We did it! And we had fun doing it! On Sunday night I wasn't sure if I could actually get eight kids up and ready for school, or perhaps scarier, help eight kids finish their homework. But the day went really well. The kids got up without complaint even though their only option for breakfast was cereal. But they all got dressed quickly, grabbed a bowl of cereal, and watched Aurthur together. It was a pretty cute scene!
Brad drove the pack to school with plenty of time to spare, and Sam (my four-year-old) and I got some wonderful one-on-one time. We worked on cleaning the house and trying to catch up on laundry between phone calls. But, before we knew it, school was over and homework time began. I sat the kids around our dining room table, turned off the TV, and we went to work. It was so crazy that it was actually pretty funny. At one point I was doing a practice spelling test with three different children at the same time. When Brad got home a little after 5:00 we were almost done, but Brad jumped in to help finish things off. When he walked in I was shuffling through some papers on the table and he asked me what I was looking for. I responded with, "My sanity. I'm pretty sure I lost it here at the table." The older kids got the joke and laughed, but a couple of the younger ones jumped in to help me look--unfortunately they didn't find it!
The best part of the day was the dinner that Marilyn Buman and Lisa Brown brought us. It was absolutely delicious and a welcome help on a busy day. So thank you Marilyn and Lisa--you were lifesavers! Brad and Michael had football practice, but the other eight of us gathered around the table together. And the kids were hilarious. The conversation turned into a competition about who snores the loudest as well as anecdotal stories about the loudness of other bodily sounds (I'll spare you the details).
After dinner, I had to run Hannah to the store to buy a goldfish for a project she is doing at school--it's a long story. We came home, had everyone change into their pajamas, opened a bag of chocolate chip cookies, and watched "Kicking and Screaming" together. Once again, we had a fun together.
At the end of the day, while I was tucking kids in and helping them say their prayers, I was struck by how much more I have come to love the Jenkins children. I'm not saying that I haven't loved them before. I've had them over many, many times and enjoyed their fun personalities, but these last two weeks have deepened that love. The chance to be a mother (even if it's only temporary) to these amazing children has been both wonderful and humbling. Each one of them has unique traits that are so endearing. Last night as I leaned over to tuck Austin in and give him a hug goodnight, I started to cry. I looked at his sweet face and I was simply overcome with love for him (he now thinks I'm crazy). I have also felt the loss of Bennion. I had started to get used to his cute little tired smile when he greeted me each morning and I miss that now. And more than that, I miss his hugs. Bennion had a few tough moments last week, when his longing for Marcy overcame him. The chance to hold and rock Bennion as he cried were precious times for me. I truly felt grateful that I could be there with him. With each child I've had some sort of experience that has made me realize how much I love them. I don't know how to properly explain how much of a blessing that this has been to me. They'll go home soon, but in many ways from now on I'll see them as my family. Hopefully I'll be able to convince Marcy to let me borrow them from time to time!Speaking of Marcy--that's what you all really want to know about. No big news, but she continues to heal and improve with each day. On the neurorehab unit they are keeping her busy with therapy. I believe that today she is also seeing a neuro-opthomologist. When I hear more, I promise to let you know!
It's now time to start scheduling meals and other services for the family. Even though Marcy is recovering so well, we also have to remember that there is still a long road ahead for her. Marcy's doctors have warned her that she has to pace herself. Marcy must ease herself back into life rather than simply jumping back in. I think that the Jenkins will need help with meals for several weeks. Additionally, Marcy will need someone to be with her during the day, especially in her care of Hayden. Many of you have offered to help with this, so we will be contacting each of you to set up a schedule. Again, many, many thanks to all of you for your support of the Jenkins and of us--what remarkable people all of you are!
2 comments:
Dear Marcy and Mark,
We are so grateful you are healing and preparing to return to your beautiful home. I can't help but remember Elder Holland's recent Conference talk "The Ministry of Angels." "I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us,... Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind." You and your children have certainly been surrounded by many of them both seen and unseen these past few weeks. Know that all that has been and will be done for you and your family is through deep love for each of you and of our Savior. Your children will sing a song in a couple of weeks at a Primary program, "If the Savior Stood Beside Me," your friends and neighbors have been acting as if the Savior is beside them. Heal quickly, let the love of those around you pick you up and help you as you all recover from this course of events.
Love you lots!
Blake, Jan, Angie, Ashley and Blake jr.
Hi! We werent at church Sunday and missed the update on everyone. Im assuming Marcy is home now? Maybe a final post would appropriate for those that dont attend our ward and for the rest of us who missed last week..... I would love to hear how everything is going.
Thanks Amy!
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