Last year my 29 year old cousin Marianne went to live with my sister Kristina for the first half of the year. Marianne lived with my family during Elementary School when her Mother passed away. She lost her Father and all of her grandparents over the years as well. Not an easy life! Kristina busted her buns last year and got Marianne approved for different funding for being mildly mentally retarded. She lived with my sister Karin for a few weeks and then she was able to live in a place that gave support to people with disabilities for about 6 months. Well, the money ran out. Kristina took Marianne back in in February. In March we held a meeting with different therapists/behaviorists etc. here in my home. At that time I told Kristina that I would be willing to have Marianne come live with us until we could get her into a place that was just right for her. Well, Kristina finally took me up on my offer and Marianne moved in with us last Friday.
Marianne is a lot of fun, laughs a lot, sings at the top of her lungs, boogies like the best of the Blunck's, but having her here is simply making me feel like I work at a laundromat! I have to wash her blankets and pajamas every morning (if you know what I mean), and our basement just doesn't smell the same anymore even with all of the sanitizing we're doing. I love her! I don't want any of you to think that I'm being mean to mention this, but her accidents are making it so my life is consumed with laundry! I used to do all my laundry on Monday's and fold them while I watched a show, but not anymore! I will be doing laundry (ours and hers) every single day! Now that I've typed that, I can see that really it's not THAT big of a deal. Marianne didn't ask for her life to be like this. I can do this! I will do this, but props to my sister for doing it for soooo long! I'm sure she's laughing because I am saying this after only having her for a week! There is so much more to Marianne's story that I would love to share in person with anyone who cares, but for now, just know that I'm using this change as my excuse THIS TIME for taking so long to blog! Heck, I'm using this change in life as an excuse for A LOT of things! I can say NO to watching people's kids and not feel bad one bit! I'm bad, I know!
And now for the catch up and the pictures! We had a wonderful weekend with all FIVE of my sisters on the 7th and 8th! They all came up for my cousin Dana's wedding! It was a lovely wedding and so much fun to see my sisters, Grandma Bell, cousins, Aunties, and Uncles! All of my St. George sisters drove home late Saturday night loaded up with all of Karin's IKEA finds, and Diane flew home early Sunday morning all to be with their families for Mother's Day! I enjoyed a nice breakfast on Mother's Day, a big LONG nap, and Jeff and the kids gave me some lovely plants for our front yard that we're working on since the big mess a few months ago with the water main!
On the 22nd our little family did our first 1 Mile fun run together! It was the Fill the Ark 5k and fun run! It was a little cold, but we had a great time! I was super proud of the boys and Jeff! Alison was a trooper and looked so cute with her number!
That night we went to the big Chuck E Cheese's for Kyle's 5th birthday! He had a friend that went last month and so he figured he had to go, too! Check that one off our list! It wasn't that bad, but not something we will do frequently! When we got home, we surprised Kyle with a new family trampoline! They were all so excited! On Sunday, his real birthday, we had Jeff's family over for dinner and cake and ice cream! My sweet Kyle requested hot dogs for his birthday dinner, and using my CRAZY LIFE excuse, I had no issues with having hot dogs for Sunday dinner! I did give the adults Smoked Kielbasa, and it was a great EASY meal! Oh yeah, while we were driving to Chuck E Cheese's I asked Kyle what kind of cake he wanted. I know I should've been a little more prepared, but I've got excuses! So he wanted a Batman cake which threw me because we don't really own anything Batman, but I printed some pics off the internet, taped them to toothpicks, stuck them in and called it good! Sometimes I overdue it, and sometimes I DON'T! I love this FIVE year old so much! I can't believe he's already five, but I'm really excited for him to start Kindergarten! He has such a sweet, fun personality and we but heads A LOT! I think it's because he is A LOT like me! Love you Kyle! Dad, Chad, and Alison sure love you, too!
P.S. Shannon, if you happen to read this again, Kristina did send up a BIG bag of adult diapers, but they just aren't cutting it! Ugh! Marianne and I talked about possible solutions today, but I'm just going to try to stay positive! There are worse things in the world than laundry! At least I'm not doing it by hand!
14 comments:
I hope you can fall into a routine. what fun you guys are having. Pretty cool to do a family run!
Liz you rock! And everyone else too. This is a hard thing to take on and it is very time consuming and unappreciated--unless it's by Kristina. Kudos and rewards in heaven will be yours. BTW, Austin loves showing anyone that will look at his Pre-School Certifcate and his pictures. He is so proud of them and he also insisted I copy them and send them to grammie to show her what he has done.
I've said it to Kristina and I'll say it to you: what you are doing has Eternal consequences (in a good way.) She is so blessed to have you and you will be blessed for your HARD work. I love you guys!
Liz, I've been feeling terrible for not even ONCE asking you about your life on girls' night. Not even ONCE did I ask how you were adapting. And then I didn't even call you to check in. So I'm glad to see the post, and I'll be calling this week. Love you. And YES, I'd love to run with you sometime soon.
Wow! You and your sisters are awesome for helping your cousin. Would some Depends perhaps help (I'm sure you've thought of that)? Good luck with everything. Hope you guys have a great summer?
Shannon--Depends are not as absorbent as Huggies, by any stretch, and she'll often take them off in the middle of the night. I've seen Huggies that held a gallon---Depends are not dependable, even though the girls use them. Don't know why I feel the need to explain--it's a Bell thing.
Liz--amazing as always. And who is that grown up girl in all the pictures----I hope she'll still love her Grandma in a year. What a wonderful family! We love you so much!!
It was so fun to see you a few weeks ago. You are awesome to take on so much. Love your race pics. Your baby is getting so big! She's adorable.
Will someone please ask the obvious question here: Why is Marianne's shirt soaking wet in that picture?? Please tell me this wasn't first thing in the morning.
But seriously Liz, you will be so blessed for doing this for her. It was a valuable lesson to my children for the short time we had her. My favorite line to say to them was "She is going to the Celestial Kingdom no matter what, but WE will be judged on how we treat her."
Love you sister!
Silly Karin...that picture was taken at the aquarium back when they came up in March. She had been petting the sting rays! Sorry if it made you think of other things!
I haven't been keeping up lately with blogs--But I am glad I read this update! Seriously you are my hero for taking care of Kristina. I can't even imagine dealing with that everyday. It takes a truly amazing family to help out with a situation such as hers. I hope you can find a a place fast that Kristina will enjoy and can help her with all of her problems. I will definitely keep you in my prayers until that happens. And don't feel bad about venting or not taking on the world. You are being blessed for all that you are doing--FOR SURE!
Yes, you totally rock Liz!! I wish I could've taken on having Marianne(not Kristina... honest mistake Kendall & Alissa, although Kristina would be a lot to take on too, j/k ha ha!)You, Kristina, Karin & mom & dad (from back in the day) will totally be blessed. And I love Karin's line. My kids would complain when we'd just have her for the day 'cause she snores so loud. How are your boys doing with her?
And you didn't mention that you made awesome strawberry cuppies (is that what they were called?)for Kristina's 40th. Those were so good! You're the hostess with the mostess!!
Lizzie,
You and your family are my heroes every day and I just wanted to thank you publicly (sounds like the 1st Sunday of the month...) for doing what you're doing. I've wanted to start a blog all year with the title "I Can Do Hard Things" and I'm so proud that you can, too. We pray for you in every prayer and there will be an end in sight SOON!
Much props to our mom and dad who took care of her for 5 years without much praise or recognition!
I've been thinking lately about the blessings she's brought and one is definately that it has brought us closer and especially closer to her sisters and brother. I'm very grateful for that.
And to MA-I'll be moving in on Tuesday...see how hard it really is to take care of me!! :)
Oh Liz I didn't even realize I wrote Kristina-twice even--Funny! I meant Marianne:)
Liz, you are a saint!
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