I Kinda Miss The Snow...

I can't believe I'm saying this, because it's sort of against my religion to say such things...but I miss the snow! Now, don't confuse this with thinking that I'm saying "I love winter", because I don't...that's just crazy talk. BUT...since I don't live on the west coast where it's sunny and warm year round I have to make my peace with "Old Man Winter" every year and just accept that it's gonna be brutally cold for a couple of months.

However, a few weeks back when the ground was blanketed with a beautiful fluffy covering of snow I just had to smile. At least if it was gonna be cold we got something pretty to go with that package! The fact that we also got a "White Christmas" out of the deal was also an extra bonus.  I'm pretty sure we got about a foot of snow, which is not the "norm" for our area, but boy did my kiddos have fun playing in all that fluffy stuff!  While I'm still not a fan of winter I'd have to admit that I do kinda miss looking out my window to view a real winter wonderland. It was pretty while it lasted...

My nephew, Owen,  roaring down the big hill!

Maya and Uncle Evan at the top of the sledding hill.

McKenna waiting in line. Wait a second....where is that child's hat? Someone should really tell her mother to go hunt down her lost hat on that snow packed hill. Goodness sakes...it was 17 degrees! Get a hat on that kid!

Maya was having the time of her life!

Ready to go!

OK....is that just plain cute or what?

*Chandler didn't make it in any of these pictures because he is a summer baby like his momma & he spent the bulk of his sledding time running to the truck to warm up so that he could go back out for another run down the hill. He wanted to like the snow...he really did...it's just not in his blood to really accept that 20 degrees is even remotely acceptable for outdoor playtime! Blame it on his wimp of a momma who stayed in the truck the WHOLE time & just watched everyone else play in the snow ;-).

McKenna and Daddy!

Over the Christmas Break Jonathan took McKenna to work with him for a special "Daddy/ Daughter" day. McKenna had been looking forward to this day for a very long time! I remember doing the same thing with my Dad when I was about her age & I love that McKenna got to do the same. I know she loved it because it was a special time where her daddy got to focus some individual attention on just her (something that's hard for parents with 4 little ones to do very often!). Truth be told, that's really what the day was all about, but I also think McKenna got a little glimpse of what it means for her daddy to be a "provider" for our family too. That night she asked me "So, daddy gets paid when he goes to work and helps other people fix their computers and stuff". Yep....she picked up on that just from spending some quality time with her dad at his work!

I believe kids need to see their parents "in action" sometimes in order to appreciate and develop a good work ethic. It's so sad to me that so many young people in our society are lazy and unmotivated because they have been handed everything without having to go out and work for it to earn it! Jon and I want to give our kids opportunities, don't get me wrong...I just don't want them to think that just because they have been given an opportunity it means they won't have to WORK to keep it. One of the best principles Jon and I learned from our Dave Ramsey course was that WE are the ones that are going to change our family tree! It starts with us & what we teach our children about life, work, and finances. It starts when we show our kids that we work hard for what we have, and that we get rewarded when we stick with something long enough to see it through to the end.

In a world that tempts us with "get rich quick" schemes, and a government that tells us we have a "right" to something we did not work for.... boy do I have my work cut out for me! I want my children to know that the only thing that lasts is that which you work for and EARN! I want them to own their successes & know that it is hard work and wise financial planning that earns them true "financial freedom".  Oh, and I want them to know those principles because that's what they saw their parents live out ;-).

McKenna Working hard on her fashion designs.

Helping daddy with the backup tapes.

McKenna the master sorter ;-)

Out to lunch with Daddy.

The best part of lunch!

What a great day!