We did it! The last month of this crazy whirlwind of a year. Reflecting on all that has happened I can truly say how lucky this time has been. In February I had a few shoots that just made me so amped for the year. I had completed some updates on the website, committed to blogging and the Mariely Monthly series was born. 2020 was going to be the best yet!
I remember being sent home from my full time jobs in March for "two weeks" and I was thinking how great this was going to be to have a mini vacation of sorts and some extra time with my dogs. Well that turned into the rest of this year and I sure do miss my work family. This has been a year of emotion and a rollercoaster of them. Hope when we found out about our pregnancy, despair when we miscarried again, frustration having to wear a mask everywhere, sadness and feeling lost during the Black Lives Matter moment and for my LGBTQ friends/family. Tons of stress over the Election and more tears when my candidate won! Justice and kindness needs to return next year!
December had some spots of snow as well as almost 60 degree days but we finally got a fake Christmas tree (thank you Amazon)! We decided to have this for a few years and then when children come on the scene we will go back to tradition of getting a real one. Hunter our nephew turned 14 years old on the 11th and I just can't believe he's in high school. I got back into essential oils diffusing all the scents of the season and tried to curb my candle addiction. I got to take some winter walks as well and joined some support groups. I live streamed Hanson's Christmas concerts with all my favorite songs off their two albums, Snowed In & Finally It's Christmas!
Christmas was different but still celebrated. Normally my extended family comes for Eve at my parent's home but this year Mike's sister, her boyfriend, our nephew and mom came over our house where we had a feast of sausage & peppers, lasagna and stuffed bread! It was so good and the leftover lasted for days. On Christmas Day we did go to my parent's house and saw my sister, bro-in-law and our other nephew & niece. We kept it low key with the spread of sandwiches and cookies for dessert. I am so happy to have seen our families because man I've missed them this year! We also got to see a small group of friends for NYE and to officially say goodbye to 2020!
For all that we've all gone through I am super proud of this series and will keep trying to do my best and tell you about my life and share each month! Onward to 2021...
