Starting in June, we began to feel a little more confident in being around other people, as long as we all wore masks and we were not in crowded areas. We only ate out if we could sit on patios. My kids started going to the store with me for the first time in months, but had to wear masks. Presley did very well with the masks from the beginning. She was fairly anxious about catching the virus, so the masks made her feel safer. Brooks, on the other hand, had a really hard time with masks at first. He was fine with short periods of time, but said he was hot and couldn't breathe. We tried many, many different masks, and some were better than others. Finally we tried neck gaiters, and finally he was okay with it.
Grandma and Grandpa came to visit for a week. On a walk one day, I mentioned that the kids were wanting to paint their rooms. So Grandma said, "let's do it!" And she did. Presley and Brooks picked out their colors and what they wanted. Presley wanted a peachy pink. Brooks wanted a Cowboys room. The kids helped a little and Grandpa helped a lot.
Grandma wanted to try out her new inflatable kayak, so we headed back to the little beach area we found at Texoma. The kids loved the kayak, but Grandpa was not amused.
At the end of the week, we all headed to South Dakota for some family time. We got halfway to Kansas and then found out the cousins were sick and we weren't sure what it was yet. Grandma and Grandpa went on ahead, but we decided not to risk it, and returned to Dallas. Of course, on the way home, we stopped in Oklahoma City to see Marcie and the girls.
When we got home, we decided to spend some time on making our front yard more colorful. We picked out some planters and flowers to add to the bed. Dave and I both enjoyed this, and started talking about adding a patio to the backyard.
We had lots of adventures with cousins: sleepovers and swimming and video games with Owen and Charlie, sewing with Kiwi and Sofia, fun on the farm with Danika and Jacob.
Presley began to take a real interest in sewing and says she wants to be a fashion designer when she grows up. She was very surprised one day to come home and find a sewing machine sitting on her desk. Her and I had some fun making a little purse and some pajamas for her baby doll. She also wants to be a singer and loves to sing!!!
Our church did a small neighborhood VBS, where we did everything outside. I teamed up with Andrea DeBolt to help. Addisyn and Raelyn came to visit and went with us. The kids loved being around kids again, playing games, and learning about Jesus.
Our church service opened back up again, but with assigned service times to keep things small. We were frustrated with the lack of masks, and only went a couple of times. We continued to watch online. The children's area was still closed, but the church gave the kids Mother's Day and Father's Day crafts to make for us. Eventually, the pastor sent an email asking the congregation to wear masks when going to their seats, and started going to the service again, but sneaking out as soon as it was over.
Our family Bible studies were one of my favorite parts of this year. The slow down gave us so much more time to focus on what really matters. Nearly every night, we would read from a book or devotional, read from the Bible, or watch some kind of Bible video together. It was priceless.
After lots of thoughts and prayer, Dave decided to work for New York Life, the same company my dad has worked for almost 30 years. He's always thought about it, and felt like he could be successful at the business, but the timing has never been right to take the leap and give it a try. He has been feeling like he wants more time with his family, to be able to serve in the community, and a more flexible schedule. This job provides all of those things.
So now Dave works from home, and we are all loving how much he is around. He's such a huge help around the house and with the kids. We converted the guest room into an office for him and made the upstairs a little more cozy for guests.
In July, we got word that we would be starting school in the fall. The first 3 weeks would be virtual. Then parents could choose if they wanted their kids to be virtual learners or face to face learners. Depending on the number of students that were going to be virtual, some of the teachers would be assigned to teach virtually. While I was prepared to do this, I was told that it would not be me, due to the fact that I was not certified to teach ESL students. Honestly, it was a huge relief, but I was nervous about what the classroom would look like, with things being so different.
We started school August 13th, but were all virtual. Thankfully, the teachers were allowed to bring their kids to school, where they had staff looking after them, helping to manage their school work, taking them to recess each day.
In September, all the face to face learners came back to the classroom. Things are very different. Parents are not allowed in the building. The kids get dropped off at the end of their pod and walk straight to their classrooms. Everyone wears masks. The desks are spaced. Students are not allowed to share supplies. Even the books have to sit for several days before they are allowed to be used by other students. Each class only allowed to interact with themselves. There is no mingling in the lunchroom or at recess. Any time there is a Covid case, contract tracing is done and anyone with contact is quarantined for 14 days. It's all so different. And yet, the same. I still have a class full of little ones to teach and love. We still laugh. We still play. We still learn.
Honestly, going back to the classroom was when things finally started to feel normal again - or at least more normal. It was so nice to have a routine again. It was so nice to have consistent daily interactions with others. Brooks and Presley were thrilled to be back with other kids. And I feel like it has given so many of us a new perspective. The things that we took for granted before, we no longer take for granted.
We went to see The Barber Family for Labor Day Weekend. We spent a few days at their ranch in Lampasas, where the guys did some hunting. Then we spent a day on the boat at Lake Travis, tubing and swimming. It was a wonderful weekend with friends, filled with lots of laughter.
October brought cooler temps and some time at the cabin. I love the memories that my kids are making there. Presley loves to explore and be outside. Brooks loves to do puzzles and play games, but will explore a little with Sissy.
We took a day trip to East Texas to see Jenny get married! It was fun to get all dressed up!
At the end of October, one of my students tested positive for Covid and my class got quarantined. We got quarantined on a Wednesday. That following day Mike and Marla were supposed to be coming to stay for a few days because Brooks was going to be baptized. We were so bummed to have to cancel their visit and the baptism, but knew it was the right thing to do. Mike and Marla decided to go on to North Carolina, but since they were driving through, they stopped and surprised the kids with some Halloween goodies.
Dave and I decided that it would be best for me to be upstairs and avoid getting too close to the rest of the family until we were sure that I was not sick. It was really hard for the kids, but we kept reminding them that sometimes the right things are hard things. Dave was a champ. He was cooking the meals, driving the kids to school, doing it all. A few times, when the weather was nice, I was able to come downstairs, wearing a mask, and sit outside for a socially distanced dinner with the family. I also got to be outside with the kids as they painted pumpkins, something we've done every Fall since Brooks was 2 years old. A week later, after I tested negative, I came back down stairs, and things got back to normal. I was so excited to sit and snuggle my babies. Again, this year has taught me so much about the little things, and how big they really are!
In November, Missy came to visit for my birthday weekend. We spent the day at the spa, getting massages and facials and pedicures. We had wonderful conversations all weekend. It's pretty amazing that we have known each other for our whole lives. We are complete opposites in almost every way - but both just love and treasure our friendship.
Mike and Marla came back to visit for 10 days after their trip to North Carolina. Thankfully, we were able to reschedule Brooks' baptism to be done while they were in town. We had a happy Thanksgiving, and I enjoyed cooking a big meal for the six of us. I was quite proud that the entire meal was delicious and gluten free. I was worried that my gravy would not be as good, so Dad came over the night before to teach me how to make a good gluten free gravy. He and Mom stayed for dinner and we had a great time. Presley loved helping this year, and I loved that she wanted to.
Grandma and Grandpa got to see Brooks doing what he loves at Ninja Nation, and Presley doing what she loved at the barn. Grandma and Presley enjoyed sewing together and made an adorable apron. The kids did some Christmas baking with Grandma and Grandpa, while we decorated for Christmas.
Thankful has a whole new meaning this year. It's been a hard year. It's been a roller coaster of events and emotions - so many ups and downs. But in all things give thanks. There is so much to be thankful for this year. Thank you, Lord, for my precious family and all the time we've had this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment