E-Learning begins

Our school district has done such a good job with how they communicated this next phase in education which is like none other we've ever seen.  I can't speak specifically for Jay, after all he's a senior and 18.  For the record I did see him working on his e-learning today.  Nick has a "live" interactive/virtual classroom everyday from 10am to noon with each teacher teaching every 15 minutes.  The picture above is Nick in his English class with his dog, Cole.  It's really Nick and Cole's dream come true; to hang together during class.  
Lately when I turn on the news I start to panic.  The news is just bad and will get worse this week as the death rate and number of cases is expected to peak right before or right after Easter and then should start to go down.  The number of people infected, many who don't even know it, is alarming.  But when I hear these grave statistics, followed up the staggering infections I am filled with peace in knowing with absolute certainly that God will be victorious in all this.  I don't know how all of us will come out of this.  The number of people who lost loved ones, not to mention the number of people who are unemployed is all very hard to comprehend but then I'm reminded once again I know nothing.  I serve a God who is so clearly at work in all this.  My prayer continues to be that God shows mercy on us, that truth is revealed and that he ease the suffering of the sick and those who are mourning the loss of loved ones.

Day 14 & 15, Covid 19 - More time required

Today is Day 14 and Kim and I went to visit dad's grave.  It was sunny but windy and we were glad to get out of the house.  The cemetery was quiet and serene.  It reminded me of all the sacrifices our men and women made for this country and how it ties into what were living today.  I'm very thankful for the folks who are on the front lines fighting this virus everyday. Kim and I are thankful our dad is with Jesus and not living these days in a nursing home.

Tomorrow is actually day 15 but I'm blogging about it today because President Trump announced  that our social distancing will remain in place until at least April 30.  I'm beyond disappointed.  He indicated that in order to keep the death toll under 100,000 it had to be done.  I understand and I never want to take a human life for granted and as Nick pointed out tonight it gives us more time as a family, we get to do what we want and it bonds us closer.  Then he added "and the world isn't ending."  That's debatable.  But I digress.  I know God is in charge and as I blogged the other day I am well aware God doesn't work on our human timeline but I worry about small businesses, Mike included.  Can they stay afloat another 5 weeks and still rebound or are we headed into an economic recession we've never seen before?  All I can do is trust and pray.

Day 12 & 13 - what really matters

Yesterday at the end of my work day Nick and I got out to take a walk.  He picked me some flowers and we chatted.  It was lovely.  When we got home he made a fire and I made us cocktails (Nick's was a kiddie cocktail).  When I asked Nick if he wanted me to read mine and Kim's book out loud to him, he readily agreed.  This is something I never would have suggested because I hate reading out loud and I certainly would have been too busy to do so but these days I have nothing but time.  I am happy to report as of today we are five chapters in and he likes it.  He is apparently surprised to learn it doesn't suck.  

We are expecting terrible weather this afternoon so I ran to the grocery store this morning.  I noticed people aren't in such a hurry.  They are friendlier too.  So many people are just trying to help one another.  Each day that goes by it becomes clear to me that God is in control and He will be victorious in all this.  It probably won't be the time frame I like but that's just human nature.  In two days our 15 days will up and President Trump will have more decisions to make.  I know as far as Illinois goes we have a "shelter in place" order through April 7.  I read something on facebook today so I can't take credit for it but it sure spoke to me in a very simple way.
What the coronavirus is teaching:
-Our best protection: God
-Our best refuge: Home
-Our best company: Family (and in my mom's case, her dog, Walker)
-Our real time:  Today
-Nature's call: Stop Us
-It's message: Wait, Respect

It's like God's way of saying, Stop!  Go back to the basics and remember I am the Great I am.

Day 11 - COVID 19; Jay

When Jay started his senior year I promised myself I would enjoy every minute of it and up until March 13 I had.  I did not think that when school dismissed on March 13 that it could possibly Jay's last day of his senior year, but that is the way it's looking.  
The end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 were full or promise for all Americans.  I still remain cautiously optimistic that all of our futures are promising, especially Jay's.  Just a few weeks ago he had applied to a plumbing/HVAC apprenticeship.  Right before the pandemic hit us he was getting ready to also apply for an electrical apprenticeship.  Plans were made for him to move full steam ahead with going to our local junior college (if the apprenticeships didn't work out).  All of these things can and more than likely will still happen, it just may look or feel different.  It's my opinion that no matter what the economy looks like trades people will still be in desperate need.  Honestly there has been little disruption to Jay's daily life.  He somehow managed to get a job in all this and is working.  He still sees his friends but is mindful of social distancing, a term most seniors will wish they never hear again when this is all over.  I'm just a wee bit sad that his senior year came to such an abrupt stop.  However, I try to keep things in perspective.  I noticed a post on social media the other day which pointed out that when our parents were graduating high school they were preparing for the Vietnam War.  It was a truth not missed on me.  Sure things look and feel different right now but it's been a good lesson in perseverance to all of us but especially our young seniors.

Day 10 COVID 19 - History is made

As we enter day 10 of this pandemic just after midnight this morning our government finally reached an agreement for biggest stimulus package the U.S. has ever seen, $2 trillion dollars in aid to be exact.  This money will go to help those suffering the worst from this disaster.  I am relieved an agreement has been made but as of late this afternoon there are rumblings the dems don't like parts of the bill and it remains to be seen if it actually gets passed.  I pray it does.
Americans and small businesses need it to pass.  New York is the biggest hit state of all with 56% of the cases.  As of this morning we have 55,000 confirmed cases with 801 deaths.  President Trump is cautiously optimistic the country will be "back in business" by Easter.  To me it seems like an unrealistic goal but I go back to what I know and that's a whole lot of nothing.  What I do know is I serve an awesome God who is still in the business of performing miracles.  For now I will continue to pray for physical and spiritual healing for my country and we'll see what unfolds in the weeks to come.
Mike and I continue to work.  My job is very quiet which is no surprise.  Day to day life right now is well kind of boring but I am thankful to be working when so many others are unable to.  The weather today started out as overcast but eventually the sun came out and Nick was able to fish.  The last few evenings the sun has peaked out for just a bit, enough to tease us before it goes down and darkness unfolds.

Day 8 & 9; COVID 19

Here we are at day 8 and 9 our "15 days to slow the spread."  President Trump has said at the end of the 15 days a decision will made if we can get "back to business."  I'm seeing a bunch of shenanigan's coming out of Washington but it appears as of this morning (day 9) the stimulus bill will pass, after failing to pass multiple times over the last 48 hours with Dems wanting money for wind mills and $35 million to the Kennedy Center.  I can't make this stuff up.  I could go on and on but all it does is raise my blood pressure.  Yesterday I saw a video of people in Italy singing "How Great Thou Art" from their quarantined apartment windows.  Another video surfaced out of Brazil of folks singing worship songs also.  God is at work.  There is no doubt in my mind.  He took everything we "worship" so we could be still during this time.  As Americans patience is not something we are good at.  A prime example is my husband.  Mike made me laugh last night by acknowledging God is at work but if only He could work faster.  Such a human response.  I have prayed and am praying for an awakening for America and that doesn't exclude myself.  I'm praying God can reveal to me what I'm supposed to learn during this time.  I am thankful Mike and I are still working.  I am thankful we are well thus far.  Jay is also working at an "essential" store so although it makes me nervous I am thankful he has a job right now.  Nick is doing pretty well also.  He's bored but once the weather warms up he can fish and fishing makes everything better in Nick's world.  My mom is well and once again Kim and I are so thankful we agreed to let mom get her dog last March.  This entire "self isolate" thing would be so difficult for mom if she didn't have Walker.  Today is a new day and I am reminded of what God has taught me over the last four years; I know nothing.  Really, I know nothing.  It's simple but true.  It's not my job to figure this out.  I rest in knowing He will work this out for my good and my country's well being but most importantly for His glory!

Day 7 - COVID 19, Throw Your Crown Down

Originally I was going to title this blog, "COVID 19 - According to Nick." Honestly we are all so bored it's a wonder I have anything to blog about but Nick looks at this pandemic with a great perspective and then this morning I listened to our pastor on line and his message went right along with Nick's view so I thought I'd share.  Yesterday Nick went for a ride on his four wheeler.  When he came home he told me he thought this pandemic is bringing out the very best in people.  He elaborated by saying that during his ride he noticed several families out walking their dogs.  Most times Nick will only notice one or two people out during his rides and they are walking by themselves or with their dogs but yesterday he said entire families were out together, talking and laughing.  He said everyone waved and greeted him with smiles.  This morning our pastor preached about Jesus being forced to wear the "crown" of thorns which he was mocked with right before he was crucified.  Our pastor specifically referenced Revelations 4:4 which talks about the elders wearing crowns of gold.  They viewed their crowns as their glory.  At the end of the passage the elders give up their crowns and throw them down in front of the throne as an act of worship.  Our pastor asked us what is our glory that we are now being forced to give up?  Is it sports?  Is it time with friends?  Is it our money?  It's anything that takes away from who god is and what he means to us.  This pandemic has forced all of us to just "be" and maybe just maybe we all can examine what crowns we will throw down during this process.  

The picture above is of Nick entertaining himself and us by throwing dog treats and seeing which dog catches them first.  Cole won but Copper had her fair share also.

Day 6 COVID -19; Shelter in Place

As we move into our first weekend dealing with this pandemic I am thankful for our health.  I am blessed Mike and I are still working especially after yesterday when our Governor issued a "Shelter in place," order.  What does this mean?  It means more "non essential" businesses must close and people need to hunker down at home.  My hair dresser texted me asking for prayers as she had to shut her doors yesterday.  Mike and Jay continue to work as Mike is a carpenter and Jay works for a company that sells "essential" goods.  My mom is doing great, another blessing.  Kim and I made sure her fridge was stocked and Walker is another huge blessing.  She says all the time she doesn't know what she would have done without him this winter and now during this pandemic.  Mom and Walker are each others sidekicks.  Now for the heavy stuff.  My heart is just breaking today.  I knew when all this started that it would get worse before it got better and it has.  Spring break has been cancelled for so many.  People aren't working.  Small businesses are suffering.  People (including us) have lost thousands in their retirement savings.  It will take a very long time for us to recover financially.  The freedoms we once enjoyed are temporarily gone.  What I wasn't prepared for is the personal hits some of my dearest friends have taken.  It's one thing after another.  One of my friends is dealing with a big family issue involving her granddaughter.  My dear friend, Mary, was in tears yesterday over a work issue.  Mary is beyond brave and recently put in her resignation at her company to start working real estate full time and this happens, the economy sinks in a matter of a week.  I know she will be okay, in fact she'll be better than okay but she is hurting now, therefore I am hurting.  Another friend of mine is going through a break up.  And today Kenny Rogers died.  My dad loved Kenny Rogers.  One thing that brought a smile to my face today is thinking of my dad singing "The Gambler" in heaven with Kenny.  At night my anxiety comes out in full force.  I worry what our future will look like.  In six months from now will Mike and I still be working?  How many people are going to die from this terrible virus?  Will anyone in my family get it?  What if mom gets it?  I worry about our President and Vice President and their health.  For a long time you had to be living in a hole not to see the breakdown of our moral compass in this country.  I'm sure many Americans, myself included, prayed that God would intervene on our behalf.  I've prayed for God to intervene before and boy did He deliver.  It was rough for a time but eventually we made our way out of it and we were better because of it.  I truly believe this for America.  My prayer is we will make it out of this and we will be stronger and more united.

Day 5 - COVID-19

Last night my sister called me with her neighbor on a video chat.  You may wonder what the heck is wrong with her head since she looks like Squidward from Sponge Bob.  After saying she was bored as...…(you can fill in the blank) she said she had to entertain herself by making her head into a foot.  I did get a good laugh from it.  The good news today is it appears they have a drug that we've had since 1944 that is FDA approved to help combat this virus.  Nothing is certain yet but it gives us hope.  More good news; when I called a local small business to order carry out food today they told me they were swamped with orders but that is just one business.  I know other businesses are hurting.  My hair dresser texted me today asking me to be in prayer for her as she makes decisions over the next few days that will impact her business and her family.  President Trump continues to do all he can and at this time in our history I'm thankful he's a businessman at heart and not a politician.  Jay worked last night which is good and bad.  It's good for obvious reasons but bad because he could unwillingly exposure himself to a carrier of the virus.  Mike continues to work as do I.  Never has my work from home job been so important.  Nick worked on his four wheeler and life as we know it has changed but we march forward, grateful for the blessings each and every day.

Day 3 and 4 - COVID -19

We are living during a historic and I mean historic time in history!  Never in my lifetime have I seen anything like this.  I am hearing that this pandemic is being compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918.  Every day the news is worse; more cases, more deaths, more people losing their jobs.  Our economy was roaring two weeks ago.  During the Trump administration retirement funds and IRA's grew 30%.  In a matter of two weeks, that 30% gain has been wiped out.  Bars and restaurants are closed, as are anything and everything that gathers more than 10 people.  Weddings are being cancelled..  Mike and I have lost so much out of our accounts these past few weeks but we are a few of the lucky ones.  We are employed and have a small savings.  Jay's senior year is almost surely over.  He got a job offer this week and will start tonight and for that we are very thankful.  His future, his plans, like everyone else's are being put on hold.  President Trump is bringing military ships into the east and west coast as floating hospitals for the sick.  Carnival cruise line has volunteered to use one of their ships as a hospital also.  But with all the scary unknowns, I see good.  Our nation has been so divided and I'm seeing unification.  People are being kind to one another.  I remember how I felt on Sept. 12, 2011 and there are some similarities.  Grocery stores are opening early and designating hours just for the elderly, when the store is fresh and clean and there are less crowds and young people are volunteering to get groceries for their elderly neighbors.  Families, us included, might just learn what it means to slow down and relax.  It's not all about rushing from one event to another.
Yesterday Mike and Nick worked together at Kim's, finishing her basement project.  Jay completed his paperwork for his new job and will start tonight.  I am so thankful he got a job.  I worked and paid some bills for mom.  This is life as we know it.

Day 2 - Covid 19

We made it through day 2.  I'm thankful that the sun was out today.  Nick and I took a walk.  Our school district has parked busses throughout our communities for kids to get WIFI.  Mike and I voted in our primary.  Jay worked on installing new speakers in his truck and Nick did hang out with one friend today.  According to the CDC we should not have gatherings more than 10 people.  I worked and Mike worked.  I am so thankful for that!  I called my sister today and she was screaming at her children.  I'm pretty certain most mothers throughout the country screamed just a bit today.  This is all new territory for us.  I screamed at Nick yesterday!  In the midst of all these unknowns I do see the best of Americans.  We always seem to rise to the occasion.  I see people helping the elderly, who are most at risk.  I see my husband give a police officer rubber gloves because he needs them more than Mike.  I see people trying to buy curbside food as much as possible since dine in restaurants are closed down.  What makes me sad right now is Jay.  Jay is a senior.  Our local university just cancelled classes for the rest of the semester.  Soon that decision will trickle down to the local school districts.  All the students who worked so hard to participate in their final sporting or extra circular event is gone.  Prom more than likely won't happen and a graduation ceremony is unknown.  These were all kids who were born post 9/11.  They were born right after a crises and will graduate right after one as well.  On a personal level Jay doesn't seem too upset by the current school closings but about two weeks ago when I asked him about how he felt knowing he only had a few months left of school he said without missing a beat, "I'm excited and nervous."  His future is unknown right now. We know he's going to our local junior college but he's also applied for apprenticeships so we'll see.  What I do know in all this is we need to stay tethered to God and His plans.  It's sometimes hard to see in the current mess we are in but He's at work and I know He is faithful.

Covid 19 Day 1, no school

Actually yesterday, March 16 was our first day at home.  Anyway, I fully intend on blogging almost everyday during this fiasco we call Covid 19 that has literally shut this country down. As of today kids are out of school until at least March 31.  Restaurants and bars in Illinois are shut down and social distancing is the word of the day, week and probably month!  People are hoarding toliet paper like their life depended on it but not my sister.  She got resourceful and made sure her family had plenty of T.P.

Notice what our glasses say.  I am thankful for a couple of things right now: First my family appears to be healthy.  Second my boys are older.  They are better at entertaining themselves and being self sufficient in getting their schoolwork done (even though it was a bit of a challenge with Nick).  Third Jay finished his E-learning today and spent the rest of his day working with Mike.  Fourth Jay got a job offer today, something I did not think would happen given how the country has come to a stand still.  The challenges today revolve around Nick.  He was frustrated with the directions or lack thereof for his E-learning.  He complained incessantly.
It's just such an odd time in our history.  We went from a roaring economy to a recession in a matter of one week.  Life as we know it is pretty uncertain right now but one thing I know remains is God is still in control.

Two Years Later......and pure madness

This blog has two parts to it.  I didn't want today to go by without remembering my dad.  Two years ago dad went home to be with Jesus.  A lot has changed in two years and today as I write the world as I know it has lost its mind (more on that later).  Some days it feels like dad has been gone longer than two years but other days it feels like just yesterday that I would visit him in the nursing home.  I miss him but I'm comforted knowing he is finally home living his best life in glory with no pain.
About two weeks ago we started hearing about a virus that hit China, the Coronavirus.  In no time it made its way to America.  Our country has completely shut down.  I blame the media for creating mass hysteria.  Schools have been shut down.  My boys are now out of school for at least 2 weeks.  Illinois just shut down all restaurants and bars in the entire state.  People are buying toliet paper like their life depended on it - even though the virus is a respiratory disease and diarrhea is not part of the equation.  Last night Mike and I went to Walmart and found the toliet paper aisle had been wiped clean, no pun intended.  The junk food aisle was empty but the aisles with protein bars and health food was stocked full, as was all the produce.  I just have to shake my head at the ignorance.  Rumor is schools might be shut down for 8 weeks.  That remains to be seen.  It's not that I don't think the social distancing is a good idea and I do agree that precautions should be taken but shutting down restaurants and bars, which will clearly affect the lives of so many who depend on their service jobs for their livelihood.  It's simply a measure I don't agree with.  We have become a mass of people prone to panic,  gullible to the black box that sits in our living rooms and the social media gibberish that indoctrinates our feeds.

My girls weekend

This past weekend Sarah and I went to Texas to spend the weekend with our girl, Jenny.  However, we had a few hiccups before we arrived.  I have decided I have the worst luck with flights.  My mom was supposed to make this trip with us.  We were all set to go for a Friday afternoon flight that ended up being cancelled.  After waiting at the airport for several hours we learned the flight was cancelled and we went to moms to spend the night.  We booked another flight for the crack of dawn of Saturday and mom decided that morning flight was more than she took take and opted out.  Sarah and I got up super early, got dressed and headed to the airport only to learn that yet again our flight was cancelled.  I can't make this stuff up.  We got on the horn with American and while I was driving we booked another flight out of another town and drove like middle aged women, desperate to see our girl, to the next airport and made our flight.  It was clearly a God thing!  Jenny really needed us this weekend, as much as we needed her.  Jenny had to put her sweet dog to sleep last weekend and Mike and Curt had left on a missions trip.  The thought of Jenny spending the weekend by herself was more than we could take.  We are so thankful we got to see her and spend time together.  We are incredibly blessed to have this beautiful friendship among the three of us.

This was Friday night after our failed flight. Mom loved having Sarah and I spend the night.  Mom was truly missed this weekend but she did make the right decision.  There is this virus going around (Coronavirus) which people are making a big damn deal about and trust me it's not but for someone like mom who has somewhat of a compromised immune system it would have been a big weekend for her with unnecessary risk.  I did get a full refund mom's flight and will take her back in the fall.

Happy 69th Birthday, Mom

Mom celebrated another birthday around the sun!  Thank you, Jesus!  She turned 69 on March 2!  For the 2nd year in a row we got together with Leslie (who turned 75 on March 3) and Janet (Leslie's DIL).  We ate too much, drank too much and laughed too much, if there is such a thing.

This is what true friendship looks like.  Leslie and mom have been friends for 40 years.  Mom will probably correct me on this but I know they met after they had kids and I'm 45 so I'm going with 40.  They are truly sisters.

Mom, I am so thankful you are here on this earth.  I know your life looks different than it did two years ago but you never cease to amaze me.  You are a testimony to God's faithfulness!  You have a wonderful attitude and are quite funny.  Your generosity is limitless.  The thing I enjoy most about you these days is your relationship with Walker - something I never would have or could have predicted which again is a God thing!  Blessings to a great year in 2020!!!

Nick's crew

I'm trying not to acknowledge the fact that Nick is almost done with middle school and will be entering high school in the fall, but it's true.  I am well aware that once high school starts that within a blink of an eye it's over.  Today I hugged Nick and said jokingly (kind of) that he must live with me forever.  He laughed and said no way was he living in Illinois!
A week ago Nick had a dodgeball tourney at school.  He and his buddies played and did quite well but in the end they got beat by 7th graders - gasp!

Fishing is Nick's absolute favorite past time but four wheeling is a very close second.  Once again I give glory to God to leading us to where we live because only He knew I would have two boys that loved the outdoors!