Arbuckle Wilderness

This week was our first full week of official distance learning put on by Edmond Public Schools.  To say we had a few challenges is an understatement.  We had gotten into our own school routine the previous two weeks, so when the official distance learning rolled out we were back at square one with finding a new routine.  Come Friday we all needed a field trip and some fun away from home.  Tyler was off for Good Friday so the day was even sweeter!

We loaded up and headed south to the Arbuckle Wilderness!  Food in hand and we were ready to feed the animals breakfast!

These donkeys gave us the BEST laughs!!!  They surrounded our car for 10+ mins not allowing us to cross the cattle-guard.  Tyler honked, nudged them with the car and nothing phased them.  They were just too eager for their food!  We were all rolling laughing! 

 This zebra was a car favorite!!!

Tyler was excited this bison was paying us a visit, UNTIL he took that first aggressive bite from the cup and his whole head filled the window.  The cup instantly became the bison's and we were off!

 This ostrich made me a nervous wreck!  Lots of squeals came from our car while feeding with this guy!

 Next up, we visited the Chickasaw Recreational Park in Sulphur, OK, for a hike, picnic and fishing!  We were so glad our cousins came to join!  These five love each other BIG!!!

Melts my heart!

Such a fun day with my crew!  I needed this outing more than I knew.  I needed a day without my new responsibilities of being a teacher, coach, etc.  I wanted a day of doing what I love most, being a mom and having fun with my three! 

Great Salt Plains

We continued our quarantine adventures with a trip to the Great Salt Plains National Park this past Saturday.  If all was normal, all three kids were scheduled for baseball/softball tournaments once again BUT we are still sheltering in place.  We've had a list of parks in Oklahoma we've wanted to visit for years and never had the time.  We are loving marking a park off each weekend during our down time.  By the weekend we are all ready for a little getaway and change of scenery!

We started off our adventure with a little nature trail and bird watching.  It was a chilly start to the day!

When we arrived at the Great Salt Plains National Park we were all a little surprised with the amount of salt on the surface!  With the chilly weather and our bundled kiddos it looked like we were heading out for a day in the snow!  I bet in the summer it looks like a white sand beach!  I was sure hoping for the warmer weather!

 First up, Tyler told the kids to lick their finger, touch the ground, and taste the salt.  Challenge accepted and it sure was salty!

 Let the digging begin!  This was a kid's dream, digging and getting dirty!!!  I found the digging and searching for crystals to be very relaxing!  Look at these smiles!

 We accomplished a lot of digging and left our mark!

The crystals are known for a hourglass shape in the middle.  I would say by the looks of this picture we had a successful day of digging!

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!