Vilonia - Devastation In Our Precious Little Town

Monday, April 25th, our precious little town of Vilonia was struck by an EF-2 tornado. Almost all of the one street light town was damaged except for the small part where our schools are located (I'm sure there are a ton of disappointed kids LOL!), which is also the same side that our neighborhood is on. 


Below is the damage to my best friend's home. Her and her family made it out just fine with no injuries.

These photos are her front yard.

The side and back of her home.

The second level on one side is completely gone.

Her bedroom and closet.

Her dining room.

Her living room.

Below is her little boy's room.

Below is the ceiling in her living room.

Her upstairs bathroom. The shower and the scrubby made it though!

Upstairs closet.

Below are photos from around town which are just a small bit of the damage.

More storms came through the next night and did even more damage to my best friend's home.

Below are photos of thunderstorms that kept popping up when we were trying to clean up. They made more rain so every so often more of the ceiling in her house would fall on us while we were trying to pack up what was salvageable.

More of the damage around town.

I feel so sorry for all my neighbors who lost their homes, and especially those who lost their lives in this terrible storm. My heart also goes out to the rest of the southern states who were effected by even larger tornadoes this week; it all just breaks my heart.

All About Dallas

My 15 year old son, Dallas, loves to take photos, and he loves to go out and take photos with mom. Yesterday I was assigned by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette to cover the Kidsfest Superhero Race in Conway. I was so excited about this event, and knew these kids were going to be Super cute, and a lot of fun. I was so right too! Most of the events I cover I can't take Dallas with me, but this one I was able to, and we were both super stoked about it. We got up super early, and headed to Conway, anxious for what the day had in store for our cameras.

This is my sweet Dallas all ready to take pictures of Superheroes. 

He has been going through a MAJOR growth spurt lately, and is hungry all the time. I told him to eat before we left, but he said he did. Of course, after being at the event for about an hour he says to me, "Mom, I'm hungry." The sweet ladies at the registration desk were sweet enough to offer him some donuts.

Dallas taking a photo of me while I take a photo of him while we are taking photos! Ha!

We had so much fun at this event. I love watching him take photos because I love how he gets so wrapped up in it....he loves it! I love it how he runs up to me constantly and says, "Mom! What do you think about this photo?" Plus, he is really, really good at it. He has amazing composition, and five minutes after showing him how to work the F-Stop, Shutter, and ISO he was taking amazing photos on full Manual. This is amazing to me since it takes many photographers years to learn this, especially at the level he has mastered.

With that being said, please enjoy HIS photos...this time. :)