Paper Products

I debated whether to go to Clara's today or not, but I called her daughter to make sure it was okay with their family and when she said it was, I decided the social interaction was equally important.

On her grocery list were: paper towels, napkins, Kleenex and TP. Oh man. Only the hardest products to get your hands on. This week since she's hearing better, she was more aware of the Coronavirus and how its spread throughout the world. She was disappointed that I said she couldn't go in the store, but happy to have a drive at the very least.

Walgreens toilet paper, tissue and napkin aisle today.

I showed her a photo I took last week of the empty paper aisle at Target and told her we'd go to all the stores in the neighborhood and see what we could find.

At Walgreens, they didn't have anything.
At Macey's at the top of the hill they had paper towels and napkins. Win!
At A Fresh down the hill they had more Kleenex and another roll of paper towels. (Which the checker asked if I wanted to exchange for the 6-pak they kept behind the counter. Each store would only let you buy 1 of any of these products, but a 6-pak counted as 1. So I bought it.)
The Macey's down further didn't have anything she needed either. But they did have chips and peppermint patties which she was out of.
Finally, the I stopped at the dollar store to get her word searches. They were out of most of them but had 2 books left. AND they had toilet paper! Very small rolls, but still it was something!

She's successfully stocked up. And we had fun driving around town searching.

Also, Luke and Will got home tonight! And the Church made an announcement that the missionaries who are home will be released and can choose to be temporarily reassigned by April 30, or wait to go back for another year. Being released is probably a good idea if they're home that long. Have I already said, "These are CRAZY times?!"

Trying to social distance and welcome home and see friends, while staying distanced. It's so hard!

 Throwback to when these 2020 sweatshirts seemed so cute and 

a fun way to welcome in the new decade.

Good Morning, Sunshine.

What a cute missionary!

Because he's still a missionary, it feels like we should support him in finding 

productive missionary things to do.

But he's also an adult who has lived on his own for the last seven months.

So he's not super excited to be parented.

He drove me to the store today and waited in the car while I shopped.

it was nice to be with him a few minutes, listen to Spanish music and talk about mission futures.

I also made a delicious roast chicken in the steam oven with squash and Brussel sprouts.

It not only tasted amazing, the skin was crispy and delicious-looking as well.

So that was a win.

We're watching Star Wars 9 tonight all together. 

Christopher's bucket list.

A Worldwide Fast

Today we are fasting with a special purpose -- to help all those affected by Coronavirus.

Which is essentially all of us. The whole entire world.

We pray for the decision makers to seek inspiration and recognize it.

For the medical professionals to be inspired how to best help -- with new ideas and treatments,

and to be protected as they sacrifice their safety working among the sick.

For those who are sick, their families, and those who have lost people they care about.

And those who are hurting because of lost jobs and economic loss.

Speaking of people helping with medical solutions,

Courtney's professor over the lab is working on a project with doctors to adapt ventilators

to be able to treat more than one patient at a time.

He's asked Courtney to draw up the plans in SolidWorks. So cool, Courtney!

(New York is really bad right now. 

Courtney, Megan and Michael are being very diligent in quarantine and staying safe.

Because Carine is a nurse practitioner, she's now working in a hospital to help.)

 I am loving stay-at-home church.

We Skyped Courtney in as well so she could hear Chris' testimony and video he

shared that comforted him when he was told he had to leave his mission.

Elder Hugh Brown's experience of The Currant Bush, the video 

"The Will of God." 

Then we each shared experiences of hard things we'd experienced that we didn't understand at the time but later saw the hand of the Lord guiding our lives to a better Plan.

Marty and I even played a musical number, "Come Thou Fount."

(It's been fun to have a song to practice on the piano this week!)

Our ward is offering a link to watch church and hear talks from members of the ward.

But for now, I'm happy to have it with our family.

After church, Chris talked to Courtney and Michael for a while.

Then we played Monopoly, the card game

Our family portrait finally hung!

 I have lists of things we can do to keep the sabbath day holy all together as a family:

Don't Miss This videos,

The Joseph Smith Papers restoration podcasts,

Jesus of Nazareth (six hour movie -- thanks Diane),

Come Follow Me,

Book of Mormon videos,

spiritual books, practicing instruments

and games and a walk.

I was able to negotiate one hour -- the first restoration podcast and 30 min. of Jesus of Nazareth.

I'll be grateful for that.

Marty did find Aldo's appearance in the Abinadi video too!

Dan and I took a look walk with Kershaw just as it got dark.

Cole and Logan came over separately to catch up with Chris. 

We're trying to get them to comply with quarantining and social distancing. 

They're trying as best as 19-year-olds with their very social personalities can.

He's Home! It's so Surreal.

Prepping to welcome home Christopher tonight! 

Dan has been tracking his flights all day.

He also heated up the pool and hot tub and he and Nick had a swim!

(I can't swim until my ear heals and Chris can't swim because he's a missionary.

Although the Stake President did say he could hot tub!)

At 7:30, Dan and I headed to the airport to pick him up.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, only parents (or guardians) are allowed to go. 

No siblings, friends or other relatives.

We were directed to the second floor of the parking garage and were instructed to wait in our cars 

at the appropriate alphabetized section 

(everything is so Covid organized!) until we saw him come out.

We were both texting when I looked out and saw a kid with a buzz cut and guitar walking up to the car. I didn't recognize him at first glance but then he smiled and it was a face I've missed so much!

When we got home, the families of his friends were waiting in cars lining the road to honk and wave.

It was such a sweet welcome home! He stood out of the sun roof to wave and said, 

"I feel like the president!"

As soon as he got out of the car he grabbed a skateboard and tried an ollie.

We were especially excited to introduce he and Lizzie to each other.

We sat in the family room trying to somewhat social distance and get caught up.

At one point, Chris mentioned, "This feels like the most awkward Christmas phone call."

Truly everything is so surreal right now. 

But its fun to hear his stories, to see his smile, hear him speak Spanish, and

listen to his sweet testimony.

The Winger family came over to wave from the driveway.

And Diane came over too.

Our family couldn't get enough of being with Chris again. 

We were all up until 1:00 a.m. talking.

To be honest, he's bummed. He doesn't understand why there's such a big reaction over this dumb virus. In Mexico it wasn't so concerning.

He's unsure about being assigned as a missionary but living at home.

He desperately wants to get back to Mexico when all this is over, but he's concerned about his area.

His President even wondered if their mission would be consolidated into another.

But as always, he has a positive attitude in spite of the disappointment.

He's going to keep the faith and trust in God's plan.

What?

My ear has been plugged for a week. It started after playing in the waves one day and has lasted ever since. Not the "I can hear water moving around" kind, but the "I'm totally deaf," kind.

When I took Clara to get her hearing aids fixed I tried to get the courage to ask if the doctor could take a peak in my ear and see if I had an infection or something. But I chickened out. Mainly I was worried he would think I was risking Clara's life bringing her out to the doctor and her hearing aid issue was a ruse for my own selfish purposes. (How can I possibly be my mother's daughter? She would never worry about what the doctor would think!)

It's pretty painful too. But are doctors even seeing patients with routine problems? What is even happening for normal sicknesses? Fortunately Dan remembered that our good friend is an ENT. I called his wife who gave me his cell number and said he's seeing patients via FaceTime. I described my symptoms and he prescribed ear drop antibiotics for an outer ear infection. They've helped with the pain, but not with the hearing loss. He said if it wasn't better by three days, to go into the office.

I went in today and he cleaned out my ear which was clogged with wax. And now I can hear again! I am so grateful he was able and willing to help me!

We got word today that Chris will be home tomorrow night.

Marty and Lizzie made Mapo Doufu for dinner tonight -- yum!

The governor issued a "Stay safe, Stay home" announcement today. It's not too different than what we're already doing. Basically stay home except for grocery shopping. (And doctor appointments.) Work from home, don't see friends, etc.

And Dan and I "walked the grounds" with flashlights tonight and listened the the owl hooting somewhere in the woods. It's pretty nice having a five acre park next door to ourselves.

Joy in Small and Simple Things

Long walk with Kershaw today.

Look at these crocus! (crocuses?) (crocus'?) (croci?!)

And sweet little purple flowers on what would otherwise be considered

weeds in the grass.

And bonus... I took the bridge at the end of the circle into the gated community, 

and just when Kershaw and I got to the closed gate at the end of the road, 

a car drove up and we were able to walk out.

This quote from Pres. Hinckley made me happy.

So did FaceTiming with Courtney...

 ...and discovering how to use the fun emojis at the bottom of FaceTime.

...and discovering Mormojis, which were actually Mormon emojis!

And animojis... I'm learning so much during quarantine time!

Dan braved Costco so he could get Mexican Cokes for Christopher

whenever he gets home.

(We are assuming we'll just get a phone call the day before letting us know.)

And best of all was finishing our night with games -- 

Ticket to Ride and Uno.

Starting today we are trying to be more deliberate in how we spend our evenings together.

Day one was great!

On the list are game night, puzzles, Lego's, play instruments, read, movie night (saving all the good Disney, LDS and clean movies for when Chris gets home), TV night, 

projects or learn something new, cook, and do whatever night.

Also, when we read scriptures I mentioned that I was confused about the timing between Jacob and Omni. It seemed someone lived a really long time. 

And Nick laughed and said he was thinking the same thing. 

I was so impressed he was 1) reading the scriptures, 2) thinking about them.

I could go on and on. I feel really, really blessed. 

We have so much to be grateful for. 

I know Coronavirus hasn't really hit us in a personal way yet (except for Chris coming home, loved ones in quarantine, weddings on hold etc.) but nobody has experienced illness.

So for that, I'm also grateful.

Zoom-Zoom

I had a plan to wake up earlier and get all the odds and ends done...

finish unpacking and everything put away, laundry, wash Chris' sheets, 

pick up everything around the house that needs to be put away in a different spot.

But I woke up to a bloody nose that lasted a bloody hour!

(Every time I or my kids get a nosebleed, I can't help but think of 

the Little House on the Prairie where Albert (that brother who they adopted) 

keeps getting bloody noses and they find out he has leukemia!)

I also kept thinking, "I can't spare this much toilet paper!"

I one-handed put the dishes away while Dan made breakfast and by then it had stopped.

Nick and Marty are diligent workers. 

I'm so glad I don't have to babysit Nick to make sure he's getting his stuff done.

Nick's Classroom. Marty sits with him too.

I exercised, read scriptures, ran a few errands 

(Busath was still open so I could pick up our family portrait!)

and before I knew it, it was dinnertime.

Nick's P.E. -- Lacrosse wall ball.

For Young Womens' tonight one of our class advisors set up a Zoom meeting.

(Dan's been doing his meetings with Zoom a lot too.)

It was so fun to see everyone's faces and feel like we were all together!

Miss these cute girls!

I was so surprised at how many logged on! 

Marty and Lizzie went and got Nielsen's tonight and I ate all of mine. 

So much for Weight Watchers.

But it tasted so so good.

And then we found out all the temples are closed indefinitely.

What next?! (Actually, I don't even want to know!)

The Sun Will Shine Again

We got home early early on Monday and went straight back to bed.

When I woke up, (at like 11:00 a.m.),

to my phone ringing from Chris!

He's coming home. 

He said he was so sad all morning, but his faith in the Lord's Plan is strong.

He also said he's excited to watch Star Wars 9, listen to music and kiss a girl.

I don't think all those things will/should happen.

But I sure love him and his cute optimism!

He thinks he'll be home end of this week. But it could be two weeks or more.

Everything is so uncertain.

I went to the sunroom to read my scriptures and bask in the sun and light pouring in.

I was on the phone almost all afternoon, receiving texts all about missionaries coming home,

I saw Kristin and Duncan and talked to Courtney all about quarantining in New York.

By the time I worked out at 4:00, the sun was covered by dark clouds.

It felt so much like a metaphor for these weird times.

But I know this will pass. 

And I know that the Lord can take hard things and consecrate them to be blessings.

Like turning coronavirus quarantining into a special time all together with my whole family.

Dan and I went to the grocery store to stock up.

I felt like I needed two weeks of groceries just in case we can't go out when Chris gets home.

There's still plenty of food. 

But there are also aisles that look like this:

the aisle for TP, paper towels, tissues, cleaning products

Quick meals

Cheese

Today (Tuesday) we decided we needed to stay on a schedule.

(As inspired by Courtney who is keeping a strict schedule in New York -- getting up at a set time, eating breakfast, getting dressed and working until the work day is over.)

 We woke up at 10:00 (still recovering from Hawaii time) and had breakfast all together.

Then Nick and Marty got to work at the kitchen table on their computers for online school.

I've been so impressed at how seamlessly our teachers (across the country)

have been able to adapt to online school! 

It's really a huge blessing! One of the many I've noticed.

Nick's schedule is about 30 minutes of work in each class, including 30 minutes of online seminary.

He also goes outside for at least 30 minutes. Today he played wall ball for lacrosse.

And practices the piano.

No screens until after "the school day" at 3:00. 

He was bugged by that at first, but stuck with it. He's also super responsible about doing his work and is a conscientious student. I'm lucky.

I went to Clara's today. Her hearing aids aren't working and she can't hear AT ALL.

She wasn't up for going anywhere, but then I remembered she had a follow-up dr appointment and ultrasound to make sure the kidney stone passed.

She was so frustrated and couldn't remember from one minute to the next why she had to drink so much water (the ultrasound) and where we were going.

Not to mention she couldn't hear.

Finally I said, "Will you trust me that I'm taking you where you need to go?"

And she laughed and said, "What would I do without you?"

We also got her hearing aids cleaned and the volume turned up 

which is a HUGE relief because on the way home she could finally hear.

I snuck this photo because I love that even when she's out of sorts
she cares about putting on her lipstick and fixing her hair.

Fine, We'll Leave

Every day we wonder if we should leave or not and every day we talk ourselves into staying!

I'm glad we have. It's been so wonderful playing in the sun and waves and being with friends.

Every day we wake up to over 50 text messages reporting on all the news back home...

Coronavirus statistics, missionaries coming home, earthquakes, church changes, etc.

It sounds so chaotic.

I've loved escaping for a while with our family.

(Knowing that Marty is happy with Lizzie, Courtney is happy with Michael

 and Chris is happy in Mexico.)

It makes it easy to be away not worrying about anyone left behind!

However, with a tourism ban beginning Wednesday night, a near empty resort and flights being cancelled, we decided to go home on Sunday night.

We got a letter on the porch of our villa saying, "as long as you're here, we'll keep people on staff. But most people are leaving early." Kinda got the hint.

It's okay. We're ready.

As much as we've travelled with the Rigby's and for as long as we're together,

I never ever get tired of it! So many laughs, games, fun conversation and working together.

Also a fun long history of being friends.

Love them!

When there's a shortage of TP in the world, Dan packed a couple rolls from our bathroom.

The Clif bars are what we brought "just in case" we couldn't get food.

Have I mentioned that originally we were arriving on Thursday and had a 2-bedroom villa.

Way back when we made the reservation, they only had a 2 bed unit left.

So Steph, Eric and Millie were going to stay in the hotel, 

but they would come over to cook and hang out.

Dan and me and the boys would be in the villa.

On Tuesday we got a note from Inspirato that they were cancelling all bookings due to coronavirus.

I called them in a panic telling them not to cancel ours because we were already here!

After talking to the head of the company and the lawyers, they let us know because we were already on site they wouldn't cancel.

Phew!

And by the way, since you're cancelling other people, 

would there by chance be a 3 bedroom available?

There was! And they gave it to us with no extra charge! 

And the Rigby's could cancel their room at no charge. (Thanks coronavirus.)

We also got a couple of rollaways so each boy could have their own bed 

and Millie could sleep in the huge closet.

On Sunday we took our usual long walk.

Then had breakfast, then church.

Songs, Sacrament, a talk by Elder Renlund and thoughts by Eric. 

Ended with a video on the restoration.

And spent the rest of the day laying on the chaise's outside the room,

reading "Redeemer" by David Butler and "Parables" by Hank Smith.

We packed up and had a last meal picnic-style in the Kihei park on our way to the airport.

When we checked out, they said there were only 18 people left in the resort!

(over 300 rooms) So crazy. Many of the hotels near us were totally shut down.

I took this photo before the Rigby's got there with their food.

We're spending Monday without a schedule because it's the last day of Spring Break.

And then tomorrow, home school begins.

Stay-At-Home Sacrament

I love that stay-at-home Sacrament Meeting helps us realize and appreciate

how important taking the sacrament really is.

That our spirits need this quiet moment of reflection to commune with 

God and our Savior to be spiritually nourished.

To remember the atonement. That it's for each of us.

That our Heavenly Father is aware of us. 

By coming to Him and partaking of the bread and water,

we are opening ourselves to His spirit, healing and peace.

Breaking from the routine of the sacrament in our chapel

creates an opportunity of more awareness

which hopefully we'll remember when we're meeting back at church again.

More Photos of Paradise

Outside the villa

Morning Walks

Spike ball, frisbee and paddle ball baseball on the lawn.

Shave ice

Plunge pool whirlpool

No one else is here so the cabanas are free!

My pool boy who made and brought us sandwiches and drinks poolside.

Gorgeous sunsets

Just chillin -- watching tik toks and instagram

Practicing to go home and back to work at the hospital...

BBQ  hamburgers one night and steaks another when all the restaurants are closed 

except for take-out.

Game nights every night -- Azul, Rummikub, Ticket to Ride, Double Ditto, Code Names...

Signs that most people have gone home:

An empty lawn.

The gym has been chained shut!