Human Seeking God

So, I listen to this podcast, Human Seeking Human. Its usually pretty fun to listen to, old personal ads being read in today's time, just a funny thing. Another "segment" that host Alex does is Honest Ads - ads sent in by listeners about what they are going through in life, what they are seeking, ect. This specific ad is from episode 10. It hit me right in the feels. You might need to hear it to really get the punch, if so, you can listen on multiple platforms, or you can click right here for you convenience. If you want to find it on your own, it is episode 10 and the segment begins around 11:28. I've transcribed to the best of my ability below though. 

Human seeking God

Irreverently delightful woman in her mid-30's seeks God. 

Wonders if she's having a life crisis of a sorts or if Jesus really did catch up with her blasphemous, kindness and wonderous highly functional depression in order to make her start asking the real questions in life. 

Oscillating between believing and soul level rage between about how God can be both loving and also deeply unfair is a trademark in her daily life. 

While praying, the very confronting whys of her life seem to cut in, unannounced, to demand answers about the current state of the world, her life, of her heart. 

Seeking God who will meet her where she is, meet her at the terrible Jesus jokes she makes. 

The wonder of a God when she looks up at the night sky and asks herself if there isn't a creator, where did all this come from? 

Seeking a God who meets her on her mountain of anxiety, her questioning about why she was paired with a life partner that she can never truly be with. at the intersection between faith and salty moodiness. 

God, I am seeking you. Are you listening? 

Are you working all things for good even though they seem horrible? 

Did you set me down this path alone to test me? And will you be there to help along the way. 

You know where to reach me. 

Road Trip (for some of us!)

I am so very blessed to have a best friend who still surprises me. On Friday, she stopped by to visit. Not that big of a surprise unless you know that she lives about an 8 hour drive away. 

She brought me a beautiful necklace that contains some of my mom's ashes as well as an ADORABLE flamingo ornament for our tree! 

My girls were a little disappointed the kids weren't with her. You see, my best friend has four children, three of which are very close in age to my girls. Then Sam piped up with an idea, typical Sam craziness, but my kids latched on. She suggested that they come visit for several weeks then she would bring them home when she next visited (she planned in three weeks.) After we checked with the girls' dad, it was approved by all. 

Back row: Ryan, Alivia, McKayla, Tyler  
front row: Isaac, Natalie, Jasmine 

McKayla had some apprehension and anxiety, but she reluctantly went. She's still quite anxious about things, so we are taking things day by day with her.

Overall everyone else seems happy. My sister is ecstatic that they might be there for her birthday (December 7). 

I'm just happy the girls are able to do this with the pandemic and online school. Otherwise they wouldn't be able to! This should be something that they remember forever. I'm glad that my bff is so brave. I don't think I could handle seven children! 

Music Heals

Sometimes a song just touches your heart.

JJ Heller has a way with words and many of her songs have hit my heart strings and touched me in a way no other songs have... this is one of them.

For those who have dealt with loss, may this be a salve to your hurting soul.

We only part to meet again.
By JJ Heller, Dave Heller, and Leslie Jordan

My daughter has a best friend

Who’s about to move away

And it kills me as a mother

To see her feel this kind of pain

This is her first great loss

It won’t be her last

I cannot make it stop

And so I say

I know you wish there was a way to slow the hands of time

But when you truly love someone

You never say goodbye

‘Cause they’re woven in the fabric of the person you’ve become

It is impossible

Impossible to lose

The ones you love

My grandpa’s name is Henry

And Audrey was his wife

After 50 years together

She was still the love of his whole life

Before her final breath

She reached and took his hand

He bowed to kiss her head

And heard her say

I know you wish there was a way to slow the hands of time

But when you truly love someone

You never say goodbye

‘Cause they’re woven in the fabric of the person you’ve become

It is impossible

Impossible to lose

The ones you love

I know the winds of change will blow again

I feel it in my heart

I know it in my head

And though I can’t avoid the road that lies ahead

I choose these words instead

Even though there’s not a way to slow the hands of time

When you truly love someone

You never say goodbye

‘Cause they’re woven in the fabric of the person you’ve become

It is impossible

Impossible to lose

It is impossible

Impossible to lose

The ones you love

There Are No Words....

As of October 29, I have a child who is legally old enough to drive! 

From this: 

To this: 

She drew the design for this sweatshirt herself. <3 I'm so very proud of the young woman she's becoming. 

Its been a rough year. Even before the "lock down" she was missing school. We got an official diagnosis of anxiety with depression from the doctor late this winter (just before COVID). So far she's tried two medications and is doing fair on the second. I am hopeful that she will be back to her normal soon. This is her FRESHMAN year after all! The nice thing is that in the school district we are in, she is still in junior high until next year, so she has more adjustment time. 

McKaylas favorites include anime shows, drawing, listening to music, making tic tok videos (lots of "edits" of other people's images) and playing on the xbox. 

I am sure she isn't reading this, but maybe some day! Praying that she had a most wonderful birthday and that many more follow. I also pray that she has an amazing year and that her 15th on this earth is the best one yet. 

COVID-19 Update

Well, here we are in month SEVEN of me working from home. Not going to lie, it's starting to get a little bit old. I miss my desk and my work friends. Not that I don't love working with my dogs and husband every day. 

My girls all started school remotely and only this week have returned to the building part time. In the "hybrid school model" all the students are online on Mondays, then on Tuesday and Thursdays, students with the last names beginning A through L (ish) attend classes in the building. The rest attend online those days and go to school on Wednesdays and Fridays while the other group stay home. It is a lot simpler then it sounds. Basically my girls all have the same schedule: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday online. Wednesday and Friday at school. 

They also have lots of preventative measures in place to keep the kiddos safe while they are there: 

• While at school, masks are on all the time. 
• They don't have lockers (in the junior high) and keep everything in their backpacks.
• Chromebooks are utilized whenever possible so that they can prevent the passing of paper between students and teachers. 
  
• drinking fountains are turned off and they only have the water-bottle fillers available for water. 
• sanitizing stations are available everywhere! By everywhere I mean in each classroom, at the school entrance, the cafeteria entrance and other main areas. 
• Band students are required to wear special masks while playing instruments and special covers ON their instruments while playing to prevent the spread of aerosol particles. 

I am sure there are others I am forgetting but that is the main ones I can think of. All I can say is my girls are mostly thrilled to be back in the classroom for the first time since before spring break. 

The numbers here in Idaho are still terrible, going up. 

Idaho Numbers: 

56,600 total cases

950 new cases
(confirmed and probable as of "today 10/22") 

553 deaths 

Numbers from Idaho Novel Coronavirus website

United States Numbers

8,387,047 total cases

222,447 deaths 

updated 10/23/2020 1:49 pm 

Numbers from covid.cdc.gov

World Wide Numbers

41,570,883 confirmed cases 

1,134,940 confirmed deaths

218 countries, areas or territories with cases 

Over a million deaths and the numbers continue to rise :( Hopefully I can stop making these updates soon. 

Meet Lola!

On Thursday, the opportunity arose for us to adopt another dog. 

You see, all summer McKayla had been begging to get her friend's grandmother's dog (they were a bit overwhelmed with the ones they had). His name was Blackie and he was a chihuahua mix. After a somewhat short conversation with Stephen, we agreed that we were ready for another small dog. 

I texted McKayla's friends grandmother to see if Blackie was still available. This was Thursday morning. She replied that she would have to talk to her husband that afternoon. I told the family and we waited. Later that afternoon I texted again and she replied that he wouldn't be home until 9:30. As we were thinking this was already a mostly "sure thing" I was crossing my fingers that this was still going to happen. 

Thankfully, she texted back at 7:30, unfortunately it wasn't the answer we were hoping for. Her husband wanted to keep Blackie but they were looking to find Fat Girl a good home. She knew that we would be a good home if we were interested. We had to go see her after hearing that! 

McKayla's first meeting 

Needless to say, it was a yes. As you can see, she isn't much to look at. She needed a bath, her hair isn't the soft smooth coat that we are used to (think the fur of a cairn terrier). But oh was she loving and cuddly. Its been five days now and I think she's getting the routine of our household. Finally eating and going potty normally. I took her to a vet around the corner from us and she weighs a whopping five pounds six and a half ounces! I finally have the girl dog who I can dress up and make her fancy! 

Here she is with a bow in her hair

and here she is with a build-a-bear sweater on

We did re-name her promptly, the night we got her because, sorry not sorry, fat girl is not a dog name in this family. So, her name is 

Lola Lynn 

Like a proper southern belle! I cannot wait to share more about how this beautiful little girl grows into her new family. We love her already! 

 

Another Teenager!

Seems that although this year is C-R-A-W-L-I-N-G by, it is also flying! 

Suddenly I looked at the calendar to find it September. School has started (all online for now, but they are learning!) I realized that I have been working from home since March which is SIX months! 

September also brings a birthday to our house, sweet Natalie turned 13 this year! I can hardly believe that I have TWO teenagers now. 

For her birthday, she asked her sisters to put on dresses (McKayla was okay with it, Alivia, not so much. She did leggings under lol.) 

I told them all that if they were all wearing dresses I was going to take nice pictures of them! Worked out well for mom. ;) 

All about Natalie this year: 

• She still loves her purple and unicorns. 
• She is doing amazing in school even though it is so different.
• She is stubborn to a fault and will argue about ANYTHING! 
• LOVES animals of any kind. Asks to take home every animal we see including zoo animals. I am constantly telling her no. 
• Addicted to tic-tok and loves doing "the dances" that all the "big stars" do. I don't always get it, but I love the smiles she gives me when she nails a performance. 
  
• loves taking pictures
• HATES chores, most hated is filling the dishwasher! 

We are looking forward to later this year when the girls can go to in person school. This seventh grade year hasn't been what we were hoping for, but she's making the best of it. Fingers crossed for a better year next year! 

Happy birthday Natalie! 

**Edited to add, sorry this is late, apparently I didn't hit "publish" ** 

9 Years!

Yesterday, I celebrated my 9 year anniversary with St. Luke's Healthcare System. 

When I first moved to Idaho, I had an interview already set up with an internal medicine clinic in Meridian. Needless to say, it went well. After a couple phone calls asking me very nicely not to take another job, that I was hired and that the paperwork was just taking forever. I promised that I wouldn't take another job and I started at St Luke's Internal Medicine in Meridian on July 20, 2011.

I worked there until February 14, 2019 when I changed departments and moved to the Health Information Department. I am basically doing the same things I was doing in the clinic, but a lot more of them. 

Since March 20, I have been working from home, which is weird. My manager didn't forget my anniversary though, she sent me an e-card complete with message: 

Betsy, 

 Congrats on 9 years with St. Luke's! One more year and you'll get the increased PTO accrual - yay!!! You've done great work with both SLIM and HIM and we are glad to have you with us. Besides the work, I'm grateful for your personality. You've been a great addition to our team and hope to have you around for many years to come. 

 Jolene :)

It really made me smile. Sometimes it is the small things. 

I still can't believe it's been NINE FREAKING YEARS!  

Happy Anniversary to me. 😙

Another Facebook COVID-19 funny

Dear Diary 2020 Edition:

-In January, Australia caught on fire. I don’t even know if that fire was put out, because we straight up almost went to war with Iran. We might actually still be almost at war with them. I don’t know, because Jen Aniston and Brad Pitt spoke to one another at an awards show and everyone flipped out, but then Netflix released Cheer and everyone fell in love with Jerry, but then there was thing happening in China, then Prince Harry and Megan peaced out of the Royal family, and there was the whole impeachment trial, and then corona virus showed up in the US “officially,” but then Kobe died and UK peaced out of the European Union

-In February, Iowa crapped itself with the caucus results and the president was acquitted and the Speaker of the House took ten years to rip up a speech, but then WHO decided to give this virus a name COVID-19, which confused some really important people in charge of, like, our lives, into thinking there were 18 other versions before it, but then Harvey Weinstein was found guilty, and Americans started asking if Corona beer was safe to drink, and everyone on Facebook became a doctor who just knew the flu like killed way more people than COVID 1 through 18.

-In March, shit hit the fan. Warren dropped out of the presidential race and Sanders was like Bernie or bust, but then Italy shut its whole ass down, and then COVID Not 1 through 18 officially become what everyone already realized, a pandemic and then a nationwide state of emergency was declared in US, but it didn’t really change anything, so everyone was confused or thought it was still just a flu, but then COVID Not 18 was like ya’ll not taking me seriously? I’m gonna infect the one celebrity everyone loves and totally infected Tom Hanks, but then the DOW tanked and most of us still don’t understand why the stock market is so important or even a thing but then we were all introduced to Tiger King. (Carol totally killed her husband), and Netflix was like you’re welcome, and we all realized there was no way we were washing our hands enough in the first place because all of our hands are now dry and gross.

-In April, Bernie finally busted himself out of the presidential race, but then NYC became the set of The Walking Dead and we learn that no one has face masks, ventilators, or toilet paper, or THE DAMN SWIFTER WET JET LIQUID, but then Kim Jong-Un died, but then he came back to life… or did he? Who knows, because then the Pentagon released videos of UFOs, and we were like man, it’s only April….

-In May, the biblical end times kicked off historical locust swarms and then we learned of murder hornets and realized that 2020 was the start of the Hunger Games but people forgot to let us know, but then people legit protested lock-down measures with AR-15s, and then sports events were cancelled everywhere, But then people all over America finally reached a breaking point with race issues and violence. There were protests in every city, but then people totes forgot about the pandemic called COVID Not One Through 18. Media struggled with how to focus on two important things at once, but then people in general struggled to focus on more than one important thing, and a dead whale was found in the middle of the Amazon rain forest after monkeys stole COVID 1 Through 19 from a lab and ran off with them, and either in May or April (no one is keeping track of time now) that a giant asteroid narrowly missed earth.

-In June, science and common sense just got thrown straight out the window and somehow wearing masks became a political thing, but then a whole lot of people realized the south was actually the most unpatriotic thing ever and actually lost the civil war, and there is a large amount of people who feel that statues they don’t even know the name of are needed for … history reasons, but then everyone sort of remembered there was a pandemic, but then decided that not wearing a mask was somehow a god given right (still haven't found that part in the bible or even in the constitution), but then scientists announced they found a mysterious undiscovered mass at the center of the earth, and everyone was like DON’T YOU DARE TOUCH IT, but then everyone took a pause to realize that people actually believed Gone With The Wind was like non-fiction, but then it was also announced that there is a strange radio single coming from somewhere in the universe that repeats itself every so many days, and everyone was like DON’T YOU DARE ATTEMPT TO COMMUNICATE WITH. IT, but then America reopened from the shut down that actually wasn’t even a shut down, and so far, things have gone spectacularly not that great, but everyone is on Facebook arguing that masks kill because no one knows how breathing works, but then Florida was like hold my beer and let me show you how we’re number one in all things, including new Not Corona Beer Corona Virus, Trump decides now is a good time to ask the Supreme Court to shut down Obama Care because what better time to do so than in the middle of a pandemic, but then we learned there was a massive dust cloud coming straight at us from the Sahara Desert, which is totally normal, but this is 2020, so the ghost mummy thing is most likely in that dust cloud, but then I learned of coke-boars and meth-gators, and I'm like that is so not on my 2020 Bingo card, but then we learned that the Congo's worse ever Ebola outbreak is over, and we were all like, there was an ebola outbreak that was the worse ever?

-In July…. Aliens? Zeus? Asteroids? Artificial Intelligence becomes self aware?

Still With The COVID-19?

It has been nearly two months since I posted my last update. I will start with the numbers. 

6,370 cases in Idaho 

253 new cases (confirmed and probable today 7/1) 

92 deaths (an increase of 28 since my last update) 

According to CoronaVirus.Idaho.Gov 

 2,624,873 (43,644 new compared to yesterday's data) total cases in the US

127,299 deaths (560 new compared to yesterday's data) 

Numbers from the cdc's website 

10,533,779 worldwide confirmed cases

512,842 confirmed deaths

216 countries, areas or territories with cases 

Numbers from the WHO website 

I cannot believe we are dealing with a worldwide pandemic that has KILLED more then five hundred thousand people. You know what people on the internet are arguing about now? Wearing facemasks! 

Oregon governor Kate Brown signed an executive order that all Oregonians (12 years or older) will need to wear masks when they are in a public indoor space. She calls this a "last-ditch measure against surging numbers of new cases and hospitalized patients over the past month in Oregon." According to an OregonLive article. 

Being that I am from Oregon, I have many friends on my facebook who still live there. While many are supportive of this, there are a few I have had to "snooze for 30 days" because they are so vocal about their rights being violated by being forced to wear a mask. 

A graphic I've shared on facebook

And another one

I don't understand how someone could not see the benefits of wearing a mask over the so-called "loss of freedoms." You are only being asked to wear it indoors in public places... It is being promoted by all the major healthcare systems that I've looked at (the CDC, WHO, Mayo clinic) There has even been a recommendation by both major healthcare systems in the city I currently live in!

This is why we need to ALL mask up. The EU is seeing the decline that we wanted to see. Unfortunately, our leadership did a CRAP job of containing this and pretended it wasn't a real problem. We have been failed by our government and it is time for us to be proactive. That means MASK UP! 

Please, please, just wear a mask when you are in a store or otherwise in a public building. 

Because the two months I tried, I failed. My kids education cannot depend on me. I'm too stupid and lack the patience to home-school or have my kids "distance learning." 

Over The Rainbow Bridge

On Tuesday, June 16 we had to help our fur-baby Odin over the rainbow bridge. It was perhaps the most difficult decision I have ever had to make in my adult life. We had almost five beautiful years with him. You can read my multiple blog posts about him here.

His situation before he came to us is unclear, but we suspect he was part of a puppy-mill situation, which certainly didn't add to his life. The years he spent with us he was spoiled rotten! He got to travel with us, got a monthly "bark box" full of toys and treats. His girls all loved on him and cuddled with him. Every night was spent sleeping in our bed and every morning he woke up with us (and sometimes woke us up!) 

In November, we found out he was blind and knew that our days with him were winding down. Stephen and I were committed to making sure that whatever days he had left would be happy ones. We made sure the house was blind dog safe and I did the research on how to help him out. For the most part, you couldn't even tell he was blind. Well, the last few weeks he had started bumping into more things, he was unable to even jump up onto the couch, was eating less and could barely get himself up the two steps to get back inside after going potty. It was time to get him in to see the vet. 

The vet examined him and said we had a couple options: we could do imaging and blood work and try and figure out what was causing his abdominal issues (distension, possible cardiac enlargement). That even if they did all that, it was possible that they wouldn't find an answer. Or because of his age, his declining health and his blindness, we could consider compassionate euthanasia. 

When we asked the vet to help us decide how to make the decision, she told us she made them by asking herself about her animals three favorite things. If her pet could no longer enjoy them, then the decision was clear. Stephen and I talked and decided that clearly, Odin's quality of life was poor. He could no longer enjoy any of the things he loved (other then sleeping). We were living in constant fear that we would awake to find him already gone. 

The Idaho Humane Society Vet clinic was wonderful and kind. They took care of everything for us. Even sent a sympathy card along with his little paw prints. I am already planning a tattoo on my leg to remember him by. 

Six Grader of the Year

Natalie and Mr Fife with her award 

Look at the surprised face! 

May 15 I got a call from Mr. Fife, Natalie's sixth grade teacher. He asked me if I was somewhere where Natalie wouldn't be able to overhear us speaking. I took my phone into the bedroom and said yes. Quickly, he told me that Natalie had been chosen to be the sixth grader of the year. During the call he listed off all the reasons they had picked her. Told me they still wanted to present her with a certificate, even if it couldn't be during the traditional graduation like a "normal" year (stupid COVID-19!)

Together we set a date for me to bring her to school to "get lunch" and he would be there with Mr Forrey and they would bring out her award and let her know.  

I asked her teachers to write her letters on why she was chosen and what they would remember about her. This is what I got back. 

Letter from Mr. Fife and Mr. Forrey (your 6th grade teachers)

Natalie, 

Well, the end of this year didn't go how any of us had hoped! And with report card comments being so short this time, I wanted to write you a letter that allowed me some more space to say what I truly wanted to say. 

You, Miss Natalie, are one of a kind! I don't know that I've ever met someone who worked harder and was more intent on improving every part of their education. I have had a lot of students in my 14 years as a youth leader and teacher, but I have not had a harder working student. This will take you SO FAR in your life! An here's the best part - no matter what struggle you were facing, no matter the assignment, n matter the task given, you approached it all with a smile on your face! It's amazing to see how much better you make everyone else's lives around you. The respect you have earned from other students and teachers is truly unmatched. You inspire ME to work harder every day. There were times where I just simply wanted to sit back, look at my phone for 10 to 15 minutes during lunch and just say "Ugh, I need a break!" Then, you'd walk in, sit down and get right to work and I'd think to myself... Wow, if Natalie can do this, so can I! 

You just keep on doing your thing. Your determination to do well on your assignments, your mindset to push yourself to do your best in everything that's in front of you, and the dignity and respect you treat everyone with has truly been an honor to be a part of. I know that you are going to do some great things in your life Natalie! Keep on being you, don't ever let anyone change you! You deserved this year's Sixth Grader of the Year award, no doubt about it! I am so happy to have had you in my class this year, and I really hope you will stay in touch as you get older and move into bigger and better things! Keep on working hard, keep on treating people the way you always do, and you will have the most amazing life! Thank you for letting me be a part of it Natalie! Have a fantastic summer and good luck in 7th grade. You are a superstar among rockstars! 

Your sixth grade teachers, 

Mr. Fife and Mr Forrey :)

Letter from Mrs G. (your 5th grade teacher)

Dear Natalie,

I heard you were named 6th Grader of the Year! That is so, so amazing, kiddo. You are so deserving. That title goes to kids who are kind to their very core, work hard, and help others. You embody all of those things. I remember from 5th grade the kindness you showed everyone, your infectious smile, and the hard work you put into every project. You were in 5th grade, and still are, an outstanding kid.

Thank you for being an up-stander, showing kindness and advocacy to those around you. Thank you for having a positive attitude, especially when it’s hard. Thank you for trying your best, even when the work is challenging. Some of my favorite moments in 5th grade were when you’d come up and read with me, one-on-one. You didn’t let the challenging texts stop you….and you and I got to have a little reading moment together. I looked forward to it every time we did novels.

I know the end of 6th grade didn’t go the way we wanted it to. I just bought my son a t-shirt (because he’s a senior this year) that says “Senior Year 2020- Worst. Ending. Ever.” and then has 1 out of 5 stars shaded in. I feel the same for you and your class. So many fun things cancelled and a terrible finish to your elementary school career. HOWEVER, we are blessed and lucky to be healthy, have each other, have food and shelter and parents with jobs. While it wasn’t the ending we wanted, our perspective and attitude helps shape how we handle it. I’ve always appreciated your positive attitude. Keep your chin up, kiddo.

Again, congratulations on a most-deserved recognition of 6th Grader of the Year. You rock my socks. Keep doing what you’re doing next year. Be good, do good, and seek out the good whenever possible. I will miss you like crazy. Please come visit your ol’ 5th grade teacher next year. I’m so proud of the young lady you are becoming and feel incredibly blessed to be a small part of your journey.

Much love,
Ms. G

Letter from Mrs F (school counselor) 

I am so happy your mom asked us to write a personal note to you since we can't honor you in person, in front of your friends, family and classmates. Actually all of your classmates ARE your friends. You are truly an amazing young lady who walks through this world being happy, kind, compassionate and forgiving to everyone in any situation. As the counselor of an elementary school, I have certainly seen my share of drama, tears, negative behavior, hurtful behavior and a lot in between. You are an individual who holds your head high and does not get involved in other's issues, unless it effects you in a hurtful way - and then you speak up (quietly). We need more Natalies in the world, for sure! :) I am so sorry you didn't get to go to EFT or celebrate the end of your years at Garfield. I will sadly not be able to be at school when Mr. Fife gives you your certificate but I am most definitely there in spirit, whistling and clapping :)! Congratulations - you made it easy this year to choose the most outstanding 6th grader. 

I will make sure you get your trophy and your picture will be put in the glass case on the 2nd floor, above the water fountain. You'll have to stop by with your mom and dad to see it next fall. East Jr. High is lucky to be getting you! 

Happy summer!

Mrs. F. 

Letter from Mr. DeForest (special education teacher, worked with Natalie for four years!) 

Dear Natalie, 

I feel sad I can not deliver this to you in person. I am very excited to congratulate you for being chosen sixth grade student of the year. I can't think of a more deserving student then you. 

There are many things I will miss about you as you leave Garfield. One, how hard you've worked, never gave up even when things were difficult and your smile on your face each day when you entered my classroom. Two, your willingness to assist other students in need with compassion and encouraging comments. And thirdly, your presences as a role model for other students. All these qualities will help you be successful all throughout your life, so continue to be the amazing person you are. As you move on to your next adventure, keep hold of your desire to learn and know you can achieve anything. I am so very proud to have been able to know you and witness the tremendous growth in your abilities. Always keep that Grizzly Pride

L. DeForest

Corona Virus - more Memories

Another facebook post that I have modified a bit. This is an unprecedented time in our world and something that I want to remember with as much detail as I can.

Today is Tuesday, May 5, 2020

- We are (at average) at 46 days of social isolation. (I did some personal research and I have been working from home since March 20, the official Idaho "shelter in place" order was placed March 25 and extended on April 15. On May 1 a four phase "soft opening" of the state was started.) 

- Idaho numbers: 2,106 cases, 27 new cases today, 64 deaths 

numbers as of 5/3, 5 pm according to the Idaho Corona Virus website 

- National numbers: 1,152,372 cases, 29,763 new cases today 

67,456 deaths 1,719 deaths today

numbers as of 5/4/2020, according to the cdc website

- Schools have been closed since March 17th and are teaching remotely on-line. Schools will not reopen for the 2019-2020 school year.

- Only “essential” retail stores are open such as grocery stores, hardware stores, and pharmacies. Amazon delivery windows average 3 - 4 weeks when they used to be max. 2 days. No gyms are open, and it’s almost impossible to find weights, exercise equipment, bikes, etc.

- All extra curricular/ volunteer/business meeting and other gatherings are now on virtual meeting platforms i.e.(Zoom, House Party, Go to Meeting, Whatsap, Webex, Google Duo) the list goes on.

- There are lines / tape inside the stores on the floors to keep people 6 feet apart.

- Bars and restaurants are open only for takeout, home delivery & drive through.

- Playgrounds and sports fields are closed. Most beaches, parks and cemeteries are closed to the public. No visitors are allowed in hospitals.

- All major and minor league sports competitions have been canceled as well as kids' sports. The NFL draft was done virtually this week.

- American Idol was done virtually this week.

- All festivals and entertainment events have been banned.

- Weddings, family celebrations, and graduations have been canceled. Funerals limited to 10 people graveside.

- People are doing drive-by parades to celebrate birthdays.

-Visitors are prohibited at nursing homes and assisted living residences.

- Hugs and kisses are not exchanged.

- Places of worship are closed or online. (though in phase 1 of the soft reopening in Idaho, this is among places that will reopen with plans in place for

- We have to stay away from each other more than six feet.

- Shortage of disposable masks and gloves in hospitals.

- People are wearing masks, some places REQUIRE that you wear them to enter! People are even sewing their own cloth masks for sale or donation to medical facilities. Illinois announced that as of May 1st, face coverings are required in public over the age of 2 where social distancing cannot be maintained.

- Toilet paper, hand sanitizer, bleach, antibacterial wipes and anything Lysol or Clorox is in short supply and limited per person.... IF you can even find them! (This goes the same for flour and yeast).

- Stores are closing early to disinfect everything. (24 hour stores are even closing by 6,8 or 9 pm)

- Store check outs, pharmacies and even fast food drive thru windows have added plexiglass between the employee and the customer. Have to reach around or under to pay!

- You can't find isopropyl alcohol easily. .. the supply per person is limited.

- Australia, USA, Canada and Europe have closed their borders.

- Western Australia has been divided into 9 territories & an instant $1,500 fine issued for crossing the border without a valid reason. (Transport workers, Essential services etc)

- No one is traveling for leisure. Airports empty. Tourism has the worst crisis in history.

- Wi-Fi and cell phone providers have extended their limits to provide connection to the Internet for people to continue to work from home and for students to learn from their teachers.

- Many public pool access, concerts and summer activities will not be allowed/take place.

- We don't know if baseball seasons will start, hockey season will continue/end or any summer camps, etc. will run. Lots of teen/college summer jobs are up in the air.

-Colleges have not made definite decisions about whether to take their classes online, in person, or open at all for the fall.

-K-12 has ended their school year and plans to open for the fall have so many unknowns, social distancing, new guidelines for keeping everyone safe. How will it be scheduled? Can sports and activities continue as they have?

- Society appears to be divided about whether or not we should continue to isolate or open back up and get the economy going. It's an election year and politics are messy and complicating this issue.

Earth Day 2020

Apparently today is the 50th year that we have celebrated Earth Day. Amazing! There was a cute little bee game on google you can play, gives you lots of fun facts about bees. They are pretty darn amazing. Earth day isn't really "celebrated" in our house, especially when the kids aren't home, but we did go out and get a squirrel feeder this weekend. I have been enjoying watching "our squirrel" eating from it.

We also have a few bird feeders in our yard that get several visitors. I love that even in the city we can find ways to support the local wildlife. Our local zoo posted this article with seven simple actions we can take to help local songbirds.

Another creature that could really use our help is the bees. With the growing cities, there are less and less spaces for bees. The Honeybee Conservancy has ten ways that you can help save the bees. according to the Google homepage today, two-thirds of the world's crops possible as well as 85% of the worlds flowering plants.

Lift Others Up

What the world needs during a pandemic is more uplifting news. That's what I look for when I am reading news reports. Stories of people trying to make the world a better place, despite the way things look as a broad picture.

Here is one such story that I stumbled across today: Meridian Teen Creates Amazing Sidewalk Art. I cannot even begin to imagine having that kind of talent and then using the medium of sidewalk chalk. Knowing that that night it could easily rain and wash away all my hard work.

But she's out there, rocking the sidewalk chalk art and making her neighborhood beautiful. LOVE IT!

A Pandemic Birthday

So, if you read my last post, or if you are reading this anytime close to its original posting, you will know that Alivia's 11th birthday happened while we were under governor's "stay home" orders. 

That means that we couldn't do our usual go out for dinner or have any of her friends over. For once, I was proactive and made a post on my facebook, here it is: 

My friends (facebook and in real life!) are AMAZING and totally came through for Alivia. Look at this stack of cards that she got: 

On top of that she got a few gifts in the mail too.

A few of of our friends went absolutely above and beyond, including Tabi. She knew that Alivia LOVES Harry Potter and with this being her 11th birthday, she created her a Hogwarts letter. Look at this!!! 

The envelope, complete with the address and where in the house
she lives

The back of the envelope -- look at the details on the wax seal
and stamp

Her acceptance letter, complete with another wax seal

and her detailed letter complete with a supplies list! 

Stephen made her an amazing cake (chocolate with white frosting and sprinkles!) 

Alivia and one of her gifts, "The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook" She gives it a thumbs up!

Alivia Turns 11

Today my baby girls turns 11. 

The entire world around us is in turmoil but one thing I am sure of, this kid is going to turn out great. She is ambitious and driven, she is creative and kind. 

When she told me she wanted to play basketball this fall, I was a little worried. She gets her grace from her mother, after all. But she did amazing and even scored a couple baskets (not bad when you are the shortest kid on the team!) She's already preparing for next years season. She had signed up for track this spring, but then we got quarantined and the season and school were cancelled so she didn't get to do much of that... 

Alivia during one of her basketball games
Fall 2019

Another thing I love about Alivia is her creativity. She is always creating things. Loves to craft and make projects. We are still working on getting her to let things go so there are constantly papers laying around. I'm working on being okay with that and she's working on letting things go that don't need to be kept. 

Alivia's 5th grade fall picture 

Alivia loves to read (at least I have one child who does!) Right now she is loving both Harry Potter and The Hunger Games series. If you let her, she will seriously tell you the entire plot lines of the first book of The Hunger games or get into deep conversations about Harry Potter with you. I'm talking about HOURS of conversations. She will go non-stop talking about these books. It is amazing. She's even gotten into the half-blood Prince, which is actually a play, but she still loves it and is nearly finished reading it. I'm sure she would be done but it is at school and we haven't gotten it back yet.

a rare selfie from my baby girl 

We are all pretty bummed about this school year ending sooner, but Alivia is staring to realize the things she is going to miss. She asked me last week about her choir concert. I had to explain that it would be cancelled too (this was before school was officially put online for the rest of the year). She expressed sincere frustration that they had been working so hard. I worry what this will do for her education but I'm confident in her teachers and educators to make sure she is taken care of. She's a smart cookie! 

Alivia my sweet girl, I am so very proud of the young lady you are becoming. This year you have grown so much. I was so very proud to watch you play basketball. It was something I never  had the urge to do but you kicked butt at it! Cannot wait to see you go again in the fall. I'm excited to see you on your own at Garfield, see how much more you grow. I'm a little sad you are my last baby, but I love watching you turn into the beautiful person you are becoming. Stay little while you can please! I love you Alivia. Happy 11th birthday. Don't run off to Hogwarts too quickly. I will miss you too much~ 

Love, Mommy

If you want to read more Alivia birthday posts, here are the ones I actually wrote. Seems I missed a few years... 

The post where Alivia turns 10.
The post where Alivia turns 9.
The post where Alivia turns 8.
The post where Alivia turns 7.
The post where Alivia turns 6.
The post where Alivia turns 5.
The post where Alivia turns 4.
Apparently I missed a few years... :/ 
The post where Alivia turns 1.

An International Pandemic...

A lot has happened in the month since I posted last... COVID-19, the disease that causes the carona virus has become an international pandemic. Numbers of cases are changing daily, but as of today (4/5/2020 numbers from here) there are 1,101 cases in the state of Idaho. 24 of those are new cases as of "today" and they have caused 10 deaths in our state. We are one of the lighter states in our cases.

In the US (including The District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) we have 330,891 cases with 8,910 fatalities so far. (stats from here)

Right now, the state of Idaho (among many others) has a government mandated "stay home" order in place. Unless we are an essential worker, we are to stay home and only leave to go to and from work and to go for food or medical care. 

One thing that I have found incredibly helpful during the pandemic and quarantine is making sure that I am educated about the illness and one podcast has been incredibly helpful. This Podcast Will Kill You has an amazing "mini-series" on the pandemic. There are eight episodes so far about different aspects of this virus. I love how informative they are without using scare tactics. They teach you all about the sciency stuff without making it so complicated. Plus, they have experts that come and talk about what is actually happening. I have them linked directly above (just click on the name of the blog. 

This is a post that has been floating around facebook that I modified a bit to make sure it is accurate and I can remember everything. I am also going to post a few of my favorite things from facebook at the bottom. Our quarantine is unprecedented. Basically, no one alive right now has lived through anything like this.

• School cancelled  (students left March 17th for Spring Break and unsure of when they’ll return)
• Social-distancing measures on the rise. (People are being told to keep 6 feet of space between them and anyone else around them - even while outdoors)
• Tape on the floors at grocery stores and others to help distance shoppers (6ft) from each other.
• Limited number of people inside stores, therefore, lineups outside the store doors.
• Non-essential stores and businesses mandated closed (including but not limited to tattoo shops, barber shops, game stores, card shops...) 
• City and state parks and trails - closed. 
• Zoos, museums, city community buildings - closed.   
• Entire sports seasons cancelled (including March Madness, the college level basketball championships) 
• Concerts, tours, festivals, entertainment events - cancelled.
• Weddings, family celebrations, holiday gatherings - cancelled.
• Churches are closed for services.
• No gatherings of 50 or more. Later reduced to 20 or more. Now no gatherings of 5 or more.
• Children's outdoor play parks are closed. (Our elementary school actually has caution tape around all the equipment.)
• Shortage of masks, gowns, gloves for our front-line workers.
• Shortage of ventilators for the critically ill.
• Panic buying sets in and we have no toilet paper, no disinfecting supplies, no paper towel no laundry soap, no hand sanitizer.
• Shelves are bare.
• Manufacturers, distilleries and other businesses switch their lines to help make visors, masks, hand sanitizer and PPE.
• Government closes the border to all non-essential travel. (some states, like Florida, are requiring non-commercial drivers to show a state ID's to travel into the state). 
• Fines have been established for breaking the "stay at home" orders.
• Stadiums, recreation facilities, hotels, dorms open up for the overflow of Covid-19 patients.
• Press conferences every day from the President.
• Daily updates on new cases, recoveries, and deaths.
• Government incentives to stay home.
• Barely anyone on the roads.
• Workers must carry a letter in case they get pulled over to show they work for an essential employer
• People wearing masks and gloves outside.

This is the Novel Corona-virus (Covid-19) Pandemic, declared March 11th, 2020.

In the midst of this, the world is still coming together. I am finding things every day that make me smile. Sometimes I am having to look a little harder, but I am finding them.

One thing that makes me smile is the idea of "Going on a Bear Hunt" while you walk with your family. If you don't already, put a teddy bear in your window! You can read why here.

Our church has been doing online services as well as posting daily devotions and uplifting posts. I feel like we are coming together as a congregation more then we were when we could actually meet together. I am reminded that the church isn't the building, it is the people who meet together.

What is something that you are doing during quarantine to keep sane and mentally healthy? 

Self Care Does Not Make You Selfish!

I found a couple graphics on facebook that I had to save and share here. Self care is so important and the second one about the mental health bank account says why. =) 

A Few Things To Share

Lately I have been trying new things (I know, its shocking and not like me!) But there are a few things that have been worth sharing with others, so I am going to share them here.

The first few are succulent companies. Just learned that many people don't know you can order succulents online. Not only can you, but there are some great options.

After hearing about another subscription box for succulents with a discount code, I decided to give succulentsbox.com a try. I ordered MANY plants from them and I think I only lost one and that could have been care-giver error. The nice thing about this company is that they have options to customize what kind of box you get each month or you can just order what you want. I think these guys would get three and a half stars. Shipping would be the only thing I would "ding" them on and that's because I've received plants from other companies that were packed a little more effectively and came in better condition.

The other company I ordered from was my most recent order, Mountain Crest Gardens. I was able to get five "hen and chick" varieties for just over $20 shipped. I think I got a pretty good deal and when they arrived they were in perfect shape. They were packed beautifully with a lovely care book on succulents. I plan on ordering from this company again soon. Love their selection and their prices. Four and a half stars!

And the next thing I am going to "tell" you about is a couple books I've been reading lately.


While I didn't enjoy this as much as Backman's previous book, A Man Called Ove, I did enjoy this one very much. This one is from the viewpoint of a seven (almost eight) year old girl. You meet her and her grandmother and go through some time with the both of them. The dynamics of the family are fun. Elsa lives with her pregnant mother and step father in what seems like an apartment building. I find it funny, she calls her sibling-to-be "halfie" because it will be her half sibling. Anyway, Elsa and her family share the top floor with her grandmother.

She visits often with her father who is also remarried with step-children. The only two tenants on that floor. Throughout the book you get to meet all the tenants of the building and learn more about Elsa's wonderful eccentric grandmother.

Don't want to get into details and give it away. But this is a wonderful story and is quite emotional at times. Beckman has a way of bringing out the raw emotion in his books, very real.

This book is from the viewpoint of 16 year old Kait, self proclaimed "weird girl." Since her mother's death the year before Kait has a weird hobby of crashing funerals but aside from that seems like a typical teenager. 

When she crashes the wrong funeral, she is found out by the most popular (and cute) guy in school. What follows is her trying to solve a murder mystery while staying out of danger herself. I found this book to be quite enjoyable. 

The final chapters ended the book almost too quickly. I would have liked to see more reaction of the "aftermath" at school. Seemed like no one cared what happened to Kait when it would have been a pretty big deal if it happened in my high school! 

Anyway, the only other thing that bothered me was the way Kait described her food, constantly describing it with "yum-yum" and other such nonsense. I would rather that just be left out, but maybe that's just my personal preference. 

I did purchase book 2, so that tells you a bit about how I liked book 1.