Happiness

Rosie and I took a walk with the group Heaven’s Hummingbird’s-  a local support group for Moms who have lost a baby in miscarriage or still birth. The Mom I talked with had a stillbirth at 37 weeks! And a sweet 3 month old. After almost two years, Jonah got his braces off! It looks great! Now he has to wear clear retainers for six months and then nightly after that! Pretty wild! I just finished this book by Brooke Romney and every chapter seemed to hit a chord in my life! Perfect for a pep talk or advice on how to follow the Spirit! The kids are back in school full time and my house is a lot cleaner now! And the pantry is a bit fuller. Hooray for that! Also, Josh got the vaccine at ASU so we’re pretty happy about that as well! Life is great!   

Around 3:30 on Wednesday, after waiting for what seemed like a few years, I got a ping on my telephone letting me know that my results came back- negative. Phew! And I am feeling mostly better. Trying not to do too much too soon and find myself back in bed. Mostly I am grateful. I am grateful for my health, for my home, for my full life and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  That was rough and I never want to go through that again. But, if I do, I am going to be prepared with a sick kit, complete with Sprite, Vitamin C drops, saltines and maybe a magazine or two.  Because you just never know! 

A couple of weeks ago, I got a phone call. It was from the school nurse. I knew it was probably coming because I had gotten an email from the school earlier. A student in your child’s classroom has tested positive it stated. And it proceeded to say which periods the student had (for High School). Now, I currently have 4 High Schoolers so to get an email stating “your child” means not very much for me. Unless I see band as a period and I know it’s for sure it’s one of my three boys. After getting that email, I asked each one of my teenagers if they shared a class with this student. After some sleuthing, we discovered it was Ethan. In ceramics. So, by procedure, Ethan had to quarantine at home and teach himself Algebra 2 and AP Physics as well as AP US History all by himself. Some classes offered Zoom but they were fuzzy and quiet. Luckily Josh stepped in and tutored him on some Physics! I was happy because I could run to the store without the baby while he held down the fort.  But w...

Rosie- 5 1/2 months Field trip! Dad and Rosie   The kids are slated to go back to school in person part time on Sept 8th! Hooray! Online school has been pretty good, but there is nothing like learning in person. Especially for my first grader Declan and for my boys in band. Everyone is ready to go back- especially me- although Ethan likes working from his bedroom lol. They will go two days a week and then if all the health metrics are met, they will go back full time on Sept 22nd. Hooray! I will miss not getting Rosie the baby up from her nap to take Declan to school but this will be worth it! I hope I have enough masks for everyone! It’s good news all around! 

My kids are literally climbing the walls! 😆 In Arizona, we’ve had the highest amount of COVID cases in the Nation. Governor Ducey opened up the pools and gyms and restaurants about a month ago and the cases skyrocketed after that. We’ve been mostly staying home, trying to flatten the curve. It’s been hard and fun at the same time. We’re trying to find the joy that is in the mess of life. Our School district has said that the kids will go back to school on Aug 5th. On the 17th they get to choose between online school and part time going to class and being part of class online at home. All of my 5 kiddos- including Declan- have chose to go to school. Recess will be in smaller groups and lunch the kids will be able to eat in different places in the High School. I think masks will be optional but we don’t know for sure.  It will be Elizabeth’s Senior year (go class of 2021!), Ethan and Jonah will be Juniors, Asher will be a Freshman (four in High School!!) and Declan wil...

thankful! Well, it’s been 14 weeks since this COVID stay at home order began. I know and can count the days since Rosie our baby was born a week before. She is now 3 1/2 months old and 15 weeks old.  It’s been challenging and a blessing at the same time. Challenge- I can’t take Rosie with me when I go shopping. Blessing- I have Elizabeth home from school who can watch Rosie for me while I go. Blessing- I can do a pick up order from Walmart.  Challenge- my kids are home and are eating often! Blessing- we have two jobs! Blessing- I’ve learned to make sourdough! Challenge- Josh and the kids are home all day. Blessing- Josh and the kids are home all day. Challenge- We can’t attend Church or the Temple Blessing- We get to take the Sacrament at home and pray     in our homes Challenge- We can’t see family and friends Blessing- We get to see family and friends      through zoom. Lots of challenges and blessings!...

COVID-19 has been a blessing for us! We’re mostly healthy, we have enough supplies and food, Josh is working from home, the kids have their chrome books to do online school and I have been able to snuggle Rosie in the mornings and evenings.  It’s been great for the kids to spend time together. When they’ve finished homework assignments, they play card games together or build things out of packing peanuts that Declan got for his birthday. Declan loves to spend time with his older siblings and watch what they do. We’ve been greatly blessed and for that I am so very thankful!!