Covid-19 week 482

Wow it seems like a lifetime since this all happened back in March. It has been such an emotional roller coaster. Although we are thankful to have seen a few more friends and family lately, it sure doesn't feel like our usual, busy, fun, adventurous susmmer. I'm so very thankful for the few mini vacays we planned, but overall it's been a pretty stressful summer. First we found out the kids were going back to school just two days a week, which we thought was awful! Then shortly after that we learned they would actually be going back to full remote learning at least through November. It has been a very hard desicion for me of whether to quit my job or stick it out. Jon and I both agree I'm much happier while working. I really do love my job and the people I work with, so we are going to try to make it work. I definitly have lots of guilt around it. It would be easier on our family if I just quit and committed myself to online learning with the kids. But honestly that just sounds so awful to me. So the planning begins.... My work squeezed Ashton into their new K-1st grade class two days a week (that class is definitly popular now). So we will plan to have Colbie home with Jon on those two days (she will pretty much be on her own with Jons current work schedule). She will do great, but it does make me sad. I feel like she's having to grow up earlier than she should have to. The other three days we are hoping to hire a nanny/online learning helper for 2.5-3 hours each day. We are still on the hunt for this person. This is all so very stressful and doesn't feel like real life sometimes. Going to the grocery store and seeing every person in a mask, hearing the number of deaths that have been caused, its all so overwhelming. The kids miss their friends and the social part of school so much. I wonder how this will effect them long term.