It's (almost) that time of year . . .

Don't worry, I'm not going to complain about being bored.

I had a spectacular morning. All night I was comforted by the flashes of lightning and peels of thunder (don't ask me why that is comforting—it just is) and then I woke up to a beautiful cloudy morning. I took a hot shower (that's 2 in a row!!) and then I ate my breakfast outside and smelled the delicious air while I listened to the storm building to the north.

And then I drove to work and was completely attacked by rain. Lighting was flashing on either side of me as I raced down the freeway. My feeling of power was dampened a bit whenever I drove by a huge truck that completely engulfed me in water, but I emerged victorious.

Stormy weather always makes me ridiculously happy. For one, there is nothing better than curling up with a blanket, a good book, and a mug of hot chocolate while a storm rages outside. Or watching Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter while the world is dark and gloomy. Or playing cards in your socks and pajamas. For some reason, everything is more fun when it's raining.

But I was finally able to put my finger on another reason why I love storms so much: they are a sign of things to come. After the storms come my favorite time of year—September to December. I am not naive enough to think that summer is over just because it has been raining for the past few days (this is Utah, after all), but this wonderful warm rain is kind of the beginning of the end of summer. Soon, that rain will turn cold, and that rain will turn into snow. Soon the leaves will start to change color and the smell of chimney smoke will fill the air. School will start. The coming of winter is a very happy time for me because of all of the things I associate with winter—Thanksgiving, Christmas, family, snow, fireplaces, hot chocolate—the list could go on and on forever.

For my family, the holidays start on August 14. From August 14 to January 1 we have 7 birthdays and 7 holidays. For several months there is always someone to buy a present for, a family dinner to prepare for, or a holiday to look forward to. It is a truly grand time of year. And those times are made more magical by the moisture falling from the sky and the smell of chimney smoke in the air.

But for now, we still have the chance to enjoy summer for all of its glories. We can play out in the rain and jump in warm puddles, watch the lightning every night, and listen to the thunder. We can bask in the sunlight, enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery, and listen to the birds chirp. Yep, the best time of year upon us.