The Parnell Family: Evacuation

8.31.2008

Evacuation

We have safely evacuated ourselves, our children, and our pets out of harm's way to our close friends' the Boerner's in Brookhaven, Mississippi. I guess you could call this our official hurricane hideaway. After allowing us to ride out Katrina here (with our then 6 week old Elise) they so graciously invited us to come back for Gustav. We had hotel reservations in Alabama, but after discussing our options, we decided that hanging out with them sounded like WAY more fun than hanging out in a hotel room with 3 kids, a dog, and a cat! Bax and Tiger are safely boarded at the nearby vet, and we are all enjoying our visit. Elise and Quinn are providing much entertainment and are great for keeping our minds off of the impending storm. Brad and Lissa are great hosts and are total troopers for putting up with the chaos that is now the Parnell family! Especially since Lissa is 8 weeks away from having their baby boy!
I have already taken lots of pictures and I will try to get a few up at some point. For now, we are just praying that the storm will not gain strength and that people in Louisiana and all along the gulf coast will stay safe. Please keep everyone in your prayers as well!

1 comment:

monique said...: I'm thinking about ya'll...I'm glad you are safe with the Boerner's and even managing to have a little fun! Obviously, if things take a turn for the worse, I'm preparing my place for the Parnell family---you have a definite spot here if you need it for the long term, just let me know. Love ya'll much! MO; September 1, 2008 at 1:02 PM

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Elise

Elise Laurent was born at 5:00 p.m. on July 19, 2005. We did not find out her sex during my pregnancy and we were thrilled to tears (and slightly shocked) to meet our beautiful baby girl. She was a big baby at 8lbs, 8oz, and David and I couldn't take our eyes off of her. Elise is an old French name that David and I have always loved. Laurent is both my paternal Grandfather's name and my Dad's middle name. We always dreamed of having a daughter and were so thankful and overwhelmed to be given such a blessing.
Elise is a true first born. She likes structure, likes to fully understand everything, likes her questions answered to her satisfaction. She loves to be challenged and to challenge. She is also highly sensitive and independent.
She is a wonderful big sister to Lila and Bennett....

Lila and Bennett

It would be an understatement to say that we were shocked to learn on November 11, 2006 that we were not expecting baby #2, but baby #2 and #3!! In just shy of two years we would have created quite a family!
But, on June 1st, 2007, at 36 weeks exactly, we were thrilled and completely overcome with joy and gratitude as we welcomed two big, healthy babies into our family. First, Lila Sue, named after my Mom at 7lbs 0.6oz, and secondly, Bennett Raymond, named after David, David's Dad, and my maternal Grandfather, at 7lbs 10.4oz.
Lila has been the vocal one from the start and to this day is still pretty much running the show. She is the life of the party, the entertainer. But she is also the most compassionate, most giving of our children.
Bennett is a true boy. He is active and rough and loves to tackle and throw. He also adores his sisters and his Dad and gives the best hugs around. His big baby blues get me every time.