Actually almost nothing has changed for us. Except now we have something new to talk about. 😂

I'm thankful that church is going on as usual.

Dear Jennifer , having a newborn in times like this can be unnerving. Keep breast feeding to keep your baby's and your immunity up. Happy thoughts, fasting from the media, a boost of immune boosting supplements for everybody in the house, in combination with board games and ti me in the garden will help. I need to take my own advise here, and once a day acknowledge my blessings. Big hug, Rita

Most schools around me have voluntarily closed and all the stores are sold out of lots. I had decided to get our library books checked out a couple weeks ago through til Easter, so I am thankful that our curriculum shouldn't be too disturbed because our libraries have closed as well. Our friday co-op was cancelled, so the kids are disappointed about that of course, but I am thankful for the decreased exposure risk for and FROM me honestly.
My working in healthcare has been a huge stress for my husband. I am a little less concerned about actually contracting the illness myself, but am very concerned about the tertiary effects of an issue like this (ie. If you have an accident, the healthcare workers you see will be overworked and the services available to you will be minimized). I am also concerned about how I might get forced to provide if a our facility becomes an overflow spot for the ill, or otherwise. Saying a lot of prayers for our nation and my community right now. The inner city is already experiencing lack of food on the shelves and even our rural community is out of basics like TP, eggs, bread, etc.

Jessica extra prayers for those who work in healthcare! That is a lot to consider! ❤️

Well, now church is... not exactly cancelled, but only clergy and chanters are supposed to attend. Everyone else is asked to stay at home. The church will be open throughout the week if people want to light candles and pray, but not for the usual services. I'm really sad. Obviously it's still possible to pray at home, but a community of prayer is so important. I really hope this is more temporary than not.

Lisa Amer fellowship is so important! The social distancing also has such a huge impact on the exponential spread and the benefits will definitely be measurable. I would love it if we could plan for a shared day/time of prayer with our community here❣ and maybe your church community could plan a similar thing ❤ even from home, the shared voices are still heard. Prayers for your sadness 🙏 and prayers for the quick recovery of the world from this frightening time

Jessica that's a great idea. Maybe on Sunday afternoon?

Lynna Sutherland I would love to participate and Sunday afternoon sounds great!

Laney Homan keep us posted on the sources you find for virtual fun!! We could all use a deterrent from cabin fever 😆

Jessica , yesterday I watched the opera Carmen with my older kids on Met Opera on demand app. Each day they are offering a viewing of a different opera. https://www.fastcompany.com/90478031/you-can-stream-the-met-opera-for-free-during-the-coronavirus-crisis-heres-how

Jessica , also the Cincinnati zoo is having a live animal encounter everyday this week on Facebook. Just search Cincinnati zoo on Facebook and scroll down to the live videos. Monday was on hippos. Tuesday was on porcupines. My littler kids have really enjoyed those.

Also, Andrew Peterson is going to be reading the first Wingfeather Saga book each evening on his page at 7pm central.
Jennifer Trafton will be reading Henry and the Chalk Dragon at 10am central starts tomorrow.

Thank you! We may do the opera tonight 😍

This link is to a Google list of virtual museum tours
https://artsandculture.google.com/partner
We toured the Van Gogh museum today in support of our texture lesson - I was pretty impressed 😁

Jessica thank you for the comforting words. You're right - prayers are still heard no matter where they come from.💜

Laney Homan live zoo was so fun❣ thank you again for the info. Kiddos were all trying to guess just 'how soft' the ocelot is -she looked pretty soft 😍

Jessica virtual trips and fun things to do:
NASA.com (kids site)
Parks and Wildlife department and National Parks offer virtual tours on YouTube
Simple garden projects (literally every pot, sack, basket, old strainer, boot can turn into a planter to grow veggies, herbs or flowers (just ensure drainage, cool roots, water and sun)
Maestro Classics has offered various free listening with activities
Reading Eggs and Mathseeds offer 30 days access for free to any and all of your kids
Chalkart tutorials on YouTube by Nana from Chalkpastels.com for themes from spring, to Star Wars to Birds
When cabinfever hits, go outside, get some Vit D, do simple nature walks (dig for worms, count and graph backyard birds, find signs of spring, observe clouds, chart changes of "your" tree/plant in the course of a month
Happy learning!

Rita Guihan thank you for more great ideas! We love chalkpastels and I'll be looking at the maestro classics for sure :)

We are a week late, but boy will we be ready tomorrow to DOODLE with MO WILLEMS. Mo-Fri 12noon CT. The beloved master of Pigeon, Gerald and Piggy leads us through drawing, writing process, idea gathering, and we all get to share his space. See you there?