Photostory Friday: The Day the Lights Went Out

On Wedensday, April 27th, a long line of storms blew through the South bringing with them 312 tornadoes. Totally leaving the Super storms of 1974 in the dust, 148 hit at that time. About 71 of those 312 tornadoes that hit on Wednesday hit the State of Alabama alone. To see more stats you can go here. It was a day that will never be forgotten.



I woke up with morning sickness as usual to the skies pictured above and stayed in my jammies for about half the day, and in our closet under the stairs. Luckily I was able to get a nice warm shower in before the electricity went out.

My two boys went to school even though a tornado siren went off shortly after their bus loaded up. The schools were determined to not have to make up another day and one of my kids can't miss any more days since he has been out a lot with his asthma, so I felt I had to send him. They ended up releasing the kids in between storms that were coming through. The worst hit shortly after they got home.




This is the first line of serious storms to blow through over us. I was two houses down talking to my neighbor when I snapped this pic, then went straight home. As soon as I got to the door I turned and saw this wall cloud below.




The debris was already falling around us and I grabbed the girls and we made a mad dash to the closet under the stairs. It was surreal how fast it blew in and how much stuff was blowing around in it.

After this blew through we had a slight breather until the next several rounds blasted their way through our area.





This is the calm before the next storm. Its amazing how bright it got and that the clouds were still rotating a little and forming together very low to the earth.

Just before the next round blew in I looked out the window and there was a shingle that blew in over our house, then another and another. It wasn't ours. We think it may have been from a city over since it stayed pretty bright and calm outside for a little while longer and they fell from high up in the sky.

Then the darkness returned. This is a wall cloud we saw over Harvest area where an EF4 hit leveling some neighborhoods and the next two are the pics of two different funnels forming, one in between our home and the other homes you see pictured and one a little further out of our neighborhood. I snapped these just before I had to tell the kids to hit the deck as soon as the wind picked up around us.













In our little city, Madison, our side of it was hit the hardest, but even we were truly blessed and came out with scratches compared to the surrounding cities and counties. Here are some pics of the damage we witnessed as we ventured out to check on loved ones since many were without any phone lines including cell phones. We were fortunate and had cell coverage for the most part.












We saw many trampolines blown all over. Some were even so mangled the further we went into Harvest, that you couldn't recognize what it was if it didn't have the blue padding with it. This one was tangled, in the back, around a pine tree.








It was amazing to see these massive trees all over too.




This was right outside of our neighborhood. There were several powerlines snapped in two. We even saw some power line cords wrapped in fences.




Here is a friend of ours home that sustained damage when the funne went over their home. It turned into a tornado when it touched down just down the streeet leaving a house there with shattered windows and trees strewn all over the place.



The morning after the storms we woke up to the kids already dressed and begging to go through out the neighborhood to help clean up. It didn't take long before tons of kids were all out doing the same thing.




We were without power for five days, which was shorter than I thought it would be, but apparently they are rerouting our power from another source such as the dam not too far away. It will be a little while longer before TVA is up and fully running. Apparently they were hit pretty hard as well, shutting down a nuclear plant.

I decided the kids and I would do a little vacation visit to see my dad and sister. It was an eight hour drive, but worth it to have hot water and power since I came down pretty sick, but I ended up driving home sick since we had school starting up and the kids needed to be there. It all worked out and my dear hubby had pity on me and unpacked the car and took lead of the kids while I rested.





I have been in several tornadoes in my life since I grew up in Texas. I even had three funnels that went over our mobile home. We were truly blessed that all we experienced with them was hail the size of softballs damaging all our cars, power outage, house shaking  and the sound of a freight train rushing over us. They touched down a mile down the road devastating a few neighborhoods. Today I also feel very blessed and humbled that we are alive and well. It puts life in perspective a bit more than before and I hope that my heart can always be turned to others the way it is now. 




Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Photostory Friday: The Pen is Mightier Than the Sword

For two weeks our home has seemed to unwillingly embrace chaos, but unfortunately, embrace it we did.  No matter how much we parents tried to change it, it seemed to get worse. My morning sickness and husbands long hours at work did not help, I am sure. Then, much to our dismay, an open rebellion began. Even Miss Laney-bug joined ranks. Stinker! :) We used to think we were outnumbered with three? Boy, were we sooo wrong. :)

Talking back, breaking regular everyday rules and fighting amongst each other over space and  possessions (hmmm, sound politically and internationally familiar? Amazing how much much we evolve from childhood :)) was becoming an everyday occurrence here at our home. What were we going to do? We took privileges away and even sent kids to bed early (nice for me :)), but it wasn't solving the problem, it was masking it by allowing them to endure the consequences and not take full ownership on their own actions because we were being reactive instead of proactive. Kind of like when a road clearly needs work and all the city keeps doing is patchwork, which in the end does no one any good because if it had been done right the first time it would have been less stress on all involved and made for a more pleasant journey from the beginning.

We needed to nip this rebellion in the bud and fast! Over time we have allowed ourselves to be more lax in somethings that we should not have. Our discipline needed a make-over. So, we assigned more chores to do rather than taking every privilege under the sun away and assigned an essay on "Obeying and Honoring Our Parents". The boys still need to finish theirs, but the girls did and I have to say, in a completely unbiased way *wink, wink*, they did a pretty darn good job! :)






Here is Bria's (7 yr. old):

There is a prophet named Moses. He brought the Ten Commandments to us. One of the commandments is to honor and obey our parents. We children in the world have a hard time doing that so here are some definitions:

Obedians (her spelling)-means you listen to them and do as they say.
Honor- It means you don't be mean to them.

Here is Alyssa's (10 yr. old):

Long ago an Isrilite gave us ten commandments, one was to honor and obey our parents. Us kids struggle with that. That is a real problem and maybe its because we don't know the meaning of honor and obedience. So here are the definitions:


Obedience- Doing what you are told.

Honor- Great respect, a person or thing that brings credit.

Referencing the Scriptures, Alyssa continued.

Here is what happens when you obey or disobey:

                 Obey:                                                                              Disobey:
           * healed                                                                             *wounded
           *protected                                                                        *poisoned
           *blessed                                                                             *die
           *given an easy life                                                         *infected
           *innocent                                                                           *guilty
           *raised from the dead

After reading through the essays and talking with each kid individually I realized that this is what our family has needed. Unfortunately it took a rebellion to get there, but it is what it is and we used two of the greatest weapons God has given us, love and the pen because we all know that when used with love the pen is mightier than the sword.





Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Photostory Friday: Gone Fishing

You may be wondering why I would have a picture of fish on here for this post. Especially since we didn't really go fishing for these ourselves. Unless you want to count waiting at the Seafood counter and pointing to the ones we wanted, as fishing. If you're city folk...then it counts.

The other day my son, Chad and I were talking about homeschooling. He has been wanting to do this since he was a Kindergartner and it was only after our second child began to really struggle at school, the past couple of years (in Math), that we seriously considered it and actually made it a reality.

Lately he has been having mixed feelings about it. He is about to be in Middle School and he fears that we won't offer much at home that he could have in public school. He is also concerned with keeping up with the public school's learning curve. What learning curve? I thought to myself... :)

Then he surprised me with one I hadn't really thought a lot about. Dissecting animals. He has apparently been looking forward to this part of Science for a very long time.

So, I told him about Science kits that are offered in this area. Then after pondering it a bit more I said "Ya know, we can just go catch a fish and its basically free! Then I will teach you how to clean it. You can look at all the innards, study it out and then we'll cook it for dinner (like we did with the fish in the pic above, minus the cleaning part)."

I only got the smile and "Moooooom!" I guess he doesn't think I am serious. I should probably also inform him that there are a TON of bull frogs by my dad's in Georgia and we can even catch one of them if he wants something a little more juicy. I mean he is, after all, the son of a Southern gal.





Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Photostory Friday: Sisters

There are two quotes that I really like about sisters because they remind me of my relationship with my sister and what I see with my own daughters.

1. "If you don't understand how a woman could both love her sister dearly and want to wring her neck at the same time, then you were probably an only child."  ~Linda Sunshine

2. "Sisters is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once the sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship."  ~Margaret Mead





Ever since my two oldest girls were little, they have played well together, fought like cats and dogs and battled for the better position in the family. As they have become older, I see that they are in the competition spirit a bit more. In some ways that worried me for homeschooling them both together, but for the most part it has gone really well and hasn't been that big of a deal.

Recently though, they were fighting over table territory and who was going to finish their assignments the quickest (Shoot me now! They aren't EVEN teenagers yet). :) I talked to them about their little problem and it seemed, put BIG emphasis on "seemed", to be resolved better than I thought it would. Then after they went off for a break I found this note to Bria:



Apparently, Alyssa had to get the last word in and she didn't want me to hear it (or didn't want to hear me again)!

Then later that day they were back to joyfully playing together with their dolls. Sisters! AND I have to admit, I completely understand it. :)



Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Joy of LOVE (Day 10) & Photostory Friday

Today's topic for Joy of LOVE is: "Your loved ones favorite space". This was a tough one considering that there are a lot of places my family likes to be and that there were several pictures I took today that could count for this post, Laney's bath time, kids playing video games, but my house is kinda messy with the kids home from school AGAIN from the snow *frustrating sigh* and I had to write on this one.



Misha, our 126 pound dog, loves our couch. This is a bad habit that we have tried for a long time to break. For the most part he is good at steering clear of it, but when he feels deprived of attention he thinks he has to lay on the couch. Psychologists say that negative attention is still attention. Even if you are a dog. :)






He is such a guy! No qualms about modesty so long as he is comfy! :)





Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Photostory Friday: High School

When I say High School, I am sure that many cringe at the very idea! "NEVER again" is what I hear frequently.

It was an awkward time of life for most of us, but I think we would all agree that there are definitely some great memories to be found amongst all the acne, locker decorations, grades, studying and drama! I was pretty lucky in that I graduated from the same High School, and I mean SAME building and everything, as my dad, Uncles and most cousins. It is a little weird, but it is also awesome because I LOVE that connection with my family and my kids think its cool! When my kids think its cool then I KNOW it is cool! :)

This is from a senior scrapbook I had bought, so I was NOT in love with a Kevin. :)

I had moved to Georgia from Minnesota. I was raised in TEXAS! My heart still swells with that pride and gratitude for my State that I grew up in, when I say the name! :) It was a hard transition to move North. It was nice to move back to the South that I knew, at least thought I knew. You see Texas is its own flavor of the South and though I grew up with a southern culture and going to Georgia frequently, I still didn't fully know that part of the South.

Upon moving down to Georgia I was hanging out with some cousins when a girl walked by and one of the cousins said "That giiiirl is RURNT!" Puzzled and a bit confused I asked "Did you just say Vern?" Laughter broke out and it wouldn't be the last time nor the last misunderstanding.

Smiling she said, "No....ruuuuuurnt!"


After a few more measly attempts at trying to understand, and laughter at my expense, she said "You Yanks would say RUINED!"

The light bulb went off, "Ahhh! I get it! HEY! That is SO not what you said!"  :) After I told this story to my husband he didn't believe me. It had to of been just my cousin taht said weird things like that. I was so offended! :) Then when we were in a small southern town in the beginning of our marriage, a long, long time ago, he heard it! He had to apologize and I am forever smiling over his face when he told me HIS story of that word! :)
 Back to my past...

One day, after running inside, breathless from the long driveway where the bus dropped me off, I went straight for the fridge. Right there in front of my face was a large and I mean LARGE pickling jar full of pigs feet! They still had SKIN! After my face turned green there was more laughter and my cousin grabbed one for a snack. *gag* Probably on purpose....family!

Though there are some things that are a bit different in the deep South (cause Texas is a bit different and the NORTH is its own place :)). It is my heritage and I LOVE that I am able to have many a fond memory there. I have been going to and from Georgia since I was a baby, for Family Reunions and other family fun. It is my home away from home. It is where I enjoyed my last year of High School!

The South really is where I prefer to be, but one of my closest friends, David, always loved to call me "Yankee" cause the North was not only where I had come there from, but it had corrupted my accent. I have to mention that the joke about small town Georgia is that anything North of Atlanta is yank-ville! :)

There was a time that I was mad at a friend and she bought some powder donuts and chocolate milk as a peace offering cause she knew about my addiction that I loved them. It worked! We went out the next weekend.

All through High School I was in LOVE with Tom Cruise. He won me over at a young age in "Risky Business" then "Top Gun" and "Far and Away". I am embarressed to say how much I watched the last movie. *blush* My sophomore year I had tons of magazine cut outs on my wall of him, Jonathan Brandis, Joey Lawrence...the list could go on. Ahhhh, to be young again. :)




Some of these are not quite so true about me anymore. I am not 18 years young anymore. *tear* Nor am I 115 pounds as my little Bria pointed out to me when reading this. She said, "You are SO not that weight anymore, mom!" She knows how to make you feel good about yourself. :) My other daughter told me that I was immodest. Leave it to your kids to tell you how it truly is. :)

Oh and my eyes really are Hazel. Don't ask why I put down brown. I guess its cause that is what they put on my driver's license.




Senior Prom was a blast! We went out with 10 other couples.




I still remember this day. Getting ready with the help of a friend, talking to my Aunt and when David first walked in as I walked down the stairs...in heels for the first time! I was so happy I didn't trip. That would not have been pretty. I still remember the feel of the dress rubbing against the pantyhose...it reminded me of why I hate wearing them.









This is our 10 year class reunion. We are hitting our 15 years soon! It makes me feel OLD!




There I am in my orange sparkly shirt! It was great to see a few of the friends I had then. I ended up winning the "Most Kids" award! :) I hadn't had my 5th yet and I wonder what looks I would have received when that number would have been said...the looks and gasps I received for the 4, was quite comical.

We still go a few times a year with the kids to visit my home away from home. They have seen my old stomping grounds and know SOME of the stories about mommy's school days. I am grateful for the good memories that prevail despite the not so good things that happen in life and that I was able to get an up close and personal experience of the DEEP South. Where you may know everyone's business, see deer heads hanging proudly on the walls in homes and where family and friends are near and dear. There is no other place on earth I'd rather be from (aside from TEXAS)!

If I had to do it all over again, and not so sure that I would, I would ask that I know then what I know now! :) If only!





Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

Photo Story Friday: Snow Days

It has been a LONG time since I last participated in a Photo Story Friday. The last year or so has had its many ups and downs, but a friend of mine told me that she missed me doing them so here I am, recommitted. :) Consider it a New Year's resolution for 2011.

Snow in Alabama is something that is usually unheard of. Snow that actually sticks to the ground for more than a few hours is even more rare, but to have 8 inches that stick and that keeps the kids all out of school for an entire week is HUGE! My kids loved it.


Can you tell they aren't used to getting snow?


Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

PSF--Dear Santa

taken Easter 2007

These two have always had a special bond. When Heath was first walking Bria would scream if she thought he was going to get hurt and yell at any kid that she thought was bullying him. This was her baby! Over the years their bond has grown tighter and they still look out for each other.

taken 2009~July

I recently found a letter to Santa from Heath, but it was written by his big sister! I thought it was so SWEET that she would do that for him!

Here is what it said:

Dear Santa, Sorry to disturb you while you are working, but my little brother hasn't been good. He slapped me on the arm and this is his note. He wants a batman, fake spaceship, robot cat, razor scooter, and real tent.

Now THIS is real sibling dynamics at work! I LOVE my kids! My life would be so dull without them! :)


Hosted by Cecily and Linds

PSF~Freedom

As the kids and I headed somewhere after school we were listening to a CD that all the kids enjoy listening to. It all started out with happiness in the air and kids bobbing up and down to the music, until Alyssa started singing along with one of the songs. Well the eldest child, Chad, who for some reason thinks that it is his way or the highway (oldests...go figure)wasn't happy about this and arguments broke out. Not fun when there are 6 of you in a van. It was LOUD!

Anyways, I eventually got it under control when another song came on and that same child sang LOUDLY to that one. Now I have to admit that even MY nerves were getting a little raw from it all when Heath, following in his big brother's footsteps, said "STOP singing! It get on my newrves! We onwy wisten to music singing, not you!"

Then Bria chimed in to rescue her sister with her stubborn-I-am-only-going-to-say-this-once attitude, "If she wants to sing she can sing! It's a free country, Heathy!"

Hosted by Cecily and Sports Mama

When I say...

Green...you say White!

Green.
White.
Green.
White.

When I say St. John's...you say Crusaders!

St. John's.
Crusaders.
St. John's.
Crusaders.



It's that time of year again where we enjoy touchdowns and POM-POMS (and my life is spent running kids all over and keeping laundry up so they actually have a uniform to wear)! This is my daughter's 4th year of cheering and she is a flyer (top of pyramids). Her favorite part aside from being a flyer is the dancing and Competition. This year we are going to regionals and if we come in 1st or 2nd we can go to Nationals in Orlando! So EXCITING...except for the fact that this takes place the day after Thanksgiving...OH and the fact that it takes cashola which we have to fund raise and ask sponsors for (I am so NOT one of THOSE grab the bull by the horns people when it comes to sponsers *sigh*).

Heath pointed out the #4 behind Lys...we tried explaining that it was the goal posts, but he INSISTED it was JUST a 4!!! :)


Hosted by Cecily and Izzy 'N Emmy