What a weird school year it has been for The Beam Bunch! Never, did I ever, think that the strangest thing that happened to us this year would not be living in Europe for part of that time.
Instead, it has definitely been this “unprecedented” time of COVID-19. When we flew home from Kosovo in December I wouldn’t have believed it possible that in just a few short weeks, the entire globe would be shutting down.
So, to recap our school year…
First nine weeks: Flew to Kosovo, school in a new country, meet lots of new people, try to learn a different language.
Second nine weeks: Enjoying school in Kosovo, shocked to find out CCU is closing, sad to make plans to return home early.
Third nine weeks: Back in Ohio, return to original schools, look for a new job.
Fourth nine weeks: Struggle to make a job decision, finally sign a contract on a Monday, by Thursday of the same week we are online schooling for the rest of the year.
Weird.
Here we are 70 days later. We have taken the self-isolation seriously since we are all at home and have parents who fall into the high risk category. It’s been challenging and so hard to not give hugs.
But also, it has been such a year of re-set for the six of us. We have spent so much time together. Beginning with of our time overseas, we have slowed WAY down.
Less activities, less running around, less stuff. More meals, more games, more conversation.
We have absolutely grieved the loss of many experiences, but I want to be sure that I remember this unique gift of time we have been given. The kids are 15, 11, 10, and 2. The time of having them all at home together is growing shorter every day. And we will always have this year together to remember. Sometimes it has been overwhelming and we’ve all wanted time apart, but overall, it’s been great.
Here are a few highlights from our stay at home period.
We all function much better with routine, so right away we put the kids on a schedule for weekdays. It kept us focused and made it possible for me to say “get off your phone/iPod/iPad” many fewer times than I would have otherwise.
Thank goodness for warmer weather. We have taken walks, rode bicycles, and hiked new trails.
We have been creative with music, art, and Legos.
We experimented in the kitchen and had “fancy dinner.”
We watched caterpillars turn into butterflies.
We celebrated three of our birthdays.
We mailed letters, flew kites, built puzzles, danced, watched movies, played video games, laughed, cried, yelled, potty trained, blew bubbles, grew plants, did science experiments, watched Survivor, and played in the tiny house.
And then there was that day when Dexter said he could name all of the countries in Europe – and then did.
And we also missed a lot.
Church! Our church is doing a phenomenal job of creating content and keeping us connected, but we miss our people.
Aly’s baby shower and Aubrey’s birth.
Properly saying good-bye and grieving the loss of our friend and nephew, Andrew.
Graduation and celebration of Kristen completing her Master’s Degree.
Dexter’s spring play, Xander’s final TAG trip, summer camps, 4H, and our cruise vacation.
So many precious extended family moments that have slipped away.
The first part of 2020 is one that we will not forget. Stay tuned for part two.
The Beam Bunch 