Thanksgiving 2020 πŸ¦ƒ

Food and friends. That sums up the perfect way to spend Thanksgiving. We were grateful to have time with our KC friends. (We did pre-visit COVID testing and had negative results.) The kids picked up where they left off the last time they were together in May and the adults had time to catch up on the last 6 months of life. It was great to relax, hang out, and on Thursday, cook in the kitchen with my friend.

I am probably biased, but this meal was one (if not the) best Thanksgiving meal I’ve had!

These kids keep growing like crazy!

No visit would be complete without a photo of Shecklet #4 and her godparents.

Birthday 2020 πŸŽ‚

The sun came out today. Kids decorated my bedroom door with streamers. Surprise delivery of strawberries for dipping from my godparents/aunt & uncle. Two in-person (safe) visits from friends who brought cards and gifts. Takeout for dinner. Butterfly necklace picked out by Shecklet #3 (given to me by all my kiddos to remember Astrid,) as well as a bike helmet, new sharpies, & a beautiful sweater that Jake selected. He also picked up a cake from the grocery store. Cards, texts, and other greetings from family and friends arrived throughout the day. I definitely felt loved!

Birthday hair 2020

It’s been months since I treated myself to anything related to my hair. We’re talking pre-covid shutdown.

I decided my upcoming birthday was a good excuse for a cut and color. And since it is 2020, I went bold. Because why not??

I love that my friend is a stylist. It was a treat to be able to catch up on life, kids, school, and everything else while the chemicals did their magic.

I love how it turned out!

Lincoln thinks I look like Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy.

6 months today…

Six months ago I heard the words, “no heartbeat.”

I don’t think I will ever forget the sadness and ache I felt inside as I laid in the ultrasound room alone while the ultrasound tech went to get the doctor. I sobbed inside my stupid mask, wishing Jake was with me.

Stupid virus.

Applesauce 2020 🍎🍏🍎🍏

I had a request from Shecklet #2 to make applesauce. My MIL gave us a bushel of apples from the orchard she works at every fall so I could fulfill his request.

I spent the morning chopping and now I have a very happy 12 year old. (And about half a bushel left for another batch later on.)

First time at the range

Squeezing in a new β€œfirst” for me before my next birthday. Glad to have round one in the books (pun intended.) I’d like to go again sometime.

All Souls Day 2020

We went to mass this morning to remember Astrid and hear her name read as part of the intentions during mass. Two of my girlfriends surprised us and joined us. Another friend sent me a photo of their family remembrance table where they pray for family and friends who have died. I am so grateful for the people who continue to pray for us and remember our sweet little girl.

Our parish gave us a candle with Astrid’s name on it after mass. I placed it alongside the Hope cross that my friend, Heidi, gave me after our miscarriage in 2009.