Year 2, Week 45: Mom's Birthday, Mustaches and Milton

Happy Wednesday! Our week had a few little hi-lights, but we will just let you know about it as we progress through the week. Nothing huge, but super fun!

Monday and Tuesday I worked, so Jonathan spent a lot of time playing games. On Monday he went to the Haas' to play hearts and Dutch Blitz, then Tuesday he played some games online with Tim, Nathan and Dillon, the three guys who were in our wedding! He also made a few stands for the computers in his office to give him some more desk space. 

I was off Wednesday and Thursday, so I got a few things done around the house on Wednesday, planned June's meals and then did a little bit of continuing education. We watched the Masked Singer finale after dinner...so it was fun to find out who everyone was! We had grilled chicken sandwiches for dinner and just enjoyed some time together.

Thursday was my mom's birthday, so we had Mexican Delight, then went over to hang out with her and dad for a little while and celebrated her! I had to visit the allergist and the dentist, so it was a busy day for me, but they were all good visits. We also went and picked our car up from the mechanic, it just needed an oil change, but we were glad to get that done. 

I worked Friday and Saturday, so Jonathan spent some time playing the Wii and watched a show after work. He had a long week with a lot of different projects to help with, so he was ready to relax! Saturday I worked again and Jonathan spent time doing a few different things! He went on a run, went and played video games with Philip and did some cleaning. I brought Subway home for dinner and came home to two different surprises. One of them - Jonathan had a mustache...which is always an interesting time! The GOOD surprise was Milton - our landlord's new baby goat. He is adorable, kind of loud, but getting more used to living here. We are enjoying getting to know him, even though he woke us up all weekend!

Sunday I was off since I had switched with Amy the week before. We went to church at Mom and Dads, and hung out there for a little while. Dad made a huge breakfast on his new griddle - which was delicious, then after church we went to get ice cream at the KDB. It was our first visit of the year and the ice cream was heavenly. When we got home, we primed the corn hole boards and played with Milton a little while, then I got some stuffed shells ready for dinner. Stuffed shells are my favorite. While we waited for dinner to bake, we decided it was time to switch our winter and summer clothes, which ended with me getting rid of a ton of clothes, and Jonathan continuing to store all of his! It was a good evening, we ate, relaxed, had our weekly check in and went to bed!

It was a great week for us...not super fond of the excessive heat, but enjoying it more than the rain! I hope you all are doing well and are feeling more free due to the lessening of the Covid-19 restrictions. Unfortunately, we are still wearing masks and feeling the effects at work...but we are trying to make the most of it!

Love you all! See you soon!

Alli and Jonathan

Year 2, Week 44: Table #2 and a Beautiful Weekend

Another week down! Life is starting to get a little bit better, some places opening, people going back to work, it is starting to feel more like normal. Our week was really good and we were pretty productive!

It was one of my short weeks, but was a little weird. We went grocery shopping Saturday, so Monday I spent my time making some calls, doing a workout, we watched some TV, did dishes and had a relaxing evening, though we were not feeling super great. "Social distancing" is beginning to take its toll for sure!

I worked Tuesday and Wednesday instead of Tuesday and Thursday...so that was more difficult than I anticipated. Jonathan spent Tuesday at my parents' house helping Dad with chores and working on a table they needed fixed. Wednesday he finished our table, mowed the grass and relaxed until I got home.


Thursday through Saturday was confusing to me, I didn't really know what day it was most of the time! Thursday I did some cleaning, played piano, picked rhubarb, worked on a few things on my computer and we had a meeting with our financial advisors. After that, we had cheesy potatoes and smoked pork chops on the grill for dinner. We watched the Masked Singer, moved the table into the house and played a new game - Forbidden Dessert. Unfortunately, we did not take a before picture, which does not help you appreciate the improvement - but it is DRASTIC and super impressive! Jonathan did a great job and it was fun to work on together. Of course, our first use of it had to be a game...one we totally lost, but it was still a lot of fun!

Friday Jonathan worked, then we took a trip out and went shopping...of course...everything was still closed, much to my dismay, so we went to Walmart then got some Hot Head Burritos for dinner. It was a quick evening, but it was nice to get out of the house together. 

Saturday we had a slow morning, omelettes, smoothies, made rhubarb sauces, I cleaned up the insides, Jonathan cleaned up the outside, I laid out, Jonathan practiced guitar, then the Landis family came over. We went for a hike at the Nature Center, came back, ordered pizza, played some Scattergories and had a nice, relaxing day together.

Sunday I worked, and Jonathan went over to my parents' to build corn hole boards with my dad. I got to see them when I got home and they look really good! I am excited to see how he decides to decorate them! Once I got home we had a new brisket recipe - which was absolutely amazing, then we watched church, did Navigators then went to bed to prepare for this week. It is a busy one, so we definitely needed it. 

I hope you all are starting to go out and do more. We love you all, see you soon!

Love,

Alli and Jonathan

Year 2, Week 43: A Very Different Mother's Day

Here we go. Another week down of the coronavirus. Best part of this week was that they announced the re-opening of a few things. Soon we will be able to go do a few things, which will be wonderful...I am very ready to go to a restaurant and do some shopping, it is definitely the little things in life. 

Monday and Tuesday were work days for me, of course, Jonathan worked too, but he has the evenings when he does so. Monday evening he went to game night and they played a few games, then Tuesday he worked on the table and played some video games. After my two long days in a row I am usually pretty tired, so I love getting home and hearing about all the fun stuff he has done. Usually we chat on the way home and then continue catching each other up when I get home and get ready for bed.

Wednesdays are always a little short, so I did quite a bit of sleeping, then woke up and ate some breakfast. While I was eating, Dad called me and asked me to go pick up the peeps for him...which I was more than willing to do! It was a loud trip back to the farm but I had a lot of fun getting them all settled...they were absolutely adorable. For dinner we had fajitas...which are absolutely delicious and I am pretty sure Jonathan has some magical way of making them more delicious every single time, it is incredible. Wednesdays are Masked Singer days...so we watched that before bed.

On Thursday I did everything that I couldn't get done Wednesday and I went over to Mom's for a wax and chatted with her for a little bit. For dinner, we had ham sandwiches and juicy noodles, then we had a meeting with our new financial advisors. It was a really good evening and we are enjoying getting everything in order. 

It was my weekend to work, so I was gone. Jonathan spent Friday working, then did dishes, watched some TV, played the Wii and chatted with his family. Saturday he made plans to surprise his mom for Mother's day while I worked. He practiced some guitar, ran and played the Wii some more. When I came home we went grocery shopping together which saved me a trip on Monday!

Sunday was a busy day. Jonathan took me to work, then went over to his parent's house for a lunch and played some games for Mother's day. When he left, he came and picked me up, then we went to pick dinner up and took it over to Mom and Dad's for the four of us plus Grandma and Grandpa! There was a big storm that rolled in and created a spectacular double rainbow - we could see both of them so clearly! The pictures don't do it justice, but they are the best we can do. It was a special Mother's day and we are blessed to have the moms we have in our lives. Strange times, but an awesome day regardless.

Since our trip to India couldn't happen, we are in the process of planning a vacation later in the year. Lots of big ideas, but still figuring out what we will really be doing - so stay tuned! Of course, with the whole world being closed until future notice, there are plenty of unknowns...so we have to wait a little while to see what happens! 

I hope you are all doing well and getting recharged while social distancing. Can't wait to see you all again soon.

Love,

Alli and Jonathan

Year 2, Week 42: A Week of Activity!

One thing about quarantine - we have actually been able to keep up on communicating with you all - unfortunately there is not a lot going on here so there isn't a lot to say! Last week was a little busier though, so this week may be a little bit more exciting!

Monday I ended up with a lot of tasks! Grocery shopping, shots, blueberry muffins, granola, meal prep and then prepared everything for soup! We went to game night and got there a little early so we could make the soup there and have it fresh for everyone! It was a new recipe and ended up being pretty good! The guys played some bocce ball while Mom and I came home to grab a few things. Once we got back, we played some 7 Wonders and sevens before we came home.

I worked Tuesday-Thursday. Full days Tuesday and Thursday, then an overlap shift on Wednesday. While I was gone on Tuesday Jonathan worked on the table, cleaned and mowed, then relaxed for the evening. Wednesday night I got home at six, Jonathan, Dad, Mom and Shem were here, Mom made fillet mignon with wine sauce, baked potatoes and veggies and we played Ticket to Ride. It was Shem's last evening in the state, so we enjoyed some time together as a family. Thursday I worked the whole day and Jonathan worked, then relaxed for the evening.

Friday I was off, got a few things checked off my to-do list and then we spent time together in the evening. We went to Giant Eagle, picked up Buffalo Wild Wings and Hot Heads, then came home, ate and played some Wii! 

Saturday was a great day. We went biking in the morning - we went about 10 miles! It was a good day to ride bike. After that, we went to the hardware and picked up some primer to start working on the bottom part of the table Jonathan has been working on, then went to get some ice cream and ate it in the park on our bench. Since we had ice cream for lunch, we had a late dinner. Mom and Dad came over for dinner and sat by the fire with us. It was a great night enjoying a beautiful day! 

Sunday ended up being super beautiful! We were pleasantly surprised by how it ended up being, so we got a lot done! Church in the morning at Mom and Dad's, then went for a walk though the woods. On the way home, we went to the hardware again and got some paint. Once we got home we had some leftovers for lunch, then got a few things done! We put another layer of primer on the table, then Jonathan mowed while I did some dishes. When I finished, I went and helped him finish washing the truck and put another coat of paint on. It still needs a little bit more, but then we will be ready to show you some pictures of it! For dinner, we had Dickerhoof Specials and Mac and Cheese for dinner, then smoothies for dessert! It was all delicious. 

We are a bit disappointed that the weather has not been as nice as it was, but otherwise it has been pretty nice since. Can't wait to see you all soon. Stay safe and stay well. We love you all!

Love,

Alli and Jonathan

Year 2, Week 41: Recipes and Games

Hello! What a week it was. Lots of work, lots of new recipes and much game playing. We had a good week together.

Monday and Tuesday I was at work, so Jonathan worked and spent time doing constructive things around here. Monday night he went to game night. They did some shooting, played games and enjoyed time together. Tuesday he ended up calling his friend Nathan and catching up with him. It has been awhile since they have talked, so it was a great way to spend time together!

I was off Wednesday and Thursday...so I got a lot of stuff done around the house. Cleaning, laundry, balancing finances, did some CE and relaxed a little bit. So, my skin issues came back...so I had to go back to the doctor's on Wednesday unfortunately. Currently everything is under control, but I don't know if it will stay that way, only time will tell! We had some yummy food and played games Wednesday night. Parmesan cube steak with pasta and a new strawberry-banana ice cream! Thursday night we had ham braid with baked mac and cheese, Jonathan watched the draft and re-strung his guitar while I made some rhubarb sauce. We also played some games again!

It was my weekend to work, so that's what I did for the weekend. Friday was my first day of mandatory masks...in case you were wondering...yes, it is terrible. Thirteen hours in a mask is not enjoyable. It is hot, irritating, stifling and makes communication with patients even more challenging than it is naturally. While I was gone, Jonathan worked on the table for a little while...it is naturally weathered and made to look beautiful by Mr. Jonathan Landis! We are very happy with it! On Saturday Jonathan went to the Landis', then went over to the farm to help put a fence in. He got to really enjoy the nice weather being outside all day! When I got home from work we went to pick up Hot Head Burritos for dinner...which was delicious, then we relaxed ate for the rest of the evening. Sunday night after work I came home and Jonathan had dinner ready for us! Afterward we watched Church and got ready for the next week to start knowing that I had a lot to do this week.

We had a good week last week and this week has been pretty good too...of course, we were supposed to be in India for most of this time, but we have been happy to be in Minerva too! New plans are in the works...but we aren't totally sure about what we want to do, what we will be able to do or when we will be doing anything...many many unknowns at this point, as it is with most people. I hope everyone has a good week! Stay safe! We are praying the re-opening happens very quickly and with no set-backs! 

Love you all!

Alli and Jonathan