Quarantine Diaries: Week Three

We're still hanging on over here. At the risk of sounding corny, we still have food in our pantry, work to keep the food in our pantry, our health, and each other—so there really isn't much else we could ask for.

Every day we get up around 7:30, get dressed (blouse on top, pajama pants on the bottom), make breakfast (okay fine, I put Froot Loops in a cup for Arden and turn on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse), make some coffee and sit down on the couch with my laptop. I usually have four or five zoom calls a day and Drew has his fair share as well, so we tag team whose turn it is to change the baby's diaper, make the bottle, get Arden dressed, take Arden outside for a quick run around the yard, etcetera throughout the day. To keep the baby entertained, a lot of time she just sits next to me on the couch and plays in between naps.

A lot of people say their work has slowed down since quarantine started, but mine actually hasn't. If anything, we are doing our best to pivot in this new landscape and make it all work, so it's taking a lot of additional brainpower. Most days I don't leave my laptop for more than thirty minutes total, so at about 5:30 or 6 when I finally close it for the night, it's time to go outside and play. And I mean BUSINESS at playtime. 

Whether it be playing in the backyard, going to the track to run around, or heading the abandoned school playground up the road—we find something to do out in the fresh air. Sidewalk chalk, driving Arden's cars, "playing" basketball, hopscotch, swinging, whatever. Four times a week mom and I are still going running also. Usually we do 2-3 miles each weeknight and then our longer run on weekends—typically Sundays after (virtual) church. The running has kept me sane by getting me out of the house a little bit. It's been nice. On the nights we don't run, I'll sometimes just lay my yoga mat on the back driveway and do circuits. I honestly thought during this time I'd use my Peloton even more, but it has been the opposite. When it's time to move my body, I want nothing to do with being inside. Funny, right?

When it's time for dinner, we eat it outside whenever we can, too. We have a cute little outdoor table setup that we're getting to put to use. After dinner we sit around and listen to music, chit chat, or (for the sake of authenticity) scroll through our phones for a few minutes. At last light we finally pack it up and head inside for baths.

You'd probably assume that weekends aren't all that exciting since we're home all the time, but on the contrary, weekends have been a saving grace. We've been making a lot of margaritas, taking day trips to the park, even sleeping in a little. Arden likes weekends because it means our laptops get to stay put away. Sweet Arden is so confused...she's trying to grasp it all, but I know she misses her friends and teachers. She keeps asking, "Is tomorrow a stay at home day again?" BUT on the weekends, it means all day play. 

The important thing to remember in all of this is that it will have a beginning, a middle (where I pray we are) and finally—an end. No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. Right? So I try to spend time focusing on the novelty of this strange chapter and being grateful for it. It will probably never happen again, not ever. So rather than getting swept up in the panic (which has been so easy to fall into), I'm trying to slow down when I can. Chase Arden. Hold Collins. Drink a second margarita with Drew. Rent a good movie. Make a fun dessert.

While we're stuck here, we'll soak it in. 

It feels like God is moving in all of this. There are so many unexpected silver linings to be found in this unfamiliar place.