Global Panemic

We are in the midst, hopefully the tail end of a Global Pandemic.  It has been one of the craziest things I have ever lived through.  A few months ago China completely shut down and people were self quarantining in their homes.  We all laughed about it and picked fun of them for wearing masks whenever they were outside.  It seemed like something like that would never happen in the United States.  Fast forward a few months and hear we are in the thick of it just like they were.  

Slowly but surely the US shut down.  I didn't take it seriously until they cancelled the NCAA tournament.  It was at that point that I realized I really need to look into this virus and to get ready for it to hit us hard.  Luckily the virus does not seem to be affecting children.  If it had I would have been more interested in the virus early on.  This virus really seems to be hitting the elderly male population the hardest, especially those over 85, however there have been many young people hit hard with it too.  Currently we have instructed my grandparents to shelter in place and they are not allowed to leave their house.  My mom has even been doing their grocery shopping as well as a few other elderly friends.  

On March 20th the OR shut down.  This was something I never thought would ever happen.  I never thought I would be out of work.  I even have kept privileges at another hospital just in case my current group went under, I could hop over there and work almost instantaneously.  I worked my last normal shift in the OR March 19th and from that point on I started collecting unemployment and training in OB.  I knew I would have limited shifts available to me in the OR for the emergent cases so I took this time to relearn a skill I loved.  It took time but I am now working a few shifts here and there on Labor Hall.  It was a super scary transition and I still nerve wracking at times but I am finding I really enjoy it.  I even hope to split a position in OB when this is all behind us.  For now I'll just keep working when I can and trying to keep us financially afloat while finishing up our new house.

The boys have been out of school for a month now and we are getting the hang of homeschooling.  It wasn't easy at first and they still fight us on doing their work sometimes but overall it has been good.  Dave had them many days alone in the beginning and really rose to the occasion.  Now that this has become the new normal I am really starting to enjoy being home more.  I actually feel sad that I think the end is near and that I will be back to work soon.  We have really had some great family time on the farm, playing board games, and having movie night every single night.  Brody has been so affectionate and is so sad on the days I actually work.  When I get home all three greet me at the door and are so happy to see me.  Tristan has even fallen asleep lying on top of me many nights and it is just the sweetest thing.  Brody even held him sleeping during one movie and he LOVED it.  Overall I am sad for the heartache some have felt and the sickness some have endured but COVID 19 has actually given us something positive in return.  The world shut down and family became the center of everyone's focus and it has reminded us all what is really most important in our lives.