We keep telling our kids that one day, they'll be talking to their kids and grandkids about the year the whole world shut down to control the coronavirus pandemic. It has changed our lives for the moment like no other event in my lifetime. I find myself with more free time than usual, so I'd like to document a little of it so we can remember in a few years how our state, our country, our world went crazy in the spring of 2020.
We heard a little about the coronavirus outbreak in February. We took the kids on a cruise February 12-17 (I'll blog about that soon, promise!), and the news was just coming out about the cruise ship near Japan becoming a quarantine ship. Royal Caribbean was sending us emails with updates about the precautions they were taking, including a stipulation that barred anyone who had traveled to China in the last 15 days from cruising. Anyway, we went on our cruise with very little concern, although we noticed lots of hand sanitizer being distributed and constant reminders about washing hands, which was reassuring in general during the flu and cold season.
Toward the end of February, Chris was keeping a close eye on the developments concerning Italy and Switzerland, since he expected to be booking a trip to Switzerland for a factory acceptance test sometime in March or April. We heard about the virus spreading in Italy and wondered why Switzerland kept its borders open. We predicted that the coronavirus strand could very well delay his plans, especially as the news started to focus on the developments every day. Sure enough, by the time Spring Break rolled around, we knew he wouldn't be going to Switzerland anytime soon. We just didn't really fathom the way the pandemic would affect us.
Friday, March 6th we had Field Day at Audrey's school. That evening, we hooked up the pop-up and headed to Mineral Wells State Park, only an hour or so away. We joined several other families from church for two nights of camping, hiking, rock scrambling, and such fun--but it was colder than we had hoped for a spring break trip! We came home Monday and squeezed in a few fun things like visiting my twin nephews, horse riding lessons, and who knows what else. Then on Thursday the kids and I rode with Drew and Jamie to meet up with my parents at Copper Breaks State Park, where we were joined by Chris after work. We camped three nights there and Chris was glued to his phone with all the updates--our school district extended Spring Break for two more weeks, the shelves were being emptied of toilet paper, disinfecting cleaners, paper towels, etc., and our church had to make some quick decisions about cancelling Bible classes and Lads to Leaders practices.
We came home Sunday and soon found that COVID-19 was more serious and dangerous than anyone had realized, as it was quickly spreading and causing serious illness and death around the world. The United States seemed to be taking drastic measures--we were still reeling from school being cancelled--and businesses weren't messing around, either. Chris was permitted to work from home, which quickly became encouraged to work from home, and by the end of the week, it was mandated to work from home. He set up his workstation at the end of our table; I learned that online grocery shopping is suddenly way more popular and therefore not as convenient when the store can only fulfill 25% of the order; the kids' expectations of a longer spring break were quickly tempered with a daily schedule; and life goes on.
Audrey was able to have a riding lesson during daylight hours again, which was nice!
Our daily schedule includes Bible time, piano, exercise, play time, academic time, and reading time.
When the weather is rainy, we have tried to play some games together, like JENGA.
The kids especially love "creative time," which is for art, LEGOs, and baking! Audrey was excited to break out the Easy Bake Oven.
Both kids have been using YouTube tutorials to hone their drawing skills.
Audrey built herself a little fort on the couch...
Then added Nap Time to her schedule.
We've been taking advantage of clear skies for walks and bike riding, usually at the elementary school but once at the high school and another time at a local park.
Both the kids' teachers have checked in with them, and the schools are posting on social media and asking us to post photos of the kids reading, or playing outside, etc.
The kids have also been helping with chores. Noah and I cleaned out and inventoried the freezer, and our goal is to use a lot of the meat and other items that have been buried in there. For example, I found some questionable Puff Pastry sheets that turned into pretty good cinnamon rolls!
We haven't eaten out in over a week, AT ALL, which is kind of a big deal. The kids have been more open-minded about food than ever. Chris grilled sausage, peppers, onions and pineapple and Noah loved it!
We have checked in on family. They really loved FaceTiming with GGB!
Another day, another bike ride...
We have been VERY careful about social distancing, but enjoy walks with Mamie and Papa and with my mom. It has been a good way to break up the day and see some other humans, but we also want to do our part to prevent the spread of the virus. It's really tough not socializing with friends or sharing meals with extended family. We are just taking it day by day and trying our best to be smart but not panicked or overreactive.
Chicken Lo Mein using spaghetti, since I can't get much of a grocery order fulfilled...
Lots of baking and snacking going on around here!
I also baked unleavened bread to use on Sunday, since we knew we would be worshiping from home instead of at the church building.
I'm proud of the kids for embracing the schedule. Here they are during Bible reading time:
Audrey's fantastic art teacher has been putting out a video each day with an art project. Saturday was nice enough to get outside and try this chalk art!
We also went to the park with Mamie, then went to Nana's for a walk and bike ride in her neighborhood, too.
The memes people post on Facebook bring some much-needed humor to the situation, that's for sure!
Late yesterday, a county judge declared that even churches shouldn't hold in-person worship services. While we question his authority to enforce this, we don't question the wisdom behind staying home and joining the livestream worship service for now. The kids wanted to dress nicely, even for home worship.
My dad was leading a prayer for the livestream service, so my mom came over to worship with us.
We miss being with our church family, our school friends, our extended family, and all the other things we sometimes take for granted, but I am trying to appreciate the blessings coming from this fearful, uncertain time.
The cat loves having us around!
I'll never forget standing in line at Home Depot because they can only allow a certain number of people inside at a time.
The games and exercise with the kids is something we rarely make time for in our busy, packed lives.
Setting aside time to read our Bibles and pray each day reminds us that we should have been doing that all along.
Eating at home for every meal and rarely leaving the house is saving lots of money! (The dishes, though, are another story.)
The kids are learning to adjust expectations and make the most of a difficult time. They have connected with friends and family with technology; they have found some ways to learn online; they have gotten a lot more creative; and they are getting along pretty well, considering it's just the two of them 24/7. Oh, and FaceTime piano lessons are not too bad of an option!
I tweaked our schedule for the coming week, and school has been cancelled for at least an additonal week. The district has sent home curriculum and materials for us to start on tomorrow, so my email inbox is flooded with instructions and links and materials and plans...
...but at the end of it all, I know God is in control. My hope is in Him, my heart is at peace, my prayers are with those who are directly affected. As our preacher said this morning, God is the Great Physician and He has made mankind in His image. I know we will find a way to beat this virus and our lives will return to normal. May we gain appreciation, respect, patience, and much more than what we lose during this challenging season.
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