Tim and I have continued to work, which means juggling our time around each other's schedules to ensure someone is always home with the kids. I have worked two 12-hour nights this week, with a third coming up tonight. I will continue this 2-3 nights per week schedule for the foreseeable future. However, as a nurse in the hospital, I expect to be called upon to pick up more shifts soon. Tim continues to keep his study schedule and preparations for preaching on Sunday. Some of his work is done from home, but most is done from the office.
The kids are keeping up with schoolwork at the house. Their teachers sent work home from school last Friday, plus there are an overwhelming amount of resources available online. We are enjoying the Scholastic daily work, Lunch Doodles with Mo, Prodigy, and Typing Club. We were able to hit the library Friday before it closed, so we are set with reading material. Some co-workers helped me find worksheets for the boys to do each day. Sarah and Caitlyn are diligent with their daily piano practice, even though lessons are currently on hold. We do journal prompts to practice our writing. My personal favorite thing we have implemented is "life skill of the day". Turns out if you title it as a class and package it with their schoolwork, kids are more willing to change the sheets on their beds, fold laundry, etc.
The kids' attitudes are mixed, depending on the moment. They miss their friends, but the "why can't we" questions seem to have died down after the first few days. They are getting creative, communicating with the neighbors via walkie talkie, and standing at the end of our driveway to talk to the neighbors at the end of theirs. We are happy that the weather has provided opportunity to be outside. We all need that.
We have a lot of free time to fill up. We watch quite a bit of TV. Frozen and Frozen 2 have been playing frequently here. The kids are enjoying Amazon music as well. Board games are seeing increased use, and of course toys are played with daily. Next week we plan to do more crafts, when my work schedule allows for it a bit better than this week did.
Of course, increased time together means we also get on each other's nerves and need our quiet, personal space at times. We have meltdowns daily, from both the stress of schedule changes and doing schoolwork at home. On Tuesday, I wasn't sure we were going to make it through this without tearing each other apart. But removing myself from the situation, taking a shower, spending time alone in Bible study was exactly what I needed. So much of this is about perspective, and we need the Lord to keep us on track with that!
So while we have increased stress from all these changes, we are also relaxing by having a go-nowhere schedule. While it is exhausting to keep up on schoolwork and have little people at home constantly, it is also refreshing to be able to teach and connect with them. While it is chaotic to be thrown into this with no notice, it is peaceful knowing that God will use it for good. And while our days are full of busy-ness, it is also slow-paced, knowing what we are not able to accomplish today will make it on our list for tomorrow.
I thank the Lord we are all healthy, yet I know that could change at any moment. I am praying He comforts us through what is happening now and what may happen in the near future. And I trust Him, knowing He will see us through these uncertain times.
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