in pieces

I'm so thrilled to announce my newest niece JESSICA MARINA AMBROS Born on 24th of Feb - 8lbs 7oz. How gorgeous is she?

Well as most of you know by now, the State I am living in (Victoria) has been ravaged by fires. The drought has only aided in fueling the fires, and with so many racing along it is hard to comprehend the aftermath. They are saying that this is the worst natural disaster in Australia's history. Hundreds of people have lost their homes - More than 750 homes... many have lost their lives.... their loved ones... and animals and burnt out cars are scattered everywhere. We are fortunate enough to escape the blazes here in Ballarat, but it seems everywhere you go, someone knows someone that's a victim of the fires, or is connected somehow. I was upset that people with families would choose to stay and try to protect their homes and lands from the blaze, only to be killed from the inferno, but Leigh was telling me that Australians are taught to plug their gutters, and water down their houses -and to stay inside....that you have a better chance of survival in your home than you do in...