I don't think I'm the only one who imagined that with the change of a calendar that life would suddenly return to "normal" and we could all breathe a sigh of relief. I knew that was unrealistic but a girl can hope, right?
It's now mid February and it's been awhile since I've sat down to write about life other than the time and energy I used to write about my Grandma's life, something that I'm sure I didn't do justice to.
Truth is that our days have been full, we still need relationship, and technology can't replace togetherness.
Advent 2020 brought a new layer of anticipation to Jesus' second coming. We are so ready but for as prepared as we are it is sobering to recognize how many are not. As our world struggles with mortality and morality, and lives and acts out of fear and foolishness we know we have a message and truth all people need. Jesus' love and forgiveness is for all!! Peace and Joy are found only in Him! Our Christmas celebration was no different than any other year in that Jesus already came to earth as True God and True Man to bring healing to souls from a pandemic of sin. The masks we wear aren't just the mandated ones, but our attempts to cover up and make excuses and justifications for how we're just fine as we are. A cursory inspection of what's going on around us speaks volumes to how well that line of thought is working ... There is a cure and it's been here the whole time. And we all need it.
We need each other too. And so we were incredibly grateful for the holidays to bring with it a full house of family! Will was already here to finish up his first semester of school and Zanna arrived home from Prep mid December after successfully finishing her first ever high school exams. We had a few days together again before we were joined by my mother-in-law, Fran, having flown into Texas from Calgary. We hadn't seen her for a year and a half! We enjoyed some long awaited time with her and made lots of fun memories. 
We're happy she came when she did as Canada has since made it practically impossible to travel now.
Of course she got to meet Buddy which I'm certain was a highlight for her - haha!
We also cherished our time with our sweet girl home! We celebrated the Lunar New Year early since this would be the first year that we wouldn't be with her when it actually is. We made homemade dumplings and noodles - yum! Why do we only do this once a year? Because it's a lot of work!
After Zanna flew back to school for her second semester, my parents drove down and spent a little over a week with us too. I hope it was a time that not only offered them a change of scenery from the snowy and cold north but also a soft place to sit with some fresh emotions after losing Grandma. I love my people by feeding my people so we ate a fair bit. We took walks and day trips. We were lazy and didn't feel bad about it. By the time they left they were not only covered in dog hair but ready to head back and tackle whatever comes next.
Finally it came time for Will to head back north too and start his second semester of University back in person. The extra time we had with him at home for three months was one of the greatest gifts that came out of the pandemic. We loved having him around, being in our daily life, and knowing he was tucked safe in bed right upstairs! He was my walking buddy with Buddy when Wayne was working. He was helpful and appreciative and ate us out of house and home! While online school was FAR from ideal (try learning four languages in person much less online - German, Greek, Hebrew, and oh yeah - English), the timing was the Lord's and he seemed to need a break from some of the college life that's so draining but often necessary. As his mom I'd love to be able make him feel better, rub his back, and place a bandaid on what hurts him but at twenty it's more complicated than that. It's his life to learn from and choices he has to make. We're grateful that he talks to us and listens to what we have to say. Parenting never stops being hard! It also continues to be one of my greatest joys.
Will also helped me go way outside my comfort zone and starred with me (or was the star?) in my first YouTube video for Epicure! What a great sport - haha!
Which brings me pretty much up to date - February. We are experiencing actual winter temps here in Texas for the first time since we've lived here. I even went to the attic to find the Rubbermaid container with my Eddie Bauer down jacket - pulling out the big guns! At least I know it's temporary and not going to last until April - haha! I knew I saved my corduroy pants and flannel shirts for such a time as this! I shouldn't be surprised by this very rare cold snap that's far from normal. Maybe there's no such thing as normal and we should just get over it? Hmmmmm. Now there's a thought.
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