Corona time is the weirdest time. It’s bizarre that it’s June? I feel like May didn’t even happen? It feels a little weird to be jumping into summer when it’s been low key summer since school was cancelled mid-March. I am trying my best to roll with the weirdness and to take it one day at a time.

Good

• STEVIE. She is freaking awesome. She’s so smiley. And we’re getting close to my favorite stage–4 months!
• I got cleared for exercise at the beginning of the month and it has felt SO GOOD.
• St. George completely recharged my batteries. Swimming, open parks, red rocks.
• Even better? I came home with bagel for a couple of days because Ryan wasn’t ready to end the vacation lol. He stayed in St. George with Reese & Lone and I got quiet (QUIET!!!) alone time with teeny bagel for a few days. It was magical.
• We decided to try Community now that it’s on Netflix and we are loving it so freaking much.
• Stuff opening up has been so great. The gym, library, Zumba classes!!! I actually love how it’s helped me to feel gratitude and mindfulness for these things that I lost.
• I’m in a hiking group with a bunch of other moms and we had our first one of the season to Dripping Rock in Spanish Fork and I took all three kids by myself for the first time (Ryan being on paternity leave has been 100 emojis).
• Inflatable kiddie pool, ’nuff said
• I got some new freelance contracts in addition to Divvy so I’ll have a busy but productive summer!
• The girls had a drive-through graduation and it was so sweet to see their teachers they have missed so much. We’ve felt so grateful for Kids Village.

Bad

• The girls had a drive-through graduation and it was so sad to see their teachers and watch them and my girls reach for hugs and not be able to give them. Next year Reese will be at Vineyard Elementary for kindergarten and Loney will be in preschool there too. We feel a little cheated out of our last few months at our beloved Kids Village. Corona sucks.
• By far the lowest valley was getting laid off. Divvy, like lots of other companies, had to bite the layoff bullet. I was devastated. 🙁 I’ve been absolutely in love with this job and seriously couldn’t imagine another job more perfect – how would I ever find one again? It seriously threw me for the first day or two. What is it about job loss that makes you question everything about your worth and skill and future and likability? (I was re-hired as a contractor for them in less than a week, so I’m feeling much better lol)
• Mother’s Day ended up being a little dark. I had to face some things and work through some things and get uncomfy. Overall should land in the “good” category but was still a disappointing and hard moment to be a mom.

On My Brain

• My heart hurts so much for the death of George Floyd, the threats to police officers, damage to businesses, insensitive responses, and having to face the reality that racism and violence are real in America. I need a social media break. I know I’m privileged enough to take a break–many don’t get that option. But truthfully our minds were never made to process this much. I’ve put a few books about race on hold at the library, and spent Sunday quietly at home with some prayer. I’m committed to taking some space and returning ready to be better and to be part of the change.
• I downloaded a closet/outfit-planning app and I’m slowly working my way through the long process of loading all my closet in there. This article was FASCINATING and I’m so excited to see what I learn.
• I’ve been thinking a lot about how my kids eat and how we feed them. Per usual, I went straight to the library and checked out a stack of books (Secrets of Feeding Healthy Families and Getting to Yum to name a few). I also was sick of my kids fighting over random plates and the smiley face cup we got in a Happy Meal so I threw out all our old nasty kids utensils, bought new matching ones and moved them to a low, deep drawer that the kids can get to themselves. It’s a goal for this summer to reset our eating habits and create healthier kids with confidence in their plates, weird textures and all.
• Ryan is really working me over to move to St. George. And I have to say the sunsets against the red rock were absolutely seducing me.

Ryan goes back to work in a couple of weeks and it’ll be bittersweet. Having him home for three months has been such a blessing. But we’re also ready to get back into “normal” life. We’ve got another trip to St. George planned for my sister’s birthday and enjoying the finally open pools and splash pads. I’m excited to jump back into a regular work routine and to make serious progress on our financial goals (including a No Spend Summer!!).