Jake's Journal Entry for the Day

Jake and a few members of his family shared some of their thoughts on the current situation via a text string and I asked Jake to send me his to put on here (I consider this my family journal).  I will include that and my daily photo update.  Jake and Ginny usually attend a movie together the weekend before or or the weekend after their birthdays but since all theaters are closed right mow and we are trying to physically distance ourselves, I arranged for them to have the media room to themselves for a show.  What I loved the most is both dressed nice for it...how sweet is that! We spent hours outside today and that was also great.

Jake's text to his family today (3/23/2020): "I thought my days were tough.  I wake up around nine and workout (at least today anyway).  After I workout I am worried I have Covid due to the heavy breathing, but my family reminds me that maybe I am just out of shape.  Then, I am forced to watch movies, read books, play games, and eat.  The sacrifice of social distancing!

More seriously, today started in family isolation.  We are doing our best to practice physical distancing.  The city of Bartlett is putting bears in the windows so people out on walks can do bear hunts.  So we decided to go out for a walk.  As soon as we step out, five of our neighbors come out to talk as well.  We kept our distance but socialized for about 3 hours.  I was good after about 15 minutes, but Renee is a talker.  We celebrated my birthday with homemade Tres Leches cake and carry out Mexican food.  I am not big into social gatherings and prefer to be around just my family, so that was awesome.  Several students emailed me happy birthday and one even dropped by with a gift (that Renee sprayed with Lysol).  Ginny and I have a tradition of going to a movie for our birthdays.  So today Ginny and I watched Jurassic Park in the media room and everyone else stayed downstairs and decorated for Ginny's birthday tomorrow.

Renee and I are making videos of fun experiments they can do at home.  I am almost certain school will be online starting April through the end of the year.  I want to send all these funny memes to parents about homeschooling, but I just can get myself to rub in the difficulties they must be experiencing with that.  I will send some your way... they are just too good not to share with someone.

Ultimately, I feel blessed to have a prophet that has prepared us for hardships.  I am grateful to have a beautiful home to stay in and a family to spend time with.  I am grateful for technology that keeps me in touch with loved ones.  Everyday is a reminder of the love God has for me."