We've Been Hit!

We've spent the last 10 months avoiding COVID but, it has finally hit our house.  Bo came home last Monday and wasn't feeling very well.  He had many COVID symptoms plus, he and I were supposed to be going to Hawaii a few days from now and had to have a negative COVID test to go.  So, he went and got tested to see if we needed to change our plans.  They called about 5 minutes later and said he was positive.  He's been pretty sick and tired and is slowly losing his taste and smell.

Later that night, I started feeling achy and tired.  I haven't been tested but, what else would it be?  All of the kids have had symptoms over the past few days, so tomorrow, we will be getting everyone tested.  This is more for peace of mind in seeing grandparents, but I assume if the kids didn't get it this past week, they won't get it.  I do have to say, so far, it hasn't been close to the worst sickness I've ever had.  But, the low energy has really stunk.  So far, I can still taste and smell normally.  I sure hope I don't lose those senses.

My favorite part of the week was that Brayden wore a mask nonstop for the first couple of days.  He really didn't want to catch it. It was funny and cute.   The sad part is, he's probably been the sickest with headache, dizziness, and lower energy.  The other kids have mostly just had a headache and sore eyes.  

We have watched more TV than I can stand, but when you have no energy to move, what else do you do.  I've even tried listening to the book I've been working on and can't focus enough to do that.  Non of us have watched Little House on the Prairie and we've been watching that.  I'm loving this show.  It teaches such good standards.  COVID had been a bummer, but there are silver linings in it all...

The younger boys have been using their imaginations and making weapons out of paper.  We've had many friends and family help out or offer to help while we are getting get through this. We aren't nearly as sick as many others have been, and (fingers crossed) we are on the mend.  We are going to be done with all the worry that this virus has brought on.  We will be able to see family without worrying that we will get them sick.  We're not through the woods yet, but it's been worth it to have the worry out of the way.

I don't know what to think about it all.  Schools are still closed in many areas across the U.S. and there's no evidence that kids get very sick.  Plus, it seems like kids don't pass it along like adults do.  We don't know where Bo caught it, but it wasn't the kids that brought it home.  I also wish we'd had it months ago so we wouldn't have had to carry the weight of it for so long.  But, we didn't know how we'd react.  Everyone seems to be different.  Do I think schools should be closed?  Probably not.

I keep having the thought that with the pandemic, politics, and the Black Lives Matter movement and the craziness of it all, one thing is certain.  It's nearly impossible to find truth anywhere.  President Nelson has very strongly encouraged us to learn how to receive revelation for ourselves.  I can see why it is so important in our lives right now.  I am definitely not great at it, but in the important parts of life these last months, I've felt guided and at peace.  I'll continue to follow his guidance as he teaches us what the Lord wants for us at this time.  I'm so grateful we have a prophet to lead and guide us at this time.  I know I'd be scared and confused if I didn't have his direction.

Winter Wonderland

 

A couple of weeks ago we had a crazy frost and freezing mist for about two days.  There were frost crystals like I've never seen in my life.  I had to get some pictures and post them.  It was so pretty outside while it lasted.

Look how long those crystals are!  These are poplars but they look like pines.

A small spiderweb

Family and Kid Photos from 2020

I love this sweet family of ours!  We are so blessed.

 

Christmas Break and New Years

After Christmas, we drove to West Yellowstone and spent a few days with Kris, Kendra, and their kids, Wayne, Leanna, and their kids. We stopped at Big Springs on the way. It was fun but really COLD. 

 

Since it was so cold so we didn’t snowmobile as much as we thought we would. The boys went more than the girls, but we had a great time chatting and playing games.

The pool was out of order, so the older kids played hide- n-seek in the timeshare.  Maybe not the best idea, but they never got in trouble, so I guess it worked out. 

We spent a little while sledding too, but I pretty much just did videos.

We spent New Year's Eve at the warehouse, eating lots of yummy food, playing games, watching movies, and laughing. And.......drumroll, the bowling alley was running. It’s not quite ready, but it’s almost there!  We’re pretty excited. They started all that back when we were in Hawaii. I forgot to take pictures; we missed out on that. :(

Gratitude Journal: Final Day 42

The end of 2020 is here, and what a long way we’ve all come. I read a post that said 2020 was a good teacher. Boy, was it ever. When I look back, the major highlights are: sickness, rioting, views polarizing, and respect for others becoming nonexistent.

But that’s what the world wants us to believe. As I’ve tried to follow our prophet and the savior's teachings, things have been different for me.

I’m stronger. When I seek light, goodness, and truth, I've learned that I feel joy and peace. I learned better how to seek the Lord and try to hear him through all the noise. I constantly realize I can’t do this alone, nor do I want to. It’s much easier with Him. He’s around much more than I’ve ever understood.

The best part! The world tells us everything is falling apart, but I know many have had a year like me. Many are digging deeper, seeking more the light, and we’re all finding it. Our strength together will be enough when we follow Him. John 8:12 ...I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Through these trials, we’ve all endured this year, plus our individual ones, He’s inviting us all to see. We can all have “the light of life.” 

The way we react and move forward determines who we are and where we end up. I choose joy and peace, and I’m determined to do whatever it takes to have that. 

As we come together and choose to follow Him, we’ll be strengthened as a whole. We can overcome whatever is placed in our path. I #givethanks for leaders who teach this and the Lord, who guides them. This is why the gospel is so important. It builds us up when everything else is tearing us down.