2020 Blog Book

 My 2020 book, my labor of love, is here! I’ve been doing these each year since 2007 when I started blogging our family happenings. I have a terrible memory (ask my mom—she says I remember nothing from my childhood), so I take photos and write to remember. I found it interesting that this book is the fattest, longest one yet, in a year when “nothing” happened and all events and activities were cancelled. It was probably the hardest year of my life, in a lot of ways, but as I read through my blog posts and look at all that happened this last year, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and thankfulness for the grace, mercy, and faithfulness of God in each of those hard things . We have precious memories from this last year. Our calendar is filling up (to overflowing) once again, and I feel this season changing and time speeding up again. And while I still want COVID and cancer to go (and stay) away, I feel a stab of sadness over the changes ahead, good as they may be. I will treasure these memories, these experiences, and this time our family had together—so much togetherness. :-)

Monopoly

Two-day game of Monopoly. I haven’t played in probably more than 20 years. I’m good for another 20 now. ;-) Grant conceded.

Eagle Crest

 During spring break, we went to Eagle Crest with the Wilsons for a few days. Our family took a small detour into Bend to try out Bonta gelato. It did not disappoint! 

In Eagle Crest our units were just across the driveway from each other. We took walks (one very long one, on accident), played/watched tennis every day, played games, watched Harry Potter and Pawn Stars :), and rode bikes (semi-successfully). The kids went swimming in the outdoor pool one day, too. It was just a great time away and with friends. Greg was feeling pretty good, although our extra long hike was a reminder that he's not at 100% yet, so he took it easy and didn't go on every excursion. 

Joel Driving

This was my first time riding with our newest driver and his first time driving the minivan. Kari came along for the ride and was a helpful backseat driver. Joel successfully maneuvered in busy Saturday afternoon traffic to the post office, the Wendy’s drive thru for Frosty treats, Joann Fabrics (Kari needed buttons), and Fred Meyer. We had fun! And unlike his sister, he likes the "new driver" magnets.

Mystery Dinner for Aubs

 Aubrey's friend, Abby, hosted a murder mystery dinner for her friends, just for fun. The girls all had assigned roles and characters, and Aubrey was "Judge Casey" for the talent show and got to dress up fancy. She looked so grown up and beautiful! They had SO MUCH fun! Kari and Kylee helped out with the party and helped coach the girls a little to keep things moving in the right direction. 

Greg's precarious birthday activity

 We've been meaning to trim the top of the tall tree in our backyard and just keep putting it off. We decided to attempt it on a dry Saturday, which also happened to be Greg's birthday. We sent Kari up in the tree first, but she couldn't get high enough, so Greg got out the big ladder, and climbed up there with her. Joel and I held the ladder steady as best we could while they worked in the tree and tried to dodge branches as they fell.  It was spooky, and we scared our neighbors a bit (they were watching us from their backyard), but we got it done!

Flowers

The winter gloom was feeling heavy, and I decided I wanted to find some flowers to brighten things up. I donned my raincoat and went out and bought flowers--both primroses and rose bushes. The primroses truly brightened our front porch and our back deck. They brought me so much joy over the next couple months until spring weather brightened things up around here. 

On some of the dry days I spent some time in the dirt, making a rose bed, leveling the dirt and edging it with bricks. I planted 5 rose bushes, and it appears that only 4 survived, but I can replace it easily. I also bought some peony bulbs and gladiola bulbs. I planted some in between the day lilies along the fence and then spent a couple days removing grass along the back of the deck to create a flower bed there, too.  I'm so looking forward to seeing my flowers bloom. The peonies may not bloom this year, but hopefully, they'll do well and produce beautiful blooms we can enjoy in the coming years. 

Aunt Sue's Memorial service weekend

The whole family was able to make it for Aunt Sue's memorial service, and we celebrated Dad/Grandpa's birthday the night before since everyone was together. 

Aunt Sue's service was so God-honoring and truly a worshipful time. She lived her life for Jesus and lived it well. She leaves a big hole behind, and we look forward to seeing her again in heaven someday. It's been a very difficult season for Mom and for the whole Thom family. Greg and I were able to visit her a month before she passed away, and we were so glad we had the opportunity to see her one last time. We had missed the family reunion last summer because of Greg's surgery, and between Greg's chemo and covid, we just hadn't gotten over there to see her. The Lord worked it out well that Greg was feeling good enough and Aunt Sue was feeling good enough for a visit. We got to see their new house, got to visit with Katie, Bruce, and Sue and just spend a little time together. We didn't say "good-bye," but we knew it was our goodbye, which was sad and hard and good all at the same time.