Friday, April 29, 2011

Hoppy Easter!

Easter was a little different than we had planned this year! We always have Easter at our house with a yummy meal and big egg hunt for the kids. We had the food bought, desserts ordered and eggs filled but what we didn't count on was an F4 tornado! Thanks to Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike for taking everything to their home and making Easter happen there!


It rained so we put the eggs on the floor, covered them with a sheet and the kids took turns pulling out two at a time!




Reagin


Jack

Luke thought it would be the worst Easter ever with no egg hunt but we surprised him by showing up with the eggs and baskets :)


Katy


Mathew was a bonus as they weren't going to be here but ended up coming in to help with storm cleanup.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Eric's National Honor Society Induction

Congratualtions to Eric on being inducted into the National Honor Society at St. Charles West High School. We are very proud of you!

Receiving his certificate.

Proud Mom, Dad and Kyle!

Grandma and Grandpa with the scholar.

Miss Retta is Eric's prayer apple partner this year. She went to support him.


Monday, April 25, 2011

Tornado Update

Friday evening the Bridgeton area was hit by a F4 tornado. The sound and aftermath are nothing I had ever experienced. Mom, Dad and I are fine - we have a home still standing and repairable damage. We are without power but have a generator (posting from offsite). We have a great family, church family and Pattonville family. People are asking how can we help. Our damages are to the deck, the backyard - most of the trees are gone, garage, roof, ac, and the three vehicles. Below are a few of the pictures. Standing in our back driveway you used to only see trees now we can see clear to Harmann Estates. There are two homes just behind ours on Red Hawk that have been ruined. One is a home Dad built (side note when he saw home he said well we did something right as the main I beam is still in place). Our school district has staff and students who have no home and their lives have been devastated. If you want to help we are collecting supplies at Maryland Heights Church to deliver. We are collecting cleaning supplies, hygiene items, plastic totes. If you are on facebook go to the Pattonville provides page for more information. Thank you for all of you who have offered and come to help. God is good and he provided safety for our family. Our new view from back driveway.


Back window of Dad's truck gone - windows inside are for the First Aid Center at Camp Ne-O-Tez - the windows were unharmed :)



Deck roof down on deck.



Back drive area.



Jimmy (sporting the oh so stylish orange flower gloves), Jeremy, Carissa and Bob (not pictured) were there on Saturday morning to help! Uncle Mike was there cleaning up the back of the drive -so much debris and glass.


Our Christmas tree planted in 1970 was uprooted and took down the privacy fence.


Between our house and neighbors completely filled with large trees down. The pretty flowers survived.



Front of our house.

Lori, Rod, and Matt made a quick trip to STL and to help out. We went over to Taylor and they were lending some height to help. This is the home where Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike lived and Susan and Jill grew up in. That house is destroyed.



JD and Carla were in Searcy but quickly jumped in today with all kinds of help. We celebrated Easter. We were hosting but Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike stepped in took the food and we had Easter dinner at their home.


I ask that you continue to pray for those that are displaced and have so much damage. Mom, Dad and I know that God spared us from great damage and our lives and we are grateful.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Parent Sunday in the 2 and 3's

For many years Carolyn and Nancy have taught the 2 and 3's Sunday School Class. These children are a delight and it is amazing how much they learn. We have been studying creation for the last 7 weeks and Sunday we invited the parents to class with their children. Each child got the book they had made and a special pillow for Day 7 -God Rested. Thanks to Marilyn O. for making the pillows! We made a banner for each day of Creation!


Working hard on our Day 7 banner!

Miss Mary helps us teach and Dad came as an observer. Matt and Andrea are proud parents watching Anna!

Day Three - God made flowers and grass and trees!



Day 7 - God has rested in His Heaven - look at them laying their heads on the pillows!


Train up a child in the way he shoud go . . . .

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Things are Hoppin' at Crown Candy

Mom, Dad and I had dinner at Crown Candy tonight. Wow - the Easter treats are amazing. We went to buy bunnies and eggs but we also had sandwiches and ice cream. No line to eat or for candy at 5:30 pm - that's the time to go! Notice that Mom is out and about and no cane!


Sunday, April 3, 2011

Eric and The Pied Piper of Hamelin

Eric was a stagehand and helped build the set for their school play at St. Charles West. It was the Pied Piper of Hamelin. The backdrop was beautiful - hours of stuffing tissue. Way to go Eric!