Now, I have a reason to hate snow.

We thought Jackson was just crazy for not loving (okay, refusing to eat) ice cream. We thought it was “a texture thing,” something that might change as he got older.

Then we had hives, an epi shot in an ambulance, more hives, and an appointment with an allergist.

Turns out, Jackson’s brain was already working for his body. Turns out, cold-induced urticaria is a real thing that can lead to mild reactions or severe anaphylaxis. Turns out, Jackson’s inclination to turn down ice cream may have a legitimate biological explanation.

So, now we’ll avoid ice-cold foods, be wary of cold pools and other bodies of water, and strictly avoid skin exposure to cold.

We could be sad about shorter snow days and no milkshakes, but we choose to be grateful knowing that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent.

Friends - don’t think you aren’t fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together by a sovereign Creator (Psalm 139:13-14); don’t think He doesn’t know the number of hairs on your head and find you more valuable than birds or flowers (Matthew 10:29-31).  

It amazes me to reflect on the many ways that God chooses to reveal Himself to me, reminding me that my children are His first, and only He knows their future. I’m thinking we’ll need that reminder often over the next few weeks as we prepare to hand our littlest to a surgical team for 10-12 hours.

Also, we need to move south.