As the temperature dipped into the minus double-digits this week, my family and I had the opportunity to experience some of the adventures you can only have in North Dakota.

Car trouble was easy. We’ve done that one before. 

Finding a way to get our youngest daughter home from school on our record snow day (5.4 inches in one day) was a little trickier.   In the end, it worked out very well, thanks to some very good friends who are as brave as they are kind.

Our greatest challenge began early yesterday morning.  Our furnace simply refused to turn on.  Apparently it is an experimental unit, one of five in the Bismarck area–and it took a day and a half to find the part and get it fixed. 

By the time we got home tonight, we were paranoid and thought we smelled propane.  We left again while the furnace was checked out one last time.

Now we’re home, safe and warm and happy, and I’m counting my blessings.  Here’s what I’ve learned from the past few days:

• Having a family sleepover by the fireplace is a lot of fun.  We should do it more often.
• Having something warm like cocoa for breakfast makes people smile.
• Families can have some great bonding time just driving around in the car.
• Always have a backup plan for transportation issues.  Or invest in a sleigh.  Or maybe a tank.
• Make sure you know where your gloves are.
•  Be grateful for people who don’t mind coming out in the cold more than once to make sure you’re okay.
• When things are good again, share your celebration chocolate with the neighbors.

All in all, not a bad couple of days.

Not that I’m ready to do them again, but I’m feeling pretty content right now.

REALLY.