The Difference Between Boys & Girls and Moms & Dads

Here in the Shenandoah Valley, specifically Rockingham County,Virginia we raise some tough kids. On one hand, we like our girls sugary sweet, with bows in their hair and a little twinkle in their eyes. But on the other hand, we expect them to learn what being a Southern country girl is all about. We work on farms with the guys, we drive big trucks lifted so getting in and out can sometimes be a challenge. We can wrestle with the cows and calves like the rest of them. We teach our daughters how to hunt. And one of our favorite places to eat is at the Shenandoah Valley Livestock Sales. We also teach them how to make the best apple pie you've ever eaten and some mean fried chicken, mashed potatoes and home made gravy.

My Husband & I were joking one day about how he wouldn't mind seeing a picture of a pretty girl on the fridge (another story, another day). Instead of my daughters Barbie magnets. My daughter quickly told her Dad "Momma knows how to use a shot gun!" Wow, a girl after my own heart.

So where do we draw the line between throwing a bail of hay out for the cows and being called pumpkin, by your Daddy? Well let's start with the Momma and the Daddy's. As most of you know, Virginia has been clobbered with snow, snow, ice and more snow. Almost three months later the snow is still here. We live out in the country on back roads. And my Niece was leaving for school on a 2 hour delay, which after they finally got back to school after being off for a whole 2 weeks. 2 hour delays were very common. She left for school in her car. Hit ice, spun around and hit a snow bank and went into a ditch. She called her Dad, he came got her out and sent her to school. (You know, it's a guy thing). My Sister-In-Law who is sitting at home with a painful broken ankle calls my Niece to check on her. She's sitting down in Broadway crying. My Sister-In-Law tells her to come home (it's a girl thing). My Sister-In-Law and I got a kick out of my Brother-In-Law sending her to school. Why? Because this was devastating and scary to my Niece. To a guy, it's no big deal. To prove my point. Last summer my Son who is exactly 4 days younger then my Niece. Wrecked his Jeep. He was driving through the field, his tire blew, he hit a big rock (that's all we got out here) and flipped the Jeep. It messed up his Jeep real bad. He hurt his head, back, ribs, shoulder and legs. My Son other then hurting and being sore was okay with it. Hauled the Jeep closer to our house and went on with his friends. Me? I freaked out (its a girl thing). Is my Son okay, is he broken? Does he need a big hug from Momma? Oh no, he's fine. My husband (its a guy thing) laughed.

Oh yes he did. He laughed after he made sure he was okay. I still haven't laughed yet. We had to quickly take the Jeep to the junk yard to be crushed so I wouldn't have to look at it all the time.

We raise our kids in a Christ centered home, in church and surrounded by family. Not all of us turn out real good, but at least all the parents try. My Momma can weld just as good as any guy, maybe even better then some guys. And she can shoot a fox or deer whenever she wants to. But she'll turn around and get all dressed up in a pretty dress when need be. You gotta remember how, who and where we were raised. Especially who we were raised by; the Guys and the Girls. Sugary sweet and tough as nails.

Gods Beauty

I must say, as much as I hate snow....this is absolutely breathtaking. God really has created an absolute beautiful earth. ((dont look at the time stamp, this camera...ummm set's it's own, lol))

It's A Southern Thing...

It's a Southern thing... you know, Snow Cream. Oh yes, I love Snow Cream. And after talking to a lot of Northern friends and family, I've come to believe that it's a Southern thing. Most didn't know what I was talking about. And if there are any Northerners who make it...I probably told ya'll how to make it. I guess, since we don't get much snow down here. When we did get it, we had to find something creative and delicious to do with it.

Snow Cream has a delicious taste, it's fun making it with your kids and you'll make lots of memories. I love making it with my kids, nieces and nephews. Just as my parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles did with us. And I remember every single time we were sent out to get snow, they would (and still do) say "don't get the yellow snow". Like my kids, we've always had pets growing up, so we knew what they were talking about. And it just wouldn't be just perfect if it didn't have a little bit of dirt mixed in. After all as my Mom and Mother-In-Law say "dirt helps kids grow". Yeah, you read that right. That's what we get for living out in the country. Dirty kids, muddy carpets and all the time dirty floors. But we have to have a little in our Snow Cream. And my kids definitely make sure that happens.

So if by some chance Rockingham County and Harrisonburg, we get this "white death" as my Ohio cousin calls it....make some Southern Snow Cream. If you need the recipe, let me know.

Enjoy the weather as unpredictable as it may be and drive carefully!

No Snow....

I was praising God at 4:30 a.m. I got up, took a shower and was so happy to see.....yes, you know...NO SNOW!! It was raining, but that's just fine. Now, my kids along with a lot of others were very disappointed. They were counting on a snow day. But Praise the Lord, no snow and by lunch it was beautiful outside. Some of the mountains had snow on them, which is absolutely beautiful to look at. As long as I don't have to be physically in the snow.

The weather people were so sure of the snow and freezing rain coming at us here in Rockingham County. I'm sure God laughed at them and said "No snow for ya'll" (I like to pretend God has a Southern accent, like me). When my 15 year old son was in John Wayland Elementary School, the weather was calling on this bad snow storm and possible blizzard. And if you looked on the radar it showed bad weather was coming. So Rockingham County School's called off school for the next day. Keep in mind when they did this there was no inclement weather happening. It was just cloudy and cold. So they called off school, of course the kids were happy. The next morning everyone wakes up ready to go play out in the blizzard like weather. Guess what? There was absolutely no snow, no rain, no sleet and no freezing rain. In fact that day ended up being the warmest day in about 2 weeks. It was an absolute gorgeous day.

Well people really had a lot to say to and about the school board for that mess up. Up to this day I find it very funny and I've told my kids that story several times, but I can assure you they have not made that mistake since.

Too Cold For Me

Well, Virginia...particularly Rockingham County, Virginia...your prayers were answered. We got rain. Actually, we're getting a lot of rain. Maybe snow tomorrow. I love weather in our area, because it's usually pretty mild. If we get snow, it doesn't amount to anything. If we get rain, well sometimes it floods. But it's been too cold. It's been a hard rain all day. And cold. I hate cold weather.

Our snow works like this; it snows one day and either that evening or the next day, it melts. That's how I like it. And usually this only happens twice per cold season. Once it hits the West Virginia mountains, the strength of the snow dies down. And we get the "leftovers".

Now ice is a whole other story. We get some bad ice storms. My kids always say we get it worse because we live high on a hill and we're closer to God in Heaven. So the ice doesn't have far to go. I know...my kids are too cute. LOL.

Anyway, I'm not complaining about the rain. I've been praying for rain. You don't pray for something, expect it to happen and than say "hey I really didn't mean that". God hears and if it's in His will, it will happen.
Every ounce of my body aches in cold weather. I'm only 28 and holding, LOL, so I'm not so old. But the cold weather makes me feel very very old.

A family at our church is from Montana and they have been praying for alot of snow. But one of their boys wants to move to Hawaii (they're a Military family, God Bless them)). I hope they're not holding their breath for alot of snow. Now if you look through history, you can see Virginia has had their fair share of big snows. But not lately. My daughter saw a snow mobile on t.v. she got excited and of course wanted us to buy one. We laughed and told her, we dont need one here.

Well, enjoy or tollerate the weather. Stay safe and warm. Remember in this area, 1/2" of snow hits the ground, people loose all their senses and forget how to drive.