We tried to think long range, if China stays shut down and we can't get any imports what could we not live without 6 months from now. For us, this meant a bigger car seat for Bear so we ordered it.
We bought seeds for our garden and picked up starts at the hardware store. We put the starts in the ground early and have made a make-shift greenhouse out of plastic wrap to keep them healthy and warm.
We also purchased a few things from Force of Nature Clean that allow us to make our own EPA approved disinfectant for super cheap.
Hindsight is 20/20 and there are a few things that I wish I were able to get (N95 masks) or have more on had of (toilet paper) but we plan on making due with what we have.
Yesterday Andy and I were asked how we were handling everything. I have thought a lot about that question and honestly, I think we are handling it quite well.
Our family has been really sick this winter. We've caught so many different things. Andy would catch something at work and then it would work it's way through our family one person at a time. We'd all be in the clear for 2-3 days and he'd bring something else home. Bubba had croup that turned into pneumonia. It was rough! That being said, I know our immune systems are down and I am terrified of getting Coronavirus.
The scriptures say, "If ye are prepared ye shall not fear." (D&C 38:30). We have prepared as much as we can and now it is time for us to stay home and trust that Heavenly Father is aware and mindful of us and ultimately in control of the chaos that is ever present right now.
I have been really focusing my thoughts on the things I am grateful for. Andy still has a job, he is able to work from home, we are all healthy (knock on wood), we have a home with heat, electricity, and running water. We have food on our shelves and two cars that run, we have each other and ways to stay in touch with those we love and care about even from a distance.
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| Rocking Mom's new comfy socks. |
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| I asked him if he was, "Hauling balls." And then I realized what I said and burst into laughter. |
It's sad that our family trip to Canada to celebrate my Dad's upcoming 60th Birthday was cancelled, but there will be other get togethers. And plenty of memories to be made with the extended family in the future.
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| Helping Mom rotate the laundry. |
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| He was so proud of himself for climbing in there. |
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| I love the excitement and expressions in this photo. |
Some days at home with two littles is hard. Bubba asks often to go to the park, it is literally down the road from our house. It's hard to tell him no, but he is starting to understand that it isn't safe.
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| Cutting with scissors for the first time. He cut and cut until he gave himself a blister that popped and he wanted to keep cutting. Funny boy! |
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| I asked him to look at me and this is what I got lol. |
I love to hike and the trails have all been closed. I have channeled that love of hiking into weeding my yard, for those who have never seen my backyard-- it's a big task and I do it every year. With all the rain and the boys begging to be outside, we've been getting drenched as a family working in our yard. While we might not be making the memories what we desire, we are making memories. We can be sad and down about it or we can see it as a hopefully once in a lifetime adventure and embrace it. It may last awhile, but it won't last forever.
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| Working in the rain with Dad. |
As a family, we are consciously looking for joy in the mundane everyday things and we are finding it. For Bubba, joy was found in our new baby chicks. Bubba woke up early to make a run to the farm store with me-- mommy and son quarantine date. We were there when they opened wearing face coverings and gloves. We were in and out in less than 10 minutes. He was so excited to see and hold those little birds. He spent hours today just watching them.
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| Curious. Tired. Excited. |
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| Curiosity. |
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| Our babies. |
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| Sheer happiness. |
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| Bear wasn't sure about those chicks. He warmed up to them and tried to feed them jelly beans and gold fish crackers. |
Bubba found more joy today when I was weeding this afternoon. He kept asking me to find worms for him to feed to our hens. I found a monster sized worm, he love it! When he found a potato bug he screamed, "Potato bug!!" so loudly I couldn't understand what he was saying at first-- he was that excited! He fed all the potato bugs he could find to the chickens too.
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| Joy is a worm in each hand. |
Joy was found when Bubba ate his dinner all gone (that's a rare thing as he is really picky). I gave him the last of the ice cream in the ice cream carton and he offered me and Andy each a bite, we didn't even ask. He melted my mama heart.
Joy for Bear was found in Tylenol and teething gel. This poor little boy is cutting a bottom front tooth and a molar and he was feeling pretty miserable. Lots of cuddles and laughs were had today though.
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| Finding joy in a wagon ride. |
I have found myself praying constantly and more passionately for my friends, family and neighbors. I have been praying for the world leaders, local leaders and those on the front lines of this pandemic. I've been praying for those who are sick, for those who have lost loved ones, who have lost their jobs and for those who are working to develop a vaccine. I've been praying for the missionaries and church leaders as well. I have been pouring my heart and soul out to my Father in Heaven. The one thing I hope and pray comes from all of this is that people will turn to God. Remember Him. And pray.
With all of the rain and hail we have been experiencing in Oregon, the thunder and tornado in Washington, the large earthquakes in Utah and Idaho I can't help but think that the Second Coming of Christ is closer than we realize. I'm really looking forward to tuning in to General Conference tomorrow and Sunday. I can't wait to hear from the Lord's prophet on the Earth today, Russell M. Nelson.
