Just checking in

Thank you all for checking in on us and thank you for your thoughts and prayers as we try to move forward in the midst of this disaster. Unfortunately, my internet access has been and will continue to be limited for a while. Not sure how long though.

We have 30 rental houses that incurred some sort of damage, ranging from shingles missing to nothing left of the house but the slab. But thankfully, we have gotten in touch with all of those tenants and I am so very happy to report that they ALL made it through the storm! Praise God!

For those of you that feel led to send items (toiletries, baby supplies, non-perishable food, etc.) you can send them to Lord of the Harvest Baptist Church. Their address is 9310 Highway 69 North, Northport, AL 35473.

Again, thank yall so much for your prayers. We definitely need them right now!

The Tornado

I don't really even know where to begin. Wednesday is a day that we in Tuscaloosa will NEVER forget. Luckily Brad, Noah and I were safely tucked away in my in-law's underground storm shelter. All of my family and friends are accounted for, but there are so so so many others that lost their lives in that tornado. I think the death toll right now is 200+. My town will never look the same yall. We also had a lot of rental property in Alberta and Rosedale, two of the hardest hit areas. At this point, our office still doesn't have power and we can't even get in the disaster zone because they are still in search and rescue mode. I just feel so helpless and I'm so worried about my tenants.

Here are a few pictures I took Thursday as we were trying to gain access to some of our property.

This is Brad's main Subway. The windows were all shattered, but we were glad the building was still standing.

Keep in mind, these pictures were of the good areas that people were allowed to go. No one but the National Guard, police, FEMA, etc. are allowed in the really bad areas because bodies are still being pulled from the rubble.

Here is a link of a video of the damage. (Hope it works!)

Please pray for our town and our state. The main part of our town was hit, several businesses were destroyed leaving a lot of people without jobs. I know several people that lost everything they had.

"I'll praise You in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

And every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I'll praise You in this storm"

Our Easter weekend!

Friday night, we met our best friends for dinner. While we were waiting on them to arrive, we sat outside the restaurant where a man was playing the banjo. Noah LOVED it and danced for everyone that walked by!

After dinner, we headed to Brad’s brother’s surprise party. There, we found out how much Noah loves driving cars!

And how much he loves sticking out his tongue all of a sudden.

Saturday, our church had our annual Easter egg hunt!! If you remember, at the last egg hunt Noah got 2 eggs. This time, he dominated with 26!

 

Then he fussed at me because he wanted to carry his basket!

Brad’s best friend was talked into wearing the bunny costume. Noah LOVES Brian. LOVES. But Brian dressed up as the Easter bunny…not so much!

 

After the egg hunt, we spent a good bit of the day taking a nap! But after that we dyed Easter eggs. Noah was NOT a fan. He wanted to actually help instead of just watch!

Then Sunday morning, the Easter bunny dropped a little something off for Noah!

I have no idea why he’s naked!

Again with the tongue!

I realize I am 100% biased, but how stinkin’, rotten cute was he on Easter morning!??!?!?!?!

We had such a fun family weekend!

Good Friday

Can you imagine what Jesus felt like when he woke up on that Friday morning, knowing what the day would hold? It just blows my mind. That He knew what was going to happen and still willingly let it, all for you and me. I’m just so very thankful for His sacrifice! I hope yall all have a fabulous, Jesus-filled Easter weekend!

Here is a picture of Noah last Easter.

How cute and little was he?!?!

And speaking of Noah, you won’t believe what he did this morning when I dropped him off at school! His little girlfriend came in right behind us. They both immediately ran to each other, gave each other a hug and then a big KISS in the MOUTH!!!!!!!!!! And then they giggled about it!!! I was heartbroken. I said, “NOAH TAYLOR!!!! We do NOT kiss little girls!! Only Mommy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” He just smiled. Rip my heart out!

Couch to 5K

Have you heard about it yet? There is an app on my iPhone that supposedly helps you be able to run a 5K in 9 weeks through interval training (running, walking, running, walking) 3 days a week. I care nothing about being able to run a 5K, but I have heard fabulous reviews from people that just wanted to lose a few pounds. The girls at work decided they would try the C25K so I gave in.

I bought all the necessities…

and I start tomorrow! Wish me luck!

Easter egg hunt

Saturday, Noah got to participate in his very first Easter egg hunt! Last year was actually his first Easter but the egg hunt was cancelled because of rain. Even if it wouldn’t have rained last year, he was only like two months old so he wouldn’t have had much fun anyway. But this year, it was ON!

Noah had SO MUCH FUN! We only got to stay about 45 minutes (it was like 90 degrees with 86% humidity…Noah’s eczema didn’t like that one bit) but he ran around and played the entire time.

Before the egg hunt, we spotted the Easter bunny and decided we would torture our child try to get his picture. If you remember, Noah HATED Santa Claus. He totally freaked out, screamed and cried, and got a whole lot of attention from his freak out. Fast forward to the Easter bunny…we told the photographer, “We are going to sit Noah in the bunny’s lap. You’ve got about 2.7 seconds before he freaks out so get the picture quick!!”

So we sat Noah down…

…waited for the freak out…

…and he just sat there, staring at the bunny. He loved him!!

Brad and I almost fell out in shock!

After seeing the bunny, it was time for the egg hunt. We lined up with all the other kids in Noah’s age group, and strategically blocked off two eggs from all the other kids before the announcer said to go, started the egg hunt!

He picked up the first egg like a pro! (Can you tell it was hot? Look at those cheeks!)

Then he found another egg.

Then we looked up and ALL the eggs were gone!

So Daddy threw Noah’s two eggs back on the ground so he would think he found more!

Inside Noah’s eggs, we found candy and a number for a prize. His prize was…

a baton-like stick that he beats us with. What happened to age-appropriate toys people?!?!

So as you can see, Noah’s first Easter egg hunt was a HUGE hit! Luckily for him, we have another one before Easter!

Baseball

My nephews are playing baseball again this year so Friday, we went to the ballpark to watch!

This is Griffin

And this is Peyton

I’m pretty sure that their team won, but I spent the latter part of the game chasing around this guy…

You can’t tell, but his shirt says “My Auntie Rocks!” Friday was her birthday! So Noah had to give her a few extra good kisses!

I also got him a Happy Meal! He loves french fries (he’s definitely my child) so I made the mistake of trying to take our picture while he was eating and he just wasn’t having it.

And my favorite niece, Reece, helped me watch Noah while the game was going on!

Aren’t they precious?!?

Hopefully we will be attending a few more games this year! Maybe Noah will be more interested in watching the game next time!