Blizzard 2011: The Meltdown

With temperatures in the 40's today, we have begun the meltdown from our record breaking snowfall. This weekend we will likely see 60 degree weather and the Blizzard of 2011 will be officially behind us.

The boys and I had a good day today. After running some errands we had Happy Meals at McD's then a bouncing fun time at the inflatables place. Daddy took us out to dinner at our favorite Mexican restaurant after JJ took a late afternoon nap.

We are all in better spirits thanks to the sunshine, activity and no doubt the Mexican food :) For the most part I really didn't mind being stuck at home with my favorite people for the past week and a half.

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; He does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.' So that everyone He has made may know His work, He stops all people from their labor." Job 37: 5-7

Blizzard 2011: Day 10

Highlights of today: DVR hookup, mail delivery, mandatory rest time & a chocolate shake from Sonic. I won't list the low points. Looking forward to the weekend thaw!

Blizzard 2011: Day 9

Today was the day that the boys got on each other's nerves, both shed tears at least twice, and their appetites were ENORMOUS! At least we are all healthy (jinks)!

It snowed all night and continued until about noon. We ended up with an additional 5 inches. We have now broken the record for total snowfall in a single winter season - 26.1 inches! After his chauffer :) dropped him off after work, Jimmie shoveled the driveway AGAIN. He is going to try to DRIVE HIMSELF to work tomorrow!

I had to laugh at myself today when AJ told me he saw the mail truck drive by and I got REALLY EXCITED! That is pretty sad when mail delivery warrants the reaction I had. But my excitement was short lived. I put on my boots and trudged through the snow to the mailbox only to find it empty. The truck drove right past but had nothing for us. What has my life become?

No school tomorrow. We do have the cable guy scheduled (I should say re-scheduled since last week was our original appointment) to set us up with DVR. I can hear it now - "They don't have DVR??!! Are you kidding??!!" Not kidding - but we will soon join the rest of you who say things like "I'm going to get caught up on my shows this weekend" without needing a VCR :) I'm pretty excited and think it will totally change how we watch TV.

Blizzard 2011: Day 8

With another snowstorm headed our way, I spent my day running errands to the grocery store, pharmacy, library, and picked up my contacts at the eye doctor. While I was out and about the boys had a highly anticipated playdate at a friends house. They were so excited to see their buddies & have a change of scenery. I was grateful for the time to do my own thing and get mentally prepared for the next few days. We have done well so far to not go stir crazy, but the rest of the week may be challenging.


We are expecting another 5-8 inches of snow overnight and tomorrow. I predict the boys won't be back in school until next Monday. That didn't keep AJ from finishing his Valentine's collection box on time (it would have been due tomorrow). He was proud of the way it turned out. JJ insisted on being in the picture and was acting very silly! We cut out lots of hearts from construction paper, glued them on, and then applied Mod Podge to seal it. Pretty Cute, huh? AJ isn't quite the ladies man as he was in Kindergarten (you can read about that here ). At least he doesn't lead me to believe he is anyway. But I'm sure he will get plenty of valentines. That is IF he can get back to school before the holiday passes us by!!

Blizzard 2011: Day 7

It was another quiet day at home. We read books: A Very Special Snowflake, Sadie and the Snowman, among others. AJ finished his valentine box for his school party. More snow melted but not enough to have school tomorrow. That's right - school is out AGAIN! Tonight AJ said "I haven't been to school a single day in the month of February!"

Tonight Jimmie and I are watching the Jayhawks play Big Monday and I'm making plans to stock up at the grocery store tomorrow for another snow storm.

Blizzard 2011: Day 6

Aside from missing church, it was a fairly normal Sunday around here. We had a nice lunch with Mom & Ron and I got my beloved Sonic Coke :) The boys and I enjoyed a quiet afternoon at home while Jimmie went to help a friend shovel snow. We watched the Packers win the Super Bowl while the boys played their own version of football in our bonus room. Their "games" usually result in one or both of them crying. Tonight was no exception.

The snow melted some today with temperatures in the 40's. The roads in the neighborhood were pretty slushy this afternoon and of course will re-freeze tonight. School is cancelled for tomorrow and I'm just hoping that we can have class Tuesday and Wednesday before another snowstorm moves in.

Blizzard 2011: Day 5

Today was freedom day as Jimmie was able to dig us out from under all the snow. We went out for lunch at one of our favorite places and then to the grocery store where we bought not one, but two loaves of bread ;)

While Jimmie was shoveling, the boys played in the yard. Jimmie made them a snow fort, I knocked down icicles (which they turned into ice popsicles) and we fed the birds.

Church services have been cancelled for tomorrow. We plan to meet Mama Fern & Papa Ron for lunch to celebrate her birthday. Then I hope to hit the Sonic for a Coke :)

Blizzard 2011: Day 4

JJ looked out the window this morning and said "It's snowing AGAIN! I can't believe it!!" Large snowflakes fell all afternoon. We ended up with about 3 more inches. It was a very pretty snow unlike Tuesdays' sideways blowing snow.

It wasn't quite as cold today. So when our neighbors invited us to play outside, we bundled up and headed out. It was good to get outside and the boys had fun sledding down a snow covered pile of dirt across the street.

JJ didn't last as long as AJ and our friends. After making a snow angel in the driveway, we headed in for hot chocolate and cookies while AJ played for another hour and a half. I think they will both sleep well tonight!

Jimmie and his chauffeur ;) stopped by Wal-Mart after work today. I was hoping he could pick up some bread and a few other things. I really wasn't surprised when he texted me that the bread isle was completely wiped out. We can last a few more days with what we have. There is plenty of other food in the house. But both boys are really into PB&J's right now.

Thank goodness for the weekend and having daddy at home!

Blizzard 2011: Day 3

Last night a new record low temperature was set - 6 degrees below 0! AJ woke up feeling fine and had a normal day besides feeling a little tired this afternoon. He reminded me after lunch that he needed to make a collection box for his Valentines Day party next Thursday. So we started a project that soon lost steam. At least we made progress & have plenty of time at home with nothing else to do.

We called my mom today so the boys could wish her a Happy (belated) Birthday. Since they had fallen asleep so early last night they didn't get the opportunity to talk to her. JJ, who is not usually talkative on the phone, actually sang Happy Birthday to her :) She loved it!

The boys and I have not ventured outdoors for three days now. I literally have not even stepped out on the front porch! I really don't like the cold! And we probably won't get out until Saturday when Jimmie will have a day off and can finally have some daylight to shovel the driveway. I hope by then our van can manage the neighborhood streets and we can get to the store and buy a loaf of bread and a few other things we are running low on.

The boys don't seem to mind that the snow is keeping us from our normal activities. They have actually been getting along pretty well. Jimmie will cringe at that statement when he reads it - he is always telling me not to jinks things by making positive comments!

We got to have Pizza Hut tonight which was the highlight of the day. Jimmie & his chauffeur (ha!) stopped to pick it up on their way home from work. Jimmie has been very fortunate to have such great co-workers (with big pick-ups) to bring him to and from work. It's so nice to not worry about driving in the snow and ice when you MUST get to work - the patients are counting on you!

Of course school has been cancelled for the 4th and final day this week. AJ's Saturday basketball game has also been called off. I hope we can make it to church on Sunday before another snow shower moves in. Next week will be interesting!

Blizzard 2011: Day 2

Today was a quiet day. The boys and I played games, watched Fly Me To The Moon and made cinnamon & sugar snowflakes from tortillas. JJ stayed in his pajamas all day (as you can tell in the picture below). I did some laundry, paid bills and cleaned out some files.


Jimmie was dropped off after work by yet another generous co-worker & we were glad to see him. While I was cleaning up after dinner I looked over and saw all three of my boys cuddled up on the sofa. It was there that both AJ & JJ fell asleep by 7pm. So it has also been a quiet evening.


AJ was not feeling like himself tonight and by the time he fell asleep his temperature was reaching 100 degrees. Hopefully he won't spend the rest of these "snow days" being "under the weather".

Blizzard 2011: Day 1

Snowfall records have been set in what is being called the blizzard of the century here in Oklahoma. I heard the sleet begin tapping on the bedroom windows shortly after midnight. Snow started falling around 4am. There was about 2-3 inches of snow on the ground when Jimmie's co-worker picked him up in his 4 wheel drive truck at 6:30am. They made it to the hospital safely. By noon the snowfall in our backyard was around 9 inches. The wind blew it sideways all afternoon. When it quit falling from the sky at 4pm, we had about a foot with drifts of 3+ feet. Jimmie and his friend returned to the neighborhood after work, but an abandoned vehicle in the entrance gave them doubt that they would be able to reach our house tonight or return to the hospital in the morning. Since sick people need medicine, blizzard or not, Jimmie is spending the night close to work. He was prepared for this possibility with an overnight bag. Hopefully he can get home tomorrow evening. If not, Jimmie will have to turn his underwear inside out and wear them a second time!

The boys and I spent the day cozy warm watching the snow pile up outside. They were not interested in going out to play in it - which was fine with me! We played with legos, colored pictures, baked chocolate chip cookies and watched a movie I had picked up at the library on Monday - the title, Bob the Builder: Snowed Under!

The next couple days are supposed to be frigid. I have the faucets dripping and extra blankets on the beds. I love the artwork JJ brought home from preschool last week. It is a good reminder that God is in control, even in a blizzard.