Thankful 2020

It’s easy to dwell on what I don’t appreciate about 2020 until I sit down with my gratitude journal and begin writing. Here are the facts: I have more to be thankful for this year than to grumble about. 

What are you thankful for? 

Made my 1st solo turkey

So does that make me a full-fledged adult?

Just a little welcome sign with a crazy looking turkey

Last minute table decor

Auntie Angie with her favorite nieces 

So glad to have mom with us this year

So thankful for this crew today

We had a fun day!

I love these people

And so thankful that my sweet husband and Joe started the exterior Christmas illumination. I love white Christmas lights while Chris hates putting them up. So this is a demonstration of love! Thank you for loving me well babe. 

* * *

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭100:4-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Bucket List Item: Half Marathon

6:30am Friday: Fly to North Carolina

10:30am Friday: Drive to South Carolina

4:30pm Friday: Great Dinner in Lexington 

8:00pm Friday: Early to bed

7:30am Saturday: The fast people start

7:40ish am Saturday: Us slow people start

13.1 miles, one potty break and rock in shoe x2

2 hours 53 min later: I FINISH

2:30pm Saturday: Drive back to North Carolina (our “travel agent” may not have realized which state were were running in...Lexington, N.C. or Lexington, S.C. Yikes!)

6:25pm Saturday: Fly to Nebraska

Melanie . Linda Boden . April Binder . Kim Weeks

Why did I do this you ask? It’s been a bucket list item for me since I tore my hamstrings off the bone back in 2017. My goal was to train and run the whole thing. Along comes my long time crazy Marathon running friend April, who basically begged me to go on this trip, promising me that it’s ok if I have to walk some. My fitness level did not allow me to run the full 13.1 miles. Plan to succeed they say, so my plan was to run .75 of each mile and walk .25. It was a good plan and for the most part that’s what I did...until Mile 11. At 10:13am I was ready to throw in the towel. That’s when some serious soul searching and total reliance on God kicked in. I made it up the last hill, down the straightaway to the baseball field and then the finish line was in sight. I wanted to stop but the desire to finish was stronger. April crossed the finish line 1 hour and 2 minutes before me. As I made my way under the arch, there she stood proudly cheering on her best friend. 

My face doesn’t show it but I was sooo nervous! 

My face doesn’t show it but my feet might fall off

Heaviest medal I have ever lifted

Got home to this precious girl and sign

Will I do it again? Not sure, but if I do I want to run it all!

 “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

My Dad: My Hero

This guy.

My first hero. 

My first role model. 

The one who loved me unconditionally. 

The one who gave me away but never left me. 

And then November 11, 2020 my heart broke. 

I would like to have something profound to say but I don’t. Oh my gosh, this hurts!!! I thought watching dad slowly fade away over the years would prepare me for his death. 

N O P E

Everyone says, “I bet it gives you comfort that he’s in a better place now.”

N O P E

I miss dad more now than ever. Covid took the last ten months away from us, we were not allowed to see him, touch him, reassure him. I’m mad. I’m hurt. I’m sick of Covid and all the ridiculous crap that comes with it! 

Even in my anger I keep looking for the silver lining. Mom was with dad 3 of his last 4 days and I got to spend 2 days with dad in the hospital. Surprisingly, Emma and Reagan both had the opportunity to say goodbye to their Opa. (Admittedly I had to be pretty forceful at the hospital. Those nurses may have a special name for me) Thank you Lord for going before us to make that happen! 

I know Dad slipped out of this world and landed in the arms of Jesus, his personal Savior. Without that knowledge the devastation would be nearly unbearable but right now I selfishly miss my dad. 

A Not So Happy Birthday

This guy...
• Has Covid 

• Birthday

• Father-in-law died  

• Birthday meal: Casey’s pizza 

What a rough week! 

It’s difficult to watch the one you love suffer but then to tell him he has to stay away from you 100% of the time, that’s just mean. At the time this picture was taken, Chris was a couple days away from ending his quarantine but still so weak. I took a quick picture, he pulled his mask up and headed right back to his quarantine spot.  yuck!! His spirits were low from a lack of touch and feeling crummy. We both really needed hugs! 

I love you Chris Raabe! This birthday celebration was not so spectacular but the guy we celebrated, he’s pretty great. I’m thankful for you! Let have a re-do when life rebounds. 

Two Down, One To Go!

 

It's official, our baby girl is done with middle school and hitting the halls of our local high school. I snapped this picture right after a brief orientation, yes we had masks on inside the school. By the time we took another 150 steps, I slid into the driver's seat of my Prius and looked at Liv. My expression must have been one of those weird mom looks, she asked, "what's wrong with you, mom?" Anyone who has sent a child to high school knows those four years fly by. All I could see was this young teen heading off to college when in reality she was ready to start her first day of high school. Oh Liv, I am excited for you to experience show choir, meeting new friends, German, high school dances, sports and activities.

Schools across the nation are investigating all kinds of bizarre schedules in the name of keeping kids, staff and faculty safe. Some schools have sports, some don't. Dances, show choir and all things fun have been cancelled or postponed. It's going to be an interesting year.

Online . Hybrid . Traditional

Strangely enough there are actually some school districts sending students and teachers back to school full time. Full time with masks, social distancing and constantly bathing in hand sanitizer. So crazy!

ANYWAY here is Liv's schedule...

Week 1: one day, 25% of students go each day

Week 2: two days at school and 3 days online

Week 3: two days online and 3 days at school

Week 4: it's a surprise, hoping for 100% in school.

I am thankful we do not have several young children going to school, this would be a nightmare. So for now, I'm praying for the best situation...kids learning and health for everyone.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Dean & Linda’s Golden Anniversary

I wasn’t invited to the wedding but it sounds like a good time was had by all until the bride saw haybales and live chickens in the get away car! 

Even though I’m A child by marriage, I had the privilege of helping my in-laws decorate for their big celebration. This is an area I can really dive in to so I knew I had to keep myself under control. I appreciate decorations and all things party more than the average. Chris may or may not have said to me on number ours occasions, “is this necessary?” I’m pretty sure I always answer “YES!”

The “Rona” strikes again, changing our celebration from a dinner party inside to donuts and coffee OUTSIDE! No problem, even in Nebraska where the weather can vary from 50-100 degrees with no wind and lots of humidity to gusts of 30mph and clouds and possibly a brief rainstorm all within an hour. That’s no joke! We had a beautiful morning with lots of friends and family in attendance. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a picture with the immediate family. Ang and John came up the night before for an extended stay while Holly and Stephen popped in for a couple hours late in the morning. 

Celebrating with the grandkids 

So sad that Reagan couldn’t make it but the party was from 9-11am and her college soccer practice was from 9-12 in Lincoln. As always, Nana and Papa understood. 

Cousins from the wedding party

A Different Graduation: Covid Style

We knew all along that Reagan's graduation experience would be different than the traditional student’s journey to a diploma but this year took a curve that no one expected. 

Reagan left for college in January 2020, the pictures that follow are from May and June of 2020. By then time everything was said and done, Regs felt like she experienced graduation and was ready to close that chapter. Millard did end up providing a ceremony in late July, we opted out. 

Grace, Molly, Reagan and Katie have spent the last 4 years together playing soccer, hanging with “gang”, laughing, swimming, party planning and who knows what else. They will always remember their good times as a Wildcat. 

Virtual Graduation 

Diploma, Suma Cum Laude medal and Stare Medal

Senior Parade which ended up being a HUGE success!

All Grads were to wear their gowns so our girls wore swimsuits underneath. 

 The Gang

This last picture is one of those fun and silly things they do in high school. I remember voting on superlatives back in my day. One day when I have nothing better to do I should dig out my senior book and read the results. Anyway, Reagan and Max are both attending Nebraska to play their respective sports, baseball and soccer. I hope these Wildcats turned Huskers do reach their ultimate dreams of playing At the professional level. 

No More Middle School

No more Middle School! Can I get an AMEN? 

Kidding...not kidding!

So our baby finished 8th grade 

Yes, the year ended weird 

Yes, she missed out on many lasts

Yes, we mourn those celebrations

However, let’s not get stuck in the mud of this stupid virus. Instead, we celebrated Olivia’s accomplishments with a little party. Balloons just seem to make everything better. 

We love you Olivia.

You know I had to add her kindergarten

picture. Oh my! My heart is melting!

Rona 2020

I know people are calling it Covid-19 but I'm working on not being a follower!

It's challenging to put into words what this world-wide pandemic means to me or has done to me or has done to us. I have mixed feelings about who is speaking truth. Furthermore, those who are in charge or making suggestions do they even know the full truth. 

Let go back two months. On the morning of Thursday, March 12th we were packed and ready to head south to Oklahoma and then on to Arkansas to watch Reagan play in her first D1 collegiate soccer game. A couple days earlier she had text me looking for encouragement, she was FULL of nerves. Her first time EVER taking the field in a Husker jersey and she would be facing the SEC 2019 champions. Nebraska was full of injuries and Reagan thought she would be playing the full 90 minutes. What a huge undertaking for our little freshman. While the excitement of Reagan's dreams coming true was on our minds, the Corona virus had penetrated US boundaries. What was once something infecting thousands in China had become a threat to the entire world. 

The TIMELINE...

Thursday 3/12 Morning: could we take Olivia's friend with us or would they let only family attend college games

Thursday: Our local school district cancelled school Friday and the following 2 weeks and then all classes would move to eLearning

Thursday Noon: SEC cancelled the game 

Thursday Afternoon: NCAA cancelled all college sports through the rest of the school year

From there on things would change daily or hourly. Stores closing. Social Distancing. Stay home mandates. It became the norm to have things taken away without discussion, it just happened. But when I look back to that Thursday morning, I can't believe the incredible amount of change in just 8 hours.

All 3 of my children are (we’re) doing on-line schooling. Chris is (was) teaching online. Nobody really likes it and I doubt that there is a lot of learning happening. This isn't a cliche, I am praying for school (the kind they physically attend) to start up on time in August.

What am I doing? Oddly enough I started out this time of quarantine/stay-at-home, leaving the house everyday to work in the office. My co-worker was quarantined due to a sick child so I became a 45 hour per week employee. Let me say "thank you Lord for a job" when so many are now on unemployment but those hours kicked my butt! 

I am not scared of the Rona but I do fear what the cure is doing to our country. Ten million plus people went on unemployment in the matter of one week, I have no idea what those numbers are now. Calls to the suicide hotline are 600 percent above normal. People are missing important events. Surgeries are shut down. My friend's mom is suddenly dying in the hospital and they are unable to go say good-bye. The stock market has plummeted. Neighbors are calling in to report gatherings of people, even children in a park. We need to get the world open again. Nebraska shut down early and doesn't have the enormous population of New York or California so we don't have the same problems they have.

Oh come Jesus, bring a revolution to this hurting world. I pray for families to reunite, the more simplistic life to be sought and lives to be redeemed in Christ Jesus. 

Here are a few pictures from the last coupe of months.

Moving Reagan home but
thinking it was temporary

Quick trip to see Emma

Churches Closed
Online church

This is how we hang out
with friends . . . ZOOM

Lots of Family Time

What families do now...

eat together

play games

take walks

watch movies

***maybe God is rebuilding the family***

Keeping our immune systems strong

Almost seems like TRUTH

Reagan's Husker meetings

Omaha gets 8" of snow on April 16th...that's weird!

This is what eLearning looks like

Easter with Nana & Papa

Flowers from a friend after oral surgery

Planting all my outdoor pots

Mother's Day was complete, all 3 girls were home.

Nebraska is slowly opening back up. I finally got a hair cut and we have gone out to a restaurant a couple times. Lots and lots of people wear masks, for the most part, I don’t. I’m concerned about the mental health of so many, including myself. This is hard but God is good. My bible verse today was Matthew 6:25. The first line says, “Therefore do not worry about your life...” Yes, this message is one I need daily.

I am sorry for anyone who has had a run in with the rona.  I hear it’s really bad for a few people. I am certain Reagan had it in December right before going to college. She was awfully ill but recovered like a champ. I’m praying for healing of body, spirit and mind. Lord, may we look to you and trust in your ways.

Be well & Be a blessing!