Let The Sunshine In!

FINALLY!  Spring is here!  It's above zero in the MORNING!!  WOO!!!!

February/March are the worst time of the year for me.  I don't mind the start of winter.  I rather love the first snowfalls.  One of my favorite things to do is sit in the dark and watch snowflakes fall through the glow of the streetlamps.  It's very peaceful and pretty, especially around Christmas.  I love to turn on the Christmas tree, sit in the dark living room and watch the snow fall.

Then Christmas passes, the new year passes and the real cold starts.  The older kids are in cross country ski lessons, so we get out at least once a week, provided the weather isn't ridiculously cold.  It can be very frustrating to go skiing, because of all the gear.  ALL.  THE.  GEAR!  Mitts, hats, scarves, snowpants, jackets, whatever else we could need.  Then I have to trudge to the car, drive to the park where they ski.  Once I get there, I keep the kids in the car as I unload the skis, put them into the stroller, load up the little kid into the stroller and then walk down to the shack.  I do this every Saturday for around 8-10 weeks.  Sometimes more, sometimes less, the weather determines that.  It can be either really easy, the kids are happy, no problems.  Other days, the exact opposite.  I'm sweating, Grady's screaming, Olivia's already cold and Logan's just whiny.  I can look back on it today and smile, but when it's happening, there are few smiles.

I don't mind it though, it gets us out of the house, which by February is difficult and necessary.  Grady didn't ski this year, as I'd hoped he could, so we spent the entire time hanging out in the shack or wandering in the snow.  I discovered, he's a tough kid.  Loves the snow.  Lays in it, eats it, has fun.  I, on the other hand, wind up standing there, freezing my feet and wishing we could go inside.  I think I'd look rather ridiculous laying in the snow with him, eating it.  So I don't do it.  Even though I want to.  It looks fun...

Usually by March, the weather starts to break, it's a bit muddy, so while we can get outside, we usually walk to the mall near us and play on the play gym they have by the food court.  This year, that was even difficult.  It wasn't necessarily difficult because of the weather, or any major thing.  

It was difficult because I was anxious and depressed.  I'd hoped that the gym I attend was opening February 15th.  It got pushed back to mid-March.  UGH!  I wanted to go so badly.  One of my big issues?  Once I get a thought in my head, I want it THAT WAY!  I want it NOW!  So instead of finding other ways to work out and freaking feel better, I brooded, brooded and fussed...and got angry, frustrated, anxious...I wasn't a very happy mamma.  

The gym opened, I started going, LOVED it.  Spring break came and screwed it up, but I've been fairly consistent in going.  I find that it's helping me so much now.  

Now spring is here.  The sun is shining.  Sure, it snowed April 30th, but the snow didn't stay long.  Sure, it was crappy and windy for a few days, but yesterday, even with the wind, it was a beautiful 18 degrees.  Today, same thing.  So today, Grady and I will hit the gym, get Olivia, eat lunch, and then go to the park.  After the cold I just got over, I finally feel well.  

As for next winter...You know what, I think about it already.  But not in a negative, oh my god, here we go again type of way.  The next winter coming seems full of fun and exercise already.  This is because I discovered I LOVE downhill skiing.  I realized that next winter, Grady will be skiing and I can go with him during lessons.  Grady will be almost 4 and will be much more capable and be able to join in the fun.  I'll be on my way through school, I'm going to have had more therapy, I'll be lighter, happier and more energetic.  

For now, I'm going to look forward to a warm summer, hiking, camping, playing, running, swimming, fun fun fun!  Life just looks so positive and happy now.  So let the sunshine IN!!!