm out at the house. I will hear from him again around 8 PM then I expect by our 12 midnight check in I will loose phone contact with him. I have just sent our land line, Vonage phone to send messages to my cell phone after 30 seconds of ringing. So all messages will be sent to me if my dad can't pick up the phone. I guess this is the point in this thing where we watch and wait to see what kind of damages we have to deal with. I think because the current information still makes this hurricane a Cat 2 with a Cat 4 like surge is hard to project how bad it will get. I know I am supposed to think positive thoughts so what am thinking at this time is, may my father and Lois remain safe, I hope the house will be a good protection for them and that the water and wind damage are minimal. Know that the kids, Glenn, and I are in a place that is safe we are surrounded by family. I ask that you think, pray, meditate for other friends of ours who have a potential to loose so much more then us. When the time comes I may be calling on you in other states to help support us or others in need. I will see about posting something again after or when I speak to my dad in a few hours. We love you all and know that so many people are watching out for us. Thank you!