Shelter in Place

This corona journey has been interesting!

I feel like we have made the most of this unique time...

We decided to "shelter in place"

 on Saturday, March 14th.

Just a day or so before the rest of the world.

We have been doing the peace rosary together

almost every day during Lent.

And now we are doing it about 3-4 times a week.

It is such a blessing to hear 

the children's prayers and petitions 

after the rosary!

Right before the "stay at home order"

we had 4 kiddos start piano!

They alternate lessons to keep the cost down a bit!

We liked it best when our teacher 

could come to our home but

distance learning works!

This is Dad's office BUT

that's not Dad!

It seems that his office was taken over 

by a group of kiddos

doing their school work!

At first he tried to work with them...

BUT

they are an unruly crew (jk)

and wanted
a complete take over!

So they were banished to their school room downstairs!

Where the kitties can play while the kiddos get their work done!

And when their school work is done

they play games!

We have completely enjoyed this gorgeous spring!

This pic is from March.

No we have green grass and buds on the trees!

We were blessed by Rock Elm Tavern,

our favorite local restaurant.

Thank you Troy, Allie and Michelle!

And I was the recipient of a new hairdo!

Thank you, Ava!

Our Family Zoomed

it was such a joy talking to everyone!

And I was able to ZOOM with

my birthday club!

Our dogs have never been happier!

They are getting a ton of attention 

with everybody home...

all of the time!

Our cat, Mike is so gentle and sweet!
He really likes his two doggy sisters!

The kids treated us to a
fancy date, at home!
It was delightful!
(previous post)

We had a family distance gathering!

It's heartwarming to see our bigs!

Sunday church together!

Some in clothes and some in PJ's!

On our knees to our LORD!

We desperately miss going to church...

We miss the fellowship with the other parishioners.

Mary has had to postpone her First Communion 

due to the shelter in place order.

Monday through Friday,

school is happening in every corner of our home!

Actually, I LOVE it!

This group has moved onto Abeka 4th grade, now!

They have worked hard and done a fabulous job!

Abeka is a comprehensive accelerated program.

If they were in school, 

they would be in 5th grade!

School is hard for our Joey!

Sitting still, 

while someone is giving him instructions, 

just isn't his thing!

He does well with one on one, for a limited time.

He is as sweet as can be 

and he LOVES to play

all day long! 

I cannot believe that this darling daughter

 has turned 15!

Where is the time going???

She was our God surprise!

A domestic adoption that blessed us beyond belief!

Jenny's birthday is the first in a string of three in a row!

This is repeated two other times each year!

Jake is next!

He turned 13!

What??? No way!

Jake has been home for just over 3 years!

He is such a great kid!

We are finding out more and more information 

on his special needs.

BUT truly,

he is doing amazingly well,

 considering everything! 

He has adjusted really well,

to his new family!

We are blessed!

And last but not least, 

this precious daughter turned 14!

Anna came home at 17 months.

She was our first adoption.

Our hearts were forever changed,

for the better!

Our kiddos are all growing up so fast...

Each child is such a blessing!

Yes, we have our fair share of challenges but

we just keep doing our best

and giving it all
to GOD!

Roller blades, bikes, scooters are all out and being used!
Basketballs, soccer balls, kickballs are everywhere!
This makes me happy!
Welcome spring!

And then some...
are trying to start small fires...?

Mary joined our family in early May 2019!

All summer she struggled with riding a bike.

We were beginning to think 

that bike riding was something 

our girl would not be able conquer...

Until this spring,

she got on a bike and rode it like a pro!

We were soooo happy for her!

Congratulations Mary!

Four kids go to public school.

Eight went to a homeschool co op once a week.

Four are homeschooled full time.

And now a new crew, 

doing their school work in the kitchen!

Mia is talking to one of her teachers!

Finding a quiet place in our home is NOT easy!

Joey joins the homeschool kids for bible
and then does his other school work.

We met sweet Romeo when hubby and I were on a date!

Our dates consist of ordering lunch 

and eating it in the car!

This beautiful puppy

may have given us an idea...?

Foreshadowing?

Exercising to Wellbeats with the kids!
The LUNCH Crunch!

It's a perfect time to get a few projects done!

Winter gear easily takes over the mudroom closets...

It is so satisfying getting it out of there 

and into seasonal storage!

Now, this makes me REALLY happy!

We have been taking many long walks
at Baker Park!
We started out with 2  miles
and now we go from 3-6 miles each time!
The kids and the dogs love the walks!

They get all tuckered out after a long walk!

BFF's

Yes, I will brush you!

Hubby and I watch Drs. Les and Leslie Parrot

speak about marriage.

Interesting realistic information with a good sense of humor!

Distance classes and not enough computers...

Lots of sharing at our house!

This was a special night!

We got a text that said

the puppies were being born!

Boy, Boy, Boy, Boy, Boy, Boy, Girl, Boy

We were 4th in line for a girl...

Looks like we will be welcoming a brother into the family!

This orchid has bloomed for many, many months!

Hubby's sister, Kathy loved orchids.

She passed away in July 2015.

We seem to be breaking a few rules

during this season of our lives...

and it makes some people and pets

extremely happy!

Love you two!

And no, she may not get on the couch with you!

Dad and the boys were able to talk with 

a professional golfer through HopeKids!

Aaron Baddeley is a pro golfer!
He and his wife have 6 adorable kids.
He is from Australia!
All the boys LOVED talking to him!

It was such a blessing to run into 

this sweet girl and her family!

She was our puppy dog 

but we had to give her up 2 years ago.

For some reason two of our dogs fought

and it was not a friendly fight...

From what we have read, 

we think it was because they were both

 at the mating age 

(even though they were both spade). 

And they were fighting over 

the mating rights, plus 

which one would be the alpha dog???

You would never think it possible 

if you knew the two of them now...

Both gentle, kind, loyal and loving 

golden retrievers...

in different homes!

For many of our kiddos 

the school year has ended 

and they are ready to begin a new school year!

Welcome to High School Geography, 

Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1!

Plus, our 3rd-4th graders have become 4th-5th graders!

April is a big birthday month
in our family!
Emily turned 6 yrs old
in the beginning of the month!

Wow, does this look like FUN!
Funny thing is...
this is in their family room!
(not outside)

Andrew celebrated his birthday in April, also!

Making the most of "sheltering in place" in Virginia!

And Mark's b-day was the very next day!

This is the first time we saw them in 8 weeks!

It was such a joy to be able to celebrate his bday with them!

First day of High School geography!

They started off without supervision

and it became quite obvious

there was a party goin on,

in the school room!

Now Mom,

the party killer, is present 

and actual schoolwork is getting done!

HopeKids virtual event-

Working in Hollywood!

And another HopeKids event-

 Disney Trivia!

Thankful for time together, a slower pace,
a better focus, good health, Drs, nurses,
all medical personal, all cleaning personal,
and I know I'm leaving out many...
just thankful...
We will definitely be keeping some
of these new habits as things change.

Concerned about the economy, small businesses,
our national debt, the level of government control,
our freedom to make our own decisions,
what we don't know about this virus...

Praising GOD for his many blessings.

Always trying to be respectful of the many different opinions.

Be safe, be smart, be free!