There isn't one person that hasn't been affected by this virus. That thought is both comforting and unbelievable. Never in my lifetime did this possibility ever enter my mind. Despite the changes, and masks, and social distancing, and mandates and new rules...life continues on. My dear readers...since life goes on even during the craziest of times, this is my attempt to catch you up on the goings on of life in our Dahlhouse. Enjoy.
Let's start with the littlest Dahl. Matthew is nearly 4.5 years old. Wait...he is 4.5 years old today! Crazy. He is my little ray of sunshine, my sweet buddy and shadow...that is unless dad is around. Then, I don't exist. He has finally fully potty trained, even at night. Bless! He continues to be obsessed with trains and vehicles. Our house is one big area for building railroad tracks...upstairs, downstairs, tables, couches, under furniture, down the stairs...doesn't matter. If there is open space, Matthew sees an opportunity to conduct his little trains all around the tracks. He is at the age where he is looking for validation and feedback from adults. So it seems every two seconds, "Hey mom, look at __________." I respond to him and then the next five seconds, "Mom look at this cool railroad track," or "Mom are you proud of me?" He has really began verbalizing and expressing himself where anyone can understand now. In early September we have an appointment for another evaluation for feeding therapy at a new clinic. I still feel there is work to be done in this area. I have promised myself that I wasn't going to worry or "borrow trouble" over the lack of variety in his food choices during the coronavirus. But, I would be lying if I didn't mention that those thoughts exist in the back of my mind.
The littlest Dahl lady is our regular comic relief. I continue to write down all the amazingly humorous comebacks she has. Bella enjoys helping me around the kitchen, jumping on the trampoline and playing with her best friend on our street. I am so thankful that she has a sweet friend to play with. I often find them creating elaborate stories and worlds for their dolls. It makes me smile as I eavesdrop on their conversations. I am so glad they just get to be kids right now, even in the midst of a pandemic. Bella has been very artistic and dabbling in just about every form of art medium there is. She has also taken to rearranging her room four to five times since March (just like her mama).
Grace is our in house baker and has been making the most delicious baked goods. Snickerdoodles, brownies, banana bread, cowboy cookies, no bake cookies, rice crispy treats. She is amazing. Grace is very into Kpop these days (Korean pop music) like most of her friends. She enjoys her group of girl friends and I am so thankful that they have been able to get together more and hangout.
Luke has spent a lot of time learning the ways of Minecraft. I enjoy hearing his conversations from downstairs while he is playing with his friend. Well...mostly. My boy can be LOUD! Every so often from the family room I hear Luke upstairs yell, "Yaaaaaa.....let's GOOOOOO!" or "I need help, I need help, I need help." It makes me smile. Luke and I have played a lot of board games. Currently, Sequence is our fav. I think I am on a winning streak right now. I do not go easy on my kids when it comes to games. Lol. We've also dabbled in a bit of Monopoly too.
Mark has been working tirelessly for BNSF. He will celebrate his 16th year with his company in October. After nearly two years working the road and traveling with the trains, he is coming back to the yard to work a predictable schedule and have set days off. It is time. We all miss him terribly and the weird, unpredictable hours have been more difficult for him. Also, with this year going to be distance learning for awhile with four kids, Mark's help will be extremely valuable. He looks forward to doing projects, hunting and fishing and finally being able to ride his motorbike. I am so, so grateful for his hard work for our family.
I have been keeping things together here at the Dahlhouse, or at least attempting to. I started a new independent contractor position with a company called Outschool. It's been amazing so far. I am writing and creating classes and teaching them via Zoom. It has been awesome to not have to get up at 4:00am and also get to tap into my creative side. I'll be scaling back some of my classes this fall because I have to make certain that I am fully available for my kids and their distance learning schedules. I continue to go to my weekly therapy sessions with my counselor. I am so thankful to have someone to help with my mental health during this time of the Coronavirus. I am certainly not ashamed to say hey, "I need help." It makes me a better mom, a better wife, a better friend and a better version of myself.
As we begin gearing up for fall, I am reminded that this season of pandemic will end. It will not be forever. I am holding onto that thought, and believing for brighter days ahead.
