Crappy weather

So, when you have little kids you can have 1 of 2 crappy weather days.

The best is to have a snow day with the wind blowing, the snow coming down, and temps that are too cold to be out in. Every one is safe inside, and the order of the day is to make chocolate chip cookies and play games all day long. My girls and I had a lot of days like this and they have made wonderful memories. This would also sometimes happen on cold rainy days. I loved days like that! They are what make life worth it. Just the simple little things. Like your 4 year old coming to you with a dandelion. The first time you get flowers from your child is something you'll never forget.

Then there are the days when everyone's stuck in the house together and nothing goes right. Breakfast gets burned because you're suddenly having to pull one child off of the other before someone gets hurt. Then the kids fight over who has to wash and who gets to dry the dishes. Then they fight over "You didn't get it clean enough. Do it again!" Then they fight over where the wet dishtowels should hang to dry.

And the fighting goes on and on and by 8:30 you have a migraine. And it's ONLY 8:30. You live in a little house and there are few chances for them to stay away from each other, especially when they share a bedroom. By noon you're calling your mom at work to apologize for ever being born and wishing that you were a drinker. Of course, even if you were, there's no such thing as a drink big enough to make it through this day.

On days like this you think to yourself, many, many times, that you can't wait until they're grown and gone and you can have some peace and quiet.

Then they grow up, move out and you have a crappy weather day and you're too stiff and sore to do anything and you end up realizing you miss your kids more than words can say. I'm very fortunate. I have a 30 year old with a family of her own who doesn't even live in this country and I miss them something fierce! But, I have a 27 year old who decided to go back to college and she lives at home. Plus, thanks to modern day technology, I have a little camera on my monitor and can Skype with Sara and her family. It's wonderful! I love it!!!! Basically, I can still see my grandsons', daughter, and son-in-law almost anytime I want to. It's not the same as having them here, of course, but it's awesome! They will live all over the world in their lifetimes, but I'll still be able to see and talk to them. What a blessing!!!

So, on a day like today when the sky is gray, the trees are still, the temp is low and it's raining, grab your kids and tell them how much you love them. If they're too old for this (I'm speaking more about boys here), or they no longer live at home, make some hot chocolate, grab your kindle or a book, and sit with a throw on your lap and remember that it's days like these that are life. The holidays, birthdays and anniversaries are all very nice, but there are just a small handful of those each year, and many, many crappy weather days each year. Especially if you live in MN!!!  :)