Let's Chat! {Another honest, quarantine conversation}

Today is Friday.  Just wanted to throw that out there in case you have forgotten what day it was.  I completely forgot to give one kid the code to get onto his zoom. . . I wish she sent them out to their school emails so it would just be easier.  But, it gets sent to dojo and well, I forgot.  There were a few other ways this morning went kind of down hill, but I have decided to not let them ruin my day.

There will be no crankiness or meltdowns today.  I can't deal with them right now. But despite of the crankiness, I really have to give a shout out to my kids because they have just rocked this quarantine life hard!  They dove right into learning at home with out skipping a beat and have done well at it.  I can't really blame them, though.  We are all starting to crack a little.  Some days are harder than others. But, when I sit back and look at this time during quarantine, I think that I am going to treasure it! 

How are you all doing?  Are you feeling yourself starting to crack?  Loving every minute of it?  Or even falling into a dark pit of despair?  Be honest with yourself.  This quarantine life is far from easy.  I think that's why I keep doing these Friday chats. . . pretending we are sitting around a table with our favorite drink in hand is how I'd love to be spending my time right now. 

The highlight of my week was having an article featured over at Flourish Motherhood and I feel so privileged to get to stand with so many other amazing writers and write about patience.  If you want to hear about how a Barbie doll taught me about patience, click here.

We have 2 more weeks of school where the kids actually are doing work.  So, we are working on finishing up projects, books, and getting ready to have a mind break before we start our summer challenge.  I am not entirely sure what we will be tackling this year . . . so if you have any ideas, please let me know.  This last week, both 5th grade classes and all of their teachers, and administration had a big zoom scavenger hunt.  It was fun for him and it was nice to be able to get some fun with his buddies instead of spending an hour talking work.

Let's continue this chat with my prompts. . . cause this brain is really scattered today. 

Outside my window the sun is shining and there is a soft breeze.  The weather has been perfect this week and quite honestly we are soaking it all in before we jump back into full blown summer mode. 

I am thinking about what our Summer challenge will be and what projects to tackle.  I am also dreaming of finishing the bathroom so very soon!  (last few things come in the mail today!) 

From the kitchen right now. . . not much.  This was a really hard week in a few ways and honestly, I've struggled getting a lot done.  I did make a great summer pasta salad for dinner last night: some random pasta, cut up some fresh zucchini, broccoli, red onion, and red peppers that I had laying around and tossed it with the Primal Kitchen Italian Dressing.  Everyone gobbled it up! 

I am wearing my new Fabletics yoga pants!  I love them!  My order took forever to get here, but totally worth it!  I wasn't sure how I would like their stuff, but I am glad I signed up for their VIP membership.  I also got a pair of joggers, which I now want more because they are amazing!

I am creating a cross stitch little sampler and staring at a pile of fabric hoping that inspiration will come.  I've really struggled with the creative part of quarantine.  My focus has been off and I have found myself readjusting to having the kids home and being at their disposal when they need help.  Sometimes, I just hide. . . and read. . . and pray. 

I am going to go find adventure tomorrow.  We need to get out of the house and just go do something in our area that is not our neighborhood or backyard.  We will find it and we will conquer. 

I am reading It's all under control, by Jennifer Dukes Lee.  It is perfect for right now and I'll be honest. . . she struggles with control.  Today, I was reading about the importance of waiting and I just couldn't help by think about this quarantine situation we find ourselves in.  We are in a period of waiting. . . we are waiting for life to get back to some kind of normal . . .jobs to restart, stores to open.  My kids have already decided to belt out that song from Frozen about opening up the gates! Anyways, we are all waiting.  Lee mentions in chapter 11 that, "the work God does in the waiting room often proves to be more important than the end result."  I was really challenged by that because as much as I want life to resume normalcy, I really REALLY don't want to miss out on what he's doing through this waiting/slow down period.

I am hoping that COVID-19 drama stops.  It's really bad. 

I am hearing the clatter of Lego's.  I have lego builds all around the house from many, MANY daily challenges.  I don't mind.  Nobody is coming over. . . ha ha ha!

Around the House school work is strewn on tables.  Legos creations are displayed. Plants are growing.  And the Amazon truck just delivered my faucets for the bathroom and our vanity light came yesterday.  It might have taken over a year, but it looks like the front bathroom is finally getting finished!  Woot! Woot!

One of my favorite things are bike rides and the cooler temperatures.  I am finding myself sitting outside reading books and doing my Bible study. 

A few plans for the weekend are to find some sort of adventure to get our hearts in the right place and teach my kids how to play scrabble.  Bring it!

What I am listening to we love the Disney Hits playlist on Apple Music.  We've also been listening to Hamilton (also. . . July 3rd!!. . . we are ready!) and I am loving Ellie Holcomb's new song.

I hope that you know that whatever you are feeling, you are not alone.  If you are feeling like you are about to crack or you are falling into a deep, dark pit, please PLEASE reach out to someone.  Do something that brings you joy.  Find someone to pray with you.  Have a zoom coffee date with someone.   Remember, you are not alone.  We have a God that promises to never leave us and even when he feels silent. . . he's right there holding your hand! 

Now, it's your turn!  Grab your coffee and let's connect! You don't have to do them all! I can't wait to hear from you! You can even private message me if you don't want to make it public.  

Outside my window
I am thinking
From the kitchen
I am wearing
I am creating
I am going
I am reading
I am hoping
I am hearing
Around the House
One of my favorite things
A few plans for the week
What I am listening to