The Adventures of the Johnson Clan: The Straw that broke the Camel's Back

These poor kids have had to absorb just as much change as we have during these covid times. And on top of it, they can sense that their parents are unsettled or worried or stressed, but they don't know why. All that aside, they don't let it ruin their days. They still desire to run and play, learn and create.

But sometimes too much change can really set them back emotionally.

This week Travis yet again had his work hours changed.

At the beginning of this covid nonsense he was pulled out of clinic and put in charge of running the covid floor on nights. To say we were bummed would be an understatement. How many times last year as we finished residency did we say, "this is the last holiday you'll ever have to work." "This is the last weekend shift you'll ever work." "Your last night shift." "Your last 12hr shift..."

Boy were we wrong.

But we were also so wrong to be sad about the nights. In the end, those night shifts allowed Travis to be home and awake with us during the hours that counted the most. Was it hard for Travis and I to lose any and all alone time together? You better believe it. And was it hard for his body to run on broken and incomplete sleep for two months? You betcha. But it's what our kids NEEDED.

Every day we would move through our morning routines and by the time we were done the girls would be napping and Travis would up and ready to take the boys out for P.E. time: Mountain Biking, yard work, walks, etc. And I in turn was able to make dinner while he kept the girls off my legs. I could leave to the grocery store by myself whenever I needed because he was home. And I've been able to get out on afternoon runs to keep my sanity!

Such tender mercies we didn't even realize we were receiving at the time.

Well just as we fell in love with our new way of life, life does what it always does and changes... again.

Travis was switched to days on the covid floor, and his new schedule had him out of the house at 6:45am-8:00pm. B-U-M-M-E-R. We truly disliked this week. And to top it off, it rained most days, forcing us to stay inside where the days just seemed longer in the wrong ways. I can't tell you how many fits were thrown, tears were cried, and long talks were had. I even received a few "I hate you's" this week... those are never fun. But they weren't being bad kids; they were hurting. They didn't see their dad for most of the week and they were so so so so so so sad about it.

THANKFULLY it was only for last week!!!

We just found out Travis will be going back to clinic on Monday. We don't know for how long he'll get to stay in clinic, or if he'll be placed back in the covid floor... we've learned through this experience that we really can't predict anything (go figure, right?).

But once again, life is changing, and we will do our best to change right along with it and enjoy each day for what it has to offer.

P.s. Memorable Moments from this week

-Starting a large puzzle together (I've always dreamed of those rainy days when we work on a complex puzzle together and my kids are responsible enough to leave it out for days... we're there!)

-Going to Lime Creek with.... FrIeNdS! It was really needed for our mental health

-Addie sticking a sucker stick into her ear during our movie night and screaming out in pain! We though she'd ruptured her ear drum as her eyes rolled around and she nearly passed out from pain

-Going back to the salon and just LOVING my hair afterwards!