Its a girl---Jaylee

We met Coli and Jenna at dr. office before leaving for Baton Rouge on Monday. Its official, its a girl, that we could see clearly!!! Other than that---nothing else was real clear. We were able to see that she is going to have a pug nose--definetly in the Baldwin traits!! We are so excited for them and can't wait until she arrrives!!

Curtis and Coli patiently waiting to be called back--we don't get to see Coli as much so the visit was very nice.

Poor Jenna, she had waited and waited for her turn--needing to desperately go to the restroom---you can tell by the look on her face---she was in pain. Her mom, Dana pictured with her. They had to be at doctors office very very early for normal prego tests---all is well and we are so happy!!!!

I will post some pics of our remodel soon---

Until then...........................................................................

2009--A new year!

It has been such a long time, and a whole lot to tell. Curtis and I worked up until December 9, 2008 in Houston. We finished up our wonderful year and set out to enjoy some time off. We had a wonderful Christmas being home and seeing friends and family.
We decided with some time off we would do a little remodeling of our home. Thankfully we are near completion and very happy with the results.
I had surgery on the 5th of January, (I am fine, hopefully I will be released from the doctor this Thursday)so our time off is set to be thru Monday Feb 2nd. We are going to a convention in Baton Rouge for the company that we worked for thru the Hurricanes. I am ready to get back on the road and go to work, we have been called 3 times to leave but due to me not being able to travel--we had to decline. We are hoping that we will not be home for very long after this convention time.
We will be having a mini reunion in Baton Rouge with all the people we have met at each Hurricane--so we are looking forward to a week full of fun!
Before leaving to Baton Rouge---Curtis and I are getting to see our new grandbaby via 3-d ultrasound. We are excited! the previous ultrasound couldn't determine the sex of the baby as a for sure--so Monday we should know exactly if we are welcoming Jaylee Shea into our family, or a nameless little boy (They can't seem to agree on any boys names as of yet). Jenna is feeling really good and looks awesome!! The due date is April 30th, so she is now into the last trimester.
Everytime I post, I say that I will do better to stay in better touch--I hope to get some pictures of our house up and a new post with our Baton Rouge trip.
Until then......................................

Dolly, Gustav and Ike

Well, we have worked all three hurricanes that have hit the US this year--WOW!!! Many miles and many friends made, looks like our year is winding down. We finally have some time to breath a little. Our claims have slowed way down and we have actually gotten to sleep in the last 2 mornings--it has felt great.
Cory came and spent 10 days with us here in Houston helping and learning. It was a great time and we enjoyed it so much. You will see some pictures that I took while he was here, one being the dangerous move to use a ladder as a bridge to get from one roof to another and the other enjoying the ocean side in Galveston. We currently have a friend from Oklahoma working in Galveston, so we took Sunday afternoon sight seeing the damages of Ike. It seemed so surreal seeing such damage and being 2 months since the storm has hit and everything still so far from being repaired. Some of the pictures makes you think that the storm just hit. Down town Galveston seemed as a ghost town, not one business is open, they are all gutted and just have studs showing. Totally amazing to see such devastation. We spent 2-3 hours just driving and looking--we still were not able to take the ferry across to Port Bolivar (where the eye of storm actually hit)--only emergency personnel allowed, after 2 months, still only emergency personnel--one would think that all emergencies would be handled by now.
As I said Cory stayed 10 days with us, he did all the hard climbing and steep roofs for Curtis. It was amazing see him just trek right up those 2 story steep roofs like nothing to it. I have witnessed Curtis hugging the ridge and both of us wondering just how he was going to get down. We have many humorous memories of these moments---not having a seat in his pants once he scooted all the way to the ladder. Today was one of the scariest moments for me, I really thought he was going to slide off the roof, he screamed for me to hold the ladder, he was coming down on his stomach. I held the ladder with all my might and his foot caught him---way to dangerous.
Today our boss confirmed this storm too is coming to a close, we have no idea how long we will be here, but we do know our work is slowing to a crawl. It is so hard to re-gear yourself when we are so used to working 12-14 hours per day, then go to working 6 hrs or so. Makes us take a look at how much time has passed since we have really be plugged in with the rest of the world, our family and our friends. I personally am ready to stay at home for a while, we just never know when and for how long but I do know it is looking like soon, no complaints from me!!! I will keep updating more often and keep posting things that we are doing--at least we are in a huge city to site see a little.
We have a couple of friends that we have met and have worked the 2 storms with, they too work as couples, one being from Lafayette, La, (Mike and Robin) and the other Harrel and Kelly from Ohio. We are planning a reunion together this weekend for all of to get together, we haven't all been together since Dolly in Harlingen, Texas, but we have stayed in close contact with one another.
We did meet Mike and Robin last Saturday evening and spent a long time visiting with them, I will take pictures and post so I can share our friends that we have met with everyone.
Until Then................................................................

I know, I know--Its been way to long!

I spoke with Cory today and he informed me that I needed to update the blog----I really have not had a minute to think about it, until now!!
We have had another fun exciting learning time--on the road!! We arrived home from Hurricane Dolly the end of April knowing we would only be in town for a few short nights, little did we know it was 5 short nights and the call was received to head to New Orleans--Hurricane Gustav has arrived. We packed back up and hit the road, but this time our journey was not alone. We had Jeff H. from Ruidoso, Nm, formally from Muleshoe, join us on our fast life of adjusting. He had been inquiring about the work since June, and thankfully he was able to leave with us, get a job along side Coli (another great thing, he worked with us also for 5 weeks) and travel the long road to New Orleans, LA. An adventure it has been!! We stayed 3 days in Huntsville, Tx taking some quick learning classes before heading to Baton Rouge, La for the first week of our stay. We arrive in Baton Rouge, 3 days after the hurricane landed to find electricity at our motel, but no internet. I know it doesn't sound so bad not having internet, but when that is how you take care of ALL your work---it is a must. Anyways--we found internet 3 miles from the motel at a coffee house that wasn't re-opened after the storm--so we ventured 2-3 times a day to the coffee house to get our work notices---it was quiet a sight and so mad at myself that I didn't take a picture of 6 people crowded in a vehicle with all laptops on at night sitting in front of a coffe house with our computers on, taking notes, reading emails, learning the adjuster firm system--and to top it off---the town had a curfew!!! 10:00 pm everyone had to be in homes, businesses closed and off the streets--we would find ourselvs trying to beat the time, do our work, answer phone calls and try to explain to family at home that we didn't have time to talk because we were under curfew!!! It was funny.
We stayed in Baton Rouge for 1 week, driving to our claims in Houma, La 90 miles away. Way to far--we would all leave early early and arrive late late--but if you have ever been a part of a storm-motels are so hard to find and if you do find convienence--it cost way to much. Luckily we found a motel in Metairie, La and were able to stay at that location for 7 weeks. We were all so fortunate to be able to stay on the same floor, help one another and have social time together. I became so accustomed to getting home ( I know its sad when you call motel home) to listen to everyones experiences, we literally did not go to bed till midnight every night.
We had such a Muleshoe Clan--after the first week there we had another Muleshoe Friend join us, Gary G.. He arrived to learn the business--hired the very next morning--and his ambition and eargerness payed off for him. So another room down the hall to venture to.
He was there for 1 week--then Cory's father in law called and wanted to come learn if possible--He flew in from Amarillo, stayed 1 week and took off with the business too. He stayed with Gary G. and they too built a great friendship---
Thankfully, Curtis and I would complete our work before arriving back to the motel each night, to help everyone else, BUT it was so much fun!! Tiring but alot of fun!!
Coli was the first to leave us all----he has decided to take over the business of Joe's Boot Shop, and knew that he would only be staying 5 weeks, so his work was cut out for him. He was very successful with adjusting and has been very successful with Joes' Boot Shop too. He is very happy with his decision and we are so excited that the boot shop will carry on!! (more on this another blog).
Before Coli left us, he and his dad were down stairs one evening and giving that big Texas "HELLO" to two strangers that arrived at the motel, conversations started--friendships long lasting---Two men from Florida, taking on the new life of adjusting!! School started immediately!! (Both men are shark divers--WHEW---they shared videos that were for Discovery channel and National Geographic--that they both videoed for the channels--it was so interesting to listen to their experiences)--BUT--we had more nightly learning time---daily ride alongs--they were able to go and work with Coli and Jeff--and believe it or not--they are both still with it and doing great! We all hit if off quickly and Gary and Rich will always be a part of the Hunt family!!
Sadly, we were notified that we were to be leaving to transfer to Houston for Hurricane Ike!! We left on Wednesday morning to be at orientation in Houston on Thursday morning. We sadly said our good-byes to Jeff, Gary and Kevin along with Gary and Rich and made our way back to the great state of Texas.
We are now located in Texas working our third hurricane of this season--we never know how long we will be at any one place, but the friendships and the memories made have all been worth it!!!
We are here in Houston--with noone else along side us--social time has ended--SOOOO I should be able to blog a lot more often!! I want to try to blog all kinds of different story we have experienced the last few weeks, a goal I will try to make!!
So Until then................................................................................

Were gonna be grandparents!!!! WHOOHOO!!

Yes, Coli and Jenna notified us while we were in Harlingen, Texas with this ecard---you have to check it out!!


We are so EXCITED and ready to join the great club of being grandparents. She is due on May 2nd.

If you recognize this name, click the link to see your E-Card.http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=EG2351492913450M270693830Y&product_id=

Padre Island

We finally took a day to tour a little bit, we decided to travel to Padre Island and enjoy the day. Padre Island is a very nice place and lots smaller than I remember as going as a little girl. All I could really remember about Padre Island was the long bridge across to it and my grandaddy walking and looking for sea shells. We really chose a great day to go because it was a very quiet, not to many people and slow rainy day. So as for the beach---we didn't get to experience it, but we did decide to take a Dolphin Watch tour, and it was much more enjoyable to me. When you sign up for things like this you always wonder if it will really be as good as they make it out to be. Well it WAS!! We watched dolphins for almost an hour, so peaceful seeing how they just enter in and out of the water. We took probably 30 or so pictures to try to get a glimpse of them on camera, Curtis had lots more patience than me so the pictures you see are the ones he was able to capture. It was a 2 hour tour and along with the dolphins the tour guide dropped a net to catch just anything out of the ocean--it was very intersting too. Thankfully he was very knowledgeabel of marine life and explained everything that was caught. The most exciting thing was seeing a "Butterfly Ray", family to the sting ray. It was huge to us---

Looks like we will be in Harlingen for another week. We really felt we would have been moving on by now, but it seems just as we get wrapped up, they drop another 10-20 claims for us. We are so thankful!! All of our friends that we have become acquainted with in Oklahoma left us this past Thursday morning, so we feel like company has left us and we are having to find new friends. We were so fortunate to have some of our friends from Oklahoma here with us.

We have met a great couple from Lafayette, Louisiana, they too have been doing this since Wilma and have been on the road for a year now. They have 3 grown children going to college and all still living at home. We have really enjoyed getting to know them and know that we will be in contact from now on. In this business you may see someone here and work together for 2-3 months and never see them again. .

Our claim load now has stretched form Mission, Tx to Brownsville, Tx. The whole valley area. When we arrived in McAllen a month ago(wow, that doesn't seem possible), it brought back so many memories of my grandparents living here many years ago. I can remember their orange grove, their lovely friends that came for winter visiting and the wonderful smell that was in the air.

After the hurricane, there was no "good smell", it actually smelled bad, dirty and yucky. We have thankfully been here long enough for the sweet aroma to return to the air. It is so amazing how fast God's creations can come back to life so fast. All flowers are blooming again, trees are blooming and if it wasn't for the blue tarps and tree debris stacked on the side of the road you would never know a hurricane was here one month ago.
Padre Island had more damage to structures, several motels and restaurants still closed, I am posting a picture of one of the motels with a big hole in the side. I cannot imagine staying and riding one of those storms out. Way to scary for me!

Our claims are getting smaller and smaller and lots less damages. Other than having a communication barrier at times, the work is getting faster and faster. So it is much less stressful now. The first two weeks of any storm is very hectic and takes time to get into the groove with all the new bosses and trying to get the most severe damages handled first.

I hope to post again soon with report as to where we will be next, that is the most exciting thing about this job, we never know when, where or for how long, but we just pack and go and take each day at a time.
Until then.............

Harlingen, Tx

Well, I really thought I would be able to blog a little more often, but no such luck!! Today I am able to blog because we got home before 8:30 or 9:00 and I don't have 3 claims to finish, or laundry to do. The last 2 nights have been very stressful and lots and lots of mental thinking, but thankfully we are getting to move closer to our claims tomorrow. We have been driving back and forth from McAllen to Harlingen everyday, to work, having NO motel rooms in a 50 mile radius, we are thankful we found a room closer to work. Our office for State Farm was set up in a old Michaels building right in the center of town so we too will have a office close to work out of. We go by the office at least once a day to retrieve messages and touch base with our many bosses their. This place is HUGE!! They set up a complete satelite office in 24 hours, it just seems so increcible to me to set back and watch how fast things can be done and still have everything available to 65 plus adjusters.
We scoped our first home on Monday morning and arrived to find incredible damages. The home had 1/2 of the roof totally gone and all the belongings wet, soggy, insulation, and all the personal property ruined. No electricity, water standing in all the light fixtures, water standing in the kitchen cabinets, mattresses soaked and mosquitos everywhere. It was so sad and the home owner still had a great big smile on his face and gave GOD the glory for saving his and his families lifes. Luckily everyone safe--.
We have experienced lots of "NEW" with this storm. Until now, we had never worked anything but regular home policies--we have had our first Farm Policy (2) homes, (2) barns--(1) home non liveable after the storm and (1) barn totally gone, which was a airplane hangar-made us think of Cory as we drove up!! These people did not use it as a hangar, didn't matter, it is gone. It was our first Policy Limit claim--meaning write the check for what they have it insured for---very interesting, you just never think it can really happen. The other first is Commercial work. We drove up to a 48 room medical building that (1) doctor was building to have his own business in. (2) story, 4000 SF on each floor and is to be used for a complete psychiatric clinic. (3) spas and physical therapy unit on the top floor. I had to sketch complete blueprints of building before accesssing any damages. I got it done after some lengthy mind checking, but thankfully the boss approved. Never thought I would be doing work that an architech does. As Curtis was taking photos that we needed I had the oppurtunity to visit with DR. Nanjappa himself, I ask him if he could tell how my mind was just visiting with him. He laughed and commented that he hoped my mind was sound--I would be the one determining his check amount!! lol. I have never, thankfully, had the chance to speak with a doctor of his mentality, but was very impressed and could have listened to his objectives thoughts on how our brains and our bodies do work.
I will post again this week with more updates and adventures--with some photos, I hope. We work with a State Farm computer and camera, so its hard to remember to get photos with our personal camera.
Unitl then........