Social Distancing :: Day 95

95. Days. Is. A. Long. Time.

We're in Phase 3 of reopening here in Texas, again, without meeting any of the previous phases' markers. We are starting to see spikes in COVID-19 cases from the original Phase 1 openings. The most concerning {at least to me}, is that there have been an increase in hospitalizations related to COVID-19. So we'll see how it all plays out...

Maddie Eye Surgery Recovery

We're almost 3 weeks post-surgery for Maddie, and praise God she is fully recovered! Her little eyes have healed really well, the redness is gone, and we have moved back to our normal routine. By far, the hardest part of recovery was the eye drops she had to have 3 times a day. We really struggled through that for 5 long days. But then we ran out {which was the all clear from the doctor}, and we celebrated BIG when we squeezed out those last drops haha. We had one happy little girl!

She doesn't have to wear her glasses anymore, which she actually missed for a few days. But she has since forgotten about them, and we will go back for a follow up in September. So for now, we have eye surgery behind us!

Picking Dandelions

When we go on walks in the neighborhood, we often walk up to City Hall, which is about a 0.5 mile walk from our house. There are a lot of dandelions out, and my kids LOVE picking them. They would pick every last one in the field if I let them haha! But I love the simple joy of picking a little yellow flower {weed}, and how they run to find the next one, showing each other where more are, squealing with delight over how much they love these pretty flowers :) 

Summer Days

The 95-100 degree weather has already arrived, so we are trying to find ways to stay cool in the crazy summer heat. We pulled out our water table and fire hydrant sprinkler from last summer, and we definitely have 3 happy kiddos!

Aiden is 100% a water baby; he LOVES playing in the water! He will stand in front of the sprinkler and just let it spray his face until we turn it off haha. I think he enjoys how it cools him off, since he is such a little heater, seemingly always hot. It's really hard to pull him away from the water!

This summer, we added a fun little splash pad to our arsenal of water toys, and it has been a big hit!

Reflections on Privilege

priv · i · lege | priv(ə)lij

noun

a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group

I have actually been thinking about privilege a lot lately. It's not lost on me that I have experienced a tremendous amount of privilege in my life. By virtue of the family I was born into, where and when and how I grew up, as well as the opportunities I have been given. It is all absolutely a privilege, and it is all absolutely grace from God. 

I feel like the Holy Spirit was whispering to my heart about it when the Pandemic started, and life as we had known it ground to a halt. Someone posted a quote that really got me thinking:

"We are in the same storm, but not in the same boat."

We are all facing the hardships of a global pandemic, and yet, we do not all have the same advantages {i.e. privileges} in the fight. I have the ability to make decisions for my family that will keep us pretty safe from this virus, all with fairly limited inconveniences. Is it hard to be stuck at home for months on end? Is it hard to have to take extra precautions because of my suppressed immune system? Of course. But can both me and my husband work from home with {for now} secure jobs? Do we still have access to the things we need, like shelter, groceries, and healthcare? Do we still have access to the things that we don't actually need but are really helpful during this time, like internet, and Amazon delivery? Yes. So I would say I have a pretty nice boat to ride out this storm.

As debates have erupted over the best next steps {when/how to reopen, masks or no masks, economy and public health safety}, I had to take a step back and realize that it's easy to have an opinion and support one particular method, when I can sit safely in my boat. I had to step back and realize that it's not as easy and simple for everyone to stay home. Not everyone can work from home. Not everyone still has a job. Not everyone's boat is in as good a shape as mine is right now.

And so, while I certainly have an opinion on what I think is the best course of action, I have to realize that I don't have all of the information, and I don't actually know what's best for every single person. So I can seek the Lord's wisdom and work with others to help find meaningful solutions. I can love and serve my neighbors, whose boats might be battered and/or non-existent right now. I can show grace and kindness to my neighbors who have differing opinions, knowing that we are all just trying our best to survive this mess. And I can rest in the knowledge that my God is the One who ultimately controls the storm.

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.

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But there's another type of privilege that has been on my heart for a few years now. The national discourse over race relations has escalated so much in the past few years, or perhaps it's something of which I have become more aware. Either way, I have been trying to listen, learn, and seek understanding in the conversation. And I have so much more to learn, so many more ways to grow.

As I watch the news, my heart is breaking. For the senseless murder of an unarmed black man {George Floyd} by a white police officer. For the angry outcry of my black brothers and sisters who are trying so hard to get someone, ANYONE to listen. For the hurt and pain that runs deep within a community, a hurt and pain that I have not and probably will not ever experience. While I don't personally believe that violence and retaliation is the answer, I am trying really hard right now to understand it. And I know there are so many considerations...not all police officers are bad, not all of the protestors are violent, two wrongs don't make a right, etc. But I don't want to get lost in the weeds. I don't want to miss the real conversation and change that needs to happen in this country. The conversation that surrounds racism and how it has been allowed to continue in our society. How there are systems in place that grant me opportunities that are not granted to others, simply because of the differing colors of our skin.

I don't have all the answers. To be honest, I don't know if I have any answers. But I do know that sin is ugly. In all forms. I know that Satan loves nothing better than to divide and destroy and kill.  I know that we are all created in God's image, unique and valued and loved by a Creator who desires to be in an intimate relationship with us. I know that my God is good and kind and just. I know that my God grieves over the devaluing and loss of life. I know my God specializes in healing and redemption. I know that I have to set my privilege and preconceived ideas aside so I can actually listen and learn. And I know that I am called to love my neighbor, speak up for those who have no voice, and to seek God's glory in every word and action. 

So it's not enough for me to just recognize my privilege. I have to use it to serve and love those around me. Not only because it's the right thing to do, but because it is what the Lord requires of me. 

"He has told you, O man, what is good;

and what does the Lord require of you

but do justice, and to love kindness,

and to walk humbly with your God?"

- Micah 6:8

Social Distancing :: Day 70

Texas started its Phase 2 re-opening this week. We haven't met any of the requirements for re-opening {in terms of declining cases}, so I'll be curious to see how that plays out. We haven't seen the crazy high spikes that some people anticipated, but we'll see if we can hold onto our luck in the next, broader phase. 

I have been asked when I think I can start getting out more. And the simple answer is "I don't really know." Mike goes to the grocery store every few weeks. I have run a couple of drive-thru, contactless errands, and I took the kids to their eye doctor appointments. That was a big deal for me. I don't "live in fear" as some might assume, but it is nerve-wracking when not everyone abides by the same social distancing guidelines. Other than that, we have been home {or at least in our neighborhood}. We're taking extra precautions because I am immunosuppressed, and we just don't know what my risks actually are. Unfortunately, I'm no sure we will really know anytime soon either.

I feel confident in my ability to wash my hands and keep a safe distance from most {kind and considerate} people. But I have to factor in 3 tiny people that touch ALL THE THINGS and have zero impulse control. So that really limits our ability to be out in the world haha. Because I know not to touch my face or sneeze on other people, but they don't quite understand that yet. And so we wait. And pray. And ask for wisdom in all of this chaotic mess that is COVID-19.

Nap Time Update

We had one glorious day where Eli and Maddie stayed in their beds during nap time, and we celebrated big, with popsicles on the front porch and a walk around the neighborhood {big in their world}. But it was just that one glorious day...and sadly we are on day 10 of separating them from their WWE match and sitting on squares as a consequence for disobedience. I'm definitely ready for this phase to be over, 1) so we can go back to fun outside activities after nap time, and 2) so I can have my personal time back to get things done while they sleep. That's a little hard to do with the current set up of a child sleeping next to me...

The Chosen

Have you heard about this series? Several people mentioned it to me before I finally decided to watch it. And I loved it so much, that I had to share it here! It's a series about the life of Christ, produced by VidAngel, and entirely crowd-funded. They are raising the money as they go, because they want to produce the series outside of the Hollywood system. I don't usually like Christian video production {overly cheesy, bad acting, anyone?}. But these are so well done. I actually cried in several of the episodes, because they made me feel like I was there, walking with Jesus. I didn't want it to end! I can't wait for Season 2 to be filmed and shared!

You can watch the whole first season for free on YouTube or you can download their app to watch the episodes {I did the latter}. Forewarning, they will ask you to contribute funds, but you don't have to in order to watch the episodes for free. Personally, I did choose to pay it forward, because it was that good, and I wanted others to be able to enjoy it as much as I did. Several people have felt the same way, which is how others can view it for free :)

The Chosen

Social Distancing :: Day 55

Texas implemented phase 1 of their reopening strategy last Friday. Not a ton has changed, but more businesses and restaurants could open at a 25% capacity, with social distancing measures. Many places have still chosen to stay closed, or operate at their previously limited capacity anyway. Some have flung open the doors, not really abiding by the social distancing measures. So we'll see how it all shakes out in the next couple of weeks, particularly as they look ahead to implementing phase 2...

For us, not much has changed. We're still hanging out, trying to survive our days at home with 3 little ones. I think we have reached a new/good rhythm with potty training, and most of the craziness is behind us {I hope}. But really, until we are able to leave our house and experience the whole potty business out in public, I don't feel like we can truly say the twins are potty trained. 

Outside Time

We have continued enjoying the beautiful weather and getting as much outside time as we can. We spend time in the backyard, and the newest pastime is digging in the dirt. We have worked so hard to get our grass to grow, fighting the weeds and actually having grass...and now our kids are just ripping it all up haha. But they're having fun, so...

We have also been taking lots of wagon rides to see the fountains. We go to see the "big fountains" over at Melissa City Hall, then walk back by the smaller fountains at the end of our street. The kiddos are always on the lookout for birds, butterflies, frogs, and turtles.

Pooh Bear Love

Eli and Maddie never really had attachments to any loveys or stuffed animals. They have favorites, for sure, but nothing like our dear Aiden's love for his Pooh Bear. Oh man. "Love" probably isn't even a strong enough word for what Aiden feels for his Pooh Bear haha. I'm pretty sure Pooh Bear is Aiden's best friend. He takes him EVERYWHERE. Pooh helps calm/console him for just about everything. He can never be very far. He can put him down, even leave him behind {he doesn't sleep with him or take him places...usually}, but he is always looking for Pooh Bear the minute he wakes up and comes back from playing outside. And Pooh gets LOTS of kisses before Aiden can part with him. During our time at home, we have allowed him to take Pooh outside some and even on walks with us. So Pooh Bear is really starting to stink LOL. We're probably going to have to give him a good Febreeze bath pretty soon :)

We should have known then... {just 4 months old!}

A boy and his Pooh Bear

Social Distancing :: Day 22

Today the original stay at home order was supposed to expire, but they have now been extended through the end of the month {and Dallas County until the end of May, so I'm sure the dominos will continue to fall}. I know this is the reality of where we are, but it's still so surreal and sobering to hear. 

Yesterday was actually the first time I left our neighborhood in 21 days {so crazy}. I took a drive to pickup some medications for me and Sasha, armed with my Lysol wipes and hand sanitizer, of course :)  I didn't actually leave my car, but I was just so thankful to be OUT. There was still a surprising amount of traffic, but it was strange to see empty parking lots around stores and restaurants. 

Moving Everything Online

I am so thankful that we have the technology to "meet" together online. It's definitely not the same, but how incredible is it that we live in a time when we can still "see" each other, while safely social distancing? This was our first full week of moving most of our normal activities online: from church and community group to Bible Study and Skype/FaceTime sessions with family.

Haha- this is a very typical preaching stance for Zach :)

I was wrangling the kiddos and didn't get to enjoy the time with our Community Group, but we have been making every effort to connect throughout the week

I am so thankful for these wonderful ladies in my BSF group. And they are even posting videos with the children's story and songs that I got to sit and watch with the kiddos. They definitely miss their teachers and friends!

Potty Training Update

Just thought I'd give a quick update...so far, not too bad. We have had 2 accident-free days {though not back-to back yet}, and overall, Eli and Maddie are seeming to get into the new routine. We still haven't ventured further than our yard {so no walks for us the past week}, but I'm hoping we can try that soon. I have been surprised with how quickly Eli has caught on, simply because he was the one that had shown zero interest in potty training before we started. I have not been surprised at all with how my Maddie girl has responded...she's doing well, but like any strong-willed child, she comes with her own set of special challenges :)  But overall, they're doing well. I have just decided that I hate the whole potty training process. It's just so time-consuming and inconvenient and inefficient haha. Thank goodness we don't have to be anywhere anytime soon. 

We have used a modified 3-day method. They were naked for the first 2 days, but both of my kiddos HATED that. My little modest kids were so uncomfortable with that. So we skipped the commando step and went straight to underwear. And they did so much better with that. And they are even wearing pants now. No pull-ups for us {they're just more expensive, and we still have diapers to use at nap and bedtime}. We also haven't used a reward system {no M&M's or stickers}, but we have talked a lot about not going potty in their Mickey and Minnie underwear {respectively}. But don't worry- they get lots of praise and potty dances when they go in the potty :)

It is pretty interesting potty training two at the same time...it can easily become a competition of who gets to go potty first, who gets to flush the toilet when they go one right after the other, etc. But I think it has actually worked to our advantage to have them both learning at the same time. They tell each other "we don't go pee-pee in our underwear" and will even sometimes encourage each other too. Aiden is there the whole time, watching, trying to stick his hand in the toilet, or climb up the stool to try to wash his hands too. Maybe he'll get potty trained soon too!

More Outside Time

Since we have needed to stick close to a toilet during potty training, we haven't been on any walks this week, but we have done our best to get a lot of outside time. We pulled out our bubble mowers, and that has been really fun. Aiden got to play with Maddie's old broken one, but he's too smart. He quickly figured out his wasn't making any bubbles and didn't like that too much #littlebrotherproblems

Bubble mower races...

{iPhone Rewind} :: March

I found 2 huge bags of Duplos at a consignment sale, and my kiddos could not have been happier! They ask almost every day to play with these while Aiden takes his nap.

Not even the baby gets out of chores :)

Aiden is starting to sit and scrutinize the pages in books like Eli does

Feeding his Pooh Bear

He is wanting to walk more and more, rather than be carried. And I love how he holds tight to my fingers.

When we take walks around the neighborhood, my kids love to stop and watch the fountains

His hair and his personality match: wild and untamed. But oh, how we love him so.

Eli's last visit to the park before we started our COVID-19 isolation

Maddie's last visit to the park before we started our COVID-19 isolation

Aiden's last visit to the park before we started our COVID-19 isolation

Aiden is a bean hoarder.

My inbox was flooded with COVID-19 updates. So crazy.

Story time with Daddy!

I love when they play and work together

Little brother problems.

He has the best bedhead :)

My ladybug holding a ladybug :)

I love seeing him start to "read" like his brother and sister

He has found the part of the couch that is sinking in and parks his little bottom right in it haha

Animals are always loose...

I love how much he snuggles :)

We got fun mail from Grandma!

Concentrating to put stickers on our coloring page from Grandma

Making pretzels with Daddy :)