Social Distancing Week 2

I can't really count the first week of social distancing for Coronavirus because we still did some things like attend dance class to get the girls costumes (and I'm SO glad we did). Aliza went to her Book Club and we were at Mom and Dad's house that Friday afternoon. So, for us, the real social distancing started last Saturday.

During Bible Study, via ZOOM, on Monday evening, Aliza brought me a cup of tea and a Dove chocolate in exchange for my phone. The message inside the chocolate was this:

I have kept it because it seemed to be a significant message for this undefined period of stay-at-home time.

We have continued school as normal. The days feel better when the sun is shining and the temperature is reasonably warm and we can be outside. We have taken evening walks/bike rides. I've found that the neighbors who are outside are happy to carry on a 15+ minute conversation.

We've been watching American Idol (until the pre recorded episodes are over) and Lego Brick Masters.

I have enjoyed the live worship hour that Michael W. Smith has done from his living room for two weeks now. I've also been watching the If:Gathering 2020 conference on Right Now Media. So many of my favorite author/speakers speak at that event. The Dwell app offered a free subscription to churches and I've enjoyed listening to Scripture.

I mentioned Bible Study via ZOOM. We also used ZOOM for church. I've never been a huge fan of video meetings, but I am now! It was so good to be able to see everyone and be able to interact a bit. I think it is so important to stay connected right now using whatever means we can. Isolation is not good for the mind!

Aliza and Anna received the official word that their dance recital is cancelled and will not be rescheduled. It was hard. We cried together. Then we took a drive and got shakes from Cook Out. It seems that every day brings a disappointment of one kind or another. Some big and some not so big.

Thankfully Jeremy can continue to work at HotDesks. His going and coming brings a normal rhythm to the days.

In spite of the disappointments, I'm surprised at how happy I do feel. Granted--this is only week 2! Josiah declared this the best week of his life because he didn't have to go anywhere. Aliza has struggled this week without youth group and dance to look forward to. I do feel the tension as the Mom to meet the different emotional needs of each of my children...and husband!

Oh! I've done extra cleaning projects that are very exciting! I washed/scrubbed the freezer. It is now white and gorgeous. The microwave is clean. And the dining room windows that have a way of collecting spider webs and bugs are clean and crystal clear.

Grocery Shopping

In the midst of people overbuying and stock piling groceries, I have chosen to continue to go to the grocery store once a week. My shopping strategy has been to be at the store at 7:30am with a list of meal possibilities for the week instead of a list of specific foods to buy. This is week 2 and so far it has worked, but not without me losing some sleep!

There is so much conversation about what is not in the stores right now that I've laid awake for several hours Sunday nights making contingency plans in my mind for what I might be able to get if X, Y, or Z foods are not in stock.

Both weeks I have gotten to the store to find that most food staples are stocked. I have been able to get meat, milk, eggs, fresh fruit and vegetables. There is a lot less choice which has led to spending more money than usual because I have to buy different brands and/or larger quantities. (A larger bag of shredded cheese, bigger bags of meat or double packs of something instead of singles) We will use everything and so I keep hoping that that will translate into a week with a lower grocery bill. Who knows though!

This last Monday I told myself, as I was walking through the store, that it all is going to be ok. The supply is sufficient and I don't need to worry about feeding my family. There are some things that we don't have, like our favorite cereals and peanut butter, but there are LOTS of things that we do have. I've walked out of the grocery store relieved and doubly grateful for what we have.

My Favorite Memes

Over the last week there have been a few homeschool memes that have made me laugh.

(Actually this one is me!)

I have nothing intelligent to say about viruses, quarantine and social distancing so I'll just leave it at this for today!

Mud and Water

Since Christmas we have not taken a day off from school. Yesterday the youngest 3 finally had a day off and Renee and Lydia were here for the day too. It turned out to me a very spring day with mid 70 degree temperatures. It was truly glorious!

I honestly do not know how this whole water thing started. I do know that it started on a much smaller scale with Lydia and Isaiah. Josiah and I were doing some yard work and then there were 4 kids in bathing suits and all out swimming happening!

They had fun. Hopefully this is the last spring for this "sandbox."

Janell took this picture and it perfectly captures the moment and Isaiah's joy.

While all of the regular school kids are at home for the next 2 weeks to contain COVID-19, we will be working away on our regular school schedule here. There have been some pretty funny homeschool memes over the last few days. So far youth group has been cancelled for Aliza. She is still pretty bummed about that. She's currently praying that dance does not get cancelled. Circumstances won't change where we put our trust. I have it written on the kitchen letterboard--Trust in the Lord.

Joy Dare::February

6880. Sleeping in
6881. Budget meeting
6882. Starbucks
6883. Aliza dressed up  for a fancy birthday party
6884. Super Bowl fun
6885. Aliza and Josiah discussing the Bible
6886. One sunny 60 degree day
6887. A walk and tea on the porch
6888. The daffodil is up

6889. Sisters
6890. One more warmish afternoon
6891. Supper conversation
6892. Hyssop
6893. Anna excited about piano
6894. Isaiah laughing
6895. My Mom
6896. Checks that we were waiting for
6897. Talking to Grandma on her birthday
6898. Breakfast for supper
6899. Friends
6900. Family day
6901. Relearning piano
6902. Scrapbook finished
6903. New family at church
6904. Donut snack
6905. Lunch with Mom and Meghan
6906. Anna playing with Sean
6907. Aliza could stay home
6908. Bonding and encouragement
6909. Playing in puddles

6910. Making cookies
6911. Sunny morning
6912. Jeremy was home to get rid of the bat
6913. No children woke up during the night
6914. Afternoon sun streaming into the living room
6915. Valentine notes
6916. Surprised with Valentine flowers
6917. "Is prayer your steering wheel or spare tire?" Sheila Walsh
6918. A sweet offer
6919. Anna had fun with friends
6920. Helping
6921. Visiting Grandad
6922. Isaiah crawled up on my lap to be held
6923. Isaiah has A LOT to say
6924. Grandad preaching

6925. Sitting with my family
6926. All things Sunday
6927. Children playing outside
6928. Lunch with a couple of my sisters
6929. Sitting on the deck
6930. No one begged to get on the computer
6931. Making tea for Aliza
6932. "Love first, ask questions later." Love Anyway
6933. My first flourless muffin bake
6934. Very early daffodils
6935. A very little bit of snow
6936. Delivery was on time
6937. Catching up with Mom
6938. Soup supper
6939. A morning with Janell
6940. Quiet Sunday
6941. Reading
6942. Worship
6943. A little summer planning
6944. Talking with Aliza
6945. Watching God speak through other people
6946. Isaiah singing with me at bedtime
6947. 3 kids snuggled in to listen to me read
6948. Enough leftovers when I messed up meal planning
6949. The night I don't have to cook supper
6950. Isaiah woke up and cleaned his room
6951. Late night card games
6952. Jeremy.
6953. Seeing signs of green leaves on my walk
6954. The napkin aisle was a good place to talk with Meghan
6955. 12 years of Josiah!
6956. Strawberries
6957. Birthday fondue
6958. Listening to the children and taking it all in
6959. Celebrating Aliza and Josiah
6960. Grandparents, aunts and uncles

Celebrating Aliza

What makes for the perfect birthday for Aliza?

Family.

Books. This is her stack of books gifted to her for her birthday. And plenty of time to read on her birthday.

Quality time. Cook Out supper with Uncle Joel. I told her when she has more fun with a boy than she has with Uncle Joel then she may date that boy.

A new dessert. Chocolate Chip Pizookie with ice cream, chocolate and caramel syrup and whip. It was delicious.

Happy 14th Birthday Aliza!

Generous, loving, thoughful, kind, beautiful inside and out. 

Teenage years may actually be the best. 

Celebrating Josiah

It was sure fun to celebrate Josiah! He had the day off school and got to do what he wanted to do.

Chocolate covered strawberries are his favorite treat and then we had chocolate fondue and some fun family time around the table.

Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Joel came for the weekend. On Saturday the aunts and cousins came over. I'm so grateful for extended family to love and celebrate with us.

Joel took Josiah to the store to buy a new game for his Switch with his birthday money.

Josiah is always sad when his birthday is over. I figure that means that it was a good day and a good weekend.