The dust, the debris, absolute chaos all while mixing with a bit of my hair in a sander. What can I say… I am a bit dramatic though I certainly have Repunzal like hair, in the strength department. Melissa ONE vs. The sander ZERO; come to think of it did the sander win? I did have to purchase a new one… But first maybe we should rewind a bit; since my disappearance during 2020. What a year, I’m sure we can all appreciate teachers much more; along with MANY other fields like health care workers. I specifically focus on the teaching due to my lack of SuperWoman powers during teaching my 1st grader and 4th grader. Ok I wasn’t teaching fully but relearning subjects, doing experiments and trying to keep up with the girls. The many internet problems while juggling my toddler and what seemed like never ending snack time. Which I know a large number of people did this and do this on the daily. I should be just fine, WRONG! I learned I cannot fly or be graceful in my SuperWoman socks. Instead my daughters teacher, which was on the Teams video call, will hear my cave man scream; yes my family nicknamed the scream of this incident, the Cave Man Scream. I feel so honored… Oh did I mention that teacher, she’s my mother. 2020 hit hard, broke knee caps and hearts. Pushed us to breaking points but gave us moments that might have never happened. It gave us time stuck indoors with our loved ones. It made visits more precious and Instacart deliveries entertainment.
Christmas was a lot different but will hold one of the most important memories to my heart, as it would be my last Christmas with my Grandfather.
2021 came in with some obstacles but also a lot of growth. From graduating college to purchasing a first home. Driving cross country with three kids and taking on Mount Vernon, Fort Washington and Dc with 5 kids. Making so many memories and just soaking in the laughter, the smiles, the history around us and the feeling of being powerful. That sounds silly I am sure but after being stuck in a home, cut off from working, socializing like we’re used to. To drive roughly 800-900 miles, to go further north with the kids back to my home town and just to know the house was purchased… I felt like I was on the right track finally.
I now craved this power, this feeling like I was unstoppable. I furthered my degree going for my Bachelors next. What better way to prove to my children, you can do anything with enough determination. In hopes they too would love to learn as much as I do.
We had some firsts in 2022, from the Blue Ridge mountains and tubbing in the lake. Swinging off a rope and learning the wrong way to get off the back of a boat into that lake. That was painful lesson that cost me a nail trip upon returning home. We grew our family with Cooper!
Take us to 2023, that determination paid off with another Graduation. Learning the thrill seeking that is in all of us, from our annual passes to Universal and our Disney day Trip to Epcot. Isaac’s first time going to a Disney park (without being an infant).
We grew to love our home, learning the neighborhood and having Fourth of July get togethers. Stability, something that’s ours, something renovated to our vision with our own hands. Life can throw curve balls but it also can show us just how grateful to truly be. To be in the here and now and take in all that positive, joyful moments and keep moving forward.
Melissas-Miles 