Well, so, over the last 2 1/2 months, life as we know it has changed drastically. We never went back to school after spring break. Covid19, a virus that causes sickness, began to outbreak in the world, and the whole world shut down. Basically, we've been in quarantine, away from family and friends during this time. We are now wearing mask, sanitizing everything we come in contact with, and we were unable to finish the last 9 weeks of school in person. We attempted to do online school, but we were barely getting by with it!! It's been a crazy time trying to learn to cope with all of this. The first couple of weeks of quarantine were amazingly fun. Thankfully, the weather has been beautiful and we've enjoyed lots of time outside. We've ridden bikes, hiked, chalked the driveway, played in sand piles...you name it, we've done it if it involves the outside. Kathryn even learned to ride her bike without training wheels!! Chet and I took on a huge project of painting our brick on our house and building shutters. It was a total home makeover to the outside of the house, and thankfully, due to the quarantine, we had the time to actually get the project done! The house looks amazing! Our jobs furloughed many people. Chet was furloughed for almost 3 weeks, and I was not! I actually have worked more in the last few weeks than I have in the last 3 months it seems. Our churches have stopped meeting in person. We have been doing school and church online. It's been a wonderful time of slowing down and spending intentional time with our family, but it has also been sad to not be enjoying the end of the year activities and parties, worshiping together with our church family, or even enjoying a meal out at a restaurant. So, we will continue on social distancing and wearing masks and staying home as much as possible until this deadly virus goes away.
We've spent lots of quality time together playing games, enjoying outside activites, and just being creative with whatever we could find to keep busy! We were so excited when we actually got to see friends, even if it was in the car at a distance!
Here was the "quarantine" work crew...Lesley, Blair, and Me. We worked for 2 solid weeks while the rest of the full time and part time employees were furloughed! Despite the fact that we were the only PACU nurses all day every day, we had a fantastic time together! I do love my work crew!
Multiple masks, goggles, face shields, gowns, hats...you name it, we have to wear it. We are trying to stay protected from this crazy virus!
We spent many afternoons going on hikes to different trails on the Natchez Trace. The kids have enjoyed it and I've loved the exercise and spending time outdoors in the amazing weather. It's also helped the monotony of staying home day in and day out!
Here is a little of the progression of the quarantine project of 2020. For several years, we have discussed painting the brick on our house. We knew it would be such a drastic change for the better, but we've never had time to take on a project like that, nor did we have the money to pay someone to do it! So, with all of the time at home and Chet's furlough, we finally took the challenge and started it! It was a huge undertaking and it was a lot of work for just the 2 of us, but it was so worth it. The end result is amazing and we are so proud! In fact, the local magazine, The Invitation, featured us in their magazine for quarantine projects!
I didn't get much of the between work but it took about 2 weeks from start to finish. We also added pinestraw to the flower beds and put some new plants out to brighten things up a bit!
At the beginning of quarantine, the kids went to Clarksdale and stayed a couple of days. Dad and I actually had a date night at The Grill so we had to document it! We only had 1-2 days without kids while we worked, but it was so much fun!
We visited Papa's grave when I picked the kids up in Clarksdale.
Another documentation moment... the first time I had make up on, hair fixed, and decent clothes on in 2 1/2 months. We were preparing for the photo shoot for the Invitation Magazine on the house project.
The kids found a dirt pile at a new construction home in the neighborhood. We spent several days digging, building, playing, and just pretending we were at the beach in the sand. I sat in the golf cart and read my book while the kids played. It was amazing time and fun was had by all! Even the sweet neighbors brought me margaritas to enjoy! And I started working my summer tan after all the days outside!
The kids loved doing sidewalk art and leaving messages for the neighbors. We used that as our "art time" for our virtual school learning! I watched as they worked so hard on their pictures. They actually turned out pretty good! Of course, I slipped in some more good reading time while they stayed busy!
Poor Sam...I have no idea what he did but I know he fell hitting his side. It caused a horrific bruise, but he was tough and didn't let it slow him down at all!!
Sam got super creative and decided to build his own tree house. He literally hammered every single nail in the wood. He did most of the work by himself with very little help from daddy! It kept him busy on these beautiful sunny afternoons!
Here is the way we ended the school year...drive through to drop off computers and pick up the leftovers from school! It was a sad way to end 5th, 2nd, and Pre-K, but we are looking forward to a summer of fun! Of course, Sam wouldn't let dad take a picture of he and his teachers!
Here are Kendall's teachers, Mrs Nichols and Mrs Burkley! They were sweet to come by and visit Kendall before "school" was over!
