Sometimes we all need some snow

 It snowed today. While this isn't news for many parts of the country, it is a huge deal in Central/South Texas. You begin seeing your social media feeds blow up with pics of adults/kids/dogs rolling around in the snow, taking videos, and exuding joy. And while I used to be one of those joy-stealers who rebuffed that joy because no, it is not really that much snow nor will it stay, for these folks, it only comes around a couple of times every couple of years. Their lives do stop, and for a few minutes or hours, they stop to enjoy the beauty and are unapologetic. Today the PKs (except for 5.0 cause nobody has time to get a toddler fully outfitted in snow gear) cycled in and out of the house while it snowed. We probably got 3-4 inches. It was beautiful and light. It made this place that sometimes feels so far from "home" feel a little less lonely. I got to see the pure joy of watching snowflakes fall on tips of tongues and outstretched hands. I watched kid hands get cold from snowballs and warmed next to a fire. I got to make hot chocolate and listen to muffled laughter outside. 

Joy was had by everyone today. Joy because it snowed. In this ever tumultuous time, I encourage us all to find joy. And maybe, once the times aren't so tumultuous (prayerfully soon), we can remember that joy and carry a little with us each day. Sometimes you gotta go outside and spin around while the frozen rain falls cause that cold joy reminds you that all though life is hard, sometimes, joy is almost everywhere. 

Next time it snows (if you're in a place where it does that), go outside and spin around. Catch a couple of snowflakes and post about them on social media. I'll <3 your post. Love you. 

A New Year, Get.It.Done.

 Back in the summer of 2019, I stopped my Ph.D. Although it was something I desperately wanted, life was too hard. I was juggling an unexpected pregnancy, being in administration, and raising kids while being a supportive spouse. Simultaneously, the Curate was still a VIT and finishing up CPE and heading into his last year of seminary. It was all just TOO MUCH (in every sense of that phrase). For the first time in my life, I didn't finish something I'd started. However, when I disenrolled, I felt such peace. It was the right decision. It probably saved my sanity and gave me a much-needed couple of inches to breathe. 

After the birth of PK 5.0 and the resulting trauma, I was even more convinced that maybe a terminal degree wasn't for me. Maybe what I had was plenty good. Life continued. Covid hit, and bam, lots of turmoil again. Lost job opportunities for the Curate and I both and no solid plan until very late that summer gave me pause to think about the future of my career and what I needed to do. The inklings of returning to school began to surface again. Did I want to pick up my Ph.D.? Was a Ph.D. what I really wanted? When I looked at the differences, compared programs, and did a lot of private and close circle discernment, I realized, just before Christmas (the one that just passed!), that I was ready to move back into school, but this time, to get an Ed.D. I'll still have a very similar focus, but it will be more directed towards curriculum development with a leadership side. I want to know that I finished this. Not because it will necessarily make me more money, but because at the end of the day, having this terminal degree will be the internal accomplishment of a lifetime of learning. 

I'm so fortunate to have a spouse and kids who understand and support learning. They know it will come at the expense of time sometimes, and they support that. They love to learn, and maybe some of that comes from parents who they've grown up seeing learn and continue to develop. So, on the road of student/teacher/mom/wife/friend again. It won't be easy, but after the shit show of 2020, no matter how rocky this gets, I know #WeCanDoHardThings.