Adrienne-

We have been home for a week as of today.  We got the word that school will be closing a week ago Friday....Friday the 13th no less.  It wasn't until after school that the message was delivered that all schools in Illinois would be closed for two weeks beginning the following Tuesday.  I was in shock.  We had had a meeting the day before with our super intendent and he told us that the plan was that we would stay in session for as long as we could.  The hardest part for me was that only 9 of my class of 19 showed up for school the following Monday, which meant that I didn't get to say a proper goodbye to my other 10 students.  I have this looming fear that we won't be going back to school at all this year, but we are praying that's not the case.  The governor of IL issued a "Safe in Place" order which means essential trips out of our homes only.  School has been pushed back another week.  I haven't taken the children anywhere except to ride along in the car for a grocery pick up.  Kyle is still working each day, but the court house is locked so he is only exposed to his coworkers. 
Things are weird right now.  No one seems to really know how to feel.  At first I was very scared.  Mostly for my parents.  I was also uneasy because we have had some real trouble getting some of the groceries we need.  I went to the store once last week because we couldn't get milk.  I took a chance and ran out after a friend told me that he saw a few jugs of it at Walmart just a short while before I talked to him.  I was able to get 3 half gallons.  I only took what my family would need for the week since that's what we've been advised to do.  The store shelves were so empty and it was the weirdest thing. 
I've had a week to get things in perspective....people survive on much less on a daily basis, not just in a state of global crisis.  We will be ok without items we've been taking for granted our whole lives.  Most of this is just an inconvenience for us and we can use this opportunity to get perspective on just how blessed we are.  I think the biggest thing now is just the fear of the unknown....how long will be in isolation, how fast will the disease spread, will my parents and loved ones be ok.  Also, I miss being able to see my parents.  If this goes on for months and months, which is rumored, how much time will I loose with my parents that aren't getting any younger. 
I'm trying to focus on the positives of all of this time home, that in fact is the positive.  I get to be with my two little loves every single day.  We are finding all kinds of simple things to enjoy together.  It's allowed me to let my creativity thrive.  I'm reading a lot more, creating a lot more, finding organization, getting things in order, enjoying the small things and finding a lot of time for movement.  All these things lead me back to myself.  I'm really enjoying that part of it.  We all get to slow down...we are forced too.  Looking at it that way is definitely the bright side of things.  We'll find and fix our eyes on the bright side every single day.....