What snow is good for...

So after all the snowing was done, at least for now, we had about 30 inches of snow.  That is a lot of snow for us here in this part of Farmington.  There are definitely some negatives to snow-like slick roads, icy parking lots where you almost fall multiple times, wet and dirty shoes coming in and out of your house all day, and snow clothes hanging everywhere.  But instead of dwelling on the possible negatives, let me share some positives that I saw.

• Families out shoveling snow, it was not a one person job.  Neighbors helping other neighbors shovel.
• Meetings and school cancelled allowing us to have a little extra, and sometimes unusual family time.
• Snow covered roads that were plowed slower than normal around here, allowed for a lot of children to be pulled in sleds and on skis around the neighborhood.  Jared was almost surprised when Tony sad he would pull him around behind the car.  (Yes it was probably dangerous, and it might have made me a bit nervous, but it's a memory he likely won't forget.)
• Sledding in the snow.  What fun to speed down a snow covered hill.  All three of my youngest enjoyed that yesterday.
• Must mention the importance for snow in Utah, to give this mostly desert state water for the summer.  Last winter was awful, so it was crucial for this winter to be a good one.  So far so good.
• The beauty of the snow.  I love it when the sun comes out and it looks like there are little diamonds sparkling everywhere.  It hurts your eyes, but you can't look away because the beauty is awe-inspiring. 

 

• A new positive we learned last night was that big snow banks give you a good place to hide.  Jared will be 16 in 10 days!!  Heaven help us!  The Valentine's dance is coming up in February and last night he asked a girl to go with him.  She happened to live on a long straight street with no place to hide after ringing the doorbell.  Then he realized he could lay down on the sidewalk between the snow banks and no one could see him.  Who knew huge snow banks could be so useful.  Lexie and I were laughing watching him lying there on the sidewalk waiting for them to come to the door.  It probably helps to understand the humor knowing that the thermometer in our car was measuring between below 0 temps and ICE.  We were getting ice on the inside of the windows it was so cold.  So there was my son lying on a frozen sidewalk in only a sweatshirt and jeans.  It was great!

 Time has a tendency to remove the bad that happened, so my memories of the past are for the most part very pleasant.  When I look back on the Winter Storm of Jan 2013, I am pretty sure these things are what I will remember.