Because this is such an unusual thing (and I clearly have plenty of time), I wanted to document it a little.
We've known about the coronavirus for months, but it was always a far away issue. China and other Asian countries were dealing with an epidemic. Eventually, I heard about it entering the US (New York and Washington state). Still, it didn't really concern or affect us. It was a day or two before our spring break when it became a big enough issue that people around us started taking action. First noticeable thing was that the grocery stores were running out of toilet paper. Like, completely empty shelves. We were in the middle of packing for our planned ski trip to Utah (Caleb came along for the ride) so I figured I'd take stock when we got back and go shopping. Things in Utah were closing at an alarming speed. As we drove, we got updates from family. Sherise waited in line for nearly an hour at the grocery store. We worried that our trip might be affected but continued on hoping for the best.
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| lunchtime on Powder Mountain |
To summarize, the next week was full of shutdowns. We got one day of skiing in at Powder Mountain before they closed the ski resorts. There were tears. We heard school was cancelled for two weeks past our normal spring break (with the promise of online instruction). There were tears (mostly from Brent and I). Then Frozen Jr. was postponed indefinitely. There were tears. Soccer was cancelled. More tears. Honestly, it was a pretty rough week.
It was scary, nerve racking, sad, unsettling and unbelievable. I felt a need to get our little family home. Amelia wanted Caleb home. I kept thinking about the scripture where Christ is gathering His chicks under His wings. I wanted to gather my chicks and protect them through the uncertainty. As we drove out of Springville, we felt an earthquake. We didn't realize why the car was shaking until we heard reports. The earthquake just added to the doomsday feeling we already had.
Once home, I felt a bit better and was ready to tackle the next few weeks. I made charts for the kid's daily schedule. We tried to brainstorm things we could do. I was disheartened when I went to the grocery store. I couldn't believe how empty all the shelves were. There was no canned food left, no boxed dinners or any dry beans or pasta. Milk, eggs, flour and rice were all scarce. Stores were limiting the amount you could buy. To me, it was a display of human selfishness. It was a sign of hoarding and fear. I got what I could, grateful for the long term supplies I had at home.
Currently, we are on our third week of shut down. The schools have closed for the remainder of the school year (tears). Things are only getting worse. It is hard to know what is worth going out for and what is not. What about going to the Clarks? What about going on walks with neighborhood friends? It's hard to decide where to draw the line.
The schools have scrambled to provide online/ at home instruction. Piano lessons are being done via skype. The kids are having virtual playdates with friends. Tesa is being walked more than ever.
While, this has been a challenge, there have been some wonderful moments too. We are having sacrament meeting at home, a wonderful and tender experience for me. The kids are learning to play nicely. We are having family movie nights (first Harry Potter and then Chronicles of Narnia). Our family scripture study is less rushed. As a mother, it is a wonderful thing to have you children home. We don't have to compete with the world and our normally busy schedules. Everyone is here. For now, everyone is healthy.
I don't know how this will all end. I don't know if our country's isolation attempts are slowing the spread of the virus. I don't know if, eventually, someone I know will get sick-or even die. I don't know if we will run out of toilet paper, or milk. I also don't know if we will all survive the boredom and negative affects of isolation. These are the things I worry about.
But for now, I am trying to enjoy all this time with my family. We see more of Brent now than we have in the past 6 months. Emma is getting her required alone time AND still has hours to spend with us. I find it is important for me to get outside even if it's sitting in the backyard. I'm trying to reach out and help those I can. My biggest hope is that, amid all the negative we can a make this a positive experience.
Once home, I felt a bit better and was ready to tackle the next few weeks. I made charts for the kid's daily schedule. We tried to brainstorm things we could do. I was disheartened when I went to the grocery store. I couldn't believe how empty all the shelves were. There was no canned food left, no boxed dinners or any dry beans or pasta. Milk, eggs, flour and rice were all scarce. Stores were limiting the amount you could buy. To me, it was a display of human selfishness. It was a sign of hoarding and fear. I got what I could, grateful for the long term supplies I had at home.
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| The kids made a fort in the family room |
Currently, we are on our third week of shut down. The schools have closed for the remainder of the school year (tears). Things are only getting worse. It is hard to know what is worth going out for and what is not. What about going to the Clarks? What about going on walks with neighborhood friends? It's hard to decide where to draw the line.
The schools have scrambled to provide online/ at home instruction. Piano lessons are being done via skype. The kids are having virtual playdates with friends. Tesa is being walked more than ever.
 |
| Sydney took the laptop into the treehouse to do her math outside |
While, this has been a challenge, there have been some wonderful moments too. We are having sacrament meeting at home, a wonderful and tender experience for me. The kids are learning to play nicely. We are having family movie nights (first Harry Potter and then Chronicles of Narnia). Our family scripture study is less rushed. As a mother, it is a wonderful thing to have you children home. We don't have to compete with the world and our normally busy schedules. Everyone is here. For now, everyone is healthy.
 |
| Brent letting Aiden cut the wood for a table he is building |
I don't know how this will all end. I don't know if our country's isolation attempts are slowing the spread of the virus. I don't know if, eventually, someone I know will get sick-or even die. I don't know if we will run out of toilet paper, or milk. I also don't know if we will all survive the boredom and negative affects of isolation. These are the things I worry about.
 |
| Sydney dyed her hair blue since there is no school/play to prevent her. |
But for now, I am trying to enjoy all this time with my family. We see more of Brent now than we have in the past 6 months. Emma is getting her required alone time AND still has hours to spend with us. I find it is important for me to get outside even if it's sitting in the backyard. I'm trying to reach out and help those I can. My biggest hope is that, amid all the negative we can a make this a positive experience.
