What on Earth have we been doing during Quarantine?

Oh, the endless days of being stuck at home with no where to go and virtually nothing to do.  How we would have craved these days last fall, except, that's what January is for... lazy days of doing nothing.  Well those days are here to stay.  We are not going anywhere until May15th.   That feels like forever.  By the time that day comes, we will have been in quarantine for 8 weeks.  Yes, 8 weeks.

I can't even believe it.  I just can't.

So many things have changed.  Covid-19 is breaking people.  Relationships between friends and neighbors are beginning to crumble.  We are truly seeing different sides of people.  There are the people who want their freedoms back and the people who want us to stay locked up for the entire summer.  None of this is right.

We have prayed. 

We have fasted.

We have called upon God.

Yet, still we suffer.

So much suffering right now.  Between lost jobs, seriously sick covid-19 patients, no money, and suicide, things are not looking great.  Even me, EVEN ME, I am trying to hold it together but some day's I just want to run out and do all the errands that need to be done.  

We have been so good.  I have only been going to the grocery store once every other week and staying home at all costs.  We do go out for bike rides and for a run every single day.  That is not new.  We did that all before covid-19 hit.

Here lies the problem.  We are ready to get back to living our lives even if it means risking our lives.  There are many people who believe this will pass if we just keep waiting.  AND maybe it will but it most likely will not.  The pain and suffering will continue as it always had through out time.  People will die.  People will suffer.  It is a part of LIFE!

I digress.

I really hope that if we stay put for three more weeks that we will see a positive change in the virus.  I am praying and praying and praying.  I don't think covid-19 is going away so we must find a new normal.  My gym announced that they will be taking temperatures of EVERY single person who comes into the gym every day.  They are also requiring a reservation before showing up.  

Well at least we will be able to swim. 

So far, it looks like summer is cancelled.  And that depresses me.  Last summer I tore my calf muscle and spent much of the summer in a boot.  I was looking forward to this summer as redemption and a way to find personal growth.  I am not looking forward to sitting around and spending my days inside while the beautiful weather passes us by.

I can't.

I have lost TEN piano students due to covid-19 hysteria.  Stephen's hours have been cut significantly.  We have some savings but it wont last long.  If we are suffering, I know many more are in worse situations.  I am trying not to think of the students who I won't see until "maybe" August.  

Ugh.

Well despite all the ugliness in the world, we continue to live as normal of a life as possible.  We have been biking, running, and playing lots of family games.  We even finished the moon puzzle!

My parents are living with me for at least another week before their rental is ready.  I am so glad they are here.  It makes the time pass.  

Easter amid the Chaos

Happy Easter!

I am so excited that my parents have decided to stay one more year in Albuquerque!  It makes my heart so happy.  I have so many plans.  We didn't get to everything on our list over this last year.  Mostly, because I started home schooling.  I am finding my balance between school, work, exercise, and real life.  Some where in there, I have to find time to clean my house.  

This Easter was not much different from the many Easter's of the past.  We did not "go" to church; however, we held church in our home.  My dad taught a beautiful lesson about the resurrection and I learned many new things.  He also passed the sacrament to us. 

After church we hid some Easter eggs and the boys ran around trying to find them.  The past few weeks it has been warm, but not today, it was cold and windy.  Still fun to see the boys try to find the eggs in the yard.  

I am so grateful for the Savior's role in my life.  

The Mountains are Calling

I love outside.

I love running because it is outside.

I love biking because it is outside.

I love swimming because it is outside.

I love being in nature.  I love seeing a sunrise while riding my bike.

I love smelling the pine trees while riding fast down a rocky down hill.

Things I want my children to appreciate: the outside.

Today, we went mountain biking to Mahogany trail again.  This time we took the boys.  AH! It was so fun, and by the end both boys said it was fun.  There was some complaining because parts of the trail are a tiny bit difficult but their confidence was boosted by the end of the ride.  They both loved it! One small step to teaching my children that the outside is better than the inside.

The Mountains are Calling.  I must go!

 

That One Time We Lost the Snake!

Yeah, Ok, you read that right.

The snake got out.

It all started with the corona virus.

The snakes light burnt out shortly after the lock down began.  I figured I would get a light when the lock down ended.  Well the lock down has not ended and we are 3 weeks in with 3 more weeks to go, at the very least.

Well the snake got cold and hungry so he left.

I think his cage was left slightly open and he didn't have to try hard to get out.

So, that night we looked everywhere.  Then I thought, I should have the boys pray a faith building prayer to find the snake.

The next morning, they prayed.  Then we looked.

Nothing.

The snake was not anywhere.  I took apart Nolen's room.  I started to worry that their first faith building prayer was not going to be answered.  Then we went to the pet store.  We got a new light and some food.  I told the employee our corn snake got loose and he laughed.  He said we would never find the snake again.  I then felt very sad for the boys faith building prayer.  I still had hope.  I knew we would find the snake but I was starting to loose hope that we would find him soon.

Then, this morning, NOLEN FOUND THE SNAKE!

Prayer answered.

Heavenly Father is listening.  

He cares about you.

He cares about us.

Let's show Him we care about Him.

We are doing a world wide fast for Good Friday.

I have hope this fast will end the cornona virus suffering.  

People are starting to get worried.  Things are starting to get ugly.

Three more weeks of quarantine will be hard on everyone.

We are feeling the effects of the quarantine.  Of course we are.  My piano students are few and far between.  Stephen's hours have been cut WAY back.  So, now we wait and see where the economy lies as we all sit at home.

Waiting.

I have hope.

I have faith.

It only takes a little tiny faith.

Let's Ride

Stephen and I have been dabbling in mounting biking.  We have been on two trails and so far it is extremely addicting.  So much fun to get out and see the world while riding a bike fast through the mountains.  It is absolutely not for the faint of heart.  We have tried two trails and my favorite is Mahogany Trail.  Mostly easy with a little bit of technical portions of the trail.  I love spending time with Stephen.  It has been so nice to have him home for 10 straight days!

A Dog for a Day

Sharla drove through town today and left us a dog! 

We absolutely love it when we get to babysit a dog for a little while.  We get to pretend like we are dog owners with out all the responsibility.  

 I also ordered a moon 500 piece puzzle for the boys to work on when they say they are bored.  I hope we can get it finished this month while we are stuck inside during the quarantine. 

April Fools!

It's all a joke.

This whole covid-19.

It's a joke, right?

Ugh.  

I am about to break.  I've had it.  

Most of my students are staying home.  

I'm so sad.  

I teach because I love it.

What saved me last year during the government shutdown is not an option during the corona virus.

It's sad. 

I miss my students.

I miss running with 8 year olds who are faster than me.

I miss going to the gym.

I miss swimming.

I miss doing the things I choose to do.

I miss my normal.

It's not a joke. 

It's real. 

Stephen is off work for 10 days.  

Flights are less.

States are shut down.

Businesses will go bankrupt.

This will pass, but today, I am allowing the depression to creep in.

My kids are sad. 

Very sad.

We have fasted.

We have prayed.

We do what is right.

Now we wait.

Just wait it all out.

Cherry blossoms for a brighter June to come.  We will eat these cherries and delight in the summer time.  If this is our new normal, we will adjust.  We have our home.  We have our family.  We have our love for each other.  Cheer up.