I made it...

What did I make it through you ask?  I made it through winter.  Spring is finally here and I couldn't be happier.  One of the big things that made me NOT want to move back to the States was enduring winter again.  Growing up I lived in Michigan and I really, really hated winter.  I hate the cold and the grey and snow and ice and slush and total yuck.  Mostly I just hate the cold.  I hated it, but I had never experienced anything different.

Then we spent three years in India and winter quickly became a thing of the past.  We lived way up in the mountains so we weren't suffering from the terrible Indian heat but we weren't freezing either.  I suppose I missed snow on Christmas morning (our first Christmas in India was spent on the beach) but that was about it.  I didn't miss winter AT ALL.  Then we moved to Colorado where I was pleasantly surprised at how mild winter was.  All my thoughts of Colorado previously involved lots of snow so I was thrilled to find the snow making room for sun and mild temperatures.  Our Colorado winter was great.  It would get cold and snow for a few days and then it would warm up, the snow would melt, and we could loose the heavy coats for a few days.  Not ideal, but better than Michigan where the snow comes and takes up permanent residence.  The other WONDERFUL thing about our Colorado winter was SUN.  Oh glorious sun.  For all you Michigan people reading this you understand how AWFUL Michigan winters are.  You can go WEEKS without seeing the sun.  When we went to visit that year we were in Colorado we were there for ten days and saw the sun ONCE.  Ugh.  Winter and cold is bad enough but to never see the sun goes great lengths to explain my depression growing up.

So, one year in Colorado and then we were off to tropical Malaysia for two years.  Talk about hot.  Hot, hot, hot. And sweaty. And sunny.  Definitely no winter.  I probably would prefer it not quite that hot but I will take hot over cold any day.

And now we are here in Nebraska (oh my, did I admit that?  Sorry to you Nebraskans who read this blog, you all are great but all in all I can't say I'm a big fan of the state and actually find myself embarrassed to say I live here! When we told people we were moving here they couldn't repeat it without a smirk or a chuckle).  Anyway, we moved to Nebraska and I was forced to endure another winter.  Now on a spectrum Nebraska winters (or at least this one) falls somewhere between Michigan and Colorado.  Much closer to Colorado though.  So, it has been cold but the sun comes out most days and we really only had one big storm (and we missed most of it) so I have endured.  We had one week of terribly cold temperatures (below zero -- that's Fahrenheit, people!) and I just holed up inside for a few days until I saw the sun again and the thermometer found its way back to around 30 -- my cut off point for venturing beyond my front door.

Well, I endured it.  I made it.  Spring is officially here and although I know it will still be cold but the calendar says it's spring so I say it is spring.  And I LOVE spring.  I love the surprising warm days. I love the flowers.  I love to watch the trees bud.  I love to hear the birds return.  And I love all that spring brings to celebrate.  Our family has 4 birthdays in a one month period (mine, Jason's, Levi's, and Caleb's.) Easter is coming.  And all things new.  I love new.

So, to celebrate the first day of spring the kids and I enjoyed a few hours outside in our front yard yesterday.  Nothing planned, just riding bikes, and reading, and hopscotch, and taking pictures, and playing in the sun, and talking, and cuddling, and tickling.  Just enjoying each other and the weather.  So fun.

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When I was posting about stitching the other day I totally forgot one of my favorite stitching packs!  Sometimes when you need a dirtied up page or just want something a little different I love to go to my loose stitching pack by Syrin at Catscrap.  LOVE this set.  So realistic!

I also was able to get the preview for the Lisa Carter stitches I love

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I scrapped the other day.  I don't like either of these pages but oh well.  Sometimes you like what you do and other days nothing works.  You just have to push through.   I will probably redo them both at some point.

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Well, I hope you enjoy your day.  Enjoy spring (if it has made it to you yet).  For all of you Aussies and Kiwis, let me just say I am sorry.  I am sorry that your summer is over and winter is looming.  So very, very sorry.  :)

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ETA:  Don't forget!  ABC changed their schedule and Grey's Anatomy IS new tonight even though it was supposed to be a repeat!  YEA for Thursday!

Comments

[MandaKay]

Argh - you hit MI winters square on the nail head!!! I too HATE MI winters - I am a hater of cold!!! Give me the 90 degree weather anytime!!! I have endured it though and I too say BRING ON SPRING!!! Glad you got out to enjoy it yesterday!!! Great pics. Don't be so hard on yourself and those LO's - wow - I think they are great! I love the picture of your hubby and the babe - the stars the stitching - all great!!! Have a great day!

[KellieP]

I totally agree about spring!! There are somethings I hate about living in Illinois and the cold winters is definitely towards the top of the list!

I just bought the ABC templates and can't wait to use them. I'm going to be adventurous and try to get them done by Easter to put in my kids baskets. My husband, who is rarely impressed by anything digi, loved them!

[Liz]

I think I like cold weather but I think it's because I have never been in such a cold place before LOL. Im in Texas so winter isn't all that cold and long... Let me tell you about the heat though not nice lol.
Janet I truly truly LOVE your layout with your Hubby & Caleb it's a beautiful picture and I like the blue, stiching, & stars! (Who's stars are those?? ) have a great day!

[Shabby Miss Jenn]

WOOO HOOOOO!!!!! Loove that Spring is here! Looove it!!!!!!!!!! Gorgeous pics mommy twin!

[Rona]

Yay for Spring! :)

[Margie]

Oh you make me laugh-how can you NOT like those LOs??? If I made something like that I would be jumping up and down with delight LOL :) I hear you about the winters-we went from San Diego to Hungary-cold, snow, wind!! I laugh about your comment with NE because we feel God stirring us again and I was telling my husband-Italy would be great-warm weather-but watch-we will end up someone in NE!!! Poor Nebraskans-nothing personal :)