I enjoy looking back at the year and remembering all the fun we had.
Especially THIS year where I have felt pretty isolated and home bound. It is nice to look back and think of all the good that happened. To really see how much we did and realize how fortunate we are, even amid the trials before us.
At the beginning of 2020 I had an overwhelming feeling that it was going to be a game changing year.
It definitely was!
Past all the chaos of quarantine and pandemic our family actually had several amazing things happen for us this year.
Jeff and I both accepted new jobs.
We spent incredible amounts of time together as a family and we have learned to really love being together all the time.
January, a fresh start. A new year.
Started the year of the rat strong at a lunar new year celebration!
We celebrated Chinese New Year with family! And with the entirety of Utah County. How naïve we were those days. Hundreds of people all sardined together.
Grace celebrated her 100th day of kindergarten in January too!
February, my birthday month! :)
In true me fashion we went to as many children's museums as we could. Sometimes on the train and others nearby.
I got away to Arizona with the girls in Jeff's family!
Grace got glasses!
I turned 30 in February. I wish I could show 10 year old or 20 year old Amber that this would be me at 30. I probably would have been kinda scared honestly. Ha ha. Grumpy babies aren't for the faint of heart!
March brought lots of new experiences...
Disney on Ice, Dr. Seuss Day at the library, Real Salt Lake jersey swap....
Some of the last things we did before...
Panic buying supplies
In lots of ways I didn't worry too much about needing food. I knew one way or another we'd be okay with most basic supplies. The main thing I worried about was insulin. I actually lost quite a bit of sleep in the beginning of all the panic that happened in March, because of my diabetes. I was so worried I wouldn't have access to my prescriptions for one reason or another.
The day I went and got a three month supply of all my prescriptions was such a relief to me.
The month of March was the beginning of a LOT of THIS!
A whole bunch of that.
AND doing school online!
Grace was such a good girl through all of the distance learning. There were some times she would push back and not want to do the work, but those times were minimal compared to how hard she worked. It was a hug adjustment for her and MY anxiety was sky high, but we managed to make it through.
Connecting with our neighborhood from a distance during our "quarantine".
Grace giving a talk to the primary virtually.
April brought more uncertainty and confusion. We didn't know how long shutdowns were going to be happening, but it started looking more and more like this was the new normal.
Office pranks for Daddy! This was the beginning of him working from home and what we thought would be short term. Now nine months later, there's still no end in sight!
Lots of drives to get out of the house. Baby didn't like being stuck in his seat when we would stop and take in the view. :)
These three have become so close this year as they've been home so much together. They think the baby is hilarious and they really love playing together.
Easter
Girl learned how to ride a bike with no training wheels!
Logan has lived in pajamas this whole year.
Did I mention a lot of this happened in 2020?
Jeff turned 32 in April!
And grew a significant beard for the first time in our marriage. It didn't take him long to grow it. His beard has always grown fast, but he has always shaved it, so it's never been this long. This was after we went on an ATV ride and it got all dirty.
Logan and I got dirty too. :)
Virtual dance class!
May.... kind of going stir crazy...
Lots of time spent outdoors, with just our little family
Virtual hangouts!
Daddy taking a break from work, ha ha.
Grace was so happy being outside so much.
First VS. Last day of school. Looks a little different!
So bittersweet! We LOVED Grace's kindergarten teacher and were sad she didn't really get the full year with her.
At home church!
We haven't been to church since the beginning of March. Almost ten months of doing at home church. In lots of ways it's been wonderful for our family. We have been able to cater to our children's spiritual needs and attention spans. In so many other ways I miss going to church so much. I have faith we will be back there someday soon.
Family time at the park
A trip to the cabin!
I dyed my hair purple! This made me so happy! I loved it. I want to do it again ASAP.
June brought some of the biggest and best changes for us!
Started a new venture working for Outschool. One of the best decisions I've ever made. I absolutely love it!
Hunter earned golf clubs for getting potty trained.
That beard though...
LOVE!
Grace turned six!
July we were out and about constantly! Some fun trips and adventures outdoors happened in this month.
Nature walks and getting outside more than ever
Independence Day!
Island Park!
Masked fun seeing animals!
August
These pictures were from our cabin trip, but the kids both took swimming lessons this summer too and LOVED it. Grace asks to do more lessons frequently.
Camping! Logan turned two the day we came home from camping. :)
Hunter turned four the day after that!
New bedroom set up! Bye bye crib.:(
Grace wasn't mad about it.... ha ha
More masked fun!
First day of school! She has been such a trooper wearing a mask to school. It really has never bothered her. She has only mentioned to me a few times that she wishes she could take it off sometimes.
These boys LOVE their sissy
One of the greatest blessings of 2020 has been working for Outschool! I have been able to earn a few thousand dollars a month from working very part time. It has been an incredible thing for my family. I have been very fortunate to be fully booked from the start of the school year.
I teach an ongoing preschool class to seven different classes. I have made some wonderful friendships with the kids and parents of my students. There are some really sweet kids from all over the country (and globe really) that I have come in contact with. I am very blessed!
September...
Fall leaves!
Masked birthday parties!
Transitioning to having Grace at school. It was really hard for me to send her back to school this year. It actually kind of makes my heart ache looking at these pictures and remembering the feelings I had at this time. I struggled so much knowing if she should go back or not.
October, one of our favorite months!
We went to St. George for an extended weekend with Jeff's family. Jeff's sister had triplets this year and we were able to go down for their baby blessings!
Pumpkin carving!
Happy Halloween!
From a witch, policeman, and Hulk!
November, a month of thanks!
We focused all of November on all the things we are grateful for. This is how our thankful tree started.
Lots of leaf fun
Thanksgiving!
I also found out that this month that I was going to be the new primary president of our ward! When the member of the bishopric told me that was the calling they were considering for me, I laughed at him. I really thought he was joking. Turns out he wasn't and I have had to learn by lots of error what it really means to be the primary president to a hundred kids in a church congregation!
More than anything I had an incredible feeling when they called me to this position... that God wanted a lot from me, by way of personal progress. I know that He is refining me and molding me. I know He wants me to be something that I'm not sure if I can be. I'm not sure about it, but He knows it is possible. And He is helping me. I feel really humbled to be called to serve Him this way. It will be an adventure for sure.
December, time for Christmas!
So many Christmas lights! Our favorite thing!
Merry Christmas!
2020.....
A year that I don't know if I'd ask for again in lots of ways.
Yet, it was a year that was needed.
I needed this year to realize that I CAN and SHOULD be still.
Just calm the heck DOWN, Amber.
That is what I have learned from this year.
I've learned to stay home. That my home IS a heaven on Earth. It's a haven for me.
I don't need to try to go a million places or be a million things.
I can be one thing, in one place, at one time, with the one group that I love more than anything.
And that's OKAY!
It's okay to be still.
It's good to be still. And stay put.
God tried me and tested me this year, just like He did everyone else that has lived through this PANIC-demic.
My anxiety was so scary at times. I really thought the Second Coming was yesterday for about four months straight.
It had to be. It just HAD to be.
The lessons I've learned from living this year have been invaluable to my soul.
I've learned that kindness isn't always loud or obvious. Sometimes it's a friend checking in on you in the weirdest ways. Sometimes it's people staying away because they want you to stay healthy.
I've learned this year who really cares about me and who I can depend on.
I've learned what I'm made of and how hard I can work for my dreams.
I've learned that achieving my dreams doesn't always mean physically going somewhere, but more mentally pushing myself to be a better person. Try a little harder. Be a little more who I should be.
It's been a crazy year, but it's also been crazy good.
