COVID-19 Day 341

Now here's a twist I didn't see coming...

Our internet has been spotty for the last few days with the cold.  Not a huge deal as we had a long weekend followed by our last snow day that was built into the school calendar.  But the school district just decided that tomorrow will be a remote learning day.  Add to that, the fact that our kids didn't bring their chromebooks home on Thursday because I was planning on going to work today and taking them with me.  Fortunately, last Spring, we bought a chromebook for home, so we have one, but only one.  However, with spotty internet, it's still pretty up in the air whether the kids will be able to get on to their lessons anyway.  Oh yeah, one more thing, Rolling Blackouts!!  That's fun!  Now, please don't misunderstand me.  I understand why they are happening and I support Evergy's unpopular decision.  I would rather have 30-60 minutes of no power than have the grid overpowered and blown and be out of power for many hours.  It will make school a bit more of a challenge though.  However, if 2020 taught us nothing else, it is to be flexible, give grace, and know that we're all in the same boat together and we'll get through this.  Like I said in my post yesterday, I think it will be a light remote learning day, possibly writing or creating something to remember this long weekend that lasted a week.  🤷🏼‍♀️  In the end, if we even have to add a day to the end of May and just scrap tomorrow, that's fine with me too.  Plus, all the days I'm not working this week, I'm adding to book fair week!  It will be nice to know I'm not leaving Karla in the lurch that week!  It will also be weird to work a 5 day week again!  😳  Good thing Spring Break is the week before.  I'll have time to rest up before my crazy week.  😜

That's all I've got.  2021 is still not holding back any punches.  Are we more resilient yet??

Oh wait, one more thing!  Michael got me a new yarn color for single digit days on my blanket!  Look how beautiful it's coming along!!

COVID-19 Day 340 - Baby it's Cold Outside

Good gracious it is COLD outside!  Our weather station is showing -7 degrees outside right now.  It is So. Stinkin. Cold.  I have had over a week of dark purple on my blanket.  It's all just anything under 20 degrees.  I didn't buy a color for under 10 degrees, because I never thought we'd get to that point!  But here we are...  🥶🥶🥶  The kids had Friday off of school for conferences and Monday off for a conference credit day for teachers.  Andover has already canceled school for Tuesday as well.  It was (as of Thursday) going to be remote optional, but yesterday they decided with the wind chill and potentially dangerous roads and parking lots, to just call it all together.  That was out last built in snow day.  From. Here on out, in order to get enough student hours, any snow/cold days will have to be remote learning days.  I know many people are lamenting the loss of the snow day, saying now that online and remote learning are a thing, snow days will no longer exist.  But I don't think that's true.  I think school districts like ours will build the days into their schedule like they always have.  I think some years we won't use them, and other years we will.  However, what makes this situation good, IMO, is that now, when we know the weather is going to be bad, we can just send students home with devices and learn from home instead of having to add school days to the end of the year to cover the hours.  I HIGHLY doubt that the days when remote learning has to occur in the future, that it will be extremely stringent.  As it won't be utilized often, and it requires a lot more work out of everyone, I anticipate it still being a generally light day.  Kids may not end up having the whole days off, but they'll have a lot or most of it off.  Plus, being able to learn remotely will mean that school gets out on time at the end of the year, and that's good by me!  I don't think anymore wants to have to extend the school year.  And even if you did, those days wouldn't have any actual learning happening.  They would just be place holders, counting down the hours.  This way, with remote learning as an option, at least a little learning is capable of happening.  Our kids are little, so I might feel differently when they're older, but for now, I think everything is okay.  And I'd don't think snow days are going anywhere. 

So that's my 2 cents for this morning.  Stay warm and stay home if you can!  I'm going to!  I'll be working on my knitting today and keeping a close eye on our furnace and Lily's temp.  I've very much enjoyed the beautiful dark purple on my blanket, the extra long weekend, and the blanket of snow covering the ground.  If you're going to have frigid temps, at least have snow.  Although, now our internet is down and our furnace is struggling to keep up when the temps plummet so low.  Don't worry, the house is still at 70.  We've had it at 73 the last few days, so we had an extra degree to give last night (good thing), and I'm sure it will catch up more as the day wears on.  It's been fun and all, but I'm ready for things to warm up again anytime now.  😉  Once again, have a good one, stay warm, and stay home!  Love you!  💘

COVID-19 Day 320

Good morning, everyone!  It's a cold one today!  Bundle up when you go out, or better yet, don't go out, if you can help it.  I'm looking forward to adding PURPLE to my blanket today because it's going to be SO COLD!  I'm hoping to add another snow row too, but haven't actually glanced outside to see if we got any.  Maybe throughout the day.  

When I was typing the title for my blog this morning I could hardly believe it's been 320 days since this pandemic began.  What a wild year it's been.  Kansas has started it's Phase 2 vaccine rollout, and I am in that group as a K-12 school staff member.  However, as of last week, there were only 100 vaccines for all of Butler County.  🤦🏼‍♀️  Needless to say, they didn't last long.  I don't know when I'll get my vaccine, but hopefully soon.  I know more and more people who've gotten both COVID and the vaccine.  Some of the people I know who got COVID had mild symptoms and got over it quickly.  Others had lingering effects that have remained months later.  I'm grateful that we've been safe and no one in our circle of 10 has gotten it.  I'm hopeful that we'll all get the vaccine (although I know there isn't one approved for kids yet) soon and begin seeing the light at the end of the tunnel of this insane pandemic.

I'm stoked about the Chiefs heading to another Superbowl this year!!!  Looking forward to finally besting Tom Brady on the big stage.  We need revenge for 2 years ago.  Not sure if the excitement and hype can match how things went last year, but I'm looking forward to trying.  😉

Alright, we'll, I guess that's all I have for now.  I'm going to go get ready for work and start knitting!  ❤  Have an awesome day!  ❤

COVID-19 Day 312

Good morning!  Hope you're having a nice day!  I'm very much enjoying the rest of my 5 day weekend!  I got my new knitting needles in and have moved my work to my new needles.  I have also caught up all the work I was behind and only have my 2 rows for today left to do.  I intend to work on cleaning house today so there's not much to worry about doing this week before the fam comes over for football this weekend.  I am STOKED about Xing Xing for lunch/dinner next Sunday!  It's going to be so so tasty!  I really want to get started on some more painting here at the house.  I think the order of my painting projects will probably be something like the following...

1. A&C's bathroom

2. Our bathroom

3. Our bedroom

4. Basement bathroom

5. Guest room

6. Guest closet

7. Toyroom

8. Toyroom closets

9. Basement hallway and living room

10. Upstairs living room/Kitchen/Over the stairs/Dining room/Hallways - Will probably pay to have someone else do these 

Looks like plenty of projects to keep me busy for a while.  Maybe if the kids actually get dressed today I'll take them to Menard and grab some paint samples.  I'd like to get the painting done first, because eventually I'd like to have the upstairs carpet replaced with hardwood, engineered hardwood, or wood-looking laminate.  I'd also like the basement carpet replaced.  But the floor projects won't be until after we no longer have dogs in the house for a bit.  So they're (hopefully) a little further away.  

I'm dying to get my garden started  a day very strongly considering starting seeds indoors any day now, even though I know that the ones I start indoors never seem to do as well that the ones I start right in the beds.  I can't help it!  After New Years I'm ready for Spring and I still have 2+ horrible months to wait.  Seriously, January and February are the worst.  👎🏻  Starting seeds gives me a little something to look forward to and a little hope in these dark, gloomy, cold months.  Maybe I can start my herbs inside.  They might transfer okay...  We'll see.  Once again, if the kids get dressed today, we may go to Atwoods and start picking up supplies.  I wonder how much the seed starter grow lights cost??  I have Christmas money burning a hole in my pocket and Fantasy Football money on the way.  Hmmm.....  🤔😉😁❤

I started looking into our OKC trip the other day.  Avery and I were looking on TripAdvisor.  We ended up finding a glancing ground that looked fun!  It's a farm style, so much like Applejack Pumpkin Patch in the way of attractions.  But you staying in either a covered wagon (big enough to fit a king bed + bunk bed) or a Teepee (again, king bed + bunk bed, plus a little extra space for a seating area).  It looked kinda fun, but was over $200/night.  Of course  that included admission to all the activities, but still spendy, especially if we're also going to a theme park too.  But who know?  Maybe we'll do it.  Can't take it with you, right?  And these trips are about checking off states and making memories with our family, so maybe it's worth it.  😉  Just have to wait and see what all we want to do down there.

Do you think we'll really get another stimulus check?  This whole thing is blowing my mind that the government keeps giving us all of this money.  We're doing OK right now, so it's surplus for us, but I know others desperately need it and more.  We've never had so much money between our savings and what we have pulled out in cash for our Disney trip and our 401k.  It's kind of surreal that we're not panicked about money.  It's a strange, but good feeling that I certainly wouldn't mind getting used to.  If they gave us another $1400/person, our family would get another $5,600!!  😳😳😳  Crazy crazy crazy!

Alright, well I better get off here and go clean something.  Have a nice day!  ❤

COVID-19 Day 310

Good morning!  It's been a couple weeks since I blogged, here's what's been happening...

The holidays went well!  Everyone stayed healthy!  We didn't get together the way we normally would have in Topeka, but with having a couple weeks off for Christmas break, we were able to enjoy our weekend there without masks.  We were also missing Nick & Maggie, Nathan, and their families, but we made it work and everyone stayed safe and healthy and that's much more important.

School and work started back up and is going well.  Since I only work 3 days/week I don't really need long weekends anymore, but the kids are excited about their 4 day long weekend this weekend.  They got yesterday off and will have Monday off too.  Michael is working both of those days, of course.  I have those days off, plus Thursday, so I'm up to a 5 day weekend now, lol.  But, in order to get my hours in, I'm going to work on Thursday next week, so next weekend will only be 3 days for me.  *shudders*  The horror!

I am making a temperature blanket for 2021!  It was coming along great until my cord on my rounded needles broke off of the needle.  I have new needles coming in from Amazon.  They should be here today.  I have 3 rows to catch up on and 2 more for today.  I may have to bring my knitting to Towanda tomorrow to finish up how much I got behind.

Sis, Mama, and I are planning Superbowl foods, should be super fun!  Hoping the Chiefs are in it again this year.  We all had THE BEST time last year!  We're also talking Pro-Bowl food when I'm inaugurated as Fantasy Football Champ!!  Woohooo!!  We're having Xing Xing for lunch that day and I am STOKED!!

Speaking of Inaugurations, we're getting a new President this week!!!  😱😱😱😱😱  I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited!!!!  I'm excited to have Joe work across the aisle and hopefully heal some of the division in our country over the next 4 years.  I'm excited about Kamala and the example she's setting for women, people of color, and immigrants.  Her roll in Executive Branch is a monumental moment.  It's not the highest spot, but I'm thinking we could see her on the ticket again in 4 years in a different roll.  🤞  4 years ago I kept Avery up late on election night because I wanted her to see when the first woman was elected president.  It didn't work out then.  And shortly after that election we, as a family, participated in our first ever political march, The Women's March, here in Wichita.  I was so distraught that our country had elected a leader with such disrespect for women that he would have ever uttered the words, "When you're a star, they let you do it. You can do anything. Grab 'em by the pussy. You can do anything," that I had to go out and say this isn't right.  He isn't right.  I wasn't hoping the election would be overturned.  I just needed to go out there, with my 4 year old daughter, and say you are valuable, you are important, you are worthy of respect.  So I demonstrated that day, for her, that she will never come across a man who feels like he has the right to say or do anything like that to her.  I demonstrated that day to show her that all women are important and that no one can tell her she can't do or achieve something because she's a girl.  And that's what we told her that day.  And we have begrudgingly put up with that leader for the last 4 years, spreading lies and hate and division.  I am so glad to be done with him.  And I hope the Senate impeaches him and that he will never again be able to run for office.  I want him to fade into the background of history as the president who was impeached twice, tried to undermind our election system, who incited riots, and who was never heard from again.  The United States will be a better place without him in the White House.  I have prayed for him more than for any other president in my life, and maybe my prayers were answered, maybe the last 4 years were better than they would have been without so many people praying over Donald Trump.  Only God knows that.  I know I won't be crying, for the women of our national, this Wednesday, tears of sadness for the massive steps backwards we've taken.  I will be crying tears of joy as Kamala Harris, a woman of color and daughter of immigrants, stands beside Joe Biden, and becomes the Vice President of our nation.  Keep an eye on her the next 4 years.  She is a force to be reckoned with!  ❤

Wow, didn't see that soapbox coming...  Just get riled up when I think of the deplorable things our current President has said.  And I struggle to see how the community of faith can back someone like that...  But I'm letting that go for now...

I get to start working in my garden again soon!!  Strawberries should be going in in the next month or so!  My garlic is looking good from what I can see from the window, lol!  I'm very much looking forward to getting out and tending to it all again.  Get excited for lots of posts and pictures about my garden again soon.  :)

Andover BOE has basically all but said we will not go all remote again.  This is, I think, best for the kids, being in school.  But, I fear, this decision wasn't made in the best interests of the kids, but because the BOE cowtows to boisterous parents.  Either way, our numbers have been pretty good because we insist on following the rules and guidelines, unlike many members of the public.  Sunflower actually has the smallest number of positive cases of any elementary school in the district, which is a huge pat on the back to our administration, teachers, staff, and custodians for all the hard work we've done all year.  Hopefully things stay good and healthy and we can finish the year strong.  I already know several people (not locally) who have gotten their COVID-19 vaccine.  I'm hopeful that school staff will be on the list soon.  I'm hopeful that life will be getting back to normal fairly soon.  It has been a weird year to say the least.

We're going to ORLANDO in 9 MONTHS!!!!!  I'm so excited about our trip!!!  We have put $2600 down towards our trip so far and we have $5,600 more saved up so far.  That should be enough to pay for it, but we're going to keep saving until the day we leave for spending money and fun stuff like that!  Since we're not taking that vacation until October, we plan to do a little OKC weekend this summer.  I haven't started looking into fun for that trip yet, but I might start today because I'm in a good mood and trip planning is super fun!!  I'm also hopeful that we can make it to a Royals game again this summer!  Not to mention, Mama, Sis, and I want to do a girls weekend in Vegas for our birthdays this year!!!  Lots of travel plans in the works for 2021!!  Screw you, 2020 and COVID!  You guys suck!  We're taking our lives back!  ❤✈

I have been playing on my new Cricut A LOT lately!  Stay tuned for some of the fun projects I'm working on!  😁

Alright, that's all I've got for now!  Love you!  Have an awesome Saturday!

COVID-19 Day 295 - Happy New Year!

I know, I know...

It's been nearly a month since I've blogged.  I never finished copying and pasting all the stuff I was thankful for in November, much less write anything about December and our holiday season.  Now it's all over.  2020 has come to an end.  What a strange year it was.  I'm looking forward to changes in 2021.  I'm hopeful that we'll get back to a sense of normal.  I'm wishing for more travel and fewer restrictions.  I'm looking forward to seeing people face to face (and actually seeing their faces) and giving hugs.  I know we're definitely not out of the woods yet, but I see light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm hopeful for what 2021 will bring.  So Goodbye and Good Riddance 2020!  We survived and we are moving on.  Happy 2021!

COVID-19 Day 264 - Crappy Mom and Wife Rant

Some days I feel like a really crappy mom.  I had a stressful day at work between regular work stuff, kids not returning books and COVID stuff, the staff thinking it's okay/a good idea to have a staff Christmas gathering and food so everyone can unmask.  I had a headache coming home, which I tried to voice to my children who kept interrupting.  All they wanted to do was tell me about school and their days and their books, but I resented being interupted 4 times in a row, when all I wanted to say was that I had a headache.  I eventually got a word in edgewise and told them about my headache and that I was going to take a bath and rest for a bit when I got home.  I started running my bath and got undressed, was just looking for the perfect facial mask and bath bomb when I heard the outdoor water spigot turn on.  There's no reason it should be on in December.  So I frantically grabbed my robe, cursing past Jen for not threading the belt through the belt loops as it fell to the floor.  I threw it on and was working on wrapping the belt around me so I wouldn't expose myself to the neighbors when I went outside to turn the water off, when I heard Connor screaming.  I rush into the kitchen and quickly ask if he's hurt. (Backstory: He smashed his hand in his closet door yesterday and went outside screaming while Michael was on the roof hanging lights.  Michael called me, but I couldn't hear him in my brand new phone.  So Michael came down to deal with Connor.  When I came upstairs a few minutes later to hear from Michael what had happened, I asked Connor if he knew where I was.  I was downstairs wrapping presents.  He said he did, but he didn't want to see the presents.  So he went outside to Michael, screaming.)  He said he wasn't hurt and I asked what was wrong.  Anyone who knows my kid knows he's not cool under pressure and he himmed and hawed and sputtered a few things about watering the dogs.  My sweet boy was trying to give the dogs water, using the outdoor spigot.  We'll, since the hose wasn't on, it gushed water everywhere and he got wet, thus the screaming.  Then, when he tried to turn it off, it continued to fish, this the frantic screaming.  I rushed outside to the spigot, sure enough, nice and tightly shut off, still gushing water.  Not dripping or trickling, gushing like full blast.  I turned it the other way to make sure I was turning it the correct direction, more intense gushing.  I played with it back and forth, eventually pushing it in and pulling it out away from the house before I finally got it off.  Something is always broken around here.  Connor has run to hide by the time I get back inside because I frantically asked why he was turning on the hose in December.  (Another backstory: We had 3 months of insanely high water bills, higher than our normal watering/summer bills.  Turns out, the hose was on the spigot, and although to was turned to the off position, it was still running.  But since the hose was on, we couldn't see what was happening.)  So I called for Connor and told him, in not a nice voice, that he was fine and the water was fine.  I told him not to use the hose anymore.  I told him the only place to get water for the dogs was the kitchen sink.  And I stormed back to the backroom where my water was still running.  (Want to know why he didn't use the sink in the first place?  It was full of dishes.  Another backstory: Much as I try, I cannot do everything around the house that needs done.  Fortunately, I'm not the only one in this home helping out.  Michael and I came to an agreement quite a while ago that he would unload the dishwasher and I would loaf it and hand wash any dishes that needed hand washed and put them away myself.  So sometimes I'm pretty, and even though I'm perfectly capable of unloading the dishwasher myself, I don't, because we agreed that he would do that job.)  So back to me being a crappy mom, now add crappy wife to the resume.  (More backstory: Michael came home early yesterday because one of his packages, my Christmas presents, had been delivered and he didn't want me to bring in the box.  He's been going into work early and staying late to finish a project and get a bonus to help pay for Christmas and our trip to Disney.  When he got home early, I asked if he would put the Christmas lights up on the house.  Because even though I'd been asking since the beautiful days of October, it hadn't gotten done.  So, if you subtract out the time he came down off the roof to deal with Connor, he was up on the roof for about 3 hours, 415ish to 730ish.  The wind wasn't blowing, but it was plenty chilly, especially when the sun went down.)  All that to say, the dishes didn't get unloaded last night.  Crappy wife, right here.  So Connor tried to use the outside water to water the dogs, because the sink was full.  I finally make it back to the bathroom and Michael gets home, hears the bath running, thinks, "Oh no!  What's wrong?  I'll go check on Jen." And comes into the bathroom.  So before I can get in I get to explain why I'm in such a bad mood.  I verbally diarrhea all over him in an unkind tone and then half-heartedly apologize afterwards, turning the water off so it doesn't overflow because I've completely filled my garden tub in all this time.  (Want to know another reason I'm mad, that I haven't mentioned yet?  Remember when Michael called me becauae Connor was screaming, and I couldn't hear him?  I thought it was bad reception in the basement, turns out, my new phone isn't working already!  Michael tried to fix it last night.  It seems to think I have headphones plugged in all the time, so all calls, notifications, texts, and audio is going through those imaginary headphones.  I noticed yesterday.  It was working when I got it in the mail.  Well done on this one, Google.)  Michael slowly backs away and leaves and I finally get in.  The warm water feels good after being outside with nothing but my robe on and walking through icey water.  I settled on a facial mask and a couple bath bombs and finally got into my bath.  So now I'm sitting here in coral water, ranting on my blog.  Some days I'm a really crappy mom and wife.  I'd go to bed early, but we have all of our advent calendars that start tonight, so now I resent December and our holiday traditions too.  I suck.  I hope tomorrow is better.  I'm over 2020.

COVID-19 Day 263 - November 19 - I'm thankful for our home.

November 19 - I'm thankful for our home. 🏡 Michael and I moved to Wichita after he got out of school. We had a great little 2 bedroom apartment that we loved! But we knew we wanted to stay in Wichita for a while, and we were tired of wasting money on rent. Our lease lasted until the end of May, so we weren't seriously looking until spring. However, we found out Avery was on the way at the end of January and, 7 days later, put an offer in our home. 😊 We moved in at the end of March. We've been in our home for 8.5 years now. In that time we've added a fence to the backyard, planted a tree, repainted a couple rooms inside and the entire outside, repainted both back decks, and added a garden. Some parts of home ownership stink, like when all the random little appliances go out at the same time, the AC quits in August the day before school starts ( Brian and Alli came to our rescue then, right before Avery started Kindergarten), the garage door stops working, or the hot water heater needs replaced. But we love love love our home. It's where we brought our babies home after they were born. It's been a temporary home for many friends and remains available for any who want to visit. It's a safe haven in times of trouble and uncertainty. On cool days I'm reminded just what a huge blessing it is to have a home to keep my family and me protected and warm. When I hear my kiddos in the backyard playing, I'm reminded what a blessing it is to have a yard where my kids can play safely. When our friends and family come over to visit I'm thankful we chose a place near to our tribe, and that we were lucky enough of have others move to our town and be nearby that we could invite them over and in ( TJ Lohrbach, Meredith May, Phil Zee, Nate McGraw, Michael Marietta, Beth Ashby, Rhythem Fitzpatrick). I'm so thankful for our home and the millions of wonderful memories made here. I look forward to many more. ❤️

COVID-19 Day 263 - November 18 - I'm thankful for the fall!

November 18 - I am thankful for the fall! This is my absolute favorite time of year! I love the clothes and the weather, the sports and the food, the colors and the holidays! My absolute favorite is October 1st-January 1st (I know that covers a little of winter too). My home is nice and cool when I wake up, I throw on a hoodie and some leggings and just want to snuggle in the couch by the fire and read a book! ❤️🍁🍂❤️

COVID-19 Day 263 - November 17 - I'm thankful for Connor!

November 17 - I am thankful for Connor. 💙 My sweet little boy is our rainbow baby. I didn't know what to expect with a little boy, as I have a sister and the only boy I spent much time around was a handsome violin player I met in college. 😉 He has brought so much joy to our lives! He is so much like Michael it's crazy! He's shy in new situations (although his teachers have been saying differently the last couple years), he loves to snuggle and be held (doesn't seem to care that he's 4'3"), he's silly and goofy when playing with his sister, cousins, and friends, he loves video games, pokémon, and animals. Connor is hard-working and meticulous on his projects, wanting everything to be perfect. He's a kind friend and a great helper. Connor is such a special kid! We are so proud of him! It is quite the treat to get to be his mom. I didn't know what I was in store for when I found out we were pregnant with a little boy 7 years ago; but boy, oh boy, am I glad we got him! Love you, Bubba! 💙

COVID-19 Day 263 - November 16 - I'm thankful I have gotten to travel in my life!

November 16 - I am thankful I have gotten to travel in my life.  ❤🗺✈🧳🚗🏖🏞  I love traveling and seeing new places!  I love going on vacations and doing all the things (much to my introverted husband's chagrin).  😉  As a kid we were fortunate enough to go on several vacations around the Midwest, annual trips to Dallas, TX, and annual trips to Manhattan, KS, and OKC for softball tournaments.  I loved staying in hotels, seeing new cities, and eating out!  In college my world expanded even farther with trips to Mexico 🇲🇽 and Cameroon 🇨🇲 (with a layover in Paris 🗼❤🇫🇷).  After Michael and I got married we had little to no money to travel very far.  We made annual trips to Iowa for Tugfest and to see family, which I loved and looked forward to every year.  Once we saved enough to go on a cruise, but ended up using the money for a washer and dryer instead (which are still going strong 9 years later, so that was probably a good call).  When Connor was one, we saved up enough again and went to Mexico to an all-inclusive resort.  It. Was. Amazing!  We enjoyed the beach and food and a week of relaxing away from our small children (though we did miss them terribly).  Since then, big international trips haven't really been in the budget, but that hasn't stopped us from traveling.  😊🚗  We began our map and our quest to visit all 50 states by the time the kids got out of high school, right after Connor was born.  We have checked 15 states off our list in his 6 years.  It has been A BLAST sharing my love for travel with my kiddos!  Each year and each trip just gets more and more fun!  I'm not sure when Michael and I will be able to go back to Paris together or do any other international trip, for that matter, but I'm thankful for what we have done and all the places we've been.  I look forward to all our future travel!  #VossVaca

COVID-19 Day 263 - November 15 - I'm thankful to be an aunt. ❤️

November 15 - I am thankful to be an aunt.  ❤  I love my kiddos, and raising them has been almost always a delight (or at least it seems that way looking back over the years, the hard stuff tends to melt away).  But there is something very special and fun about being an aunt!  😊  You get to spoil and do some of the fun stuff mom and dad can't maintain on a regular basis, you get to plant the occasional bad idea (but not too bad) to annoy your sister or in-laws just a smidgen and be ornery, and you get those fantastic baby snuggles without the sleepless nights and years of diapers.  I just love it!  We don't hear it much anymore, but a few years ago people would still ask Michael and me if we wanted more kids.  I teased that ours slept through the night and were potty trained and that we were never going back!  So thank you to my sister, brothers-in-law, and sister-in-law for your amazing kiddos and for letting me be a part of their lives.  ❤  I love being an aunt!

COVID-19 Day 249 - November 14 - I'm thankful that my kiddos love to read!

November 14 - I am thankful that my kiddos love to read!  ❤📚  As 1st and 2nd graders, they're really just getting into the meat of understanding how to read, but something really clicked this year.  I don't know if my new job had anything thing to do with it, but they have been just eating books up this year!  Before and after school they find books in the library to read while I finish working.  In the car they always have books on hand to read, or they ask to listen to our current Harry Potter audiobook.  They have both been caught staying up late to read, one time they were reading to each other (needless to say, a pass was given for staying up past bedtime...  🤷🏼‍♀️)  I am incredibly proud of them!  Each day they have to read for 30 minutes.  A year ago that was a battle, but most days now, they've gotten a bunch of reading done without ever being asked to do it.  Avery's Christmas list is mostly books!  😳  As a kid who struggled with reading, comprehension, fluency, and reading for pleasure, I could not be more thrilled that my babies, despite being young, already love to read.  I know this will pay off for them in big ways as they grow!  ❤

COVID-19 Day 249 - November 13 - I'm thankful that we live near my sister and her family!

November 13 - I'm thankful that we live near my sister and her family.  ❤  This weekend we're playing host to 2 extra kids, 2 extra dogs, and a cat (unfortunately the lizard and snake are staying home for the weekend).  Avery, Connor, Dayton, and Delaney grew up as basically siblings for the first 6 years.  I started babysitting Dayton when he was 9 months old and Avery was 3 months old.  When they were 25 months and 19 months, we added Connor to the mix.  16 months later we added Delaney.  I began watching Delaney when she was about 6 weeks old.  At that time I had a 6 week old, an 18 month old, a 3 year old, and a 4 year old!  😳  Many days were rough and exhausting with so many littles, but I'm so glad these 4 got so much time together.  ❤  Since we all live so close, we're often over at each other's houses for movie marathons, Fantasy Football drafts, New Years, Halloween, Christmas dinner, fondue parties, fire pits, sleepovers, and so much more.  Sis is my go-to to watch our animals when we go out of town, and this weekend we return the favor.  Our kids have been excited all week for their cousin sleepover this weekend!  It is such a blessing to be close to family and to have cousins who are so close they could be siblings!  Say a little prayer for Michael and me this weekend!  😉  We're going to have a full house!!  👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🐕🐺🦔👦👧🐩🐄🐱

I wrote this before the weekend, obviously, just not good at getting them posted daily to the blog.  Our weekend went pretty well.  The kids were great!  The best they've ever been.  The dogs were the trouble this time.  However, after an accident out of Stormy and one out of Waffles, they spent most of the rest of the weekend in the backyard, which is good for them anyway, so no problem.  Huge props to Michael for scrubbing the outside couch cushions and throw pillows after Waffles pooped on the upper deck, smooshed pillows in the pile of diarea, stepped in it, and tracked it all over the deck and outside couch.  😡  I was not a happy camper.  The good news is, I no longer have any sort of puppy fever!  😒  Overall, the weekend went very well.  😊

COVID-19 Day 249 - November 12 - I'm thankful for our puppies!

November 12 - I am thankful for our puppies, Harlee and Gabby.  They have been a part of our family for 10 and 9 years.  We intentionally got them before the kids so we could train them how to behave around little ones.  Harlee, our Beagle, is smart, sneaky, and stubborn.  I liken her to a cat, because she doesn't come when called, only when she wants something from you.  She is highly motivated by food and training her was very easy.  She's getting a little rounder these days, as we all tend to do as we age, but she'll still roll her fat behind over if you've got a treat for her.  However, she needs visual or olfactory confirmation that you do indeed have a treat.  She will not be fooled into performing.  Gabby, our Pointer Mutt, came from the Humane Society here in Wichita when she was a puppy.  She was found on the street and definitely bares the markings of a mixed breed dog.  She is dumber than a bag of rocks, but she is sweet.  She is jealous of attention and always under foot.  She's getting a little crotchety as she gets older, as many of us do.  The kids have to be a little more careful with her and can't rough house as much with her.  We love both of our fur babies so much and are thankful they are a part of our family!  ❤🐕🐺

COVID -19 Day 249 - November 11 - I'm thankful for Veterans

November 11 - I am thankful for Veterans and their families.  Thank you for your service to our country and for protecting the freedoms that we all seem to take for granted from one time to another.  You all are made from much stronger stuff than I am.  I am grateful for your service and your sacrifices.  Thank you.  🇺🇸  Happy Veteran's Day!

COVID-19 Day 249 - November 10 - I'm thankful for our photographer!

November 10 - I am thankful for our photographer, Courtney Unruh!!!  ❤📷  Over the last 8 years, Courtney has done nearly 20 different sessions for us.  It all started with a maternity session back in 2012 when I was pregnant with Avery.  Since then she's also taken newborn photos, 1 year old photos, family photos, another maternity session, a birth session, another newborn session, another 1 year old session, more family photos, back to school photos a couple times, more family photos, an extended family session, and more family photos!  ❤  She is the greatest!  I never would have guessed I would gain such a wonderful friend when I asked her to take those maternity photos over 8 years ago.  Many times when the kids were young and uncooperative, I worried that our sessions had gone badly and fretted over what kind of pictures we'd get back a few weeks later.  But Courtney always works her magic and they turn out sensational!  If there is one piece of advice as can give to couples/families it is to find yourself a great photographer and spend the money on the pictures.  At the beginning of our time together, I worried about the money, as we were young with a house payment and a baby on the way, and didn't have a lot.  But when I see the pictures in the end, I have never for a second regretted any of the money we've spent.  Thank you, Courtney, for capturing these memories and so many more!  We love you and are grateful you are a part of our lives!  ❤❤❤

COVID-19 Day 245 - November 9 - I'm thankful I live in Wichita!

 November 9 - I'm thankful I live in Wichita!

Michael

and I moved here 9 years ago to be closer to family and to find Michael an engineering job. We took pictures of all of our favorite spots in Manhattan before we left, because we knew we were going to miss it so much. Since we've arrived here we've bought a house, had 2 babies, had 10 different jobs between the two of us, and 4 different roommates. It has been a busy 9 years! When we first arrived, I looked on Google and Yelp and various food blogs to create a list of must-try restaurants. The last 2 years I've participated in the #BuyICT challenges. We've found our favorite spots all over town...

Breakfast - Dempsey's Biscuit and Homegrown

Coffee - Reverie

Burgers - Dempsey's Burger

Pizza - Picasso's, Ziggy's, and Piatto

Tacos - Taco Locale

Lunch - The Kitchen

Dinner - George's

Chocolate - Cocoa Dolce

Candy Store - The Nifty Nuthouse

Auto Shop - Yost

ICT Swag Stores - The Workroom and Lucinda's

Lawn and Garden Supplies - Valley Feed and Seed

Liquor Store - Groves

Farmer's Market - Old Town Farm and Art

Brewery - CSB and Norton's

Escape Room - The Room

Family Time Locations - The Sedgwick County Zoo, Exploration Place, and The Keeper of the Plains

And so many other places... I love the Douglas Design District and the beautiful murals all over. We've had so much fun just walking around looking for all the different murals and taking pictures! I love all of the community events! We had a great time at ICT Open Streets as well as RiverFlix and RiverFest. I'm wearing my Wichita flag shirt right now, and love seeing it and The Keeper of the Plains statues all over town. I love watching shows from MTW and can't wait for them to return. I love that IBA and Wichita have been chosen to host the NCAA tournament several times and I love the atmosphere that tourney, as well as TBT brought to our city. Wichita is a fabulous place to live! I love it so much here! Michael and I still intend to end up in Manhattan or right outside it to build our dream home, but I know there will be a a wall full of pictures in that home of all of our favorite Wichita spots, because this place truly feels like home.

COVID 19 Day 242 - November 8 - I'm thankful for quiet, peaceful mornings.

November 8 - I'm thankful for quiet peaceful mornings. Many mornings I opt for the extra sleep and don't force my body out of bed when the alarm goes off, but when I do, I'm glad I did. When I'm up early I have quiet time to myself to drink my coffee and wake up before I'm waking the kids up, fixing everyone's lunches and breakfasts, reminding them to brush their teeth and get everything ready for school, cleaning up from breakfast, packing school snacks and folders, etc... It starts my day off in a much better way to have some time to focus on myself and wake up before I have to interact with other, lol! Last year I focused all of October and November (and I think some of December until I finally fell off the wagon) on getting up an hour early each day and writing down 5 things I was thankful for each day. It really put things into good perspective. Perhaps I should revisit that challenge. But, for now, I'm thankful for quiet mornings, hot coffee, and not being a grouchy mom. ;)

Generally, I think back on the day before and write about something from that day that I was thankful for.  However, I've had such a nice morning drinking my coffee and blogging, that this is what I choose to be thankful for this morning.  Of course, there was lots to be thankful for yesterday as well...  I'm thankful for Sundays in Towanda, for family time, for good food, for football, for a Chiefs victory, for warm weather, for the kids playing together so nicely, for glowsticks in the dark and running around the back yard after bedtime, for bedtime snuggles, for the kids loving each other so much that they want to sleep in the same room, for Lily, for Avery showing such great responsibility in caring for her, for the kindness of my children, for our soft, cozy bed, for dozing off to tv show reruns...  There is always so much to be thankful for, isn't there?  <3

COVID-19 Day 242 - November 7 - I'm thankful for quiet days at home

November 7 - I'm thankful for quiet days with my family. There have been plenty of negatives to come out of 2020, but I have to admit, I have enjoyed the more open schedule the last several months. I'm no longer booking some activity every night of the week for our family. We have more time to spend together and are not constantly running from one place to another. I love that. I enjoy going out, don't get me wrong! As an extrovert, I love activities out and about! But I can certainly appreciate what my introverted hubby sees in all this quiet home time.

On Saturday we spent most of the day at home, just relaxing. The kids played on their tablets and in the back yard. Michael and I watched news coverage of Biden being the projected winner of the election. It was just a nice, calm day. At the end, we went to the Old Tokyo Steakhouse to celebrate Avery's birthday. Obviously, we celebrated in October as well, however, on the night that the 4 of us went out to dinner on her choice, she picked Red Robin because she wanted to go to a Hibachi place with Grandma Marsha and Papa. Then, when they took her out, they weren't sure about the social distancing, or the place on the east side was still closed or something, and they didn't end up going to one. I told her we'd make it up to her and then I kind of forgot about it. But Saturday I remembered and we were able to go. We had a delicious dinner and they were running a special so that the fried rice was free ($12 savings), the soda was free ($7 savings), and you got 20% off your bill ($15 savings). So we saved a whopping $34!!! It was awesome!! Then we came back home and played a game online with Sis and Adam. It was a nice quiet day, and I loved it. If there's one good thing to come out of this pandemic, it's that I never want to get our schedule as full as it was before COVID hit, ever again.