Day 6 Covid 19 + Devin's 10th Birthday

Today has been much less eventful than yesterday, but for all the right reasons. Today is our Devin's 10th birthday, and we are lucky to be able to celebrate him. We had a big party planned at the arcade, but that was obviously canceled last week, long before this escalated to even the point we are at now. He cried. He was disappointed, but we have made the most of it. 

Ice cream, cake, presents, funny balloon games, and "What is in your mouth?" challenge. We have laughed more today than all the other days combined. It is gloomy and rainy today, and the kids have only ventured out to get mail and take the trash out. It is always hard when you don't get to be in the fresh air to reboot yourself.

I was able to venture out once today, I donated plasma this morning. It felt weird to have minimal interactions in a place that is normally bustling. They have cut down on the beds that are available to ensure that everyone is staying a distance while laying donating. In a few days this could be our only source of income, unless they follow suit and close with the rest of them.

Paul is still trying to find locations that haven't closed yet, pulling all the money out to live in on the meantime.  He comes home exhausted, mentally and physically. It is weird not having contact with the outside world, living in a bubble you almost forget why we are doing this. The reality is harsh when you come face to face with it when you work. 

I was thankful for Savannah's therapist who is doing phone appointments. She had hers today, and I was glad that option was available. He will be calling weekly until we have a change in situations. That is what scares me the most in all of this, our mental health will suffer. We have all been working so hard for the past 4+ months with our therapists, Doctors, etc. 

Day 5 - Covid 19 + 5.7 Earthquake

We were shaken awake by a 5.7 earthquake, besides Drake. Poor Drakey was in his bedroom by himself getting ready for the day when it hit, and he came screaming/crying into our bedroom. I hurried and grabbed him, Paul ran down the stairs to the basement where our 3 older kids who were huddled together scared out of their minds. We got everyone in our entryway/door frame until the shaking stopped. It felt like all hell broke loose after this. Anxiety is a problem in this household, everyone handles it so differently. We had 2 boys immediately get stomach aches, and need to throw up. There have been too many aftershocks to count, but the last one had us running to get under our kitchen table when it clocked in at a 4.6 magnitude. 

We spent most of the morning/early afternoon snuggled on the couch trying to calm nerves. Paul still had to work, and it was so hard to watch him drive away knowing I was the adult in charge to make sure these 4 kids are safe. 

Things settled down enough for some outside time, even though it is chilly. We started home school late afternoon, and are plugging along on projects that need to go back on the first day, whenever that happens.

Paul can't get to his locations fast enough, and some have already been closed for almost a week. Dentist appointments were canceled today, my freezer meal party canceled today, Drakey had a little operation scheduled for next week...canceled. Our lives consist of what meals we are going to eat next, what show we all can agree on, and memes that get us through with a good dose of laughter.

Day 4 - Covid 19

Trying to have semi-normal life, even though everything around us is changing. We celebrated St.Patty's Day, the corned beef wasn't a hit, can't win 'em all. We decorated our neighbors doorsteps with gold coins and confetti, we are trying to spread joy.  Our neighborhood had everyone hang a clover in the window, so when you were out on walks/drives, you could find them all. Everyone in our group came up with a different number, but I am realizing the simple things are bringing us large amounts of happiness.

Paul is working crazy hours, because any day, everything will be shut down and we will have zero income. When you leave the house it is eerie, no crowds - places are closed - people losing their jobs. I cried when one of our vending locations wouldn't take their commission money from us. Life is hard, but we are blessed. I know Heavenly Father was preparing us for his exact situation months ago. 

Home school is going well, we have a really loose schedule that works for us. We are enjoying the sunshine when it makes an appearance. We are working on projects that have been put on the back burner for so long, but we suddenly have time for. We are catching up on shows/watching movies, spending lots of time all huddled in one room. 

2019.

2019 was a doozy for all of the wrong reasons. We are barely limping into 2020, and hoping this year is kinder to us. We have a few highlights worth mentioning, but man oh man, lots of hard shiz happened that we will gladly leave in 2019. 

Drake {age 4} ~ This boy has been a dream boat this year. He has endless hugs, kisses, and I love you's to hand out. His love of hot wheels cars and Target has only deepened this year. While the kids are at school, this boy can get me to do pretty much anything...including eating McDonalds every day. He played his first season of soccer, and even though he is good...he hated it.

Sabrina {age 7} ~ Miss Bina has finally started to get hobbies that don't involve making messes disguised as "projects". She started gymnastics this year, and never stops flipping/twirling around the house. Bina convinced us she needed her ears pierced, and has become girly in all things. She loves playing school, as much as she loves going to real school. 2nd grade has been good to her.

Devin {almost age 10} ~ Mr Dev eats, sleeps, dreams Fortnite, he wants to become a master gamer. He had another fun year of soccer and Jr Jazz, and prefers to never stop moving. Devin found himself back in therapy at the end of the year, and doesn't mind one bit. Although, he would like me to reschedule his appointments during the day to get out of school more. He also got himself new specs, and looks so grown up. 

Savannah {age 15} ~ This girl. I don't know how she is ever going to top this year. She made 1st chair in the orchestra playing the viola, she trained for months and made the highschool basketball team, and still managed to get 4.0's. Savannah gained confidence, made friends, started managing her anxiety, and found a love of therapy she didn't realize was there.

Evonne {age 38} ~ This year was a lot of soul searching, and finding myself. I still enjoyed my happy little hobby of decorating our mantel. I found out I love all things rainbows, pedicures, crazy colored lipsticks, earrings, and baking. I gave myself permission for large amounts of self care, and I am better because of it. 

Paul {age 32 fooorever} - We finally convinced Paul to dress up with us for Halloween as a family. He rocked that Buzz costume, IMHO. Paul jumped right back in to basketball with Savannah, and found his passion is still alive and well. He had his best year in business, and still managed to see all the movies he wanted in the theater. He continued to conquer one level at a time on Farm Saga Heroes, and even will sometimes let me play it too.

Coca Cola & Hershey Chocolate {9 months} ~ We had our Stitchy hamster, and also our Dumbo bunny die this year. But we added these two to our zoo. They are more smelly than I would like, but it makes me insanely happy to watch them jump around the yard. 

We made our way to Great Wolf Lodge in Colorado for our family vacation, and realized that we get Altitude sickies, so we will skip that destination from now on. We still made the most of it, even if puke was involved. We had lots of fun company, made our way to Idaho for Twin Falls family and Lava Hot Springs. We had plenty of weekend getaways in Park City, Downtown SLC, and even tried a new hotel out in our home city. 

We are thankful for new beginnings, and for the opportunity to grow from our past. We always look back and realize how much stronger we have become from our challenges. 

2020, be good to us. We need it.