The noises were infectious in their enthusiasm! First Amelia exclaimed from her bed, before we even knew she was awake, “It’s BEAUTIFUL!” Then she hurried to our doorway and beamed, “It snowed!!!”

The kids woke up quickly this morning and I had to keep catching them before they raced outside without the appropriate winter wear. Miguel slipped under the radar and I didn’t discover him until he was back inside crying loudly because of his cold feet. No wonder! He had gone out with an unzipped jacket and wearing his crocs with no socks! Snow was all over the inside and outside of his shoes. Poor kid.

About the time I had the last kid bundled up and out the door, the first kids were coming back in, leaving piles of snowy, drippy clothes and scarves and boots. I was scrambling trying to get kids to pick up their things, get coats over the radiators, boots lined up next to the heat, and in general trying not to get exasperated at all the commotion.

The snow is beautiful. The ice on the branches makes the trees hang low. It’s a beautiful gift from God today.

So many area schools and businesses are closed. And for the first time we can remember, State Farm closed, so Michael is enjoying a “free” day off today. I’m so tickled he gets to stay home. I was really wishing he could, and my dream came true.

By tomorrow things will probably be back to normal; the wonder will wear off quickly. But today, we’re loving it!