I'm sure I'm not the only one getting stinkin' tired of snow. If you haven't tired of it yet, call me after this weekend's snowstorm is over - just wondering if you'll change your mind.
I've never really been a snow bunny - I'm more the beach bunny type! Give me some sun and surf and I'm happy! But I guess without winter we wouldn't appreciate the summer...atleast that's what I'm told.
Anyways, as I was on the treadmill this morning I was thinking of all the things that one could do while snowed in this weekend that would make the wait worthwhile. So, here's my list of to do's that might encourage you to get off your butt and do something other than veg in front of the boob tube!!
1. Clean out the closets. If is sounds too daunting to do them all just pick one. Wow! That's progress!
2. Download pictures from your camera. You know, the ones from 5 years ago that are still lost in digital picture land and have never seen the light of day.
3. Exercise. Don't have equipment? That's okay, use your kid's jump rope or hula hoop, run the stairs, even benchpress the kids!
4. Write a friend a note. I DON'T mean on facebook! I mean sit down, get paper and a pen and actually write them a letter or a card. There have been so many times I've wanted to send a note of encouragement and found myself saying "I just don't have a minute to do it". Well, we have a whole weekend.
5. Start that project you've been meaning to do. Scrapbooking, sewing, painting, whatever!
6. Play a game. With the introduction of Wii, XBox, Playstation, Nintendo DS's and such we've forgotten that there are actually board games that are collecting dust on the shelves in the playroom and it brings the whole family together.
7. Read a book. I know we all have books lying around that people have passed on to us, or we've picked up along the way, with all intentions of actually reading them, but we just never found the time.
8. Host the neighborhood. This one actually came to mind as 3 of the neighbor kids were here playing all morning. It would be nice if everyone would take a 2 or 3 hour leg of the marathon and then all the parents would have a few quiet moments.
9. Pay the bills and prepare the taxes. Some of you, I'm sure, are more organized than me and have had your taxes done or turned in to the CPA since January 31st but this would be a good time to do all that if not.
10. Enjoy the snow! Go play outside with the kids, have a snowball fight, sled ride, shovel the neighbors sidewalk. It won't be long and it'll be gone - THANK GOD!
This week I was in DC for the National Abstinence Grantees Conference hosted by the Dept of Health and Human Services. It was a conference for all programs in the country that have benefited from the CBAE Grant (Community Based Abstinence Educ.). This conference is necessary for networking, training, and (this year) for assistance in sustainability. That means.....how to continue when the government says your program isn't worthwhile.
The abstinence programs teach, inspire, and encourage our young people to have healthy relationships, value their bodies, and question the myth of "safe sex". Our current administration has decided to discontinue, ALL funds for abstinence education. I have much to say in regards to this and may even continue writing about it on here but that's not the purpose for my post today.
As most know, the very last session of a conference is usually the one most people skip out on. They are tired, overwhelmed, burned-out from the week and decide to shop, sleep, or head home early rather than finish out the meetings. Well, we had the largest turnout ever for the final session and I want to share with you why.
Alex Jordan and Brett Harris.
These twin, 21 year-olds founded the Rebelution, an online organization they describe as a "teenage rebellion against low expectations." Through this, the twins encourage young people to "be exemplary in all areas of life" rather than treat the teen years as a "vacation from responsibility." Alex and Brett also wrote Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion against Low Expectations and are the main speakers for their Rebelution Tour conferences.
I've added their blog to my favorites and encourage you to pass it on to young people you know. While you are at it pick up their book Do Hard Things. These young men stirred my excitement for challenging our youth. Teens want to do more, (and they can!) but our pop culture tells them it's not cool, realistic or worthwhile.
I must add their speech also reminded me that I'm not too old to do more!
Today I celebrate my birthday. I don't know if everyone does this, but birthdays cause me to be somber and reflective. I tend to think about where I've been and where I'm going, really taking in all that the day really means.
I won't bore you with the details. But as we drove to church this morning I told Joel that Aaron used to say to me "Leah, you're really getting old". I would remind him that he would ALWAYS be older than me. But today I'm older than Aaron ever was. Passing away at the age of 35 he never saw his 36th birthday. I stop and think of all who mean so much to me and wonder if they really know how much they've impacted my life. Have I done enough to impact theirs? Have I served my Lord as deeply and passionately as I should. Would He tell me "Well done thy good and faithful servant"?
Have you taken the time to think about that?
We celebrated what would have been Aaron's 38th birthday together as a family at the cemetary. It was a bitter cold day but the sun made it bearable (and more cheerful). We couldn't drive up the hill because it was still snow and ice covered so we all walked. We brought balloons, pie (Aaron's preference over cake) and an ice cream cake.
Can you tell it was very cold? I think it was 28 degrees. Standing (adults) are Adam, Amy, Mother, me, and Daddy. Standing and kneeling are the kids: Olivia, Rachel, Ryan and Zachary. Raegan was at basketball with Joel and Steve was home with the babies.
We sang happy birthday to him and enjoyed the cake together. I think I speak for everyone when I say "the day was good for the soul."
Happy birthday in Heaven dear brother you are still missed so much,
The big snow storm that hit the Northeast before Christmas was so beautiful. It was the first DEEP snow that we've had in years! I think the last one I can remember was when I was in college at Clarion back in 19??. Yeah, right, like I'm going to say the year!
This was the snow on the back deck, that strange shape in the corner is a potted mum that I never took in after Thanksgiving. 
Anyways, when all was said and done we measured 26"! It was definately a ton of fun and it lasted long enough to give us a white Christmas.
