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    Good riddance 2020, that is what the world has pretty much said. The Coronavirus pandemic is still in existence and so, so many lives have been lost and changed. We have known coworkers and family members to have gotten the virus and thankfully they have recovered. The last time I wrote on this was Mother's Day and that was back in May. That was the start of the pandemic and changes including cancelling trips, closing schools and many businesses. 

    At the time the children we still going to the at-home daycare and I was still able to go to the office and I left during lunchtime to pick up May for her less than 2 hour class for 1st grade in the afternoon. Rex, my parents and many of our friends have been very fortunate to have not lost our place of work and we have been able to continue with pay during this time. Other businesses closed and workers lost jobs, the economy did crash and the community came together to help those in need. Rex found at his work that some of the material was held up or delayed in shipment. Packages were delayed, almost everything was shut down. 

    Fast forward to September 2020, the kids started complete virtual school, May in second grade and Nia in Kindergarten. 




    I am so thankful that my job allows for working from home and I worked a full-time job with two children in full-time school. There were assignments too and I will say that time was very hard at work due to two major projects with very short deadlines. I couldn't say too much though because I am still thankful for having a job and that I could stay and help my children. Rex was still able to go to work too and every day at his job he needed to get his temperature checked and wear a mask. We still wear a mask wherever we go. We tried to play more in the backyard too and have the kids be more active with games outside. It's hard though because they really are missing the interaction with other children. They might be going back to school in person in the Spring of this year.

    We also tried for getting buying a home in 2020. We have been saving for the last 4 years and we knew we didn't want to stay in the area we live in now for more years. The kids are getting bigger and the townhouse is so small. The walls have been paper-thin since the day we moved here and the area is also getting worse. We tried in May of 2020 and we got approved for a lower amount then. It's crazy to think to purchase a home in the middle of a pandemic and with the amount we got approved for it was very hard to find a home that didn't need major repairs or was an auction or another unlying issue, had a termite problem. We also just wanted to get an idea of the process and that pre-approval was just with my income and information. I was thankful but I knew and the realtor knew that home prices in the area we were looking to purchase a home were much higher. The low rates of today are nice but we had to let that pre-approval expire. We couldn't find anything in the 3 months it was active and we did try. We actually applied for another pre-approval just recently with both of us, just to check and see and we got pre-approved for more. We actually found a home in December of 2020 and currently, we are pending. That's the start of the new chapter which I'll write more about in another post. We are very excited!



    Other good news, in November 2020 the American people cast their vote, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be the new president and vice-president. So exciting and such a breath of fresh air. Kamala will be the first female vice-president and she is a fellow Howard alumna! Such a welcomed new chapter indeed and even though Trump has tried to overturn the result, the people have spoken, it's not voter fraud it's people wanting a change. 


    That was actually the first glimmer of hope in a very challenging year. Another spark of hope is that COVID vaccines were developed and tested and put into emergency authorization towards the end of the year. The development was quick in terms of vaccines and there are still concerns about the vaccines but the front line workers were the first in line to get the vaccines. They are heroes along with construction workers, transportation workers, fast food service workers, and other essential workers. My work is in Healthcare and they got the vaccine are administering the vaccine to those who want it. I'm actually an essential worker and I was able to get the vaccine yesterday. I had questions and concerns but seeing others and hearing their stories got me more assured and I did it. I hope the vaccine is available to more people very soon. I really with the kids can get it but it hasn't been tested in kids yet. Rex will hopefully be able to get it, the end of the month or hopefully early next month. I'll write more about the vaccine and the side effects in later blogs.



    Whoa, this was a post and I know this was a lot. We are thankful for our health and our work and it really looks like things worldwide are getting better slowly. 2020 was a year of sadness, disappointments lost and bittersweet joy. It could have been so much worse for us and I am thankful still could keep our positions and house. We are empathetic to others and we wish for everyone to stay safe and we hope they have the best and greatest luck this year. It's a new chapter and we are writing our future. We will emerge from the depths, victorious and together. 
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    It's Mother's Day! Oh, what it is to be a mom! Being a mom is amazing and we wish all the wonderful and strong moms and moms-to-be a very happy and safe Mother's Day.

    It has certainly been different with COVID-19 still present and unfortunately, numbers in Maryland and around the world, haven't gone down. We still are making the best of the situation and doing our best to stay healthy as well. The use of digital teleconferencing has gone up significantly since the pandemic came in full force. We have spent many hours talking to friends and family on platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts.

    Yesterday, we spent more of the time talking on Zoom, and today I rested for Mother's Day. It's really been hectic the past couple of weeks, now that all Maryland public schools are closed now for the whole academic year. Now I'm homeschooling to a degree and blessed to still be working but it is still a lot on the plate. Being a mom, in general, requires so many hats and I am so thankful to have learned so much about parenting from my mom and grandparents. Now in the new normal, my mom wants to help out with going over the school worksheets and we are so going to do that. It's becoming overwhelming keeping up with the worksheets and I still want May to still like school whenever in-class learning starts again. My mother is a former teacher too. We just don't want May to be behind going into the second grade and I work on reading and other workbooks with May and Nia, because Nia is going into Kindergarten in the Fall.

    Oh, the paths you make to pave a way for your children. I take Mother's Day to really reflect on the journey that is parenting and it's been a winding path of many twists and turns and also so many smiles. When I first found out I was pregnant, I couldn't believe there was life forming inside me and with the sound of their heartbeats, that joy! The first kicks, to the now strong hugs and kicking balls and throwing frisbees with the kids. Life is truly amazing and I am so thankful to have such a loving husband and wonderful father to our kids. We continue to grow as a family in knowledge and opportunities. I truly love my children and we work so hard to prove the best for them and to show them, love, kindness and respect to show to others.

    With that being said, Happy Mother's Day!


     With my grandparents, at our wedding. 

    With my grandfather, my in-laws and my parents, at our wedding.
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    Today around 11:40 am, the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds flew over our home, in a show of gratitude for frontline workers and to show were are strong through this pandemic.

    I had heard about the flyover last week and that the flyover would be in both DC and the Baltimore area. I saw too that there was previously a flyover last week in the Philly metro region. I checked with my parents in New Jersey if they had seen the jets or heard them and they didn't hear them but they saw pictures of the flyover from last week, on the news.

    I saw the flight path of the flyover for the Baltimore area and thought the kids, Rex, and I would be able to at least hear it. We have been to flight shows in the past and it can be very loud but so amazing what the planes can do. It was sunny today too and warm and even with the stay at home order still in place, we certainly were going to catch the flyover from either the backyard or the front of the house. Here's the map for Baltimore area:


    That loop around Essex is why I knew we would at least hear them. I thought it would be better to view from the front of the house, while Rex stated the backyard would give us the most unobstructed view. We have a couple trees in the front yard in the view path of the flyover. We got out back, Rex and I politely argued about which side to look at and we were still viewing the picture of the map on my phone when we heard the flyover!  The kids were outside with us and I said, "They're here!!!!".

    I got to see them and they looked absolutely amazing. The flyover was so clear and smooth. However, I was fumbling with finding the camera on my phone, and by the time I managed to start it up, they were gone. I saw them leave too. I was bummed I didn't get a picture but Rex took so many! He got them! He was ready. I just was so excited, I couldn't get the camera on my phone but also it was so nice to see with my very own eyes. Shortly after our next-door neighbor ran out of the house saying "Did I miss it?"

    I looked down and said "Yeah". I felt bad I should have knocked on their door when we first got out there and our neighbor said she waited all week to see it. We have become a good neighbor over the past couple of months and I got the pictures from Rex to send to her through text. She was alright and we spoke for some time about past air shows and places to take the kids for planes and rides when things get back to normal.

    The flyover was so fast but it was so nice and I'm happy the kids got to see them. The flyover wasn't as loud as I thought it would be too. I'm so thankful the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds did this and we are all in this together! #AmericaStrong



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    We just wanted to wish you and your family a very wonderful, healthy and happy Easter.

    Stay safe, stay blessed, we are in this together.

                                                                                       - The Sumos




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    It's official May has glasses! We went to the eyeglass store today. We are being careful too, with the virus cases growing in America and around the world. We are washing our hands more frequently and using hand sanitizer. We are also staying indoors more, though we did need to get May's glasses and food.

    As I stated in the previous post we found out that May had an issue with her vision due to a vision and hearing test, which was given at the school. I found out later, through research that the test is given to the students in 1st grade and again at later grades. We haven't seen May squint and she was not always looking at screens but I do remember when I first found out I needed glasses. I was in my teens and my school work was not at risk, and neither is May's but I had headaches and I remember my grandfather suggesting that I might need glasses.

    Well, I have astigmatism in both eyes, May has astigmatism in one eye and that's the right eye. The left eye sees perfectly clear. We went to the eye doctor's appointment and it reminded me of when I was going to get my eyes checked. I absolutely can't stand that puff of air in the eye but May took that puff of air like a champ. The doctor suggested that May get glasses where the left eye has less of a prescription so it does less work and that might be able to help strengthen the right eye. May does not have a lazy eye but the condition is more so an onset to it and even before the official diagnosis, there might be patching involved and a stronger glasses prescription. There even might be surgery, I'm hoping it doesn't get to that.

    May has obtained more of my lovely traits. I have asthma and so does my mom and grandmother. May has not been officially diagnosed with asthma but she is respiratory issues and the same machine I used when I was younger. She also has an inhaler. Now she has glasses and she looks so cute. May is actually farsighted and I am nearsighted.

    May handles everything like a champ too and glasses have become so more fashionable in the last 20 or so years. She was so excited to get the glasses and it will be a big change but I know she will rock the glasses. Nia now even wants glasses. We'll see about that. Right now Nia's eyes seem to be alright and Nia has no respiratory issues. We still love them all the same and the glasses totally fit May's personality. She loves the color pink!





     She looks so adorable!

      My loves 💞
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    Yesterday February 18th was May's first-grade concert! Yes that's right she's in the first grade and I can remember back when she was just learning to walk! The kids are getting so big. I think they grow an inch every night. Well, maybe but many of our friends and family think May will be taller than me. That's from her father's side of the family.

    May had a concert for Kindergarten as well. That was last year around the holidays. The first-grade concert brought May to a familiar stage and she and her other classmates did well in singing songs like Noble Duke of York, There Was a Man, De Colores and Take Me Out the Ballgame. I couldn't help but sing some of the songs when they closed with Take Me Out the Ballgame, especially at "one...two...three strikes you're out, at the old ballgame!"

    Rex and Nia were there in support too and we all really had a great time. Afterward, we went to a local IHOP for a celebratory dinner. May and Nia both have pretty nice singing voices, they get it from their momma. I'll definitely be singing more with the kids, for now, May has the spotlight!

    Here's pictures from the event:

     The three of us!

     Nia wants peace. 

     Yay 1st grade class!

     Yay May!!

     Nia after the concert.

     ðŸ˜€

    The concert was a success!
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    Wow, it's 2020 and really couldn't believe that when hearing it back in the last decade. Hehe that's already so jammed packed to write in the sentence but now we have moved on to the start of a new decade, the 2010s are gone and new beginnings in the 2020s are starting.

    I'm so excited for the year, our family has been saving and making strides in the previous year to get closer towards our goal of homeownership. This could really be the year we can move further along or even achieve our goal. I am so thankful to have such kind and loving friends and family and support of family. We have worked very hard for this moment and we are continuing to work to provide a brighter future for the kids.

    This year is also going to bring about some long-awaited trips and once in a lifetime trips, we are at a place where we can maintain our daily living and truly seize opportunities with positive impacts and will not cause us to take five steps back. Life is short and some of the opportunities that presented itself within the last few months of 2019, we couldn't pass on. It really is due to our stability in employment and stronger financial skills.

    We are improving and that is key, as every month and year passes, comes learning experiences. Learning is so important! That's why this year as well will be full of more learning experiences, book readings, and new exciting experiences.  As we continue to move throughout this journey of life, we will continue with love, kindness, and compassion. The future is so bright!

    Wishing everyone a very joyful and healthy new year filled with blessings, love, new adventures and kindness!

    Happy New Year!!!! 🎉


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    Hey there, wow, it's been a while since a last posted and even though I haven't been silent on my social media platforms, I haven't sat down to write a blog post in over two years. That ends today, haha.

    Well, where to begin. I'm not going to make this a long post, hopefully, but I have wanted to get back into blogging for the past year and yeah life gets a hold of us at time. Life has been certainly busy and there have been changes and growths since the last time I posted.

    I have been at my job as a data analyst at a mental health facility for over 2 years now. My work anniversary was in August. Rex has now been in the electrician trade for over 5 years and he is now a certified electrician. He graduated from Harford Community College in the Spring of the year. I am so proud of him and he is truly a great electrician. I do get worried about currents through but uses much safety in the practice.

    We also celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary a few days ago. 7 years of bliss and here's to many, many more.

    Our children are growing so fast. They have so much energy! May will be 7 this December and she is a 1st grader! She is getting so tall and she is doing well in school. Rex and I help her with her homework and last year she received a Model Citizen Award for kindergarten at her school. It was such a special day and she is excited about learning math.

    Nia is 4 years an will be attending the school next year. We are still with the same daycare provider when May started at age 3 and I am so thankful that we found our provider. The children have learned so much from her teachings.

    We are still in Maryland and we hope to own a home in the next 2 to 3 years. We have been living at our current place for 3 years now and we more need to find stable employment, as I only seemed to get temp jobs out of graduating with my Master's degree and our living situation was unstable. Through it all though we have stuck together as a family and that is what life is all about the ups and downs.

    As for the plants in the last past, the tomatoes didn't grow but I do plan to learn more about gardening and grow some tomatoes and especially fresh herbs and spices for recipes.

    This was just a quick summary of the dormant time for this blog. I'll go into more detail with other blog posts. That's right, I'll be posting more and oh how the world is changing. 😀

    The kiddos and I on a hiking trip

    Rex's graduation

    Our happy family
                                                                             
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    I've taken another break this blogging and life has been pretty hectic. The kids are still going to school and May will be entering kindergarten this Fall. I can't believe she's already at the stage for kindergarten. It was just 5 years ago when I held her small little self in my arms and now she knows how to write her own name and can read many words. She and Nia are both learning so much at the preschool they are going too and Rex and I are so blessed that we are able to keep them there and that their teacher is so understanding and strives for the best learning exercises in all the students.

    Rex is doing well in his schooling for his electrical apprenticeship. He will be graduating next year. It's been a long, hard journey for him and he is really getting a wonderful understanding of the electrical structuring of commercial buildings. It's truly amazing what he tells me. I remember circuits to a certain extent when I was going to school for Meteorology but construction and what goes into the wiring is really something. I worry at times with the electrical currents but he and his team work hard to be safe and follow many procedures for safety on the job.

    Speaking of which, I have been at my mental health facility job for over 6 months now. I am still an informatics specialist and I have continued to learn so much about mental health and further analyzing patient charts and information. I work with so many tools like the vWorkspace, Tableau, and SQL Server and I have been able to learn the material very quickly, which I am so thankful for. I am so thankful God's love and that I still have a clear mind. This world can get so difficult at times and there have been recent tragedies in the world, but Rex and I do so much to keep the family safe and protected and I pray for the same safety for every member of our families and friends and coworkers and acquaintances.

    Each day is a new experience and a new chance to learn. Even with my current role, I'll be having to learn possibly JSON files, APIs, Javascript, and Python. I have some experience with Python but I really have been looking for more ways to have the material stick. Well, one experience with learning that I have always wanted to try and now I am trying with the children is gardening. Big transition right? It's more like indoor gardening but it's actually funny how it happened. I bought some onions from the store about a month ago and we had eaten some onions but there were a few we left in the kitchen near the window. Well, I noticed one onion had sprouted and I left it when I saw it a few days later the sprout was more sprouts from the same onion! I told Rex and he said we should plant it. I didn't know exactly what we should do to plant it but he said just stick it in some dirt, with a little water. So we went with the kids to Home Depot and got two pots (the kids picked out the pots) and some indoor potting soil, along with a water canister and tomato seeds.

    As soon as we got home we planted our onion and tomato seeds. It was so fun with the kids:


     Our sprouted onion!


     May with the tomato seeds.

     Nia helping to pat down the soil.

     A tad bit of water.

    Our proudly potted onion and tomato seeds.

    Where we placed them for now.

    We opened the blinds to let more sunlight get in and we watered both the pots, we a little bit of water, ever and every other day. A little over one week later we got this:




    Our tomato seeds had sprouted and the onion is more upright! It's so amazing to see the veggies growing and May and Nia are so happy and excited to see the plants growing. It's a nice that they can be so hands-on and it will be very interesting in the next months to see the results. We are still living at the rented townhome but we hope to buy a townhome or house towards the end of this year or into next year.  I know that many people grow their own fruits, veggies, and herbs and I remember eating veggies and fruits from grandfather and grandmother's garden. It's fresh and homegrown and our own little indoor garden! :-)
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    Hi my name is Tasha. I'm a down-to-earth, free spirited mother to two beautiful girls, May and Nia and loving wife to my Liberian born husband, Rex. I enjoy making the most out of my family life, as well as learning more about topics such as Earth Science, technology, creative writing and frugal living.

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