This is me and my family last week in our backyard on Mother's Day 2010.
Little did we know that the next day our world would literally get turned upside-down!! Our home was severely damaged by a tornado that hit our neighborhood in Choctaw, OK. Did you see the coverage of the Love's Gas Station and Sonic that got hit? That was within 1 minute of my home! God's wonderful protection kept us all safe and sound as we huddled together and prayed with our bike helmets on in our laundry/utility room...which is our innermost room.
We have so much to be grateful for...even with all that happened. I am going to share with you some pictures of what remains of our home, so that you, too, can see how God kept us safe. Also, all of our neighbors were kept safe!
The front of our house.
Our street sign.
The back of our house...this was the kitchen, dining room & living room.
My beautiful kitchen is no more...please note there is a wooden high chair stuck upside down on the top of the cabinets above the fridge...might need to click on photo to enlarge to see it.
Would you like to sit down for a cup o' tea?? We have a sun roof and plenty of fresh air!
Here we are, again. I wanted to repost this picture here, so that you will remember that even though our house was destroyed, God kept us safe! We are currently staying at a friend's house & will most likely be here until we move to Hawaii in 6 weeks (this was part of the plan before the tornado). Our stuff that was salvagable is in storage, so I won't be stamping anytime soon...wahh! So that means it will probably be late July or August before I am able to stamp and post to this blog again. I hope you will keep checking back on me and in the mean time, you can check out the blogs of my totally fantastic Control Freaks! Their blogs are listed in the right sidebar on my blog. They will keep you and I inspired for a long time.
oh my... I'm so sorry about your house, but I am very glad to hear your family is safe. I hope it won't be too much difficulty to repair your home.
Posted by: ter@waaoms | May 18, 2010 at 08:11 AM
I am so sorry! Very happy that your family is safe. I cannot imagine how overwhelmed you must feel! Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you as you repair your home and try to get things back to normal!
Hugs,
Elizabeth
Posted by: Elizabeth Fortuna | May 18, 2010 at 09:05 AM
Oh my word! I am so thankful to know you are all okay. God is good and his hand was on you. Best wishes for a quick recovery from what I am sure was is an overwhelming experience. Please know your blog fans will be here when you get back.
Posted by: Britiney | May 18, 2010 at 11:59 AM
Bike helmets--what a GREAT idea!!! I never would have thought of that! It must have been so frightening for you all, and I so hope that the children are handling the trauma well. I am impressed with your positive attitude and will keep a little spot for you and your family in my heart. Best of luck.
Posted by: Lauren | May 18, 2010 at 06:52 PM
Oh my goodness... I can't even imagine. I'm so thankful that you all are safe and sound. I hope the process of getting your home back to normal is as smooth as it can possibly be. I'll keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers!
Posted by: Lori Rider | May 18, 2010 at 07:29 PM
Thinking of you and yours. If you need ANYTHING please let me know. Blessings. Diana
Posted by: Diana Ball-Seitz | May 19, 2010 at 04:42 AM
I don't know what to say after seeing your pictures. God truly did keep you all safe. I'm so sorry about your house and will miss reading your blog. God's continued blessings to you and your family as you move. I'll keep you all in my prayers.
Posted by: Linda Grames | May 19, 2010 at 05:08 AM
First off, can I just say that you're amazing? Many people would not be able to write about the experience with such clarity. Thank you for sharing these photos... I can't begin to imagine... You are in our prayers.
Posted by: Selene Kempton | May 19, 2010 at 05:57 AM
WOW!!! It's stressful enough to know you'll be relocating, and then have the house destroyed!!! I hope the base welfare org. gives you the support you need at this time. Every new place has it's own unique weather issues to deal with. May Hawaii be a nice respite for you all. I'm a retired USAF wife, so best wishes to you all!
Posted by: Jan Butler | May 20, 2010 at 07:41 AM
So glad to hear you and your family are safe and sound! May God continue to bless and keep your family. You will be in my prayers. Good luck and keep your spirits up. When God closes a door, he opens a new one filled with new and wonderful things!
Posted by: Lori | May 31, 2010 at 07:41 AM
Goodness! That looks terrible. I'm so glad to hear you and your family are doing OK! Enjoy the visit with your parents.
Huggies,
Mel
Posted by: Pockets of Inspiration | June 01, 2010 at 06:33 PM
God was good to your family and neighbors by protecting you. I am so sorry that all that happend. We live in North Texas, so we were watching all the coverage that day. God bless and happy moving. Do you need to restock some SU! stuff? It would only be older or retired stuff though
Posted by: Laura V. | June 05, 2010 at 10:51 AM
little late catching up on my blogs.....but I wanted to say I am SO glad to hear that you and your family are all safe and sound!!!! I am so sorry to hear (and see-yikes!!) about the house but thankfully it was "only" the house!!!!! It's amazing what mother nature can do....so scary! Best of luck with the move and can't wait to "see" you in the blog world again!!!
Posted by: Meredith | June 06, 2010 at 07:48 AM
God is so faithful and good...and you are living proof. I also live in Ohio and have seen many tornadoes. You are so, so blessed! I wish you the best in your move, and I'll be looking for you back on your blog.
Posted by: Marla | June 08, 2010 at 09:22 PM
Praise God for his mercy. I'm so sorry you and your family experienced this terrifying event. Glad you are all well.
Posted by: Sue McNeill | June 21, 2010 at 02:51 PM
Erin - I am so sorry I didn't know about this sooner! I am so happy the Lord kept you safe and I'm sure you're currently enjoying Hawaii!
Posted by: Joy Lewis | September 20, 2010 at 06:09 PM
Erin, I just found your blog and live just down the street from you (I-240 & Sooner Road). That was a crazy night and we were all in the hallway under a mattress! We were hit by the May 8, 2003 tornado so I know exactly how you feel. It's really nerve-wracking and takes some time to get over. I'm glad you and your family are okay. :)
Posted by: Connie Stewart | October 21, 2010 at 09:08 PM
God Bless you sweetheart, thank God that you are all safe! Sincerely hoping that your lives are back to normal soon, you're in my prayers, Hugs Angie xx
Posted by: Angie | October 30, 2010 at 05:20 AM