We have had help just show up at the perfect times and we are so grateful to have such family and friends! ;) My mother in law drove down to keep the littles on moving day, my brother in law and brother helped us move our stuff, my sisters showed up to help me clean a little bit in the old house, a good friend dropped off food at just the perfect time, and my very best friend, who happened to be in town from West Virginia showed up, with all her sweetness and grace, for a short sweet visit, and my mom jumped in with both feet helping me get to a good place this past weekend! And looking back on the last seven days, these things make me smile, make my heart swell, and remind me how blessed we are. God used each of these people to remind me how He shows up.
It is so rare. So very very rare these days, that my mom and I can spend a weekend together. Often I step aside and let the children have their time with grandma because they need it. When it's been weeks apart, they miss her, and they need to catch up! Our life has been a whirl wind, I'm in the third trimester of pregnancy with our last baby, I've packed, cleaned, and moved and now began to unpack a family of six over the last month, the kids fall sports are in full swing, doctor appointments for the tiny one are every other week, and life just feels cRaZy! I think I'm more tired than I've honestly ever been in my entire life...and I've had 3 newborns! ;) To say I was overwhelmed and sort of alone feeling, most days, would be an understatement. Ha!
I didn't have to say much, she called one day, I answered and just cried, and there she was. She didn't ask what I needed she just did what she thought would help most. She cared for the children while Chris and I tried to accomplish a few things on our currently overflowing platter (it's not a plate anymore) and even ate a meal together, she slept on the couch surrounded with boxes, without a single complaint, she listened while I emotionally talked about all kinds of current things going on, and she walked with me through the grocery store, pushing my oh so tired self along, reminding me what I needed, she folded clothes while I just sat watching, and then she stood by me in the kitchen and helped me fill the freezer with prepared meals for the next couple months! She didn't leave until we were done and the last of the food was cooling on the counter. I think I have enough cooked meals to last until baby and that's mostly thanks her, holding my hand and pushing me to do what needed to be done.
This was in 3 days, she gave me three amazing days! When she pulled out of the driveway, I was overwhelmed and reminded of all the times during growing our little family that she just "showed up". We don't always get each other and we have our moments, but this weekend, my mom showed up! She doesn't live close by anymore, and I'm still sad about that years later! Ha! She's not always available on a short notice, she has tons of other things and people to worry about, and honestly most of the time, I try to stay quiet and out of the way. But when you reach the end and you just need somebody, anybody, to step in and do it, just for a minute...just do it, without even having to explain what it is you need done, there she is. I'm so grateful, and slightly sad I can't keep her here forever, but I guess I wouldn't appreciate it near as much if she was always here to do it! ;) She's always been like this, the kind of person that will give to anyone who needs and loves beyond measure, and often, with several siblings and her blended family, I have to kinda wait my turn, but I can't tell you how much I desperately needed this weekend!
I know, without a doubt that the things that have happened over the last several years, as painful as they were/are, they have helped mold me each and every day into the wife and mother
God has called me to be, and everything has grown Chris and my relationship even deeper and more solid.
As I was standing at the counter, wrapping the last meal to put in the freezer, after my mom had been gone awhile, I realized just how grateful I was for this weekend and past week to the people who were willing to help or visit, I realized what a symbolic thing had happened and teachable weekend this was for me. We all have "stuff", things that overwhelm or weigh us down...God doesn't leave us, even when we feel alone. He won't forget us, even when the things we face seem seemingly insignificant to most, He's there, feeding us, giving us water, and making things happen when we just can't anymore. He gives us rest, a safe place to unravel. We don't have to be put together, we can just cry and He knows what we need. This weekend, I'm so grateful He sent aid, and I'm so overwhelmed by the blessings He's given us and as I sit here, wide awake at 2am, already making tomorrow's list, He's listening. It matters. And He will not leave us alone and in the days to come we will look back on this chapter, as we all do with each one in our lives, and realize just how we grew through it and just what a significant impact it had on us and our family. :)
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