The Start of the School Year

The school year ended virtually at the beginning of the summer. I still got summer workbooks and tried to make them keep up with some sort of "schoolwork." Thankfully, they all like trips to the library and it's not too hard to get them to look at books. 

With interesting and different scenarios on the horizon for the 20-21 school year, we felt led to make some changes.

Adam teaches at a small Christian school. Going on his 3rd year there. 

Due to the boys doing well in their public school settings, and Adam and I both being products of public schools, we both had never felt a strong urge to change anything for them. We had encountered great teachers, the boys had made friends, and we've had a good experience so far. 

Our public school system is quite large. At any size school, decisions about how to handle things during COVID have been incredibly difficult, but even harder to manage when dealing with so many more students. When our public schools announced that they would be starting virtually this fall (and initially said they would do this through at least October), we felt like we needed to consider another option. 

When we realized we qualified for a Choice scholarship for private education (due to our income) paired with Adam's staff discount, it was almost about the same cost as the public school fees to send our boys to the school where Adam teaches. And that school was going to be starting in person. 

In the spring, Adam was home with the boys for virtual learning. But he would be going back in person this fall and I work 3 days a week in an office setting. How would we juggle virtual learning/childcare for them?

So......we decided to send the younger 2 to school with Adam. They've loved it so far and are happy. They've been safe. There haven't been any outbreaks. It's been so good for them to be back in-person in a classroom setting. Our public school has recently begun having elementary students return in-person, but we still feel good about our choice. We'll take one semester at a time with them. 

Landon wanted to continue at the public school. He's in quite a few honors classes and likes the extracurriculurs that he's been invovled with in middle school. Ad the small private school can't quite offer those. And he's very independent and responsible with the whole virtual learning thing (The younger two boys are not!). He's been doing virtual learning since school began. Just this week, they will begin a "hybrid schedule" where he will go 2 days a week in-person. He's looking forward to it.  

Bats and Balls

Last spring, all sports were cancelled or postponed. 

Heath and Tate both were able to play a delayed baseball season. It was the first thing that was on our schedules after months of not having anything. They don't quite love the game like Adam did. Heath improved a lot in machine pitch as the season went on. He went from the bottom of the batting lineup to the top by the last games. Tate's hilight was his team winning the league championship and the in-park homerun that he had. 

We like having them in sports because they have so much energy and it needs to be gotten out in constructive ways so that they do not destruct this house and one another. We took hikes, went on bike rides, and went fishing this summer quite a bit also. As the spring and summer went on, they also enjoyed having an abundance of neighborhood boys to play with. 

And this fall, we've finally let Tate try out football. He's been wanting to for several years and we satisfied it with flag football, but he aged out of that league in our area. Still not sure how I feel about tackle. And I don't think he quite knows how he feels about it either. :) But at least he can't be upset with us for never letting him try it. He's had a few games already, but he's on a young team and they haven't managed to get a win yet.  (I know, I know.....It's not all about winning.)

Landon and Heath are both playing soccer this fall. They needed a few more players to round out the rosters for the Academy and Rec Leagues, so Landon is playing on both, which he loves. Soccer is the only sport he wants to play. 

All of the leagues, especially these fall ones, have masks mandated and enforced for coming to games. Players wear them to the fields, but then can take them off. Coaches have them on. Definitely a different feel this year, but we are super grateful that they can still participate in these activities and get some of that energy out, learn new skills, and be a part of a team effort. 

South Haven Getaway

We really didn't travel much this year. Due to Covid concerns, many travels plans were cancelled for most people. We had plans to spend a few days exploring Chicago over Spring Break, but that didn't happen. At the end of July, we managed to get away just for a couple of nights. We stayed at a cute little campground outside of South Haven, Michigan, which is only a little over an hour away from us. But it was very enjoyable to get away and have a change of scenery. 

During a Pandemic

We're certainly in the midst of an unprecedented time. School buildings closing for over two months and kids doing online learning. Collegiate and professional sports ceasing competition. Non-essential businesses being shut down or employees working from home. Self-isolating and social distancing in which we are instructed to only leave for absolutely essential needs and then we make sure to stay at least six feet away from others. People being encouraged to wear masks and gloves if they must go out. Hard to believe that this is what we many parts of the world are looking like right now in order to avoid and beat COVID-19/Coronovirus.

"Longing to go out again"
This is how I caught Heath one evening.

Basically, its a big reminder that we often have very little control over things that happen in our world and in our lives. In an instant, so much can change. 

We're grateful that we have our anchor in the God that is never changing. A God that is sovereign, righteous, and good. A God that gives hope and peace even in the midst of uncertainty, brokenness, and loss for so many. 

Thankfully, at this time, we are both still getting our regular paychecks even though we are mostly working from home. 

Initially, I imagined how much I would get done with all of the extra down time. Write a book. Practice the piano. Pull out that blank art canvas and make a masterpiece. Brush up on my Spanish. And basically, I've gotten nothing "extra" done. Our house is messier than normal since we are ALL here ALL the time. Plus, we were used to having company at least once or twice a week in which we would do some tidying up. Welp, no one is coming over these days. And it really doesn't feel like there is much down time for too many "extra" things.

Easter 2020
This is by far the nicest we've looked in the past month.

But....I'm OK with it all. We've spent lots of time together and and for the most part, we've embraced this mandatory slow down. It's been rather nice to have laid back evenings at home where we enjoy dinner together without needing to rush off to an activity or practice. I don't even bother to open up my planner to see what's going on for the week.....because there's NOTHING going on. We've enjoyed 8 AM family devotions every morning that include all of us and are not hurried and rushed. We've played lots of games. Read books aloud. Been active outside. Watched movies together. Tried to incorporate a few "special" or "new" experiences or activities here and there. Overall, the boys have gotten along pretty well. We all miss seeing people, going places, having activities, etc. But we know this will pass. And it's been disappointing to have so many things cancelled....We recognize our disappointment, but also recognize there's nothing we can do about things right now. 

Screen time is still pretty limited. Minecraft is the choice these days.
Pokemon cards have also come out of hibernation and they've spent a lot of time with those.

Sunday morning online church.

Lots of game playing.
The Farming Game (pictured), Sushi Go, Euchre, Monopoly Deal, Chomp, Exploding Kittens, Blink, Pictionary and Pandemic are a few we've enjoyed.

Reading in a blanket fort.

Dying eggs.

Lots of driveway and yard activities.

The boys discovered the fun of putting "cards" in bike tires to make them noisy. With earnestness in his voice, Heath said that it made him feel like "the luckiest kid on earth."

Took a nice day and rode bikes at a state park and explored a little bit of trail. Tate belongs in the woods.

I made these two make banana bread, mostly, on their own.

Adam and the boys have both had to adjust to eLearning. As a teacher, Adam is not a fan, but it is what it is. You get what you get and you don't throw a fit. I was still going into the office for the first 2 weeks that the boys began eLearning, so Adam navigated all of that for them and continues to do most of the help for them. And he's done an amazing job. They respond to him so much better than they do to me. There would be so much more whining and dragging of feet if I was in charge (for them and for me). Plus, he's more technologically capable than I am. He is the senior class advisor at his school, so it's been disappointing to have all of that come to a halt and miss out on all of those events to some extent or to have to figure out how to do them with a Plan B that is still subject to not being viable. 

Physically, this time period is putting me through the ringer. 

First, there was the incident with a knife and my finger as I chopped onions. It's been 2.5 weeks since then. I'm pretty sure I've avoided infection, but we'll see if the nail grows back (I shaved the right 1/2 of my nail off, along with some skin). I've kept it in fresh, padded bandages this whole time with lots of antibiotic cream. 

Then almost two weeks ago as I was doing some art therapy in the driveway with sidewalk chalk after the announcement that Indiana schools would not be meeting for the remainder of the year, I went to get up after having been sitting on my knees and I felt/heard a painful POP in my knee. I had to have Adam help me into the house and couldn't put any weight on it for 2 days. Lots of ice and rest since then and it's still pretty tender and I can't fully straighten it. It's been almost 17 years since I had that ACL reconcstructed and I haven't had hardly any issues since.  My completely untrained, unprofessional self-diagnosis is that I did some sort of ligament damage that will need attention. But I've put off making an appointment with an orthopedic doctor yet. 

And with my knee being gimpy, but somewhat useable this past weekend, I did some weeding and landscaping. And now I've strained something in my wrist pretty good. And made my knee get angrier. Our morning prayer time includes, "Help mom because she's falling apart." (Insert emoji laughing.....and then another one crying)

Thankfully, Adam is a very good caregiver and assures me he will still love me and not leave me if my body stops working. :) I love being active though. Before my knee went to pot, I was enjoying multiple walks per day, quiet morning workouts in the basement, and winning family games of HORSE. I was literally sprinting down the street the day before it happened as I raced the boys as they rode on scooters. Activity and exercise is a stress reliever, a way for me to connect with our energetic boys, and something I fully enjoy. Not to mention, physical exertion from activity helps this woman sleep like a rock! 

Anyways. I've had a few pity parties over the matter, but I'm a big believer in trying to keep things in perspective. I never want to downplay the reality that people are facing in loss, grieving, coping, adjusting, stress to what is going on......but for me, it helps to push through with recognizing that my "harships" during this time - or any time......are all temporary and earthly. And by "hardships," I also mean that there are REAL hardships that others are experiencing.....death of a loved one, actual physical and spiritual poverty, horrible social injustices and abuse, completely debilitating physical ailments. My life is still incredibly comfortable and good compared to the majority of those living on this earth. We will get through this time of social distancing, cancellations, and uncertainty. And my knee is not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. 

It also helps for me to turn my eyes upward toward God, rather than inward at myself. I had recently shared in a group Zoom meeting that it was sometimes easier for me to prioritize being active and my physical health than it was for me to prioritize spending time with God's Word - which I KNOW is way more important. Welp, this is one way for me to have more time to do so. Praying I take advantage of my circumstances and use it wisely to keep my eyes on Him.

Just wanted to take a few moments to "document" what we are experiencing during this days. 

Valentine's Day 2020

We like to celebrate all types of love in our lives for Valentine's Day! 

I threw my first "Galentine's Brunch" this year! (Pretty sure this idea first came from the show Parks and Rec....the whole idea is to celebrate your Gal Pals and "kick it breakfast-style.") It was lovely to gather local women from various areas of my life and treat them to a nice breakfast! I love how they were game for gathering....some didn't know anyone else there....but I felt like by the time they left they had been encouarged, connected with, and felt special! 

And the last few years, as our schedule allows, we have a fancy family celebration for Valentine's Day. That afternoon Adam asked if he and the boys really had to get dressed up for dinner. My response: "I spent over $30 on meat and the potatoes are cut into the shapes of hearts. You will all dress up." They complied very nicely and didn't complain. They even smelled good. They are at such fun ages where they think it's fun to drink out of fancy glasses and do special things like this. We ended the evening by putting comfy clothes on and watching the live action of "Lady and the Tramp."

Love this life I get to live and the people I get to share it with! 

Landon Turned 12!

 Landon turned 12!

We let him invite a few handfuls of friends over to hang out at the house (By the way, summer birthdays are WAY easier for this!). They did an escape room scenario, ate lots of food, and watched Avengers:End Game. 

Here's what Landon is like at 12:

-Pretty responsible when it comes to schoolwork and academics. He takes multiple honors classes and enjoys them. 

- His favorite sport is soccer.

- He's really enjoyed being in the school Robotics club this year. He's also been doing Percussion for the school band. 

- Still has a silly, goofy, and chatty personality at home. In larger public settings, he is quite a bit more subdued. 

- He's very socially motivated. Always wanting to know if he can have someone over, if we can go somewhere to see someone, etc. 

- Wishes he had a little sister. 

- Already talking about what he wants his first job to be: Arby's. He loves their sauce. 

- Wants to be either a professional soccer player, but has also been considering a Librarian or Computer Engineer. 

- He can be very helpful and kind at times. 

- Overall, he's a very eager and easy-to-please kid. Doesn't take much to get him excited. 

We're so grateful to have him in our family! 

That little basement project from awhile back....

So...We're mostly finished with our basement finishing project. We've been mostly finished for awhile.....but I'm a little slow to post.

Also a slow decorator. So, enjoy the simplistic style that I have attained. Although, some of that is purposeful. The basement is where boys have other boys over and engage in Nerf wars and other escapades. I'd rather not have to worry about things getting broken. 

When we bought this house, we knew we would aim to finish the basement. Our house is a ranch.....and I need to tell boys to go to another level sometimes. The basement has engineered trusses.....which is nice because then you don't have to have big metal supports in the middle of the basement. Plus, the basement ceiling was a little higher than most typical builds.

Here is a BEFORE picture that we took when considering to buy the house.

We started this project late last fall. Those early stages always feel like they move along slowly......Framing, electrical, plumbing, air ducts....Not always super exciting, but I suppose, very necessary. 

There was that one time where we bought 96 long sheets of drywall. We even rallied a couple friends to help us carry them all to the basement. Once down there, we discovered that half of the sheets were the wrong thickness. The store had prepared the order ahead of time.....but I suppose Adam and his sidekick could have double-checked them upon loading. Soooo.....1/2 of them had to be hauled back out of the basement, loaded up, and returned to the store. And then the correct half had to be loaded, unloaded, and hauled to the basement. If I was a cussing woman, I felt that would have been a time where a few would have flown. 

We (meaning Adam) do most of the work. We hire out a few things. He had someone come and double check all of his electrical work. He had a few extra hands help him insulate. He had an expert double-check his plumbing and install a pump (Yep, you have to buy a pricey pump if you are going to have a toilet in the basement. It's purpose is to pump out any solid waste. If you didn't know that was necessary, well, now you do. I suggested just never letting anyone go #2 down there......). And Adam always prefers to hire out the drywall mudding. 

We even employed our boys. 

I did my fair share of hauling supplies to the basement, sanding walls and trim, taping, and all of the painting of the walls and cupboards. I'm also very good at asking, "So....what's next?" 

The sink in the cupboards is not installed. And we are still debating on installing a microwave above the sink. Adam wants to have a hidden entrance to his mancave/storage area. He'd like to put a bookcase behind the sliding barn door that goes to it. So, when you slide the door, you'd initially see the bookcase, but then the bookcase would also slide open. Tricky, eh?! (If you remember the hidden trick door at our GR house, you'll not be surprised at this idea.)

We've already hosted a handful of guests. And we're ready for more! 

This is the third basement we've taken from unfinished to finished.