What I Learned from the Snow Days

We've had some crazy weather at our house the last few weeks. Warm and spring-like for a few days, then icy and snowy the next. The bipolar weather doesn't really bother me that much. And I actually enjoy the amount of snow/ice we get each year. It's just enough to make me feel like we've had a true winter, but not too much to wish we lived somewhere else. It's fairly balanced...just the way I like things.

And this year in particular has reminded me of some important life lessons: 

1. It pays to be a planner.

I am SO thankful I went to the grocery store several days before we were snowed in. This is when my Type A personality is a plus. It was nice not to be fighting for the last loaf of bread. :) I saw this picture on Facebook and it made me chuckle...mainly because it is so accurate! 

2. Taking mental pictures is good too.

Now if you know me, you know that I love to take pictures. I take a crazy amount of pictures. Especially of my children. And especially in the snow. I'm going to be honest, I couldn't wait to get those cuties all bundled up and outside to take some snowy day photos. But this year, I really tried to keep the picture-taking to a minimum. I promised myself that I would take more 'mental' photos than actual photos. I wanted to live in the moment and actually enjoy being in the snow with them than being behind the camera. I'm not going to lie. It was challenging for me at times but I really enjoyed the memories that were made...even if I only remember them in my brain and not in a photo album.

3. Joy is a choice.

Our snow days last week were a bit dreary. They were fun, but I felt blah after a day of it all. But today, the sun is shining and the snow is glistening and it is glorious!! We went on a long walk to this beautiful park behind our house. It was so fun to be the first ones to leave our footprints in the field of fresh snow. Thinking back to last week's snow, I feel guilty that I chose not to enjoy it as much. I let the "Joy Thief" steal from me. Being joyful is a choice: in blah times and in sunny times. Sigh. That's a hard one for me sometimes. I'm working on it though.

And to remind myself of all the things I have to be joyful about, here are some of my favorite pictures from our Snow Days this year. Because y'all know that even though I promised not to take a million photos, that I still took some...I just can't help it!! XOXO

Catching Snowflakes

Snow Princess for Chan

Baseball Snowman for Chaz

Front yard view

Backyard view

They are sticking their tongues out at each other here because it was the only way I could get them to take a picture together! :)

My 3 Lovelies

And my favorite reason to be joyful: The Parkman 4 :)

One last side note: it was almost a year ago exactly that I was texting with my sweet friend and my idea for this blog was confirmed.  We were snowed in that day too. Funny how the Lord has used Snow Days in my life. I better be listening, huh?