Lions, Lambs and Polar Bears (oh my)!

The end of March is right around the corner - sidenote; I was having a moment and thought March only had 28 days this year - end sidenote - and I'm sitting here thinking of this whole in like a lion out like a lamb or lamb lion.  Really?  I think the entire month of March was more like a polar bear than a lamb or a lion.   I don't remember ever having this much snow piled on our deck.  Thankfully the weather has slightly perked up over the last few days and I have had a few people tell me "supposed to go up to 7 on Sunday!".  I'm not sure what weather man they are listening to but I'm looking at the 5 day forecast as I type this and it's supposed to SNOW on Sunday.

I've been doing my best to keep myself positive but I'm kinda losing steam.  I did start shoveling my upper deck off on Sunday and have done some every day.  My goal was to have the larger half cleared off and dry for Sunday (cause apparently it's going to be  +7) so I could bring out my anti-gravity chair and lounge in the sun... even if I have to have my winter jacket on while lounging.  I say my goal "was" instead of "is" because I've accomplished it!  I even found our stairs to the lower deck.  The bad news is the snow piled on our lower deck is now higher than the upper part and every time I see that pile I wonder how in the heck is that going to melt before the end of summer????  More bad news... there is no +7.  It's -4 with a 70% chance of SNOW.

So how do we keep our spirits up through all this cold and snow?  It's hard.  Especially if you have depression.  January is usually the worst month for me but I found it not too bad this year.  February went fairly quickly because we (we being my husband and I) got to go to Vegas during February break without kids - another sidenote; you might be thinking "of course without kids, who would take their kids to Vegas?" and I have to say you might be thinking wrong!  There were LOTS of kids there.  We even saw a Dad at a slot machine snuggling with his daughter (looked to be around 8 or 9) WHILE he was gambling! - end sidenote.  But I must say, I had a really hard time in March. 

March is supposed to be the month where we start to hear the birds chirping, our pants start getting wet on the bottom cause there are puddles everywhere and everyone comes out of hibernation to slowly chip away at the snow/ice piles on the streets (or deck in my case - even though I will get to the street eventually).  I love spring.  I love getting outside to chip away at the snow and ice, making huge water puddle dams with the kids while Ryan tries to find the drain and getting the driveway cleared off so the kids can pull out their scooters and skateboards.  So I am finding this weather really tough to get through.  My motivation is nowhere to be found and I'm losing my patience with my kids a lot faster than I normally do, I don't want to go out much less DO anything inside either. 

So back to getting through the end of winter and depression.  What helps me get through it?  My friends.  Plain and simple.  I have a group of friends who I don't have to hide myself from or hide my moods from.  Next up... my Church.  I love being at the Church and my Tuesday mornings and the meetings I have with the Leadership team get me up and out of the house... closer to my friends and other women who are going through the same things I am.  I know that the snow will melt, the weather will warm up and we will see grass at some point - but until that happens I will lean on my friends and ask them to help me.  I encourage you to do the same!  Don't hide how you are feeling - don't be miserable and unhappy at home only to put on your happy face when you go out.  Talk to someone.  Be yourself and be honest.  You might be surprised at their response.  I would also like to encourage you to find one of your friends who you know is having a hard time and invite them to MOMS one Tuesday.  We need to be rely on our circle of friends to help us get through the tough times and be there with us to celebrate the good.  Life is hard (especially if you live in Saskatchewan) but we need to enjoy the journey while we are on it instead of looking at the 5 day forecast. 

Future Family Part 3

For those of you who weren't able to make it this morning (or in the back volunteering for childcare) here is the link to the video series from Andy Stanley's Future Family - it will automatically start playing part 1 so be sure to click on part 3.    I don't know about you ladies - but I am going to be watching these at home with  my husband too.  If you would like to see the discussion questions they are located within the link under the video on the right.    Enjoy and have a great Easter weekend!  See you in a couple weeks!

Future Family Part 3 - "Common Cause" 

Future Family Part 2

If you missed Tuesday morning click on the link below to watch the second video from Andy Stanley's Future Family - the link will automatically start playing Part 1 so please make sure you click on Part 2.   If you would like the discussion questions they are within the link under the video on the right.  See you next week!

Future Family Part 2 " Power Down"

Future Family Part 1

If you missed Tuesday morning click on the link below to watch the second video from Andy Stanley's Future Family - the link will automatically start playing Part 1.  If you would like the discussion questions they are within the link under the video on the right.  See you next week!

Future Family Part 1 - "Ideally Speaking"