Covid Chronicles

Most people know our experience with the Corona Virus is a bit unique from many others. The weekend before Illinois 'shut down', Joe began feeling ill. Hearing all the warnings and precautions on the news, he isolated himself in the bedroom and waited for the symptoms to dissipate or evolve to something more definitive. By day two, his temperature was continuing to climb, and he was showing all of the signs and symptoms of Corona.
It was over a week later, visiting two different sites, and multiple phone calls, he was able to receive a Covid test - which came back Positive. A dose of prescription drugs didn't seem to do the trick, and at day 10 he was admitted to the Hospital. After 6 days in the ICU, his symptoms were under control enough to be released home to then continue to be in quarantine for another 14 days while his lungs cleared up.
Meanwhile, Natalie and Dominic had been in isolation on the first floor of the house in case they were asymptomatic. Natalie set up their extra mattress in the basement, cleaning high touch surfaces every couple of hours and deep cleaning the house more often than any human should ever have to.

Thank goodness they stayed healthy during this time, and had amazing help and support from friends and family. From picking up Joe's prescriptions, to grocery shopping, and bringing over take-out and home-made baked goods.
Joe, Natalie, and Dominic were apart for 21 days communicating via phone calls, texts, and video chats. When Joe was able to safely come out of quarantine, we still took precautions for another 4 weeks while Joe slowly regained his strength.

While undoubtedly the scariest two months of our lives, it was an eye-opening humbling experience that we learned so much from. The silver lining moments continue to flood in: having more time for friends and family, catching up on projects around the house, learning we have a Brother (details to follow!), spending quality time together as a family, and lots of outdoor adventures.

Holidays, birthdays, and other celebrations were definitely different this year. But with a little helium and positivity we made the best of them!

Easter & Passover

Mother's Day, Joe's Birthday, Memorial Day & Father's Day 

Spreading Joy

Water, Water, Everywhere!

Projects and more projects...

Home Beauty Care

As Illinois opened up, so did our social social-distancing to immediate family and close friends.

The Brother Thing...

So a little over 40 years ago, my Dad briefly dated this woman, Kathe. Kathe moved away and gave birth to her only child, Alex. Alex grew up not knowing who his birth father was, and 40 years later visited Ancestory.com. He was matched with multiple people in our extended and immediate family through the website. After many messages, timeline and fact digging, we come to find out we have an older brother, our Dad has a son, and Alex has found the family he knew had to be out there for over four decades.
Weeks of phone calls and texts allowed us all to get to know each other, and finally when Illinois started to open up we were able to meet.
​It was the most amazing weekend, and we all have fallin' head-over-heels for this amazing man!