#jopin

Here it is 2 years from Joplin's EF-5 tornado, a day that Southwest Missourians will never forget. Driving through the streets soon after the storm, it was truly a wonder that the death toll wasn't much higher than it was. It was complete devastation. Now, driving through the affected area, the only remnants of the storm are empty lots, sparsely rebuilt areas, and trees that are slow to recover. A new hospital is going up in a new location to replace the one lost before. But it's all but over for many current and  former Joplin residents, as many are still trying to get back on their feet. And, for all too many, their minds will never fully recover from the terror and loss experienced that day.

As we remember Joplin, we must remember all of the help and support that flooded in from around the country and around the world. In the face of disaster you TRULY get to see the good of humanity.

Now it's time to help out our neighbors a couple hundred miles west in Moore, Oklahoma. We know what the devastation looks like, we know how hard it is to rebuild, but most of all, we KNOW that good people are willing to help, and now's our time to be one of those good people. 

As both a parent and a teacher, my heart breaks for the schools in the path of the storms. I can only imagine having to face such a disaster, and pray that my school will never have to. It certainly makes me even more thankful for the basement here at school and our shelter at home.

"About a month after the roof of the Islamic Society of Joplin’s mosque was damaged in a suspected arson, the entire building burned down in a suspicious fire early Monday, leaving little but charred remains."

For more information: http://www.joplinglobe.com/topstories/x1402347896/FBI-pursuing-investigation-of-Joplin-mosque-fire

Last Wednesday my daughters and I decided to pack a picnic and go to the playground. We grabbed some drinks, peanuts, raisins and chocolate chips then made our way to Suson Park Animal Farm. I could tell they were ready to release some energy after being stuck in the house for the past couple days. The weather in St. Louis has been unbelievably volatile.     We arrived at the park early, which is completely out of character for me. The girls chose to play at the playground before going to see the animals, but, before we could make our way to the farm section, the sky started to get dark. Just to be on the safe side, I lured them back to the car with the chocolate chips and we drove home. As we pulled into the dive way, the raindrops began to fall and the winds started to gain speed.   My youngest was exhausted and quickly went to sleep. Her sister and I decided this was the perfect time for a movie (since it was almost as dark as night outside). About an hour into the movie, we lost interest and went in search for outfits for a fashion show. (One of her favorite activities.) As we quietly snuck up the steps trying to keep our napper napping, I heard the tornado sirens. Nap time had to be interrupted. As I made my way down to the basement with a nervous preschooler and an overly-tired, half-asleep toddler, all I could think about was how thankful I was that we had some Comfy Loungers and an old Leap Frog video game system in the basement. The youngest and I cuddled up on the six foot lounger, while my oldest claimed her three foot lounger and amazed us with her gaming skills. Luckily the storms pasted our area fairly quickly. My heart goes out to the people in Jopin, MO who were not so lucky. (Here’s an intense video of the 5F Tornado that struck them the same week.) Even after the storms faded, I wasn’t able to get the kids off the Comfy Loungers in time to make any dinner. That afternoon and evening we spent four hours relaxing in the basement. The taco dinner I had planned turned into a dinner of popsicles, but at least now I have some advice to offer my friends with children - make sure to have some Comfy Loungers (comfylounger.com) on hand for the next big storm and make sure they are the colors of your children’s favorite popsicles. I am so glad we got lime and lipstick!