Stormy Weather

Tonight we are seeing one of the worst rain storms that I can ever remember. There has been a downpour since this morning, non-stop, with flash flood warnings across the valley. We spent the day at Grammy and Grandpa's house celebrating Uncle Dane's 30th birthday. Uncle Dane and Grammy made a delicious brunch from the Clinton Street Baking Company Cookbook - frittata, hash browns, biscuits and jam, and brookies (Francesca's favorite!)
We huddled in and ate, rested, and enjoyed spending the day together. Francesca put on an interpretive dance show about princesses and "pig dances". She alternatively wanted everyone's attention, and then didn't want anyone to look at her! Her flair for the dramatic continues to amuse and entertain all of us. I often wonder if she's going to be an actress.
Oh, and tonight when we got home, she made up a song while Brian played guitar for her and Jaime. It was so fun to hear her singing along to the tune as she went - creating in the moment so effortlessly! And Jaime loves to watch Brian play guitar - he gets perfectly calm and still, focused, and mesmerized by the strumming.
But the best part of the day happened in the car when we arrived back home. It was a treacherous car ride home in the storm. Both Brian and I were focused and tense, trying to make it home safely, and I was relieved to pull into our garage. I opened the backseat, ready to help Francesca put her shoes back on in order to walk up to our place. And there they were, Francesca and Jaime, both chilled out in their car seats, both wide awake, and holding hands. It was the sweetest thing I have ever seen, and I stalled for a moment to take it in. I asked Francesca if she just took Jaime's hand or if she was holding it the whole way, and she said "not the whole way, but for parts of the way".
So tonight, as it continues to storm outside while we are tucked in our cozy beds, I wish for this: that Francesca and Jaime's lives are filled with moments of connection like that, especially when no one is looking.