Let it Snow! ...And snow...and snow...and snow...

Yes, I have much posting to do with homeschooling and Christmas but today I just need to let you know what we have been up to.  Actually what's been up over us!!!  Blizzard 2015   raged all night and all day.  We have about 34 inches outside our windows and doors! Praise the Lord we didn't lose power with all the wind!  It is a doozy!  Snow drifts reaching 6 feet, a travel ban, crazy wind and snow, snow, snow!!! The kids had a blast and loved going outside to build forts and keep track of how high the snow got up on them. Many ask, "Do your kids get a snow day even though you homeschool?"  I will put your minds all at ease...yes, we make room for snow days. They each had 2 things to complete this morning (people I have to keep them on track or we will be schooling in July!) but the rest of the day was filled with snow play, sweet treats, movie watching, and PLAYTIME!!!   Really, I will just give it all to you in pictures.  Enjoy and for those of you on the east coast with us, I hope you are digging out well and keeping warm!  For the rest of you...enjoy the weather you are given!

This is what we opened our door to today!

 The swingset was buried but Hannah was determined to at least try and swing!

 Caleb was so happy to help daddy make paths today so we could get around.  He is becoming such a little man!  

 Josiah's favorite was digging forts all over the yard.  

 This little guy only made it outside once today.  As soon as he face planted because he couldn't even walk in it, he was DONE.  

 He kept saying, "It's too much snow.  It's too much snow for me."

 Digging another fort...

 ...and another fort.

 There is a patio set somewhere on this deck.

 ...and I do recall having a minivan.

 The boys were digging forts in the side yard and they disappeared when they bent down!

 Front door view.

 Hannah was following daddy shoveling after the snowblower went through.

 This is what Dave was most thankful for during this storm.  We don't own a snowblower but he borrowed it from work.  Made his day SOOO much easier.  

 I have no idea how the mailman is going to get to our mailbox!

 Josiah and Hannah watching daddy snowblowing.  They loved when the snow blew over them.

Love this.  All the boots drying by the fire at the end of the day...a sign of a good day!

The Other Side

I discovered this picture on Pinterest and I just love it.  When I taught Kindergarten, I enjoyed "reading" books to my students that only had pictures.  I liked hearing their ideas of what was actually happening in the story.  Their imaginations could really take them places in a book.  This picture reminds me a lot of that.  What is going on the other side of that fence?!?!  Superbowl maybe?

It also gave me an image of where I am at right now as we begin a new year.  For me, being able to gear up for a new year with goals and resolutions during the month of December is an impossibility.  So I take the month of January to ponder, plan, set goals and really think about what I want out of the new year.  More importantly, what does God want from me during the new year of 2015?  

This brings me to the other side.  The other side being January 1, 2016.  Where do I want to be?  Who do I want to be?  Where is our family headed in our growth together and as individuals?  What are our homeschooling goals?  Relationship goals?  How will we spend our time?  How will we not spend our time?  So much to think about.  We need to weed out what doesn't need to be a part of our year and strive forward in the steps we should be taking.  

What about you?  What do you see on the other side for yourself?  For your family?  For the Lord?  Take some time to ponder that as you look ahead to this new upcoming season.

Happy New Year!