Snowed In

I love the snow! I love everything about it. I especially love being snowed in with my family. My  kids are growing so fast and between basketball practices, basketball games, bible study on Wednesday nights, Volleyball on Tuesday’s, school, homework and jobs we hardly get to spend quality time together. When it snows as much as it has here in Chesterfield, VA and everything closes; schools, church, no games, no practices then we are confined to our house and each other. I love it. We have talked, played games, danced, acted silly and re-connected. I have loved every second of it. I even had my niece and nephew here for a few nights. The chaos has been welcomed.

In the techy world we are living in it is hard to get my kids off their cell phones long enough to say pass the butter at the dinner table. This is probably why we have a “no cell phone” rule during dinner. They are all about texting, KiK messaging, Instagram and Facebook...and probably some things I don’t know about. Okay probably a lot of things. They play X Box and Clash of Clans and stream movies from Netflix. They watch YouTube videos and follow whatever the newest trends are. I try to keep up, but just like my parents, I stay in the dark.

Snow days are a welcome time to get to know my kids again. Since I don’t have to worry about going to work, them going to school or practice, I can take the time out to focus on them and just them. Taking our snow tube out for some fun in the powdery white stuff gives me a chance to simply enjoy my babies.  We laugh and joke and I get to find out the answers to those mind boggling questions that I want to ask but only think of when they are flying out the door to their next practice. The stress free play time also helps them to loosen up and open up. They share about their latest crushes, what their friends are into, which teachers they like and don’t like. As the window to adulthood opens wider and wider I truly treasure these moments. It is awesome how much I learn about my babies by just sitting down to play a game of Scrabble.

I am shocked by the negativity I see on Social Media about people being snowed in with their kids. I know they will get on our nerves and drive us batty at times, but seriously...what a gift to be “stuck” with these miracles for a few days.  And I am so happy for the teachers that get some extra time home with their babies too. I can’t believe the lashing out I have seen toward the teachers for wanting a snow day. They are certainly entitled to have an unexpected fun day at home with their loved ones too. Kudos teachers...I appreciate you!

I will add that cabin fever is starting to get to us. We have almost run out of toilet paper and I am dreading the moment when I hear the holler from the bathroom “Mom I need some TP”! I can only imagine the creativity that will come as a result from this tragedy. We attempted to get out today. We borrowed my in-laws 4-wheel drive truck and we got it stuck. A neighbor came over to help us dig it out but to our demise we are still stuck. Maybe the neighbor will give us a roll of toilet paper. That is one thing, when you are stuck in the house you eat more and well you know what happens next. So I don’t understand all this talk about bread and milk. Stock up on TP people or buy a bidet!

Among games and great conversations our family has accepted several “snow challenges”. So it would appear that someone had the great idea to challenge someone else to go jump around in the snow in shorts and a t-shirt or in some cases a bathing suit. Three of our five family members have accepted this insane challenge gone viral and they are now circulating social media. I mean if you are going to do something that crazy you might as well let the whole world in on it. I just watched, recorded and laughed. I was challenged, however I just got over pneumonia and bronchitis so I had to pass. Yes, that is my story and I am sticking to it plus I don’t want everyone to be jealous of how fabulous I look in my bathing suit right after Christmas. It just wouldn’t be fair.

All in all I have to say being snowed in with my family has been great. My hubby is working from home and I get to steal kisses off and on all day. I love hanging with my kiddos and cuddling up watching movies and eating breakfast, lunch and dinner together. I am not ready for it to melt just yet, except enough for me to get to the store, I need to feed these guys. It is amazing to me how much teenagers eat, I mean where do they put it? I could stay snowed in with my hearts for a while longer because I know one day they will be snowed in away at college or in their own homes with their own families. I can wait. I can patiently wait for the snow to melt and I can enjoy every moment in between. Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”. (wink)