What a Month!

I was shocked to see it has been almost 4 weeks since I last posted.  But then, why should I be shocked?  I know I haven't written anything!  The reason I haven't written:  I'm tired!

It has been an eventful month, with lost of travelling, long hours at school, and just lots to do.  But the best has been the service we've received from our children.  I am so thankful for them for helping us out and helping us get some things done in our house that we just have not been able to do.

A little explanation:  I had a knee replacement on my right knee several years ago (probably about 5 years or more now), and recovery has been all right, but not satisfactory.  Actually, after the original surgery I had 3 more in order to get everything healed as much as it is.  After all this, I am totally unable to kneel on that knee at all.  I mean NOTHING! I can't kneel to pray, even if I knee on a pillow.  I know doctors say you shouldn't kneel on it anyway, but many people do.  I can't touch that knee on the ground without terrible pain.  It just doesn't work.  Garth can kneel on his fine; well, not really fine, but he is able to.  But I can't.  And because I can't kneel, I have a difficult time getting onto the ground to do things like wipe off the mop boards around the rooms, scrub the tub, any other thing that requires kneeling.

Also, every summer it seems I have some major health issue.  This year it was my swollen legs, retaining water, wrapped up legs, etc.  OK.  Call me lazy, but I really wish I could do things that I used to be able to do.  But it is difficult.

This past summer Garth was in a lot of pain with his back and down his legs, so we really didn't have the ability to clean our house like we would have liked to, so things just got more run-down each week.  It made us sad, but we were making the best of what we could do without complaining.

A few months ago I decided to let our children know that we really could use their help in getting our house in order, and admitted that we just couldn't do it right now by ourselves.  Our wonderful children gathered together and planned on helping us get the job done.  Although the plans didn't go as hoped for all of them, they were able to come and help us.  We so much appreciate all their work!

I want them to know that it was really harder than we thought to let them all go through our stuff and see what condition we were in.  But they really respected us and asked us before they threw anything away.  They even let me keep all my pens and pencils! :)  (Inside joke there)  I appreciate that they didn't make me feel bad about my cleaning skills, or my 'collection's of stuff. (except my pencils).

I learned a lot during the days they helped us.  Chantel is a wonderful cleaner and organizer.  That girl can go!  I like that neat little steamer and can't wait to get my own.  Maybe if I had one I might clean more often!   (Ok, maybe not, but it's an idea.)  I loved our visits and the time we had to just talk and get to know each other a little bit better.  We loved having Barrett here to help his dad, and really appreciate all the work he has done for us.  Tammy and Josh helped clean and put in the new floor.  It is beautiful!  It was nice to have Nicky here as well.  The plan was for her to help with the kids, but they were all so excited to play with each other that they really didn't need much watching.  So she watched Isaac, which was the most fun of all.  What can we say?  We love that kid!

Honestly, it was very humbling having our children do our cleaning, but so much appreciated.  There are no words to express our love for them.

Tonight, I am tired and ready to go to bed.  I've had too many late nights and I am tired.  That's what happens when report cards and parent/teacher conferences come along, with no Friday off after marathon conferences until 9:00.  It is very difficult to conference that late and still hold school the next day.  Hopefully the next few weeks will be less hurried and less stressful.