As you are aware Alice has been in New Hampshire for almost 3 weeks (when all is said and done she will have been away for 22 days). This trip was necessitated by the aneurysm and subsequent car accident suffered by her mom, Mary Jane Ames, on September 18th. Alice has been busy making decisions about the care of her mom and dad, John Ames.
Meanwhile the children and I have had to survive this time on our own. Emphasis on survive! I have had the opportunity to really learn about being a single parent and will be glad when it it over! Those of you who know me, know that I don't exhibit the energy needed to keep everything going all the time, so I am exhausted.
Children's Chores
Since I don't have the energy, I have learned to delegate and the children are learning to pitch in more. Alice tends to do a lot herself so the job gets done very well. I tend more towards managing so the job gets done, by somebody else. So the children are spending a bit more time working around the house. Danielle is doing more dishes, Evan is doing more vacuuming, and Regan is doing more organizing. They don't necessarily like it or do it perfectly, but they do it and do it well enough. Danielle and Evan are also helping clean the bathrooms, a chore that is at the top of my "avoid at all costs" list. I don't mind doing most household tasks, but that one is my least favorite.
Friend's Abound
We have been blessed by good friends at NTM and at our church, PABC, who have really stepped up and helped the kids and I make it. Several folks have provided meals, either having us over, bringing us food, or taking us out. Others have volunteered to watch Regan when he is out of school and Danielle and Evan are still in school to give me time to be in the office. Still others have helped out as taxi driver when Danielle needed to be in one place and Evan had to be in another at the same time. One day it might be possible (Beam me up, Scotty) for a parent to accomplish that, but it isn't here yet!
Mom Returns
Strike up the band! Mom is returning on Monday the 13th. Probably the hardest part of the whole time was not knowing when Alice would come back. There was no date to point to and no days left to count down. It's amazing how much better it became when we decided when she would come home. It was even better when she had a ticket (thanks to another friend with frequent flyer miles!). Alice's mom will still be in a hospital (hopefully a rehab one) when Alice returns, but progress has been made and continues at a slow and steady pace (www.maryjaneames.blogspot.com for updates), so we are comfortable with Alice's returning.
Planning Ahead
We are making plans for a return to NH, likely in November to prepare Alice's parents' house for her mom's return. Alice has already spent some time cleaning and organizing, but there is more that needs to be done. We also don't know what Mary Jane will be capable of when she returns home, so plans and needs may change and we need to be there to adjust to those as well.
Our Great God
We have such a wonderful and great God! He has provided for us in so many ways during this time. Physically through His people, mentally and spiritually through His Word, and financially through His people. We are so grateful for those who have given to Him by giving to us through their time, talents, and finances. While the reword may not come in this life we know that God will reward those who serve Him
Note: Changed the title because some folks thought Alice's mom had died.
GET INVOLVED
