SnowJam

A winter storm was predicted for much of the Deep South.  It would then proceed up the east coast hitting cities that don't usually see winter conditions like Savannah, Charleston and Virginia Beach.  The storm would eventually hit us.  Atlanta was forecasted to receive a dusting.

The day the storm hit the Atlanta area, the forecast was updated that morning, so Cobb County schools decided to release schools two hours early.  About the same time the schools started to release students, many other people started to head home.  The snow hit earlier and harder than expected and in true Southern fashion, roads weren't cleared or treated. 

Traffic started to build about noon and by 1:00 p.m. the highways and most side streets in the Atlanta metro area were in complete gridlock.  Some buses had to return to schools with kids still in tow.  Twenty-four hours later, we still had friends in Atlanta stranded on the roads.  Some people are still stranded where they sheltered-in-place.  As roads completely shut down, drivers abandoned their vehicles and walked.  The temperatures will make it into the forties today and abandoned cars have been moved, so hopefully everyone will be able to make it home.

In the chaos, there was calm.  People began posting on Facebook to let those stranded know where they could go for safety.  A Facebook page was established which allowed people to post a general area where they lived so those stranded nearby could try to make it to shelter.  In many cases, complete strangers helping complete strangers.  Prayer, after prayer, after prayer said. 

Our snow started to fall late that afternoon.  PK was dismissed from work early, so thankfully made it home before the snow started to fall.  School was called for the next day, after returning to school for one early release day after having had a long break. 

I got up and took a ruler to the back porch.  There were drifts of up to thirteen inches, but I think overall, we received about five inches. 



We started our day clearing a spot for Holly.  It seems that is a snow removal priority here.

 

Hannah and I made a trip to the craft store the morning before the storm hit because I knew the kids were already tired of being cooped up.  I always laugh when the stores run low on supplies like milk and bread before a storm hits.  I laughed when I realized we were almost out of milk, eggs and toilet paper that morning.  So while Hannah and I were out gathering craft supplies, I made a quick stop at the grocery store.  Aaron loves his morning milk like PK and I love our morning coffee.  And who would want to run out of TP, storm or no storm?

The crafts gave the kids a little extra something do to.  PK baked chocolate chip cookies. 



Aaron and Hannah played in the snow.



We played a family game of Risk.  As usual, PK won.



PK cleared the driveway and we realized our street was a solid sheet of ice.  We ended the day with a nice fire in the fireplace. 

School was called again for today, so I have already made pancakes and the rest of the family is beginning to stir.  I think the game of the day is going to be Sequence or Dominoes.

I am so thankful that all of our friends in Georgia are safe.  One of our friends who was stuck in the mess asked, "Where were you SnowJam 2014?"  I was miles away praying over our friends as I watched the story unfold thanks to modern technology