As a whole, humanity seems extremely happy to put the year 2020 behind them and move into 2021.
Personally, I feel the same! Some really great things happened in 2020 but the high amount of stress and anxiety has overshadowed it all.
I began walking for exercise in 2020. When our first required quarantine began in March, I decided to try and start walking for exercise and it turned out it was more needed for mental health than anything else!
I had some very consistent walking months, started gaining strength and losing weight. Then we got a call from DCS and our year turned from confusing and stressful to a chaotic mess.
Our little Chatterbox showed up from being up all night in the ER and DCS office. She had on some clothes that the DCS office had on hand that were too large and the wrong season. She slept for hours on our couch where the DCS worker laid her.
I didn’t have anything for her. DCS had sent a bag of random items that a local church or non-profit had made into an essentials bag. Unfortunately, there were no clothes, no pajamas included.
I had been planning to go with some friends to lunch and shopping that day. Instead, they went without me and did some shopping for me since I didn’t have another adult here to stay home with Chatterbox.
Another positive of 2020, has been seeing how people are willing to love on Chatterbox (and us by extension). They’ve sent her clothes, gifts and brought us meals during some rough patches. If it wasn’t for Covid, I’m sure I could have called on them to babysit.
My kids continued to meet milestones!
Foster was able to get his license and become the proud owner of his first car.
Katie started high school and participated as a member of the local public high school cross country team.
Theodore broke his arm and showed just how tough and resilient he really is. He was cracking jokes almost immediately.
Parker has bonded with Chatterbox and will do anything to help her laugh and feel better. His soft heart is evident.
Jonah has shown that ART is life. He’s creating from the moment he wakes up until the very last moment his eyes are open. He received 7 blank sketchbooks for Christmas and he couldn’t have been more excited.
If I had to pinpoint one thing, though, the most positive from 2020 would be how much closer Chris and I have become as a couple. And how much stronger our marriage is. The stretches of time he’s had at home have been beneficial for all of us. I’m very grateful to be married to my best friend. Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of our first date. I’m so thankful for the past 20 years and plan to savor the next 40+ together.
All the Little Grubbs 