COVID-19 - Our Schoolroom

Every Sunday night, as the evening is winding down, the boys head for the garage and bring in two folding banquet tables. They push them close together end to end and then they cover each one with brightly colored paper. They leave a little distance between them for the Chromebook cords to run down to the floor where they attach to an extension cord.

Chairs are brought in, computers, pencil boxes and a vase full of writing tools. Sometimes they stake a spot by writing all over the paper, sometimes they just leave it for scribbled notes and math papers.

It looks good; the promise of a new week.

But by Friday morning, it looks more like this.

(At least I gathered up the dirty dishes - which are against the rules - before I snapped the pic!) This is proof that we fought the good fight. There is NO way I am letting my kids have an early summer vacation.

That just wouldn't be fair.

COVID-19 - Making Memories

Normally this time of year we would be spending lots of time at the ballpark or the playground, but this year, everything is different. We have to think up new ways of taking care of each other, new ways of having fun.

The ladder ride is actually very traditional for my sweetie's side of the family. Every year it is necessary to level the garden, and every year my sweetie lets the grandkids have a little ride on the ladder.

Without family parties, it took a couple of weeks, but we finally got it done.

This is Twizlet and Little Warrior. And today we got Baby Doll, Tadpole, and Polliwog. They were a little nervous, so Princess climbed on to help.

Seems like yesterday when that was her...

COVID-19- A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Yesterday, some of us gathered at Drama Queen's house for what she affectionately called Covid Thanksgiving.

Utah has eased restrictions to allow groups of 20 and I'm sure you figured out already that even with these higher numbers, family gatherings are still not possible for us.

Even so, we have much to be thankful for.

When asked to pray before dinner, Crafty reminded us that as a missionary last November,  she had missed Thanksgiving. 

Fittingly, she shared her gratitude to God in Tagalog, in honor of her postponed mission. None of us understood what she said, but our hearty amens made it clear that we agreed with her; God loves us and all is right with the world.

COVID-19 Sometimes it All Seems Like a Dream

I made more masks this week, tried to help my youngest two finish the requirements for their Soaring Leader medallions although it is not quite as exciting as having them presented in front of the entire school. Baby Doll would like it to be summer vacation.

Bossy's family decided to invest in chickens so they don't have to ever worry about running out of eggs. They bought 6 and now they are finally big enough that they can be in a henhouse. I believe that is how they are planning to spend their weekend.

The Air Force did a flyover and we were so excited to see the planes that we drove over to the park. The kids brought their $1 store kites and they were able to get them as high as the string would allow.

We watched for the planes while the older kids played frisbee and we just enjoyed the sun. The planes themselves were pretty anticlimatic. We finally saw them skimming the tops of the mountains, but very far away.

I told you about the yurt the kids put together in the backyard. Well, a quick summer storm had me washing blankets all day long.

Utah went from Red to Orange today. I think some things opened back up, but way more things were cancelled based on the Governor's prediction of when that Orange will turn to Yellow. The church cancelled all summer camps and activities. The Girl Scouts also cancelled all summer camps and clinics. A letter about baseball said nothing will begin before we see Yellow. Our dance studio is still trying to figure out how they can hold the end of year recital. Baby Doll dilligently gets on her Zoom dance classes and tries to make it feel like the studio and that she is really with her friends.

It all feels like a dream. Like maybe someone somewhere challenged God. That "show me a sign" moment is a perfect reminder of who is really in charge here. Yes, the world as we know it truly can be shut down. Missionaries around the world can be sent home. All churches and temples can close. People can be forced to stay in their homes. And Costco can make everyone wear masks or send them back to their cars.

Truly, I'm ready to wake up now.