When Not Much Has Changed, But Everything’s Changed

How are you all holding up? I mean… national emergency, quarantines, toilet paper shortages, social distancing, schooling at home and the threat of an unseen culprit that did all this. Are you all doing okay?

We’re used to much of this. I mean… who knew it would take a pandemic to finally find commonality with the rest of the world. We already homeschooled and Ben for the most part worked from home when he wasn’t on set (which recently has been less than normal because they always want to hire someone who can have his face shaved or hair cut if need be, and Ben can’t right now). We already had times when we had no idea when the next gig would be, or if we’d be going months without work. So, I guess that much hasn’t really changed. And yet… everything has changed.

If you remember, we live with my parents and my brother. My mom and brother are now working from home. My dad works in entertainment and all his jobs have been cancelled for now, so he’s home. Ben’s jobs are also on hold until this all is calmed down. So… here we all are, nine people in a medium-sized, one-story, four-bedroom house. California is under a “stay-at-home” mandate. Meaning… if you don’t HAVE to be out, stay in. Even the hiking trails are being shut down because they are too crowded.

We’re doing our best to keep busy. Ben is continuing to write scripts, update his headshots, communicate with his agent and manager, network, and come up with fun ideas and creative content. We’re thinking of starting a Youtube channel here shortly. It probably won’t be the highest caliber videography, because we’re using a cell-phone camera. But… we might as well give it a shot. We think we’re super funny… so, maybe we’ll give you some laughs.

We’re trying to keep our kids healthy and happy. So far, they seem to be handling it all rather well. We’ve been baking homemade bread and making cooking videos. We’ve been doing crafts and riding bikes. I truly love having them home with me, and I’m glad to be in quarantine with my favorite people.

Meanwhile, I am 37 weeks pregnant. My prenatal appointments keep getting cancelled because they are considered “non-essential” and I’m probably much safer at home than going to the clinic. My doctor’s office is in the same building as an urgent care, so… all people entering the building have to go through the same entrance and be scanned for Coronavirus before being admitted to the offices. From what’s been said in the media, they expect the Coronavirus cases to drastically increase in the next few weeks. If that’s the case… going into labor sooner rather than later would be amazing.

I’ve been nesting like mad for this little one’s arrival. Marie Kondo and Sarah Therese would be so impressed with what I’ve done around here. I have literally gotten rid of a trunk full of stuff and I have another trunk load ready to donate as soon as the donation centers open up again. I’ve washed all the baby clothes. I’ve cleaned the rooms. I’m in the process of deep cleaning the car. I still have so much to do to keep me from going stir crazy.

And I’m trying hard to not think too much about walking through a hospital full of germs and virus patients to deliver a newborn. I’m trying to not think of labor… which sucks as much as you’ve heard. I’ve given birth to four babies, without ever getting an epidural. Needless to say, I have a little bit of PTSD regarding going through that again. But… my fear of needles and tubes and horrible recovery and complications from an epidural are just as great.

I read a post recently that I loved. It was quoting a book called “Mountains in the Mist” by Frank W. Boreham. It talked about how in the year 1809 people were thinking soley about the march of Napoleon. No one was thinking about babies. And yet, babies were being born in homes all over the world. Some of the greatest minds were born that year, in 1809. Gladstone, Alfred Lord Tennyson, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Charles Darwin, and Abraham Lincoln. Mendelssohn and Chopin and many more beautiful, darling babies were brought into the world. But everyone was thinking about war, not babies.

It touched my heart. I know this will all work out just fine. Our sweet little lady will bring much needed joy to a broken world. She will bring with her love, joy, peace, and comfort. She will change the world. Even if it’s just for those of us who get to snuggle her while the world shuts down.

The future is so uncertain and at times scary. It’s been amazing to see how the Lord has given me strength, courage, and peace through all this. I struggle with anxiety. But recently… I’ve been fine. I haven’t cried myself to sleep every night. I haven’t wondered too far into the future about what’s going to happen. I’ve been able to take one day at a time. I am so grateful for that peace. I know that we can all experience the same type of peace as we rely on Christ. Let Him be your rock, and you will not fall when the storms of life threaten to topple everything around you. I’m so grateful for all of you. Stay home. Stay safe. I am excited for the day when I get to hug you all again.