Monday, March 30, 2020

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

All three kids were supposed to be playing in baseball/softball tournaments the weekend of 3/28, but all were cancelled due to Covid-19.  So we took advantage of our free weekend and practiced our social distancing in the Wichita Mountains.  Can't believe this beautiful place is only 1.5 hours from our house and I really can't believe we had never been before.  This was a much needed change of scenery after being at home the entire week.  We all had a blast and can't wait to go back and camp once the campground re-open.  Only downfall was that all the bathrooms were closed due to the social distancing orders!

We last minute decided to take Sadie on our adventure.  She gave us those puppy dog eyes when we were loading the car and we just couldn't handle it!  She has been by our sides 24/7 these past weeks while we have been home.
 Longhorns and buffalo roam freely at the refuge!  Sadie didn't notice the longhorns at first but once she did she started talking to them.
 Our first adventure of the day was the "moderate" Narrows Trail.  We wanted a trail that was challenging but had no idea what we were getting into.  Lots of rock climbing and river crossings.  The river was high from recent rainfall so it was pretty difficult crossing at some points.  We all got wet and a few of us might have fallen in!  Mason had the biggest fall, ending up completely in the river, up to his neck.  I pulled him out just before he got swept down stream.  Sadie was a trooper!  She climbed all the rocks, crossed through the water and wagged her tail through it all!  This house dog surprised us all!












 Jackson requested the Longhorns down!
 Picnic lunch after hiking!
 We tried fishing but the winds were crazy!  We got a few bites but no luck catching a fish!
 We ended our trip with a drive up Mt. Scott and a visit to Prairie Dog town!
Looking forward to exploring more of Oklahoma during our down time!

Covid-19

Not sure how to start this blog but it's something the Millers will never forget!  Covid-19 pandemic has changed our lives the past few weeks and appears it will continue to do so the next couple of months!  On Wednesday, March 11th, we tuned in to watch the tipoff of the OKC Thunder game.  Tipoff never happened because an opponent tested positive for Covid-19 and the news broke just as the game was to start.  That was the start of all the chaos in OKC.  Markets had been crashing and other larger cities had been on lock-down.  We left for Broken Bow that Saturday and our conversations were consumed with Covid-19, markets crashing, people losing jobs, schools possibly closing, thousands of people dying, etc.  While in Broken Bow we got word that Oklahoma schools were closed for the remainder of the year and OKC was going to social distancing (meaning no more than 10 people could be in the same place at the same time).  We weren't glued to the TV, like the rest of World, while we were in Broken Bow, so going home was a shock!  Groceries store shelves were empty, restaurants were going to take out only and all non-essential businesses were forced to close!  In a few short days our busy lives were turned upside down.  School was closed (which means homeschool), all sports were halted, Tyler was working from home, and we were ordered to Shelter in Place at home, with little to know contact with others.  Since we had spent the previous days in Broken Bow with neighbors, we decided those were our people through the shelter in place.  We let our kids play outside together and the parents socialized.  It has been our saving grace!

This pandemic has played mind games with us thus far!  It is extremely serious, so contagious, high death rates, so much unknown and no vaccines BUT Oklahoma is also far from the epicenters and we haven't yet seen the spread like other states and countries.  I try not to let the news, articles and social media opinions consume our lives.  We are enjoying our new normal at home as a family!  Lots of games, movies, outside time and the start to our homeschooling adventure!

Just a few pictures from our first week of social distancing.  W

We started our week off with LifeChurch at home!  Much needed message during these unprecedented times.  Everyone is a carrier, so carry something worth catching.  Spread faith, love, hope and good news instead of fear.
Afternoon workouts have been a hit!



Sadie has been in heaven having her people at home all day and night!

The kids have camped upstairs multiple nights!  I think the tent may stay pitched the next couple of months!
We had record high temps so we heated the pool for the first swim of the season!  Vitamin C has to help fight off Covid-19
After an evening rain we were in awe of the double rainbow!   God does paint amazing pictures even in times of crisis!
We've officially survived our first two weeks of social distancing and our first week of homeschooling.  It is a long road ahead but we will do it and grow so much closer through it all!





Spring Break - Broken Bow

Our 3rd annual Spring Break Broken Bow trip did not disappoint.  Our kids had a month long countdown and started packing their bags weeks before we left!  They were just as excited this time around as the first year!  I can't imagine our spring breaks without Broken Bow!  Three days of friends and nature!  

Our first evening always consists of pizza at the Grateful Head!

Every year we test out a new activity, this year it was a 2.5 miles canoe trip!  Super fun and relaxing!
Safety first . . .



I loved this view of my little paddlers! 


Every trip to Broken Bow consists of a fun hike!  This year we tried out a new hike called the Friends Trail.  Perfect name for our crew!





And every hike ends with well deserved ice cream!
The boys also did some fishing!  Biggest trout to date we have caught!
Another huge hit was the escape rooms!  We all escaped just in time!

The days and evenings also consisted of walks around the neighborhood, hot tubbing, campfires, smores, storytelling and most importantly Big Foot hunts!





We ended the trip with a leprechaun trap for St. Patrick's Day morning.  No luck catching the little guy but we did get all his goodies!
We were extremely lucky to go on our Spring Break trip.  Right before we left the Covid-19 pandemic started spreading across the U.S.  People were in panic and the markets completely crashed.  Airlines stopped flying and trips were being cancelled.  While were in Broken Bow we found out school was cancelled for the remainder of the year.  We lived up our BB days outside, knowing it could be our only trip of the year!  These neighbors are now our people riding out Covid-19 together!!!