Sharing is Daring

Probably the most basic blog title I could choose but the reality is, the term 2020 has become an international phenomenon. The year 2020 brought us a new decade and a little something called COVID-19. It almost seems like a curse word...It's hard to believe it's been 8 months since lockdown was implemented. We were all so cute and naive. We only have two weeks at home and then we can get back to life. This is great! A two-week vacation turned into a month vacation and it ended up being a three-month quarantine! Followed by a strange summer with canceled vacations, working from home and SO many outdoor movie nights. Then came fall like a wrecking ball. Virtual learning, elections, record-breaking COVID-19 cases, and modified holiday plans. Boy, this blog is sounding super depressing.  None of what I wrote is new to any of us. We all have experienced this together. Some more than others. Some of us have actually contracted COVID-19. Some of us have lost loved ones. Some of us ha...

My desire to write about my feelings during this pandemic has been nagging at me since day one but I wasn't sure how I wanted to come across. I didn't want to be the Debbie Downer and add to the mass hysteria with more negative talk and anxious feelings. I also didn't want to be too light-hearted about the whole situation because I know it's very serious.  As I sit here this Sunday morning missing yet another church service with my faith community I struggle to put into words where my heart is at. For those enneagram lovers out there, I'm a textbook 7 with a 6 wing. What does this mean when it comes to social distancing and quarantine? Simply put, I'm struggling. My whole being thrives from human interaction and excitement. I'm always looking towards the future for the next exciting thing and I hate when I have no control. So basically when you're thinking about the worst person to be cooped up in their house with no control and no future to look towa...

My mind has been spinning from the events of this weekend. I have experienced two deaths, one of an acquaintance and the other a famous basketball star. While neither are significant losses to my personal life, they have caused me to stop and reflect. On Friday while enjoying my weekly lunch with my dad, we were interrupted by loud emergency sirens. Since our own experiences with ambulances and firemen, it's always regular practice for us to check the local live incident report to see what is going on. We were not far from where my dad lived so he was concerned it could have been one of his neighbors. Sure enough the report took us right to my parent's neighborhood. We quickly finished our meals and went back to see what was happening. Apparently overnight, a neighbor of my parents passed in her sleep. This wasn't just "a neighbor" it was Sally. Sally was rough around the edges, loud, outspoken but kindhearted at the same time. As regular visitors of the neigh...

As we approach the 6 year anniversary of Camden's death, I have been spending a lot of time in reflection. We have spent the past several years focused on growing our family and ultimately becoming a family of 4 again as it was always intended. First we attempted IVF. With no success adoption was the next plan but when that proved to be a dead end, we thought Foster Care would be a great way to welcome a child into our family, even if it were only temporary. We were given the chance right before Christmas. There was another child in our home for the first time in 6 years! I wish I could tell you an amazing redemption story about how this child was the missing link in our family but I can't. Those were some of the hardest days and we quickly realized this wasn't going to work out. I know we don't owe anyone an explanation of our family decisions but sometimes this feels like the best way to get the word out. Together, we have decided not to purse growing our family any...