Happy Christmas – Wishing you a happy and safe holiday this season! Thank you for supporting our family this year. We are so grateful for you!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, friend! We didn’t send out cards this year (so if you missed getting one please know it wasn’t personal!), but we self-timer-ed a few photos to tie up this year. Consider this our digital card:
This year, we…
- Went to Disneyland in January (which feels like a LIFETIME ago)
- Walked home from school for spring break and didn’t go back when spring break ended.
- Sometimes struggled to find the gluten-free/dairy-free groceries we usually buy (which made us extra grateful for all the companies, workers, shops, and delivery drivers who make all of that possible on a regular basis). We never went hungry and never felt more grateful for food.
- Learned what distance learning can look like + had amazingly supportive teachers who made it as enjoyable as possible.
- Transitioned to Michael working from home every day (while juggling distance learning + me working from home)
- Celebrated the birth of 2 new cousins born in March. We still haven’t gotten to meet them yet, but love every photo and video that comes our way.
- Missed out on our usual birthday adventures (Sophie, Michael, Me)
- Got a first round of braces on and off (Sophie)
- Re-discovered sensory bins like this and this and this.
- Tried virtual (Facetime) playdates for the first time.
- Leaned more heavily into social justice causes that we’re passionate about, and found places our efforts have fallen short, and areas we needed to learn more about.
- Cancelled our big family reunions and travel plans for the year. (Which means it’s been more than a year since I’ve seen 2 of my 3 sisters and more than a year since I’ve seen my parents. I missed seeing my brother in-between his international moves this summer. It’s been 2.5 years since I’ve seen him, and I’m still really sad about it.)
- Read books and books and books and books. Audiobooks, picture books, chapter books, cookbooks, craft books. ALL the books.
- Completed endless arts and crafts projects (that ranged from Pinterest-worthy to repurposed recyclables)
- Perfected gluten free chocolate chip cookies after many (many, MANY) “test” batches during our months at home.
- Went on countless walks and bike rides.
- Found as many small businesses as possible to support, including lots of online orders from specialty food shops, and local places that offer carryout and delivery.
- Appreciated fresh air and nature more than ever.
- Played board games and card games galore.
- Didn’t swim once for the first time ever since living in AZ. (We don’t have a pool + our usual options weren’t available.)
- Had family movie nights + found ways to celebrate small things.
- Celebrated the holidays with just the four of us.
It’s been highs and lows and lots of in-betweens. Learning and growing. Mourning losses and setbacks, and celebrating wins and victories. It’s been stress and peace. And pain and love.
At the end of The Longest Year Ever, I wanted to wish you a happy holiday season today. This year has been full of some serious ups and downs for everyone (including our family), and I’m so grateful that you choose to spend some of your time and energy here with me. It has helped our family in ways you can’t even imagine, and I couldn’t do what I do without you.
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