AND our new normal begins!

Our NEW and temporary normal has begun!!

EVERYONE is happy to be home.  

The girls are very close and having two at home and one at the hospital -- well, it was hard on all of them.

My Darling is such a caretaker.  She wants to help Elizabeth do anything and everything.  She is into entertaining her -- legos, reading a book to her, kindle time, movies, games, etc.

My Darling and Elizabeth playing Legos during 'tummy time.'

The boys -- they are happy we are all home. 

They are willing to help if needed 

BUT

you know -- they are boys and they have other things going on -- 

LIFE -- well, for them it just keeps going.  They take all of this in stride.

Yes, we still have other children AND we still have things to do with them.  Yes, they will still do their activities.  AND yes, this mommy has to be organized because I have to find people to come here.  Thankfully, this is doable!!

Are we prepared???

We do have all the equipment that is needed -- even though we had to exchange the wheelchair for a bigger one, we have it, NOW.

Clothing was all ready -- and EVERYTHING fits!!!

My mom just finished the rest of the leg warmers.  

Thanks, mom!

Our home I thought was pretty handicap accessible -- well, it's NOT!

We will make due BUT if this was a LONG or FOREVER way of life -- well, things would have to change.

Our physical and mental well being :)

Matt and I knew this would be work.  We tried to prepare for the worst case scenario.  

I think it IS hard.  Not terrible -- or impossible BUT it is hard.

BECAUSE ----

Elizabeth is totally immobile.  She does need to have her position changed every few hours.  She cannot lift herself at all.  She cannot go to the bathroom on her own.  She cannot dress herself or even help.  She cannot wash herself OR even get in the bath -- washing hair is even an issue (although we have solved for a bit with spray in shampoo for DRY hair!)

Elizabeth is 50 pounds with a 10 pound cast.  Yes, I can lift it -- 

BUT

She is awkward.  The legs are spread and one is up and over.  It is just hard to maneuver.  

YET, each time she needs something it works.  Either Matt is here OR I have the strength to do it.  

All in all though -- this girl SMILES!!  She jokes with us most of the time.

She bops Matt on the head with her cast almost every time he picks her up AND giggles.

Yes, there has been some tears -- more out of fear or a wrong movement to the hip.  BUT few!

Laying in the beanbag -- watching Christmas movies with mom.

More Legos during tummy time!

She was off of pain medicine by Saturday evening. 

She is really AMAZING!!!

Bedtime -- She LOVES that her bed is in our room.  She loves her new panda -- thanks Kayla.  

Sunday the girls had their Christmas program at church.

I had a sweet friend and her daughter come and stay with Elizabeth.

They came early and helped me get the girls ready, brought dinner and entertained Elizabeth.

Patty curling Elizabeth's hair!  This was VERY important to Elizabeth -- to have curly hair.

They painted nails, curled her hair, played games, watched a movie and snacked.

Elizabeth did fine -- BUT she really wanted me to be home to go to the bathroom ;)

The girls did GREAT in their program.  

 My Darling and BaJabs at the beginning of the program titled -- We Three Spies

 My Darling during her solo -- she sang loud and perfectly.

 My Darling with her host of angels -- singing.

BaJabs singing in the choir.

This was a fun musical!

Matt and I were so thankful that Patty and her daughter blessed our family with their gift of time (and thoughtful gifts).

Today -- This was a RELAX day!!

Daddy even brought Elizabeth a donut after he dropped the girls off at school

She has figured a way to eat a bit on her own.

Yes, we do help her!  

  She loves my iPAD and her kindle.

We watched Hallmark Christmas movies.

At lunch today we listed things we are thankful for -- 

Elizabeth's thankful list:

'Daddy got me a donut'

'Patty and Kayla came to our house a played games'

'Patty curled my hair'

'I'm at home!'

'We don't have to go to school' --- mommy agreed with this one!

She has not asked ONE time --- 'How much longer?' When considering her full body cast.  She just accepts it.  

She did ask about the time for the hand/arm cast.  She's thrilled it is only 2-3 weeks.  When the arm cast comes off it will allow for more flexibility and freedom.

I think it is obvious all the Blessings that have occurred!

Ultimately, after reading this entry a BIG blessing is Elizabeth's attitude.  

It really has been AMAZING!

Just a GREAT picture of our AMAZING Elizabeth -- BEFORE surgery :)

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1.  She needs to go to the bathroom -- REALLY GO! and SOON!

2.  Continued good and flexible attitude for ALL of us!

3.  My back -- it is VERY sore.  She knows it -- and asks me every time I pick her up.  BUT each time it holds.  

4.  Her body to heal properly!

5.  There is one thing BOTH her and I miss --- CUDDLES!  This is very hard in the cast she is in.  We rub our cheeks together and I rub her back or her stub BUT a good cuddle is impossible.  She MISSES it already.  Pray that she can feel loved through this ordeal.  She informed me we need weeks off together when this cast comes off JUST TO CUDDLE :)

Thank-you for praying!!!

AND

Thank-you to all my students and friends at SMS --

The card is great and both Elizabeth and I felt special.  

We were amazed at how many signed and wrote notes!!

Elizabeth with the card from all of the students at SMS.

SO -- our NEW and TEMPORARY normal --

Well, it's not horrible.  Yep, it's a change and yep, it's been difficult at times 

BUT

With God's help and all YOUR prayers our family will rise to the occasion and DO THIS while trying to CHOOSE JOY!