2020 has brought our family so many challenges, yet so much good fortune.

It was definitely a challenge to homeschool and entertain 2 kids in a small apartment during a global pandemic, however our situation has evolved since the last update which was surprisingly in April.

2020 has been the year of “taking it one step at a time” and waiting around for information we weren’t necessarily clear on. In May we decided to use our yearly round trip home despite not knowing what the travel restrictions would bring us. We flew home to Canada on June 5th and spent 14 days in quarantine at our family cottage on the lake.

The kids were finally able to let loose, get outside and blow off all their pent up energy from being inside a small apartment building from the previous 3 months. We swam, read, laid in the sunshine, played games, fed the chipmunks and enjoyed the solitude of our self isolation. It felt like a holiday before our summer vacation and I will never forget it.

After our 2 week quarantine we drove to the city to reunite with my family. There was nothing quite like seeing family after our first year over sees during the middle of a pandemic. Being able to receive hugs felt so amazing.

We enjoyed another hot summer at the lake and in the city. We enjoyed all of the typical cottage life activities and I even joined my aunt and her friends for kayak club. Being able to paddle through the calm morning water brought so much solitude and happiness.

2020 has sure made me appreciate everything including all the small things.

Our time in Canada was extended due to having to apply to fly back to Qatar. We made sure to use the extra time in appreciation. After 10 days of waiting for approval, we were allowed to make our trip back.

2020 was the year the airports were nearly empty. Like, eerily empty.

2020 was the year the universe decided to place a job opportunity right into my lap.

I can’t wait to share more as I shed myself as a work from home/stay at home mom to a working mother. I have been so lucky and fortunate to be able to stay at home with them. The kids have been so adaptive and resilient to all the changes this year has brought us.

2020 was the year of so much change and growth, and it isn’t even over.