Our New Normal

2021 was supposed to be a different year. It was supposed to be a year that was so much better than 2020. It was supposed to be a year where everything went back to normal. In all reality, 2021 was a year that was unique and full of challenges, with a glimmer of hope that things are gradually getting back to normal. I guess we are just learning to live with our new normal. Overall, 2021 seemed to be a year where the world seemed to fall apart, but we became stronger as a family. 

January 6 our nation's Capitol was attacked and congress was forced to evacuate. January 20, President Joe Biden was inaugurated into office and Vice President Kamala Harris made history as the first female Vice President. In February, the US death toll from Covid 19 surpassed 500,000. In March a large cargo ship got stuck in the Suez Canal, snarling global trade operations for 6 days. Utah, again, was in an extreme drought and Governor Spencer Cox issued several drought related executive orders. The Great Salt Lake reached the lowest level on record. In August, west winds brought smoke from wildfires in California, Oregon and Idaho to the Valley making Salt Lake City have the worst air quality in the world. Porch Pirates, or thieves who steal packages from homes, have become more prevalent. Businesses are in need of workers, but many business have had to scale back again because they don't have enough workers. Shipping containers are stuck in boats and can't reach the port, so supply chain issues are becoming a big problem and many store shelves are empty because of it. The cost of gas is rising to almost 3.50 a gallon. 

You would read this and believe the world is falling apart. But in the midst of all the chaos, our family found peace and we became stronger together this year. We spent weekends trying new family adventures like bike rides and hikes. We spent nights snuggled in our pajamas, eating popcorn and watching a family movie. We added a new fur baby to our family and fight over who gets to hold the leash when we take her for a walk around the block. We laughed and played together on our family vacation to Universal Studios and Lego Land. We experimented with cool science projects while we were quarantined. We celebrated watching sports in person again and cheered on the Utes as they earned a spot in the Rose Bowl. We partied together with our extended families and basked at being together again. We celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, new jobs, and new experiences with all three kids in school all day. We spent weekends at The Land and summer days at the pool with our cousins. We enjoyed dinners on our patio and late night outdoor movies. 

The little (and big) moments we shared together as a family really showed us what life is all about. We decided how we want to venture into 2022 and are establishing new patterns, jobs and routines to ensure we can spend more time as a family focusing on each other and the little things that make life mean the most. It's true: a truly extraordinary life is living a beautiful ordinary life.