Thank you 2020. People aren't thanking you, but I am!

Here we are, finally at the end of 2020. We are still in the middle of a pandemic. But behind my mask, all I do is smile. To be honest, I've never been happier in my entire life. Let me explain.

A year ago, we landed in the U.S. after a three week trip to China to adopt Kalysta. We had no knowledge that a pandemic would hit the country within mere weeks. We celebrated Christmas and started the attachment process for Kalysta. We worked diligently to earn her trust and make her understand that Kyli and I would never leave her. We rang in 2020 as a family of three and we were ready for this year to be the most epic year of all!

Things were starting to take shape and we were adjusting to our new normal. A few weeks into 2020, we headed to Disney World for my Mom's birthday and Kalysta's first trip. It was perfect. She loved it. I loved seeing her there. At one point, we were on Main Street U.S.A. watching 'Happily Ever After' and both girls were in my arms. I started to cry. This was it. This was THE moment. This was what I fought so hard for. My life was complete.

A month later, I went back to work. Two weeks after that, the world shut down. Schools were closed and most businesses did too. Everyone panicked. People were home with their families 24/7 for the first time ever. Parents were forced to become teachers and homeschool was a word both parents and kids hated. A lot of wine was consumed, toilet paper was more valuable than gold and streets were empty. Covid became the new language. People were scared. People were mad. People were sick. People were dying. Healthcare workers were finally renewed to their true title of hero. The news was filled with nothing but virus updates. We were forced to wear masks and stay confined to our homes and that's when I decided I was going to make the best of a horrible pandemic.

I was going to make the most of the days I was given. I wanted to sing with my girls at the top of my lungs and dance until we fell over. I wanted to turn off the television and make them understand how fun board games really are. I wanted to draw, paint and play with Play-Doh with them. I wanted to build so many Lego's with them that my fingers were raw. I wanted to be a constant thorn in their side and annoy them to no end. I mean where were they going to go if they were annoyed anyways? We were in quarantine. It's not like they could escape me. They were going absolutely nowhere! LOL!

I WANTED to be home with my kids. I NEEDED to be home with my kids. We spent so much of the beginning of their lives apart that all I wanted was to be there and live presently in each of their days. This was my chance. 2020 was giving me back the time that was taken from us. So, I took the opportunity and changed my life and theirs for the better.

I quit my job and fulfilled a promise to Kyli that I made two years prior when we started the process for a second adoption. That day I quit, Kyli hugged me tighter than she ever had before in life. She had tears in her eyes and she was beyond excited. So was I. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying for you to quit your job. But if something is keeping you from living the life you want, take a stand and change it!

As I reflect back tonight, I will acknowledge it was an insane and scary year. However, it wasn't all bad. Kalysta attached wonderfully. I got to know Kyli, not as my little girl, but rather as the refined human being she is becoming. I watched how tolerant she was/is of Kalysta's antics. I watched how motherly she was/is towards her sister because she's past the "little kid" phase in her life. Kyli is going to do amazing things in this world mark my word. She's so wise beyond her years. Quite frankly, she's more mature at the mere age of 8 than I am at 40!

This year I talked for hours upon hours to my parents about the past, our future and life in general. We had so many laughs that ended in tears and me running to the bathroom in fear of peeing my pants. Yes! We laughed THAT hard! I reconnected deeply with my faith because our church was closed due to Covid. I realized how much I took for granted going to a place to worship which I enjoyed so much every Sunday. My sister and I got back to being sisters the way we were growing up. All of this happened thanks to you 2020 and I'm smiling because of it.

None of this would've been possible if we hadn't been locked up in the house. I'm thankful we are all healthy. I am thankful that there is a vaccine to put this all behind us. But most importantly, I'm thankful for the time I got back to enjoy my family.

For us, 2020 started with an adoption and went out with a bang on our YouTube channel. We hit 21,000 views sharing our adoption video! The girls Quack Chat show was a success and they love making episodes of the show. While this blog is the one thing that did get lost in the pandemic, it was purely because I was too busy living each day of my life. Now as the kids head back to school, and things start to slowly get back to a new normal, I hope everyone still continues to make their families a priority.

2020 was the year of putting family first. Thank you for giving new meaning to the title Mom and more importantly reminding us all that God is powerful. My dear 2020, not all of you was good. A lot of people got sick and some didn't make it. I pray for those who have lost loved ones. I pray for healing for them and faith that this will all be over soon.

I'm over the toilet paper shelves still being empty and wearing this mask. I'm ready for the vaccine to put Covid behind us and for things to get back to normal. But thank you for renewing my faith in humanity and the power of prayer.

If you've made it this far through this blog post, please read these words carefully and intentionally. The work you have on your desk will still be there tomorrow. That basket of laundry doesn't need folded. Your floors don't need cleaned right now. Treat yourself and have those groceries delivered and you don't answer that text immediately on your phone. Today, I want you to be thankful that the ones you love are still around you. Give your spouse a kiss, call your parents and tell them you love them. Sit down tonight and play boardgames with your kids in your fuzzy slippers and mismatched pj's laughing into the wee hours of the night living presently in each moment.

Tonight, I share with you our first family photo in 2020 as we say farewell. THANK YOU 2020 for all the wonderful memories and endless smiles you have provided.

May God bless you and yours in 2021. I wish you all a happy, safe and healthy new year.

I look forward to sharing our adventures with you soon. Happy New Year!

#newyear #family #thankyou #themoanamom