When our children grow up, and if the Lord tarries another thirty years, how will they describe this time in their lives? This time when families had to stay at home. Schools were closed. Churches were live streamed. And you could only get food in a drive thru or takeout. Face-to-face time with friends was rare and special . . . while family was in abundance.
What will they say? Are we simply surviving this? Because we all have days when it feels closer to survival. But is it possible for us to thrive – to find new ways of making memories?
This has been on my heart. I don’t want to simply make it through, but I want it to be a time of growing together. A time when God showed me things about my own heart – perhaps because I have the time and the quiet to see them. A time that is incredibly special and filled with goodness.
Here are some pictures of our lives these past few weeks. We haven’t done anything amazing and nothing Pinterest-worthy. But they have been sweet days because we are together, even if it is in a messy house with homework until 4:00 and children that want food – again.
They love researching new experiments to try. And I can do without an egg or two if need be!
Yep. It’s definitely time to tee off! In my living room. Truth is, this house we are renting is so big we have had fun doing all kinds of things in it – sometimes simultaneously. Someone might be playing golf in the living room while a race car is getting run through my kitchen.
Even though I sometimes grumble when I kick the golf club out of the way . . . I secretly love it. My baby chicks are all home in one pile and mother hen is happy.
Lunch is usually put out on the bar and help yourself!
Welcome to Graber Homeschool. It surprised even me, but even though it’s been 3 weeks into this, my children are loving it! I enjoy sitting down beside my first-grader with a cup of hot coffee in my hand, and being his teacher. I love seeing how far he has come in learning to read.
We even bought ourselves a world map that now hangs on the wall of the dining room. I have grandiose plans to make a world timeline, but we will see if I actually get it done.
I have found that our school days go much better with a schedule. Classes begin at 8:00. If they want to start earlier, they sure can. We even have scheduled breaks. And those homeschool moms were right when they say to simply block out the first few hours of your day for school! Everyone does better when Mom can focus on them and their school, instead of baking bread or sitting at the computer/phone.
Our school is doing online video classes for some of the main subjects. We are using Flipgrid which is working out great! Since we are still doing homeschool 5 days a week (minus Good Friday), this leaves me little time during the week to get classes ready for kindergarten. So I have been heading over to school on Saturdays to get all the kindergarten papers and online videos done for the following week. It works out good – but sure does keep me hopping!
For the first couple weeks of cancelled school, I wanted to burst into tears whenever I entered my classroom. The kindergarteners had just gotten to the stage where they were actually reading well and having fun doing it! Then they had to leave. But I am so thankful we have the means and technology to do online classes – it has helped me not lose the connection with my sweet students!
When it’s cold outside and you really need s’mores, that’s what a fireplace is for!
Forgive Mr. Dallas in his pajamas – again. I promise he really does wear other clothes. But I also confess the pajamas are out a little more often. In fact, sometimes we have Homeschool Pajama Day. Except Mom.
Games are a huge hit around here. In fact, you could walk through our house almost any day of the week and find at least one, if not two, games in the middle of being played.
One evening we all played Scum together. Wouldn’t you know it that after learning the ropes, the littlest guy beat us all – in one game at least! He was rather proud of himself.
Games, videos, and the wonderful trampoline have helped to break up the monotony of long evenings during this quarantine!
The boys have a 3-D printer and made up a bunch of axis and allies game pieces. Now they are in the midst of making their own game board to go with it. I told them they are going to have more fun making the game than actually playing it!
God has sent us beautiful snow a couple times – and some beautiful sunshine. Although it was warm to begin with a couple weeks ago, it then turned colder. But it’s looking promising for the next week!
Megan has been thoroughly enjoying her art. I didn’t know she could draw so well! Where have I been? Truth is, I don’t know where she got her art gene, because I do stick men and smiley faces. Perhaps it was from Lowell’s side.
I love seeing her bloom with this gift God has given her. We are so unique and special it makes me stand in awe of the Creator that could come up with so many different variations of personalities and talents!
What is a quarantine without Garfield? I love to hear their chuckles from the couch.
Doesn’t that look like triple trouble?
Eventually there comes a time when we must leave the house. The children wanted to visit the park, so there we went and had a good time!
Easter morning is one of my favorites. I always look forward to our Easter service with anticipation. If there is one day I would pick to sing my heart out, it would be that day! There is something so joyful about remembering who our Savior is to each of us and the awesome power He showed in conquering death itself!
So this past week, I found a song we could all sing together. It was new to all of us, but we enjoyed learning it. Even though it is not professional by any means, it has helped make Easter special!
I am getting a beautiful garden this year – with a fence!! For those of you who live in deer territory, you will know why I feel ecstatic. Tomorrow the fence starts to go up and we will have fun watching!
AND . . . since we should all use this time to bless others when we can – we are offering both of our books FREE on Kindle beginning today. This will run Monday, April 13 – Friday, April 17. Blessings from the Shoe to all of you in your moments of not only surviving, but thriving!!
One morning I came out to the kitchen and this was the view from my window. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to take a picture.
Isn’t it beautiful? And isn’t our God good?
Amen and amen.
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Laura Graber says
I’m so glad to see in pictures how you all are thriving! It’s good to see Megan’s artwork….well done.
Kendra says
Thank you! We are enjoying being together. Can’t wait to see you all!
Patty Wiens says
Hi again, beautiful pictures and the house is charming! We are a homeschool family, so this kind of living is normal for us!
We don’t have a school room, so I’m a bit envious (in the most holy way possible! 🙂 )
I’m glad for your post , it reminded me the great oportunity The Lord had provide me with. To be grateful for my calling to be a mother! Thank you so much Kendra!
Kendra says
Yes, I need those reminders often! And I am sure you would have lots of homeschool advice for me. 😉 I’ve thought several times that it must be nice for the moms who were already in this routine. Blessings to you, Patty!
canderson814 says
Wow, that picture of the snow covered mountain through the trees is gorgeous! I remember when my girls were small they’d make their own board games. It was fun to watch their creative sides and then play the games with them. Beautiful family, I’m glad you’re all under one roof and everyone is doing well.
Kendra says
Thank you!! I hope your family is doing well also.
Wilma Lapp says
I enjoyed this post. Many of the things you wrote, I can easily relate with, during the quarantine life. We made so many good memories together. We have 6 sons and 2 daughters. Our sons often have 2 chess games going and also enjoy the great outdoors.
Kendra says
Oh, my boys sure enjoy chess, too!! Sounds like you had fun together!