Sheltering in Place

While sheltering in place and social-distancing during the Covid-19 Pandemic, we try to maintain a somewhat normal lifestyle.  Taryn is obviously the least affected; Amber kind of misses pre-school (but not really); I work upstairs in the guest bedroom and Sandi tries to keep her patients from catching the virus. 

On the weekends, we try to get out of the house for at least one adventure.  Pictured above is our bike ride along a Beaverton trail.  The amount of time we actually spent on the bike was minuscule compared to the effort to actually do it, but the girls had fun and they ran around a soccer field for quite a while (plus it got us out of the house).

Another weekend, we drove to the Portland waterfront to walk around.  

Taryn probably pointing to a 'daddy duck'

Amber playing

beautiful (empty) downtown Portland

this only works because Taryn hasn't discovered we are here

Since our guestroom can't possibly be used for guests right now, it has become our home office.  Sandi recently joined me in the morning to take care of charting before visits.  We keep is simple with card table, chairs, laptops, coffee, tea, and every computer cable that we could possibly ever need.

Also on our 'To do' / 'This is how we cope' list during this season:

• make a drive to Joe's Doughnuts in Sandy, OR
• watch our online church service Sunday afternoons
• make fun meals for dinner and weekend breakfasts 
• give more screen time to Amber and Taryn than we ever thought we would
• limit the intake of daily news

Sandi Got Her Hours!

Big smiles celebrating Mommy!

Tonight we celebrated!  Ever since Sandi left Providence to stay at home with Amber, the specter of licensing hours loomed over her.  Many concerned friends would ask about Sandi's nursing license.  Her plan was to get a part-time job about 9 - 12 months away from her license expiration (9/24/2020).  As God would have it, He provided the perfect nursing career in hospice with six-months to spare.

Pictured above is our celebration take-out dinner of Lebanese cuisine.  This is more of a 'placeholder' occasion until her first choice of a Japanese restaurant reopens after the Covid-19 shelter-in-place order is lifted. 

I am so proud of you, Babe!  You put your priority of raising our daughters before your career.  Now, you have an ideal situation of working in a job you love and staying home with Amber and Taryn.

I can't help myself

One of these pictures ought to show up on her wedding slide show. Taryn had yogurt in her hair from lunch so I sculpted it.  Just couldn't help myself....

I'm still amazed how long it is and how high it stands.

Truly awe-inspiring...

Our wee lass turns 2

Taryn Mackenzie, my wee lass.  You melt my heart every time you smile.  Grandparents aside, I've seen you stop old men in their tracks and take the breath of old ladies.  I think I gave you most of your physical traits, but lucky for us, you have your mom's sweet and gentle spirit.  We are not sure why you love cleaning so much, but please keep it up.

You waddle like a penguin, you are our dancing girl and you sing beautifully.  You chewed out a little boy in Sunday school for taking your toy.  You cry when others are sad.

I won't make a prediction about who you will be or how you will turn out.  You are who God made you to be, and you will always be our little Irish girl who makes me laugh.

Happy Birthday Taryn!

Weekend with the cousins

 Parker and Cecily came down with their parents to visit their cousins in early February!  It was fun to see them.  Though our plans to see OMSI on Saturday afternoon was a bust, we made up for it with a trip to Big Al's. 

Sunday morning very a treat as well all relaxed over breakfast and then took a walk around the neighborhood.  It was fun to see Cecily take good care of her younger cousins all weekend and then Parker walk with Taryn to the trail.

So glad they came down...

Fashion show

This is what Amber wore to church Sunday morning.  She even had her cape on as we left the house but we drew the line and made her take it off.

The childrens' check-in staff were in awe of her ensemble.  I admit being a little proud too.

Cinderalla

We had plans to go to frozen yogurt Sunday evening.  Taryn really wanted to go too.  I told her if she finished all her chores she could join us.  She quickly found a rag and started cleaning the kitchen floor.

JUST KIDDING!!!!

Taryn is a neat-freak; messes really bother her.  Sunday after church she was drinking from her cup in the kitchen.  She accidentally spilled a little bit and started looking for a towel to clean it up.  I gave her a little rag and she wiped up her mess.  Then she saw how dirty our kitchen floor is....

We all went out to frozen yogurt that evening.