COVID-19

Nearly bare shelves on March 13th at Walmart in Salem, NH

 For posterity's sake, we'll do an update on the COVID-19

Since January, we have been aware that Coronavirus is spreading from China to different parts of the world.  Although this was concerning, and reports were that it could become serious, I don't think anyone really anticipated how very much it would affect everyone's daily life, not only China, but throughout the whole world.

Milk was gonzo

As the virus started to spread, cities starting requesting that schools and unnecessary businesses and gathering be closed.  On March 11th, things really kicked into gear.  Most who could started working from home, church meetings and activities were promptly cancelled worldwide.  Two days later, UMass Lowell and the kid's schools announced their closures.   

Mom and Dad Parker knew it was time to bail on their travel plans and get home to safety.  On March 14th, they turned around in Texas, where they were en route to New Hampshire, and headed back to St. George, where they are safe and sound.

This week, starting March 16th, school has been closed in New Hampshire and about 36 other states.  I've never heard of anything quite like this. 

"Social distancing" includes not having any playdates, not going to any restaurants, gyms, gatherings, or anywhere you might have contact with others.  

The only reason to be out and about is for shopping, playing in ones own yard, and nature walks.

We get daily reports of this virus continuing to balloon, and the stock market plunging.  We are keeping updated on the race for a vaccine and other medicines that might be used, the economic supports the government is trying to quickly offer....it's pretty crazy.

The kids have been doing their schoolwork at home, and we were amazed 

that the teachers have been able to put together such specific learning in just 2 days time.

  

The boys get an email each morning with their work for the day to do on their Chrome Books and online.

Cora got a huge Kindergarten packet with worksheets to complete and online learning and also gets a morning email with the list of homework to do, which is so extensive that we haven't completed the whole list yet in these first 2 days.

Aaron's monster smoothie moustache

The first two days with no school work were just fun hanging out at home and playing outside.

"Welcome to Cora's House"  Parking lot in the background

Shamrock Hunt

Now that home-school is "in" we are so busy!

We are eating lots of healthy homemade food, and in some ways it's nice not to be running around town to different activities all the time.  It's a definite change of schedule.  The one bonus, I would say is getting to sleep in the mornings.  Otherwise, we are just trying to do school, clean, cook, get some exercise, and keep everyone happy.   And that is a busy schedule in and of itself. :)

In addition to the social distancing, church closure, school closures, Scott working from home....we have been battling a problem with our plumbing. :(   We have a airleak somewhere that is causing horrible odor in the basement when we run laundry & other water too much, and have been trying to find a solution.  Now that we are all home ALL DAY, we had a plumber and septic company over, and were on the phone for about an hour today with a leach field specialist.  

We still don't know what the cause is, but are hunting down the issue.  Please pray for us to remedy this!  It's a huge pain in the neck. 

We were amazed to hear of the 5.7 earthquake and many aftershocks that happened this week in Utah!  Such an added stress for our dear family and friends there at this already anxious time.

From our bunker to yours, we wish you a safe and healthy quarantine time everyone!

Love, KT and Scott

PS - before the quarantines, we had a great time getting in one more ski day at Ragged Mountain.  Here was Saturday the 14th:

Covered Bridge #15