Go Vote!

My favorite blog template designer is offering a contest for newly engaged couples. She will design a custom wedding blog for the winners...free of cost! It's a $75 value! I thought it would be a great gift for my newly engaged little sister so I nominated her and she is one of 3 finalists. Go to leelou blogs and vote for Alexis Pomeroy!

Happy Birthday Hunter Bug!

Let's just say up to May 29th 1993, I was still pretty naive about giving birth. Hunter's arrival changed that. We had spent the last week moving from our married student housing apartment in Missoula to a little two bedroom home on 9th street in Hamilton and I was pretty tired. In fact, the house wasn't set up yet so we spent the night with Boyd's parents. In the morning when I woke up my back hurt a little and I was really tired....to the bones. I walked around the first half of the day just feeling tired. Krista insisted I was in labor, but I didn't feel anything. I had spent the last week moving and lifting boxes and my muscles were sore. By about noon we decided that Boyd should drive me back to Missoula where my doctor was just in case I did go into labor and I would already be there. Missoula was an hour away on a little two lane highway. By the time we got there...I was in pain but didn't know if it was labor. Crazy as it seems...I still didn't know what labor was supposed to feel like...So, we drove to the hospital where the nurse checked me and said I should go walk around the mall and have a fun day because it was obvious I wasn't having a baby today. By this point, I guess I'm just a wimp and I'll just go hang out. As we are driving to the mall I tell Boyd I'm not feeling well so we stop at a friends' apartment close by and I lay down on their bed. Within minutes I'm writhing all over the place in pretty much terrible pain...especially in my back. There was no space between pains...like contractions and supposedly, like in the movies there are spaces in the contractions. So I keep telling myself that I'm not in labor...the nurse said I wouldn't have the baby today, right? I lay there about an hour and finally tell Boyd, let's just go back to the hospital and have them check...I'm pretty sure I'm just losing my mind, I must have the flu and I'm sure the nurses will think I'm crazy. So we go back and I barely make it into the room on the bed since I'm in crazy pain. This time my doctor was there. He came in and checked me and started yelling at the nurses that they miss checked me and they should have never sent me away. So, at this point, it's too late for medicine...they didn't even have someone to administer epidurals at that hospital back then. My back hurt so bad that I was standing on my bed screaming at one point. Boyd was so embarassed and kept telling me to lay down and shut up and that it didn't hurt that bad. I should have kicked him out of the room. Looking back I think that it was just happening so fast there wasn't a break or time to concentrate. Anyway, within a half hour of me getting back to the hospital, Hunter was born. I'm laying there thinking...I don't even know when I'm labor and what an idiot I am. Maybe it was just denial. I never had an ultrasound while I was pregnant with Hunter...or Chloe for that matter, so we had no idea whether she would be a boy or girl...so we picked a name that would work for both.

Hunter spent the next two years screaming with ear infections. I think that's probably why I waited longer to have the next baby. Not to mention, women usually forget how painful labor is but I never forgot.

In 15 years with Hunter, there has never been a dull moment. With her, I've had to use the parent handbooks. At two years old she could get so angry that once she tore the door frame from the wall. She has made me rethink communication and how we speak to one another. Hunter is always the first one to volunteer for work and the first to let you know how she felt about it. She had a crazy imagination, acting out scenerios all day long. Thank goodness for Lion King and Barney! She played hard too and still does. Hunter has always loved babies. I know she will make a terrific mom some day. All her life, even as a tiny baby, she's had huge blue/green eyes. Everywhere we go, someone comments on her eyes. When she was small, people used to freak out about her eyes and Grandpa Ken started calling her "Bug", since she seemed bug-eyed. She also has always had amazing hair. She was born with thick black hair and it's still thick and beautiful. When Hunter wants something she puts her mind to it and works at it. The trick is convincing her that it's something she wants! You always want to have Hunter on your team or side.
I am so lucky to have her in my life. She is truly the filling in our family peanut butter sandwich. She is the depth, the glue, the excitement, the substance in our family. I have learned more from her about birth order, sibling interaction, and justice then I ever could have imagined. I love you Hunter! Happy 15th Birthday!

It's Official!!

I've been trying to keep quiet for the last couple of days until I knew for sure but...it is now....no, I'm not pregnant! Boyd and I are going to Europe! Once I had the plane tickets, I knew it was real and ever since I've been bouncing off the ceiling. I'm so stinkin' excited I can hardly stand it. I made some sleeping arrangements today and purchased our "Chunnel" tickets to get from London to Paris...yes...Paris!!! I don't know how I'm going to keep myself together for the next month!!

I'm driving my kids crazy, I'm sure.

Remembering

The Litster family invited us to share their Memorial Day family tradition of going to Richmond to the LDS cemetary this year. We packed up a picnic and headed out to place flowers on the graves of those buried there. As soon as we got there the rain began to POUR but I think it just added to the memories of the day. We had a great time with their family and really enjoyed being a part of this tradition. It's a nice way to remember some of the witnesses of the Book of Mormon and honor their sacrifices. The church has done a great job of cleaning up this cemetary in the last few years. The headstones were of course, beginning to deteriorate and fall and now they have been laid down and embedded in concrete to keep them from further damage. There are pretty flowers there and the lawn has been mowed and kept nice. I thought of Grandpa Ken and how much he would have enjoyed this 'history' excursion.

I thought this monument inscription was interesting. Notice it was dedicated in 1911 and makes reference to "over a million converts throughout the world" being members. I couldn't help but think of the scripture...like a stone cut from the mountain, the gospel rolling forth to all nations.

After a yummy picnic with warm biscuits and honey butter and homemade potato salad (with or without pickles!), we stopped off at the Richmond Courthouse on the square to check out the monument to Alexander Doniphan, who in my mind is a hero. The tribute inscripted on his statue was beautiful and I think anyone would be honored to have such amazing descriptions written of them in stone.

I think it was fitting on Memorial Day as we honor veterans and heros of war to pay tribute to a man who also himself a veteran of war, stood for truth and righteousness in defending the cause of Joseph Smith and his followers. Someday, I'd like to meet the man who once owned the land I live on.
I also had a moment of panic yesterday as I watched Chloe and Hunter with Erin and Sonja. We attended their graduation last friday and they will be leaving for BYU-I in July. I'm not exactly sure what we will do without them. They have been wonderful friends to my girls...such great examples and I always feel safe having my girls around them. I wish they were at least a year younger so we could keep them here longer. We will miss them.
We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Kissingers. They had a tasty BBQ and so much food, I literally waddled to the car to go home. The girls swam in their pool while Boyd and I chatted with the grown ups. I love my ward family and can't imagine the lonely life without them. I was really grateful for the offers to be with them. We have the tendency to sit home lately whenever there is free time and not do much so I was glad to have a reason to be out enjoying this holiday. Thanks to them, Memorial Day has a true meaning to me.

Testimony

You know, this is a subject or principle I've thought a lot about lately. Sis. Kraft is an excellent teacher and today she taught this lesson in Relief Society. She gave us a few minutes to work on an exercise that helps us to guage our testimony and what we know to be true based our own revelation or on others'. I was so inspired by her list and it launched me into my own list of things I know to be true.

I am the worst at bearing my testimony in sacrament. I feel prompted sometimes but most of the time my fears conquer the Spirit. I've heard for years that the best way for our testimonies to grow is to share them and bear them often and I really do believe that is true. I share my testimony often with my seminary class. Teaching is one of the best ways I know of having the opportunity to share your testimony. I need to be better or at least make a goal of publicly sharing my testimony so that I can have a better testimony of the power of sharing it. I also need to make sure it includes my witness on the Savior, His Atonement and the Restoration. One of the best examples of someone who does this, who I will always remember, is Traci Stephenson. I remember watching her enthusiasm as she declared her testimony of those truths and it almost appeared that she was on fire. I always thought that I would love to be able to share and witness of my beliefs with that same Spirit that always gave me tingles. I don't know if I will ever achieve that but I do hope that people will at least know of what I believe.

I know that there is life after our time on earth and that families can and will be united forever. I have felt the love of those who have gone before me and know that I will see them again.

I have received a witness of the Spirit that Joseph Smith was indeed a prophet and the true gospel was restored through him.

I have a knowledge that we have true and living prophets on the earth today. I believe they are called by God and are the mouth piece of the Lord.

Even though I cannot comprehend it, I know that Christ lives and Atoned for our sins, that the whole plan of Salvation hinges on His sacrifice.

Seminary is finished and I have less of an opportunity to share my testimony. It's always comfortable for me to do that in my own classroom. I need to stretch myself and bear my testimony in sacrament. In the mean time, I will continue to learn from and lean on those who are willing to get up and do it!

Defying Gravity

I wish I could say that I was Defying Gravity, and everytime I see Wicked I'm so inspired. I always cry through it. Last night I took the girls and a couple of their friends to see Wicked downtown for their birthdays. It's kind of nice sometimes to do something all at once when their birthdays are so close. It was a great night and I think the girls had fun. I know they were all blown away by the show. This was the third time I'd seen it and the little differences in each location are interesting. Glinda and Elphaba were very good and I think the girls have a crush on Fiyero now. Afterwards, we had to go check him out because they thought he was so cute. I kept warning them that he probably wasn't that cute in real life so don't be disappointed. But they weren't...he was pretty cute in a teenagery way. One of the things we've been struggling with at our house is friend drama. You know, friendships evolve and change over the years and that is a difficult concept for kids and sometimes even us grown ups to accept. Sometimes friendships you've had for years grow apart. I think that is what they are experiencing. It's neither right nor wrong...just part of growing and changing. The hard part for them and I guess a lot of people is letting go without being hateful. So what if they don't talk or hang out everyday anymore...does that mean they should go around be hateful to each other? Gossip, rumor...all of these things are just so tiring to me and so overwhelming to go through with the girls. I'm just so glad school will be out soon. That seems to help some.

Apparently, because of what I wrote about myself on my blog some people have commented to Boyd about being worried about me. I should probably keep personal things off of my blog from now on but I really have thought of this as my journal. I've even had my entries printed and bound in books for "future posterity". I forget that sometimes my journal can be and should be used in the present as well. I can get a little too comfortable here and need to realize that since I've made it public, that I'm sharing personal thoughts with anyone who chooses to read them. Frankly, I know that everyone has their own problems and issues so to be honest, I didn't think much about others caring much about mine. But, for all who are concerned, I am doing much better. I don't have the overwhelming tiredness that I had before...usually only once or twice a week now and I can fix that with a nice afternoon nap. I did go to the doctor and she and I have worked out a "plan" for me that seems to be helping. I do know that at least I feel better then I did and I'm leaving the house now and least trying to socialize a bit more...so it's all good. I feel like at least in that aspect of my life, I'm Defying Gravity.

Today was supposed to be Worlds of Fun Day for the kids at New Mark who didn't miss more then 2 days a semester. Bridger didn't qualify since we've pulled her out of school for two trips this year, so I kept her home with me today. Heaven forbid we actually go somewhere with our kids. If she can't go with the other kids to the amusement park why should she sit at a desk all day reading a book? So, I think it's funny that it's totally pouring and lightening and thundering out. So...no one got to go! Karma...is the word I used to explain to Bridger about coming around and going around.

Also, if you have been trying to contact me through email and I haven't responded it's because there is something wrong with my email and some emails are being blocked. Keep being persistent because I think it will eventually come through.

I'm going to try to Defying Gravity today...I'll start by getting off the computer.

My American Idol

Can I just tell you how happy I am that David Cook won American Idol last night??? He has been my favorite from the very beginning. We went to see Wicked last night and while we were there we found out through phone texts who had won. It was so fun to have that as a highlight for the night.
Here are some of my favorites from American Idol last night...




Congratulations David Cook...he deserves it!

Happy Birthday Chloe

Officially, she has until after 10:30 tonight to be 17, but I'll go ahead and say it....I have a 17 year old. You would have thought the sweet 16 birthday party last year would have been more shocking to me then her 17th birthday but it wasn't. Maybe it's because I was so busy planning the party I didn't have time to think about it. But now...I'm looking at a Senior in high school. She'll be ready to leave in a year. A year??? I have only a year to mold and shape her mind. A year to be sure she knows all that I am supposed to teach her? Let's see...she can tie her shoes, she can read, she's potty trained, she can ride a bike and drive a car....hmmmm, what else is there? Does she have a testimony? Is she respectful? Can she work and does she have a good work ethic? Can she budget and manage money? Does she know all about the evils of credit? Has she got good enough grades to go to the college she wants? Can she remember to take out her contacts at night without me reminding her? Can she properly scour a toilet? Is she ready to be a mom and wife? Do I have time to undo any damage done to her by my parenting? Has she been loved enough? All of a sudden I am in full blown panic...I'm out of time. It sneaks up on you so fast. One minute you are thinking..."I'll just be relieved when they are in kindergarten, no diapers, no pacifier, no blankie and they will learn to read and not be illiterate." The next minute I'm wondering how long it will be before I'm a grandmother. This is no laughing matter. Anyone can do the math and know what the possibilities are.

Lucky for me she's a good, smart girl. I don't think I've done the best job raising her but instead was issued a great kid who is forgiving, kind, obedient (for the most part!), and a heck of a lot smarter than me. I couldn't wish for a better kid. I certainly don't deserve her.

I'll never forget driving to the hospital with Boyd 17 years ago and him telling me..."if this is a boy, I want to name him Rocky". Whoa. Am I glad it was a girl. I still can't believe how naive I was then. It's a miracle she survived the first week...oh wait a minute...she was in the hospital for the first 7 days, of course she survived the first week. But then, bringing her home. It's a sweet, surreal, unique, pure memory that can never be duplicated.

As the life of a teenager goes...she's so busy today that we won't be celebrating her birthday. Senior open houses, church, job orientation...oh well. She went to see a movie with a couple of friends last night. Afterward they asked her if she could come to their house so they could give her a present. When she got there, it was a huge surprise party for her. She is at least feeling loved by her friends today.

So, Happy Birthday, my first born. If I survive the next 10 years of parenting, it will be because she made it worth the while. I love you.

Congratulations Alexis!

Alexis called me last night, to tell me that she is offically engaged to Rob! I'm so excited for her. I'm pretty luck y that I was able to meet him last weekend while I was at my parent's. He is a neat guy and I think she's pretty neat too so they will make a wonderful couple. They are getting married in the Salt Lake City temple on August 23rd. I hope my girls will be able to be there.
Hey Lexi....I know a great photographer....

Fiesta Corn Salad

I guess I put this recipe is in the ward cookbook but I had a few people request it last night at Enrichment so I'll post it here. I like it because with some corn bread and watermelon it makes the perfect summer meal even though it's just a "salad". This recipe came from Boyd's Aunt Suzanne Jones. A year ago Pete and Suzanne brought their newly returned from his mission son, Rory for a visit of church history sites. Suzanne and I made some food for a get together with Pete's brother Winston and she said she had a brand new recipe out of Utah that was sure to be the latest and greatest trend. In Utah, things go that way...in trends. Once one person does something, the entire ward, stake, region and state soon follows. Eventually it bleeds into Idaho where it's retired for the next best thing. It's just an interesting cultural phenomenom I've only seen there. The salad ended up being a hit. I just seem to forget about it all the time.

Fiesta Corn Salad
2 cans whole kernal corn; drained
1 red pepper; diced
1 green pepper; diced
1 cup Miracle Whip
1 can red kidney beans; drained and rinsed
1 can sliced black olives; drained
1 bag Chili Cheese Fritos
Mix ingredients together. If not serving immediately wait to add Fritos until prior to serving.

As always, I appreciate the hard work that goes into Enrichment. I'm always grateful for being fed both spiritually and physically.

Side note...Rory just announced his engagement and future marriage in the Salt Lake City temple. We are so happy for him.

Moms....Invisible Work

Isn't it funny how I've been doing this blog thing for 2 months short of a year and I still can't post video the way I want to.
Shauna sent this video link this morning. I don't know if I'm just exhausted or if I related well, or maybe it's a combination of both, but at 5:00, I was bawling through it.
This one is for Moms....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YU0aNAHXP0

Miracles

With so much to tell and not enough words to do it with justice, I have to say this weekend was full of miracles.
Just knowing that I traveled safely 35 hours without mishap or traumatic events was a miracle. I'm tired but then I'm always tired.
The morning after we arrived, my Dad was so ill he couldn't get out of bed. We were told that my sister Tonia, who was to be baptized that evening and her husband were at the ER because they were so sick they could barely move. They were diagnosed with strep and given a penicillin shot. It wasn't looking good for the baptism to go forward. At the last minute all were able to get up and make it. No one even knew how sick they were. Everything was beautiful. It was truly a miracle to watch Tonia's husband Dan, who had been newly baptized himself, perform the baptism of my sister and her step daughter Cassandra. This gospel brings a light to people that can't be described other then to say miraculous. He did a wonderful job, in spite of the fact that the font barely had any water in it...one of many funny stories. The program for the evening was awesome. I'm so impressed with their ward and friends. One young man sang the "Spirit of God" so well, I don't know that I'll ever hear it the same way again.
I didn't bring my camera on the trip, another long story, but I did snap this photo with my phone just as the baptism was supposed to start. I can see the happiness in my sister, that I haven't seen in many years.

The next morning we had to leave for Utah so I could catch the plane back here and my sister and her boyfriend, Rob could make it back for classes at BYU-I. When I left, my Dad was so ill he couldn't get out of bed or speak. As we were walking out the door, we got a phone call that Tonia had awaken to a bed of blood and was rushed to the ER. She spent the day in surgery repairing the damage of a miscarriage due to an ectopic pregnancy that she didn't know about. My sister has tried for 12 years to get pregnant. During surgery they found that it was a miracle that she was ever pregnant at all. Yesterday morning I left to fly home and as I boarded the plane I received a call telling me that Tonia had developed an infection and would have to have another surgery. She was in surgery for hours as they worked to fix a punctured bowel and relieve the infection. All I could think of was how grateful I was that she was able to be baptized. And because her family was there we were able to get permission for her to be confirmed right after the baptism rather then the next day in sacrament meeting. She would never have made it to that meeting. While my Mom was worrying about Tonia in the hospital, she also took my Dad to the doctor who was diagnosed with strep and pneumonia. It's hard to believe that he was able to make it to the baptism. He even performed the most beautiful confirmation blessings I've ever heard. The whole weekend looks like a series of tragedies but the long trip home gave me the time to think about all the miracles that took place. What a great Mother's Day present for my Mom for her daughter to be baptized and for all of her daughters to be present. It was also the birthday of her son, my brother Shane, who passed away when he was a baby. I'm so grateful that I was able to go and that my family was safe at home. A part of me will be forever changed by the events of this past weekend. Tender mercies and miracles.

Decent Weather

We've finally had some decent temperatures here. On monday night after we went and ate Mexican for Cinco de Mayo, the girls "played" outside while Boyd worked on Bridger's electric scooter. It was just a nice evening to hang outside.

I leave bright and early tomorrow morning for a quick trip to my parent's house this weekend. I fly into Salt Lake City and my sister picks me up and we head out on the 10 hour drive. I'll be back when the kids get home from school on monday. My sister Tonia is being baptized. I'm so proud of her, I know it has not been an easy road. There are just some things you shouldn't miss and this is one of them.

Another year finished

Last night was seminary graduation. This year I had 4 seniors graduate and I think it was tough for me to see them go because I've had most of them since I started. I'm sad to see the little buggers go. I don't know what it is but I always get so emotional at these graduation ceremonies. This time was no different. It was absolutely packed in the chapel last night. There were so many people there to support the seniors.

The first time I attended seminary graduation I was asked to conduct the music for the evening. I remember Janelle came to support the seniors who were graduating. She had just been diagnosed with brain cancer and had already had surgery to remove some tumors. Our opening hymn was "I know that my Redeemer lives". She and I cried through the entire song and rest of the evening. It was a tender time in my life that I will never forget. She was gone by the next graduation and I missed her so much. I will always associate that special occasion with her as I do many milestones in my life. I know she has been a huge influence on many people, especially lately.

As I reflect on the last year and last 3 years of seminary, I can see the Lord's hand in my life. I have been so enriched from studying the scriptures and from knowing these youth. It makes all the sacrifice so worth while. The Bishop asked me if I would teach again next fall. I really think I'm finally up for the challenge. I wanted to be done but I think I have another year in me. I wish I could graduate from seminary again! Maybe I'll have to think of it that way. I really didn't appreciate it when I was in high school. This time I've learned much more and will really feel like I deserve to graduate.

We only have a week and half left before we're completely finished studying the Old Testament. Another year finished...and it was a good one.

on that note...

I figured it might be nice to post something uplifting. Although, I have to say my dreams are a bit obsessed with images of tornado destruction every night. I think it would be a good idea to show that we actually have a life that keeps going in the midst of my paranoid thoughts.

The night of the storm we were at the school at a choir "desserta" where the kids were given their letters and awards for the year. Both Hunter and Chloe lettered and so it was a fun time to meet all their choir friends.

Chloe and Megan. Chloe has known Megan since we moved here and they were in the 3rd grade. They haven't always been good friends until the last two years of choir, particularly this year in Oak Street. Megan has been the girl to make Chloe "girly". She loves clothes and make up and I don't think I've ever seen her not put together perfectly...ever since she was a little girl.

Chloe and Brittany. Brittany graduates this year. They've known each other since Chloe was a freshman. Brittany hasn't always made my favorite choices but she's always been a good friend to Chloe and has never encouraged Chloe to break her standards. I really like her parents. We will miss her next year...I love her.

Hunter, Erin and Rachel. Erin is a senior who moved to our ward a couple of years ago. She is the Bishop's daughter. I've been so grateful to have her strong example for Hunter this year. She didn't need to be at the banquet that night but she came to support her friends. Rachel just joined the church in November. She has a sweet heart and is such a great example of being able to make good choices, even in high school.

At the end of the desserta, the choir sang the Oak Park Alma Mater together. The woman standing next to Hunter is Lisa Hickman, the choir accompanist and choir counselor. Chloe was wearing 3 inch heels that night so she looked so much taller then her friends. Funny for a change.

Mr. D, their choir teacher is in the middle with the blue shirt on. What a good and bad year it was. Choir has been a wonderful outlet for my girls and a way to make lasting true friends, it has also been where some of most difficult challenges have stemmed from. I'm just grateful to see that we made it through and hopefully we'll learn something from those challenges.

For Real

I checkout some more "thunderstorm" damage today. I still can't wrap my brain around the fact that I was in that storm...heard it on my weather radio as a thunderstorm...not a tornado, and this is the damage that is all around my area but not my house. I laid in my bed that night with it shaking and I never got my kids up and went to the basement. I still can't believe people didn't die in this storm. People were pulled out of houses that had collapsed on them and they lived. Crazy.

This house is just down the road from us. The roof was completely gone. By noon today a huge crew was there and the roof was almost rebuilt.

Notice the house sitting on the car in the garage. It's missing it's whole bottom level.

The left of this house and second story are completely gone.

Debris everywhere, windows gone, fences down, tarps on roofs as far as you can see, emergency & disaster vehicles everywhere...for real. I can't believe we dodged the bullet on this one. So blessed.

Part Two

So, we indeed survived the night. I myself was pretty frazzled. I turned the weather radio on before I went to bed and the alarm went off at a little after 2:00 am. It said there was severe weather in our area and to stay away from windows, go to the basement...blah, blah, blah...then 30 seconds later a blast of wind hit our house so strong, we felt it shaking the bed. The electricity went out immediately. I think in all the time I've lived here I've never heard the wind and rain hit like it did last night. The lightening literally flashed like a strobe the entire rest of the night and the thunder never stopped rolling so it sounded like a continual base stereo the whole time. I usually don't get scared but I was last night. I never could go back to sleep and I kept listening for the sound of a train or a suction sound like most survivors of tornados have said. To be honest, the wind was so loud I don't think I would have heard it anyway. So, I held seminary by candle light in the living room this morning. We sang hymns and ate cinnamon rolls. The electricity came back on around 9:30, just as Boyd and I were walking out the door to go buy a generator for the freezers. I was a little worried we would lose all our food and I think we came within an hour of serious thaw. I was completely surprised this morning that there wasn't more damage then there was. There were a few snapped trees in our neighborhood but nothing severe. 20 blocks to the south and 15 blocks to the north east of us however, was hit pretty hard. I tried to get in those areas today to photograph the damage but the police and fire departments are doing a great job keeping everyone out. I did get close to some damage on North Oak, since it's a major thorough-fare, I don't think they could keep people away. Tomorrow I will venture out and check out some of the hard hit neighborhoods. The girls had a half day so I drove them around and had Hunter snap some photos. They didn't have power at their school for most of the day. Some of the hardest hit areas were just a few blocks from their school.
Tree wrapped around a telephone pole.

Margaritas...local high school "Taco Tuesday" hang out. Not a very good picture of the damage, that has apparently shut the restaurant down completely for 90 days. Chloe eats there with her friends almost every tuesday night.

Business next to Margaritas. I think it was a pawn shop.

More damage...Someone's garage...
Transformer sitting in someone's yard...if you look close, you can see power lines down all around.It's hard to see but there are power lines hanging all over...a house in the background with it's roof jacked up.

The most devastating damage we couldn't even get close to as they had everything blocked off. I haven't checked out the neighborhood up here by us yet. The footage I've seen shows dozens of house completely leveled. It's just a crazy, helpless feeling. I will venture out tomorrow for some better photos. When we had the tornadoes 3 years ago I went out to take pictures and actually scared myself. There were power lines down all over and it occured to me how dangerous it was to try to get into those places. I was also disappointed in the pictures. They are just such a narrow vision of the damage that is actually there.

May Day

I will never get used to the crazy weather here.
Tonight was the girls' choir award night, so Chloe, Hunter and I went so I could watch them get their letter awards. The choir director announces that we need to leave right away because our county is under tornado warning. We all start to leave the building and the tornado sirens are already going off so they redirect us to a recessed theater. Apparently, they think that is the safest place in the school. I couldn't stand watching half of the senior girls sobbing and scared so I went outside to check it out. The sky is green and there are crazy clouds all over. I've tried taking pictures during these storms and the photos never do the clouds any justice. It's just a surreal feeling. After checking out the sky and seeing no tornado, I deemed it safe enough to take my own family home. I'll take my chances where I can see what's going on rather then be stuck in a room with 100 other people. So, long story short, we're home safe. For some reason the older I get, the more I dislike these storms. It could be all the footage we've seen lately on the news of the destruction caused by tornadoes. Who wants that to happen to them? Apparently we are in for a long night of thunderstorms. Nice. Happy May Day!