I woke up today and I huffed a little bit. Another day in quarantine with nothing to do. It's crazy, a year ago on this first Saturday of April I was getting ready to walk down the aisle and say yes to forever with Dustin. While I'm pretty sad we won't be able to go out and celebrate surviving our first year of marriage on Monday, I'm definitely grateful that I'm not in the large group of brides who are heartbreakingly having to put their weddings on hold because of the virus. I can't imagine having to scrap months of planning and excitement. I can honestly say I would be devastated.

I've been often pondering, what good could possibly come of this situation? I mean people are dying left and right, everyone is arguing, people are losing their jobs and stability, does good even exist anymore?

Today God reminded me to be thankful for the little blessings. That even when we cannot see the big picture, the reasoning behind everything that's going on, that there is still purpose in the pain. There is still beauty in the little things and right now, if not for anything else, this is happening so that we, as a world, can slow down and learn to be grateful for the little things.

As this thought popped into my head and I started naming little things I am grateful for, more blessings started appearing.

For instance, I've really been craving pretzels but haven't been able to get any, and my sweet father in law dropped off two bags of pretzels for me this morning with the other groceries.

In even better news, I've been slightly depressed since I haven't been working since this all began, but I got a text this morning and I have a new website hire that I'll start on Tuesday!

It may seem small, but in a time where every little thing matters, I'm extremely grateful for these little blessings.

I'd say that today being Saturday is a blessing, which if you are also unaware of the date and time, it's Saturday, but really everyday feels like Saturday.

I encourage you, even in the hardest of moments right now, count your blessings. At the end of the day, it's all we've got.

Until tomorrow, xoxo – Ry

Today is day one of the official “stay at home” order in Tennessee. Technically we've been staying at home for almost a month, now it's just official and somewhat enforced by local government.

This morning I saw a quote, it was a bit jumbled and I can't remember it fully, but the premise was that

You see, I think we can easily get caught up in what staying home and the Corona Virus means to each of us, rather than seeing it from other people's perspectives.

For instance, you might be laughing at the memes and enjoying time with your family. You may be feeling comfortable in your home and safe with the knowledge that your savings account will get you through the next few months. You may even be lucky enough to work from home, get groceries delivered and spend your days watching Disney movies with your kids! And that's great! You may feel a little stressed out that your plans have been canceled, but really, this is just a sprinkle of rain.

Now consider this, while you're sharing Tiger King memes and enjoying your weeks with your family, down the road your neighbor may not be so lucky...

Maybe they've been laid off. Maybe there's a new mom who's husband is essential and she's completely on her own right now. Maybe there are mothers who have had to leave their children with family so that they can go risk their lives and care for the sick and dying. Maybe down the road that single mother can't go and get groceries because she's living off of WIC and every time she goes out, she gets denied because she has to bring her children with her, and they're not allowed in, or all of the food that can be paid with WIC is gone.

Her tears are valid.

His fears are valid.

Their stress is through the roof.

Their roof feels like it's caving in.

For them this isn't a sprinkle, this is a full blown hurricane.

I don't share all of this to bring judgment on anyone who does have the privilege of being comfortable right now, rather to make you remember that you have the privilege.

We may not be able to go out and see each other, but please remember those who are struggling right now.

Don't cast judgment on the business owner who is running deals and trying to sell gift cards, they're trying not to lose everything they've built up and fear they can't get back.

Don't cast judgment on the woman filling her shopping cart, you have no idea if there is an exhausted healthcare worker on the other side relying on her to bring them groceries.

Don't cast judgment on that guy walking his dog, his mental health relies on it and he is trying to be safe.

Let us stand by each other and not cast judgment, because even though we're all in this together, we're all in the same boat, we are all facing very different storms.

If you do have the privilege of your health right now or if you're still able to work, find a way to bless those around you!

Make and deliver easter baskets (don't leave the house, order off of Amazon) to that single mother or that family down the street who you know is struggling. Their kids may not understand why the easter bunny couldn't come this year.

Make a care package and give it to your elderly or immune-compromised neighbor. (Make sure to sanitize and sterilize all items beforehand.)

Call your friends and family who you know may be in a pickle right now and ask how you can help. Can you order a pizza for them tonight? Can you drop off a few rolls of toilet paper?

Make an effort to be a ray of sunshine in someone's storm today. I promise you it will only help. We may be separated but our humanity is still intact.

Until tomorrow, xoxo – Ry

My favorite subject has always been history. I even chose my language arts classes based off of the historical periods I'd be reading about. #homeschoolingperks

The 20th century, specifically the depression and the world war two era, held my attention. I must've read a hundred or so books about that time period. Non fiction, fiction, full blown history books, you name it, I've probably read it. I was borderline obsessed. For some reason I was extremely intrigued by not only how everything got as bad as it did, but how the people who lived through it all felt. I'd spend hours pouring through personal accounts and diaries from little girls in the 40's. I even managed to interview two world war two veterans just months before they each passed away. You could say I enjoyed the learning, but really, I just wanted to know people's stories.

How does one react when everything you've ever known is stripped from you?

How does one feel when you aren't exactly sure where your next meal or job is coming from?

How does one feel when they know they can't provide for their children anymore?

How does one feel when they've never worked in their lives, but their husbands, brothers, fathers and sons are shipped off and they're forced to contribute?

What would it even look like to contribute to a war effort?

Looking back I think the reason that I was so darn intrigued, was because I thought that we could never again, as an American society, live through that type of experience again. Boy was I wrong.

What I didn't know was that there's some things bigger than war.

There are some things that we have absolutely zero control over, but because of our American privilege, we often don't have to confront them.

When I first became aware of the Corona virus, I figured it was just another Ebola or Zika. It would be prevalent, but it wouldn't shut anything down. I thought it would mostly take people down in countries that didn't have the same type of sanitation practices that we have here and that would be the last we heard of it.

But then things started spreading. And I started researching and it hit me what was really going on. I knew we were about to live through another major historical event, one that we have not experienced since the likes of 9/11.

I can't lie, at first I was very afraid.

How would our country react?

What we stoop to our typical entitlement and every-man-for-himself mentality?

Would anyone contribute to the “war” effort?

Would families stick together?

I've often read that the one thing that got people through the Depression and WW2 was the camaraderie and community.

Everyone was going through the same thing at the same time.

Everyone was affected.

Everyone was in a bad place.

So therefore, everyone sympathized and everyone contributed.

It wasn't every man for themselves, because neighbors and communities relied on each other to stay alive.

I didn't think that was possible for our country anymore.

I didn't think that we had that kind of heart anymore.

I mean it's hard to see when most of the time we're staring at our phones, tearing people apart in the media and doing our own thing.

But I've been surprised these past few weeks.

Delightfully really.

In the midst of this hardship, in the midst of the sorrow and a lot of death,

I have seen families who were falling apart, come back to life because they are together.

I have seen children rediscover what it means to play outside and explore their imaginations. I mean really, one can only spend so many hours watching toy unboxing on YouTube.

I have seen companies donate their time, resources and equipment to meet the needs of medical personnel.

I have seen organizations and individuals come together to meet the needs of those who have been laid off.

I have seen church online attendance double, triple and quadruple because their programs are available for anyone at anytime online.

I have seen mothers and fathers band together to teach their children, create masks for their local hospitals and do extra shopping for the elderly who cannot.

I have seen teachers drop everything and reroute to teach their sweet students from a camera. They're completely out of their comfort zone (and pay grade) but they're doing it for their kids.

I have seen schools and local governments still supply food for children and families in need.

So yes, it feels like the world is falling apart right now. Yes, it feels like a lot of people are turning on each other and pointing fingers and screaming. Yes, we are (still) making everything political.

But wow America, have we reached a turning point.

For the first time in a LONG time, we care about something and someone other than ourselves. We care about banding together and being unified. We care about our families and our friends suriving.

The world is not ending, it's healing.

The world is not scared, it's being wise.

The world is not as broken as we thought it was.

When we take away the technology and the advancements and the type of situation we've been put in, we still come to the same conclusion that they did in the 1930's.

We are people and as people we are all vulnerable to what the world throws at us, but that does not mean we are weak. Individually we may fall and struggle, but together we will get back up again.

Reconsider how you view this pandemic.

Reconsider how you respond to this pandemic.

Until tomorrow, xoxo – Ry

Greetings from my home! We are on day I-don't-even-know of self isolation and it's been a doozy to say the least.

Dustin, Nanny and I have all been sick at one point or another (not with COVID-19), Nanny's bathroom flooded last night, family has been dropping food and drinks off at the porch and ding-dong-ditching and Dustin and I have watched a lot of Netflix.

Neither of us are working currently due to the nature of our jobs.

Emotionally we could be under quite a bit of stress, but we're choosing not to look at it this way. We know that no matter what, we're going to have a roof over our heads and food on the table. Now, I completely get that not everyone has this guarantee and feels this way right now. That is totally valid. The work situations and the total failure of communication from our local and national government is appalling. Truly, no-one knows what the heck is going on.

With that being said, I'd like to propose an idea. I know we're all stressed, I do. I get that we are living in uncertain times and many of you are probably facing financial hardship, layoffs, and many other things, we are too, but I think there's a way we can find the silver lining. (Note: do not take this as brushing past all of those that have died and that are suffering. It is horrific and my heart and prayers are with all that have lost a loved one and to all of those who are isolated from their family members who have been deemed necessary employees for the time being.)

The silver lining: we have never before in our lifetime had the chance to take a moment and truly reset. Maybe this is naive of me, but I haven't worked in days. I haven't really done much of anything in days. I have napped, I have eaten, I have enjoyed time with my husband and with other family members who have had to be here, and that's it. I haven't worried about bills. I haven't worried about having to go out and meet societal expectations. I haven't had to hang out with friends. I literally haven't had to do anything but rest and reset my brain.

Friends, you're probably shaking your head right now and thinking “wow, she must have it easy or she's in for a real surprise”. Yes, I do have it easier than most and yes, we're all in for a big surprise. And THAT's why we need to rest and reset right now. In this moment, you may not be able to do anything, literally. You can't work. You can't pay bills. You can't do anything except for sit where you're at and spend time with your family. That's okay. Thankfully, there are a lot of companies that are extending payments and government policies being put into place to protect us for those who can't work. Now obviously, if you have an emergency fund like we all should, use that as you can, don't just push off all of your payments for months and let them build up. But that's beside the point. Right now, we cannot do anything except for be exactly where we are. It feels unnatural, it feels wrong, and we're “bored”. But it's our current reality. There's nothing that we can do to change that. And we need to embrace it and take advantage of it and make memories.

Because guess what? After all of this starts to die down, we're going to have some major rebuilding to do.

Food banks will need to be restocked.

Homeless shelters will be overflowing.

Hospitals will need volunteers.

Companies are going to be out of business.

Our economy is going to have to recover.

We are going to have to be stronger and more on our game than EVER. And that is why you need to rest now.

Give yourself a break. There's nothing you or anyone else can do right now and worrying about it is the last thing that will help you. So enjoy this time, embrace your families, embrace your hobbies, pray, do yoga, learn how to cook again, clean, rest. Prepare yourself for when you CAN do something.

We may never have this kind of global reset again.

Praying for all of you struggling right now, I get it, more than you know.

Today's challenge: write down or think of three things you are overwhelmed by. Cross them off, tear it up or imagine cutting it off. Get rid of it and decide to rest your brain.

xoxo – Ry

Corona.

Friends suffering.

Friends hurting.

Friends being torn apart.

Health sinking.

Work disappearing

I am tired.

I am so tired.

And I'm sure you are too.

Right now there is so much going on in this world, it's overwhelming. Some say that this is the best thing that could've happened- a reset – space for the earth to heal itself from the human footprint and for family to reconnect. For others, already going through hell, it's just making everything worse.

I can't say we personally are going through hell, quite the opposite really. But my heart is broken and my body is tired. I am so tired of seeing all of the fighting and the turmoil. I am tired of seeing the grieving and feeling the grief. My friends and my family are hurting and suffering and it's debilitating.

Work, although scarce, is present enough thankfully and I'm trusting God will provide. In fact, I truly am thankful for the time I've gotten to spend with Dustin and spend resting, but I wish it could've happened in any other way. Any other way that didn't involve so much fear, selfishness and turmoil.

I didn't want to write about this today. I'm tired of acknowledging it. I'm sick and tired of seeing how a virus can so quickly and so easily tear through our country and wreak such havoc. To see friends, and even those in our own family, unable to receive adequate care- because we are just not prepared.

Yet on the flip side, I see the community and the strength of our perseverance as we band together to take care of each other. We have been gifted an opportunity, an opportunity to take the spotlight off of ourselves for a moment and turn it on someone who needs it more than we do. It was beautiful seeing the community come together for sweet Michael and Patty yesterday. But it's so tiring to see that they have to fight so hard on top of everything else just to receive treatment.

It's exhausting seeing mothers have to fight to keep the lights on, food in the fridge and health insurance in their pockets- while others are lounging on beaches and partying it up. I'm exhausted. I'm tired of talking about it, explaining this like we're not all adults. This is not a vacation. This is a crisis and when we are in crisis mode, we must be selfless and we must stick together.

I'm exhausted seeing friends going through HARD things right now. Like the hard things that already make you feel like the world is ending, when the world isn't even ending. But right now, everything is 10x worse. I mean, how do you go to counseling or get therapy or start to heal when the rest of your world seems to be crumbling?

It's debilitating.

That being said, I'm trying to stay thankful.

I am thankful for the kindness and grace of humanity that I have seen the past few weeks.

I am thankful that the earth has gotten a chance to start healing itself as our footprint has been reduced.

I am thankful that I have had time to rest and restore my body.

I am thankful that no matter what God provides.

But I am oh, so tired. And I know that you are tired too. I see you only a few days in, wondering “how much longer?”. I see you dragging, wondering “how do teachers do it?”. I see you with anxiety feeling like you're absolutely drowning.

For those of you with anxiety, I highly recommend the Insight Timer app. It's a free app- at least on iOS – that has tons of free meditations and things to listen to. They have ones for fear, ones specifically for the COVID-19 situation and a ton more. Meditations and essential oils have really helped keep me at peace right now.

I have a lot of reasons to fear right now. I have a lot of anxiety to have. But I'm putting my faith in God that this is happening for a reason and that by having faith and doing the work to prevent the spread- I am being faithful. It's scary out there ya'll. And honestly, I've had a hard time writing. My brain has been so fogged up with this that I've barely thought of anything else. Even the content I had ready, I couldn't bear to post. It felt like trying to sell chocolate at a funeral; weird and inappropriate. I'm hoping this will be my last corona related article, but it may not be. I'm not sure, we could all be here for months. But I promise I'll try to get back to regular programming soon.

Just remember, you are seen and we will get through this.

Breathe and make the most of this time.

If you feel like you're starting to get anxious,

Rest, rest, rest and love, love, love.

Let's fill our Twitter feed with positivity and gratefulness today, tweet me and let me know:

What are three things you are thankful for today?

xoxo – Ry