Eventually...

For so many of us...

It is that time of year when we must lay in some wood so that we won't freeze to death during the winter.

My loving men have been doing just that.

It's a noisy, messy job...

so basically I just try to stay out of the way...

Another keeping it real moment...

They boys head out there, drag the big logs out of the lower field and start cutting.

It can keep them occupied for hours.

It makes them dirty and stinky...

And I appreciate it beyond belief!

While I am warming my toes this winter, I will have to remember how hard they worked to make that possible.

I really don't look forward to winter.

Any of you who have read this blog for any length of time knows this...

I am not looking forward to this winter any more than I did past winters, but I am so thankful for all of the blessings we have. 

God is so good.

...and spring always returns...

eventually.......

The First Hint...

At the first hint of warmer Spring temperatures

my children ditch their big bulky winter coats for hoodies and sweatshirsts.

As you can see from the yard across the street

it is still cold and the snow (on their side of the road) is still solidly bound to stick around for a bit.

My kids don't care.

The sun is out and it seems warmer...

I mean...

the temperature is at least 40 today!

Let the playing begin!

Glory, Hallelujah!

Let the playing begin!

I will guarantee you, though...

that some major doggy issues must be cleaned up out back before anyone can venture out there!

Yeah...

and I don't see them rushing out to take care of that job...

One Year Ago v. Today...

One year ago...

Very little snow, beautiful rivers racing away with the meltwater...

Today...

I woke up to 4 inches of snow that has covered over all of the grass I could see yesterday.

Now my prayer is...

Let it Melt!

Today.

Not tomorrow.

I do understand that around here we will be getting snow for the next few months...

But, people...

We have snow on the ground since mid October!  That is 2 months earlier than usual...

What Do You Do...

What do you do

with your smallest children

when winter has gone on for too long

and spring hasn't sprung yet?

Yes...

That is pretty much what you do!

That's My Bird Story...

The little ones made birdfeeders at church.

You know the one...

You take a pine cone and cover it with peanut butter and birdseed.

We hung the three birdfeeders on the back deck.

...and waited...

Finally after a couple of weeks of absolutely no bird sightings...

We looked out the back door yesterday and all three birdfeeders had birds eating off of them!  The kids were so excited that there was screaming and jumping... and scaring the birds away.

They keep coming back though!

Now the kids have figured out that they need to be quiet and not frighten the birds away.

I have taken this sudden welcoming of birds as a sign...

You guessed it...

That winter will not last forever.  In fact, even though it is only January, I believe that this is the first "real" sign of spring.

Scoff if you will...

Remind me of the months of cold weather ahead, the storms, the frigid temperatures...

I saw the birds!  And they are telling me that warmth isn't far away...  They are speaking to me of sunshine and green grass.  They told me about leaves budding on the trees and flowers pushing up through the soil.  They told me about children running around outside for hours, wearing their little bodies out so that they fall asleep without any effort.

I hear you giggling, but...

That's my bird story and I'm sticking with it!

How Do You...

How do you spend a cold, wintry afternoon?

My kids love to spend it playing Chutes and Ladders with Daddy.

You know, kids don't need you to spend tons of money on them to have a blast!  They just want your time.  They want your attention.

They want you!

More Scenes From Winter...

While I freeze to death inside of my house...

The kids enjoy winter.

Season...

There is a season for everything...

Scenes from winter...

A week ago, we were still living in our winter wonderland!

Every surface was covered in snow and it seemed like there was no end in sight.

Then...

the sun came out and the blue sky that had been hiding for so long showed its beautiful face...

making me smile, of course!



Now, at our house, we have almost zero snow!

Making me laugh great big belly laughs!

Daddy to the Rescue...

Oh yeah... he is digging Cadi out of the snow!

She needed to get to work and the snow is above her tires. She couldn't move.

So... daddy to the rescue!

February 2...

Phil saw his shadow...

I am hoping that means more winter on the east coast, NO winter on the west...??????

Yeah, I didn't really think so.

Sparkling...

I think it has been well established that I could do without snow.

However, even I can admit that when the snow is freshly fallen and the sun is peeking through the clouds... and everything is sparkling... it is beautiful.


Then 5 minutes pass and I realize that, yeah, I really like green grass, warm days and the smell of freshly cut grass.

Summer will return, Tammy... but for now...

enjoy the sparkling beauty.

At least until the cars turn the snow black and disgusting.

Allergies...

A trip to the doctor.

Runny noses, coughs and dark circles under the eyes! We can't breathe, people.

Closing the house up in the winter can be bad for your health, but the haze in our area can kill ya.

I guess we need a storm to come along and blow it away.

I would only wish for this to save my babies... truly!

Winter...

cold...

We left the house in a major snowstorm today.

Grocery shopping must happen once a week in this house!

No exceptions.

I mean, the kids need to eat, right?... right?

Anyway, we made it to the mad house stores and finished shopping just in time for the real cold to set in.

I am told that it is going to be a bit chilly in the morning...

...like 2 degrees...

Now, I grew up in rural Alaska where the temps during winter got as low as 60-80 below zero.

But, being that I feel as if I have done my time in the cold and snow, 2 degrees is really COLD!

BRRRRrrrrrr...

I feel it coming.

Mark... where are you... my feet are cold...

cold...

The girls played outside in the snow until after dark last night. Actually, they came in and turned on the back light so they could continue to play. When they were called in for dinner, they asked if they could go back out after they ate...

Why does the cold seem to bother kids so much less than it bothers me?

**Oh and by the way, I checked the 7 day forecast and our highs are going to be in the 20's and 30's. It definitely can get colder around here, but I think Arizona is sounding mighty good right now. Anyone with me??