Thanksgiving 2020

Chapman is attending 1/2 day Kindergarten this year and loving every minute!  Because of Covid, they did not have a family feast but did allow the children to indulge in a feast of their own complete with the traditional construction paper feather hats.  I love that Cha is "thankful for the world"

The week of Thanksgiving, Kellie was due to receive her 11th treatment IF her numbers were all ok.  Prior to this week, she had missed one treatment due to Covid exposure and had to delay a week as well due to her numbers being too low.  We were all anxious on this day.  We wanted treatment to happen.  Cha and I got into the car bright and early and headed to Columbia to surprise Kel.  One, if she was unable to receive treatment, I wanted to be there to hopefully make her smile and support her.  And, two, if she did receive treatment, I wanted to be there to cheer her on!  Prior to Covid, a friend or family member was allowed to attend treatment sessions with patients.  But, Covid happened and no one is allowed inside except for the first visit.  So, Kellie and I, for her first treatment, packed up everything but the kitchen sink, walked into that daunting room full of IV poles and the like, picked out the seat closest to the window and settled in for the next 7ish hours.  On that day back in June, I told her one day she was going to look out during treatment and see me acting a fool with a big sign cheering her on.  So, Thanksgiving week, Cha and I made that happen!  We had our sign.  We had a gift.  We had an elf hat.  Thankfully, Kellie was able to receive treatment and we waved and danced and opened her gift for her to see from her window.  Chapman picked a leaf bouquet and some acorns for Aunt Nellie.....and when she was all done, we elbow bumped and air hugged all with big smiles on our faces.  

Cancer is a beast.

Thanksgiving week gave Maryn an opportunity to hit the courts in a tennis camp.  She came out of the three day adventure with a love for tennis and a determination to learn how to serve....she starts lessons in January!  

Chapman loves all things animals and she begs to go to the zoo daily.  Thanksgiving week, while Kellie was in treatment, we took off to the zoo, just the two of us.  Usually when we go to the zoo, we have friends and/or our family and we go 90 miles a minute through each exhibit.  While that is fun, it was so nice to have a day with Cha....it was a gift to spend the day doing whatever Cha wanted to do, stay as long or as short at each exhibit, answer all of the questions she has going in and out of her mind, and just do the zoo Cha style.  

We were all anticipating the arrival of Colin.  He had classes at school thru Tuesday and packed up to come home for 6 weeks on Wednesday.  While we waited, we decided to do a little hot chocolate challenge....hot cocoa bombs from a local chocolate store, Starbucks hot chocolate, and Swiss Miss....we also added in a walk in the park one day which led to a picture which led to Pryce and MK flicking each other or something which led to lots of laughter.  

And lastly, Thanksgiving Day.

Every year, my family gathers at my great-uncle's farm in the depths of SC to celebrate Thanksgiving. And every year, people come from all over to celebrate and give thanks together as a huge extended family.  It's that reunion....you know most people but you don't know a few, most are family but some are bonus friends....it's a bbq cooking, potluck sides, and all of the desserts one can dream of.  

It's that reunion that my dad has literally experienced in every one of his 77 years of life....one that means the world to him and meant the world to his mother, my Nannie.  

This year, tho, looked different.  

This year it was my parents, my family and my brother's family at our house with windows open, adults on the porch spaced apart as best we could....kiddos in the basement with more windows open.  Sanitizer was on every table and used by everyone each and every time they visited the food table.  Lysol was sprayed all around....before, after and during the day.  Reminders to wash your hands were given on the hour.  And no Kellie.  Sista and family were stayed home to be safe.  Covid was lurking.

All that to say, Thanksgiving was not cancelled....instead, it was altered.  We made it, BBQ and all!  We had a great time.  Our stomachs were full.  Our family was thankful for the time spent together.  We laughed and we chatted until we were ready to take a nap.  Memories were made. #differentbutsame 

 

Maddox and Maryn Living Their Best Life

Maddox and Maryn have been busy despite Covid trying to destroy all things fun!  One, we chose to homeschool the two of them this year.  It has been an honor and a true blessing to me.  We made this decision prior to Covid being a thing and we have not looked back once.  Homeschooling has allowed me the time that I was wanting to spend with them and it has allowed them the time to explore new activities.

Theatre has always been a love of mine.  Maddox and Maryn have taken quite a liking to it as well.  The Augusta Jr. Players found a way to work around Covid and presented a holiday special titled The Land of Forgotten Toys.  All virtual.  Maddox was cast as a toy (ballerina doll) and Maryn was cast as a mischievous elf. For one month, the girls rehearsed via zoom meetings, they recorded their voices and submitted their parts online, they did all of their blocking....after that month, small groups met at the studio and filmed the play with a green screen used for the background.  They will tell you they felt like Disney stars.  The end result was a weekend packed with virtual audiences....of course, we had our friends and family from near and far watching!  The girls each had a few friends over to decorate cookies and watch.  It was fabulous and we are all thankful for the opportunity the girls had in this production.  Not only did they get to be a part of a show together, they got to see firsthand that when you are given lemons, you can make lemonade.  #differentbutsame

During this time, they were invited to participate in a holiday musical cards online.  Their song of choice was Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.  Super cute and they even added their own choreography.  

So in the midst of all of this, they also added in voice/theatre classes AND tap and jazz to boot.  During it all, Maddox and MK have been steadily rehearsing for their virtual performance of the Nutcracker - Mads is Russian and MK is Snow.  And Maryn attends ballet twice a week as well. They are loving it all!  It is a true blessing to see the girls grow and explore their interests.