2020 Year in Review

It is that time of year again. Well, 2020, you were a rough year. That is for sure. We survived you. I daresay, we even thrived despite of you. Truth be told, our personal family has had worse years. This year has mostly taught us to count our blessings, walk more in faith and help those less fortunate than us even more. However, on the global front this has been the most difficult year I have seen our world live through. Here is my review of our year. Usually, I take the first two or so sentences and the first picture from the first post of each month. But, this is no ordinary year, and I felt like doing it a bit differently. I took a few sentences from the first post of each month and one of my favorite pictures from the month. That felt like a more accurate account of our year.

January ~ We had our annual New Year's Day party last week. I thought I would share how we create a fun party for less than five dollars a person. 

February ~ We had a solid week around here. I love my teens! They are remarkable young people.

March ~ There are moments in life when we get to stretch and grow a great deal in a short amount of time. This is one of those weeks. We are so blessed.

Then the world stopped and we faced a pandemic and a year like few currently alive here in the USA have lived through before. I have heard people call it a dumpster fire year and a waste of a year, but I choose to look at the positives. Every day is precious, and we need to look for the positives if we are able.

April ~ We are doing amazingly well with this Stay Home, Stay Safe mandate. We are learning so much about ourselves.

May ~ The big news is that Dean turned 18 this week! We had planned on taking a short trip to celebrate his big day, but the pandemic put a stop to that.

June ~ What a very hard season our nation is going through. My heart breaks for all who are oppressed and mistreated by those who are more powerful. Our country feels like it is being ripped at the seams. In what seems like another world, we finished our last week of school. Anne is done with 11th grade and Dean is graduating from high school today. 

July ~ It is Friday and Anne is finishing up her dance intensive with UNCSA. We are staying in for the holiday weekend and starting on our next house project. Like so many others, we plan to watch Hamilton on Disney+, eat great food, have our own fireworks display and do tons of yard work. The Covid-19 numbers are climbing around here, and we would just as soon not contribute to the pandemic by going into any tourist-driven crowds.

August ~ I have struggled with my attitude this week. I think it is mostly a result of hoping that we could go on a small overnight vacation next week. That will not be the case. COVID-19 gets worse and worse all the time.

September ~ I love Fall. I am so happy it is finally here. Our week passed without anything monumental happening on the home front.

October ~ Twice this week we awoke to gunshots outside. The first time it was a few blocks away. The second time it was on our street and some shell casings were found on our next door neighbor's lawn. You might think we live in the hood, but you would be wrong. In fact, prices are so high in our neighborhood, we couldn't afford to move here if we weren't already here.

November ~ I have been craving beauty and peace lately. I feel that we are planted on this earth to do good and find contentment in everyday life. I think this cat may have it all worked out ~ LOL!

December ~ I love Advent. It is my favorite time of year.

Blessings, Dawn