Catch Up & Quarantine Pt. 1

It's time to play a little quarantine catch up since...well, we can't really go anywhere! 

So many fun things happened over the last month and even now, during our social distancing, isolation, quarantine, we have been trying to make the best of it so, here goes!

Sweet day-time snuggles with James. This little fella is growing like a weed and I can't wait until I can see him, snuggle with him again!

We celebrated Mom's birthday at the end of February.
One of the easiest people to celebrate.

Baby Showers for long time friends and two sweet little baby girls
(one that's been born since the shower and one that's coming soon!)

A Bridal/Wedding Shower for Katie and Harris at the church.
I had so much fun being a part of the hosting and celebrating for this soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs.

Annnnnd, my best friend had her second child, Ivy Lynne!
This sweet little bundle of love came into the world fast and furious (and on International Women's Day--what a day for a little girl to come along!) and she is just the snuggliest, cuddliest, little love.

Thankfully, I had 3-4 days of getting to visit and love on her and her parents some before all the coronavirus craziness came about.

Who ever knew when this all began that schools would suspend, some stores would close, churches would go fully online, restaurants would offer take-out or delivery only, and we'd be searching for toilet paper (of all things) because it keeps selling out. But, it has also been so incredibly neat to see people and communities rising up and encouraging one another and working together (from a distance) to make this an uplifting, bearable, (in a unique way) memorable time.

And now, some quarantine related content and a few of the ways we've been trying to make the best of this situation. These are the good parts that I want to make sure I remember years from now.

Aplos, a restauraunt in Highland Village is offering make your own pizza kits.
It was so much fun and made PLENTY of pizza for us to eat on through out the week (4 pizzas, 6 slices each pizza).

Since our school is currently closed until April 20th, our district has been posting pictures every day of teachers sharing messages with their classes/students. It's been so sweet to see and it's true what they say, we do miss them, love them, and hope to see them soon!

My second favorite book series, The Wingfeather Saga has been read aloud, live, every night at 7 by the author, Andrew Peterson. So stinking cool and something to look forward to every night!

Using my record player and supporting Magnolia Record Club while working from home. 

I've been the one grocery shopping because not only is it coronavirus season but, it's also pollen season so Jason has been staying in and he wanted to see the empty shelves. Thankfully, this has subsided some here recently and I feel like (other than toilet paper and major cleaning supplies) things are coming back in stock and people are able to get what they need. 

Thank goodness for technology to see this little cutie pie 

Lakeland Presbyterian going fully online and still being able to hear Papa Steve preach The Word even though we can't all meet and fellowship together.
But boy, isn't Ann Hatten sweet watching her Grando below.

 We're still able to be outside and bask in all the beautiful things that The Lord has given us.
These flowers, pretty blue skies and all the rain-free days we've been having. It's been so, so nice.

 The bridal shower that was posted above was supposed to have their wedding this past weekend.
The ceremony went on and we were able to watch via live stream and then, participated in my very first drive by "best wishes" for the bride and groom. Such a sweet ceremony! I was so glad we could “be there” with them, to celebrate their big day.

Sending out the most snail mail that I have in quite some time. A few birthday cards, a "thinking of you" card, and little notes of encouragement for each of my students. 

Our neighborhood has stepped it up. 

We have had so many people coming up with fun ideas to keep children entertained and ways to bring a little joy during these uncertain times. 

The biggest thing we've done is ask everyone to put rainbows in their windows--that way when people are out and about, they can look for the rainbows. They have also put hearts on the mailboxes of any healthcare worker that's in the neighborhood. We've been going on walks and it's hard for me to not tear up when I see these symbols of encouragement and community.  

Here's a cool write up and news segment on our neighborhood and the rainbows.

There's also been a group that has faithfully "worshipped from a distance" at 7:00 each night in the culdesac, ending the night with the singing of the doxology and a prayer. So sweet. 

Why the random Spider-Man picture? Well...here it goes.

One of the cooler things that's happened is that Jake Johnson, the actor that voices Peter Parker on "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse"--and plays Nick on "New Girl" posted on his instagram that he was sending out voice memos to people that emailed him and requested one to bring some encouragement to kiddos during this weird time. I emailed him on behalf of my class and lo and behold! I received a voice memo from him yesterday and already sent it out to my class. 

I'm not entirely sure how to upload just an audio but...let's give it a try because it's definitely something I want to remember. 

Update--I was able to record the screen on my phone, so here you go!

It goes without saying that these are times unlike any other. 

The first coronavirus case in Mississippi was reported on March 10th or 11th (I think it was the 11th) and I'm considering my timeline since then. 21 days and the end is not in sight. 

My thoughts are this: Think about what God is trying to teach me and show me during this time, make the best of it and  find some way to make today a good day. 

McClain Safari 3/11

Talk about some nutty timing. 

When Spring Break started, who knew that just a few days in, we would be at the start of one of the weirdest pandemics--especially thus far in my lifetime. 

Thankfully, before all of the social distancing and quarantining began, we were able to have a fun day at McClain. This was my first time there and it was so much fun!

We did the petting zoo and the safari ride and it was so, so cool--even more so than I expected. 

Of course, it was extra fun getting to experience it all with Ann Hatten.
When the animals would eat a carrot out of her hand she would say, without fail, "it bite me"--she wasn't scared, she was just matter of fact (or so she thought).
 I'm happy to report, they weren't biting her and she kept going back for more.

Other than the obvious ones, I can't for the life of me remember what all of these animals were.
But, they were all so sweet and docile and it was so much fun getting to pet and feed them.

We couldn't stop laughing at the teeth--they were so funny!

Before we went on the safari ride, we ate at the McClain restaurant and it was very good. It's a buffet and I feel like we all liked everything we tried.

The safari was awesome.
They stop three different times throughout the ride where you get to feed the animals and they come so close to the wagon. It's awesome!
Some of them are SO. STINKING. HUGE. and it's so neat getting to be close to them. The woman that was leading our tour was so informative, too.

That being said, when we can venture back into the public, McClain is absolutely worth a trip!
Check out everything they have to offer here.