I have always loved thunderstorms. They give me such a warm, cozy feeling. And looking back on it I know my mom worked hard to create those feelings during storms. From very little on she would take me out on our front porch to spot the lightening and watch the rain dance. We would wrap up in blankets during the colder storms and eat cherries and spit the pits out over the railing during warmer storms. She would ooh with each bolt of lightening and ahh with each smack of thunder. Her enthusiasm was catching. Because of her love of thunderstorms I was never afraid.
Now, having my own kids, I am following my mom's lead. Instead of storms being something scary they are fun and comforting. During storms we read books, or watch out the window. We go out on the front porch with popsicles. We snuggle close together. We fight to be the first one to spot the lightening, and laugh at the low-rumbling thunder farts. (such boys)
This morning I was so excited to wake up to the first big storm of the year. I stayed in bed for an hour listening and dreaming. When I finally got out of bed I made myself a cup of coffee and went out on the front porch to watch the sky. I decided this would be the perfect opportunity to let the boys join in the fun. I got them out of bed, let them bring them bring their lambie and blankie (which usually stay in their beds) downstairs, got them some juice (which is normally reserved for special occasions), and brought them out on the front porch with me. We watched as the hard rain flooded the street. We watched the nonstop lightening. We listened to the rolling thunder go on and on. It was fun. It was cozy. It was special. It was a perfect way to start the day.
39 comments:
First off I stumbled onto your blog, and I love your blog name.
Oh what a wonderful way to start out your day. Nice story, and great photos of the kiddy's watching the storm. :)
I love thunder storms too! How are you getting to vote more then once? You need to tell me so I can too! Thanks for your votes :)
How cool is that! I love those pictures of the three of you! And I think that's a great tradition!
Seems most of our thunderstorms happen in the middle of the night here, causing me to not be able to fall asleep from all the racket, sigh...
whata great set of pictures to go with those warm happy feelings. you just brought back good memories of sitting on the back porch with my dad and my dog as we watched the lightning dance over the fields.
Why do I cry on nearly every one of your posts? I guess the tenderness of what your Mom has done for you and how you're passing it to your boys touched a soft spot. What a great childhood your boys are having (I keep saying that).
My mom loves storms and I have wonderful memories of being up late to watch the monsoons roll through AZ. I also kind of feel like a good T-storm is God's way telling me everything will be alright (since they've been timed around some of the most significant times in my life).
Enjoy!!
What a wonderful memory. I used to enjoy thunderstorms, but 10 years ago a large tree in our yard got struck by lightning. A large limb fell on power lines in our back yard. It burned for an hour (the electric company wouldn't/couldn't come), then the thing started arcing and exploding. We had over $10,000 worth of damage, and my then-five year old was forever emotionally scarred. Now during storms I just pray over and over again, please don't let the humongous trees in our backyard fall on our house.
Love the music--what a great pick.
Check out the children's book Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco. http://www.patriciapolacco.com/books/thundercake/thundercake_index.html I bet you would like it. It's one of my 7 year old's favorites.
The damage was to our house--totally blew our electrical. Yuck!
Wow! That is some rain - wish we could get some here.
Ben is pretty afraid of storms - I will have to try this with him sometime. It's a great idea!
My husband, too, loves storms, and is making sure that our boys do, too. The only time they get scared is during the night when they are woken up by the LOUD thunder. Then they come to bed with us, and we all enjoy it together. We've had lots of practice this spring. :)
I'm with you on storms. I love them and see them as a peaceful time. I love the idea of going on the front porch and watching them with my daughter someday. But they are never at the right time. Morning storms are the best! That is a great tradition.
What a wonderful tradition to carry on with your children. My older daughter gets scared when she hears thunder, but maybe I can use some of these ideas to help change that.
We have the same storm tradition...what a wonderful way to spend time together and connect.
Thanks for sharing.
I'm with you. There is NUTHIN like a good ole fashioned rainstorm. Beautiful and heartwarming.
I love sitting on the front porch listening to and watching rain fall. To me, it's soothing. Even the rumble of thunder. I like watching lightning, too, as long as it's distant. Great pictures!
I love thunderstorms. I think they can be so peaceful.
I love storms too - those photos look so peaceful and cozy I just want to pull up a blanket and chill out with you guys...
What a perfect start to the day! And I bet your little ones will grow up and do the same with their kids! :)
I used to love Midwest storms too! Now I am in the mountains at 7000 ft elevation, and they scare the crap out of me.
I think I am going to try and conquer my fear to help our kiddos just like you do. Porch sitting with cherries sounds like a plan to me!
Great Post Kathryn! :)
What a great thing to do with your kids. I love the pictures. My son is still a little traumatized by the last windstorm we had- we lost a lot of trees around our town and were without power for several days. I would love to establish some good memories to go with storms so I think I'll try this next time.
Very cool. Last night I opened the blinds so I could see the lightning until I fell asleep.
Hey, I like that silhouette photo you use for your blog header. That's an amazing shot!
Beautiful photos.
Thunderstorms - and we have a lot of them here - are so gorgeous, but they still make me nervous. The power tends to go out, see.
Beautiful work - and that second photograph is especially memorable.
I have always LOVED storms. That is the best time to sleep. We had major storms off and on the past week. I open up the blinds, windows and door and the boys and I sit and watch the storm. If it's nighttime, we'll sit and watch the clouds roll in and the lightening display. Glad to know we're not the only ones that do that. We're supposed to have sever storms tomorrow. Am I crazy to be excited? :)
Your words about the thunderstorm soothed me as if I was there with you ! It is amazing how a storm can be so savage and yet so serene, exciting and enlivening all of our senses... while calming us, too, if the fear is replaced by respect of nature.
We haven't had a big thunderstorm here in New England yet this season... but when we do, I will be thinking of you. And your mom.
Thank you for the beautiful memory.
Sharon - Pinks & Blues
I love a the rain too! Darling pictures of you and your boys - darling!
Have a good evening - Kellan
Oh Kathryn, What an amazing mom you are. Watching you sitting with your boys watching the storm gives my heart a tug. Way to capture a moment. You are creating memories they will cherish just like your own.
we've had a lot of storms too... tis the season. :) Love the last picture.
I *love* thunderstorms and miss them living in the Northwest where they are so rare.
You are the best mom ever! Who thinks to do something so sweet and special and fun? OK, well, sounds like it was your mom, who also sounds like the best mom ever. Your babies will remember those moments forever and pass the tradition along to their own babies someday.
You are good people.
What a great tradition! And the pictures are just precious :)
Heidi
Well, we are definitely opposites on this one! I'm pretty much terrified of any heavy storms. As soon as I see/hear the thunder and lightening, I'm usually headed under the covers to sleep through it!
Thanks for sharing. We love storms too!
I love what you do with thunderstorms. I have been turned from just slightly disliking them to having extreme anxiety when I hear a storm. My daughter is afraid of them and I know it is none to my helping. I would love to just let down and take some of your tips. It sounds absolutely wonderful.
I have always loved storms. I love the smell most of all. I live around a lot of people that did not grow up around storms and hide in their closet every time that it thunders, but I just wake up and sigh and know that I am going to get a great night sleep.
I love night time thunderstorms when I'm curled up in bed. Way to make good memories Mom!
It is storm season in America, a bad storm season in many states. The best think to know during such rainy or stormy days is, if the lightning is safe enough to stand next to the window or outside. Let me give you a tip, if you can hear the sound within 5 seconds of seeing the light, then it is extremely dangerous.
i love thunderstorms, too. they are so rare in California, and I missed them so much while we lived there. I love how many we have here!
I loved this post. My mom and I use to also sit on the porch during storms. Thank you for bringing back that memory.
Love the pic of you guys watching the weather. The rain hit here too, of course it started after I brought the box inside...the box containing the new bike for the 3 year old. Poor child hasn't been able to trying it out yet!
Sweet. Truly sweet. Love the pics of you on the porch with your little guys.
I spent many summers in Minnesota and I truly miss those stormy adventures that I was able to pounce and play in. Love, love the sunshine. But a good thunderstorm brings a shocking comfort.
just came over from kristen's world to say congrats on the award!!
what a beautiful post indeed :) i too love our storms on the prairie and have many good memories of storms with my parents. including butterfinger milkshakes!!
and i love snuggling with beans during storms. not sure she gets it just yet, but someday i hope she loves a good storm as much as her mama :)
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