Forney Gets Hit

Today, I had to teach preschool. It started like any other preschool day, chaotic. About 30 minutes in, Justin calls to let me know a huge tornado is heading our way. The skies were gray, but not black. I turned the news on, trying to keep an eye on the storms while keeping control of five 5 year olds. I finished preschool and went to pick up Coda. The skies began to darken and I started to panic...I mean truly panic, where you start shaking and struggle to control your fingers sort of panic.

Coda crawls into the back seat and I put the car in drive. "Why isn't this lady moving!?"

I was blocked in by a white SUV when the principle opened Coda's door. "Come on. Everyone inside!"

My first thought, "What the hell do you think you are doing tell me what to do!?" My second thought, "This is bad. I gotta get out of here and get my babies home!" There were many cars behind me that wanted to get out, so I jumped out of the car went to the vehicle in front of me and not so kindly said, "Could you move out of the way so the rest of us can get outta here!?"

Once home I gathered a few pillows and put them in the bathtub, grabbed the dvd player and snacks. Coda put on a brave face and crawled in the bathtub. Gracie could sense my urgency. She grabbed her blanket and with tear filled eyes she stepped inside. I tried to put on my big girl pants, but when the banging started my hands immediately began to shake. I put as much of my body inside the bathtub as I could without squashing the kids, pulled the mattress over us and prayed for safety. Bang! Bang! I tried to text my mom, but my fingers were shaking so bad I couldn't hit the right letters and gave up after a botched message. "Tinkerbell and the Great Fairy Rescue" was enough distraction for the kids, but not for me.

Once the banging stopped, I carefully crawled out of the tub and went towards the window, preparing myself to see some destruction, but thankfully I just saw hail the size of baseballs. No shingles, no broken glass.

Justin called, but couldn't get through. His friend had taken a picture of a tornado that both him and Justin believed to be right on top of Travis Ranch. When Justin finally did get through, I sensed some relief. When he asked if I was okay, the flood gates opened and the emotions I tried hard to contain erupted.

I am so thankful that my family is safe. I am also grateful to all those that called to check in on us. Thank you.