I’m not going to say I’m thankful that this is the last day of 2020. I know a lot of people are “Peace Out” to 2020. But, here’s the thing. 2021 is not some magical fix. We are not going to wake up tomorrow morning with a whole new world and everything that went wrong is fixed. Life tomorrow is not going to be different just because it’s a new year.

What I am thankful for is that my friends and family are healthy….That Team Yeatman has not been sick this year with COVID, or anything else really. I’m beyond thankful that I get to live life with with my two loves. I am very thankful that we have a comfortable home to spend so much time in, and that we have been able to roll with the changes this year has brought to my job, remote learning, and Mark working from home full-time.

Has it been easy and stress-free…nope. But, by and large we are good, and we will continue to be good no matter what comes our way. For that I am very thankful!

I don’t have any resolutions for the new year (I don’t believe in them in general) but, I do plan on rolling with whatever life brings our way in 2021. For better or worse we have each other, and we will make the very best of life that we can.

I wish everyone nothing but the best for all in 2021, or at least the ability to adapt and adjust! 🙂

Today I’m thankful for Fall! It is my absolute favorite time of the year. I love the changing leaves and cooler, crisp weather. And, I really love Football, and am extra thankful Football happened at all this year….it has been a really nice distraction even with all the COVID related issues that have popped up with different teams. It’s a little bit of “normal” in a not normal year.

We have been lucky with a pretty nice PNW Fall this year which means we get to go for walks a lot. If it’s not raining, then I’m out walking and try to find spots of time during the day to get out for a solo walk just to clear my head. I love being home with my two favorite people, but for someone who craves alone time, there hasn’t been much alone time this year with all three of us working and/or schooling at home. So, walks have been a lifesaver for me, and I get to catch up on podcasts that way too!

Lastly I’m thankful that tomorrow is the last day of school before winter break! We are so lucky that Sky likes remote learning and it’s working for our family. However, even though we don’t really have any complaints we are ready for Winter Break! We have important things to do like sleep in, cuddly up and watch Hallmark Christmas Movies all day long (Sky and I anyway), winter puzzles, build a gingerbread house, and just have a break.

What are you Thankful For today?

Today I’m thankful to finally have a choice made and feel settled into how life will be the rest of this school year. I never thought I would be taking an unpaid leave of absence (LOA) for the remainder of the school year, but I had little choice but to do to what I could to be home with Sky, and try to preserve my job at the same time. I have no way of knowing if/when school will resume full time, and until that happens Sky’s home and needs support managing remote learning.

I love my job, so was thankful there was an option to take a LOA, so I can return to it once Sky’s back in school. It is really fascinating and fulfilling being home and supporting Sky through the school day. I get to overhear some of her class participation and it’s kind of cool getting a glimpse of her being her in a space that is hers to own. She is doing great with remote learning (not that she doesn’t have her “moments” because she for sure does!) but for the most part she likes schooling from home.

There was a lot of uncertainty leading up to the LOA, as parents it was really hard knowing what was best for Sky, our family, and me as an individual. And, none of us know how COVID will play out, when/if things will open back up and be “normal” again. There are so many questions and really no right or wrong answer no matter what answer we land on. I was changing my mind in regards to our options almost daily. Needless to say I was feeling a fair amount of stress over the whole situation.

So thankful to have a path, follow it, and know what the rest of the school year looks like for me, and somewhat for Sky. The whole going back, not going back situation is no big deal. I figure she’s home and that’s how it is until it’s not, and I get to be home with her.

The best part of the situation is being able to walk out the door as soon as the school day is over and enjoy PNW Sunny Fall days! I feel like I’m getting so much extra “bonus” time with Sky this year and it’s pretty great!