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A Simple Virtual Christmas Letter 2020

 I used to send out a Christmas card with usually funny pictures of my offspring and a Christmas letter.  A couple years ago, I noticed I received only a couple Christmas cards and I noticed how expensive my little project was, and I noticed how expensive Number One Son's braces were going to be, and I decided that the card and letter tradition had probably gone the way of others. and it was time to stop.  My holiday spirit died a little that day.

And, then, a miracle.  It's 2020 and I have received a record number of Christmas cards!  Actual, in the mailbox, Christmas cards!  And, several virtual cards (which I still give points for as it takes time and planning.)

My holiday spirit enjoyed that little boost.   So, as it is too late to assemble the actual card and letter,  here's the resurrected virtual annual report of the Martinez Clan:

Number One Son has grown to the point he looks his mama in the eye.  He sidles up to her often to see if he has passed her.  She reminds him that even if he does, she can still take him down a notch or two.  He informs her she is terrifying and scuttles away.  He's officially in High School and started competing in FFA contests, which his daddy loves.  He received his driver's permit and has become the official family chauffeur.  He's a good kid, strong of mind, body, and soul.  We've decided to let him live here another year.  (It was touch and go at times....he is a teenager.)

Little Sunshine continues to blossom.  She earned her black belt last year, and decided to start some new interests this year.  She tried out for One Act Play and actually got one of the lead parts.  And then it was cancelled for middle schoolers in our district due to the pandemic.  She lived for UIL academic competitions and watching friends at other schools get to compete has been disheartening, but she's ready to try again next year.  She has spent more time in the kitchen and is turning out to be quite the little baker.  She continues to love all things artistic and her room is basically an art supply store.  She's working hard at basketball and getting better and better.  Much to her father's dismay, she's growing up on us, but she is turning out to be a remarkable young lady and we're proud she's ours.  

El Hubbo has become more adept at technology and virtual learning, not without quite a bit of complaining, but he has done it.  I do have to agree that it is a bit difficult to teach a shop class online.  He's taken up a couple new hobbies.  He's the proud father to a sourdough starter.  He feeds and cares for it and every couple weeks makes homemade sourdough bread.  I, for one, am not complaining as I love sourdough bread.  He asks me each time how it is, I tell him each time to keep practicing and he'll get there all while I am slathering butter on my third nice thick warm fresh-from-the-oven slice.  (I'm afraid if he thinks he has mastered it, he'll move on to something else!)  He's also become the household barista and coffee snob.  I'm now ruined forever from drinking the office coffee, except in emergency situations such as when I forget my homebrewed cup at home.

I've been plugging along - work expectations actually increased, but were so much easier to handle in a remote format.  Pandemic-related changes brought unique challenges that no system was prepared for, but a fantastic team, a healthy sense of humor, and some creative problem-solving helped in surviving. Fewer interruptions increased efficiency, and I do love efficiency.  I spent more time tending my roses and they were gorgeous this year.  I taught myself to crochet - and found I love it even if I am not very good at it yet.  I've cooked more and learned some new recipes.  I dug into some family history and continue to learn more about them.

My four-legged co-workers have enjoyed having the two-legged co-workers stationed at home.  Rocky, Charlie, and Doc love us despite our faults, and keep us entertained with their antics.  We've got another set of show pigs we hope to take on the road this spring to the majors.  

That's it - the summary of the good.  Yes, there were some tough times, too, but that comes with life.  I'm proud of my little brood - we kept growing and moving forward during this year when too many things conspired to try to stop us, and that is the lesson I hope the kids remember about 2020.  Life may be hard, but you can't stop.  Make the best of it and keep moving.

With that, I'll sign off for 2020.  We're wishing you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  

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