LITHIA SPRINGS, Ga. -- Three months after flood waters destroyed homes and swallowed entire neighborhoods, flood survivors are still trying to rebuild their lives.

Darrin Hughes, a single father of five kids said, "That was my goal. I wanted my children to have a home at Christmas so we can celebrate together and be happy."

The Hughes' bought a new home in Lithia Springs about two weeks ago. Insurance money helped the family buy the new home.

Their old house in Austell was submerged in water back in September.

Steven Hughes, 11, recalled, "It was really sad and heartbreaking to see our house ruined and it had 14 to 15 feet of water in it."

They lost just about everything in the flood.

At the time 14-year-old Kenny Hughes was worrying that flood waters had washed away a portrait of his mom who was killed nine years ago by a drunken driver.

In a September interview Kenny said, "That’s one of the only pictures I had of her.”

The portrait was recovered and it was in good shape.

The family said this Christmas they are especially thankful for all of the community support.

Dozens of gifts were donated to them.

Steven said, "My Spanish teacher said she was coming with furniture but she came with gifts."