What a Year It Was!

       Here we were, just coasting along, doing the things we normally would do, when, BAM, that stupid Coronavirus stopped us all dead in our tracks!  On Friday, March 13th, we had a meeting after school to discuss what changes we would be making in the coming week, to get us through until Spring Break.  My students were bringing in their leprechaun traps in the hope of catching that sly, little character. 

     By Sunday night, the 15th, we were informed that the buildings would not reopen for the week of the 16th. We had small, socially-distanced meetings to determine how we could best deliver instruction, moving forward. I am blessed to work with three other ROCKSTAR preschool teachers in our district! We came up with our plan and implemented it with very few hiccups. Our families were understanding and did their absolute best to work with their kids. (Honestly, I think we were all in shock.) We finished the year doing remote instruction.

     Late spring and summer provided me with TWO opportunities to go visit my parents on the family farm and stay for a week both times! After all that was the last quarter of the school year, it was an amazing opportunity to relax, reflect, and renew. I was also able to renew a friendship for high school.

     Also, this summer I was honored to be chosen to be a part of "Navigating Change," which is the state's plan for the reopening of schools this past fall. I met, and worked with people I may not have otherwise ever crossed paths with. It was hard work, but also valuable work.

     We were able to start school, later than intended, face-to-face and have remained in this mode of instructional delivery until now, even with the rapidly climbing numbers in our state and county.

     In November, our daughter, Abbey, was able to get married. Because you never know what the weather is going to be like in Kansas, she was able to get married in the courtyard and the reception was inside. There were roughly 45 people in attendance and Abbey and Alex provided custom designed masks for everyone! It was so much fun to have all three of our kids together again

     The week of Christmas, I received a call from Jacque, our oldest, asking if they could come up here for Christmas. They live in San Antonio. They had plans to go visit some of her husband's family in the Phoenix area, but some of the people there were exposed to the coronavirus. Of course I said, "YES!!"  All three kids back together, again. We ate lots of food, played lots of games, enjoyed each other's company, and laughed until our sides hurt.

     What I need to say is that in the midst of a catastrophic world event, such as this pandemic, there were silver linings everywhere I looked. There is still much to be thankful for!

     In 2021, we are looking forward to the marriage of our son, Luke, to his high school sweetheart. Again, so much to be thankful for!