The night the lights went out

On Wednesday Alabama was hit by many tornadoes that devastated much of our state. One of the most devastating tornadoes was estimated at being on the ground for approximately 370 miles- quite possibly setting a historical record.

Yes, this video is NUTS. My brother DID stand on his balcony to record this (not wise), but this shows you the magnitude of what went through Tuscaloosa, AL.

Much of our state is completely devastated. So many cities were completely wiped off the map. Lives have been changed forever. Please continue to pray for our state, for those working AROUND THE CLOCK to restore power (and other utilities), for families who lost so much and for the rescue workers STILL recovering people. We have more than 6300 crews working to restore power alone to the areas that can even accept power.

Chatt-a-googa

...This weekend.

Remember that commercial? Except it was like 20 weekends ago...or so it seems.

What a fun town. I love it there. We did your typical touristy things that you do with a two year old.

We also did some not so touristy things. Hello Sugars BBQ?! I'm probably the only mom that allowed her child 1. to stay up an hour past her bed time (I'm a schedule nut, but somehow I allowed this to take place). 2. to dance the night away with a bunch of 40+ cougars. 3. Did I mention it was a bar? So, now that you have formed a horrible opinion of my mothering skills- we had a blast. Yes, I did grow up Southern Baptist, but their food was to die for. They have like six different sauces you can try with your BBQ. Have you met Evie Black? She wants ketchup on her ketchup. So, having 1,000 "dips" was a dream for her.

Yes, thanks for noticing. I DID leave my makeup at home. As a matter of fact, I left my ENTIRE toiletry bag at home.

My child has an inner magnetic force that pulls her to the dance floor if there is one within her range. So, when the band started, any hope of leaving was out of the question. Besides, who knew it was QUITE the locals hotspot. If you know otherwise, just keep it to yourself. EB asks me ever so often, "We go dance at Sugars again?" I wish I was kidding. My response, "Yes! Very very soon."

ANYWAY. Jason was there working, so we loaded up the grands and headed to meet him for the weekend. The aquarium is really big for a two year old (especially if you lose your pink bow). She LOVES to discuss butterflies, but heaven forbid she go to the butterfly garden where they fly all around you.Just because it's funny-they didn't care about touching the butterflies either... I bet they're discussing that very fact in this picture. BUT..Touching a fish that looks like a dinosaur? WHY NOT.We saw sharks with teeth that are making me rethink our May beach trip.The penguins.... I want a whole litter (?) in my backyard. Are they not the quirkiest little things you've ever seen? I could have watched their antics all day.

ABOVE ALL (well, besides Sugars), EB got to see the trains. BY ALL MEANS. She saw a conductor and squealed with delight thinking he was the REAL Sir Topam Hatt (it's a Thomas thing). She posed with him without being asked and I'm pretty sure it made her weekend.My mom sounded like she had black lung the entire time we were there and EB came home and started throwing up. Of course, a few days later I fell victim too. It must have been our two trips to Sugars in a 24 hour period.

Lastly, this series just because I think it's priceless. Look at that love...

5

I know folks read this who have been married for 100 years. So, props to you. What a blessing! However, in my own little world, I’m shocked that FIVE years have come and gone. Someone asked me earlier to just sit back and think on those five years. It’s amazing really that we never killed each other, still speak, still enjoy each other.

I think if you are around me, him or us together for more than two minutes you pick up QUICKLY that I’m not real mushy (yet I’ll cry on a moment’s notice), nor is Jason Black (he is NOT sensitive- thanks for your prayers and concerns). We generally cut up, kid, haze, laugh, roll our eyes, etc. While that may hurt your feelings, there is NO ONE on this planet that can ground me as quickly as he can, pull me back together, dissolve stress, anger and frustration, make me laugh as hard, scream and spit green stuff while my head spins or challenge me. I tend to go 90-to-nothing, but get nowhere fast (except on Saturdays when I take a nap, yes, I know Jason Black). There’s JB, calm and collected as usual, rarely messing up, rarely forgetting (unless it involves a conversation that I SWEAR I told him), always having the right answer (yes, it’s infuriating at times) and getting whatever situation figured out with flying colors.

To a fault at times, I’m pretty independent in most areas of my life that don’t involve math. Since he travels a lot, we joke about him being gone and not being missed. Once in a while it is nice for us girls to beat to our own drum, but boy are we glad when he gets back. Simply because he is the smartest person I know and I need him, whether he believes it or I tell him or not. The TV’s are hard to turn on because he’s a techy… and, well, I’m not.

I’m so thankful for our five years of marriage. I’ve known Jason Black for the past 12 years (I only hated his guts for three of those years. Pre-marriage). He is my most favorite person. I am SO thankful for him, the life he provides for us, his servant’s heart, the way he protects us and his support. His job is stressful and demanding on an hourly basis, but regardless of what’s going on there, we are always his top priority. He makes it known every single day. He has canceled many a meeting, rushed in from out of town, stopped in mid-step only to turn around and come right to my side. So thankful for his love, friendship and partnership every day for the past five years.

I know another girl who adores him as well.

Probably because he lets her “pet” sturgeons. Let me define that for you: A LARGE bottom-feeding fish with a long SNOUT and tough BONY-PLATED skin. Native to: northern rivers, coastal waters- I recommend they stay there. What if that bumped into me at the river this summer with its long snout?!?!?! Pigs have snouts.

Ode to gray

Someone asked if they saw gray hairs on my head-

I'm not even 30 and oh the dread!

Could it be my other half, the 2 year old, work or life's toils?

Looks like I may be headed right back to the foils!

I worked hard to be au naturel,

but I think I hear the cries from Miss L’Oreal.

Remember when we were young, tanned and quite boney?!

Little did I know almost 30 would make that all seem phony.

So, here's to gray hairs, sags and wrinkly grins.

I hope I have a bogo coupon for some depends.

Exhale

I'm back... I think. We have so much to catch up on. I haven't left you totally stranded with my pitiful random posts here and there, but...things have been insanely busy. For me alone, I checked off several major projects at work, we visited JB in Chattanooga one weekend (like two months ago. No, you haven't seen pics of that...YET), I lost a dear dear co-worker, friend and mentor last week (I'm still trying to adjust...as is our entire department), we welcomed spring with OPEN arms and snotty noses, I finally took a vacation day to spend time at home and with EB and here we are...April! My head is still slightly spinning. The next couple of months aren't promising much of a slower pace.

Hello... this week we celebrate FIVE years of marriage!!!

My sweet girl, since we last REALLY talked, is completely potty trained. I could NOT be more proud of her. She has done exceptionally well and shocked me with her "on boardness." Her vocabulary and memory of words, events, etc is alarmingly wonderful. I'm so proud of her. Even more exciting (for me), she claims to be a "Mommy's gurl." I love it. I can't help but SWELL when she looks at JB with her big ol' dimples and wholeheartedly declares a "side." We get so tickled...and believe me, it often changes the minute that man walks through the door or she lays eyes on him. The girl is incredibly decisive (didn't come from me), knows what she wants and when she wants it. We may had to have an impromptu meeting with her teachers to reign her in a tad.... Sigh. Lastly, she is FIRED up to start swimming lessons in less than a month. She asks EVERY morning if today is the day she gets to go swimming.

PS- Found out the splash pad is now open at the zoo. Thanks to Mrs. Jennifer for coming to the rescue with an extra bathing suit. We are newbies at the zoo... I wasn't prepared for such entertainment.

Jason is as busy as always. They are getting geared up for Orientation 2011, so meetings are already in full swing every Wednesday night at the Black household. I LOVE this time of year. I am not giving him nearly enough credit, but his schedule is over the top insane and I struggle to keep track. In my humble opinion, he is wildy talented and incredible at what he does and works so hard day in and day out. Glad one of us is smart!

He gave EB her first rose on Valentine's day. While she looks terrified, she was OVER the moon about her rose. We managed to keep it alive for a week. Every night at dinner she would thank him for her "wed fwower."

I'll leave you with that bit of "edge of your seat" excitement and be back soon with a Chatta-googa" update. I'm drowning in pictures...