Social Distancing, Week 2

Second verse, same as the first.  That means more homeschooling, working from home, yard work, virtual meetings with all sorts of people, chores, art, cooking, music, and, of course, baseball.

The kids, who have not left the house in I don't know how many days (14? 21? I've lost count), have started noticing that something is weird.  They can no longer play with all their pals in the cul-de-sac as was their custom of late and must instead talk to them from the driveway.  Wren has asked, "What happened to my teacher?"  I guess she thinks that she has not been going to school because something happened to her.  Judson, with much eagerness in his voice, will often ask at the end of the day, "Am I going to school tomorrow?"  No.  "Church?"  No.  "The gym?"  No.  Caleb has lamented how he misses his teachers and his friends.  But we're hanging in there.

Princess step class.

Chores.

Our house, on the other hand, may not be left standing by the end of all of this.  Three rambunctious kids with nowhere to go leave a wake of destruction in every room they enter.  We've had blood stains, things jammed into the air vents, permanent markers on the couch and kitchen table, holes in the screen door, etc.  And each day this list grows a little longer.

 We also found a snake in the yard!

With all of the extra time on all of our hands, we've all been sleeping a bit more.  After all, it's good for the immune system...and it's a great way to kill some time until a more normal life can resume.  I've also had a bit more time for reflection.  You know on important things - like the Frozen 2 soundtrack.  I've noticed that many of the songs fit with our current situation.  For example, the song "When I Am Older" has the very wise words:
"One day when I'm old and wise
I'll look back and realize
that these were all completely normal events...
So there's no need to be terrified or tense
I'll just dream about a time
When I'm in my aged prime
'Cause when you're older
Absolutely everything makes sense!"
Right....
Or what about "The Next Right Thing:"
"I've seen dark before
But not like this
This is cold
This is empty
This is numb
The life I knew is over...
But you must go on
And do the next right thing...
And with the dawn, what comes then?
When it's clear that everything will never be the same again
Then I'll make the choice
To hear that voice
And do the next right thing."
Or what about when it's time to venture out into (gasp!) a public place for food or toilet paper, "Into the Unknown:"
"Everyone I've ever loved is here within these walls
I'm sorry, secret siren, but I'm blocking out your calls
I've had my adventure, I don't need something new
I'm afraid of what I'm risking if I follow you
Into the Unknown!"
Maybe I'm slightly off my rocker after having to watch my mom's grandkids for all of these many days in a row, but it helps me.  I highly recommend turning on the soundtrack and belting out the lyrics as a family.  It's one of our favorite pastimes.
And my personal favorite song from the soundtrack for these times?  "Some Things Never Change:"
"Yes, the wind blows a little bit colder
And we're all getting older
And the clouds are moving on with every autumn breeze...
That's why I rely on certain certainties
Yes, some things never change
Like the feel of your hand in mine
Like how we get along just fine
Like an old stone wall that'll never fall
Some things are always true
Some things never change
Like how I'm holding on tight to you...
These days are precious
Can't let them slip away
I can't freeze this moment
But I can still go out and seize this day...
Though the future remains unknown
May our good luck last
May our past be past
Time's moving fast, it's true
Some things never change
And I'm holding on tight to you..."

Social Distancing, Week 1

The purpose of this blog is to tell our own family history - to share with grandparents and other family and friends, and it's something I hope my kids will be able to look back on and smile and remember where they came from and share with their kids and grandkids.  But in light of the current historic COVID-19 pandemic, it feels like something bigger, like a way to record a part of history that is unfolding right before our eyes.  When future generations (mine and yours and everyone's) study these strange times in which we find ourselves, this will be some evidence as to what it was like and how we (the human race) responded and dealt with this global crisis.  They'll also have of course everyone's Instagram feeds and Facebook memes.  So, here's what it's been like for the Argos thus far:
We were supposed to be in the throes in the Spring baseball schedule, with multiple games and practices each week.  Instead, we have not had school (or baseball) for a week at this point, and we are not scheduled to return until April 13, which may also be pushed back.  Only time will tell.  Caleb has been doing his work online, plus some additional work I have been giving to him.  We've been doing P.E. with dad:

And art with mom:

 Wren colored this:

 Check out this awesome leprechaun Caleb drew:

We've also taken to all playing music together in the mornings.  One of us on the recorder, one or two of us on ukuleles, and one of us playing the viola.  It's an interesting sound.

The term social distancing has become part of everyone's lingo, meaning that you should refrain from going into public unless absolutely necessary and then you cannot get within six feet of another person with whom you are not already living.  It doesn't sound like a big deal, but, in practice, it's hard.  While I've always been someone who likes to be out and about, I consider myself neither an extrovert nor a touchy-feely sort of person, but right now, all I want to do is go to a packed football arena and start hugging random strangers - not because I want to get the Corona virus (obviously), but because I miss being close to other human beings.  As someone who makes a living by meeting face-to-face with people and helping them with buying a house, making a will, or solving legal problems, I have felt the weight of this.  It's just not the same from six feet away (or over the phone).  But we are adjusting and doing what we must.  I just hope and pray that these are only temporary measures and that soon I can step back in to people's personal bubbles.  

Sadly, the gym has also been closed for a week.  I miss it and my gym buddies.  Thankfully, we have what we call "the dungeon" - our own personal gym in the garage, so we're able to get out workouts in.  I also now have some new and interesting gym friends:

While he doesn't really pull his weight in returning the weights to the rack or spotting, Checker does make for a fun distraction during water breaks.  It is a bit annoying that he insists on rubbing against my legs while I'm doing deadlifts, but I guess there could be worse workout partners.

These two really know how to torch a Tabata workout:

The run on toilet paper continues to rage on, but thankfully, we had just restocked before this all started.  The store shelves are often looking like this (especially in the toilet paper aisle):

No one really knows why everyone is hoarding tp, but that's what's happening.  We've mostly been able to get everything else that we need, though we've had to make a few substitutions and adjustments here and there.  

I've been trying to get the kids to do more chores around the house.  "Trying" being the operative word there.  But I was able to get them to clean the lower kitchen cabinets.  So when this is all over, there's at least that.  The game was to see who could make their wipe the dirtiest.  

The kids have not stepped foot into a public place in about 10 days.  In order to keep them from going stir crazy, we've taken them to various outdoor places to run around and play.  Here they are by the creek in Ellijay:

And here they are riding their bikes:

Or course, normal life actions, like haircuts, must still go on.  Tony was preparing to give himself a hair cut, when Caleb picked up the clippers and gave himself this:

Yikes!  Tony creatively turned it into:

He loves it, but I told him it was only while school was out.  Tony thought of trying the look too:

Thankfully, he thought better of it and shaved it all off.

Church has been "virtual" for these past two Sundays.  Though it's not the same (and not just because there's no childcare at our house), it's still been good to maintain our normal Sunday ritual, more or less.  I've also been immensely blessed by my personal devotions.  Here is the reading for one day:

How providential that my week's focus was on the providence of God during a week when I especially needed to hear that!

On another day this week, I read Esther chapter 4.  That very same day as I was driving down a road that I frequent often, there was a small yard sign that I have never seen before that simply said "Esther 4:14."  I don't believe in coincidences but in the providence of God, so I knew this must be something God is trying to tell me (or all of us).  The second part of it says: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"  Though I am still working out what this means and it's application, right now, I'm taking it to mean that we are all exactly where we are meant to be and that though there is sickness and fear all around, we are called to be a light in a dark place and to share the love of God with people who need it.  "For God gave us a spirit, not of fear, but of power and love and self control."  2 Timothy 1:7

So as we continue to hunker down for who knows how long, I am thankful - for all the things that we used to be able to enjoy without question but no longer can and for how God continues to provide for us.  I also pray that our family can be a helping hand and encouragement to those in need.  But most of all, I pray that we would rely on God to supply our needs, to heal the world of this disease, and to not let this suffering be wasted but be used to draw the nations closer to Him and to each other.

Play Ball!

It was opening weekend for Caleb's baseball team!

Though I had some reservations about the time requirements and costs, I'm glad we signed him up.  He's had nothing but fun so far, and it was fun for the rest of us too to enjoy the sunny weather while we watch him play.  Watching a group of 5 to 7-year-olds play baseball is quite entertaining.  They can hit, but their fielding is a little wild.
Regardless, his team won both games, 17 to 5 and 17 to 11, and Caleb led the team in RBIs both games.  More importantly, he's learning about hard work and being part of a team.

We'll see you at the ballpark!  Go Nationals!