Back to "nOrMaL"?

March, April & May were definitely months of transition and uncertainty, but we made it through pretty well but were glad when distance learning was finally over!  After school was done, we had about a month of nice leisure time where we weren't stressing over school and our activities were basically non-existent and we were able to accomplish some things to keep from being bored.

June brought more activities as the weather started to cooperate and the last couple have weeks have begun to feel like a slightly new normal...more activities with lots of new rules and guidelines that are very difficult for kids to follow.  It's just not in their nature to social distance, or touch their faces, or wash their hands every time they do and heaven help us if down the road we have to make them wear masks!

With all that, it's hard to not get worked up with all else that's going on in our nation, and even our state, and I have to turn away from the news (and even my favorite late night talk shows) and turn my focus back to what matters most...my family and my faith in a God that's bigger than it all.

Work has started to resume back at the office for Jason & his resurrected horseshoeing business has been a great side income for us.  We were able to finally purchase a vehicle that we can fit our whole family in, after the reverse in the transmission went out in our old
Suburban nearly 2 years ago when we moved.

As we begin the month of July, we are grateful for our health and work that provides for our family.  The older kids are finding work to keep busy and earn money for their constantly & rapidly emptying wallets, but they are learning the value of a dollar and how to work for what they want.  A.J. and Faith's activity schedules are starting to resume with Strength Training, Baseball/Softball and skills training for the (hopefully) upcoming football/volleyball seasons.  So next week, we will get to be back in the bleachers to watch some baseball games and continue to enjoy what we can when we can.
Stay safe & hope you are finding your way back to our "new nOrMaL".

Our first outing since lockdown

My aunt and uncle were up from their home in Texas and invited us to their cabin in the woods in Northern MN while they were up.  It was our first family outing since the lockdown and first big trip together (in one vehicle) for about 2 years.  (It's a longer story that involves a broken transmission.)

The weather was absolutely beautiful and we all had a great time to spend with family we don't get to see as often as we'd like.  We all got our fill of fishing and the kids loved being able to drive around on ATV's and scooters and just going down to the lake to enjoy the water.  I tried to get pictures, but they were all running around having fun (and I tried to keep away from my phone) so I just got a few.

           Jason & Bella in a giant floating island   

               

 Noah kayaking solo - I think that's Ian in the paddleboat fishing

 Catching lots of "snot rockets" to help the smaller fish re-populate after a freeze out

 Faith and Laney in action

 Bella helping Aunty Rita drive the pontoon

AJ rockin' the scooter ;)