Weathering the storm

  If you are in the area or even seen some national news, you'll know that the Northwest is experiencing a storm.  As I was driving home from picking up Hannah from school it was pouring then hailing and then I watched a huge branch fall off of a tree.  I took some pictures and video that don't do it justice, but will serve as a great reminder of the weather we are leaving.  The storm actually is kind of matching my life right now.  The strong winds synonymous with the chaos of moving logistics, the whirlwind of non-stop busyness, and having 4 children. The heavy rain reminding me of all the preparation that is weighing on my shoulders as well as the endless things left to do that are falling on my lap. The dark clouds are my emotions, despising the dark, cold and wet as well as the sadness I'm feeling leaving those dear to me.  Wow, this is deep.  :)  Let me tell you, I'm ready for that sunny weather.  In the meantime, we are weathering the storm.  The one in our house and the one outside.

Water pouring forth from our gutter system.  This is for those non-Seattlites who don't believe me. :)

 

 

I mentioned we've been busy.  It's a good kind of busy as we've been seeing friends and family before we leave, but exhausting nonetheless.  Here are the boys on our way to Hannah's soccer game.  Joel was battling the wind with that umbrella.  Let the wetness begin!

 

  Saturday morning was Hannah's game.  Mike and Hannah were soaked to the bones.  In the middle of the game Hannah asked if Mike was sweaty.  He laughed and told her there was no sweat, just a lot of rain.  As soon as they got home they took a hot shower and I made hot chocolate.

  She is just loving soccer.  No more pouty faces from this girl!  She was a trooper on saturday.

 

  After the game, my sister and Randy took the 3 oldest for a slumber party at their house.  My sister will probably blog about it at which point I will send you over that way for pics.  We thought they were brave!

 

  That left the afternoon for us and Ava to go into Seattle before we went to the Husky game.  We hit up the University bookstore for Husky gear (we gotta represent down in Cali), and then went to UVillage.  I went to Impress and bought more than I normally would have, but I had to because they don't have Impress in California!  As we were out we were trying our best not to get too wet before even getting to the game.

 

  I was hoping for a super cute pic of us.  By super cute I was thinking of us in our cool new Husky gear, warm September sun on our faces, and beautiful blue sky and backdrop of the new stadium.  As you can see we are looking fly in our plastic ponchos, posing for a quick pic before the camera gets water damage, and smiling despite that blurry spot on Mike's face caused by a rain drop on the lens.  Super cute.  I don't get mad at this weather, no, not at all.  :)

 

We had great seats!  They just didn't shield us from the elements.  Go Dawgs!

  We went to the game courtesy of our dear friends, the Hemphills.  They were so nice to make the tickets work out as well as sit with us through this storm.  They are super friends; supporting us, praying for us, going on trips with us, and most of all loving us and our kids.  At one point in the first half when the sheets of rain were blowing in our faces, we all looked at each other wondering what the heck we were doing there.  We were making a great memory of course!!  Six week old Ava in the baby carrier (did you notice her in there?), rain dripping through our ponchos, soaking wet pants, and a great Husky win!  It was fun, AFTER it was over.  :)  I kid, it was really fun to see the new stadium, hang out with friends, and cheer for my team.  I am so glad I got to go to a game, as it will be the last one at Husky Stadium for a long while.  There have been some great memories made in that stadium, the old one that is.

 

  I hope to post this week and maybe even set up some posts while we are travelling.  The plan right now is to be out of our Bellevue house by Friday and we're flying down to California next Tuesday.

 

I'm so glad you'll be following our new adventure!  Stay dry!