Day 2
Saturday, March 21, 2020
“Mom, what do you want for a gift?”
“A good night’s sleep.”
I woke up this morning, thinking about my mom’s wish I often heard as a child. With four kids, uninterrupted sleep was something she didn’t get much. Last night (Friday), I told my husband that I think one of our elementary-aged kids needs extra snuggles and that I’d like to have her sleep in our bed with us.
“The question is, are you going to get much sleep?” He asked.
“Probably not. But, I think she needs it.” I replied.
Sometimes I wonder about how this whole new “normal” is affecting them, our kids. They seem like they’re okay, but as the week progressed, I also noticed less energy, more irritation, and more whines with, “Mom, I’m bored.” I think it’s a sign that they’re feeling the weight of this change too.
I know that I’m not doing anything physically strenuous, but I feel absolutely wiped out by midday. There is a lot to process mentally and emotionally.
Being snuggled up between mom and dad did something good for her… she seemed more relaxed throughout the day today. This weekend, my goal is to get more snuggles in….while reading, watching TV, putting them to bed, lounging around….
COVID-19 has literally changed how we do life.
It changed how we interact and connect with each other, how we work, how we shop, how we eat, how we do school, how we do church, and the list can go on. It’s incredible how quickly we have had to adjust and create a new “normal.” We’re all trying to get a handle on it.
And if anyone appears as though they have it all together, believe me, they don’t.
I know I don’t.
We’re all trying to figure it out.
Today, our big accomplishment consisted of making the executive decision as parents to go outside to a trail where we have frequently visited this past week. Every child had a different idea about how Saturday ought to be spent. This isn’t anything abnormal, but knowing that the rain is only a day away, we felt more of a sense of urgency to get some fresh air today.
I thought about how the COVID-19 Stay at Home order is a call made knowing that rain forecast is ahead…
We rode our bikes, played sardines, and enjoyed the outdoors. Despite the protests at the beginning, in the end, everyone returned home in a better place.

Our neighborhood trail was bustling with people trying to get some sun and enjoy the outdoors safely.
Oh and I can’t forget…. I found tortillas and bread, thanks to a friend who texted and told me that the store is stocked. I had not seen them for over a week folks! Thankful for our grocery store workers we often don’t recognize and take for granted.
I’m thankful for Zoom, Facetime, WhatsApp, Google Hangout, Facebook, Facebook Messaging, Nextdoor App, and text messaging that helps us stay connected. However, I am looking forward to the day that I can actually give and receive a hug from a friend.
We ended the night with the boys playing an online board game with some folks, and the girls and I snuggled up in our bed eating popcorn and watching a movie. We snuck in a couple of funny videos to laugh together….the twin ones were the best. Here’s a link to get you laughing and smiling.
As we were dozing off to sleep on my bed…
A daughter said, “Tomorrow is church.”
I said, “Yes, but we can’t go. We have to do it at home.”
She looked at me with this look that said ‘we can’t even meet together at church?’
But the words that came out from her mouth were,
“Oh wow….”
We dozed off to sleep praying Lord’s Prayer.…
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