April 27, 2 years in the making.

I have hesitated in writing this blog post for various reasons. "I dont want to relive it; others dont want to relive it; perhaps I am not the best speaker to put all of this into words; what we went through could have been so much worse. However, I feel it necessary to write this. If not for any reason than to just maybe, finally, have a day where I do not think about it. I warn you, this will be long. I assure you there were tears shed, but thank you for allowing me to share my day.
It was Wednesday, April 27. Sometime after 5, I awoke to a text message waking me up instead of my alarm. I wanted to ignore it, but I couldnt. It was my father. Apparently the tornado sirens were going off, but at the time there wasnt a real reason to be alarmed. I called my parents and after consideration, we decided it would just be best for me to get up and shower, but no real need to hurry to their house. After I got out, I called them again and got the instructions to stay put and stay in my bathroom of my second floor apartment. I sat on the floor huddle up the best I could and then I could hear it. It felt like an eternity, but it couldnt have lasted but maybe a minute or so. I could hear my Mom in the back ground talking about hearing trees falling, but not knowing where they were landing. I could hear something hitting my bedroom window, but not knowing what it was. My father did the best he could to keep me calm but it didnt work. I cried hard that morning. But then it was over. The power was out, but I was safe. My parents were safe. They had to assess the damage and I had to get ready for work. Thank GOODNESS for cell phones. I checked on.everyone in our little community that I had the number of and everyone was physically fine.  At the time I was also working at my churches daycare down the street, and the directors were afraid that not all the parents would have gotten word that the church was closed so I offered to go by on my way to work just to make sure. I pulled out of my apartment complex, drove maybe 25 seconds and just stared. It looked awful. There were empty cars everywhere. People walking, debris, it looked like a war zone. And then I noticed that the main entrance to my parents neighborhood was blocked. I called to check on them again and was told that it was bad. My dad and a their neighbor went and checked on several of the families right around them, but Mom said it was bad. (Let me add, that it could have been ten times worse, but this was absolutely the most horrific.thing EVER to happen to us.) Mom told me to go on to work and we would touch base all morning. Work did end up closing very soon after I arrived, and for that I am forever thankful. Cell phone service was TERRIBLE. You were lucky to get texts to go through. My parents didnt feel it necessary for me to come right then. Even though I wanted to, I listened to them. I went to my apartment and tried to just stay but I couldnt. Mom had told me if I decided to come to call. I attempted to,but couldnt reach them. I knew that there was no way to drive into the neighborhood, so I packed a bag and walked. I went one way and was blocked by trees. I went another and was blocked again. All the time trying to get ahold of them. Finally I did reach them, but due to the spotty service all I can understand is that some neighbor had gotten hurt in the aftermath from a falling tree branch. I just started to walk and pray because I couldnt do anything else. My attempt to get to Mom and Dad was unsuccessful. I had to turn around and go home. I walked into my apartment and just started sobbing. I think I cried for maybe an hour straight. Texts were so slow, but I finally got word as to who exactly was hurt. My parents neighbor. The same man who had gone witg my Dad to check on people; his friend. And it was bad, very bad. I sat on the couch trying to figure out what to do. Then I heard the sound of a helicopter. I knew what it was for. They were coming to try and airlift him to the.hospital. It was then that I decided no matter what I was getting to my parents. Dad knew there was a small path to walk through from Rite Aid to their house, so he agreed to meet me. I drove and left my car once I saw my Daddy walk up. He came up and hugged me and I started to cry. I remember our conversation. I asked him how Mr. M was and his voice broke as he started to cry and he said "i dont know baby. He is in God's hands and care". We began to walk and I was just in complete shock as to all of the mess.The next little bit went by in a blur but what I do remember is Daddy finally decided to call and check on our neighbor. When he walked back outside, you could read it in his face. Mr. M had died. I think we all just sat there in shock. We knew we needed to do something and when a clean-up crew arrived next door we went and helped clean so that they would have one less thing to worry about. It didnt change anything but its all we could do. Newsreporters started showing up asking questions and I just remember attempting to ignore them the best we could. At some point Dad went to take some neighbors to a hotel and Mom and I hung out inside the house. More bad weather was supposed to be approaching so we were attempting to stay safe. All of a sudden we heard a loud popping noise and then about a minute later, our neighbors son knocked on the door telling us a tree looked like it might fall. We either had to get out of the house or get downstairs. We chose to go outside in the car, but we were blessed and the tree just stayed where it was. Daddy made it home and we listened to the radio to hear about what was going on. We had no idea how bad it really was for several days due to the lack of power. The many days that followed were a blur. I remember lots of tears, lots of sweet neighbor, friends and church family. Then there were moments when I was just so thankful my Daddy wasnt hurt but they were followed by ones of guilt because Mr. M had died. I still thank God all the time though for being with us.
I know that what happened in Cahaba Heights was not nearly as terrible as what Tuscaloosa and Pleasant Grove faced, but to us, it was terrible. I dont think a day passes where it doesnt cross my mind, but it has gotten easier. The nightmares have stopped and it doesnt cross my mind constantly anymore. I do pray we dont go through it again, but if it does happen I know that God will take care of us and he is sovereign in all situations just as he was that day.

6 months!

I absolutely can not believe that it has been almost six months since we moved into my inlaws. I wish I could say that it has gotten easier, but I am not so sure it has. That is my fault however, and my short coming. I would LOVE to say that we have a plan to move out and find a house soon, but we arent making any plans yet. But wait to be updated! :)
I am so proud of my sweet Joseph! He took registry for the first time since school, and HE PASSED!!! It is so amazing and such a huge blessing. Looking forward to seeing what God has in store for him.
Maybe I will have more to update soon, but for now this is it! :)