Saturday, March 28, 2020

Number of COVID CASES in Illinois: 3491 (23 in the tri-county area)

Number of Deaths in IL: 47

USA cases – 104,700 cases across the country now making us #1 in the number of COVID-19 cases

*The first infant has died of coronavirus in Chicago. Sad day in Illinois.   Today we got stuff done around the house and the kids just played. No school work today! Chad worked in the yard clearing out dead leaves and other things so our newly growing spring flowers and plants can flourish!

It’s a dreary day and we are constantly watching the weather because they keep reminding us bad weather is on the way. Central Illinois is at a high risk for severe weather including hail and tornadoes. Chad went and purchased a weather radio for us since our old one had quit. He also stopped by and delivered one to Grandpa Knapp. The two talked on the phone but could see each other through the glass storm door. It’s such a different way to communicate but necessary to keep everyone safe.

After a delicious dinner of pizza and salad, we retreated to the basement with a sugar free fudge bar in hand to watch Heavyweights on Disney+.

Then we turned on the news to see that bad weather was in fact coming our way with a tornado warning in place for the tri-county area. So we stayed put in the basement until 10:00 when it all blew over. There was a touchdown from a tornado in the Bartonville/West Peoria area. Scary but we are ok.

The kids stayed in the basement for a sleepover and Chad and I continued watching a new show on Netflix that we are completely hooked on…. Tiger King! The world is now obsessed and so are we!

 

 

 

Sunday, March 29, 2020

Number of COVID CASES in Illinois: 4596                                 Number of Deaths in IL: 65

After a late night with storms and tornado warnings, everyone slept in a bit to recover and rest. We were all up and ready for Crossroads Kids zoom call at 9:15! The kids had a chance to learn about the 5 finger method to praying – Praise, Ask, Repent (say I’m sorry), Thanks, and Share! Jennifer Sakata led this kids through the lesson and it was a beautiful thing to see all of them learning together, even from a distance.

Then at 10:00 we started worship online with our church. It was a great message about the Holy Spirit and how He gives us supernatural protections and grace. Then afterwards we went on a “heart hunt” around Washington to search for all of the hearts people have put up in windows. We picked up Michael’s for lunch and went home. Chad and I met with our small group via Zoom and it’s always a highlight to see everyone.

In the afternoon, I turned on Space Jam for the kids and I to watch while Chad went to work on a “heart” project in the shop. I fell asleep within 20 minutes because I am just so tired. I think the anxieties and uncertainties that keep me awake are catching up with me – so my body just needed a time out to sleep. Upon waking up from a great nap in the recliner, I made a comfort food meal of Tater Tot Casserole which was delicious!

Chad set up the two hearts he made in the shop with lights on them so people could see them as they drove by. Since we are in the country its hard for people to see our hearts in the window – but this makes it more visible.

We ended the night with a “living room concert” by Elton John on FOX. IT was full of celebrities sharing their talents from their living room and raising money for 2 great causes. Some of the celebrities included The Backstreet Boys, Alicia Keys, Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) , Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day), Camilla Cabello, and Mariah Carey. There were more too…. It was just an uplifting event!

Monday, March 30, 2020

Number of COVID CASES in Illinois: over 5000       Number of Deaths in IL: 73

Today Chad had the day off from work which was a great way to start the week! We began the day by finishing one of Lucy’s school projects that we hadn’t had a chance to send in since school was cancelled. She made her solar system mobile and was so proud to send the pictures to her teacher!

Daddy got to join in on our movement/workout time this morning which was extra special! Jack made his English Muffin pizzas with sauce, green peppers, and no cheese. He is such a picky eater and has some funny taste buds, but glad he is exploring new ideas.

We ended the evening by watching Mary Penn, one of our favorite local church ladies who happened to be part of the Washington Children’s library for many years! She is such a fun storyteller, reading with great inflection and doing all of the fun voices. Watching her has been a treat!

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Number of COVID CASES in Illinois: 5,994 cases   Number of Deaths in IL: 99

This morning was officially the beginning of distance learning at Dee-Mack! We picked up learning packets from the front door today at the Intermediate school in Deer Creek. Every week they will get a new packet, complete it, and return it the next week.

We also Facetimed with Grandma and Grandpa Waughop today. Lucy and Grandpa like to get “up close and personal.” LOL Grandpa doesn’t have a smartphone so he uses Lori’s instead. We enjoy these chats and it usually results in laughter and fun! I know it has to be hard on all of the grandparents who can’t see their grandkids up close or give them hugs. That’s what being a grandparent is all about. This is a tough time for sure. The rule and guideline set by the CDC and government is “If they don’t live in the same household as you; don’t visit and have physical contact.”

Around mid-morning Lucy had her “PE time” with her dance teachers on YouTube. They had prepared her recital dances up to this point for them to work on. So she joined in the class and practiced. I know she misses her classes and teachers so much. Every time I walk by the recital costumes hanging up and “fluffing,” it makes me so sad because I know there is a chance that they may not even have a recital this year if the social dista

 

ncing continues through the summer. Same thing with competitions. Everything has been rescheduled and thought through, but we all know, even though we aren’t saying it… this may not happen at all.

On the bright side, we made a new bread today — Bread Bowls! It’s always been something on my bucket list in the kitchen, but I had never taken the time to make it. Today was the day!  We were going to have Tuscan chicken and white bean soup so it was a great time! They turned out halfway decent (tasted great!) but next time I want to do a Broccoli cheese creamy soup….Would be better than a broth based soup.

 

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Number of COVID CASES in Illinois: 6980 cases    Number of Deaths in IL: 141

Today is the first day of Spring and we are still stuck at home… but we will make the best of it! The sun is shining and that makes things dramatically better.

Today I made cloth face masks with a pattern put out by a local hospital. It was challenging in ways, but super fun to see the final products. For an extra treat today, we purchased the movie Sonic the Hedgehog for Jack since he was unable to get his movie reward since the theaters closed down first. So while I made masks at the kitchen table, Jack and Lucy watched a new movie. Super cute!

Lori and I also ventured out to Sam’s tonight to get moe groceries in bulk. I spent a lot more than normal but should be good for 3-4 weeks from what I purchased tonight. I will still have to get milk and fresh produce, but that’s about it.

Thursday, April 2, 2020

Number of COVID CASES in Illinois: 7695 cases    Number of Deaths in IL: 157

More school work again today! Getting into a routine has been a good thing.

We also got a surprise package from Uncle Bruce and Aunt Debbie in Texas today! They got Jack and Spiderman hat and possum stuffed animal. Lucy got a dog that spins around singing “You Spin Me Right Round Baby.” We love getting surprise mail. Makes the day fun and exciting! Good news is always welcome because the local news isn’t always good. I have to try to not watch, but how can we when things are changing every single day.

Friday, April 3, 2020

Number of COVID CASES in Illinois: 8904 cases    Number of Deaths in IL: 210

Today was a day for fun! We finished up that last page of our social distancing packet, then the fun began! We cut out several hearts for Grandpa Knapp’s window at his house. Aunt Carol and Grandma Wurmnest had requested them. We also made him Easter Cards to make him smile.

When we went to deliver them we help them up to his window. He eventually came out because it was a beautiful warmer day. But we maintained the social distance recommendation of 6 feet. Afterwards we got a sweet treat of ice cream at Culver’s. Then dinner was a drive-thru fish fry at Chanticleer in Eureka. It was delicious!

The evening we enjoyed watching Onward which was newly released early to Disney+ just for our time at home of isolation. It was really cute and I may have teared up a time or two.