2020: Year in Review

2020

2020 was quite simply the most bizarre year of my life. A world wide pandemic. Lockdown. Quarantine. Social distancing. No school. No work. No church. No activities. No social life. Riots. Political Unrest. Racism. An insane Presidential election. Health issues. Extended family drama. It was hard, scary, lonely, and sad. And... as hard as it is to believe sometimes...joyful! We were active, enjoyed a lot of family time, and had very few distractions. 2020 taught us in a very real and quick way what matters. We got our priorities straight real fast!

Here's what 2020 looked like:

-The first three months of 2020 I was still in deep grief over the loss of my mom. 

-Bryn played basketball for the first time. She was on her school team and she loved it!

-Ailey was the chicken again at Rubber Chicken! She was spectacular!

-Ailey was busy with dance team competitions for the first three months.

-Tyler's sister Lori moved to Washington DC. We miss her!! It's hard having her so far away.

-We had several windstorms that did quite a bit of damage at the lake. Nothing like the big windstorm of 2015 though. We had to have five big trees taken down on the lake property.

-Tyler turned 49!

-The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl!! That was big excitement at our house!! My old home town.

-Ailey and I became ministering partners. She is awesome and is a great motivator!

-Bryn sang a jazz solo in her 5th grade music program!! She was fantastic!!

-Kameron sliced off the tip of his finger at work one day. Yikes!

-Tyler had to have some skin biopsied from his toe. Thank goodness it was normal.

-Kam had his follow up cardiology appointment and his heart looked good. No restrictions, no medications, and no follow up unless he starts having some kind of symptoms. Thank goodness!

-Tyler bought himself a new (to us) sporty car. He loves it!

-Reilly and Kameron both made a lot of money housesitting for various people. They were both in hot demand by several families. 

-We found out that Ailey has no mind's eye. This has been such HELPFUL information and explains so many things!!

-We divided up my mom's belongings. It was awful.

-Beverly got her stomach pumped because she ate some green onions that had sprouted up in our garden.

-Kameron submitted his mission papers.

-Kameron got his mission call to Minneapolis, Minnesota!

-All hell broke loose and the country went into COVID-19 lockdown and quarantine on March 13th.

-Tyler's company had all their employees start working from home.

-The kids schools closed.

-The LDS church closed temples and cancelled Sunday meetings/youth activities. 

-Missionaries came home from their missions for several months.

-The MTCs closed.

-Store shelves were empty. There was no toilet paper to be found...no paper products, cleaning supplies, canned goods, flour, sugar, yeast etc. We had to wait in long lines to get into stores.

-All nonessential stores/business closed. No hair/nail salons. No restaurants. No movie theaters. No libraries. 

-Parks closed.

-Funerals and weddings were cancelled.

-Wearing masks and social distancing became the norm.

-Reilly was indirectly exposed to COVID-19 and had to isolate from us. That was HARD!!

-The LDS church had families start doing Home Church.

-The kids started distance learning which is online school.

- A 5.7 magnitude earthquake hit Salt Lake City.

-The borders closed to other countries and to the USA.

-No groups larger than 10 were allowed to meet.

-Hospitals no longer allow visitors.

-All extracurricular activities got cancelled.

-We started ordering our groceries online and having them delivered to our house or car.

-Beverly turned one!

-Bryn started virtual piano lessons via FaceTime.

-We participated in a World Wide Fast.

-There was a 6.5 magnitude earthquake that hit near Boise. It was felt in Spokane.

-All in-person events were cancelled... like all vintage shows, concerts, conferences, sporting events. My business came to a screeching halt.

-Porch visits became a thing.

-In-person General Conference was cancelled. Only the speakers were allowed to attend.

-Bryn started teaching herself to play the ukulele.

-The kids found out that they wouldn't be going back to school for the rest of the year.

-Bryn turned 11!

-We participated in a 2nd World Wide Fast.

-The McClellan family imploded. Kirk and I became estranged from our three sisters. 

-Zoom meetings became a thing.

-TikTok became a thing...especially with our girls!

-Beverly was spayed.

-We bought my mom's boat.

-Tyler and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary.

-Perimenopause kicked in.

-Kirk and I hired an attorney to represent us.

-WA State moved to Phase 2: Businesses opened back up with strict social distancing...only take out at restaurants and movie theaters are still closed...and no live events.

-Kirk and Meki and family came up for a quick visit over Memorial Day. 

-Ailey made the dance team for her Junior year. She had to try out via video. They haven't been able to do anything except for a few occasional practices that were masked, outside, and social distanced.

-The country went to hell. Riots, protests, violence.

-Racial injustice was at the forefront of the news.

-High school graduations were cancelled or became "drive-thru" graduations.

-Our family started biking regularly and boating!!

-I turned 48!

-Meki got COVID-19.

-Ailey and Bryn got really good at wakeboarding!

-Ailey turned 16!

-Kirk and Meki had to evacuate their home due to a big fire. Thank goodness their house was fine.

-Kameron was ordained an Elder.

-Kameron was set apart as a missionary.

-Our house became an MTC. Kam did his missionary training online from home.

-We saw the Neowise Comet!

-Our basement flooded due to our neighbor's sprinklers.

-Kam left for his mission and it was BRUTAL for us!

-Kirk, Meki, and kids came up for a visit this summer.

-The kids found out that when school started again it would still be distance learning.

-I became a vendor at Midtown Market in Coeur d' Alene.

-Ailey went on her first date. They both wore masks!

-The girls and I went back to church after 5 months. They started livestreaming church too. Tyler started watching church via the livestream.

-Some temples opened up but only for living ordinances. The St. Paul/Minneapolis Temple was one. We found out that parents could come and go through the temple with their missionaries!

-Judie and Joel came for a visit.

-My cousins Wendy and Justin and their families came to the lake and spent time with us.

-There were horrible fires in WA and Oregon. The air was so hazardous that you couldn't go outside.

-The one year anniversary of my mom's death came...and went.

-Ailey and Bryn started their Junior and 6th grade years at home with online school.

-Bryn went back to in-person piano lessons.

-Bryn started playing the cello.

-I got called to be the 1st counselor in the Stake Primary Presidency and got released from being the Primary President of our ward. I loved being the Primary President!

-Tyler and I flew to Minneapolis to attend the temple with Kameron! It was awesome!!

-We traveled from Minneapolis to Wisconsin to see our good friends: Rebecca and Jeff.

-Fall General Conference still wasn't in person. 

-My mom's house in Sandpoint sold.

-Reilly had two coworkers test positive for COVID and had to isolate from us again.

-Tyler and I did a quick buying day trip to Seattle.

-My step-mom Gayle passed away.

-Tyler and I took the girls on a Halloween trip to Mount St. Helens and Cape Disappointment.

-Joe Biden won the Presidential Election. Kamala Harris became the first woman Vice-President.

-Reilly turned 24!!

-Kameron turned 20!!

-My father returned to church activity after 44 years.

-Kam had a missionary car karaoke video go viral-ish (26k views and counting.) That was so fun for those missionaries and their families too!

-The State of WA went back into modified lockdown.

-We participated in the prophet's request to post gratitude on social media for a week in November.

-Kam got transferred from Oakdale, MN to Blaine, MN.

-We replaced the floors in Ailey's room, Bryn's room, and our bedroom.

-The country is a political dumpster fire.

-We found out that Tyler was having heart issues again.

-The Governor of WA and many other states requested that families not gather for Thanksgiving or Christmas. They didn't even want families singing Christmas carols. FOR REAL!!

-Ailey got her Learner's Permit.

-Tyler started "looping" for his diabetes.

-Ailey took Drivers Ed.

-Hunter tested positive for COVID-19. Reilly had to isolate from us for the third time this year and we couldn't be together for Christmas and New Years.

-Bryn participated in a virtual piano recital and Ailey participated in a virtual choir concert.

-We saw the "Christmas Star" or the Great Conjunction. The merging of Saturn and Jupiter. The last time this occurred was in the Middle Ages.

-Tyler had a heart procedure that was unsuccessful and had to schedule a 2nd one.

-Kirk tested positive for COVID-19.

-This year health-wise I had more skipped periods here and there. I am smack in the middle of perimenopause. I started having hot flashes. They SUCK. I got tested to see if I had a genetic predisposition for blood clots on the advice of my doctor due to my mom's health history. I don't. I have struggled with anxiety more than I ever have this year and have felt some depression. Depression has been new for me. It has come in the form of a lack of motivation and enthusiasm. Two things that I normally do not lack.

-My business has completely changed. It went from a mom and two daughters in business together to just me. I was headed in this direction in 2019 prior to my mom's death. It has been time for me to do my own thing with Sisters Creed for a very long time. COVID-19 caused me to pivot my business plan and it has been the best thing that I have ever done! Vintage shows did not happen in 2020 and the future for 2021 is still dubious. I became a vendor at a very successful store and my sales have skyrocketed! I have only been at the store for 4 1/2 months and I doubled my yearly sales. It has been really gratifying.

-Kameron left for his mission in July. That was a really exciting time for our family and also a hard adjustment. We miss that kid like crazy! It has been extraordinary to see the growth that Kam has had in a little over 6 months. He went from boy to man. Every week I see something new. The mission has been good for him. One of the most special times this year was when Tyler and I flew to Minnesota to attend the temple with Kameron for the first time. The experience of being in the temple with our child and watching him make sacred covenants was beyond compare. This was truly one of the happiest days of my life.

-Worrying about Tyler contracting COVID-19 has been a constant stress. We've isolated more than the average person. It has been extremely difficult. It's taken a toll on all of us. We are social people. We are huggers. We love to travel. We are always busy. This forced a pause in literally everything... and separation from friends and loved ones has stretched us almost to our breaking points. We look forward to vaccines and being close to those we love and miss. Tyler's heart issues were extremely difficult. Compounding stress. But we are incredibly grateful that his blockage was found...again he had no symptoms and a perfect EKG...and had a complete blockage. We feel that it was a miracle that this issue was found and it was due to a prompting from the Lord to have a particular test done. We are humbly grateful.

-My family issues with my sisters has been very illuminating. Difficult and extremely painful but still illuminating. To have the curtain lifted and filters removed and to see the dysfunction in the bright light of day has been horrifying but necessary. I hope for their sakes that they do what they need to do to be healthy mentally and physically. I am grateful to not be alone in this situation. My brother is a rock and a lifeline. I've made my peace with the situation.

-My mother's estate still remains in limbo. Her belongings for the most part have been divided. One of the properties sold. There are several other things yet to sell. Progress has been made but there is still more to go. I hope that by the end of 2021 this is all behind us.

-On a brighter note... let's talk GOALS:

First up... Books!

I read 50 books in 2020. That was my goal for the year and I met it. I am really surprised that I did because I had no reading mojo at the start of COVID. While most people were watching Netflix, reading, and doing puzzles. I couldn't relax or concentrate. I had several months where I barely read anything. Again...not how I am normally. When I started to pick up my reading again it was all nonfiction. I had a really hard time getting into fiction for quite awhile. Thank goodness that in the last half of the year my reading picked up again.

My Favorite Books of 2020:

1.) The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

2.) The Passengers by John Marrs

3.) Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

4.) The Mother-In-Law by Sally Hepworth

5.) The Twelves Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

Worst Book of 2020:

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert

I love classics but I absolutely loathed this book.

Book Stats:

Fiction: 32

Nonfiction: 18

Classics: 12

Book Club: 9 (2 I didn't read and one I had already read.)

-As far as my regular goals went I had my best year ever. I literally don't know how that happened. For several months I felt like I did nothing due to grief and fear of COVID. Life changed so abruptly. I felt like I was cooped up in quarantine jail and couldn't do anything that I wanted to. While there were many things that I couldn't do there were many things that I could. I changed my mindset and got to work. Working toward goals, exercise, daily walks with Tyler, and routine saved my life...and surprisingly... I accomplished A LOT. Tyler and I accomplished most of our couple goals for 2020 which was also really surprising. And... My morning routine was a lifeline for staying centered.

My morning routine:

Scriptures

Prayer

Gratitude Journal

Affirmations Journal

Daily Goal Review

To-Do List

-This crazy and mostly dull blog chronicling quarantine has also been extremely helpful in processing my feelings about all that has been going on. Never in my wildest dreams did I think our quarantine would last this long.

-I also discovered that I really enjoy having Tyler home. We can work from home together. We have to be in separate areas of the house and we have to respect one another's time and space but we really enjoy being together. When he does go back to the office I will miss him. I also have really enjoyed all of the extra time we have had with the kids. But I am ready for them to go back to school. LOL. Seriously though... our family has grown even closer (Reilly and Hunter too) through these strange times. Having all of this extra time with Ailey while she is a junior is a gift. When Reilly and Kameron were juniors we barely saw them. They were so busy with school, activities, work, church, and friends. They were in and out. So to have life when it is usually the busiest SLOW down has been a gift especially before Ailey heads off to college. It was also extremely nice having extra time with Kam before he left for his mission. The weeks that our home was an MTC was a golden special time.

-The child that has struggled the most with quarantine has been Bryn. She is an extrovert. She is sunny and social. She brightens up a room. She has a large group of friends and is very active in sports. Distance learning and quarantine has sucked the joy out of her. She lost her sparkle and bubbly joy. Tyler and I have worried about her. She's definitely been the kid that we've noticed the big change in. I can't imagine how scary and uncertain the world feels to an 11 year old? She has no frame of reference or life experience to know that all hard things *eventually* come to an end. It seems to her that this will last forever. It's been difficult to balance safety/health with mental health. 

Question: What did 2020 Teach You?

Tyler:

I learned the importance of self-reliance: spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially. Who knew that church, school, and work would be gone and that we would have to completely rely on each other and the Lord. I learned that working remotely for my job is possible and can even be enjoyable. I have liked being home with Kris during the day. We like spending time together and we work well alongside one another. I don't think I bugged her too much. LOL.

Kristin:

I learned to live in the now. Stop looking back at what was...and stop trying to see the future. Live in the present. Find pockets of peace. Find joy in the now.  Appreciate simple joys and pleasures. I also learned forbearance in such a big and difficult way with my sisters. It was a tremendously painful lesson to learn but also a necessary one. I also learned to put my trust completely in God...not in parties, policies, politicians, or programs. Other refuge have I none. Some silver linings have been: more family time, we've grown closer as a family, more sleep, more active as a family, learned new technology, and no unnecessary obligations (that one is huge.)

Reilly: 

2020 taught me to never take anything for granted. Not even what I would consider a boring typical day. I've learned to be grateful for the average ordinary day.

Hunter: 

I've learned that nothing in life is guaranteed. Life as we know it can slip upside down at any moment and we need to always be prepared.

Kameron:

2020 taught me to focus on the things that actually matter. The importance of family, relationships, and good communication. To focus on my conversion and covenants. To build a strong foundation not only for me but for my future family. It's easy to be fixated on things that have a temporal importance. I have learned to refocus on the things that have spiritual importance.

Ailey:

2020 taught me to find happiness in the little things (they matter) and to appreciate what I have. 2020 also taught me the importance of the gospel and how much I need it in my life. I have learned to slow down and focus on what is happening around me. 2020 taught me to love and appreciate the outdoors because when everything was closed and shut down I knew I could rely on being outside and in nature for fun activities like biking. Overall 2020 has been a pause year and has shown me what really matters and what should take priority in my everyday life.

Bryn:

2020 taught me to have patience and to be thankful for what I have been given because those things can be taken away. I also learned how much I actually like and am grateful for school!

*Favorite Purchases:

Boat: Best purchase by far!

Peloton: 2nd best purchase! Our gym has been closed for most of the last 10 months.

Bidet: How much can you love a fancy toilet seat? OH... A LOT! Never going back. 

Brumates: I don't know how we survived before Brumates and Hydroflasks and our drinks always staying cold. I got the slim can Brumate in pink for my Red Bulls and the bigger Brumate in rose gold for my La Croix cans. Tyler got a bigger silver one for La Croix and pop. Astounding!!

Audible membership: Tyler got me an audible membership last Christmas and it has been SO worth it! I listen while I work on projects and it is awesome! Tyler has used quite a few of my credits and loves it too. It's time for him to get his own membership!!

Universal Yum Box Subscription: Reilly found this awesome box subscription. She and Hunter got one and so did we. We all LOVE it! We have had so much fun trying all kinds of snacks and treats from around the world. We get SO excited when our box arrives!!!

*Favorite Activities:

Long Walks: 

Daily 3 mile walks have saved my life! Exercise and an hour of walking and talking with Tyler has kept me healthy mentally and physically.

Gardening: 

I cannot express the *calm* and joy that I feel while gardening and tending my plants and flowers. It is so incredibly soothing and enjoyable. In the winter I am all about my indoor plants. I love them!

Boating: 

If you want to feel like a million bucks and that you are on top of the world...go boating! In the boat all day long with Ty and the kids is truly my absolute happiest place!!

Biking: 

I love biking! I feel like a 10 year old again cruising around, flying down hills, laughing, and racing! It is spectacular! I love that Ty and our kids are into it too. I once heard that if you want to be happy think of the things that made you happy as a 10 year old and do them. So true! 

Playing with Beverly: 

Beverly is totally our support animal. I am so glad that we have her to love, cuddle, and laugh at her antics.

Blogging: 

This is how I processed 2020 (and every year.) It feels good to release my feelings through this blog and to keep a family record. 

My Booth: 

This keeps me busy, creative, and happy! Another life saver!

*Favorite Podcasts:

1.) Currently Reading (hands down my favorite book podcast)

2.) Ten Things to Tell You with Laura Tremaine

3.) From the Front Porch (Another good book podcast hosted by a small bookstore owner.)

4.) Happier with Gretchen Rubin

-2020 was full of surprises: some horrible and some sweet. We learned resilience if nothing else.