I have had a love/hate relationship with Facebook over the past few years. And lately it has most definitely become just a ‘hate’ relationship.
So forgive me for using my blog platform, Simple Homeschooler, to also share a little more family photos and to give updates about what is going on in our lives.
This year Christmas felt strange. Although lockdowns and restrictions didn’t affect our traditions tremendously, it still felt, well… off. Different. Still very nice, and beautiful, and holy. But different.
We visited our yearly favorite place to get our tree, Moody Tree Farm. In the past it felt so Christmas-y. Sleds for the kids to take out to the field. Hot cocoa and cookies scrumptiously waiting near the warm wood stove in the gift shop. Candy canes and laughter.
Then some leisurely time browsing for gifts and new objects to decorate our home, while Dad and the boys tie our new tree to the top of the car.
This year it was still nice. But there was no hot cocoa, cookies, or candy canes. There were certain doors that we were required to enter through, and one door which was reserved for the exit.
There were no sleds to take to the field. And, because of the obvious lack of fellow visitors, the atmosphere had a lonely aura.
And finally, of course, we were tortured with having to breathe through a mask while trying to enjoy our shopping. I didn’t get to see any smiles on my children’s faces… because their mouths were covered by a piece of cloth! My breathing became difficult, which caused an irregular heartbeat. All in all, instead of enjoying my time shopping, choosing gifts, and imbibing the pine atmosphere, I just wanted to get out and BREATHE!
Thankfully, I did get to see some smiles outdoors. Sophia still was able to pet the horses, and we found just the right tree thanks to Thomas’s keen eye.
Stay tuned for our tree decorating story. May God bless you and your loved ones.
