I like to joke that when we get even an inch of rain in Southern California we start freaking out like it’s Armageddon. That’s why this weekend was interesting because we actually got some serious rain (for us anyway) with thunder, lightning, downpours, and even hail in some places.
The storm hit as we were settling down for the night on Saturday. We could hear the rain hitting our roof and it actually was a pleasant sound to fall asleep to. That is… until a few hours later when we were suddenly roused from our deep sleep by incredibly loud high-pitched bleating from both of our cell phones. “What’s happening?” Mike said, dazed, as Rigby barked like crazy, waking Annabel, who wandered into our room, confused. When we finally grabbed our phones we saw the noise was for a “Flash flood warning” in our area.
The next day the clouds were incredibly ominous and lightning could be heard crackling in the distance. I brought Annabel to the window to show it to her, and explained to her how if you counted from the moment you see the lightning to the moment you hear it’s sound, you could gauge how far away the lightning is, and whether it is getting closer or further away. Annabel loved this (“I’ve never seen a storm before!”), and was all about counting for every flash of light we saw. Not even Mike’s strolling into the room and saying, “This is like that scene in Poltergeist” could ruin the moment.
I also was able to cross an item off my life list when I managed to capture a photo of lightning:
Not bad for an iPhone photo!
Later we went to dinner, and Annabel was adamant she had to dress appropriately for the weather, which meant pulling out her seldom-used raincoat, umbrella, and boots.
Yesterday morning, things dried up enough for James to go outside in his rain boots and splash around. He was in heaven:
The rain finished up yesterday, and I think we’re done for a while. I know this is small potatoes for those of you outside of California, but for our dry state this is pretty exciting. There is one member of our family who is happy the rain is gone, though: Rigby. She is not feeling going outside to do her business in the rain.
Megan says:
Oh, you LA people and your rain Here in central Virginia, I’ve joked that the National Weather Service should just issue flash flood and severe thunderstorm watches at the beginning of April, set to expire at the end of October, and be done with it. On the other hand, we’ve gotten about 15 inches of snow in the past two weeks, and the Bostonians are laughing at us as we freak out.
Michelle says:
It was SO exciting, I could hardly stand it!! I’m trying not to be depressed that it’s over, and the forecast is back to abundant sunshine and warmth for forever. I wish we could just have like one full week of rain and thunder storms. That would be amazing. My kids were so excited to use umbrellas yesterday, it was almost better than Christmas.
Kelley says:
Glad you all are getting some rain. Exciting as well. Walking in Target yesterday I saw the boxes of diapers for the Honest Company, if it is not James’ picture on the box, there is an exact double of him walking around modeling for the Honest Company…..
Sinead says:
Yes, that is James. Heather wrote about it here http://thespohrsaremultiplying.com/family-and-friends/boy-on-the-box/#axzz3TLI5Vhmx
Melissa says:
Love it! I’m in Seattle and we get our fair share of rain (well, probably more than our fair share) and I can’t wait for our little boy to enjoy the storms as well! Even all grown up I count the time between lightning and thunder. And our dogs hate the rain as much as Rigby, unfortunately they have to suck it up quite a bit.
Sarah says:
The lightning crackles in CA? Far out.. here in AR, and in other states I’ve lived in, I’ve heard the thunder booming but never actually *heard* the lightning…
Sorry, had to a be a smartass. I wish I could’ve been on the beach with all that hail – that looked awesome!
Heather says:
Have you really never heard lighting crackle? It makes the hair on my body stand up!
Sarah says:
I really haven’t – and it’s hit close enought that I felt the electricity move very unpleasantly through my body twice, the second time knocking my nephew down because he was standing on metal wire that it traveled through… so I don’t think getting closer is the answer, lol!
Maybe I need my hearing checked..
Zoe says:
I wish I got as excited as you about rain! Ha
Jeanie says:
I’m glad SOMEWHERE in California got heavy rain. We just had an overnight sprinkle here in Sacramento. So you had flash flood warnings on your phones and just went back to sleep? Huh. Cool picture of the lightening. Also cool pics of the kids, as usual.
Heather says:
Yeah – we were fine where we were and in no danger at all. Although, it took me a LONG time to fall back to sleep!
Jordan says:
that’s about how we are about snow in Nashville- it practically SHUTS THE CITY DOWN. It’s rare that we *actually* get snow when they call for it, but when we do, all hell breaks loose! We got ice/snow mix and schools were out for 7+ days!
They’re calling for more (1-3 inches!) tomorrow/Thursday, which is practically a record for us. I miss rain. I want it back. They’re already planning to call out school, which drives me crazy- as a student teacher, the 1st few days were nice, but now, I’m not going to be able to teach my unit the way I need to. It sucks. And now we have no more snow days so they’re tacking on days to the end of the year. UGHHH. I’m ready for spring!
Jerilynn Jacobson says:
I live in MA, less than a mile from NH. One to three inches of snow is spring break for us. I remember when I lived in Riverside. The constant heat and droughts let to horrible fires. When it did rain, there could be horrible and rapid floods. Every part of the country has its own unique dilemma thanks to Mother Nature.