My absence from writing has been a frustrating consequence of the incessant activities consuming me over the past couple of weeks. We have been moving into a new home, prepping the former home for showings post-move, unpacking unpacking unpacking, and dealing with the countless other realities that come with working, parenting, and holiday-ing. I have wacky stories to go with each of those items, but the current skinny is this – I’m just too darn tired to elaborate tonight. To put it simply, the past few weeks have been extremely taxing both emotionally and physically. I have been worn paper-thin, and it has seemed as though I have been unable to see the light behind the clouds.
But then came the snow. The spectacularly beautiful and impossible snow.
When you live in the Houston area, Christmas weather typically means something below 80 degrees hopefully. A few days ago, temperatures were actually above those levels. Christmastime in tank tops and shorts – bleh – I loathe that. But then there was a cold front. A fantastically wonderful freeze your bum and your toes kind of cold front. And with it came sheer magic!
As tired as I was, I stayed up most of that night watching the snow fall out my bedroom window. It was too beautiful and rare, and I refused to miss it. I woke my children up before the sun to make sure that we would have time to play in it before we had to head to school and work. In truth I really wanted the whole family to play hooky all day, but it just wasn’t possible. No matter. We still found time to completely freeze our toes off and have a total blast. It was utterly unexpected, incredibly special, and definitely a day for the memory books.
Seeing our new backyard transformed into a true winter wonderland felt like a refresher for my soul. It reminded me that unexpected and wonderful magic is always possible. We may feel like we are trapped in a situation we can’t change, but the truth is that we don’t know what spectacular realities are right around the corner.
Although I’m still exhausted to my core, I can sense the light behind the clouds peeking through once more. At a minimum, I finally located the moving box that held the bulk of my underwear, so that seems like a good baseline for a turnaround. If God can send loads of snow and undies my way in the same weekend, I’m hopeful that the miracle train is running in full steam and taking care of all of the things that I can’t. I pray that my spirits will ascend in turn and that I will have the clarity to honor the beauty of this time.
I pray that you feel the magic of this season as well darling friends. No matter what you believe, it truly is out there for all of us. Sending prayers for your happiness and health now and always.
In love and light – Joanna
Momentum of Joy 
Dec 11, 2017 @ 01:25:04
That is a lovely post, as beautifully written as the snow that swirled around me yesterday. xx
Dec 20, 2017 @ 06:57:28
New snow is the best, isn’t it? ❤️❤️❤️
Dec 20, 2017 @ 08:41:39
It is magical 🙂
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:55:05
🙂
Dec 11, 2017 @ 02:53:11
Hi Jo, we also have snow here in Blighty. I dislike the stuff because my bones are shot – hence – the fear of falling over and breaking something. Have missed your posts lovely. X
Dec 20, 2017 @ 06:59:48
I am a chronic faller-downer (yes – that’s a word today)! I don’t even need snow to do it. Give me a smooth floor with zero tripping hazards and I’m all over the wipeout baby! I’m just cool like that. I think that I would appreciate snow significantly less if we had it all the time. Slushy crud and ice don’t make it on my “things I adore” list.
Dec 21, 2017 @ 02:48:47
I actually twitch at the mention of snow and ice. True story! X
Dec 11, 2017 @ 08:15:57
So beautiful and truly magical!
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:00:01
Thank you darling! 🤗
Dec 11, 2017 @ 08:17:45
I have many fond memories of my childhood, but a special ‘collective’ one was when Mother would awaken me on a school day with the words, ‘Look out your window.” Ah! Joy! and for us, that usually meant, ‘No School!’
Thanks for sharing your own joy — I would have been watching out that window as well!
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:01:40
Isn’t it funny how those little moments find resonance in our souls? It made me smile to imagine you looking out the window as a tidbit and having your breath catch as you saw the wonderland around you. There’s just something beautiful beyond words about the first fresh snow. ❤️
Dec 11, 2017 @ 08:38:24
Good to hear from you again. Wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas filled with many more magical moments.
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:03:14
You, too, lovely! How are you darling? I’m fully confident that you are continuing your unstoppable ass-kicking name-taking routine (love it!). Hopefully you can find time to do something fabulous just for you this month, too. You definitely deserve it girl. 🤗
Dec 20, 2017 @ 08:27:16
Thank you for the sweet words. Yes, we are enjoying all the wonderful things this season has to offer, that is when I take my cape off and retire it for the day. 🙂
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:53:48
Yes you are seriously cape-worthy!
Dec 11, 2017 @ 08:41:49
Wasn’t it great? We overslept so my son was upset he didn’t get to play in it. And it was gone that same day too which is always sad but it’s Houston! 😀
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:05:11
I know! We had one MONSTER snowball that lasted two whole days. I think we checked on it twenty times an hour just to see how long it would stick around. My son said, “Christmas snow never melts.” I then felt the need to clarify that if that was the case, Houston never received Christmas snow. Lol! But it was spectacular anyway! 😘
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:09:36
Aww, poor thing! I would have probably said “Well it’s not Christmas yet so it won’t stay” 😂
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:12:02
Ha! That’s such a fantastic mom response! You’re a total smartie! 😂
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:13:40
Probably why my son is one at 12 too 😂
Dec 11, 2017 @ 11:33:40
Moving is always chaotic! I love when nature reminds us to take a breath and look outside. Beautiful photo and story! 🙂
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:06:58
Your moving story is still.obe of my favorites. I think of you whenever I see dragon stuff (which is aaaaaall the time because one of my daughters is obsessed with them). I loved your little dragon door greeter. I love the way you have integrated magic and nature into your home. I’ve told you how amazing you are, yes??? ❤️
Dec 20, 2017 @ 16:25:09
Thank you so much, Mojo! Glad to have another dragon aficionado in the club! 🙂
Dec 11, 2017 @ 17:42:50
Miss you! Hope you’re surviving!!xo
Dec 20, 2017 @ 07:07:18
I am. How are you!?! I want the updates lady! 😘
Dec 20, 2017 @ 11:01:38
Maybe tonight!!xo
Dec 11, 2017 @ 18:15:06
So delighted that you guys were treated to this magical interlude, No matter where you live or how old you are, the simple peacefulness of snow dusting the world around you is hard to resist (IMHO). Glad you found your ‘unmentionables’, too!
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:34:44
Yes snow and undies are both magical in their own special ways! 😉
Dec 12, 2017 @ 04:52:55
Nice reading about the snow. And happy to know you got back your enthusiasm along with it. Let the box of miracles unravel more for everyone.
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:36:21
Still working on maintaining my enthusiasm but I’m heading back that way. I hope that you are doing fantastically well and are experiencing joy and wonder my sweet friend. 🙂
Dec 12, 2017 @ 17:14:13
Ahh… the beauty of a snowfall, I live in Minnesota and it still takes my breath away. Although I loathe our long cold winters, I never mind the beauty of the snow falling. Clean undies are the bomb too, but the snowflake is a gift from above! Take care of you! ~kim
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:43:21
Yes I adore the gifts from above and those for below, too! 😉 I am certain that the snow.would lose its luster for me if I was in it for months at a time, but it just doesn’t happen here. I remember reading a funny vignette years ago that started with someone being in awe of the snow. As the weeks of cold and snow ticked by, the love for them started to decrease and ultimately turned into “Get this white sh#& out if here!” Made me laugh, but I imagine that it rings true to many out there.
Dec 22, 2017 @ 07:41:37
Very true! Ha!
Dec 13, 2017 @ 15:25:58
I am glad you are ok, Jo. I have missed you. So many words to say but none at this point. I am just happy, you are back with your post
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:44:36
I’m still getting caught up on these! I’m going to try to drop you a note later today. I do miss you my friend and have thought of you often. Big hugs! Jo
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:45:53
💗💗😘😘. You do have to tell me, I know it, I feel it. Your love is always there with me
Dec 17, 2017 @ 04:54:45
Merry christmas Joanna! Snow in texas? Wow. who’d believe that. Glad you had a chance to make some beautiful memories though! xxx
Dec 22, 2017 @ 06:52:09
We are back to our tshirt and shorts Christmas weather. Not my fav but I’m thankful that we had the other, too 🙂
Dec 22, 2017 @ 08:32:47
Not very Christmassy then 🙂 but I’d like to experience T-shirt and shorts weather just see what it’s like at Christmas time
Dec 20, 2017 @ 00:51:45
I liked your post. Here is my entry.
https://kadamakudy.wordpress.com/2017/12/20/ascent-at-kadamakudy/
Dec 20, 2017 @ 14:21:09
Praying with you here. haha I just moved 2 months ago and yet I can still feel the trauma of moving to a new house. haha
Here’s my entry:
http://islesgilian.com/arabian-lanterns/
Dec 26, 2017 @ 08:40:51
Moving was a hot mess but those lanterns were spectacular. Loved your post! I’m so glad that you shared it with me Gilian. 😊