Days With the Duerksens

Week 2 of our extended spring break began with church in the living room.  2 Weeks ago I hadn't even heard of "Zoom," and now it seems that's how everyone is communicating - even our church family.  What fun to see so many faces during a church discussion.  We also watched the worship service the pastors videoed. Next week, the other computer will be charged so we can hook it up to the TV!  I am trying to take 2-3 walks each day, and I'm encouraging the kids to join.  So far, Cambry, and sometimes Delaney, have taken me up on it.  This is my track for the next few weeks - if it's dry, I also walk on good ol' 160th!  I am reminded of the generous space we have out here, and I am completely grateful! On Monday, reality hit!  School was supposed to be starting back up, as well as spring activities - golf for Caiden.  Instead, I attended a JH staff meeting to find out how we were to proceed with teaching during these next 7 weeks at...

Rescued a calf whose head got stuck in the fence filled out the census online Explored online art classes Learnrf about Chelan's job as he is working from home most days now  Got started with a 4-H woodworking project - a porch swing Apparently, 70 degrees feels like water-play weather? I got through this stack of grading - does it even matter?? The scraping continues - with Chelan's homemade scraper and Delaney's weight!

On Wednesday, Caiden's birthday, the sky was still gray, the temperatures still cool, but warming up, and I ventured outside with the sole purpose of finding new growth, new green, new life.   It was a must for me, and it felt good to work in the dirt again after a long winter.  It gave me hope of better days to come! Irises greening up New growth on the Hollyhocks Surprise garlic popping up! Even moss on a rock is beautiful! Inside, we celebrated Caiden's 16th birthday!  His request was apple pie instead of cake. As long as there was also ice cream, the girls didn't mind the pie so much!  Vanessa had reminded me that fifteen years ago, around Ty's and Caiden's 1st birthdays, they were both getting over the chicken pox virus!!  I imagine that Caiden will remember his 16th birthday as "The One With the Corona Virus Quarantine." A cute, spotted one-year-old! A handsome, grown-up 16-year-old!