Tornado and stuff

It wasn't really that bad, but it was still scary to have crazy weather when we were at the banquet, and left Norman with the kids. Evidently it started as large hail that accumulated quickly. The temperature was pretty warm, probably in the 70's. The reason we had the leaks in the living room last December, is because upstairs there is a window, with an alcove looking over the backyard. Well, we had a freak ice storm and everything pooled in that alcove. So on the next sunny day, it began to melt and came up over the side of the flashing in the alcove siding, and down any holes in our ceiling (in this case, the recessed lighting and windows). Well the same thing happened with the freak hail.
   I complained to the builders with a warranty request because they kept telling me, "oh its just a freak storm" and they were sort of recommending that I go through my home insurance policy (bull...we just built this house!). I said the same thing I say every time I read about the horrific Islam attacks on Christians around the world, "How many isolated events does it take for them not to be 'isolated' anymore?" They sent out a lead builder named Buddy, and he was very good. He is coming tomorrow to put down a membrane along the bottom and sides so it doesn't happen again.
    Anyway, Buddy saw my guitars on the wall and said he is a live musician as well. He plays with a folk group and they play some of the same songs I do. It was fun to talk about music...but I MISS playing my guitar and piano so much. There are so many times in the day that I have the urge to, and I know Frankie will enjoy it too. But especially since the kids have given up their favorite things (Olivia's blanket, and Lucas' video games) I have to stay true. Some people that I have told about our lent sacrifices, are confused saying that's not the 'type of thing' you're supposed to give up. But I read a really good article about Lent and I am understanding it much better. If I am going to teach my kids the Catholic faith, I need to know the 'whys' well enough to explain to them. It has helped John and I grow in our faith as well. Giving up cursing, or fast food, or chocolate etc is something good we should do year-round. But I kind of thought about it, and if the true purpose is to sacrifice something we enjoy, in order to be closer to God, then it makes sense that giving up even the "good" things is just as meaningful, if not more. After all, everything here, is earthly, and therefore has the ability to separate or distract us from God. hmm. Didn't mean to turn this into a theological blog!
   So, I figure it's a good thing to have a rapport with the repair guy--hopefully we won't have leaks again because we really do love our new house. :)

  After we got back from the banquet, we played with the kids...it is so funny to hear John laugh really hard when he sees he has legitimately been beat by Lucas at Connect Four! I was uploading my pictures and came over to my 4 babies sleeping like this:

Pretty adorable. I got a workout carrying them all up to bed.