Coronavirus Craze

It's insane to me how in so short of time the world has changed so dramatically. At the end of 2019 and dizzy showed up in China by the beginning of 2020 it showed up in America and by March of 2020 the whole country is pretty much on lockdown with social distancing and staying home.

We're still finding ways to entertain ourselves and occupy our time and there is no shortage of school work and busy work being supplied by the district as we learn from home. Instrument lessons continue even if I'm the one teaching them, but somehow life is more relaxed, simpler, better, filled with the love and spirit of the Lord.

It's amazing how in a crisis the promises of the gospel and Christ's blessings become first and forefront in your mind and provide you the peace and comfort and happiness you need.

Isabella Becomes An Adult

What's your favorite thing to do?
Watch movies with my roommates

What do you want to be when you grow up? 
PA - Physicians Assistant

What is your favorite food?
Uhhh, I hate this questions, mmm - a lot of foods.

Who do you like to hang out with?
My roommates

What do you do really well? 
I...um....I can cook really well.

What makes you laugh?
Stupid stuff, when me and my friends do stupid stuff that is funny.

What is the best time of day?
A little after midday, but not yet the evening or morning.

What are you afraid of?
Just falling short of my goals.

What do you like to do with your family?
Ummm, hang out with them and play wrestle with my brothers.

What do you like to learn about?
Biology, the body, stuff like that.

Where do you like to go?
The beach, the woods, on walks, wherever I just like being outside.

What is your favorite book?
Oooo - probably The Death of Ivan Ilyich

If you could have one wish, what would it be?
That my future family will be happy!

Bring Her Here

With the onset of coronavirus, the canceling of group gatherings, and taking colleges online, my niece Haley came to stay with us for a bit. A bit turned into a bit more, but it's been nothing but fun. We tried to have as many adventures as we could before things progressed into shutting down full fledged. And we're hoping that once they lift some of the orders will be able to go out and about and have some more fun.

Academic UIL

Issac seems to always feel like he can do better, but always come home with ribbons and medals.  I love that so many of his friends do it too.  Long Saturdays, but good.

Valentine's Day: To Celebrate or Not

It's not that we make a conscious decision not to celebrate Valentine's Day, although the fact that the price of flowers, candy, and other assorted things skyrockets definitely discourages me from celebrating on that day.  So when Travis texted me a day or two before V-day clarifying any expectation I might have, I just said I would be happy to have a cuddle at home on the couch.

Well guess what, even that didn't happen.  His sister ended up being in town for the weekend and we went out to visit them.  What was to be a short visit early in the evening didn't work out.  Then when we got home at 9:30pm, when we could have watched a movie, Travis went out to work on Wyatt's car with him and I cuddled and watched a movie with Kody.  I wasn't mad about this, but I wasn't exactly thrilled either. 

Then the weekend got busier and busier until I finally claimed my V-day movie and cuddle Sunday night.  Yes I made my husband watch a girlie Netflix movie, but I loved every minute of it.  And it's sort of easy to forgive him his previous oversights, because the reality is....this guy celebrates and takes care of me almost every day. 

On any given day, he gives me an reciprocated massage of some aching body part.  He does late night snack/junk food runs for me either to Walmart or fast food at least weekly.  He does randomly buy me things, but more often he gives me the freedom to buy myself whatever I want.  He is my modern day White Knight.  And we have reservations for the Chart House later this month for dinner.  So I know I'm gonna be just fine, even though we suck at celebrating the day of.

Why Do Weekends Feel Like A Marathon?

Don't get me wrong, I love my life!  I love the activities I fill my life with.  I love my kids and most of their activities too. But somewhere along the way, the schedules of our family made my weekends a little nutso.  This past weekend was a prime example.

Friday the kids had off school.

• We played at a nursing home with several families
• I went on a date with Issac to see the new Sonic movie 
• We went to the County office to finish the boys passport applications
• Then we took Issac to a party with his friends, Wyatt picked him up later
• Then we went out to visit Travis's sister at the ranch

Saturday

• We went on a discovery flight that Travis got as a gift for Christmas 
• Wyatt took Kody to a party, Travis picked him up
• I had some church meetings
• And then we had a stake dance, the boys came and I chaperoned

Sunday

• I attended Kerrville ward for Ward Conference
• We all attended our church
• Had meetings
• Didn't have meeting for Issac that was cancelled last minute - Hallelujah
• Stake Choir practice
• Finally celebrated Vday with my hubby

Now this might not seem too bad, 4-5 events a day should be manageable.  But no when they are each 2ish hours, when there is carpooling or driving on either end, when you consider that normal life and chores need living and doing, it quite frankly crazy time.  

So more than ever I am glad that Wyatt has his license now.  Boom, already paying off in dividends.

Fieldtripping

The boys all went to Haskell with Dad and Grandpa to get the fields ready for planting.  They ran into snow, an unexpected and wonderful surprise.  They did work and had lots of fun.

Meanwhile, I went with my friend Alice to Alice, Texas.  She wanted to visit her namesake, despite it being a very rural, run down, almost ghost town.  We still had a lot of fun and made some great memories.