(4/27/11) We knew the weather was going to be bad, the weatherman had been talking about it for a week but we had no idea how bad it was going to hit our town. I was off work all day and we had already had strong straight line winds in the early am hours that did damage in some areas but we still had alot to come. Around 3:00 Abby and I headed to Pops house and then Jason came after work, Jerry and Lauren were there with Madison and Bronson and GranJan too. We watched on tv the live footage of the massive tornado whipping through Tuscaloosa and the weatherman said it was headed for HUEYTOWN!! We went to the basement and when we lost power we had no way of knowing what was going on, had it passed? Was it still coming? Pops, Jason and Jerry were watching huge pieces of debris falling from the sky and couldn't believe what they were seeing! When we realized it had passed Lauren got a call from her brother and he was at his in-laws house and said that the only room still standing was the one they were in. That was not far from us so we realize the tornado had come through and touched down. We quickly left and tried to get to our house to see if we had any damage but of course we couldn't get far because the tornado had done more damage that we could have ever imagined and we could not get home any way we tried, 15th Street, Concord, Pinewood or Pleasant Grove. When we were told that the city of Pleasant Grove was SHUT DOWN we were really worried about our home. We finally were able to get on the interstate and get off in Ensley and get home that way, we were relived to find our house and neighborhood was perfectly fine. The next morning we went through Pleasant Grove the back way (I do not think the officer was suppose to let us through because we had to drive around trees in the road and down power lines, but he did for whatever reason)it was then we realized.....so much of the town around us was totally devastated. Our church had damage, this is what is left of the steeple, and of course roof damage but the building was in tack and they immediately started reaching out to the city. The picture of Abby and Madison was right after we came out of the basement and they were so excited because they were both very scared in the basement seeing the fear on our faces. So this is just the picture of relief and what really matters to all of us which is being alive and well.

 

(4/24/11)When Abby woke up she saw the Easter Bunny came by and left her a big basket of goodies, he even left a trail of eggs leading out the door! Look at that sleepy face, it's so funny how she was so excited but not really awake at the same time!

 

What a great church service! We joined First Baptist Church of Pleasant Grove on April 10th after visiting since January and absolutely love it! We really miss Brother Jimmy from Crossroads, he is such a great pastor and wonderful man and Crossroads is a great church. But we were happy with our decision to move since so many of our friends and Abby's are at PGFB.

 

We went to Tannehill State Park like we do every year. Granny Jo was there, Uncle Michael's family, Carlee's grandparents and our big group. They love playing in the water, and while we were riding our bikes around the park Jennifer hid all the eggs. Bronson hit the ball with his new carrot bat we gave him and we all enjoyed the day! We are so blessed :)