What I loved (and didn’t love) in March

Let me tell ya, March has been a MONTH. I’m not even sure where to begin. We have all watched the rise of the Coronavirus and quite frankly, it’s been shocking. Thinking back to the start of the month I never would have imagined what life would look like at the end of the month.

Let’s recap this month “High’s & Low’s” style.

HIGH’S

Let’s just start with the biggest!

1. WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!

It feels so good to finally say it! We have been on the hunt for a few months now and in February we stumbled upon the perfect thing. Close to family, a good area, space to grow in, and just the right amount of projects. You could definitely say it is a “fixer upper”, but the bones are so good and we can’t wait to transform this place into our own. We closed a little over a week ago and have already (thanks to the help of our family) made so much progress! I can’t wait to move in.

2. Cooking!

I feel like I am finally hitting my stride in the kitchen. I used to love cooking but for some reason when we got married it was all of a sudden really overwhelming. I now think that was because of a poorly stocked pantry. Over the last 15 months of being married we have slowly collected spices, pantry staples, etc and it has made whipping up a recipe so much easier! I have also started reading bits and pieces of FAT SALT ACID HEAT at the bookstore and it has been a huge help! I want to read it start to finish.

3. Sunshine

We have had an early spring (for Michigan) and it is glorious! Windows open, sunglasses on.

4. Book Store Dates

Prior to quarantine Dan and I had been stopping by the bookstore every Saturday or Sunday and it is my favorite! I could live in a bookstore.

5. The help of family

Our family has been so incredible through this season, helping us with the house as I have been unable to (more below). I am so thankful for them helping us prepare to move in when our lease is up at the end of the month.

LOW’S

1. Hospital Stay #1

I talked about this more in THIS POST.

2. Hospital Stay #2

This past week (just a couple days after getting possession of the house) I had a pretty bad medical scare and ended up in ER. We found a few ulcers in my stomach that had torn open leaving me with lots of internal bleeding and a very low blood count. After a scope, few blood transfusions, and few nights in the hospital I am happy to be home and on medication that seems to be working.

The hardest part is the complications COVID-19 adds to the mix. Hospitals are on lock down which meant no one could be with me. I was scared, and alone, but cannot express how real the Lord’s presence was. Jesus was right there with me, comforting me, providing me with peace beyond understanding, and telling me He is a better caretaker than any family member. I plan to share more about this at some point because it truly shaped my faith.

Now that I am home I am actually staying with my parents. I am so thankful that Dan is still able to work through this scary economic time (his job is considered essential) but it does mean he is exposed to more and so until my blood counts have returned to normal I am “shelter-in-place-ing” with my parents. I covet your prayers that my blood counts would return to normal and that I could go home to be with my hubby.

FAVORITE THINGS

Doritos – I can’t stop eating them

Harry Potter – I started the 3rd book (read the first two over Christmas) and it has been the perfect distraction! If you are looking for a quarantine activity I recommend breaking out your favorite series! It doesn’t matter how many times I read them, they are magical all over again! Dan has been buying me the ILLUSTRATED COPIES for Christmas each year as they are released and I LOVE them. They bring new life to reading them!

Comfy uniform – Not feeling good really makes you realize what the comfiest things you own are. For me it is

• THESE SLIPPERS: I literally never take them off. I’ve had them for 3 years and just ordered a replacement pair (if in between sizes go up)
• THESE LEGGINGS: the best Amazon find yet. Buttery soft but have a little compression
• THESE PAJAMAS: the softest, coziest, favorite pair of pajamas I own. I have a long sleeve holiday pair (out of stock now) but I’ve linked the short sleeve pair and tried THIS AMAZON PAIR and they are really similar!

Zoom/Facetime – From meeting with my Bible Study to catching up with my sisters, technology has kept me sane both in the hospital and at home.

Made Up Morning Show – JESS CONNOLLY is one of my favorite authors and her sister KATIE WALTERS is one of my very favorite people to follow on Instagram. Since the nation entered into Shelter in Place they have been doing a morning show on Instagram Live Monday-Thursday at 10am. They are giving a joy tip and a strength tip and they are always so encouraging. I would highly recommend tuning in!

Happy Blogs – Lately I’ve been really thankful for happy blogs to distract me. These are a few of my favorites that I read daily. Here, here, here,