Alden Family Christmas 2020

The year 2020 can be described by a whole host of adjectives, both positive and negative. Words like: taxing, heartbreaking, frustrating, quiet, simple and transformative might come to mind. I find myself exceedingly thankful for what we have, while grieving some of the things we’ve lost. Here is a look back at the Alden Family highlights for 2020.

This was our last year with a “kid” in the house. Sydney turned 17 in March of 2020. Little did we know that this would be one of the last opportunities of the year to eat inside a restaurant.

This was our last year with a “kid” in the house. Sydney turned 17 in March of 2020. Little did we know that this would be one of the last opportunities of the year to eat inside a restaurant.

Hannah graduated High School! While the pandemic meant no ceremony and no big parties, we participated in a “drive-through graduation” and had a few small opportunities to commemorate this big event. She started taking classes at UNM in August, th…

Hannah graduated High School! While the pandemic meant no ceremony and no big parties, we participated in a “drive-through graduation” and had a few small opportunities to commemorate this big event. She started taking classes at UNM in August, though it was completely online.

Bob and Birga celebrate 20 years of marriage! Though we had scheduled a trip to Paris, we had to make due with a drive to Taos, NM instead. God willing, we will get to re-schedule our trip in 2021.

Bob and Birga celebrate 20 years of marriage! Though we had scheduled a trip to Paris, we had to make due with a drive to Taos, NM instead. God willing, we will get to re-schedule our trip in 2021.

Dogs! Not only did we get one, but two poodle mixes. Toby and Auggie bring equal parts of chaos and joy into our home. There’s no time like a pandemic to become first-time dog owners, right?

Dogs! Not only did we get one, but two poodle mixes. Toby and Auggie bring equal parts of chaos and joy into our home. There’s no time like a pandemic to become first-time dog owners, right?

Thanksgiving 2020. Though our gathering involved just our family (and friend Lisa), we have much to be thankful for! Bob and I both stayed employed, and God has provided for us in every way.

Thanksgiving 2020. Though our gathering involved just our family (and friend Lisa), we have much to be thankful for! Bob and I both stayed employed, and God has provided for us in every way.

Looking ahead to 2021, we do anticipate more big changes:

Hannah will be moving out in early January. Though it will be hard to see her leave our home, we are proud of her boldness to take steps into adulthood. She will continue with her college trek, working toward her degree in Early Childhood Education.

Sydney will take her turn graduating in May of 2021. It’s hard to believe that both girls will be college students in coming months.

I want to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. I was also going to wish you a “happy” New Year, but instead, I leave you with a prayer for a joy-filled 2021. While happiness is very circumstantial, joy can be found as we choose to love well, appreciate what we have, and look for opportunities to be a blessing to others.

Birga Alden