Winter!

So, the past 2 days have proven to be quick reminders of winter on the way! You forget about the hats and gloves and mittens and coats and loosening the seatbelts in the carseats to fit a 2 year old with a down jacket!! I forget how much longer the process is each morning to put on "real" shoes and not flip-flops, to find all the gear needed to keep these sweet kiddos of mine warm and comfy! I know that this is just God showing me to be ready in all situations, that 37 degrees is cold, but not near as cold as -37 degrees and 3 feet of snow on the ground. I need to have all the kids try on the snow boots and make sure the snow pants fit and check to be sure everyone is prepared! Such a beautiful picture of how we should be preparing our hearts everyday for what is ahead and having our battle plan ready to go!
This is the first fall and beginning of winter that I actually seem to be looking forward to it. The leaves have been amazing and now that they have fallen the view out our windows to the river is completely breathtaking. If it remained summer, I wouldn't have different views out my window, I wouldn't see all the beautiful things that God has created for us to see daily. Our very own art gallery! Truly Amazing!!
Off to have Aric see how the hand-me-down boots will fit or is this the age I broke down and let Alex get pink ones? I always tried to steer the girls toward navy or black so that we could use them for the little guys, but there was a year in a moment of weakness that I said "Sure Alex, they are perfect, they do match your coat amazingly!", so the price we pay for choices and girls and boys. Such a beautiful blessing that comes with each new winter and each new child! I wouldn't trade these little boys for the world, or my pretty in pink little lady either (of course Abbi would have died before she wore pink - orange is the only color that really ever made it into her wardrobe!)