Quarantine + 7 positive things

Some counties in our state are starting to open back up tomorrow, however our county is not one of them; which honestly I'm kind of thankful for.

How are we doing almost 7 weeks into our 'stay-at-home' as much as possible order?  We're doing okay.  Some days it's a dream, maybe even most days since I'm such a homebody.  However, I feel like we're starting to have a few 'trying' days.  As in, Adam offered to keep the kids last night so I could get takeout dinner and drive around all.by.myself! ha!  In the past 45 days, I went to our local grocery store once, the dollar store once, my sisters garage once, for a car ride to Pella once, and then to Wal-Mart last night.  Definitely a record, and I'm not even a people person!

The kids are really missing their friends and family.  The newness of Mrs. Mom is wearing off and Zoom calls are taking over many evenings.  Let's just say summer may come early for the Hubbard house! ;)  It's getting more and more challenging to get my full time job done {from home} and keep the kids going with all their school.  It wasn't as challenging for the month that Adam was laid off, but he's back to work again {praise God}.

All that to said, we really are enjoying many parts of this 'COVID-19 life'

7 Things Getting Us Through COVID-19 Here At Home...

+ Free nights! || The beginning of COVID brought many family movie nights {Blank Check, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Narnia, Onward, Sonic the Hedgehog, etc}, game nights, and puzzles.  Now that our weather finally got the memo that it's Spring, we are spending so much time outside!  Playing basketball, fishing, taking Ranger rides, riding bikes {Cullyn is now a confident 2 wheel rider!}, taking walks, etc.  I was even able to teach Jordyn cribbage last week!  

+ Home Improvements! || My mother in law and I managed to paint our cupboards and Adam added hardware.  My mother in law and I also painted the elevator and added wallpaper.  The latest project Adam and I did was refinishing the countertops.  Now we just need COVID to end so we can get some electrical work done and add the backsplash.  These little face-lifts have been so fun for me!  We're taking a little breather, but we still have powerwashing and some landscaping on our Spring Cleaning List. 

+ New Recipes || We don't eat out a ton normally, but we're cooking three meals a day at home right now, so I've been digging out our recipe books more than ever before.  Every meal we've made from the Magnolia Table cookbook has been so good, so while I was having a pitty-party at Wal-Mart last night, I grabbed her new one.  I'm super excited go through it and meal plan for next week!  I've also been using this time to work through my recipe box - trying a recipe every night.  I'm keeping the good ones and ditching the once we no longer love.   

+ Book time || I have read/listened to over two dozen books since this started!  I'm not sure if it's because only need 5 minutes to 'get ready' now that I'm working from home or that the days are getting longer, but I'm definitely not getting as much sleep as I was a couple months ago!  I've also been able to spend so much time in the word, 30-90 minutes a day}, and I'm loving it!  The kids have started reading out of their bible each day in addition to us reading together each night.  Speaking of reading together, Adam has started reading Harry Potter to all of us and even though Harry Potter isn't my book of choice, it's been amazing to have something they we're all experiencing together for the first time.  We're excited to finish book one and watch the movie together. 

+ Workouts || For the first time ever, I'm doing an online workout program.  After finishing the marathon last October, I didn't work out at all until the Coronavirus started.  I really don't have an excuse not to workout right now.  I've never had as much free time as I do now, so I'm trying to log into Beachbody and do the 21 day Fix as much as possible.

+ Special Nights || With no distinction between Monday or Saturday, we've fallen into a new rhythm.  Mondays are game night, on Tuesdays we have Mexican food, Friday nights are for pizza, Saturday nights = takeout nights, Sunday evenings are popcorn and ice cream during our family movie.  We're always looking for an excuse for a little celebrating.  Right now we're looking forward to May Day tomorrow, Cinco de Mayo Tuesday, and Lola's Birthday at the end of the month.  We started quarantine off letting the kids sleep on the couch in our room every Friday night and it morphed into about 5 nights a week, lol!  I keep reminding myself {and Adam} that someday they will not want to sleep in their parents room. Right?! ;) 

+ Community || It's been super fun to see the creative ways we've been able to stay connected through all this.  We had such a fun virtual small group.  Every Friday night or Saturday afternoon we've been having a happy hour with my whole family.  Jordyn has had several Facebook Messenger video chats with her friends {and Aunt Alicia} where they all make friendship bracelets while chatting.  The kids have been working on drawing with ArtHubForKids {& competing over Facetime with cousins} and typing with TypingClub.com.  My Marco Polo app has been blowing up with my mom, sisters, and friends.  Finding special ways to celebrate Cullyn's birthday was also memorable.  Friends and family sent video messages that we mashed together to sing Happy Birthday, dozens of people stopped by to sign a huge chalk birthday card on the driveway, and of course he had people calling him all day.  We have several friends with April birthdays, so we were able to participate it a drive by celebration.  People are showing up in so many ways and it's been super fun to see.  Online church has been a great experience, an option I've missed since we've moved to this little town.  The whole family was excited for Drive-In Church on Easter.  Our church is hosting another drive in this week and one next week for Mother's Day.  We can't wait!

Not a positive, but also noteworthy, I managed to contract Shingles during this crisis.  I can only assume it was triggered by the unknown from the Coronavirus and then Adam being furloughed.  Luckily, it's on my leg and not on my face!  It's a different kind of pain that I've ever experienced before, but I'm just thankful I didn't have to go to the hospital during this pandemic. Also noteworthy, the nursing home my grandma is in had it's first confirmed case of COVID-19 yesterday, so we've been praying extra for her and everyone that works or lives there. 

Stay well friends!

5 Things

5 Things I Miss

1. Family.  I honestly don't know how much longer the kids can go without seeing Gram & Papa.  It's a daily topic, if not more. :(
2. Traveling!  Adam and I were supposed to be at the Kentucky Derby this weekend.  We had to cancel our Memorial Weekend trip to Nashville with my family.  At this point, we're just hoping to salvage our RV trip this summer.
3. Just being able to walk into a store without debating if it's worth it, finding a mask and gloves, etc. 
4. The kids being able to play with their friends. 
5. Date nights with Adam.

5 Things I Don’t Miss

1. Rushing from activity to activity. I can't stress this one enough, and yet when I think about when we could not pick back up I don't know what it would be. :(
2. Spending money.  Aside from our grocery bill {OMG!!!} we really did cut back a lot when Adam was home.  It's crazy to see how much money you squander away every week. 
3. Makeup. I mean I'm going to start wearing it again someday, I think...
4. Jam packed weekends. I still wake up every Saturday and think, 'This is the best'.  Two entire days with zero commitments!!
5. Deciding what to wear.  I'm pretty sure I have worn the same three outfits this entire quarantine and I don't even care!  It has really made cleaning out my closet so much easier!

5 Things I’m Grateful For

1. Technology.  I can't imagine living through this 10, 20, 50 years ago!
2. The sunshine and temperatures in the 70’s.  Finally!
3. Being quarantined with my favorite people.  It's honestly been pretty fun!
4. The ability to work from home.  It hasn't been easy, but I really appreciate their flexibility! Also, after Adam was laid off, I was reminded how lucky I am to still have my job and that I carry our insurance!
5. Our health. It’s a good reminder why we're even enduring all of this.  Bonus :: being able to lock into a 15 year mortgage at 2.625%
   
   Inspired by Sarah and Brittany

A record of today in Iowa

So we don’t forget....

Today is Tuesday , April 28th 2020

- We are at 42 days of social isolation, we began March 16th.

- Most states have issued a Shelter in Place (Iowa has not done so-same measures of safety in place just no official shelter in place "order")

- The dollar is worth $5.32, the euro $5.77, and the pound $6.54. Gasoline is as low as $1.41 a gallon and crude oil is under $10 a barrel with many oil company shutting down crude production altogether. {was $0.99 in Ankeny last week}

- Schools have been closed since March 16th and are teaching remotely/on-line/voluntary. This will continue for the rest of the school year.

- There are lines/tapes inside the stores on the floors to keep people 6 feet apart.

- Bars and restaurants are open only for takeout, home delivery & pick-up. Alcohol can be ordered and taken out.

- Playgrounds, beaches, hiking trails (open but with social distancing guidelines for Iowa) and walk-in places are not accessible to the public.

- All major and minor league sports competitions have been cancelled as well as kid's sports.

- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned including the summer Olympics.

- Graduations, Weddings, family celebrations and birthdays have been cancelled. Funerals limited to 5-10 people.

- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays.

- Young kids can’t understand why they can only see grandparents & other extended family and friends on a screen or thru a window if someone visits in person or on Facetime/Zoom online.

- Handshakes, Hugs and kisses are not exchanged.

- The churches are closed but online attendance is surging.

- We have to stay away from each other; more than six feet.

- Shortage of disposable masks and gloves in hospitals.

- There are fewer ventilators than there should be.

- People all over the world are affected.

- People are wearing masks, some places even REQUIRE that you wear them to enter. Some people still believe this is a hoax. People are even sewing their own cloth masks for sale or donation to medical facilities. In some areas, you MUST wear a mask if you go outside (not in Iowa).

- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bleach, antibacterial wipes and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person.... IF you can even find them.

- Meat packing plants are beginning to shut down.

- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything. (24 hour stores are even closing by 9pm)

- Store check outs, pharmacies and even fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between the employee and the customer. Have to reach around or under to pay.

- You can't find isopropyl alcohol easily. .. the supply per person is limited.

- Australia, USA, Canada and Europe have closed their borders.

- Western Australia has been divided into 9 territories & an instant $1,500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. (Transport workers, Essential services etc)

- No one is travelling for leisure. Airports empty. Tourism has the worst crisis in history.

-the post office is in danger of closing. Political discord is rampant.

-Iowa governor trying to open up some counties soon although Catholic bishops are continuing and encouraging on line services to be safe.

Why do I post this?

To serve as a reminder years down the road that life is precious & nothing should be taken for granted. We are where we are with what we have. Let's be grateful.

taken from Facebook

Survival School

I was talking with a group of friends {over a video app} and my friend Tess said it best when she said we're 'Survival-Schooling'  She's absolutely right.  I'm not homeschooling my kids and can't even pretend I am.  I'm working full time and just trying to keep them busy enough that they aren't fighting with each other.  My goal during this time is to keep them from regressing too much and keep them happy and active.  That being said, several of you have reached out asking about our curriculum.  Since I have no curriculum, here is the 'schedule' we go by each day.  Again, I'm not 'teaching' them anything during this time.  Simply reviewing things they already know. 

The only 'new' content we're covering is how to
+ follow simple recipes {EasyMac, energy bites, hot dogs, etc. independently + help us w/ real recipes}
+ start the dishwasher & washing machine independently {they're almost 7 & 8}
+ address and mail and envelope
+ type correctly {thanks www.TypingClub.com}
+ play shuffleboard :)

Other than that, we're giving a lot of grace.

I will also add that my kids got a laptop for Christmas that they have always used for educational games/website {Prodigy, iReady, etc.} that they still play whenever -- we don't restrict use on that.  {the benefit of not having YouTube on it!!}

Also, we end up doing 'homeschool' page above about 3-4 days a week.  One or two days a week they end up working on a project with Adam, playing at their grandmas {we have been quarantining with them}, or just playing outside all day.  As long is they are playing nicely together, I'm perfectly happy with only doing 'school' 3 days a week.  Again, my goal isn't to advance them, but simply keep them from regressing.  

COVID -- An Update 2 Weeks In

I have been blessed to truly see this time as a reset for our family.  I haven't taken one moment for granted.  And although I am still going to work as normal, just having every evening free as granted me so much time & I'm determined not to waste it.

We've used this time to
+ watch more family movies {from this list & also so classics from my childhood}  Also, the kids want me to make sure I let you know 10 out of 10 do NOT recommend 'My Life As A Zucchini' It was so, so bad!
+ teach the kids to type {thanks to the website TypingClub.com}
+ let the kids help more in the kitchen
+ play alll the games {Kings in the corner, Racko, Battleship, Guess Who, Skip-Bo, Candyland, Trouble...}
+ connect with friends & family over Facetime/MarcoPolo/Facebook Messenger for Kids
+ play with toys we never touch
+ scale back our spending {from cable, to gas, to dining & entertainment, to xm radio and more}
+ have LEGO challenges & bracelet making marathons
+ show the kids how to address and mail a letter
+ catch up on so many photobooks {1/2 way caught up!}
+ play outside more {walking, scootering, fishing, jumping, shuffleboarding, hooping, etc.}
+ improve our drawing skills {thanks to ArtHubForKids on YouTube}
+ read sooo many books! {the kids are averaging 3 chapter books a week, I'm averaging 5 -- thanks so audiobooks and the kitchen cabinet project that seems to go on and on!}
+ catch up on house projects {back yard tiling, kitchen cabinets, fixing a smoke detector, etc.}
+ clean out/purge all the closets
+ sleep in! {& take naps on the weekends}
+ watch church in our PJs & sing like we're all alone ;)

I pray no matter what you're going through right now, you remember it's just a season and the time we have been given to spend at home with our family is truly a gift.  Pretty soon life will be running at full speed again and we will miss this downtime.

The Coronavirus Pandemic | 2020

It's hard to believe that just days ago, the phrases coronavirus or Covid-19, social distancing, and flatten the curve were nonexistent to our vocabulary.  Our entire world has changed because of them.  Schools have closed, gyms and restaurants and movie theaters are shut down, and many Americans are adjusting to a new normal of working from home offices while trying to home-school kids.  

We've built forts and had paper airplane challenges, started a 1000 piece puzzle and played tons of games, cleaned closets and cooked a lot of food, watched movies, finished books, and doodled over the lunch hour to our favorite, Art Hub for Kids.  Overall, we are thankful to be hunkered down in our dream home with a fridge full of food to eat, and jobs that allow us flexibility when so many others are working hard on the front lines of hospitals, government, and big businesses we depend on for our livelihood.

I have so much I'd like to write about, but one of the things that has continually stuck out to me throughout this Coronavirus pandemic is the creativity of people in the midst of a true crisis.  Saturday night, we tuned in to HopeKids online - the kids got to watch and comment from my phone while sitting on the couch in the living room.  Sunday was church from the laptop while I painted our kitchen cabinets.  The next day, I recorded a video of the Jordyn playing the piano and text it to their teacher.  People are taking their our hoards of toilet paper and disinfecting wipes and sitting on front porches for family pictures to capture this crazy time.  Restaurants are transforming for Friday/Saturday night takeout, barbecue joints are offering free kids' meals to anyone who might need one, people are using their sewing skills to craft handmade surgical masks, churches are leading Sunday morning worship for online service, and neighbors are decorating sidewalks and hiding teddy bears in windows for bear hunts.  Teachers are driving around parade style to see their students and musicians are offering free concerts online.  I could go on and on and on.  It's all too easy to get caught up in the endless and often depressing news cycle, but it's the everyday stories of people's resilience, creativity, and grit that give me a lot of hope in the middle of this storm.