Thankful

The storms yesterday were CRAZY!

Between how many tornados that storm spit out, to how close they got to us, to the fact that a lot of people and places we know are no longer standing - I am so very thankful that we are still safe and sound.

I had heard that the storms were going to be bad.  Was watching the storms pretty close from the time they started to form.  Then I got a call from the school saying we could pick the kids up with no penalty if we needed to - So I did.  I picked Ivy up about 12:30 and then we came home and waited for it to start. 

Bout 2:30 the rain and stuff started here.  Then tornados started forming.  When it dropped the one in Moore, I knew it was gonna be a crazy time for a bit.  When it got within 5-7 miles of us, I woke Ruben up and had the girls in the bathroom.  If it had tracked North AT ALL it would have hit us.  As it was, it only missed us by less than 3 miles!  Seriously, crazy.  It was close enough, and big enough, that I could hear it roaring through our patio doors!!  Seriously insane!

But we got lucky

All we really got here at our apts was a TON of rain, quite a bit of hail, and some pretty high winds that knocked branches around and had a ton of leaves on the ground this morning.  SOOO thankful!

We are still dealing with a few issues today.  But it's not even a huge deal.  The OKC water plant got hit, so we don't really have water (toilets won't really flush, can't wash dishes, etc).  In the grand scheme of things, I'll take going without water (since we always have bottled water around for my coffee anyway - so I can cook with that) over any REAL damage any day.  I'm just thankful that everyone that I know is safe and sound. 

And I'm thankful that my family down in Arkansas is all safe and sound too.  Both the BLOOD and the not blood related family down there means the world to me. 

Watching the aftermath of that tornado - my heart just breaks.  So much is just completely gone.  A lot of people lost their lives (no official count yet, but it's too high) - including some children.  My heart goes out to the families of those lost.

I am thankful for the friends I have too. 

During OKC Wars this weekend - our entry fee isn't going to be the normal amount.  It's going to be canned goods or other things that the people will need for disaster relief!  And I think that is AWESOME!  We are going to do whatever we can (which should be pretty good since I'm gonna be working the next two days). 

Seriously though, it is CRAZY what storms like this bring out in people. 

Some of the most amazing moments happen - like a little brother and sister who donated their piggy bank full of cash and change, or ball players donating a good chunk of money to help, or rescue workers working crazy long days to make sure they can find every single person who is still alive and burried. 

But then some of the most hurtful people come out too - Like people who say the tornado happened because people didn't pray enough, or politicians demanding budget cuts before they will set aside any disaster relief.  It will never cease to amaze me the heartlessness of these people.

anyway, just had a lot of jumbled thoughts running around in my head that i needed to get out.

THANK YOU to everyone who called, or messaged, or worried about us.  It is nice to know that so many people truly care.

THANK YOU to all the prayers, or good thoughts, or positive energy, from everyone sending it this way.  I'm sure the people affected will appreciate them

and THANK YOU to everyone out there who is devoting their time and energy, or finances, or anything else, in the relief effort.  I only wish I were able to do more for those affected.

And now, I'm gonna get off the comp and get ready for pest control tomorrow.  UGH!  Not really looking forward to having to clean the kitchen out, haha.

Tomorrow I won't be here.  So thank goodness Ruben will to both watch the girls and deal with pest control.

LATERS everyone!