Tornadoes

Crazy time to live in Missouri.

After the MASSIVE tornado in Joplin, Missouri....we're all a little on edge over here.

Tyson's met doctors from Joplin. Now the hospital and clinics are all demolished.

Here the storms come and go along with warnings that there are more storms to come.

Today I took the kids to the library while Tyson stayed home to do more boards study. While we were there a librarian came around to talk to everyone.

"There's a tornado warning. There was a touch-down in Jackson County just now and the storm is headed this way. You are welcome to stay here if you like. We'll be heading into the basement. Or you could quickly head home if you'd rather be there."

I decided to go home. I'd rather be with Tyson.

As I leave the library and start to pack the kids in...the tornado sirens go off.

I head home.

We get in the house the rain starts coming down harder.

My cell phone rings, its our friends telling us that they say to go to a safe place in the house in about 15 minutes. They knew we didn't have a television to have really updated news on what was going on and what we're supposed to do.

Our neighbor comes out and knocks on our door.

We stand with him outside in the rain and we talk. He tells us "watch the clouds".

The clouds are moving fast.

Our neighbor says, "Its the big black one over there that is the one to worry about. Watch and see if it starts a swirling pattern."

Sure enough, a little swirl comes.

I've never seen clouds do that before. It was crazy to watch.

It was lunchtime, so Tyson cleared out the closet under the stairs and laid down a blanket and I made some lunch.

We ate a little picnic in a closet under the stairs.

Eden thought that was pretty cool.

Soon after, the sirens stopped, the clouds blew past, and the sun came back out.

Things went back to normal. Tyson went back to studying. I cleaned up lunch. Eden and Leila played in the family room.

I admit that I wasn't deathly afraid of a tornado hitting....but I admit that it definitely made me nervous. I figured that tornado sirens and hiding underground were very much an "extra precaution" than a warning that death is on our doorstep.

In fact, Tyson and I had a laugh as I made lunch and asked Tyson, "So, how prepared to you think we REALLY need to be?" and Tyson replied, "Famous last words..." And we talked about that question regarding the Last Days. And had another little chuckle.

I don't know if people around here think all this is normal. I've never seen clouds move the way these did or had to seek shelter before. So for me, this has been an adventure.

And apparently there are still more storms on the way....but I think the fear of more tornadoes is coming to an end.

I feel terrible for those who have suffered injury, damages, death, etc. from all these tornadoes. My prayers go out to all of them.

4th Anniversary

Tyson and I have been married for four years. In those four years, we've had two wonderful little girls, moved to 4 different places (our 5th time comes at the end of June), both graduated with a bachelors degrees, Tyson got into med school, and just having a great time with each other.

This last Thursday we celebrated our 4th anniversary.

Tyson took the night off from boards studying.

Dinner was delicious.

The movie was funny.

It was a simple and GREAT anniversary. In fact, I'd call it "BLISSFUL".

Thanks mom for babysitting.

Its amazing when I think about how things have changed over the years. What's even more amazing is how even with all this change, Tyson and I have been able to change and grow closer to one another over the years. God truly knew that Tyson and I were a good match, a better match than I could have imagined. Every change over the years have been a good change that brings Tyson and I closer together.

And to finish off this post....Here's a little list of things Tyson and I like to do together:

• At night we like to watch shows on Netflix and Hulu. Things we've watched include: Law and Order, Pushing Daisies, Bones, Arrested Development, House, Community and a few other things here and there.
• We've mastered the art of making an AWESOME fruit smoothie.
  
• Tyson and I like to dream of our future home...things like a little bungalow in a semi-rural area and larger piece of land with simple and clean decor, art such as the picture of Christ by Minerva Tiechert, small chandelier, Venetian mirror, and Tyson's "dream office".
• Occasionally, Tyson and I like to try our hand at DIY projects such as recovering our dining chairs (which need to be done again), reupholstering a Laz-E-Boy recliner, and painting and finishing a bookshelf.
• Tyson and I often talk about our financial dreams like living like paupers to pay off our med school debts FAST, paying with a dream house entirely with cash, and going through life never owning a credit card.

Eden's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe my little Eden is THREE! We had a little birthday party. My mom and 2 friends came out from Utah to join in the celebration. Eden LOVED it all.

She's been telling us lately she wants these ponies.
Eden's Grandma Namba sent us the Hungry Caterpillar book and stuffed animal. Eden's been sleeping with it every night and loves to read the book as well.

Instead of cake, I tried my hand at Cake Pops....a big hit!

These are my little Hello Kitty creations up close.

But Eden was rather sad that Hello Kitty was missing a mouth. So, for hers I made a little smiley face. She was very happy about that.

This is where I may get dubbed the "shameful mother of the year award". I let Leila have an entire cake pop of her own....and she LOVED IT. Like, beyond measure. I mean, its 100% sugar: cake mix and frosting covered in white chocolate. The girl fell in love.
We also took Eden out to eat at Perkins. I went there a while back when I was having one of those "my husband has finals weeks and I never see him and my kids are making me crazy and the last thing I want to think about is cooking" weeks. Eden discovered Rainbow Pancakes (pancakes with sprinkles and whipped cream on top) and she was in love. So, she wanted to go there for her birthday for the favorite Rainbow Pancakes.

Hayden

No More Pink Wall...

No More Mindful Grey...

All Because of Hayden...
Tyson's brother Hayden came to visit. He's leaving on a mission to Canada (Korean speaking) in a few short weeks and he decided he wanted to see us before he left.

But when he heard we needed to paint our apartment before leaving he said, "I can help." He came a week early and slaved away (and I'm not exaggerating) painting like a mad-man to help us out. What a guy.
Thanks Hayden. You rock. Seriously.

Mother's Day

Tyson's always done an amazing job making Mother's Day great. Mother's Day was really low key this year, which is fine by me. But he took care of the kids, made everyone food, and cleaned up messes.

I was most impressed with his dinner...

Poppyseed Salad (which this picture doesn't do justice)

Blackberry Sage Lemonade (idea from Melting Pot)
Clam Sauce Pasta
Delicious.

AWESOME...That About Sums It Up

The Past: An AWESOME Week

• Tyson's brother came to hang out and paint our house.
• We went to the WW1 Museum.
• Went out for sushi *mouth watering*.

The Present: An AWESOME Mother's Day

• Leila only woke up once last night.
• We made it to church ON TIME.
• Tyson made an AMAZING dinner.
• We at chocolate brownie waffles for dessert.

The Future: Preparing for an AWESOME next week

• My mom comes to visit.
• Tyson and my 4th Anniversary.
• Eden's 3rd birthday.
• Start packing.

It is busy. It is crazy. It is AWESOME.

Prepare for future posts.

Eden the Artist

In my house, you will never find a blank piece of paper. Here is some of Eden's artwork that I've found around the house recently.

(Click on the picture to make it bigger and easier to see.)

"The Big Bad Wolf and the 3 Little Pigs"

"Flowers", "Christmas Tree", "Chick", and "Helicopter"

"Unicorn", "Kung Fu Panda with a Bowl of Noodles, Chopsticks, and Spoon"

"Monster"

"Eden Naked with a Diaper" and "Smiling 'E's"