Around here we have been…

TRYING to prepare for the appraisal and closing of our home.

In fact, that is the sole reason why I missed a dedicated Around Here post for March. We were in 100% ‘go mode’ getting the house ready. So many things were finished in the last few weeks.

The bathrooms got a couple finishing touches. Craig built a custom vanity, complete with a working drawer that holds all of our toiletries. I got my hands dirty with tiling and grouting the shower walls. Both projects turned out beautifully.

Our fireplace is probably one of our absolute favorite additions to the entire house. It took a team effort to pull it together, and it was worth every second! We look forward to gathering around the fireplace for many years to come. First, though, we need to get some furniture for our living room!

STAYING at home.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic we have been staying home, pretty much all the time. We aren’t a super social family to begin with, but it does feel strange to not have anywhere at all to go. The only time any of us have been out of the house is when we shop for groceries or other necessities.

Thankfully, the Spring weather has been pretty gorgeous. Spending time at home, outdoors, has been a lot of fun actually. Craig takes pride in cleaning up the woods and chopping logs for fire wood, while I am learning the art of landscaping. We will slowly shape our property into exactly the way we want. It’s just going to take some time.

The kids have also enjoyed all that the property has to offer, including all of the wildlife. These baby squirrels were left by their mother. The kids found them in a partially hollow tree nest. We looked up information on how best to help them, and over the course of five days, they gained enough strength and agility to go their own way. We hope they stick together and make it in the wild!

TEACHING through distance learning.

Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being a pseudo ‘homeschool’ mom. Though it is definitely out of my comfort zone, it has gone fairly well so far.

The teachers at our school have done a really good job of getting lesson plans together and offering themselves for whenever questions arise. The older two boys basically take care of their lessons each day, while I make sure the younger three stay on task.

In some ways, it has been a nice change of pace to not have all the extra end of school year activities happening. I feel like we do have a lot more time, especially since the kids are generally finished with their work by noon – freeing up the afternoons.

PRAYING for the end of the pandemic.

All that to say, that even though we have been managing this strange time, we are wishing that life could get back to some form of normal soon. One thing that has been really strange for us is not going to church, in the church building. Easter service was spent at home this year.

Sure, we have recorded services and our pastors are offering devotions, but it just does not compare to gathering as a group with fellow believers. We are praying for everyone who has been impacted by this virus, especially those who have lost loved ones. And we know that God has a plan and a purpose for every moment in time, even this one.

This is just a glimpse at what our family has been up to. If you’d like a closer look, be sure to check out our weekly ‘mini vlogs’ on our family YouTube channel ARROW HILL FAMILY. Be well everyone!