It took almost two years, but the Florida rain finally got me. I walked to the library with a prayer in my heart that the horribly gray sky would hold it's tears until I could get back to my home. I think my prayer went something like this, "Dear Father, I have FINALLY managed to get out of the house today. I have semi-real clothes on, my hair looks good because I had church yesterday, my kids are both out of their pajamas and I even managed to put make up for the day. Do you think maybe you could hold off the rain till I get back. I mean, you know how long it takes me to get out of the house these days. After James finally finds his shoes and I get diapers changed, hands washed, faces clean, bellies fed, a batch of laundry in the washer, fulfilled all the 'I need's' etc. I know it's asking too much to bring the sun out, but maybe just a light sprinkle instead of the heavy rain? I really could use a pleasant walk today and bask in how glorious this world is."
You know the awesome thing about this prayer? It was only halfway answered in what I wanted. I got to the library dry and happy. Things were good. We found some fun new books. My kids screamed almost the entire time. I completely forgot about the gray skies and the pending rain. I checked out the books, put them in a totally different place than I normally do just because I thought it would be better, broke out the snacks for James, and headed back outside to walk home. The clouds looked like they blew away and life was good. We got halfway home and BAM the heavens opened with no warning. I threw the blanket over Seth's crying face and ran for the overpass, laughing because it seemed like more fun than crying. Thank goodness an angel whispered in my ear to put the books in a different place or they would have been completely soaked. I tucked the boys in a little better. James didn't even have a jacket, but he was being a trooper. I secretly wished we had another car, that we didn't have to use carseats so I could get a ride from someone, that I could trust random strangers, that it would stop raining. etc. I wondered how long I could keep the boys entertained under the overpass so we didn't have to get completely soaked. The rain let up a little so I thought the big dump was over, and made a run for it. Hahahaha! I was wrong. We got maybe fifty yards and the heavens opened again. I haven't run (or is it ran?) like that since before I was pregnant with Seth. It was hilarious, I'm sure, watching a lady with a double stroller running along the side of the street in the pouring rain. James had the sun cover in front of him to block the wind, Seth had the blanket over his little body and head with a little place for his face. I was laughing while running/walking. We got home to our little garage and we looked like drowned rats. But I've felt so alive. There's just something about being caught in a refreshing rainstorm. I thanked my Heavenly Father. Pretty sure that prayer went something like this, "Thank you Father for letting it rain, no pour, on us today. Thank you for helping me put the books in a different place today, thanks for this beautiful body to get us home. Thank you for my double stroller, for my two boys, for helping me have a glorious run to refresh my system. Thank you for answering my prayer in the way that I NEEDED and not the way that I WANTED. And thank you for helping one of my long-time dreams come true." It's true, I have always wanted to be caught in a rainstorm like on a chick flick when the couple is arguing over something and then it rains and immediately they are soaked. Yeah, kind of silly I know, but there you go. I now know what it feels like to be completely dry one minute and soaked to the bone the next. At least it was a warm rain. Have I mentioned that I LOVE Florida?? In a rainstorm like that in Idaho I would have been FREEZING!!! Even in the middle of summer. Anyways, here's the proof
You know the awesome thing about this prayer? It was only halfway answered in what I wanted. I got to the library dry and happy. Things were good. We found some fun new books. My kids screamed almost the entire time. I completely forgot about the gray skies and the pending rain. I checked out the books, put them in a totally different place than I normally do just because I thought it would be better, broke out the snacks for James, and headed back outside to walk home. The clouds looked like they blew away and life was good. We got halfway home and BAM the heavens opened with no warning. I threw the blanket over Seth's crying face and ran for the overpass, laughing because it seemed like more fun than crying. Thank goodness an angel whispered in my ear to put the books in a different place or they would have been completely soaked. I tucked the boys in a little better. James didn't even have a jacket, but he was being a trooper. I secretly wished we had another car, that we didn't have to use carseats so I could get a ride from someone, that I could trust random strangers, that it would stop raining. etc. I wondered how long I could keep the boys entertained under the overpass so we didn't have to get completely soaked. The rain let up a little so I thought the big dump was over, and made a run for it. Hahahaha! I was wrong. We got maybe fifty yards and the heavens opened again. I haven't run (or is it ran?) like that since before I was pregnant with Seth. It was hilarious, I'm sure, watching a lady with a double stroller running along the side of the street in the pouring rain. James had the sun cover in front of him to block the wind, Seth had the blanket over his little body and head with a little place for his face. I was laughing while running/walking. We got home to our little garage and we looked like drowned rats. But I've felt so alive. There's just something about being caught in a refreshing rainstorm. I thanked my Heavenly Father. Pretty sure that prayer went something like this, "Thank you Father for letting it rain, no pour, on us today. Thank you for helping me put the books in a different place today, thanks for this beautiful body to get us home. Thank you for my double stroller, for my two boys, for helping me have a glorious run to refresh my system. Thank you for answering my prayer in the way that I NEEDED and not the way that I WANTED. And thank you for helping one of my long-time dreams come true." It's true, I have always wanted to be caught in a rainstorm like on a chick flick when the couple is arguing over something and then it rains and immediately they are soaked. Yeah, kind of silly I know, but there you go. I now know what it feels like to be completely dry one minute and soaked to the bone the next. At least it was a warm rain. Have I mentioned that I LOVE Florida?? In a rainstorm like that in Idaho I would have been FREEZING!!! Even in the middle of summer. Anyways, here's the proof
And because we weren't quite done with the rain we decided to go play in it on Thursday too. This playground was awesome. There is nothing like watching your two year slide down and land full body in water. Totally cleared my not so happy attitude and I laughed out loud it was so funny to me for some reason. Probably because he had a shocked look on his cute little face.
How fun! Had no idea it rained so hard there! That does sound a teeny bit fun! Too bad it wasn't Chris you were with. Lol What great prayers. And I agree about the beautiful body! ;-)
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