In 2008 Greg and I packed up what few possessions we had and set out for the unknown: Wisconsin.

Growing up in California I had a growing anxiety about how I would handle the Winters there. I had spent 5 Winters in Utah, but Utah Winters weren't anything like Wisconsin Winters. In fact, nothing is quite like a Wisconsin Winter.

But after moving there, a friend of ours gave us a new perspective.

Cold Winters are great he said. After surviving a Winter here, you earn a badge of honor. if anyone talks about their bad weather or their Winter horror stories, you always win, because you have survived the worst.

So I always stood with my head a little taller after that. We loved Wisconsin, Winter and all.

But now I am in a storm much different than a Wisconsin Winter.

It's being a mother of boys.

Being a mother of boys is great. After surviving a boy, you earn a badge of honor. If anyone talks about their parenting horror stories or their misbehaving children, you always win.

And I've survived three.

Well surviving.

I am now fully in the trenches of motherhood. Boys are hard. Aside from the smells, the dirt, and the other undesirable side effects of boys, they can sometimes just not be very nice. The hitting, the mean words, the malice and anger can just be so wearing that some days I just don't think I can make it. The fabric of my pants are worn thin from dropping to my knees as I pray for guidance, for my children, and just to be able to hold it together for one more day. But one day, the bitterness of Winter will melt away. These boys will grow up. While the day to day battles won't be quite so physically taxing, they also won't want to cuddle while we read books, or be held when they have a fever. They won't always find such euphoria in just running to feel their own bodies in the wind.

Because someday, Spring will come.

And so, I guess Winter isn't all bad.