April 16, 2011 Tornado

As I've moved through the last 30 hours I have so many mixed emotions. I know many of you are wondering what happened. I know this because you've called, texted, emailed and messaged through various ways in Facebook. To say we're grateful for your messages, thoughts and prayers would be an understatement. Just a few minutes ago the Weather Channel panned over our house. It's a surreal moment to see your house and all of your neighbors homes displayed on the news.

In order to try to keep folks updated on what's happening I thought I'd use the blog for the next week or so to let you know what's happening. We've been trying to call folks as able but even with our best intentions we haven't been able to reach everyone. I promise it's not because we haven't wanted to call... It's just been a little busy.

So what happened?
Yesterday (4/16) Stephen, Katherine, my sister Nicole and I went to a Roller Derby in Dorton Arena in downtown Raleigh. My sister told us about it and it seemed like a fun time so we thought we'd go see one. As we arrived and got our beverages and popcorn the announcements started. The MC indicated that they were not going to use the siren to start the Derby this time around. They said they were going to reserve the siren for an emergency warning as there were multiple reports of tornados in the area. This isn't uncommon this time of year but generally tornado watches (in our previous experience) didn't exceed the watch level.

About 5 minutes into the Derby the siren went off. We followed our instruction to evacuate to the basement of the arena. For those not from the Raleigh area, Dorton Arena is an all glass domed arena. Had the tornado actually come through there I couldn't imagine the glass that would have gone flying everywhere. Truly. That said, we were in quite possibly one of the safest "safe places" in Raleigh. A basement of brick and concrete. Pretty good as far as secure that the building wouldn't blow away.

About 15 minutes into being in the basement a man came through to and was yelling to sit on the floor, turn around and face the wall and lower our heads. I'll remind you we were with a two (almost three) year old. The only reason I remember it was a man coming through (I'll be honest) is because Katherine kept asking why that man told us to put our heads down? My sister and I tried to make it a game to look at Katherine's shoes... We drew on some paper with some crayons and practiced our letters... We did this as it was at least 15 minutes we were in this position. I can't believe how incredibly patient and strong our daughter is.

After we were told we could leave the basement we went upstairs. As we were walking upstairs Stephen's cell phone rang. It was ADT indicating that our heat sensor (that detects fire through our alarm) was going off. Initially we were chalking it up to having had some work done to our alarm the previous day and thinking maybe the wind did something to make the alarm go off accidentally... but we weren't home. ADT asked if we wanted the fire department to be called. Ah, yes. thanks. At this point K indicated she needed to go potty so we headed off to the bathroom while deciding whether to high tail it home or not. When we returned from the bathroom Stephen said that ADT had called back and said the lines were all busy and they couldn't get through to 911. We should head home and continue to try to call. Ah. Bad.

So off we went. Never in this discussion did it enter my mind that a tornado came to our neighborhood. Not once. I don't know why. I kept thinking electrical short in the house and maybe the house was on fire but having the tornado come through our neighborhood or street... Didn't consider it. As we drove home we saw some downed limbs, branches, etc. Stuff you'd see after a normal high wind, rain, hail storm. As we turned down the street heading to our neighborhood we noticed that the roof of the small car dealership on the corner had been taken off. OFF. Okay. Small panic. Kept driving and large chunks of the fence along the outside of our neighborhood facing the road was missing. Panic increasing. Heading down our street... damage and started to increase in panic level. As we approached the pool on our street and got to our corner full panic set in. I mean, almost wet your pants and tears streaming holy "S" moment.

We asked Nicole to stay with Katherine until we could scope out our house. We didn't know if we still had one. As we walked down our block the devastation was, well, devastating. My heart stopped I think. This might sound dramatic but it's truly a moment I won't forget in my life. Ever. Seeing your neighbors homes fully exposed with roofs off. Walls totally open. Pieces of homes laying everywhere. Rain still coming down. As we continued down our block we kept looking for the top of our house. It was there. We couldn't see the front and all the while I'm crying and saying ohmygodohmygodohmygod. My amazing husband held me, walked together and continued to reassure me that regardless, we'd be okay. We were safe.

We got to the front of our house and saw that our home was still standing. Given the unbelievable nature of what was around us, this alone, was a miracle. MIRACLE. We'd forgotten the keys to the house back in the car so Stephen started to head back to the car as I continued down the street to our neighbors who I could see had no home. It was flattened. We all started to account for one another. I don't know exactly how long before the storm had gone through but I'm estimating maybe 15 minutes. I think the alarm went off as the beginning of the storm came. There was no power, etc. by the time the tornado came through.

As I walked around our house I saw that again, the backyard and back of the house had damage, but nothing compared to what our neighbors experienced. As I was circling back around the house a friend and co-worker came around the backyard with her son. That hug... It felt good to know she and her family were okay and that we were okay. She and her family stayed with us for the next 4+ hours helping us do what we could to immediately tend to the issues of the house. We finally got inside and saw that we had 3 windows that blew out. Given we have about 25+ windows in the house... This was pretty amazing. Our living room / playroom; dining room and our bedroom were the rooms that sustained window damage. With the help of our friend and her family we were able to clean up the glass in the downstairs rooms. We didn't do much of anything with our bedroom because the volume of glass was too much to absorb for me. It was a room I was avoiding.

Lots of things happened I know during this time. We talked to neighbors, cried, hugged, tried to laugh at some things (saying our HOA was going to come through today and issue warnings that we all needed to power wash our houses)... At 9pm I thought it was still 6:00 so truly time was lost on me. At some point, Stephen and our friends husband went to a home improvement store to get some supplies to secure the windows and ensure that no other debris could fly in nor could anyone looking to maximize on the devastation. Or at least if they tried they'd get pretty seriously injured. (We didn't remove the jagged glass from the windows.) I'd asked a Sheriff whether someone would be in our neighborhood to ensure we didn't get any looters and he indicated that we were one of many neighborhoods that sustained damage... He had no idea. Fortunately one very kind officer stayed and kept watch. He traveled up and down our block all night.

Another family of friends came over during this time and helped us tape up the windows, play with Katherine and just do "stuff". I really don't remember everything now as I look back. The hours flew by and yet time stood still. We called family members and asked them to post something to let folks know we were okay and to call the other family members that needed calling. (And yes, I will give KUDOS to my sister's Verizon coverage. It remained available throughout the whole ordeal. AT&T... Sporadic at best.)

I've never experienced the support, kindness and downright love that I have in the last 30 hours. Friends just came. We didn't ask. They were just there. They came within hours to help do whatever they could to help us. I don't think they expected to see what they did... Neither did we expect to be in the situation we are. Friends came today to bring us food, play with Katherine and just help. The volume of volunteers on our block was incredible. HUNDREDS of people came today. They came with food, water, muscle and hugs. I cried a lot today. Out of extreme gratitude. For the first couple of hours we were home, we declined all offers of help. For me, and I still struggle with this, I looked around me and thought I'm the LEAST of the worries of this street. Please go help the others that lost much much more. Stephen called this "survivors guilt". I'll admit I look and am in awe of being spared what everyone around me was not. When I tell you our side of the block was devastated, it's truly not an understatement. Houses collapsed. Complete sides of houses ripped off. Roofs missing. Cars destroyed. I don't know how or why we were as lucky as we were. I'm so thankful to God, our many Angels in heaven and our AMAZING friends and volunteers.

I'll share some of the more specific stories in another blog but special thanks to these people:
Nicole - THANK YOU for being the rock you were during our underground time and as we arrived home, taking care of Katherine... We're sorry about your car. I hope you get power back soon.

Miller Family - John, thank you for *thinking* for Stephen. Thank you for helping us secure the windows. MM, J & L, THANK YOU for helping us clean up the inside of the house and get it ready for taping. M, thank you for finding us food. I know it took some hunting!!! We can't thank you enough. You were our first on-site help. You never cease to amaze me.

Krieman Family - Thank you for coming to help. Thank you for playing with Katherine. Thank you for calling people you know that know what happens in these situations, to help get us advice. Thank you for opening your home to us. Thank you for being the supportive amazing friends that you are. Even down to the littlest one your kindness and warmth was so appreciated and comforting.

Vanderbilts - When the Vanderbilts come work gets DONE!! I needed your kick in the pants today. When you heard I'd been avoiding our bedroom you jumped on it and we got it "checked off the list"! Frank and M.... You rock. My house is feeling more and more like my home again. Thank you for helping us clean up our yard. Who knew M's first raking experience would be post tornado in our yard. And you brought us some of our favorite foods, drinks, etc. You know how to comfort us!!!

Marie: Thank you for contacting your uncle for us and for offering to help us get a place to stay. Your help and your uncles advice were greatly appreciated.

Kristen & Adam: You came by and not only offered your support but you also gave a little girl a fun afternoon. She was pretty excited about her "bird" and the smoothie. Thank you for taking her out and getting her away from the craziness for a little bit. She had a blast!! We're very appreciative.

We love you all and can't tell you how much we appreciate all you've done to help us. If I missed anyone I promise it's not intentional. Every single bit of help we've received has been appreciated.

So many others called, texted and messaged offering help, support, love and prayers. Thank you. From the bottom of our hearts. We appreciate it more than you can imagine.

We'll keep you updated as the week goes on. xoxo ~ Darlene, Stephen & Katherine

Hairplanes & Busses: FUN!

We’d started to prepare K for a trip to NJ (via hairplane) with a little airplane and a book about flying. She woke up every morning asking if THAT was the morning she’d get to go on the “hairplane” -> “Mommy, today I go on hairplane and see Grandma???”. FINALLY the day arrived that I could say yes and she was beside herself with excitement. First we took a BLUE bus to the hairport. Quite exciting. Driving in a bus and not being in a car seat was a monumental thing. She had her very own backpack with Tinkerbell on it and carried her Southwest hairplane all through the hairport, showing it to everyone. We stopped for some breakfast once we got close to our gate. First, she wanted a banana. After that was gone she decided she wanted cake. (AKA Cinnabon) I appreciate her taste. So we went to get “cake”. She insisted on singing Happy Birthday to KK before she could eat it. Okey dokey. Sung. As she was eating she saw an airplane taxing on the runway… Never have you seen a two year old so excited. No joke: People in the airport STOPPED to watch her absolute excitement over seeing a real hairplane – that wasn’t in the sky!!! We learned a short time later that while hairplanes are fun… They are most fun ON THE GROUND. Being in the sky… not so much for our girl. She insisted we keep the window shade shut for much of the flight. The only time she’d open it was to wave and yell hello to her teachers and friends, who had told her they’d wave to hear as she was flying over. (Semantics that we were over VA when she waved for the first time… She has mommy’s sense of direction.)

The Southwest crew was amazing. She was taken to the cockpit after the flight and got to sit in the Captains seat, with his hat on and was able to touch some controls. She totally dug it… and the co-pilot. I think he’s her new hero. Co-pilots are the heroes of the trip. On our flight home she kept yelling for the co-pilot (she apparently needed to make sure he was there) and then insisted on saying goodbye to the co-pilot as we got off the plane. On our flight home she was pretty upset when I had to take my iPod away from her so the plane could land. We explained that the co-pilot said we had to turn it off. She was pretty ticked at the co-pilot but went with it. After we’d landed Stephen turned on his phone and started to look at it. KK proceeded to lecture him about how the co-pilot said it had to be turned off. A rule girl. I like it. My kinda chick. =)

Christmas with the family was fun. I had so much fun taking pictures with my niece and nephews. They were all good sports and helped get some pictures taken on Christmas Eve so I could print them all out on Christmas Day and give them out to everyone. KK had fun playing with her cousins. Godfather time and Uncle Billy time was also a huge hit. She got to visit a little with Grandma and Aunt Helen and throw snowballs at Daddy. I think the only non-hits of the weekend were the doggy, lizard and troll. She’s still talking about them and wants to make sure they’re not around. Particularly in the bathroom.

We had a pajama party when we got home on Saturday night, complete with movie & pizza. We set out chocolate chip cake & milk for Santa and some food for the reindeer in the hopes that Santa would make one more trip from the North Pole to bring some presents to KK. He did… and he ate all of the chocolate cake – of which KK was STUNNED (and still talks about) how he “ate it alllll gone!!!! And he made a mess mommy!!! Why he not use a napkin?” I agree KK. I agree.

Opening presents on Sunday morning was great. I think the best gift of the lot was the Frosty the Snowman book that SA and I had read (sung) to her. Not sure that was my BEST idea (should have picked a book we could READ rather than SING). As she listened to the book she looked up at us and said “this is the best book!!!!” My heart turned into a puddle. Right there on the spot. We’ve “read” the book, at bedtime, every night since.

Our little girl is growing up. We’ve been making great strides towards being potty trained. We aren’t pushing it but she’s only had a couple of accidents a day for the last week or so. One during the day (at about the same time every day) and usually one at night. (She gets focused on playing and next thing you know she’s walking bo-legged saying “eeewwww mommy I peeped!!!!”)

This morning when I woke up I didn’t realize that this evening I’d be putting Katherine to bed in a big girl bed. I was downstairs this morning when I heard, what I thought, was the pitter pat of little feet. My response to that was… No, couldn’t be. She’s still in her bed in her room. I head upstairs to check out the scene and KK is reading a book sitting in her bed. That’s my girl.

At nap time, which was not received well, I learned that my little angel is not only able to climb out of her crib in 2.3 seconds flat, but she can also climb back in. Seriously, when did this happen? She demonstrated this “skill” about a dozen times before I gave up trying to keep her in her bed. As long as she stayed in her room, courtesy of the gate, fine. This is where I’m grateful we opted for the video monitor. I was able to watch her climb in and out of the crib to find toys she wanted. She’d hurl (yes, hurl) them over the top of the bed then spring and thump herself over the top. The sound was EXACTLY what I’d heard earlier this morning.

After “nap-time” concluded Daddy converted the crib to the toddler bed. Thankfully we already had all of the pieces and were prepared for this event… at least in the technical aspect. I was NOT prepared for the ohmygodmylittlegirlisgrowingup issue experienced.

The last few weeks we’ve seen more and more of our little person emerge. She, as I’d guess many 2.5 year olds are, is very literal. It’s pretty amusing and you find yourself saying… Okay, I totally see how you got there. For example: Tonight I told her we needed to set the table. I went to the other room to do something and came back to the kitchen to see the kitchen table “set” with her Disney Princess tea set plates and some spoons from her kitchen set. She said proudly “Mommy, I set the table!!!” So awesome!!!

Last weekend she was “cooking” in her kitchen and she brought me a potato. I ate said potato and said, “Yum, needs some pepper!” She went over to the kitchen and brought back a green pepper.

Tonight’s parting message as I was taking her to bed… “I be back Daddy! I can climb out of bed.”

Photos!

Christmas 2011

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KK’s First Flight

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Whew! What a year!

As another blogging mommy friend says… It’s the beginning of 2011. Let’s get you all caught up and wipe the slate clean for 2011! I’ll *try* to be better in 2011 about keeping you updated – but seriously – the girl keeps me GO-ING!

Thanksgiving was great. We were able to get away for a few days to Myrtle Beach (and do a little home improvement project) and then came home to spend a few days with my sister Jacki who flew in to celebrate Turkey Day with us. We decided this year to go “easy” so we ordered most of the food prepared from Fresh Market. It worked out great!! No stress on T-Day and dinner was yummy!!

Black Friday, Stephen and I did our normal run about town starting at 2:45am. It seems to get earlier and earlier! Aunt J and KK had some girl time in the morning while SA and I slept off our shopping gig! Saturday we made our annual trek out to Boone to find the perfect Christmas tree. We came home with two perfect trees. I know, hard to believe, right?!

The tree selecting was fun but I think my most memorable moment of the trip came when we were walking around downtown Boone. We went into a bulk candy stores. You know the kind – big barrels filled with candy. (AKA – Heaven) KK was all bundled up and had a lil pink hat on. She began frantically trying to take the hat off and put the bottom of the hat together (where it straps under your chin). She starts holding it by that part and running around the store going from person to person yelling TRICK OR TREAT!!!!! Oh yeah. It’s Christmas… and we’re still trolling for candy.

This year we deployed our very own “Elf on a Shelf” shortly after Thanksgiving. We decided to name our elf Snowy and he’s traveled all over with us. He’s been to Myrtle Beach, Florida and will be making a trip to NJ later this week. Snowy’s been a big hit!!! Sometimes even Mommy & Daddy can’t (remember) find where Snowy is!! Makes it a real “find” for the whole family!!!

We celebrated the 25th in Florida with Tootsie, Pop, MomMom, Aunt J, Aunt N, Aunt S and a whole host of four-legged friends. All of which were not on KKs list of “friends” for the 3 days – with the exception of Thirteen – the black cat. She tolerated the cat for short periods of time. The dogs… Not a shot. Line of the trip: “Walk away doggies, walk away!!!” She doesn’t care if they’re behind glass, in a cage, etc. No way. No how. (She also seems to believe we have phantom ghosts dogs around our house. Not just in Raleigh either. They also seem to exist in Myrtle Beach. She points and SWEARS there’s a dog. I’ve not seen this ghost dog. Do you think she has an imaginary enemy???)

We had tons of fun in Florida. We painted pottery, went to Busch Gardens and had a great family day. (I’ll spare you our story of Wii Rock Band, except to say that Tasty Therapy is the best band ever! The singers are fantastic, the drummer is hot and the guitar & base player -> the bomb!) I think the highlight of the trip was when KK saw Zoe and Super Grover. She watches a Super Grover video that was passed on by some great friends. KK LOVES the video. It’s all about ABCs, etc. and Super Grover is the “teacher”. When she saw Zoe and Grover she was shaking with excitement. A two year old, shaking because she’s SOOOOOOO excited about seeing her “friends”. WAY cute. She waits patiently in line for her turn and as she goes up she’s beside herself giddy. She starts to hug Grover and Zoe and waits for her picture… Then she turns to Grover and says “I WATCH YOUUUU!!!!!!” She also saw Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Abby Caddaby and briefly Ernie and Bert. She sang “C is for Cookie” to CM. He dug the tunes. (Another musical highlight could have been when the mother of the two lead singers of Tasty Therapy – in Rock Band – suggested we select songs that weren’t rock. =) hehehehehe)

In Aleksza Family SPORTS news… I know, I know. You’re SHOCKED. Dumb-founded. Downright, befuddled at the mention of SPORTS being part of this family. Alas… Thanks to my JDRF YLC friends… We have been to (get ready for it) THREE NHL games!! I know. I hope you were sitting for that. I’m pretty sure we can now be classified as “caniacs”. The biggest fan?! KK!!! She lovesssssss her some BOYS BOYS BOYS, not to mention she thinks Stormy is pretty cute. Last night we went to our third game and as soon as she saw the ice she started squealing. Serious, ear piercing squeal. MOMMY DADDY BOYS!!! ICE!!!! WHERES STORMY?????? She also got her first bobble. As KK tries to make the head move, I wonder if Tim Gleason knew his ear would be “tickled” by a two year old to get him to “dance”. The lady behind us kept yelling “HIT HIM!!!!” KK would look at me and I’d just shake my head no. She’d go back to watching the game…. Shortly thereafter she started yelling GET HIM!!!! I am *slightly* concerned she’s going to pick up some unfavorable words at one of these events… but the sheer joy on her face as she watches a game & the team scores…. AWESOME!!!! I’m hoping I can get her into basketball!

As we end the year, and this posting, I thought I’d leave you with some KK-isms.
“Mommy, poopy in my pull-up makes me sad.” – Me too, honey. Me too.

“YAYYYY MOMMY, you went peepee in the potty!!! GREAT JOB!! I so proud of you!!!!” *pats mommy’s leg and continues, “you want some monies for the piggy??” (We give her a penny or so when she uses her potty.)

In teaching her how to respond to some basic questions (What’s your name? Where do you live? How old are you? – In that order… her responses/statements.): “My name is Kaferine. I live in Rally. I two years old. MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY!!!” – Yes, Katherine – “I peepee in the potty. It’s yellow!” Okay then. Thanks.

“I be right back. Okay? Okay! Okay? Mommy, Daddy DON’T THROW IT AWAY!! Okay?! Okay! KK be RIGHT BACK!” – Apparently we have a habit of tossing her stuff when she’s not finished?! Oops.

Stephen to KK – “KK, please eat your chips like a nice girl!” – Response: “I no nice girl, I KK!!!!”

“Mommy, I no like it – BLEH!” *spit*

“KK happy!” - FANTASTIC!!!!

While singing ABCs… “H-I-K-K-L-M-N….” (K is important enough to say twice, right?!) Stephen: “Katherine it’s H-I-J-K” Katherine’s Response: “L-M-N-O-P!!!”

While singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game: “to the ollll fall fame!!!!!”

I’d just lectured KK on using her listening ears. (Her version: Sticking her fingers in her ears.) I think we’re copasetic. She agrees to listen to Mommy & Daddy. I go to walk away… She calls me, “Mommy, come here!” I lean down and she puts my listening ears on (by sticking her fingers IN MY EARS). “Mommy, give KK Silly Bandz!” Wow. Really?! Not sure THIS is what I meant.

After stripping off her clothes – unnecessarily: “MOMMYDADDYMOMMYDADDYINAKEDDDDD!!!!!!” – She’ll grow out of this. Right?

My favorite pictures from the last couple of months... Enjoy! =)

Fall Beach Fun (Myrtle Beach, SC)

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Thanksgiving Pictures (Raleigh, NC)

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Christmas Tree Shopping (Boone, NC)

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Holiday Beach Pictures (Myrtle Beach, SC)

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December 2010 (Spring Hill, FL)

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Snowy Fun (Raleigh, NC)

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