I’m a pretty upbeat person, but I’d be lying if I said that the last few weeks/months/2020 have been easy, and I’m fairly certain most people would agree with that sentiment at this point. Honestly, I’m surprised that the threat of Coronavirus continues, and it saddens me that we’re still here, still struggling, and still trying to find some normalcy in all of this. The last few weeks, especially, have been hard with all the upheaval surrounding schools and what the new school year will look like. Add in the fact that the military travel ban may have been lifted, but mileage restrictions are still in place, things are closed/re-closing, etc., and it’s honestly just a recipe for stress and chaos all around.
Logically, I know there is still so much good in all of this. We’re making the absolute best of every second of summer that we possibly can, and we’re doing our best to transition through these chaotic times well. It’s been challenging navigating a duty station we don’t love while Coronavirus continues, but we’re also excited about the prospect of what’s to come, and that proverbial light on the horizon keeps us going. So, for today’s Friday five, I wanted to share five things that are currently happening, as well as keeping us going through all the crazy that we’ve experienced lately.
1 // Kindergarten for Spencer
I mentioned a couple weeks ago on my instagram that I was looking for homeschooling advice, as we were considering homeschooling Spencer since Pierce County schools are only opening remotely. Then, we received word that some faith-based schools were opening in-person, and we decided that was absolutely the best option for Spencer, so we enrolled him at our local Catholic elementary school. Well, two days ago, right after we registered him, we received word that they’ve been forced to close in favor of a virtual model to start, as well. Honestly, it was a huge blow, but we’re adjusting course (yet again). We’re pulling him from that school, keeping him registered at our local public school here on post, and homeschooling him until a hybrid or face-to-face model starts. It’s not at all how I expected his first year of school-aged learning to start, but I think there are plenty people out there in the same boat.
2 // We’re Going Camping
Ryan and I decided at the start of summer that our biggest goal was to take all three littles camping. We love camping, but we haven’t done it with the kids because, well, kids. We’ve decided to bite the bullet though, and we’re going camping this weekend to make the most of the summer weather, as well as to celebrate Ryan’s birthday this weekend! It should be a fun brand of chaos, and we can’t wait to share (and learn from) our experience.
3 // Checking Off the Bucket List
I’ve written about a zillion bucket lists on this blog, but when COVID hit earlier this year, I decided to do a seasonal bucket list to go along with our general PNW bucket list to keep us on track. It’s been fun to focus on that and keep our eye on the prize – exploring, seeing, and doing as much as possible before our time here is up. We’ve already done a lot and can’t wait to do more in the next few weeks and months.
4 // Prepping for the Marketplace to Open
Ryan’s career marketplace opens in October, and that’s the first step into the upcoming PCS season and year for us as a family. We have our eyes on one specific duty station, but we know that things don’t always work out the way we want – like our orders to Washington – so we’re kind of trucking along regardless. As a military family, countdown clocks are kind of our thing, and we look at each month as a step in the right direction, and once Ryan’s marketplace opens, the ball is officially rolling. Plus, right now, Ryan’s focus is the marketplace actually opening and prepping to make sure everything is in place.
5 // Spending a Birthday Together
We don’t get to spend a lot of birthdays together as a family. And, in fact, Ryan’s been gone the bulk of his birthdays during our marriage. His 41st birthday is on Sunday, and we’re finally going to be able to celebrate him together as a family, and I’m so excited about that. Because of COVID, it’s not going to be anything elaborate or big, but it will just be nice to have him here and to be together as a family. Honestly, you can’t put a price tag on that.
I’m sure everyone out there has been having similar pangs for normalcy as I have as Coronavirus continues and we try to navigate the ever-changing climate. I’ll be honest; trying to stay upbeat right now isn’t always easy, but I’ve found that focusing on the little things and working towards goals has kept me focused on the good. It’s not at all how I pictured this year to go, but we’re still seeking the good, and that’s made all the difference.
Tell me – how are you holding up in these crazy times?
