This was us earlier today. Fast forward a few hours— Just as I finished cleaning up after one person’s clandestine painting, the power went out. The timing was actually amazing—-I just got to the end of It’s a Wonderful Life with the rest of the characters, finished soup, and got the boys to change into their pajamas. We had dinner by flashlight. “Look outside! It’s like a white blanket!” Sasha says. We already went sledding, and everyone except Mitya thought it was wonderful. There was so much snow on our journey back home, I felt like I was in a Dr. Zhivago movie. We had hot chocolate with marshmallows, and took lots of pictures. The sky is light pink now. I wish I could walk outside. The kids are getting ready for bed. No school Monday, so we get to do it all over again tomorrow!

I feel like the character in It’s a Wonderful Life. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if things had played out differently, but then Mitya says something like “Let me give you a hug and kiss and tell you about my day,” I look in his eyes, and I can honestly say I am thankful for exactly this moment.