Building Cathedrals:

Another storm is coming, the 3rd big storm of the season. I posted about a huge snowstorm back in December, we had 28 inches last Saturday, and they are calling for another 1-2 feet tonight and all day tomorrow. And since 3 times is a charm, I think I have finally mastered how to survive a blizzard with many young children:

1. When they are calling for snow by the foot, rather than by the inch, plan ahead and buy some snacks and great food at least 48 hours prior to the storm. Do not under any circumstances go to the food store within 36 hours of the storm. No matter how badly you need food (and even if it is your regularly scheduled food shopping day!), you will not come home with milk or eggs, and you will be lucky to get out of the store alive!

2. Get the kids out of the house prior to the storm. We rescheduled gymnastics (usually on Wed.) for today, and I am so happy I called first thing yesterday to get my kids into a make-up class.

3. Get yourself out of the house prior to the storm--I'm hoping to go to the gym tonight for a good run. I will feel better about being a couch potato tomorrow if I get a good run in tonight.

4. As a general rule, young children will spend about 1/2 the time outside that it takes them to get on their snowgear. In our house this means about 20 minutes of prep, and 10 minutes of outdoor play!

5. Your house will be wet and muddy and covered in mittens and hats. It is far better to put wet items in a laundry basket and then throw them in the dryer for 10 minutes than to leave them strewn about waiting for them to air dry. Chances are the kids will want to go back outside before they dry and you will have to put them in the dryer anyway! In the meantime the pile of clothes in my kitchen area drives me bonkers.

6. Watch small children carefully when they go out into deep snow. Charlie has pointed out to me that with another foot, the snow just might be over his head!

7. Do not shovel during the storm. It does not make things easier, but only leaves you exhausted and tired of shoveling.

8. Definitely watch the local news. I never watch the local news, but there is something about the weathermen outdoors in a blizzard, telling me again and again not to leave my house, letting me know just how hazardous and bad the conditions are, that I find amusing and enjoyable.

9. Make sure the shovels (usually located in a detached shed) are brought near your door, and the sled isn't left lying in the yard. A snow-buried sled will not be found until the snow melts (when it will be useless), and it is big pain to trek through several feet of snow to retrieve shovels necessary for shoveling.

10. Take lots of pictures of your baby, because she is growing up so fast, rolling and giggling and smiling. She will never be 4 months old again. (I know, I know, I'm shameless!)

to Oprah today--as crazy as that sounds!

These lovely ladies will be featured on the show. When we lived in Ann Arbor, their Motherhouse was located right up the road from our apartment. They are an awesome order, and I hope that shines through on today's show!

***Update***
check out this link.

We will be celebrating all things pink and lovey-dovey this week!

We will be making some cookie hearts using the sugar cookie dough that I froze at Christmas (just ran out of time to decorate them, and I made a blessed decision not to try to squeeze it in).

We will try out a new recipe for Frozen Hot Chocolate, and I am going to serve it in glasses rimmed with pink and red sugar.

We will be reading Saint Valentine by Robert Sabuda. This dovetails nicely with our ongoing mosaic work, and we will also be making glue and paper heart mosaics.

Right now we are making Valentine Dots, which have become a tradition. My favorite is to use the caramel hershey kisses!

For our Valentine's date, we are looking forward to an afternoon of recollection at our parish on the subject of God's love, complete with child care! What a blessing and a treat to be able to spend some time together in prayer and adoration, what a beautiful way to support and affirm our love! I can't wait.

What does your family have planned?

Check out these New York Times videos which detail the science behind aerial skiing, my kids had great fun watching them this morning, what a way to make physics exciting. It looks like the times will be posting more videos like this in the next few days.

Even in the great state of Texas we have cold, rainy weeks. While I feel like curling up under a blanket with a great book, my boys usually prefer bouncing off the walls, the furniture or each other, which doesn't usually end well.