Quarantine Day 1 &2

I thought I’d blog about this experience for the next 3 weeks, as both a way to help others, and myself! Most of us still have our daily home chores to accomplish, along with professional goals as well! It’s going to be a lot to juggle and balance, so why not share the victories and the struggles!

We were given Monday as a “snow day”, so we took that day to prep for the days to come-setting up a desk, materials, and cleaning!!!

Today, Tuesday, my kid was up before me! He was actually excited for the day to get started, so much so, he brought me a cup of coffee! It was lovely! He also made himself breakfast! I got up to him eating waffles at the kitchen table, still in pj’s with a sleeping bag covering his back.

(He does not usually make himself breakfast.) 👏 👏

We started the day with a great idea from our school- with these subjects;

SING. PRAY. READ. ACT. We did all four.

We looked up a song, listened to it, prayed for the day, and Kaden read a verse in his Bible out loud. We then wrote down some things we could Praise God for! It was a really nice way for ME to start the day too!

We were given some helpful tools from our amazing school! More than I could have ever expected, for which I’m grateful! Links to educational sites, music, verses, and lots of lesson instruction from his teacher! I was able to utilize my work space too during times when he was quietly working to get my tasks done as well. I made my space function as both home office and home base for printing school things!

It was helpful to have this space organized!

Today I worked on figuring out how my kid best works at different times of the day! You know your kid best, so work with their strengths EARLY on! I changed some of the scheduled things to work for him and will see if tomorrow that works better. For example- I will have him work on writing and reading EARLY as those are subjects that require you to be still along with quiet concentration. Science and math are things I could incorporate into outside time, even chore time, or meal prep!

All in all today was a good learning day for both of us! I hope you are all having successes with your kids, but prepare for failures too! Days when they want to check out, and when our patience level may be on the brink of breaking! Take these moments to change up the pace! We do have an advantage, a sneak peak into their lives, their days, their routine and not all learning happens at a desk! Think outside the box! We are all in this together!

☘️ Good Luck! ☘️

Today I baked…

My dad has been suggesting to me for well over a decade now, that I must learn to “rest in the nest”. I don’t know why it has taken me so long to apply and sort of accept what the heck that even means! But I guess years later, I’m starting to figure it out. Not sure about you, dear readers, but I am constantly reading little comments, blurbs, and blogs about being a “stay at home mom”, better yet, it gets its’ own abbreviation, SAHM! Part of me can’t stand that title, but I guess I get it. Given all the beauty, wonder, sacrifice and hard work of such a role, that title doesn’t allow me to truly picture its’ reality. And I don’t feel like defending the SAHM’s with descriptive word clarity on all the things a SAHM does or doesn’t do. You know what you do. Just own it. 😃

There is a lot of joy in having a family and being available to them. Of course there are annoyances of doing the same old things, the daily chores that literally never end, but dare I admit, I like cooking and cleaning. Yup, I said it. Maybe it’s just the routine of it all, it’s similar to a paid full time job. There are tasks, there is a time frame, and there is a need for time management to get those tasks accomplished. Endless opportunities are out there if you truly desire to be home AND bring in some dollah bills sooo to each their own. All of this to say, I’m happy in my role. 😃

So today I baked some coffee cake with a Cinnabon inspired frosting to top it off.

If you’re pregnant, and coming up on your glucose test, I would highly advise NOT consuming this prior to that appointment. Fortunately, I’m off the hook for another month…plenty of time to absorb more iron, protein, and all those other things that are good for you that don’t include sugar. One of the ways I’ve learned to rest in my nest of a home is allowing myself some freedom. Rest isn’t always physical, and sometimes I just want to bake.

Hit the Rooaadd Jon…

Monday

Day 21:

Countdown 100 Days!

WEEK 3 in the books of writing and exercising! Still LOTS of goals I’m working on concentrating on, but with those two, I’ve been consistent and I’m feeling proud! Still a long way to go! Summer has it’s challenges with routines changing weekly, sometimes daily, but a written plan has been helping me stay accountable as well as writing here!

Woo hoo! 13 more weeks to go!

In other news…

Today my husband Jon turned 31!

Sparing some moments for a celebration matters!

Who doesn’t love a birthday? “It’s just another day”, some will say.

Yeah, yeah…

It’s a birthday and it needs to be celebrated, who cares how old we get!

LIFE!

It’s worth celebrating!

We celebrated this evening with the usual BIRTHDAY PLEASANTRIES…

FOOD.CAKE.CARDS.SMILES.LOVED ONE’S. AND LAILA

(our barking begging bully breed) 

Jon’s been working on his motorcycle the past few nights preparing for a 2,000 mile motorcycle trip to the Cabot Trail in Canada with some of our family and closest friends.

Nothing quite like a good road trip.

Summer feels official when the road trips begin. I’m excited for all the wonder that awaits everyone as they go on their adventure.

A couple things

1. It’s a total MAN TRIP,

2. And I’m 100% in celebration mode!

What? You aren’t terribly upset and deeply remorseful that You weren’t included, and that your husband is CHOOSING to leave you for a week???? , some may ask??

NO. NO. And NO!

For a husband and wife, it’s nice to spend TIME APART! I think it helps the balance of maintaining a happy home.

In a marriage we depend on each other for a lot of things,

1. compromises

2.lots of give and take

3. Self sacrifice

4. Commitment

And many other things to keep it going!

Another working piece of a marriage –

individuality and INDEPENDENCE.

That can’t happen unless some space is allotted.

To be clear, space meaning not being together ever waking day and night. If married, you’ve still made a commitment. I’m not promoting a “man trip” to signify marital release! Just some space!

It’s healthy!

Developing trust is a factor to know we are just as strong together as we are apart…for a given time!

There’s gotta be BALANCE.

and we’re learning how to strike it!

(honey…don’t forget now…I’m going on a ladies trip in 14 weeks!!!)

YOU’VE BEEN WARNED!

There are interests and hobbies of mine that I would never expect Jon to enjoy or share part in, and same goes for some of the things he likes.

Having space is a coveted thing, and I prize it when it happens to me.

Men like it too.

Everybody needs an adventure!

And in my opinion, the open road is the best place to begin! 

All this to say, Happy Birthday to you dear Jon, and enjoy your man trip!

I’ll be right here when you get back, folding laundry, doing the dishes, and making the beds!

Or perhaps I’ll be taking a little road trip of my own!

MUUUUHUUUUUUHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

In all seriousness, this motorcycle trip is one that many people have taken in years past to minister love and light to people along the way! My dad has been sharing the gospel with lost souls since someone shared salvation with him, when he was just an angry and lost young man. Redemption and restoration changed his life. Gave him purpose, so now he shares that truth with others.

These trips are purpose filled and they ride with crosses on their back in remembrance of what has been done for all by the shedding of innocent blood! Salvation through the cross of Christ!

I’m proud of my husband and my family for desiring to take this adventure because in reality it’s not the prettiest or easiest run! A lot of miles to go, but they are miles driven with a message in mind.

So Hit the road boys! I look forward to seeing you all when you get back!