September 2020 Quarantine Check-in

I had someone ask me recently why I hadn’t posted anything lately and when I stopped to think about the answer, all I could think about was the saying “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

I always try to be honest in these posts but also not try to sound too negative or make my mom want to come get me. 😩🤣 But seriously, it has been really tough to be going through the pandemic so far from home. It was disappointing at the beginning when we found out we would not be able to go home to visit this summer, but now as we see Christmas approaching, with no real clear answers about the borders opening it’s starting to get downright depressing. 

You have to realize before moving here I don’t think I had gone more than two or three months without seeing my family. I know that sounds a little crazy to some people but that was my reality. And before this pandemic we really had been on a roll of us either going home or someone coming here every 4 to 5 months. If we get to go home at Christmas it will be a year since I’ve seen my side of the family. It’s hard to believe. I know a lot of families do that all the time but WE have never done that. Thank goodness for FaceTime!

I’ve had a few friends and family asked me about some of my social media post mentioning friends that have gone home (to The States) or friends that have moved and they have been able to leave the country because they either work for the US embassy here, or they are moving back to The States permanently.  We are not able to leave because when we tried to come back we would lose our residency here. We would only be able to leave if they open the borders to Tennessee. 

They have started opening the borders to some specific countries and a few US states that seem to be doing well with the virus. (not Tennessee or Arkansas yet.) The stipulations they are putting on these visitors are so strict that I don’t see any of our relatives making the trip any time soon. The stipulations include: Covid testing right before you leave, you have to purchase very expensive travel insurance, and in some instances you are subject to a 14 day quarantine. 

We are still holding out hope that we will be able to go home to visit for Christmas and we are hearing that maybe in October the borders will open more freely. 🤞🏻  For now, the kids are in full-time virtual school mode. And that is not because we were given a choice. The government has made this choice for us. This will be the way it is the least for the whole first semester. We are very happy with how seriously education is taken. They are expected to be in their uniform every day and in a quiet space. Sometimes this can be very difficult considering there are three of them sharing spotty internet (4 counting Nathan) and our house is wide open. There is a lot of shushing and arguing but they will survive. 

Nathan is still working from home 100%. I am basically just here doing housework, keeping them fed, and making sure everyone is quiet and respectful of each other’s workspace. My new hobby is doing puzzles because I don’t get shushed for that😉

We still have driving restrictions and a curfew but they have loosened up on both of these a little. More restaurants and stores are open. Luckily, most restaurants have outdoor seating and masks are required everywhere so it’s pretty safe. It’s not like Covid is getting any better here and that’s why they have loosened up. I think they’re just realizing that all of the super strict restrictions are not helping that much and people have to get back to work. 

The best news that I have is that we have a new family has moved in down the street from us and we have kind of decided to let ourselves be in a bubble together and it has been wonderful. We have been able to cook for each other and share some advice on some of the things that helped us get acclimated to Costa Rica. After truly not spending time with people for five months it has been such a blessing. And it is rare to find families that you just kind of “click with” so naturally.

Quick update on the kids:

Benson is 13 and in 7th grade. He is still playing the trumpet and has a squeaky voice😊 I love his “doesn’t take himself seriously temperament”

Andi Sloane is 11 and in 6th grade. She got glasses this summer 🤓 She is an excellent cook! And she is finding out that middle school is tough! (👇🏼this picture was from the end of her first day of school. She was worn out!) 

Blake Leigh is 9 and in 4th grade. She also got glasses this summer🤓  She is excited that she gets to use a computer for school. She loves to write stories and still loves to play with toys and build forts. I will leave with some pictures.

Blake needed eye protection while making lemonade Sloane made me an amazing cake for Mother’s Day This was From a little vacation we took right before school started in Santa Teresa. We all enjoyed paddle boarding. This was From Costa Rica Mother’s Day 👆🏻this is our new friend, Bebhinn. She and Sloane are in the same grade and she lives down the street. We are so thankful to have made instant friends! They are already baking together. 

Please continue to keep us in your prayers and our families back home to stay safe and healthy!

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