March 2020 quarantine begins

Oh boy! Writing about this month is going to be difficult! From start to finish so many things in life as we know it has changed! Once Jon and I got back from our trip to puerto Vallarta we jumped right back into life! Before our trip there was talk about a virus spreading and to be careful while traveling and going to stores. I took the necessary precautions and was a little freaked out to be flying in the airports but overall the level of anxiety and panic was low. The kids had one more week left of school until spring break and the girls had Saturday soccer games. Everything went according to plan and we enjoyed our busy week of activities as we knew we would have a break for a week from all activities! The kids had their annual color fun run. The little girls love going with me to support the kids and the school raises over 63,000 dollars to get new playground equipment. The year before the money was spent on computers and technology for the school. I have to say, we are so blessed to go to such an amazing school with the best teachers, and community! The kids got prizes for raising money and their classes all had a theme and chant they did before the race. It was fun to gather with all the classes and friends! After that we came home to a fun day in the park with friends. The kids played four square, three legged races, kick ball, basketball, and went swimming. I was happy to visit with the other moms and soaked up the beautiful weather we are having! Jon have a talk in church that Sunday following us getting back from our trip. He spent the better part of the week in his spare time preparing for that! He did a great job and little did we know it would be a our last Sunday attending church in our church building for awhile. After that Sunday things got scary and eerie quick! This virus we had heard about since January was turning out to be a Pandemic! It was spreading rapidly from Wuhan China where it originated and was taking over and killing thousands all around the world. Once we got a letter from church head quarters I knew this was a big deal and things were never going to be the same. One business after another shit down and also the public parks, beaches, lakes, and campgrounds. Churches and temples were also closed. Only the very essential people and businesses were allowed to remain open! Imagine how shocking this all was at once! No more activities for the kids, no friends, and the saddest of all no extended family. We were asked to stay in and social distance at least 6 ft. When we are out of the house. At first it was kind of exciting trying to figure out this new, slower pace, way of life. The kids enjoyed spending spare time building forts, playing board games, reading, going on bike rides, and having movie nights. It feels like the movie Ground Hogs day when you wake up and repeat the same day over and over again. Except we have no schedules and no where to be! The only time I get out of the house is to get groceries which has become difficult due to everyone panic buying. We were prepared and had extra on hand in case of emergencies, but even still it was scary not being able to find certain baking items, toilet paper, paper towels, and canned goods in the shelves. Those shelves are completely barren most times and you have to ask neighbors to borrow or let you know when they see any. Luckily we are so blessed with the gospel, a beautiful home, park next to us, beautiful weather, and most of all Jon is still able to work and run his “essential” business. Pest control is needed and he has been busy! His office staff asked to work from home but he was able to figure out how to make that happen and things have been ok! It is so sad to hear of family members and neighbors being let go of their jobs or having to shut down. My dad can only work on emergency patients as a dentist. The frontline healthcare workers are being over worked and the supplies are running low due to how fast the virus spreads. It doesn’t show symptoms until you have had it for a few days and then it hits people hard for about two weeks! Older people above 60 and the immunocompromised are being hit the worst! However, plenty of middle age, early 20’s, children, and infants have been effected and even died. Ventilators are I. High demand as this virus attacks the lungs and keeps people from breathing properly. It is so knew and has already mutated many times. The news is covering the presidential debates and the corona virus. It is such an unstable world we are living in! What I’ve realized is that stressful situations and trials bring out the worst and best in people simultaneously! It so sad to see the way some people are acting while I’m the same breath it’s amazing to see the kindness that is offered by others. The kids and I spent spring break at home, swimming in the pool( heated of course) , riding bikes, and we did see one movie before all the theaters were closed! It was called Onward. My mom and Collin came. I called ahead to the theater to make sure it would be mostly empty and then we brought Clorox wipes to clean all the seats and arm rests. We are so uncertain of how or when people get it so we are trying to be as careful as possible! That week filling spring break things got weirder when schools were closed down! The kids were so sad not to be able to go back and see their teachers and friends! This is when I started to get anxiety about how I would keep the kids learning at home. We came up with a schedule and at first it wa skins of nice to do music, P.E., math, reading, and writing with the kids. I put Bentley in charge of music class and he did so great teaching the kids each morning about different beats and sounds and he had little instruments for the to play. After that we would go outside and play soccer, basketball, four square, or kick ball together! The kids also had fun going on bike rides, roller blading, skateboarding, or riding scooters! After that we would come in and I would get the older kids started on some worksheets in different subjects, and then I would try to read with Sophia all while trying to entertain Olivia. This time together has been difficult for me to learn to juggle being a teacher, mom, and church leader to all the kids at once! Also making meals and cleaning the kitchen three times a day and keeping the rest of the house clean makes me feel like I am being torn in a million pieces. While there have been some adjustments I think we are doing well for the most part. We got to celebrate Wyatt the best we could with his favorite foods, presents, games , and going to the lake! We are so lucky to have a boat and be able to still go to the lake. There are only a few still open and we have to drive further but it has been a good distraction and place to go and make memories all while still social distancing. He had a great day despite not being able to see extended family and friends. They called, left presents at the door, wished him a happy birthday! Wyatt wanted pazookies (hot cookies with ice cream) for dessert. That has been weird trying to sanitize everything once I am home from the grocery store. I feel like I have to wipe everything down that I bring into the house and of course wash my hands a million times a day. So many things are hard right now but so many things are so good for our souls. Slowing down and being forced to be together has been heavenly! No asking to go to a friends for a play date or driving in the car all over for activities. Just a lot of time spent together and learning to love one another! Never in history of mankind has anything like this happened and it is a very unique time to be going through. My heart aches for those suffering with the virus or those losing loved ones from it! My heart aches for those that dire situation has become worse and I hear so many are getting divorced over this and domestic violence is on the rise. Scary times but also very sacred times for some. Another thing we have loved is being able to hold sacrament meeting and primary in our home! Jon has been given the permission to administer the sacrament since he is a worthy priesthood holder. Our family is so lucky and blessed to be able to do this! I am grateful I am able to play the piano so that we can have music and sing together! I have live the talks that we take turns giving, the discussion on gospel topics and life, and the baring of testimonies! It has been so so special! I spend my days with the kids and while it feels so overwhelming some days, I can’t help but feel so thankful and blessed to have this beautiful family of mine!