Spring Break 2022

We spent Spring Break 2022 at home, and it was just what we all needed. Jeff went to track practice for a few hours every morning while the kids had leisurely cartoon time. Depending on the weather, I either went on a run during that time or watched a show of my own. It always feels extra decadent to watch TV in the morning, because I usually reserve my own TV time for a well-earned break after I've been productive all day. During spring break, though, I gave myself permission to stay in my pajamas and watch an episode or two before beginning my day, and it made the entire week feel like such a relaxing vacation. I very much preferred watching TV while my kids were watching TV instead of trying to be productive while they lounged, which inevitably makes me grumpy. I was a much happier human being when I allowed myself the same TV break as my kids. 

Isn't it interesting/annoying how many of the cages we think we're trapped in are of our own making? 

Other cages are definitely external. Case in point: Jeff's long-covid issues  persisted with disheartening intensity off and on all week. (The symptoms are GI issues and elevated heart rate which saps his energy, making it so he can barely get through work and coaching.) Jeff had like two and a half good-ish days total all week, and after two months of these exhausting, unpredictable, come-and-go symptoms, we decided to get the ball rolling on finding more concrete answers. First came a loving, hopeful priesthood blessing from a brother in our ward. Then came medical consultation, lab work, a CT scan, and a prescription. 

First, a mini miracle that boosted me at an opportune moment: The tiniest little moment that brought a flood of God's love to my heart: While I was talking to Mom on the phone last week, telling her how rough life has been with Jeff's long-covid GI and heart issues, she asked if Jeff has had a priesthood blessing. I could hardly believe that we hadn't thought of that yet! I talked it over with Jeff and last Sunday night, I sent our friend George (who is also our elders quorum president) a text asking for a blessing, explaining that we've been dealing with this for two months, so it wasn't urgent. George didn't respond right away, and I went about my evening. Two hours later, I was in my pajamas kneeling by my bed, praying for healing for Jeff and comfort, strength, and peace for myself so I can keep supporting Jeff through this trial. It is hard having a chronically ill spouse. Then I prayed "please help George to be able to give Jeff a blessing sometime this week." While I was praying those words, I heard my phone buzz with a text message. 

When I finished praying, I checked my phone and saw George's response: Yes. I can definitely come by in the next day or so. Let me get back [to you] when I find someone to come with me." I didn't doubt that George would agree to give Jeff a blessing, but the timing of his response brought on an immediate flood of peace and love from the spirit. It was a tiny thing for George to send a text while I was praying about it, but when his response came, the spirit spoke an immediate "I love you, I am here with you, and it's going to be ok" straight from God to my heart. I didn't know how much I needed that affirmation until God's love filled my heart. It was one of those moments that I can't doubt or deny, and it brought such comfort. 

On Wednesday night, George came to our house with our newly assigned minister, Derek Weaver (aka father of our top cross country runner last year and also our doctor-turned-friend who kept me alive during my hard hard pregnancies). Before giving Jeff a beautiful priesthood blessing of healing, these two thoughtful men chatted with our family, taking the kids' random topic changes in stride and putting us all at ease. While we chatted, Derek ended up more or less taking Jeff's medical history with his long-covid journey. Then came the blessing. As the one who usually needs the blessing from my husband, it was a special, powerful experience to listen to a blessing being given to my husband. When George and Derek left a little while later, the spirit lingered. Jeff and I felt a large dose of much-needed peace and hope. It is amazing that we can feel peace and hope even when we don't know when or how a grueling trial will end.

From the subsequent scans, tests, and medical consultations, we know that Jeff does not have blood clots in his lungs or elsewhere. We know that it could take another two months or more for him to feel more normal, and that there really isn't much available to treat long-covid; recovery is a waiting game. Jeff decided to try the steroid just to see if it helped his symptoms, even though steroids are most commonly used to treat pulmonary problems rather than heart and tummy problems. His first day of the steroid was yesterday, and the adjustment period has brought on its own enhanced layers of symptoms which wiped him out today. I dislike writing about current trials when they're still happening because for one thing, it makes for an untidy ending. I can't tie this up in a pretty bow--I wish I could, but it is ongoing and probably will keep going for a while. It also feels somehow more personal and vulnerable to share our issue when we're still in the middle of it? I don't share as a plea for help; it's more of a "this is life right now." It feels good to process the ups and downs with writing.

Spring break was not very photogenic, but here are a few shots I managed to scrape together:

Tomato soup and grilled cheese for dinner: we took it super easy for meals this week. And what do you know, the kids were happier than when I do my normal cooking. Cue the existential kitchen crisis, haha.

Most of my pictures from spring break are from my runs. It took me half the week to get over another head cold, but running is nature's decongestant so I kept at it. Most of the days were horrifically windy, (wind advisory, thick dust billowing, etc.) but I managed to sneak a run in early when the steady wind was "only" 20mph on those days. Pictures don't show the relentless wind.

Apple blossoms! I stopped running to take a few fluffy pictures.

Who can resist an apple blossom sunburst picture? I really don't like the way my nerdy over-ear headphones look, but running in wind requires strong upbeat music, and my ears are too small for earbuds.

Amber begged to do kids yoga on YouTube. This lady does kids yoga with a green screen and Amber loves the computer animated backgrounds that coordinate with the yoga adventure. This forward fold is to smell the flowers. Kid yoga was the best activity Amber got some days, due to the vicious wind storms raging outside.

Sisters, snuggled up with books. Amber was listening to an audiobook and Rose was reading. I don't know how Rose could concentrate on her reading while a different book was playing right next to her, but she did it.

Jay checked out a long Wheel of Time audiobook from the library for his spring break relaxation, and he could be found most days with his headphones on, listening. He went running a few of the days, to balance things out.

The wind snatched the hair tie from the bottom of my braid during another run, so my hair was streaming behind me in a long wild banner for the last half mile of my run on Tuesday. Brushing out those tangles was painful.

Trampoline time--Wednesday and Thursday were our only wind-free days, and they were gorgeous.

Irrigation begins. Running downwind from these big pivots is like going through a car wash. Thankfully I was upwind on this particular occasion.

Saturday I was feeling bouncy and spry, running downhill in a new pair of running shoes.

Jeff and I scored several pairs of these Saucony Endorphin Speed shoes on a massive online sale back at Thanksgiving. I've been waiting for a pair of my old shoes to wear out for months, and they finally did this week. These new shoes have a nylon plate each sole that gives serious spring to every step. Love!

I promise this is not a sponsored post, haha. I've been wearing men's running shoes for years and several brands are finally making women's shoes that fit my finnicky feet, so I was extra excited to have pink running shoes again. I mean, black and gray are fine, but give me all the spunky fun colors! Opinion: we should stop gender-ing colors. If you love black, wear black. If you love pink, wear pink!

Ok, you know you stayed home with a sick spouse watching Netflix all spring break when new running shoes are the highlight of the week, haha. But seriously, I run five days a week, and that new shoe feeling is THE BEST!

Pardon the ugly blurry-ness of this picture, but I was in crisis mode and didn't take time to check if it was clear. That shiny patch on the brown wall underneath the window, as well as the entire floor, is water. Juan turned the sprinklers on for the first time this year this week, and let's just say our basement had a window waterfall resulting in yet another flood. Jeff got home from track practice on Friday morning and suddenly called out "Shaina! Call Juan!" When I came downstairs to see what the commotion was about, I was shocked to see a waterfall gushing from the not-sealed window down the wall into our basement. The water ran behind the ancient sink cabinet and seeped out in another closet till it flooded the entire floor. Jeff mopped feverishly till he was worn out. Then I took over. The kids took turns crouching down with our little shower squeegee, pushing water towards the drain in the floor. Meanwhile, Juan was outside, turning off the sprinklers and bailing water out of the ancient leaky window well with a bucket. It was close to an hour of water management before we had the mess contained, with a fan blowing on the wet floor. Now the basement looks about like it usually does: creepy, icky, and water damaged around the edges. We are in discussions with our landlord about next steps to take. Another current trial that would be far more fun/less messy to tell once it's fully resolved, haha.

With all five of us at home this week, we went through SO MUCH FOOD, so quickly. Rose and I went on a Costco date to Yakima together on Saturday, to replenish the depleted pantry. We got all of the food we could squeeze into our cart. The cart was loaded so heavy, we could barely steer the thing, and it took forever to load and unload. After Costco, we stopped by a friend's house to see their new baby. It was sweet to hold a tiny 4 month old baby boy--feels like forever since I held a baby that small. Rose and I spent the entire 40 minute drive to Yakima talking, and when I offered her the option to listen to our audiobook on the way home, Rose chose to talk instead. She said "I like talking with you. It's so nice! We never get to talk without any interruptions at home." Heart eyes. It was a good mother-daughter bonding time.

Happy spring break!

P.S. If you need a good show to watch, I loved "Use for My Talent" on Netflix. It's a darling Chinese drama and I watched the entire thing this week. Highly recommend.