The Smiths in 2020

What a year, right? A lot of us will remember 2020 as a year simply endured. I personally don’t cage well. I’m the type of who likes to get out everyday and keep moving. Still, it’s always best to look for things to be thankful for. Although it took probably 3x the amount of normal hustle to do the same amount of business, I’m THANKFUL that I have a job, income, and even business funds from the government as well. I’m also thankful to be able to still meet and work with really great, fun people, face to masked-face.

Spending so much more time at home, I’ve lost count of how many video games have been beaten and full shows binged. I’ve taken up some archery, magic, some rubix cubing and more. We’ve used our indoor time to build castles, stairway slides, and more. We even made the news somehow! I’ve also made my back deck my office, and sometimes our classroom as well. During the spring months it was WONDERFUL, and with fans it’s still been great even through the summer!

I’m also grateful for being able to get out in nature this year more. I even took distancing to the extreme, hiking 17 miles, and up about 5000 ft from the base. I’d like to tell you it was beautiful, but if I’m being honest, it was one of the most painful days of my life. 🙂

I’m also thankful that we’ve been able to see family so much, and have no one close to us too gravely affected by covid. I can say though, I’ve missed my friends and seeing people’s facial expressions. I dislike masks, and breathing CO2 all day long… but I know it could be much worse, and so many people are going through such torment. I’m grateful we’ve dodged those bullets this year.

With the education system in turmoil, I’m also thankful for the strides my kids have made while homeschooling. Five year old Addie’s reading and writing continues to improve (probably 2-3 grade levels above normal), and 7 year old Logan’s math skills just went into the stratosphere. Before the end of the summer, we finished 1-5th grade math books, geometry, all of pre-algebra, as well as introductory chemistry. They’re both also reading chapter books. Big deal stuff! 🙂 I’m sure social growth has suffered, but I never expected such academic gains made without formal schooling.

It seems like “an attitude of gratitude” is more important this year than ever. What are you thankful for? We’d love to hear more from you. Don’t let this pandemic make us strangers!


If you enjoy watching the kids grow, here are the ghosts of Christmas past:

http://www.jeremyblainsmith.com/blog/thesmiths2019

http://www.jeremyblainsmith.com/blog/thesmiths2018

http://www.jeremyblainsmith.com/blog/thesmiths2017

http://www.jeremyblainsmith.com/blog/thesmiths2016

http://www.jeremyblainsmith.com/blog/thesmiths2015