Strap down the children - the storm is here.....

It's the first really big storm of the season so I took a picture of it here:

It's a whiteout.

I love freakishly stormy days.  I turn into a nesting pile of warm clothes and there's random cups of abandoned hot chocolate mugs all around.  I turn the heat up - and Del turns it down.  I look at soup recipes and I want to make bread.  My memories of storms in Mendon take me to the front room where there were 3 windows - one each facing east, west, and north - when the storms came from the north - they were huge and frightening.  I've always lived next to a mountain range and I love watching the pending doom lower down into the valleys.  I'm thankful for shelter and warmth.

So this year - we celebrate living in our home for 25 years here in the land of storms.  This past fall we took the plunge and put a new roof on our home, new windows, and heater/central air.  Can I just say that it's made all the difference in the world??  It's quieter - and it's brighter and it's cozier .  But this post isn't about the roof or the windows or the heater, but rather what it's made me feel inside.  For many years we couldn't afford those things to be done and it was always a worry.  When we seen how bad the shingles were when they were taken off, I realized how dangerously close we came to having it come down.  When I looked out of the new windows for the first time - I didn't know the world looked that beautiful - and we didn't put any blinds up anywhere.  Wait - disclaimer - the bathroom - because no one wants to see that right?  When the heater came on - I almost cried.  We had been trying to just get by for so many years - my heart was simply full of joy.

When I think about the things I'm thankful for this year - the list could cover several blog posts.  For just one post I wanted to say how thankful I am for these little things in life that we just quickly pass over.  The storm is raging outside, and inside our house is warm and safe - that's worth a million bucks to me.  Looking out the windows I see the season changing right in front of me - and the cold wind isn't rattling our home with it's threats or attacks.  To be safe and warm - a scene we witnessed not happening on our mission on a daily basis makes me want to just stop and say - thanks big guy up there - for the simple moments of safety and clarity.  For several years we worked very hard to pay off some major things.  Now we are challenged again by pending surgeries (post to come) and repairs (post to come) and me being out of work (post to come) and all of those worries that stressing over will not make better.  I have made it a priority to be grateful for the sweet things that I do have - and that how quickly they can be taken from us.  So for today - my roof is holding and my window are allowing me to see the "Let it Go" phase of the pending season and my toes are warm.  Rejoice in the little things today - it will make all the difference, and you'll also delight in hitting the knees and telling him thanks.  Another heartwarming moment that comes from gratitude.

"The weather outside is frightful"

But inside... I'm making more hot chocolate...