COVID19: Social Isolation Week 6

The weather has been warming up, and with that, I feel like many people have really relaxed on social distancing.  I feel like people are nearing the end of their ropes of feeling cooped up and isolated and the warm weather has just been a catalyst in easing people out of distancing protocols.   I am right there with them.  I feel myself also easing up on how strict we've been.  I worry about what that is going to mean for the virus, but the relief at not being so isolated is such a welcome feeling!  Schools have been cancelled for the rest of the school year but in some places they are re-opening some non-essential businesses.  People around here are talking like they expect gyms and other similar things to open soon.  The virus is still out there, but people and business are struggling!  Maintaining the balance between keeping people safe and not damaging the economy too much is really polarizing the public. 

If the gym does open soon, I need to make sure I'm ready to teach again!  I've also been asked to certify to teach another format- Group Blast.  I'm excited and super nervous all at the same time!

Highlights for this week:

The kids and I have been on several walks through the golf course and have really enjoyed them!  That is one thing  I am going to miss when distancing ends and the golf course opens!

The weather has been really nice for the most part so we have enjoyed a lot of outside time.  A friend in the ward also gave us an old pair of roller blades and Katie and Colton have been having fun learning to use those!

My friends and I decided to get together and have a 6 feet apart party.  Thursday night we met at a school parking lot and parked our cars in a circle and talked from trunk to trunk.  It was so much fun and so needed!  Also, we got POURED on!  A huge storm came in right as we were starting and we tried to stick in out for a few minutes but then we had to close ourselves in the cars and wait out the storm!  It's ok, we had no where else to be! 

Iowa infections are still going up, but they seem to be going down in lots of other places so that is hopeful!  Currently in the US the infections are 976,403, and the deaths are 54,965.

Hiding in the back of the van while it pours!

My friend, Ann.  I laughed so hard! 

Picking dandelions in the field behind our house :)

COVID-19: Social Isolation Week 5

This week has been kinda blah.  I contribute a lot of that to the weather.  It was a lot colder this week and even snowed a couple of times.  Friday morning we woke up to 4 inches of snow, but it was all gone by Friday evening.  Some of the days were super windy and that always makes it even more freezing!  New cases of corornavirus seem to be leveling off in a lot of areas so that is a positive sign!  There is also a new experimental drug out that seems to be helping a lot of patients.  We're still a long way from normal but it's always nice to have some hope!

We did find out this week, on Friday, that school will continue to be closed for the remainder of the school year.  It is hard not to be pretty bummed about it.   I can tell my kids are sad about it but they are handling it pretty well.  I might be even more upset about it than they are.  It just makes me sad to think of all they are missing but I know everyone is going through those same emotions. 

Thursday evening I did a zoom chat with my high school besties.  That was pretty fun!  It was good to see everyone and hear their voices.    It made me wonder why we don't just do this normally, seeing as we hardly ever see each other in person! 

Gas is $1.00 or less in most places around Ankeny which is just crazy!  I don't think I've ever seen it this low in my entire life!  How low is it going to go??

I continue to try to look for the good and remain postitive, but that is easier some days that others.  I enjoy sending and receiving video messages from friends and family and all the fun text messages as well.

In the US, there are currently 762,896 cases of Coronavirus and 40,495 deaths. 

Madi during learning time with the older kids, taking comfort in sucking on her blankies.

Zach got some new Avengers outfits and has really loved them!  He calls this one, "Hulk gentle."

Hulk Faces :)

12 hrs apart, Friday morning and Friday evening.

Easter 2020

Easter, like everything else this year, looked a little different for us, but we still managed to have a good time!  We did an Easter Egg hunt in the yard for the kids on Good Friday.  The kids had a lot of fun and we learned that Madi can go from super happy to devestated really fast if you cut her off on candy!   On Saturday the Easter Bunny came.  The kids were excited to get their baskets!  Colton got a pokemon book as well as lots of pokemon cards, and lots of candy!  Katie got some Disney chapter books, some hatchimals, bracelets, and candy.  Zach and Madi both got some books, small toys and candy.

Today we have been focusing on celebrating the ressurection of Jesus Christ!  It's been pouring rain outside all day so it's been a pretty low-key day inside, but we had home church with some Easter lessons and had a nice dinner with ham, funeral potatoes, strawberries, and rolls.  For dessert we had brownies and icecream!

Easter Pictures