SLIDER

Life Lately During Quarantine

4.30.2020


We are on week 7 of "quarantine" with plans to begin our gradual trek back to normalcy in phases beginning this weekend.  Hip, hip, hooray!  However, I have a feeling it's going to be a long time until life is truly normal again.

I can rattle off two positive personal outcomes from staying at home.

1. Conrad is officially poop trained now!  He's such a stubborn turd. (Pun intended.)  It only took him a solid year after being pee trained THROUGH THE NIGHT to accomplish the task.  Believe me when I say I tried absolutely every tactic out there.  I now keep a stash of potty treats in the pantry and eagerly give it out in handfuls.

2. I make the bed everyday. And since I make the bed everyday, I figured I'd better attach another habit to it: my morning prayer.  I've never been able to make that a consistent habit... until now.  It's amazing what impact a little prayer (and honestly a moment to meditate or reflect) has had on my life as a mother.

In other news, however, it feels like the outside world is preparing to rip itself apart.  The economy is in ruin, the food supply chain has been severely disrupted, free speech through media outlets is being censored, and people are verbally and/or physically attacking each other in the name of social distancing.  A political power struggle (remember, it's a presidential election year) seems to be running the world these days.  It's very concerning.

Happy 10th Birthday to Jed and a DIY Escape Room Quarantine Party

4.25.2020


Dear Jed,

Happy 10th Birthday to the boy who made me a mother and changed me for the better! Words cannot express how much joy you have brought into my life.  Some of my favorite memories of you begin with your little smiling face peeking over the crib rails at me and continue through today when you showed me your latest Lego invention.  I am so proud of you, Jed.  You have many God given talents and gifts.  I hope you come to recognize them as I have.  You are naturally caring and compassionate; it helps make you a great big brother.  You have a keen sense of justice and an inventive and creative mind.  I know that with some work and dedication, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to.  Best of all, you love to tease and laugh.

I cannot believe it has been 10 years since I first cradled you in awe.  I hope you know that I still look at you that way sometimes.  I love you, Jed.  I hope your quarantined birthday becomes a special memory with a cool story to tell.

Love always,

Mom

My Independent and Helpful Three Year Old

4.14.2020


I have an enthusiastic toddler who likes to "help" with the chores.  Yesterday Conrad emptied my washer and dryer onto the floor at the same time... fed the dogs (meaning he dumped the entire bag of dog food onto the garage floor), helped himself to lunch (emptied my freezer of pizzas and ate three whole apples), organized the new baby's clothes and shoes (put them into a bag and distributed them throughout the house), played outside (he stepped in mud, so he played with one shoe on and one shoe off), and had a moment as Superman in front of the fan.  He had a busy afternoon!  Needless to say, when he fell asleep on the couch at 5pm, I was grateful for the peace and quiet.  It's a good thing he makes me laugh and smile daily.

So tell me, how's your quarantine going?

4th Baby Bumpdate: 33 Weeks

4.13.2020


As I stared at those two pink positive lines just a few months ago, never in a thousand years did I expect to be delivering my baby in the midst of a global pandemic!  So much has changed so quickly.  It is the strangest reality.

Hospital policies across the country seem to change day to day.  I was told at my last appointment nearly two weeks ago that, yes, my husband can be present in the hospital for the birth of our baby.  Whew!  However, if I test positive for Covid-19 at the time of delivery, there's a good chance I will be separated from my infant.  Holy cow, that would be traumatic for us both, I think!  The virus is definitely in our community.  So the current plan for me is to wait until I'm 36 weeks for my next appointment and to observe social distancing guidelines until I deliver.  That includes the whole family, unfortunately, because whatever illness the kids contract, so do I!

I am crossing my fingers, hoping that this pandemic will be on the downhill slide by May and the world around us will be normalizing.  Is that too optimistic of me?  I sure hope it's realistic.  For the sake of the economy and people's livelihoods, we need it.

So say a silent little prayer for me and for every other woman who is delivering a baby into a world with what feels like an unknown future, will you?  I know everything will be okay, one way or another, but it's still a little scary.

I was texting another pregnant friend not long ago and she feels as I do.  These 2020 babies being born are a special bunch. I'm not quite sure yet what their unique missions on earth will be, but I have a feeling they will be capable of doing some extraordinary things.  I can't help thinking how the timing of this pregnancy was just meant to be.  We tried for a year without any luck. Then BOOM, I hop off my birth control for one month and I get pregnant immediately.  It was kind of a personal miracle.  Coincidences like that don't just happen, do they?  At least I don't think so.  I like to attribute them to a loving Heavenly Father.

So here I am, prayerfully asking for a smooth and safe delivery and to bring home a healthy baby boy.

A Stay at Home Easter

4.12.2020

^^My three boys, soon to be four!^^

The Easter also known as the month with uninterrupted family time.

I'm not sure if it's the mental load of this pandemic or the end of this pregnancy, but I really feel at a loss to put together any meaningful words.  But I'll try anyway because I love Easter.  It is one of my favorite holidays.  It bears a message of hope, joy, and eternal life!

There has never been a better time to reflect on Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice than now -- when the world feels a little dark and upside-down.  Yesterday, Saturday, Christ's followers mourned in darkness.  They were sad and probably confused.  They had no idea what miracle was about to transpire!  Isn't this current period in the world's history a little bit like that?

As I've studied the scriptures and Joseph Smith history this month, I've been able to pull so many parallels to our current world situation.  Some circumstances really stunk for a lot of people.  Some people died.  Some faced hardships that lasted years.  But everything always turned out all right in the end of the story because a loving Heavenly Father had a wonderful plan in place.  I believe there is a light at the end of this crazy Coronavirus Groundhog's Day we've been living in.  I'm just super curious to see how it all plays out.

One of my favorite quotes from Jeffrey R. Holland keeps coming to mind: “Don't you quit.  You keep walking.  You keep trying.  There is help and happiness ahead.  Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.  It will be all right in the end.  Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

We listened to the Tabernacle Choir sing Handel's Messiah this morning as we made and ate a big breakfast of biscuits, eggs, and sausage.  I found myself tearing up during the Hallelujah chorus.  And again, I broke into tears later as I heard these familiar hymn lyrics during another presentation.

1. He is risen! He is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice.
He has burst his three days’ prison;
Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
Death is conquered; man is free.
Christ has won the victory.

3. He is risen! He is risen!
He hath opened heaven’s gate.
We are free from sin’s dark prison,
Risen to a holier state.
And a brighter Easter beam
On our longing eyes shall stream.

I'm just one big emotional pregnant blob these days.  But it doesn't matter; music always has a way of speaking to my heart.

I hope that whatever comes my way in this life, I will be able to trust in my Heavenly Father's love and plan for me and place joy and hope in the atonement of Jesus Christ.

Anyway, we enjoyed a slow and peaceful Easter here at home.  It began with a big hot breakfast followed by a short but sweet Sacrament meeting.  The day also included a funny -- but stressful for Jed and Levi -- egg hunt and ended with pulled barbeque sandwiches and chocolate cupcakes with caramel frosting.  Oh, and sprinkles!  LOTS of sprinkles for Conrad.  My heart is overflowing with love for this family of mine today.

I Love Your Positivity But I Love Your Honest Messiness More

4.02.2020


As much as I appreciate positive sentiments such as "We've got this!" in texts from friends, I've actually appreciated those times friends have opened up about how HARD this transition to isolation and homeschooling has been more.  It's a breath of fresh air to know that someone else's kid spent hours in front of a screen one day and that she too wants to pull her hair out figuring out all these new online programs and passwords that don't always work and wondering if she is covering all the assigned material with her son.  It really is nice to know that I'm not the only one who does not have it all together all the time... because I actually feel guilty for feeling this way.  I am very fortunate and have been blessed with so much!  This temporary situation should be a walk in the park; no big deal. But IT IS! Living one day at a time, not being able to plan for the future is unsettling. (I mean, I'm birthing a baby into this mess!)  But as my sister reminded me, she's done this before.  This is familiar territory for her as she fought cancer just two short years ago.  It will all be okay, even if our new normal isn't ever quite the same.

So folks, all I'm trying to say is that I love you for your positivity and wisdom, but I also love it when you're messy and human just like me.

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