Today on April 6th, there are 350,000+ confirmed cases in the USA and 10,500 deaths. (4,000 cases in MD and 91 deaths)
t's all so sad these last few days as the number rose so fast. It's hard to imagine this is where we would be even a few weeks ago. That's how fast this virus seems to move. Luckily, I think there is some hope to slowing down the spread in some states around the country.

This weekend we had General Conference, which was perfect timing to this all. President Nelson invited the church worldwide to immerse ourselves in the restoration the next 6 months since we would be celebrating 200 years since that amazing vision where Joseph Smith knelt in a grove and saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. He said that April's conference would not only be memorable but unforgettable.
Little did President Nelson know that part of that unforgettable part would be that because of the virus, they would have to forbid anyone to come to General Conference and the only ones able to participate in each session would be the speakers and prayers. And for the music, they would broadcast the Tabernacle choir from past sessions. (more on conference later)

But to say the least, most lives have been turned upside down. Parents are having to juggle work at home while homeschooling, doctors are having to re-adjust hospital plans each day to prepare for a surge of COVID patients, meetings are now through a virtual format, kids are now being taught through the computer and business owners are figuring out how to survive the days and months with no business. But all of this is for good to keep as many people alive as possible.

Although it has come with a lot of anxiety and uncertainty, I've noticed in our family how much good as come from it.......like, we are not in a constant rush to get from activity to the next and because of that we have been way more consistent on our family scripture study. Bryan has been able to be home more as they want to limit as many doctors at the hospital as they can. And so all his meetings have been through zoom. The kids have made best friends with the neighbors as no one has any place to go and so the kids will literally play for hours outside riding bikes and scooters. We have had a chance to play more games as a family too and try out new locally owned restaurants to help them stay in business.

Here some pictures to go with our life these last few weeks

don't want to forget all the long lines to get into the grocery stores since they have to regulate how many people are in the store at once.

my dad sent this to us---he saw this outside his window during General Conf, when it was all about the Restoration of the gospel.

celebrating 200 years since Joseph Smith received the first vision (April 1820)

There were rumors that masks would begin to be mandatory inside stores. So I bought these from a friend thinking this would be temporary. I guess I don't know much about pandemics because all year long and more we are wearing them

Ivan and his covid mask

The cutest thing to walk behind them and see Christian talk to Jocelyn like this!

hiked at Catoctin falls

the cherry blossoms here are out of this world

this picture accurately describes how my kids felt about our walk. haha!

teachers at the school had a drive by to see the kids who they missed seeing around. It was so cute. Never appreciated teachers more until now!

Evelyn and Christian made blueberry muffins all by themselves

we have gone on so many walks while staying at home. Ivan was extra cute on this walk

his funny face pose! haha!