Adventures in Snow

We bundled up and took a trip to the mountains today.  It was snowing a ton, and so beautiful.

We weren't sure how long the boys would last since it was sooo cold out, especially Mr. Chase since he loathes being anything less than toasty warm, but all three of them were totally into it.  Technically they outlasted me reference the cold factor, but I made sure NOT to be the first one to complain.  I strategically waited until Chase took his gloves off and got his hands all frozen before I chimed in that I was also freezing and wanted to warm up in the car.  A girl's got to have some smarts about these things.

Eating snow can be fun...

...until the gloves come off and your hands and face get frozen...

...and then you decide that eating snow is the worst thing ever.

We forgot to bring a coat for Caden, so he had to wear mine.  (Thusly, I really WAS freezing.)  How did we manage to forget a coat of all things on our way to the snow of all things?  Because we both thought the other one had grabbed it.  Parental faux pas extraordinaire.  He looks so much bigger than he really is when he wears a grown up jacket.

This was Chad's brilliant idea...to tow the kids behind the car on their sleds.  I was not into it AT ALL.  It took every ounce of strength and will power that I possess not to demand that he rethink this plan OR ELSE.  I just kept telling myself that stupid people, boys love to have these kinds of adventures.  (Did I really just say that??  Oh yes, I really just did.  Boys do stupid things.  I am an expert on this.  It's not a judgment, it's just a fact on account of their tiny sized amygdala.  You know, that part of the brain that assesses risk? The menfolk's are too small.  This is scientifically proven.  Trust me.)  I was just glad to be there to make sure that Chad didn't whip them around at 100 miles an hour (flashback to tubing this summer), and at its conclusion, all my people and their bodies were safe and jubilant and exhilarated from the thrill.  And timid Mommy learned to put a little more faith in adventuresome Daddy.

Look at these handsome snow bunnies.

It was really a fun, beautiful day, and I got to take lots of pictures...which makes me a happy girl even if I'm cold and my children are engaging in crazy stunts.  And I love my Chad for always stopping wherever we are, sometimes in the middle of the road, so that I can hop out and grab a shot.

I took about 1 million pictures trying to capture the falling snowflakes...very tricky without a tripod.  I will mention to you now that Chad broke mine this morning, although he has yet to cop to it.  One of the children, who shall remain nameless to protect the innocent, sold him out.

On a more serious note, my time with my family was particularly meaningful for me today in light of yesterday's horrible event.  I'm feeling so keenly aware of how precious my children are, and I am so thankful for them, for Chad, and for a God who never leaves us or forsakes us.  I'm so grateful for all of these gifts.  Reflecting on how blessed and fortunate I feel to have my family while we played together and had a fun day together was pretty special, and I'm so sad for the families that can't do that right now.  As soon as I heard the news yesterday, I went to my boys' school and pulled them out for the day.  Because I was scared, and because I wanted them to be close to me.  I hate the reminder that we aren't as safe as we believe.  And then I think about one of my favorite verses.  1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

He cares for us.  He cares for my boys more than I ever could.  I can give him my worries and fears, because he cares for me.