Day 2:

I woke up on March 11th, ready to rock our voluntary self isolation.

We pulled Nate out of school (Riley was already home due to spring break). I was going to take them all on a hike and show the boys some of Mary Alice and Sebastian’s favorite places.

I talked to the kids about not playing on the playground, and I was relieved when they were mostly okay with that decision. We decided we would go farther on the trail then we had ever gone.

With Nate there to help me, I felt confident that we could each carry a little one if we needed to.

We found two ‘secret’ picnic spots that we had never seen before, and we laughed when the trail ended not too far up the hill. The little ones were so proud of themselves and were sure that had conquered the mountain that day!

Isn’t it funny. I was ready to climb and carry. I had mentally prepared myself for the long haul. I was so relieved when we turned the corner and we had reached the end. I knew we could just sit and enjoy the view for a little while.

I am so hopeful that this is what happens with the virus. As I mentally prepare for a long haul, I am believing with all my heart for a miracle. I am ready to take on any suffering, so that my soul may be drawn ever closer to Christ, but I’m also ready to dance in the streets when this chapter closes.

One final silly addition: This is my sweet Sebastian’s face when he is explaining something. He was explaining why we should not throw ‘rock-cess’ at the ‘cactus-cess’. This face and his new habit of added ‘cess’ (sounds like ‘says’) to most of his words makes me ridiculously happy.