Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Wild Night

Right after I published that post last night, we got word that our area had a tornado warning. Needless to say, I did not go to the gym. There are only two inside rooms in our house to shelter in - one is a tiny bathroom and one is a coat closet. So I started clearing things out of the tiny bathroom to make room for the four of us. I looked at Beckham and thought, "Sorry, buddy."

No tornadoes ended up touching down that I know of. Thank God! We did get between 8 and 9 inches of rain overnight. (It is still raining!) And the thunder and lightning were pretty intense. There is lots of flooding around town. Schools have been cancelled. LPM delayed opening today and I'm not sure if it will open or not. Another round of this is supposedly coming this afternoon. Craziness!

Spring in Texas is never boring. My parents are at the ranch and two nights ago they slept with flashlights and were prepared to get in their storm shelter at any moment. I can't even imagine going in that thing at night. Is it better to be killed by a tornado or a rattlesnake? Anyone know? *Shudder*

I'm a little bummed because I was planning on a trip to the Galleria to make some returns today. But now Jackson doesn't get to go to school and I certainly don't want to drive my kids around in this weather. The good news is, I was supposed to have my annual exam this morning and it had to be rescheduled. Oh dern!

Have I mentioned that Beckham is worse than me about storms? The pacing - there is just no end to the pacing and the clicking of his claws on the floor. At one point he jumped into our bed and it took all my strength to push him off. Then Curt locked him in the tiny bathroom, thinking he might chill out if he couldn't see the lightning. He just barked. When I woke up this morning, Curt was on the couch and Beckham was anchored to the coffee table by his leash. Bless his heart. I seriously might ask the vet for some tranquilizers for him.

Last night as I was putting Jackson to bed, I looked out his window and saw that the whole west side of the sky looked like this.



Is that weird or what? The east side, on the other side of that tree, was dark.



Here's Jackson wondering why I'm taking pictures out his window.



And here's my baby girl on her 12 week birthday. She's having her morning nap in her swing.

52 comments:

HappyascanB said...

Beautiful skyline pictures! We don't see stuff that orange over in the east. Your kids are so precious! And our dogs are terrified of bad weather, too. It's pitiful!

Taylor said...

Whew! Tornadoes are S-C-A-R-Y! I live in NW Arkansas and we're right near tornado alley. I love thunderstorms, but tornadoes...no thanks!!

Your little ones are just too cute for words!!! Happy 12 weeks Annabeth!!

Bobbie said...

I hear you on the tornado stuff! We had a very rainy night in College Station, too! I heard several birds fly into our back windows, guess they were being blown around a bit.

Poor Beckham, we had an Old English Sheepdog that was the same way--she hated loud noises. We lived on an Air Force base and had lots of sonic booms that shook every window in the house. She would slowly crawl up on the sofa and hide her head behind whoever may be sitting there or a pillow if no one was with her! Our vet offered tranquilizers, but since she wasn't destructive we decided against them.

Love the precious pictures, Jackson's smile makes me smile!!

Blessings,

Lauren said...

So glad you al lare okay Amanda, and what beautiful pictures :)

Patty said...

I don't like tornadoes either and after the F4 hit near us and by near I mean one neighborhood over, I keep a watch when storms are in the area. It is still a mess here and will be for months to come. I am glad you all are safe!
The picture that you took of the sky is gorgeous. Weird how the sky does that and the best sunsets happen after a terrible storm.

I wasn't aware of storms in Texas yesterday and last night but I can tell you that during my quiet time God led me to pray for your entire family and LPM. Now, I know why!

Praying you have a calm and peaceful day and night!

Big Mama said...

I would take the tornado over the rattlesnake.

Marc and Charity said...

I hope you have a calm day! I do not miss tornado weather, for sure!

Thank the Lord there were no warnings while we were visiting or I would have freaked. Although, lightening struck the house across the street from my parents early Easter morning and it burned to the ground! So sad.

Kelly said...

I hate this time of year. I always take a deep breath once we get past May. I don't sleep when it storms. (of course I'm not sleeping much these days anyway!)
Glad ya'll are safe!

Missy said...

It was such a crazy night! Spencer snapped a similar picture of the crazy sky last night as well...during our 3 hour power outage. grrr

Your baby girl has grown so much! I can't believe it!!!

lavonda said...

We just did that here a week ago...
all of us plus two dogs in the half bath, with the tv turned up loud so we could hear where the tornado was minute by minute!

And then, my 8 yr old got so nervous she had to go to the bathroom. SO, all of us plus two dogs were in the half bath while she had diarrhea for 5 minutes.
there's your *shudder* :)

(poor Beckham... please let him in the bathroom mama)
Back when my Cindy was still here (my golden retriever who was 6 when my son was born - I always called her my firstborn, because she didn't know she was a dog) she was as afraid of storms as you describe yours to be. One time, during a particularly bad storm, we found her in the bathroom with her head tucked all the way behind the toilet, between it and the wall. Her big ol body sticking out to the side. I guess she figured
a. she was going to go on in there and just wait for us to join her, and b. if she couldn't see the storm, it must not could see her either :)


Be safe today! Hope it all passes quickly!

Rachel said...

First of all, after the fact that you're all safe, let's celebrate the delay of the yearly exam! I mean, who looks forward to that other than to just get it over with for another year.

Secondly, I lean towards the tornado.

We used to have a Siberian Husky who was terrified of storms, too, though she was quiet. She would just huddle down in some corner under an end table or something and "hide" till it was over.

Heather said...

When I read your post last night and saw you were going to the gym, you became my hero! I thought seriously, in this weather? Go girl! I didn't sleep at all last night for all the thundering and lightning, crazy! Somehow I think we might be out of this drought by now!

jamie b said...

Your poor doggie! You can definitely get him some medication for that.

Storms scare me a lot too. We lived in Oklahoma for several years so I don't take them lightly!

On another note, my son has the same pj's Jackson has on and I've been looking at getting him that same Seuss bedding. Have you been pleased with it?

Lindsee said...

Okay seriously, it was awful. And I was in Wal-Mart yesterday during the worst part of it and the electricity went out. I just knew it was the end of my days and that I'd be laying on the floor with the rest of the peeps covering my head waiting for the tornado to pass by. It was scary!

I blogged about it right when I got home last night becasue it was such a blog worthy story. Being locked in Wal-Mart for 2 hours with not electicity. Oh, the fun!

And oh, the sleepless nights thanks for mini-hurricanes.

Lauren said...

My mom gives her dogs tranquilizers when it thunders. If she's out of those, she uses baby Benadryl.

Unknown said...

i am feeling miserable with no sleep after that storm that lasted all night!
i was scared. i laid there all night thinking surely it was going to stop soon...
i finally drifted off to sleep around 5 this morning with 3 kids in my bed.
and then they woke up at 6:30.
i was scared a tornado was going to hit us so i kept listening intently to the wind all night.
(my hubs is out of town)
ughh.
oh well, praying for a good naptime today for all the moms stuck indoors!

Fran said...

Give that dog some Bendaryl or something....HA!

Glad y'all are ok...that is the only nutty thing about Spring...the weather IS crazy.

Hope today has been a good one. I'm about to catch a nap myself.

hugs..
Fran

Rachel said...

Your kids are so stinkin' cute! Jackson didn't look like he was feeling so affected by the storm. :)

Anonymous said...

I have a friend who's golden retriever does the same thing with thunder storms, lightning, and fireworks (which are not illegal here). She gives him doggie tranquilizers and it works very well.

Aunt_Nette said...

in the fall of '07 hurricane Rita was headed right for Beaumont, Texas. Let me get more specific, right up Sabine Pass and towards the Port of Beaumont. I work for the county, and we have to stay during any bad weather. Etc. Our head quarters is very near the Port of Beaumont.
My shift was over. I went to where my cot was stationed. I prepared for bed. The latest report was that Rita was trying to be a level 5 hurricane. The worst of the worst. And then I remembered the storm. The disciples woke Jesus during the storm and he said "Peace be still". And the storm went away. So during my prayers that night I specifically remembered praying for Rita to calm down. And then I went straight to sleep and got one of the best nights of rest ever. Rita. Well she went down to a level three and by the time she reached the Port of Beaumont she was down to a level 2. All of my co-workers were scared, crying and whatever else they were doing. Me I had to check the torn down trees just outside my window to see if the storm had pass.

Jennifer said...

So thankful no tornados touched down! Hopefully the weather will not be as nasty this afternoon!
Love,
Jennifer

Anonymous said...

so glad you guys are okay. Weird sky. I thought walt Disney was making it up. Wow.

Kiki said...

Good excuse for not going to they gym, Amanda!

If you don't sponsor that little girl, I will.

Angela said...

I was out in the weather yesterday. Ava had a pedi appt and we were driving home in it....talk about scary! Got to love Houston!

Mrs. Everything said...

You might've posted about it before, but where did you get Jackson's headboard? I'm thinking about moving my daughter into her big girl bed before sister comes in Sept... it's never too early to start looking.

It was storming Sunday night in Dallas... crazy stuff. I'm just waiting for the tornado warnings to start... then you know it's spring in TX!

Ashley said...

We don't live too far from your parent's ranch and we had storms here the other night. It was great! I love spring storms. Except the damage they do sometimes to things or to lives.

Praying for you...I know you are worried about your sister right now, with her being on the other side of the world. I can imagine the heaviness on your heart for her being the oldest sister of four girls. And I'm praying for Melissa, too!

And those pictures of they sky are crazy! Isn't God just amazing?!

Colored With Memories said...

i had a couple of laughs at beckham's expense. that poor dog!

Marla Taviano said...

Y'all need to get y'all some basements in Texas. :)

I watched Marley and Me last night. Have you seen it?

Alana said...

I sat in the bathroom with Mac and Heisman until Eric got home last night because I swore I heard the "train sound"!

Tarah said...

What is it with the big dogs and the fear of storms. My lab/shep mix can seriously see a flash of lightning and hear thunder that is in the next county! She too just can't get close enough to us during a storm. The other night, we had steady rain and some light thunder and lightning. It wouldn't have woken me up if it hadn't been for the big hairy beast who suddenly plunked down next to me. Arrrgh! So, I'm totally feeling for Curt.

FitzandMolly said...

Tornado is worse than rattlesnake. You can shoot a rattlesnake. And I've heard your dad is a pretty good shot...

petrii said...

Amanda,
We have lived in Clever, MO for almost 5 years and have had 2 tornadoes touch down very close to us (like within a mile and a half or so). It is a crazy thing when those sirens go off and you get in the hall with a mattress over your head. But that sky ~~ what in the wide world ~~ I don't think I've ever seen anything like that!!

Hope today is quieter.

Have a Blessed day,
Dawn

PS That Annabeth is a doll baby!!!

Dionna said...

I don't know if I could handle tornado warnings. I think I'd be one big stress ball.

Beth@Not a Bow in Sight said...

My husband was stuck on the freeway in that mess...he had to wait for 45 minutes while the water receded to get to our house. Scary stuff!

Tara G. said...

I'd choose (a) tornado. I hate snakes. H.A.T.E. them. In fact, I just got the shivers that make you twitch real funny out of the blue. Praise God I married a pilot who likes the wild blue yonder type of ranch.

k and c's mom said...

The weather in Austin was bad enough to cancel my first grade class' field trip today. You can imagine how calm it was in my classroom today with 19 disappointed six year olds trapped indoor by the rain.
Tornado, rattlesnakes or caged in first graders? Hmmmmm.

Tammie Head said...

Those pictures of the sky are nothing short of AMAZING!

Love you ♥

BTW- that little girl you guys sponsored is breathtaking. What a beautiful little princess.

Rachel said...

wow! that sky was amazing. We got 7 inches up here in Wichita. Wow it was a crazy Sunday afternoon!

We have those same jammies Jackson is wearing! My almost 3 yo LOVES them!! ah, little boys! =)

Gayle @ thewestiecrew said...

Ooooh weeee.... that sky looks CREEEEEPY!

Glad everyone is alright. It will probably be here (Alabama) by tomorrow. Yikes!

I'm really loving your sister's posts, girl. I'm so glad her heart was yielded in obedience to the Lord in this. I can already see fruit.

ginger said...

I grew up in central MS & I remember being awakened many nights to be led to the laundry closet in the center of the house. We would listen to the weather radio until the "all clear" was given. Never were hit, thank goodness. :)
I'm sure those nights drove my parents crazy!

Missy said...

I think that is my favorite picture of her yet.

She is doing what I did most of the day while I parked my kids in front of cartoons. Ah, rain. Why does it make me so sleepy??

bethany said...

The pictures of the sky are gorgeous! Isn't our God so amazing in how beautiful he creates?!
Your kiddos are quite the cuties too!
Don't know what is worse, tornados or earthquakes (for me here in California). Rattlesnakes gotta be the worst though!
Glad you are all safe.

The Wootens said...

Sorry the weather has been so nasty...not just cause it made them cancel school and kept you guys up, but also, because just about every storm system that's been in your area in the last 6 months...has hit us over here in Georgia within 4 days of it leaving you guys...which means, GREAT! We'll probably have another lovely weekend monsoon! ugh!

Anonymous said...

Beckham's fear reminds me of my 2 1/2 year old daughter's FAVORITE movie...Because of Winn Dixie. Have you seen it?
Your sky pics are fascinating.
Hope you sleep better tonight.
Amy

Moose Mama said...

Glad you are alive and well. And I think I would take my chances with the tornado before I'd face a rattlesnake.

Melana

Kelli said...

Our sky did the same thing!! It was the craziest/most beautiful thing! :)

Lyndsey Newton said...

Just FYI-We had a dog that was like that during storms and we did have meds that we put him on-I would give him one if I knew weather was coming our way, just to get it into his system, and it helped SO much. I really do recommend it-he was so bad he would damage things-and he was a german sheppard, so too big for me to handle! Also, please know that there are people in Henrietta, Texas praying for your sweet sister and all of you as she is on this adventure-she is amazing. I hope that that rain subsides and you are able to dry out some...maybe send some North, our way? Have blessed day!

Strawberry Rose said...

My sister lives in tornado country and they saw a tornado in the neighbor's yard last year. Too scary! I would be trying hard not to be nervous.

Adorable kids.

katiegfromtennessee said...

You did have a wild night, didn't you?? I've been in one TX storm, and it was enough for me!...annual exams, Oh help us all, the Lord is curing me of my phobia with all my fertility stuff! He's out to cure me is all I can figure-I love Him for it:)...Oh yeah! UT orange sky! Alright:)

Blessings to you, ((HUGS)),

katiegfromtennessee

The Wootens said...

Wow, and now swine flu in Houston! Praying for protection over you guys!

Sunni at The Flying Mum said...

Annabeth looks so, so peaceful sleeping! And Jackson is adorable in his big boy bed. Such cute kids!

Annie said...

Amanda,

You talking about Beckham made me laugh and think of Marley and Me! I read the book many months ago, and Marley had some similiar issues in being afraid of storms, just like Beckham!

It's so good to see that you are doing so well.

We all need to go to Honduras again! :)