Phases
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It feels weird to be at a point in life where the problems of a pandemic seem preferable to the realities the world are putting in plain sight now-problems that have always been here-but are finally being put on blast where they belong. But here we are.
I am going to try amidst all this to find and strike a balance between not ignoring the depressing truth we live in, speaking and more importantly ACTING for what is right [namely Black Lives Matter and anti racism, so no one can misconstrue my words or interpret what I mean] while also not allowing it to get to the point of my not being able to function for my kids, spouse, life and thus cancelling my ability to be any kind of an activist for anyone. So, as this post pandemic world has progressed so far, we have tried to adjust along with it, in the challenging things, as well as the unexpected occasional positives. I'm going to bullet point some of those things in this post. There is no normal now, nor will there be for a long time I think. There is still life in there though, and I want to be sure to high light both of those things. So onward.
-Grocery shopping is still serious business this day. In the recent months, Lester and I have switched off do do the errands-but now that Idaho has entered its Phase 3, we have ventured out occasionally [fully masked of course] as a family to do a few things here and there. Weirdly, I almost think this aspect of it has made it feel like a fun thing for the kids-before, grocery shopping w them was hard-they asked for everything, they got bored etc. Now, to them I think it feels like a game to be won, so they are more helpful and willing to make it a shared positive experience.
-Every one know my Mom is the cookie Queen. I love her cookies [Addy in particular is sure to remind me that they are the best ones despite any I've made haha!] but I think cooking and baking and tastes are subjective and meant to be explored. So for years I have been playing around with other recipes and adapting them to my tastes. So finally, I took my top 3 adjusted recipes and shared them side by side w friend and tried to figure out which were our favorites. In the end, the funny shaped brown butter chocolate chip cookies w maldon sea salt won and so now I can move on to other baking adventures. It was fun!
-Sometimes I see them like this and my heart feels full and grateful, that even though we can't go out to often, they are getting to experience magic and escape through the books they are reading. Thank goodness for the books we own and the curbside pick no contact pickup the library does.
-We've been cooking and baking up a storm, and the kids have been helping a ton with that. Addy in particular loves anything that includes rice, so there's been plenty of musubi making, and then a chocolate buttermilk pie and a crack pie.
-We've continued to find ways to social distance and be outside, with lots of hikes and river side water days to cool off at the end of them. The kids even made and decorated their own walking sticks to bring along. Between that walking, their scooters and the occasional stroller ride its been really beautiful.
-On Mother's Day, Lester made me meals all day long, including smoking a brisket for dinner. The kids and him cleaned and were amazing all day, even after our washer broke, and we had to take a load to the laundromat. It ended up being a super fun, relaxing day that I loved.
-Luke and Andrew gave us a much needed break from things when they came for a visit last week. I always worried I wouldn't really have a relationship w Luke [he's 13 years younger then me-I left home when he was 5] but I'm so happy to be proven wrong. We share a lot of interests and hobbies, and I think have a lot in common and he is definetly one of my closest friends. And that is something I cherish every day. He won't read this, so we solid haha-otherwise it would make him feel awkward-just like it would if someone did that w me haha. It was so great having him and Andrew here to play w the kids, and play games and bake w me after wards [especially as Lester is constantly studying for the upcoming boards].
-I think our family is single handedly stimulating the economy through out this pandemic haha. Our two favorites have been the ever awesome Janjou Patisserie and Amano in Caldwell. Mind blowing.
-Spring time has come in full swing and while we don't love our yearly allergies, the blooms all around have been so beautiful and uplifting.
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-On May 4th, we celebrated all things Star Wars. We made 'Dark Side of the Moon' cupcakes, had blue milk, did Star Wars Yoga, and since they were still in school at this point, I printed out some Star Wars math coloring to do. We tried to find as many special things to try to make the days blend together less-so Star Wars day, Cinco De Mayo, a while ago we did Mardi Gras, Mothers Day, etc. Its been helpful to make the days feel a little different here and there!
-The weathers been a bit all over the place. It will be in the high 90's one day, then hailing and storming, thunder and lighting the next few, followed by a perfect SF foggy overcast 70 day. Which has meant some outside fun, and some days of watching and listening to the rain fall and building forts. I love these people I get to hunker down w.
-On my last post I mentioned how I came up w a Princess educational activity for the kids to do and then google meet w their cousins. Since then, my siblings have come up w some AWESOME ones to do as well. We did one cousin meet where the kids all did a report, flag and treat to 'share' from their various cultures, and then we did a family 'art auction' that Mariah came up w. Some of my friends have come up w other fun activities-reading w the kids, learning about rock formation w starbursts, etc. It was all really fun and nice to have us still making connections even though we can't all be together.
-The Primary [children's] organization of our local church chapter put together the cutest no contact ice cream truck the other day for the kids, which was perfect with the hot weather. They all have been starting in our bed bc said weather, and I always come up to them all tangled up together and its hilarious and cute
-One of the perks to living somewhere like this is you have friends who bring you things like morel mushrooms they foraged themselves, and beautiful eggs from the chickens that others have, or farmers market spoils. We've had fun making different things w them, like mushroom cabbage hand pies, mushroom sandwiches, and then lemon blackberry poppyseed bundt cakes, various salads like tabouleh, peach honey cake and even omelette or two.
-Now that we are in Phase Three of re opening, we've been catching up on past dr and dental appts small playdates, gymnastics, etc. I thought I knew how much I missed other ppl, but I was wrong haha. Its been so good to see ppl, and we've loved it. Bear more than anyone I think.
-And then lastly, we took a quick trip up to Idaho Falls to find a place for us come July, when we move out there. We found the most perfect little house for our family after a series of small miracles, and the kids were in heaven spending so much time w their cousins outside playing. As usual, Chio and family were great hosts, complete w makeover fashion shows, slip n slides and trampoline jumping, late night space station viewing, cotton candy making, and so much more. So grateful they are there to make the transition that much easier.
-Then lastly for now, we made a quick trip to Eastern Idaho to get a spot set up for our move in July. By a series of small little miracles, we found ourselves a beautiful little house, all while the kids had a blast playing w their cousins at Chio's house. I'm not sure that I'm ready to leave Boise-but if we have to, I'm glad we have such a good situation to go to.
I have a few other things to post and elaborate on, but as this post is already so long, I will just leave it here for now and save those for next time. Hope you are all loved, safe, supported and working towards peaceful change for a world better then when you came into it.
