The Nitty Gritty

Hi family! We're just sailing along in the quarantine. Most days are pretty good. Some days are a down right doozy. I find the doozy days are me feeling bad about not doing enough with my kids during this time. I know it's crazy thinking, but it's just what happens in my brain. Today, I was trying to clean up our computer by going through files and came across so many old videos and pictures of the boys. It was a proud moment for me as a mom because I was able to reminisce all the fun things I've done with Will and Van over the years. In that proud moment, I also had an epiphany that I think the reason I'm struggling lately with mom guilt is because "preschool to first grade" age is my jam and I could be all kinds of creative and fun during those years. Now, my boys are growing more independent and their interests are changing. It's hard for me to watch "Amazing World of Gumball" and play video games with them. It's just not fun for me...

Hi family! Happy Easter! Welp, we've made it another week in the quarantine. This has been the hardest week for ME yet. I've had a cough for a little over a week now. I know, I know. The immediate thought is, "Does she have the coronavirus?" I asked a nurse who works at our hospital and she said I can't be tested unless I have a fever. I haven't had a fever so I've just been laying low and not going anywhere. The few times I felt energized I think I pushed myself too much because I ended up wheezing really bad and just felt exhausted. So, I've limited my exercise to gentle yoga and shorter walks. I'll be so relieved when I feel 100% again. I miss my long bike rides, walks, and indoor workouts. I find my anxiety gets worse when I'm not exercising (imagine that!).  Another thing that's been hard for me this week is the realization that my favorite job in the world, my current job teaching part time preschool, is not a very sustainable ...

Hi family! How is everyone doing? We just ended week 3 of school closure. I have to give a big shout out to Will and Van. They have been so good the last two weeks since we started "home" school. Home school for us is a little bit of structure in the morning and then video games at 3:00 pm. Our school district is not doing assignments or grading. They've given the kids online resources as part of a review rather than introduce new curriculum. It really takes the pressure off and I'm grateful they're doing it that way. I find that if I start the mornings off right and save video games for the late afternoon, we're all happier. It's been very helpful not having to rush out the door in the morning. We have time now to do Come Follow Me in the mornings and say affirmations at the breakfast table. My former colleague, Anne Marie, moved to Alaska and said we could have her trampoline. It's taken us a few months to drive over there and get it but we fin...