January 3

In the weeks leading up to our trip here to Maryland, Isaac fiddled with his phone during the ride from Brady's school drop-off to his own each morning to check the forecast for signs of snow. And each day, he was bummed to report that none appeared to be on the horizon. Although he was disappointed by the too-warm-for-snow temps and general lack of precipitation predicted, he stayed optimistic. It didn't look good, but it could still happen, he reasoned.

So yesterday we trekked around DC in 60-degree temps. And then today --because nothing about this trip has been normal-- the sun rose and a previously unexpected snowstorm barreled through. 

It was an unusual kind of weather event for the area, since it socked southern Maryland and Virginia with nearly a foot of driving snow and terrible road conditions while leaving the mid (where we are) and western sections of the state --which are usually the places walloped by storms-- with just enough of the white stuff to fill Isaac and Brady with glee.

Anyway, they headed outside during the late-morning hours and built a wee snowman, and then a little later, Brianna suited up in her winter gear to show them the sledding hill in the backyard. So I went outside for a short while --because it was 25 degrees out and I'm no longer a fan of that brand of chilly-- and watched them in action. I took in their smiles and their laughs and the way they seemed to fully experience the snow in a way that only a kid can: with complete joy. Brady was red-faced and clearly freezing in two pairs of pajamas and an open jacket, but he was having a fabulous time. And I loved seeing that joy.

The rest of the day? Well, I mostly finished the blanket I began on the flight here, and the kiddos enjoyed a few games of cards with their cousins, and we took a very quick walk (because again, the cold is too cold for our warm California blood). And then we packed up our bags and, since we've been well, we headed back over to my grandma's house. We had a nice stay with Bobby and Reaya and the cousins, but I know grandma missed having us around. We brought Ledo's pizza for dinner, and she was happy to welcome us back. The boys were happy to be back in the basement playing pool, Abby's happy to be in a room of her own, and I've been happy to watch a Hallmark movie and to watch my grandma laughing at an old episode of The Golden Girls from across the family room. 

So the moral of the story? Keep hoping, even when what you're hoping for feels like a pipe dream, because only God knows what's really in store for us.