June Blog... Waiting out the COVID 2020

During these crazy times… you realize that being home is actually a small gift. You get to come together and not feel the pressure of running around. We all have to figure out our new normal and we are learning to be kind and patient. We are also learning the art of online shopping. Bella scored the first purchase of this therapy bed. It’s legit called that. She wasn’t totally on board at first.

 

It wasn’t until I started to put the bed in all other favorite places that she started to really take to her new bed. She is pretty easy to please.

 

The men in my life (minus my Dad) I think I have a pretty good crew.

Lucky to have them all in my life.

Hard to believe that Logan is graduating high school and will be going to USC next year.

   

Cannot believe during COVID times that we were able to make this happen but Jordan finally got her drivers license and Garrett got his permit. We had to drive two counties away. Still cannot believe that I have two drivers in the house.

   

Family night at the beach… LOVE my tribe so much!!!

 

Chris and I celebrated breakfast in bed for our anniversary thanks our kids.

22 years married!

We finally bit the bullet and joined the boat club. While Chris has his eyes set on the fishing boat, I could not help but get excited for our upcoming rental of this baby! I cannot wait to go down that slide and jump off the top.

   

SOOOO we hop in the car to head to the marina that next weekend. Cooler packed.

Towels on board. We are all in for some serious COVID family time…

   

However, Mother Nature got in the way and what you can’t see is the streaks of lightening and loud booms of thunder. Not the best kick off to our boat club adventure, but we made the most out of tail gaiting!

   

So we headed home to grill out soak in the hot tub.

The following weekend DID cooperate and we are loving life on the water!

3 months into COVID. Waiting to return to normal.

May... OH MY 50! Celebrating with Covid!

The things we do during COVID. Ayden is the matter with hair and we spend a lot of times trying out various styles she creates. The is one of them. Notice the glass of wine and my chef cooking! LIFE IS GOOD!

 

So Garrett has arrived home finally and we can kick off summer! My family unit is whole!

Welcome HOME Garrett!

   

Shortly after Garrett got home we said Good bye to Ann and Mike. They were heading to Utah for 8 months. We moved them out of there condo that they have been staying in for many years and putting their things into storage.

   

Holding down the fort… not much has changed for this black babe. Chilling by the pool is what she does best!

 

Taking a few days to adjust to being home… He sleeps a lot and eats when he is not sleeping. I hope I can keep up!

 

Fun boat trip… social distancing on Boca Lake. Enjoying great friends and a lot of laughs.

GREAT 8Os music!

My longest Florida friend… by my side!  Oceans could not even separate us!

   

It is so great to have Garrett home… he has learned so much and finding his way.

Enjoying our hot tub and loving our family time. Makes you think that COVID is code for slow down and enjoy what you have.

   

Turning 50… not biggie. My besets friend and sister surprised me and gave me EVERYTHING I could ever want. TIME! She took care of everything this weekend. It started off with a huge surprise! Showing up at my back door with her partner in crime. Scout. We laughed and just spent the next four days enjoying all of our favorite things. I am lucky and blessed in so many ways!!!

My girl crew showed up to wish me a great 50th. They never disappoint and ALWAYS think of me!

These two didn’t skip a beat when I said we were moving to China and the time difference may be a challenge. Not for them! I am glad I got to circle back and play again in their backyard!

   

Plain and simple… Sisters Rock!

   

Still cannot believe I am 50… it truly is just a number.

   

Drive Ins … social distancing and so great having a pick up truck!! We put carpeting down and are loving our town!

 

Birthday weekend… and celebrating with my best mate!

   

Ok … not very covid conscious… but Jordan got her first JOB!!!!!!

#proudmom #momofgreatdaughter

   

All Covid negative!

April April April - PANDEMIC! 2020

Not sure what times we have falling into --  but I am not going into this without an outlet. Chris surprised me “us” with a fantastic 50th birthday present. Not sure what this Coronaivus has in store for us but we are not going to go down without a fight.

 

This is Bella taking this social distancing VERY serious. There is actually a hysterical video that goes with this photo. Not sure how long we are going to have to isolate but grateful to live in such a great spot that we can still get out and be active and have a cozy place to chill this thing through.

 

Even the soccer practices are done on zoom!! 

OK so now we are going to have to get creative with our COVID fun. The girls decided that we should go camping. So we are putting up the tent and calling it the their apartment.

Most peaceful night ever!

   

Always up for an adventure.   Chris and I have wanted to do this Everglades loop we have been google earthing for some time. We decided while the girls slept in… we would head out early and check this off our bucket list. What a great ride!! Seriously, it was so nice and the weather was perfect. We were expecting a 50 mile loop and all was going as planed until we hit the third lock and the gate at the lock was pad locked. We had to back track 15 total miles. We were not prepared for this and running out of water quickly. I have never felt that close to death before… no shade and no water to get. Thank GOD we took the kids for a ride on the Levee a few days before and they knew exactly where we were to bring us water. I have never been so happy to see Jordan and Ayden riding toward us with tons of water!!! They literally saved my life and Chris’s (who was in slightly better shape than I was at that point.) When we got home, we hydrated - hydrated - hydrated… then ordered enough Thai food to feed a small army! Best meal ever!!! Nice to check this off the list and will do it again with more preparation.

The gals!

 

Grateful to have our pool more months of the year… we would be lost without it down here!

We are taking full advantage of being home as a family. We decided to do some household projects while we are at such loose ends. We are building custom closets in our master bedroom. All on board to help. We are learning how to use a nail gun, table saw, chop saw, planer, router. Chris is an excellent and patient instructor.

Wish I had taken a before picture… but essentialy it was a single wired shelve all the way around the room. More pictures to come.

 

The other COVID complication. Haircuts! We must be desperate if he is letting me cut his hair!

Haircuts all around!!

 

I know that you are wondering why Garrett isn’t in the pictures. This year he went to CMA (Camden Military Academy) in Camden, SC. Near Columbia. He has had a great year there and we are excited for him to come home in a couple of days. We made his favorite dish. Pork fried rice!

 

So far surviving COVID 19 and all are negative!