Today was Sunday and we did a worldwide fast in hopes to better the
Covid situation. I fasted from electronic devices, social media, even
phone calls. My phone stayed in the drawer in my bedroom. It is amazing how much free time I had. I made waffles for breakfast and realized that many of my recipes, including the waffle recipe, in on my phone. I wrote it down and stuck it in my cookbook to be prepared. I took a shower. I took a nap. I played with the girls. Literally we sat down and read books on the trampoline in the sun. We received an Easter basket of goodies and activities from our neighbor. We played with stickers. I usually hate stickers because they end up everywhere, but it was fun creating faces on the Easter animals. I shaped, proved and baked bread. I made dinner. We sat down after dinner and played card games.
The Head Family, Becky, Joel's birth-mom, had a zoom conference where we were able to log in and meet many of Joel's biological family. I had never heard of Zoom before, but now whole groups can talk and interact. Technology is truly amazing sometimes when we use it for good.
The girls are growing up. They aren't little kids anymore. Hailey loves to DO things. She got a simple sewing project from Lala and grasped that concept super quick. They love card games. Becky gave us a game that we simplified for me. Exploding kittens. It's a simple fun game with sound effects. Then we received Go Fish with letters. The girls can learn their letters better without realizing it's homework. They love playing. They watned to play Blockus tonight but we ran out of time. They are learning, growing, using those brains! It's fun to see.
I'm sure that the teachers at school get to see these educational/mental leaps but once they come home, they turn it off and the parents don't get to see. Again, another blessing of Covid.
I read that Covid is the perfect infectious virus to target people. People by nature like to be together, to hug, touch, talk, do things and this virus makes it so we can't! They call it social distancing. Don't come within 6 feet of each other. Yet Social Media distancing today was even better because it allowed me to stop wasting time on the same things on facebook and focus on family, the girls.
I hope that we see relief from the world wide fast for Covid, but even if the blessings are unseen, I know they my fast helped me and my family.
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Blessings/Changes resulting from Covid
It has been roughly 2 weeks since Las Vegas was shut down because of Covid-19. For the first week, there was a lot of struggling to figure out how to be at home, how to teach our children, how to redo our lives it felt like. Many people focused on the fear.
Slowly I started to see the positive things that have come because of Covid.
Families are going on walks together. The dogs are getting more walks too!
The smog here in Vegas has cleared up exponentially.
The children have become more creative at home and don't seem bothered by the changes.
We have gotten out of the house each Saturday to hike or bike.
The house is cleaner.
People in general tend to be kinder to each other.
We are watching out for our friends and family like we should have been before.
We share even when we don't have much.
We find ways to connect via Zoom, Marco Polo, calling, etc.
We talk to people we haven't in a while.
The girls can play on the front street with little to no traffic because nobody leaves their houses!
The other streets are just as bare.
There is pretty much no rush hour traffic.
Things are cleaner. I'm pretty sure the grocery carts have never been wiped down so much!
We have gardened, in our yard as well as the community garden. The girls are developing a love of plants and taking care of them.
We save money because we don't impulse buy because we're bored of being in the house and need out!
I am slowly cleaning out the freezer of things that need to be eaten but have been forgotten.
I make my own almond milk.
I make our bread. I'm grateful that I started my sourdough/naturally yeasted starter back in January so that by the time March came around I had a healthy starter that could easily make bread rise and taste good.
We learn to be grateful for employment and not complain, even on the hard days.
We learn that we can be great teachers, even if we don't do things the same way as the traditional teachers. Hailey and Emi love learning about science.
They have had the chance to learn about different animals thanks to the Cincinnati Zoo Virtual tour and Q&A.
I'm sure there are many other blessings that I just haven't recognized.
I won't say that being quarantined to a point has been fun. It has been hard. I miss my morning walks. I miss going to the gym and seeing people and getting/giving encouragement. But I think there have been more things to be thankful for than to complain about.
Slowly I started to see the positive things that have come because of Covid.
Families are going on walks together. The dogs are getting more walks too!
The smog here in Vegas has cleared up exponentially.
The children have become more creative at home and don't seem bothered by the changes.
We have gotten out of the house each Saturday to hike or bike.
The house is cleaner.
People in general tend to be kinder to each other.
We are watching out for our friends and family like we should have been before.
We share even when we don't have much.
We find ways to connect via Zoom, Marco Polo, calling, etc.
We talk to people we haven't in a while.
The girls can play on the front street with little to no traffic because nobody leaves their houses!
The other streets are just as bare.
There is pretty much no rush hour traffic.
Things are cleaner. I'm pretty sure the grocery carts have never been wiped down so much!
We have gardened, in our yard as well as the community garden. The girls are developing a love of plants and taking care of them.
We save money because we don't impulse buy because we're bored of being in the house and need out!
I am slowly cleaning out the freezer of things that need to be eaten but have been forgotten.
I make my own almond milk.
I make our bread. I'm grateful that I started my sourdough/naturally yeasted starter back in January so that by the time March came around I had a healthy starter that could easily make bread rise and taste good.
We learn to be grateful for employment and not complain, even on the hard days.
We learn that we can be great teachers, even if we don't do things the same way as the traditional teachers. Hailey and Emi love learning about science.
They have had the chance to learn about different animals thanks to the Cincinnati Zoo Virtual tour and Q&A.
I'm sure there are many other blessings that I just haven't recognized.
I won't say that being quarantined to a point has been fun. It has been hard. I miss my morning walks. I miss going to the gym and seeing people and getting/giving encouragement. But I think there have been more things to be thankful for than to complain about.
World Wide Fast Against Covid-19. Were you prepared?
President Russell M. Neilson, President and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has proposed a day of world wide fasting a prayer to call upon Heaven for help with Covid-19.
I don't do well fasting from food and water because my blood sugar goes all kinds of crazy. So today as my fast I decided that I would fast or abstain from my electronic devices. The only thing that I use is the computer to write and journal. Each time that I want to look at my phone, instead I sit down and read scriptures.
This morning I sat down to read. I wanted my reading to have a focus on it. That focus is how are the events of today paralleling those of the past. I read Helaman 1, in the Book of Mormon. It is mostly war chapters still but I figure that since we are in a war in the world and at war with Covid it was was fitting.
As I read nothing really popped out. Then I read
"Helaman1:19 But it came to pass that Coriantumr did march forth at the head of his numerous host, and came upon the inhabitants of the city, and their march was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time for the Nephites to gather together their armies."
At first I disregarded the thought because how could that pertain to us today.
Then I kept reading:
I don't do well fasting from food and water because my blood sugar goes all kinds of crazy. So today as my fast I decided that I would fast or abstain from my electronic devices. The only thing that I use is the computer to write and journal. Each time that I want to look at my phone, instead I sit down and read scriptures.
This morning I sat down to read. I wanted my reading to have a focus on it. That focus is how are the events of today paralleling those of the past. I read Helaman 1, in the Book of Mormon. It is mostly war chapters still but I figure that since we are in a war in the world and at war with Covid it was was fitting.
As I read nothing really popped out. Then I read
"Helaman1:19 But it came to pass that Coriantumr did march forth at the head of his numerous host, and came upon the inhabitants of the city, and their march was with such exceedingly great speed that there was no time for the Nephites to gather together their armies."
At first I disregarded the thought because how could that pertain to us today.
Then I kept reading:
23 And now (Coriantumr) did not tarry in the land of Zarahemla, but he did march forth with a large army, even towards the city of Bountiful for it was his determination to go forth and cut his way through with
the sword, that he might obtain the north parts of the land.
24 And,
supposing that their greatest strength was in the center of the land,
therefore he did march forth, giving them no time to assemble themselves
together save it were in small bodies; and in this manner they did fall
upon them and cut them down to the earth.
The thought came again. They were not prepared. Two cities were not prepared and they fell. Then the third attempt.
28 But when Moronihah had discovered this, he immediately sent forth Lehi with an army round about to head them before they should come to the land Bountiful.
29 And
thus he did; and he did head them before they came to the land
Bountiful, and gave unto them battle, insomuch that they began to
retreat back towards the land of Zarahemla.
The third attempt was met by a leader who was prepared. The enemy fell and suffered great loss.
He was prepared.
When Covid started, we sat back and watched as it happened to someone else, China. Then another, Italy. Then it hit the United States and we were not prepared even though we had been watching. In my own family and life, we were not prepared. We worried about having enough food, enough supplies, enough cash flow if Joel's job were affected.
We panicked. We worried. We felt hopeless.
Luckily, we have been greatly blessed/spared. We had enough food. Joel got to keep working. We have been healthy and safe so far.
There was a post I believe, by Elder Holland, President of the 12 Apostles. I'll have to find it later for a direct quote, but it basically said. Covid is not the end. This is not the time of the second coming of Christ, but it is a test to see if we are prepared for it.
It comes back to Helaman: Are we prepared? We were not prepared... We need to be prepared. This was our warning. I have also thought during all of this about the ten virgins and their lamps. Prepared vs unprepared. I felt like a virgin who was not prepared and scrambled. We need to be better prepared.
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Too much fighting, screaming, I'm toast
This morning startedoff with screaming and fighting and it was only 7:30. They were fighting over who was going to get the tablet first. Right then I decided that today was going to be a no screen time day. As grateful as I am for youtube teachers, and online school work, sometimes I like to step back and take it back to good ole' paper and books. Then I told them that fighting equals both parties going to their room for a period of time.
There has been less fighting, not non. But less. They have read books, played with a balloon, jumped on the trampoline, etc.
There are plenty of things to do but we get so sucked in to technology. We lived for thousands of years without technology. It is great and has advanced science and medicine but I think that it has retarded us socially.
Sitting here typing, the girls are at the table eating their food. They are playing rock, paper, scissors. It is finally nice to hear them laughing with each other, especially Brystol.
Social distancing has been extremely hard. I go nuts some days. I lose my mind some days. Some days go by easily and I'm grateful.
I feel like I'm failing Hailey and Emi when it comes to their schooling because I'm not getting everything done that the teachers are all assigning. There's reading, math, online reading and math, spelling, etc.
Today as I was overwhelmed and frustrated from the yelling, i send the kids to their rooms and found a couple 1 inch binders. I sorted all of their assignments into sections and then wrote a sheet on the fridge of things to remember to do. Some are daily things and some are weekly. I hope that it helps.
As I try and journal about the month that is going to pass in quarantine, I don't want to just highlight the happy, positive things. That's not life. Life has hard times, frustrating times, time when we just want to hide in our room, cover our head with a pillow and scream or cry.
Amendment: By the middle of the afternoon we had figured out how to get some homework done without fighting. We were doing ok without the screens.
There has been less fighting, not non. But less. They have read books, played with a balloon, jumped on the trampoline, etc.
There are plenty of things to do but we get so sucked in to technology. We lived for thousands of years without technology. It is great and has advanced science and medicine but I think that it has retarded us socially.
Sitting here typing, the girls are at the table eating their food. They are playing rock, paper, scissors. It is finally nice to hear them laughing with each other, especially Brystol.
Social distancing has been extremely hard. I go nuts some days. I lose my mind some days. Some days go by easily and I'm grateful.
I feel like I'm failing Hailey and Emi when it comes to their schooling because I'm not getting everything done that the teachers are all assigning. There's reading, math, online reading and math, spelling, etc.
Today as I was overwhelmed and frustrated from the yelling, i send the kids to their rooms and found a couple 1 inch binders. I sorted all of their assignments into sections and then wrote a sheet on the fridge of things to remember to do. Some are daily things and some are weekly. I hope that it helps.
As I try and journal about the month that is going to pass in quarantine, I don't want to just highlight the happy, positive things. That's not life. Life has hard times, frustrating times, time when we just want to hide in our room, cover our head with a pillow and scream or cry.
Amendment: By the middle of the afternoon we had figured out how to get some homework done without fighting. We were doing ok without the screens.
Finished the garden beds, time to plant!
We made a couple new garden beds in the front yard and filled them in with soil this weekend. Joel went and bought the first couple plants. Today has been a hard day but we've managed. When Joel got home I went to the store and got a few vitamins to hopefully help keep us healthy. I also grabbed chalk and balloons.
I called and talked to a friend for about an hour. We started out texting about our husbands job and eventually she just called. I hope that others are learning that sometimes it's easy and ok to text, but sometimes it's just nice to talk with someone. We can't do it in person because of quarentine, but we still have phones and should definitely utilize them.
After a few minutes of talk/me time I called Joel to see if he wanted to go to the nursery with me and the girls and pick up flowers and tomatoes. We loaded up and the girls were excited to pick out flowers.
We came home and planted the flowers, the tomatoes and the herb garden. I left Joel is charge or getting the supplies he needed to set up the irrigation. He got all that taken care of and our garden is ready for sunshine and growth.
We planted oregano-genovese and hot ans spicy, orange thyme, Basil, and lemon basil for the herbs. We planted marigolds, lemon basil and tomatoes and flowers in the long bed. We planted 4 different types of flowers in the little garden bed. The girls had a good time digging and planting and learning how to pull the plants out and loosen the roots.
It was a good end to a hard day.
I called and talked to a friend for about an hour. We started out texting about our husbands job and eventually she just called. I hope that others are learning that sometimes it's easy and ok to text, but sometimes it's just nice to talk with someone. We can't do it in person because of quarentine, but we still have phones and should definitely utilize them.
After a few minutes of talk/me time I called Joel to see if he wanted to go to the nursery with me and the girls and pick up flowers and tomatoes. We loaded up and the girls were excited to pick out flowers.
We came home and planted the flowers, the tomatoes and the herb garden. I left Joel is charge or getting the supplies he needed to set up the irrigation. He got all that taken care of and our garden is ready for sunshine and growth.
We planted oregano-genovese and hot ans spicy, orange thyme, Basil, and lemon basil for the herbs. We planted marigolds, lemon basil and tomatoes and flowers in the long bed. We planted 4 different types of flowers in the little garden bed. The girls had a good time digging and planting and learning how to pull the plants out and loosen the roots.
It was a good end to a hard day.
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Everything continues to close, even the outdoors
Being Saturday, Joel was home and we wanted to get out of the house. There were events going on but with the crowds we decided we might go hiking instead. Well, apparently thousands of others had that same idea because Red Rock Canyon was so jam packed with people that park services closed the site and the surrounding sites. The girls really wanted to go hike a mountain so I thought for a while.
When I was a young adult, I remembered going to a place south west that had caves that we could hike to. We headed out that direction. I called Ryan and he gave me directions and we finally made it there. We had our tuna and crackers and then started hiking. (Side note: I have a small stash of tuna as emergency because in reality, tuna is my leave favorite thing to eat, but drastic times call for tuna!) Hailey and Emi walked and Brystol was in the Tula on my back. Sirius had his shoes on and was probably the most excited to be outside.
The beginning of the hike was a steep uphill but it wasn't long and we made it up. We started looking for the caves but couldn't find any. It was a nice hike/loop around the small mountain, but no caves. As we started looking closer I realized that the cave entrances had been filled in with dirt and other large rocks... sad day. No caves but I turned the girls attention to some of the pretty rocks that were on the ground. The last 1/4 of the hike they searched the ground for rocks with sparkles and stripes and anything that caught their eye. Even Brystol got down and got in on the fun carrying small rocks in her pocket. It was funny watching them walk carrying this armful of rocks. Eventually I convinced them to find smaller rocks so it would be easy to carry.
As we got closer to the car, I suggested they pick their favorite rocks because we couldn't take them all home. They sorted through and slowly left behind their treasures for others to find.
When we got back we started a front yard garden project. We had all the supplies just never the time. Well, we have lots of time now. We turned on rock bed over and filled it with soil. Then we created a small semi circle in between the flower vines and filled those with dirt too. It made the front yard look much nicer. Soon we'll plant cherry tomatoes, flowers, and an herb garden to help brighten our front yard. Joel even made an excuse around dinner time that he needed to pick up a tool and left to go get the first flower plants. It was his little excitement that he wanted to share.
Papa Scott flew into town today. He is down from Washington to fix his new plane an hopefully fly it back home. Flights were cheap and his office is closed until Washington state says the pandemic is over. Mom and Dad have food storage for the apocalypse. We laugh except they are better prepared for this time than we are. Dad brought down 7 #10 cans of red wheat so that I can make bread and other products. We laugh at those with massive food storage until we are grateful for them if they share. We are grateful.
The girls had a good time showing Papa how they can ride their bikes and do flips and cartwheels on the trampoline. Then while I made something for dinner, the girls and papa sat and watched Frozen 2. They've seen it a dozen times but still laugh and enjoy it.
As the night calmed down and bedtime came around, it was quiet quiet except for the coughing that is getting worse. Emi had a small cough throughout the day but at night it's much worse. Brystol is coughing now. I panic and fear in my heart. Allergies for all the pollen that's going around or something worse? I'm becoming protective of going near anyone or them coming near me. Even family? I think probably so. It was good to see Papa and I'm grateful that he brought cheer and wheat. Now back to quarantine.
People are complaining and I've been guilty of it as well, trying to get out in some way, shape or form. Bike rides, walks, drives, etc. But people post on facebook that Covid is getting worse and that we should stay in. They make references to WWII where people hid in tiny houses or closets for years to keep their lives. We have huge houses with backyard and yet people complain. We have social media and internet and YouTube and resources galore to keep our kids educated and occupied. We need to be grateful and content, yes maybe going a little crazy but we've got to figure out a way... It's only day 3... minimum of 27 to go...
When I was a young adult, I remembered going to a place south west that had caves that we could hike to. We headed out that direction. I called Ryan and he gave me directions and we finally made it there. We had our tuna and crackers and then started hiking. (Side note: I have a small stash of tuna as emergency because in reality, tuna is my leave favorite thing to eat, but drastic times call for tuna!) Hailey and Emi walked and Brystol was in the Tula on my back. Sirius had his shoes on and was probably the most excited to be outside.
The beginning of the hike was a steep uphill but it wasn't long and we made it up. We started looking for the caves but couldn't find any. It was a nice hike/loop around the small mountain, but no caves. As we started looking closer I realized that the cave entrances had been filled in with dirt and other large rocks... sad day. No caves but I turned the girls attention to some of the pretty rocks that were on the ground. The last 1/4 of the hike they searched the ground for rocks with sparkles and stripes and anything that caught their eye. Even Brystol got down and got in on the fun carrying small rocks in her pocket. It was funny watching them walk carrying this armful of rocks. Eventually I convinced them to find smaller rocks so it would be easy to carry.
As we got closer to the car, I suggested they pick their favorite rocks because we couldn't take them all home. They sorted through and slowly left behind their treasures for others to find.
When we got back we started a front yard garden project. We had all the supplies just never the time. Well, we have lots of time now. We turned on rock bed over and filled it with soil. Then we created a small semi circle in between the flower vines and filled those with dirt too. It made the front yard look much nicer. Soon we'll plant cherry tomatoes, flowers, and an herb garden to help brighten our front yard. Joel even made an excuse around dinner time that he needed to pick up a tool and left to go get the first flower plants. It was his little excitement that he wanted to share.
Papa Scott flew into town today. He is down from Washington to fix his new plane an hopefully fly it back home. Flights were cheap and his office is closed until Washington state says the pandemic is over. Mom and Dad have food storage for the apocalypse. We laugh except they are better prepared for this time than we are. Dad brought down 7 #10 cans of red wheat so that I can make bread and other products. We laugh at those with massive food storage until we are grateful for them if they share. We are grateful.
The girls had a good time showing Papa how they can ride their bikes and do flips and cartwheels on the trampoline. Then while I made something for dinner, the girls and papa sat and watched Frozen 2. They've seen it a dozen times but still laugh and enjoy it.
As the night calmed down and bedtime came around, it was quiet quiet except for the coughing that is getting worse. Emi had a small cough throughout the day but at night it's much worse. Brystol is coughing now. I panic and fear in my heart. Allergies for all the pollen that's going around or something worse? I'm becoming protective of going near anyone or them coming near me. Even family? I think probably so. It was good to see Papa and I'm grateful that he brought cheer and wheat. Now back to quarantine.
People are complaining and I've been guilty of it as well, trying to get out in some way, shape or form. Bike rides, walks, drives, etc. But people post on facebook that Covid is getting worse and that we should stay in. They make references to WWII where people hid in tiny houses or closets for years to keep their lives. We have huge houses with backyard and yet people complain. We have social media and internet and YouTube and resources galore to keep our kids educated and occupied. We need to be grateful and content, yes maybe going a little crazy but we've got to figure out a way... It's only day 3... minimum of 27 to go...
Inn and Out: Pay it Forward
PAY IT FORWARD:
After Joel got home from work we took a family drive. Being in the house all day tends to be rough. Some people love it, but I'm not one of those. I like to be outside, go places, see things, not be a shut in.
We we picked up some produce from a work friend and dropped off a loaf of our homemade bread. The teenager, Skyler, was super excited to finally get some of the infamous sourdough. Who knows if she shared!
On our way home Joel stopped at Home Depot to pick up a couple tools for work. We drove right past an Inn-N-Out and Hailey said, can we go there for dinner! Please! I told her that if we did she would have to pay for her own burger. It might seem harsh to tell a 6 year old that, but we have been teaching her the value of money. How much things cost, what you spend it on, etc. She insisted that she wanted a burger.
The line was long but went quickly. All restaurants are close unless they have a drive thru or can do pickup or delivery. So we waited, glad to be out of the house. We ordered our food and proceeded to pay. As we got to the cashier, I went to hand her my card but she told us that the person in front of us had paid our bill. It had been going for the past few cars. We were speechless and touched. I asked how much the person behind us bill was, but it was even more than our order, so unfortunately I had to stop the pay it forward chain.
I felt bad but still wanted to pay it forward. We are lucky and blessed enough that Joel is still working, so I thought about my friends that I knew might be struggling. I picked one of them and sent them the cost of our meal through venmo. I know they won't go out to eat with it, but they'll buy groceries with it.
There is a lot of panic and negativity has been spread lately so we forget the simple kindnesses that are out there and being done by people we don't know and for people they don't know.
Remember that if you are fortunate, be kind to others who are less so.
After Joel got home from work we took a family drive. Being in the house all day tends to be rough. Some people love it, but I'm not one of those. I like to be outside, go places, see things, not be a shut in.
We we picked up some produce from a work friend and dropped off a loaf of our homemade bread. The teenager, Skyler, was super excited to finally get some of the infamous sourdough. Who knows if she shared!
On our way home Joel stopped at Home Depot to pick up a couple tools for work. We drove right past an Inn-N-Out and Hailey said, can we go there for dinner! Please! I told her that if we did she would have to pay for her own burger. It might seem harsh to tell a 6 year old that, but we have been teaching her the value of money. How much things cost, what you spend it on, etc. She insisted that she wanted a burger.
The line was long but went quickly. All restaurants are close unless they have a drive thru or can do pickup or delivery. So we waited, glad to be out of the house. We ordered our food and proceeded to pay. As we got to the cashier, I went to hand her my card but she told us that the person in front of us had paid our bill. It had been going for the past few cars. We were speechless and touched. I asked how much the person behind us bill was, but it was even more than our order, so unfortunately I had to stop the pay it forward chain.
I felt bad but still wanted to pay it forward. We are lucky and blessed enough that Joel is still working, so I thought about my friends that I knew might be struggling. I picked one of them and sent them the cost of our meal through venmo. I know they won't go out to eat with it, but they'll buy groceries with it.
There is a lot of panic and negativity has been spread lately so we forget the simple kindnesses that are out there and being done by people we don't know and for people they don't know.
Remember that if you are fortunate, be kind to others who are less so.
CHALLENGE: Find your own way to pay it forward during this time. You never know who's heart you'll touch.
Friday, March 20, 2020
We though January and February were eventful!!
January and February were full of visits and learning about the past and enjoying family. March has proved to be about fearing the future and appreciating family in a completely opposite way.
COVID 19
Earlier in the year China and other countries were battling a viral outbreak known as Covid-19. It's a flu like virus that affects the lungs and breathing in a very contagious, lethal and easily transmitted fashion. Within days it had crippled China and Italy and started spreading to other countries. We watched from afar but by March it had spread to the United States.
Many feel that Covid-19 coming to the US is something the government and people are treating too severely. The reactions and emotions are as bipolar a you can get. There is no treatment. They are creating a vaccine, but I wouldn't touch it for my life. Different story/subject for a later date.
We have watched this past week, March 13th on, as schools have closed, stores have been raided and completely depleted of goods. Food, toilet paper, water, flour, sugar, everything but candy. Ironic huh?
Jaime, Robyn, Whitney and Riatt came down for a visit and got into town Friday when everything was starting to collapse. We could do nothing more than wait. They had planned to stay for a week, but soon we realize that they should probably try to get back home sooner than later in case they
We were at dinner on Tuesday March 17th when what we had waited for and hoped wouldn't happen finally came through. The Governor, Sisolak, closed down Vegas. Business had been deep cleaning in hopes of staying open. They reduced numbers of peopled in areas. Sports teams suspended their seasons. Casinos closed gambling areas. Schools were closed. Finally the hotels themselves started to close. Wednesday the Gov mandated that all non-essential businesses close. What is non-essential? What is essential?!
I sat there, in a restaurant instead of being at a home cooked meal and watched the address on the bar tv screen. My appetite was gone. Joel's job for all we knew was gone. How would we pay our bills? How would anyone pay their bills with more than half of the city and state now unemployed!
Panic, fear, emotions. I was overwhelmed. Joel was overwhelmed. We haven't hid anything from the girls as to what is going on. But doesn't seem to affect them so negatively. They took the news and carried on with life.
With no school, things have been interesting. We study at home and that has been an adjustment.
Hailey and Emi both learned how to ride their bikes over the past 2 weeks. They were terrified at first and had many falls and bruises. But with the encouragement of a full half gallon of ice cream all to themselves they pushed through! It has been amazing and a great relief to have them riding. Walks are quicker and they love riding. It's gotten to where I can hook up the Chariot and put Brystol in and we all go for rides. The girls can't get enough!
So with no school opens, that means everything had to be moved online or given out to be completed at home. That has been an interesting challenge. I am extremely grateful for all of the talented people out in the world that have utilized the media and internet and their amazing teaching skills and knowledge to help us educate and entertain our children and help keep us all a little bit more sane during these times. The girls usually watch Science Mom on youtube in the morning. The Cincinatti Zoo posts live videos of the different animals. The zoos are closed so they help educate from online.
I won't lie and say that I'm not scared. I'm not panicked sometimes. Especially when I try to go to the store for something like copy paper or construction paper and see long lines waiting to be let into the stores. People raided the stores a week ago taking all the toilet paper, water, flour, and most other goods. I usually turn around and find a different option because I just can't handle lines like that right now.
I'm slowly getting more organized with how to help the girls in school. How to read, how to learn, how to have fun. At times I feel like a failure because I don't feel like I've done enough. Too much play and not enough learning. Pressure from others that seem to have it more together than me. But tonight I got a weekly organizer that lets me write down the things Hailey and Emilee do education-wise and throughout the day and it let me see that we are productive and learning and having fun.
I hope that Hailey and Emi can look back on these days are love what they have learned and appreciate that they were able to cope with such hard change and challenges.
Joel is working for the moment. Apparently being HVAC is considered necessity. But hour by hour the job site could close and we would be unemployed like the rest.
It changes the way we look at living. Don't waste food. Conserve what you have. Be creative in your meals. --I'm still working on that part.
On a totally different note, in January I created a sourdough or natural yeasted starter to make bread. It has been a fun journey and a well worth while investment because now I can make bread when there is non on the shelves to buy. I need to rebuild the strength of my started because I think I measured something wrong or got he water too hot and killed it slightly. Time to revive.
I hope that I can be more positive in the coming days. I hope that I can be more confident in myself and the world around me. I don't want to fear and let panic overcome me. Sometimes I have moments where it's too much and I'm grateful that Joel shares that load when he can. He is a great dad and works hard to provide a full life for us, even in hard times.
COVID 19
Earlier in the year China and other countries were battling a viral outbreak known as Covid-19. It's a flu like virus that affects the lungs and breathing in a very contagious, lethal and easily transmitted fashion. Within days it had crippled China and Italy and started spreading to other countries. We watched from afar but by March it had spread to the United States.
Many feel that Covid-19 coming to the US is something the government and people are treating too severely. The reactions and emotions are as bipolar a you can get. There is no treatment. They are creating a vaccine, but I wouldn't touch it for my life. Different story/subject for a later date.
We have watched this past week, March 13th on, as schools have closed, stores have been raided and completely depleted of goods. Food, toilet paper, water, flour, sugar, everything but candy. Ironic huh?
Jaime, Robyn, Whitney and Riatt came down for a visit and got into town Friday when everything was starting to collapse. We could do nothing more than wait. They had planned to stay for a week, but soon we realize that they should probably try to get back home sooner than later in case they
We were at dinner on Tuesday March 17th when what we had waited for and hoped wouldn't happen finally came through. The Governor, Sisolak, closed down Vegas. Business had been deep cleaning in hopes of staying open. They reduced numbers of peopled in areas. Sports teams suspended their seasons. Casinos closed gambling areas. Schools were closed. Finally the hotels themselves started to close. Wednesday the Gov mandated that all non-essential businesses close. What is non-essential? What is essential?!
I sat there, in a restaurant instead of being at a home cooked meal and watched the address on the bar tv screen. My appetite was gone. Joel's job for all we knew was gone. How would we pay our bills? How would anyone pay their bills with more than half of the city and state now unemployed!
Panic, fear, emotions. I was overwhelmed. Joel was overwhelmed. We haven't hid anything from the girls as to what is going on. But doesn't seem to affect them so negatively. They took the news and carried on with life.
With no school, things have been interesting. We study at home and that has been an adjustment.
Hailey and Emi both learned how to ride their bikes over the past 2 weeks. They were terrified at first and had many falls and bruises. But with the encouragement of a full half gallon of ice cream all to themselves they pushed through! It has been amazing and a great relief to have them riding. Walks are quicker and they love riding. It's gotten to where I can hook up the Chariot and put Brystol in and we all go for rides. The girls can't get enough!
So with no school opens, that means everything had to be moved online or given out to be completed at home. That has been an interesting challenge. I am extremely grateful for all of the talented people out in the world that have utilized the media and internet and their amazing teaching skills and knowledge to help us educate and entertain our children and help keep us all a little bit more sane during these times. The girls usually watch Science Mom on youtube in the morning. The Cincinatti Zoo posts live videos of the different animals. The zoos are closed so they help educate from online.
I won't lie and say that I'm not scared. I'm not panicked sometimes. Especially when I try to go to the store for something like copy paper or construction paper and see long lines waiting to be let into the stores. People raided the stores a week ago taking all the toilet paper, water, flour, and most other goods. I usually turn around and find a different option because I just can't handle lines like that right now.
I'm slowly getting more organized with how to help the girls in school. How to read, how to learn, how to have fun. At times I feel like a failure because I don't feel like I've done enough. Too much play and not enough learning. Pressure from others that seem to have it more together than me. But tonight I got a weekly organizer that lets me write down the things Hailey and Emilee do education-wise and throughout the day and it let me see that we are productive and learning and having fun.
I hope that Hailey and Emi can look back on these days are love what they have learned and appreciate that they were able to cope with such hard change and challenges.
Joel is working for the moment. Apparently being HVAC is considered necessity. But hour by hour the job site could close and we would be unemployed like the rest.
It changes the way we look at living. Don't waste food. Conserve what you have. Be creative in your meals. --I'm still working on that part.
On a totally different note, in January I created a sourdough or natural yeasted starter to make bread. It has been a fun journey and a well worth while investment because now I can make bread when there is non on the shelves to buy. I need to rebuild the strength of my started because I think I measured something wrong or got he water too hot and killed it slightly. Time to revive.
I hope that I can be more positive in the coming days. I hope that I can be more confident in myself and the world around me. I don't want to fear and let panic overcome me. Sometimes I have moments where it's too much and I'm grateful that Joel shares that load when he can. He is a great dad and works hard to provide a full life for us, even in hard times.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
February: Derrick Visits. Becky Visits.
Valentines day means meeting Joel's Bio Dad Derrick, his Bio grandmother Janet aka JC, and Leli-Derrick wife. What a full weekend.
Meeting for the first time. Dinner. Airbnb. Shopping with the girls. Joel and Derrick doing man chores changing ou the water heater. Harley stores.
Wonderful dinner with adults and Blue Man Group. Losing the paycheck.
Kindness and emotion.
Becky an Cherie brin February to a wonderful close. Pick up, Thai food, arborium and flowers. Lots of hugs and tears. Birth story.
Walking to the park. Playing games. Going to church. Exploding kittens. Getting out of school early to get our nails done. Joel's rainbow unicorn vomit toes.
Meeting for the first time. Dinner. Airbnb. Shopping with the girls. Joel and Derrick doing man chores changing ou the water heater. Harley stores.
Wonderful dinner with adults and Blue Man Group. Losing the paycheck.
Kindness and emotion.
Becky an Cherie brin February to a wonderful close. Pick up, Thai food, arborium and flowers. Lots of hugs and tears. Birth story.
Walking to the park. Playing games. Going to church. Exploding kittens. Getting out of school early to get our nails done. Joel's rainbow unicorn vomit toes.
January 2020 New Beginnings
The year 2020 has definitely started out with new beginnings that have rocked everyone's world. FOr Fathers day 2019 I wondered what to get Joel. I wanted to do something special. I talked with friends, Joi Warburton, and she suggested a DNA test. That sounded great. It would tell Joel about his herritage, where he descends from, and it might possible link him to his birth mom.
It took till
January 5: Joel Emails DNA match Doug and Linda Head.
January 13th ish: Joel makes contact with Derrick Southward.
January 21st: Phone call with Becky.
It took till
January 5: Joel Emails DNA match Doug and Linda Head.
January 13th ish: Joel makes contact with Derrick Southward.
January 21st: Phone call with Becky.
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