Week 1:
We received emails from hundreds of business, detailing the precautions they are taking to prevent the spread of the virus. We were still going about life as usual. Going to Jakes unlimited almost every day. They changed from self serve buffet, to employee assisted. We were going to the gym still, but asked to wash hands and equipment before we started and when we finished. Then, a basketball player from the NBA got the virus and infected another player. That's when things really changed. the NBA canceled the rest of it's season, the NCAA tournament was canceled and PGA Tournaments were canceled. Concerts were canceled and large events like the renaissance fair were also canceled. I think once we saw a public figure get the virus, it became more real to people. Mark and I were still not frightened, and thought the hype was a bit ridiculous. The grocery stores became swamped! Everyone got into panic mode thinking for some reason they would not be able to leave their homes and would need to prepare for being in their home for weeks. Strangest thing is they all went for the Toilet paper and Bottled Water. You'd walk into the stores and the shelves were empty. It angered and disgusted me that people would be so selfish and glutens that they would hoard all the items so no one else would get them! I went to Sams club, and all the eggo waffles and gold fish crackers were gone. Priorities I guess? Then the Church announced that services would be canceled until further notice. One of the things that touched me the most is how in the last year, the Church has been emphasizing a Home Centered learning environment thru Come Follow Me. How inspired were our leaders to do this?! So cool to see how the lord prepares us. We just need to trust him.We went down to Tucson for 'Pi-day', a Grammy thing, and Mark and I were able to go on a date. So we went on a hike at Sabino Canyon and then for Tacos at El Guerro Canelo. It was so much fun to be just us, we don't get to go on dates too often. When we were hiking, we saw a few people with face masks and keeping to social distancing. But the parks have become packed with people since that is the only thing to do right now, and the weather right now is amazing.
Week 2:
This week we have been trying to stay at home. Lily's school has been canceled until further notice. So she will start home school programs next week. The kids have been quarantined inside, since apparently children can be carriers, won't show much symptom but can infect older individuals? So we just felt it safer to stay home. Our gym closed and I've been working out at a friends home garage, which has helped me to not feel behind on my workouts. Mark has been working from home since his office won't allow anyone there, so it has been really fun to have us all together. It was St. Patricks day this week, so we made green food and corned beef. The kids and I went on a walk around the neighborhood to find Shamrocks that people put outside their homes, lily made the one we put outside our house. One positive take away from all of this, is I've realized just how fortunate our family is. We haven't had to worry about work, as Mark can do it from home. However there are a lot of people stressing about not being able to work right now and how they will pay their bills. That would be scary. Our family has now been blessed with more time together, more time to catch up on house chores and to do things together that we did not feel we had time to do before. We went to the Lost Dutchman for a hike, and the kids did not even complain cause they had been in the house all week, it was fun to get out as a family. The kids and I are going on walks and to the park, we've gone on a few hikes, the weather has been perfect. It's the first time in a long time that we haven't been distracted by activities that pull us away from each other. Blessing in disguise. My dad came to visit at the end of the week. We went to the park with him, but pretty much stayed home as much as possible. Restaurants were asked to close to avoid groups of 10+ meeting. The drive thru's and delivery services are still open, so we took advantage by getting Pizza. Made it fun for the kids, and helped them feel like they did something special this week. It rained a few days, we enjoyed reading books and playing games. The kids have been fighting more, but that's also cause they are playing more together then they usually get to. There is a positive and negative to everything I guess. Utah also had an earthquake, so they were freaking out, all eye roll worthy stuff. But it's a good thing we have memes to curb all the other depressing stuff we read.
 |
| This is Mark's current life right now |
Week 3:
This week we began our home quarantine. It is not a state law yet, some states it is, but not here. We just felt it would be safer to stay home, at least the kids staying home. I do feel bad that they have to stay inside. We go out for walks, or play frisbee in the park, but they are not allowed to play on the playground. Actually, most of the play parks have been closed, only walking trails are open. Apparently the Corona virus can stay on surfaces for days and is airborne for hours, so it's just safer to not touch anything. We wash our hands every time we eat (kind of did that before) and wash every time we come in from outside. Lily began her online schooling this week. It has been interesting. At first it was simple, just complete your reading log, but then they began loading so much material I didn't know what she should concentrate on! A bit disorganized, but we are just tackling what we can. Positive side, we can do it all in Jammies and at any time in the day. Next week we will work on a schedule, but when will we ever be able to live like this again?! Who knows! I have had a lump feeling in my throat for the past month now, and it is feeling worse. I need to go to the doctor to get it looked at, but I don't want to step into a doctors office with all the Corona virus stuff going on...so we will see what happens with that. Mark started his new job with Ernst & Young this week. Kind of a strange time to start a new job, but that was four weeks ago when life was normal. He is training remotely and so far really likes his team. This is going to be a great career opportunity for him, so we are excited. We have been trying to keep up with our workouts here at home. I do bar bell work and Megans house and then Mark and I do the WOD in the backyard together. It is so much harder to work out at home and I am missing the gym a lot. The stores have restocked the meats, water, milk, and bread, but still no disinfectants, rice, pasta, canned foods, flour and toilet paper. It's strange, I never thought their would be a time in my life that I wouldn't be able to find all that I needed in the store. Tonight we are making smores and having pizza so we can do something 'fun'. We are still enjoying all the family time together, I feel that it is making us even closer! Though we do miss being with our extended family, we were supposed to go to Tucson this weekend for my moms birthday, but we can't now to keep her safe. Then Grandma O has not been doing too well, and we are not sure how much longer she will last. The saddest part is that no family can visit her right now due to the virus! We really would love to say our goodbyes or even be able to meet to lay her to rest when the time comes, but we can't even do that! So many people right now, unable to meet with family to mourn the deaths of their loved ones, and people in the hospital dying and can't spend their final moments with their family...hurts my heart. I pray that this virus will recede soon, so families and friends can be united and we can hug each other once more. This Sunday we will fast with the rest of our faith in hopes that the world can receive some relief, here's hoping it's the lords will. Number infected in the US at this point is over 100,000 and 2,000 deaths in the US. Globally: 663,257 and over 30,000 deaths in a three month period.
 |
| The wood had gotten wet in the fire pit, so we moved the roasting to inside, not as good. lol |
 |
| Lily had to do a show and tell thing for her online schooling. This is her 'most prized possession' in the house. Her chubby panda. |
 |
| Working out at home is so much harder, but I'm glad I have my Chonie work out buddy. |
 |
| This is an actual picture of Jacob laughing. He laughs with his mouth wide open! It cracks me up and is seriously one of my favorite things in the world. Love this boys so much! |
