It takes a village, doesn't it? A village and give till they drop grandparents.
Our gratitude to our parents abounds for how they've carried us through the past year. They've come to help us multiple times for surgeries and other hospital stays.
For this surgery, Mark's mom came for two and a half weeks to love and serve. She navigated all new roads to get the kids to two schools, managed meals, laundry, school lunches, bed and bath times, homework and everything in between. Mark and I knew that it made the most sense for one of us to stay here to keep things rolling with all the kids. But, your child's surgery is a matter of the heart, rather than of logistics. We are so very grateful that both of us got to travel to Columbus, and that Mark got to stay until Evie was stable.
We know she was exhausted by the end, but we were able to be in Columbus without worry for our three little people at home. She gave us a tremendous gift and the kids made some precious Grandma memories. After leaving us, she headed over to Aunt Jen's to love on the cousins and help during a kitchen remodel. Grandma is so loved and is such a rock star!!
We are grateful for Grandpa too, who sacrificed having his sidekick around for such a long time!
Crazy gratitude to my mom as well. She too served hard and then served some more. On our way to Columbus, we stopped at my parents' house in Kentucky for a pre-surgery overnight rest, and arrived to a full feast. Just as the women in my family do, she comforted our worried selves with food. As in fried chicken, TWO types of potatoes, every one's favorite dessert and about 12 other dishes. This is who my mom is, and how she serves best.
She didn't stop there. When Mark left, Dad brought her to Columbus and she stayed the next six days with us in the hospital. This lady is a moving, working and doing all day kind of lady, but for us, she busted out of her comfort zone and sat beside Evie's bedside so that I could sneak out and eat and take naps at the Ronald McDonald House. She also did laundry every day to keep our girl in clothes/sheets that didn't bother her allergies. She even let me be grumpy a time or three.
On our surprise early discharge day, she cleaned and packed our RMH room, packed our hospital room and took wagon loads back and forth between the two places, and packed the car.
All in a snowstorm, by herself.
All in a snowstorm, by herself.
I tried to convince her that she needed to go home and rest. "I've got this," I said. But, she wouldn't have it.
I'm grateful that she sees past my independent exterior. She knows when I need my momma, even when I don't.
So, we braved a snowy nine hour trip home in our exhaustion with a hurting little Evie. Then the recovery was harder than we expected, so she stayed, loving on us through laundry, meal prep and diaper changes.
Oh, how she serves.
Oh, how she serves.
And then this guy. My dad knows how to love big as well. He hefted luggage, helped Mark with projects, worried and prayed over Evie, drove back and forth to Columbus during the work week, then back and forth from GA. He tries to shove cash in our pockets, calls to check in daily, and loves our kids well. They all LOVE their Papaw, and we do too.
Special thanks to Papa and Mimi for their love and support as well. Ev loved the cookie bouquet and cards mailed to the hospital! Fun things arriving to the hospital room were day brighteners.
We saved the cookies for an at home celebration and the kids were just a wee bit thrilled! Grateful.
Gratitude overflows to the grandparents for helping us care for Evie logistically and emotionally. Also, for loving her three siblings so well. Each got personal time and extra hugs as they too walked through a challenging few weeks. You took a yucky experience and filled it with love, help and memories.
Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. Philippians 1:3
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