We Made It!

Unfortunately, the last day of school did NOT go as smoothly as anticipated.  The internet on the tablet went out at the most unfortunate time, kicking Ethan off from his break out room session.  It took me over an hour trying to get him back on and couldn't thus he missed his two live sessions.  He was crying, I was crying.  It was awful.  Finally, we were able to get a new link from the admin only for him to log on the last 10 minutes before everyone left.  Thankfully, his teacher has lunch bunch afterwards and he was able to get his closure then.  Oh my word.  I love technology when everything is working as it is supposed to.  But when it doesn't, it's just so stressful...especially on the last day of school.  By golly, resilient we will be!

So proud of them!!

Monkey Bread for the win!

On Friday, CES put on a parade at school where we could drive through the parking lot to see the teachers and say our good-byes.  I was so touched by this sweet gesture that I ended up getting teary seeing everyone.  Hey, maybe I needed this closure as much as the boys do, if not more.  It has been the most whirlwind three months ever and I am so GLAD it is finally over!  Now switching gears and onto summer while I figured out what we're doing.

Our last Happy Friday - homemade Turtle Sundae

For the rest of the weekend, the boys spent the nights sleeping in the brand new tent that we bought.  

It's like a giant fort really!

Happy Friday 5.05

Wendy's failed us but Sonic came through

A Breath of Fresh Air

Originally, our friends the McCallisters were going to come to NOVA for a teacher's training/visit us at the end of June.  However, COVID-19 put a damper on things and it was cancelled.  So instead we decided to go visit them and see their new house in WV!   

Picturesque view from the front door

Riding in the truck country style

Gavin finally got to use his new fishing pole from last year's b-day

1st time riding on an ATV

What a relaxing oasis

so.much.fun

What's a bonfire without s'mores

This trip was much needed more than we realized.  Not only to get out of town for the weekend, but also just to be able to see/socialize with our friends without being paranoid about everything.  It felt like a normal weekend which we haven't felt in 2 months.  Plus, it was everything I've ever dreamed of for our boys to experience "country" living.  They spent every waking moment outside, exploring and creating their own fun on the 6 acres of land - playing with the chickens, digging for worms, hanging out in the tree house and crashing at night from sheer exhaustion...only to do it again the next day.  What a blast!  

Good times had by all. Thank you Zac & Jenn, so good to see you guys!!

Happy Friday 5.01

What's better than sweet tea from McAlister's Deli?  

FREE sweet tea from McAlister's Deli!

They were giving away sweet tea today to everyone as a toast to our hometown heroes.  Well thank you and Happy Friday!

Hard at Work

School has been somewhat challenging this week.  The boys are tired, bored and have lost the initial enthusiasm for distance learning which I don't blame them.  I'm feeling pretty much the same way.  But I'm trying hard to motivate them...and bribe Gavin with candy.

Despite all that, they are still working hard and here are some of their recent work:

• Gavin's online book:

https://app.bookcreator.com/library/-M4Lb-j4zoDGR4YHtxJ9/lcwxWVELExclNsP7DBRwK23MxII2/8cY33uVZR1KMdUnzHSxPcA/pNoP2-HCQ0Su4LB4zIyT_Q

• Gavin's acrostic poem:

Shoot hard!

Oh my, that was a long game!

Cold day, hot day you still play

Crowds cheer for you.

Extremely awesome.
Rush to the ball!

• Ethan's acrostic poem:

Sunshine

Peace

Rainbows  

In the rain 

Nothing but flowers

Green grass

• Ethan was selected by his teacher and was featured as CES's Weekly Soaring Eagles 5^th Grade today:

Ethan B. – always has a positive attitude in class and has done extra, optional assignments such as Earth Day Acrostic Poem Activity.  Great job, Ethan!
http://www.viewpure.com/XKDXaG4eGq0?start=0&end=0 (2:20)

Hand Washing

Since Ethan and Gavin are visual learners, I thought this video on hand washing was super helpful!

Happy Friday 4.17

I try to celebrate our success each week with a Friday treat...as a motivation and something we can look forward to.  So far we've gotten:

-smoothies from Tropical Smoothie Cafe

-lunch from Chick-Fil-A

This Friday treat is an Oreo shake from Pot Belly!

Some Good News

This is what we're digging right now:

John Krasinski from the Office has debuted his at-home, mock evening news show dedicated entirely to good news in order to bring a smile to the internet amid uncertain times.  I love it...even made me teary eyed a few times!

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Distance Learning

Day 1 of distance learning has begun and we're off with a good start!  Gavin woke up a little tired because his sleep routine is all messed up.  For some reason, he's struggling to fall asleep at night again so we'll have to try to figure something out.  

Since some of their live teachings coincided, we had to split the devices for them to use in different rooms.  I typed out schedules for each of them so we know who needs to be where and on what devices.  Thankfully Brian has a spare work lap top for us to borrow.  Otherwise I'm not sure we would be able to do this only on the tablet!  

All in all, I thought the boys did really well!  I had to tweak the recommended schedules and decide to scrap science and specials (PE, Art, Music, etc.) because it was too much for them.  Instead I implemented part of our COVID-19 schedules in the afternoon so they're doing the same thing at the same time (like Quiet Time).  That seemed to work out so much better!

I'm also thankful for Centreville Elementary School's principals and teachers who are dedicated to making this experience educational, fun and memorable for the students.  I'm learning that, for all of this is more than distance learning but also opportunity for character building - being flexible and resilience, having patience with each other, having patience with technology, problem solving skills.

Never thought of it this way, but Mr. Douds, our principal sent us this email:

Today is a historic day for the FCPS Educational system and CES.  We often talk to our students about history and ask them to imagine what it would be like to be a student during those times.  Well, we are truly creating living history today and the next nine weeks.  Distance learning and the COVID-19 pandemic will be discussed for generations.

Who would have thought!

Switching It Up

I've been trying to switch things up around here so it's not so mundane:

Friday: forego all school work and had a movie day
Monday: forego all school work and made cards
Today: a facial with "spa" music in the background

 followed by outside time after lunch instead of in the late afternoon.

The boys wanted to go back to the creek and do a little bit more cleanup.

Weekend Warriors

Saturday morning, Brian and I went on a spontaneous coffee date at Starbucks drive-thru.

Today, we tried to mix it up and went hiking at Burke Lake Park (5 miles).  It was a lot of fun!

Centreville Covid Cleanup Group

What a time of emotional roller coaster.  I feel like one moment I'm feel fine and trying to be positive for the boys.  Then the next, I just lose it.  Ugh, I'm such a mess.  This week a friend texted, "The truth is that God's mercies are new every morning even though it might not feel true!"  I needed that reminder!

A  couple of little things I started doing to help boost the morale:
-putting on make up and curling my hair every Friday
-Ethan and I recently joined the Centreville Covid Cleanup group and went around the neighborhood to clean up trash.  It was a good bonding time!  This was our haul of the day:

God is Bigger Than the Air I Breathe...

I got through the week just fine only for Friday to come and then I hit a slump of depression.  Two weeks down, now how many more to go?  Ugh, I don't want to do this anymore.  I enjoy family time, but being at home all together 24/7 makes me feel a little claustrophobic.  Thankfully by Sunday, I realized the need to be alone so I decided to go for a walk BY MYSELF and journal my thoughts.  That helped a lot and I returned home more sane.  That afternoon we took advantage of the beautiful weather and headed to the Great Falls for a hike.  Another needed breathe of fresh air!

Here is our Monday morning STEM activity:

Then this afternoon I took the boys to pick up miscellaneous trash at our HOA tennis court and the school playground.  They biked there and then walked around - got out, got their exercise, enjoyed the day and now we have a cleaner school.  That's a win-win in my book!  And all that was inspired by Ethan and Gavin's lead effort (with Brian's help) in clearing a gigantic log and unclogging our neighborhood streams a few days prior.  Way to make it happen, Billman Boys!

Unfortunately, we got home to learn that Virginia is now under the "stay-at-home" order as of April 1st.  I tried not to panic, but it sure was another blow to my already downcast spirit.  The Holy Spirit brought this song to mind and I just let the Truth of it washed over me.

I can't perfectly keep my eyes on the Lord everything single moment, but I don't know if He's asking me to.  What I'm doing though (or at least trying) is to continually coming back to His Truth and clinging onto those promises!

Centreville Elementary School Virtual Spirit Week

Pictures that we sent in:

Reading Day

PJ Day

Sports Day

CES Day

...Thriving

I remembered a friend who was homeschooling her children (at the time) sharing that homeschooling isn't about school but actually learning to love each other while being together 24/7.  And that isn't easy.  How true is that right now.  I'm surrendering to how God wants to use me in this very unique opportunity to disciple our boys in ways I wouldn't have otherwise.

This is what we've been doing lately:
-a devotion every morning with the boys and memorizing scriptures together
-learning life skills (how to use a knife, prepare our own lunch, cooking and baking, etc.)
-thinking of ways to serve others (making cards for the elderly)
-finally got a Facebook account so the boys can virtually connect with events happening at school (like FB Live reading)
-letting the boys figure things out on their own without swooping in too soon...even if it means they fail
-virtually meeting through Zoom for church, small group, and BSF
-working on loving/guiding them instead of over disciplining (especially when it isn't necessary)
-working on being flexible to what is working and what isn't and adapting each day
-truly relying on God's strength
-blogging again =0)

Surviving vs...

We made it through the first week at home and even though it was triumphant, I felt mentally done in.  The only analogy I could come up with to this whole situation relates to running which is ironic because I hate running.  Okay, here it is: we did a mile "sprint" (week 1) thinking we made it, then only to realize that there's 3 more miles (weeks) to go.  I'm out of gas with a realizing that perhaps I should have been "jogging" instead.  I was in a funk that I could not get out of all weekend!  This is going to be a marathon.

Monday came and I had a mental mind shift.  Okay, jogging...we got this!  But then at the end of the day, the announcement came: all schools in Virginia are closing until the end of the year.  I was devastated!  I heard it on the radio while driving home and I just cried right then and there.  I knew it was inevitable, but it was crushing to hear all the same.

I woke up at 4am this morning filled with anxieties - like a quick sand that enveloped my mind, my body, my heart.  I knew I had to get out of bed.  So I came downstairs and started reading through Psalms upon Psalms upon Psalms.  Those words came alive and comforted me - I needed to know that God is in control and that He's got this!  Eventually peace came over me and I was able to go back to bed.

Encouraging words from 40 Days to Easter devotion:
"When we grieve, we do not grieve like the world does; we grieve with hope, knowing that God is often revealed most clearly in the midst of our trials." Day 10

"I am learning to view my circumstances and challenges in this life with courage, knowing that you have my destiny in your hands.  My confidence is in your promises.  I know that my future is secure in you." Day 11

It's the End of the World As We Know It...

...and I feel fine. -R.E.M

Well not really, but here I am blogging again because time at home is all I've got...lots and lots of it.

I woke up on Friday the 13th only to be informed by Brian that school is cancelled.  What?!  Really?! Talking about things changing quickly!  The night before, we were informed by FCPS that schools will not be closed.  But by the next morning, they decided otherwise.  Schools in the surrounding counties are closed, surely we can't be the only ones open.  I'm sure lots of parents weren't happy about that and made their voices known.  I found myself online reading all kinds of articles trying to get an understanding of what's happening right now.  Instead of feeling informed, I felt overwhelmed!  I decided I need to stop reading!  Monday was already a scheduled teacher's work day for teachers to come together and figure out some sort of plan for online learning.  Not surprisingly, that was cancelled as well.  Instead it was changed to a day where students can come and pick up their stuff, which I was excited about...at least the boys can see some of their friends.  But sure enough that was cancelled and no one was allowed to enter the school.  Slowly places are beginning to close - church...library...movie theaters...gym and I find my heart literally palpitating as I panicked.  I'm not going to make it if we can't get out to places!  I am not a homebody.  Not.at.all. 

Thankfully, we were able to do Facebook Live for church and our pastor reminded us to look beyond the current circumstances and to realize now is a perfect time to reach out to others and share the Good News.  When we put our hope and trust in Jesus, there is nothing to fear.  I was reminded of two verses:

"fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith." Hebrews 12:2

I was also reminded that we are in a very unique, pivotal "...for such a time as this" Esther 4:14 moment that we are called to be the Light of the World and be bold not only in showing others God's love, but also His Truth.

I was feeling an urgent desire to help families in our school that might be in need.  Although I don't know what the needs are I decided to reach out to our school principal to see if he is aware of any - whether it be gift cards for grocery or gas.  However, with that desire also came fear.  What if the needs go beyond sacrificial or God is asking me to go beyond my comfort?  Would I still be willing to help?  Uh, maybe...In that moment, my heart hesitated.  And my selfishness and idol of comfort became apparent.  Gift cards are easy.  Getting involved in someone else's life isn't.  It can be messy.  But it's also a good way to be a witness for Christ.  Anyway, I'm still wrestling with this and being willing to be available should a need arise, but so far there isn't anything.  Yet.

So the boys and I are taking it one day at a time.  A friend shared a COVID-19 Schedule which is such a great idea.  I tweaked it a little and made it our own and so now the boys are on some sort of schedule, which makes the day a lot smoother.  The school has emailed quite a bit of resources which is super helpful and I'm just taking a laid back approach to this.  Never in a million years did I think I would be "homeschooling" our children.  But so far, so good. 

I also jokingly told Brian that he should be thankful I'm unemployed.  But seriously though, it is honestly a blessing in disguise.  I couldn't figure out what God had planned for me as I kept getting one rejection email after another.  Now I know.  And now job applications are on hold for a while and for that, I'm not complaining.