Tornado warnings & flooding on Friday

Today was a crazy weather day, dodging tornado warnings, hail, flooding, etc. We have to pass a lake coming to & from our house, this was the first time in 28 + years they've put signs out. I thought you spelled caution with an "a", not an "o". :-)

It's almost time.........

Remember to pick up your copy of the Birmingham Parent magazine in March! As most of you know Addie won the Special Needs category & will be on the front cover & featured inside as well. Can't wait to see it!

BLUE LIGHTS & SIRENS

Kayla's 1st and hopefully last run in with the police. A few weeks ago during my week to work (keep in mind I work night shift & I'm in bed asleep) Kayla sends me a text message, normally I hear them because I keep my cell phone nearby in case anyone needs me & it doubles as my alarm clock. I didn't hear the first one so a few minutes later she re sends it. It's a rare moment that I'm that out of it I don't hear my phone; since I neglected to respond she calls me. The phone call woke me up, she ask if she could stay after school with Haley & her parents would bring her home later. I found out the why & when and said yes but make sure you're home by 5:30-5:45 at the latest because Julien has a game tonight. I told her if you can't make it home by then get on the bus and come home now.

Four o'clock rolled around and Kayla didn't get off the bus, I knew she had stayed over so I went back to bed. At 4:30 my cell phone rings again & I know it's Kayla because I have a set ring tone for her. I answer the phone & Kayla is HYSTERICAL to the point of me not being able to understand her. All I got out of it was "Me & Haley were walking", I knew Kayla was ok because she was the one calling, my first thought was that Haley had been hit by a car & hurt really bad. Once I got her calmed down enough my first question was "Is everyone ok?". Kayla & Haley had walked to a restaurant near the school then from there they got in the back of a 16 year old girls pick up truck & rode to the park, less than a mile away.

In that short period of time the police pull them over & say that one of them had thrown out a piece of paper & wanted to know which of the four of them it was. He took all four of their names plus their parents names, numbers, & addresses. He told them they would each have to pay a fine of $500 for littering. Then decided community service would be better & told them he would be in contact with their parents. Three of the four girls were beside themselves, it didn't seem to phase the fourth.

It really scared me; I didn't like getting that phone call, especially when I'm asleep. It scared Kayla too. I haven't heard from the police. When she got home & I got the full non-hysterical version I told her I knew she was scared & it was a difficult experience for her but told her she was going to get punished at home as well & wanted HER to tell ME why. She said, "I don't know". I said, "Not good enough, tell me why". She said, "Because I never should have gotten into that truck to begin with". BINGO, she has been told time & time again not to get in the car with a 16/17 year old driver. Last time she did without my consent they were in an accident. What part of DON'T do it do they not understand?

With all that said, I really hope she learned a valuable lesson. She'll be fifteen next month & I really don't want to have another near heart failure experience anytime soon. I know this is just the beginning!

MOM...

is finally home after a 10 day hospital stay. Thank you all for the phone calls, flowers, cards, visits, etc. Please continue to pray that she'll stay free of infections, she's on antibiotics for the next 6 weeks.

House full of girls.....

Gabi wanted a friend from school to spend the night with her & when that didn't work out I ask Chris if Brianna could. He said yes so then I called Leslie to see if Erin could & she said yes. Then Kayla ask if Jeanie could come over & I said yes. So it was me, Kayla, Jeanie, Erin, Gabi, & Brianna.

This was Kayla's first time to see Erin since Christmas so Erin got to open presents while she was there. And yes Gabi & Bri are dressed alike. We went to the movies, etc. Fun. fun.

Flying solo.......

THE BELL CENTER CHILDREN'S RACE

Today was The Bell Center Children's Race at Samford University. We could not have ask for a more perfect day. It was the kick off for this weekends Mercedes Marathon. Last year our Miracle Baby was pushed in her stroller by her Big Brother during the race, this year as you can see she walked across the finish line herself. I cried, two years ago Jenn & Chris were told this Angel would never talk, never walk, never function as a normal child. Look at her now. We were so proud, all of the children did great. There was a fantastic turn out, these children have an awesome support system. WE LOVE YOU ADDIE!!!

Mom, DaDa, GaGa, Mean Aunt Dianne, Sheryl...

and all the other names she answers to is in hospital with complications from surgery she had on the 30th of January. Please pray that she makes a speedy recovery & is able to come home soon.

Gabi....

had to go back to the doctor. Last week she was diagnosed as having flu like symptoms & treated for that. This time it's strep, please pray that she gets well and stays that way!