What a huge difference a day makes!

Yesterday at this time, Jim and myself were worrying about potentially deadly weather conditions that were possible here in Middle Tennessee.  The forecast held true to its word.  Between the time frame of 3 and 8 p.m., numerous severe storms kept traversing over our area, including tornadoes which leveled homes and businesses and shattered people's nerves (mine included).

We all took shelter in the bathtub when the sirens started screaming their warningsong; we could soon hear the sound of the winds roaring, the hail slamming down around us, and the unnerving sound of glass shattering and walls falling.  It was a miracle we all even survived: me, Jim, and our two boys, Trinh Michael (11) and Kwame' James (8).  When we looked up and saw the damage, our hearts were stabbed, and disbelief flooded our minds.

It was surreal: absolutely mindboggling!

We now sit here in a shelter at a local church, where we wait for the Red Cross to help us take the next step.  We are all still in a state of shock.

I just thank God He spared my little family, but I wonder what is going to happen next.  We basically have to start over.

Trinh thought the tornado "was cool" (that's what he said!), but poor Kwame' on the other hand, was scared spitless (as was I): we were both a pair of nervous wrecks!  Jim did manage to keep Trinh calm, but he was unable to soothe me, his wife, and his youngest child.  I was wishing we were at one of the local hospitals, where I could have, at least, gotten a sedative!  LOL

Trinh and Kwame' have been ideal brothers.  They get along famously; there isn't a thing they won't try (and often together).  They are both extremely bright kids and it's gotten to the point to where Jim or myself cannot imagine life without either one of them!  

Jim and I are thinking about adopting again, this time a little girl or one close to the boys' age.  I bet they would love to have a sister.  I know Jim and I would love to have a girl to call our own!  We are still in the planning stages; nothing's been set in stone just yet.  We were in the process of checking up with our adoption agency, but then the tornado hit yesterday and right now, adopting a little girl couldn't be further from our minds.

What is important now is to get our lives back on track and hopefully find a new home within six months or so.  I'm just thankful that my husband or two boys weren't injured (or even killed); that is a miracle in itself!  Although things might look pretty bleak now, at least we survived.  Things could have very easily been so much worse!  A home can always be replaced: human lives canNOT.

~Amy Madison, Mamma to Kwame' and Trinh.  :(