Tornado aftermath.

It is time to start the long cleanup now.

Yesterday this was my town:

Yes we were one of the worst hit towns in the terrible massive storm that sent over 70 tornadoes through North Carolina.  This storm just kept coming and coming.  It didn't lose power and it didn't back down one bit.  She had a vengeance and tore down anything in her path. 

She took down our Lowe's hardware as if it were a barbie house:

She hit our static control plant:

She took out Big Lots and Tractor Supply:

Even 100 year old trees or older could not match her power:

Homes were lost.  

Lives were lost.

But the spirit of a community can not be taken.  

Sanford will take care of it's neighborhoods. 

We will take care of our residents and businesses.

But if you can spare some prayers we sure could use them about now. And to think a mere storm can turn into something this deadly and powerful.

Remember a tornado happens so fast and you don't have much time to take cover..be careful when there are storms.  Be aware.

We were moving my sister yesterday. We had the trailer packed and were heading north on US 1 when the warning came out.  We had no where to go so we headed for the closest overpass and we stayed there in fear for about an hour.  I can say we were truly blessed and lucky.  We had been wondering if we should put a tarp on that trailer in case it started raining again.  But we said no - what the heck lets just go. Had we taken the time to put that tarp on we would have been hit.  The tornado crossed right where we were exactly 10 minutes after we left the spot.

God was watching my family and friends. 

My children were scared to death, cold, muddy but safe.

It was a terrible day - but then mother nature decided to give us some sunshine.  

I don't get that.  

I guess it is her way of saying it is over - all is not lost.

Now we need to take care of our town.

Whew....

I know.  I know.  It has been forever hasn't it?  I had a busy spring break with the little ones - we did lots of fun stuff and not so fun stuff.  And then big stuff happening.

We have decided to sell my sisters house in Cameron.

Yes it is a wonderful old 1878 Queen Anne Cottage but those old homes have maintenance issues that a single girl is just not up to doing. She also feels secluded out there and always wanted to be closer to us so she could see the kiddos.  

So, we have been doing all those "I'll do them later" projects so we can list it for sale on Cameron Day- May 7.

But along the way I have managed to do a bit of Cameron work for the booth, a lot of gardening.  And figured I'd jump back in this blogging world with a picture I took with the phone today walking from the driveway to my back door. 

Aren't the lady banks roses beautiful?  

They finally have covered my arbor.  I love them so much.

I LOVE SPRING.

On break with the kids

My two youngest are on a year round calendar so we are out for 2 weeks. 

We will be doing a bit of this:

Warrior fighting!! 

Ninja training. 

 Sword wielding. 

Visiting the train park. 

 Climbing up too high..

 Ringing that bell.

 Pretending to be conductor.

Smiling for mom.

 Being blog fodder for mom.

All that is just week one.

We still have Ikea to hit, the library to go to and big Camelot park. The fun never ends.

But because we are so busy here I won't be here much. 

Enjoy spring - she is officially here tomorrow- March 20th.

Happy Spring.

portraits

Tracy at Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures is hosting a portrait party. 

Now, I am so thankful she is pushing us to use our camera I just wish she was here for some one on one tutorial work with me.  I am so techie challenged when it comes to my camera.  I need to take a continuing ed class on the subject at some point.

Here is my princess in a most un-princess like pose.

I used Picasa 3 to kinda play around with temp. and shadows..not sure if it did better or not.

Here's one of her being like her daddy:

and finally one of our patriotic little girl- she loves to model..

linking to Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures portrait party

Some Famous Americans

Yesterday it was time for my second grader's play- Famous Americans. 

Daddy is in the Air Force but Jack is smitten with the Army much to daddy's dismay.  

So, I give you :  General Patton.  Or rather Jack's version of him..

  

You'll notice we have Dale in the upper left corner...hubby and his friend were hoping he was Ted Nugent- weirdos.  Like these kids would even know who that was. 

 He remembered his lines and was so proud of himself. 

Quite a handsome General in my opinion.

Sweet 16 Jon Jon

It is my baby Jon Jon's sweet 16th birthday today.  He was born on 2/17 at 2:17am.  Strange right?

He was such a cute little baby and boy has he grown.  

We are in the midst of all the teenage angst and there are days he pushes my buttons to the extreme but there is nothing that could ever change how much I love him.

He was such a snuggler as a kid and loved hugs and kisses.  He takes things more to heart than most and puts up a "funny" front so as not to get hurt.  He is the class clown - always putting jokes out there and lately has turned into quite the ladies man.  He is so much fun, joy, trouble, heartache, and craziness all in one package.

He is a good big brother but doesn't like for anyone to know..

 

 

 

 

 

He has sent us in many directions in his short life so far..

an ambulance ride when we he was barely two after having a seizure and turning blue, a broken elbow at the age of two, a broken wrist from skateboarding down the golf cart path at the golf course, a ride to the police station in the back of a cruiser because he got caught throwing water balloons at passing cars, and I am sure there are many more that I don't know about and more to come.

I can say this about Jon- there is never a boring day with him around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

I love you and have loved you since the day you were born..

thanks for being my son.