Snow Day!

I could so get used to waking up and sipping my coffee while looking out at this. . .

How jealous am I of those who live just a bit north of me!!! I lived as a child, for two years, in the great state of North Dakota. My mom says everyday of winter was a battle ~ shoveling the driveway, getting stuck in the snow on the way to drop us off at school, and slipping on ice. But, even she will say that her memories of living there are so happy despite the struggles. I'm not sure, but I think that is why I get giddy over snow like I do. I don't remember the difficulties of living in a frozen land. On the contrary, I have sooo many happy memories of playing in the snow ~ sledding, hiking through the snow covered woods out back, building snowmen and snow forts, having snowball fights with my big brother, eating icicles, and writing words in the snow by walking them out with my snow boots. I remember mama bundling me up and sending me out, then warming me by the fire when I was all played out ~ nose and toes sufficiently numb and red. And, I remember how good it felt to warm myself ~ the feeling slowly creeping back into my extremeties. I love snow, and as crazy as it sounds coming from a very cold natured person, I love cold weather. And, mostly it is not the cold that I love so much as it is the knowledge that in a matter of time I will walk through a door into a warm house and soak up the heat. Cozy, cozy, cozy!! And, I am all about the peace that comes from cozying up by a warm fire, wrapped in a blanket, drinking from a steaming cup! Pure bliss! Snow to me is peace and happy memories and beauty and fun and warmth all wrapped up in one! And, I long for my boys to have memories like mine of hard play in the cold temps followed by hot chocolate fireside!

That is why today has been such a gift! While we have been enjoying our amazing snowy weather, Joshua and Erik have been in the land of cacti and palm trees. They had a Father/Son weekend in sunny Phoenix, Arizona! They went to the BCS Championship game to cheer on my son's favorite team the Oregon Ducks! Unfortunately the Ducks lost, but Joshua still had a blast. They would call us and announce that they were swimming (outdoors) while we were shivering playing in the snow! What a contrast! I began praying on Monday that the snow would last so Joshua would get to build a snowman and make snow angels, etc. And, it did!! They got in late last night, and the ground was still completely snow covered!! :-) This morning the yard looked like this. . .

So, instead of doing school today, we've had a snow day! The only school we've done is what we had to do to get ready for Excelsior tomorrow ~ which was only a few hours worth of work. The rest of the day I've let Joshua get his fill of playing in the powdery, glittery, snow! The boys have played football, battle, explorers, they have knocked down icicles with plastic golf clubs, and they have eaten snow cream (that we made on Monday and froze for Joshua). And, best of all, when they came in complaining of cold wet feet, they played Playmobil by the fire to get warm. All of this makes my heart so happy! I'm so thankful for this warm, cozy, slow paced snow day!!

A few pics from our day. . .

Football. . .

Collecting sticks for our new snowman's arms. . .

Playing in the snow covered woods. . .

Lije loves licking icicles. . .

And, warming by the fire. . .

A good day in my book! Now, tonight we are going to eat dinner and watch a replay of the Tostitos Bowl!!! Maybe the Ducks will win this time! ;-)