Quarantined: Coronavirus Day 10

The rules have become stricter in the last two days.  I feel we barely got through the birthdays by the skin of our teeth.  Luke, who celebrated his birthday on the 22nd of March, was able to take a fishing day with his dad.  Now, those places are closed down to fishing.  Where we were able to take a long walk in Ridgefield last week...that too is now closed.   Campgrounds and parks and the beaches all closed.  My heart is heavy...

Bella celebrated her 10th birthday yesterday.  It was definitely not the birthday I had planned for her.  Her and I had been planning her 10th birthday since January.  We had taken several trips to the craft stores and had pinned a 100+ pins on Pinterest.  She had a whole birthday planned with her little friends.  And then the Coronavirus, and social distancing and quarantine became words that we have all begun saying.  We both had a good cry last week, and I set out to make her day special.  I know I succeeded.  Bella helped me decorate and make her birthday cake/cupcakes.  We even made a special game that everyone in the family played (including dad).  It took me FOUR tries to find a restaurant that was open for us to get her a special birthday dinner to go.  She played all day with her new toys and didn’t cry at all.  She was happy and felt loved.  That is a win.

It is now the 25th of March.  Just 25 days ago, I was sitting in a pizzeria with my family, eating and talking and not even slightly considering that this would be our reality today.  I have yet to find a groove in this crazy new world of ours.  Truth...I am having a very difficult time sleeping.  The past three nights it has been after 1am before I have been able to fall asleep.  And I am not reading or watching the news.  I have began distancing myself from the news and social media more during the day and have stopped reading articles about everything Coronavirus related.  I thought that would help. But I just can’t relax, or turn my mind off, or stop wondering where Mark is at, or worrying about family and friends that have lost jobs.  I am sure it is a combination of all of it.  

There are a few moments... the moments between when you first wake up and fully are awake.  In those moments, I don’t remember that we are in a global pandemic.  Then it hits me all over again as I rub the tired out of my eyes... we are in a pandemic.  I can’t change it or control it, so...I roll out of bed to face another day with my crew at home in the comfort of our warm little house.  I am thankful for many things, even during this scary and unknown time.  I’ve been able to help a few people.  That really is my heart...to help people.  I was able to give a bottle of spray Lysol to someone in need of one, a DVD called Robots to a mama who needed it for her son, and now some paper towels to a wonderful friend of mine.  It is my way to help, to reach out, and feel like I can make a difference during a time that is uncertain.  

Quarantined: Coronavirus Day 7

Two days before the quarantine began it snowed.  My kids had been waiting all winter for a good snow day.  However, it felt very weird and overshadowed by the announcement from the Washington State governor declaring that the schools would be closed for the next six weeks.  In some ways, the snow felt like it was mocking me. I recalled past snow storms and children homebound for nearly a week.  Now, there would six weeks or more of kids homebound.

I waited in a line longer than this at our local grocery store shortly after the governor announced that he was closing schools.  Me and everyone else apparently.  I have never in my life seen anything like this.  It is both parts terrifying and fascinating to watch.  

Our family is in the southern part of Washington State.  Washington has been one of the hardest hits states of the Coronavirus.  I have been challenged to keep up on everything while meeting the needs of my four children.  Many jumped into homeschooling this past week, I just couldn’t.  We are mostly set up online learning because of the hybrid school my kids attend. I have to admit I have felt somewhat ran over by a bus. Four kid in three different schools is tough.  Especially when you have three kiddos on IEPs. We did literally nothing this past week.  There were art projects, and coloring and play doh and paint.  But no formal education was done.  I focused most of my time helping my almost 10 year old process not having her birthday party on Saturday and why as she said “the world sucks right now.”

We have all taken to the new confinement in different ways.  Bella has been cleaning and organizing and rearranging furniture.  Bless.her.heart.  “Mom, can you help me move this dresser?”  Ummm....okay.  I walked into their room (she shares with her 4 year old brother) and she had rearranged his side of the room too.  

She has also been crafting her little heart out with anything that she can find.  I’m proud of her with all the anxiety she deals with that there has only been one break down this past week.

I’ve been cooking more...obviously.  I’ve been trying to make things better with some of their favorites.  I have been struggling so much with the thought of two of my kids having birthdays during the middle of this pandemic.  I want their days to be special.  Ugh...life is a lesson in flexibility.

Friends and family have reached out and sent some wonderful things to the kids to brighten their day.  As a mama, I appreciate this so much!  They were thrilled when these packages arrived.

I’ve been back at work online with VIPKID.  I was taking a break for a couple of months and had plans to return when the time changed back.  It just happened to coincide with the Coronavirus.  Not many classes booked for this next week, but I am okay with that.

 My kids favorite meme right now.  You know when Disney is closed there is a problem.

We’ve been filling our time enjoying the beautiful weather.  Badminton, chalk art and water tables all around.  Along with playing with the baby bunnies.

Trying out online classes...there was a bit of a technology learning curve for Grace at first.

 Brothers playing video games.

Did I mention...catching flies?  Oh yes she did!

We were able to take a long walk on Thursday out away from others.  “Social distancing...”. The new phrase.

Oh my husband...bless his heart and his comic relief to me right now.  I am the more anxious one, and well...he is what I like to refer to him as, “middle school Mark.”  Haha.  He is always close by with a hilarious meme, or crazy outfit to get me laughing.  I love this man.  He works so hard.  He is out there on trains right now making sure the freight gets through.  I try to not worry.  My worst fear is that somehow he gets stuck away from us in Pasco.  

We celebrated our first birthday in the pandemic.  Luke turned 17 today!  I spent a good week preparing for the fact that we may not be able to leave the house.  He was able to go fishing with his dad on Friday and he had a cake and presents and lots of love and phone calls.  Definitely a birthday he will always remember.  I have let him spend the majority of the day playing Fortnite.  Something I never do.  

“We don’t remember days...we remember moments.”

Week #10 @ The Dahlhouse: Vegas Vacation & Grace's 13th Birthday

I now have another teenager in the house!  Grace recently celebrated her 13th birthday.  She had a wonderful Saturday where her and her friend hung out together, got pedicures, dinner and a movie.  I sure enjoyed my time with them (even if I was the mom and the money).

On her actual birthday, I took her balloons, Krispe Kreme donuts and lunch to school for her.  She was very happy.  I enjoy her company, her heart for caring for little ones and her sense of humor.  She challenges me, but in a good way, and I pray we keep laughing together through these upcoming teenage years.

The very next morning, Mark and I got up very early, headed to the airport and flew off to Vegas.  We take an annual vacation just the two of us and I look forward to it all year.  Last year was Honolulu Hawaii, and this year Las Vegas.

This year was even more special because my brother and sis-in-law joined us.  Whenever the four of us are together we seriously have the best time!  Having never been to Vegas before, my brother pulled out all the stops and I was blown away by his creativity and generosity.  It was nice to have long talks with Katie and not be interrupted by little people who wanted her attention as much as me.

Every time anyone needed to use the restroom, we would return to a scene such as the one above.  "When in Vegas...right?"  We were joking by the end of the trip asking, "How much did that bathroom break cost?"  Lol.

I felt dwarfed in this huge city (both in height and personality).  It was amazing to take in the lights, color, sounds and yes...even smells.  Ok...maybe not so much amazingness in the smells, but I am now able to correctly identify the individual smells of sewer, cigarettes and marijuana.  

My brother is the literally the best.  We fought like crazy when we were growing up.  I never wanted him in my room, around me, or touching any of my things.  But now, even though he is younger, I look up to him.  He is a very accomplished business man, and extremely successful.  However, he is humble and generous and oh how I wish we lived closer.  I appreciate his candor and ability to call something like it is.  He doesn't beat around the bush, and is quick to the point.  This past week, he opened the world up a little wider to me.  Me...a stay at home mama whose weekly outings are a grocery store, therapy and if I am lucky Target.  And there is nothing wrong with any of those things, but I appreciated the culinary skills of the chefs who made the most amazing food I have ever eaten, the art work in the Bellagio, music in the Venetian, and the acrobats who performed the most mind boggling show I have ever seen (Cirque de Soleil: KA).

To be able to have an uninterrupted conversation with Mark is a gift in of itself.  We normally either pause to pick up the conversation at a later time, or talk over the loud circus we have going on in our home at times.  What a gift to have all the attention and not have to share.  I will be treasuring this trip for a very long time.

The Bellagio had some of their amazing Chinese New Year decorations still displayed.  Even though the main display was "dark" the week that we were in Las Vegas, I was able to enjoy the symbols of Chinese New Year that I have come to know and love.  And all the red lanterns!!!  It was a sight to see.

At Bally's I won big...big for me!  I decided video poker is my calling in terms of Casino games.  Haha.  I did manage to get 4 Queens and walked away with $75 dollars.

I equally enjoyed my time with Katie.  The sister I always wanted.  We laughed so much I was crying at times.  I will never ever forget the cab ride.  Lol.  She is an up lifter and encourager.  I know whenever I need her she is there for me.

The first night we were in Vegas we ate at Morimotos.  My kids and I were avid Iron Chef watchers and he was our favorite.  Luke was just a little bit jealous we were eating there.  The food was amazing!!!  The Hamachi tacos will go down in history as one of the very best appetizers I have ever eaten. And I am usually not a fan of raw fish.

(Sisters at Morimotos)

(It is called, "The Angry Chicken")

(Brothers)

(The two events we attended the first night in Vegas: Morimoto and KA)

David scored us amazing seats at KA!  (Third row).  I could see the sweat pouring off of the performers, and look up and see them flying over us.  I wish I could have taken pictures of the amazing acts, acrobatics, moving stage and flying, but no photography allowed.  At one point, the moving stage went completely vertical and the fight scene that ensued was amazing.  It was as if you were watching it from above, looking down on it.  An amazing experience I will always remember.  

(The world's biggest chandelier at the Cosmopolitan). 

Top Golf at the MGM Grand was another experience organized by my brother.  It did not disappoint.  If you ever have a chance to go and have zero golf experience, GO!  It is like a driving range and bowling morphed into one.

Seriously...the food doesn't stop!

Mark was able to see the race trucks/cars/bikes that were getting ready to race the Mint 400.  He had been looking forward to this for a very long time.  He was happy!

M+M Store.  27 colors of M+Ms.  I had no idea.

Another amazing dinner was had at Capo's.  An Italian eatery and speakeasy.  Seriously you guys...you entered from a side door and they opened a smaller slider door so you could only see their face and ask you what the password is!  So.much.fun.  High backed red booths and mobsters photographs adorned the walls in the restaurant.  A magician came to our table and entertained us with his magic and baffled my husband who was trying to figure out how he could do these tricks.

I found the cupcake ATM machine, because seriously we watch Food Network and I had to try cupcakes from the Sprinkles bakery.  The cupcake did not disappoint and was probably the best cupcake I had ever eaten before in my life.

No trip is ever complete without a visit to In and Out Burger.

Overall, our trip to Las Vegas was everything I was hoping it would be and more.  I was so thankful to have that time with Mark and David and Katie.  We came home to very happy children and very clean home (thanks to my amazing mother).  I want to learn how to clean like her when I grow up.  The kids did very well while we were gone.  So did my mom.  So thankful to my village that steps in and helps.  I love that others root for our relationship. 

I am still adjusting to this weeks realities which have included: dental appointments, an IEP meeting, therapy and speech therapy, vomiting children, cooking and cleaning.  I find myself reliving the past week over and over again in my head.  Or having thoughts such as, "last week at this time I was.....".  However, mostly, I am just thankful.  So very, very thankful.