Construction house and having fun!

When we realized we were dealing with a disease that no matter which treatment route we went would mean many physical obstacles for Alex, we began looking at our home and our plans to finish the upstairs and rethinking what needed to be done. With the help of Sandra, the physical therapist with Tucker’s House, we made a plan to move Alex and LaRue into our master bedroom and turn our bathroom into an accessible space so we would be better able to care for her after procedures and so she is better equipped to be self sufficient even when she is in a wheelchair, using arm crutches, or prosthesis. After speaking to Sandra we were put in touch with Mrs. Sonny, who started and runs Tucker’s house. To learn more check out their website here. http://www.tuckershouse.org. It was only through their generosity and the generosity of time and talent from many that we were able to transform Alex’s bathroom from this,

To this!!!

What you can’t see from the photo is the large window that was in the bathroom was removed to give the girls natural light without always having to keep the shade closed and also give them a place to hang towels under the window since the door was taken off and a pocket door was put in. We really cannot thank Tucker’s House enough for their time and energy to make this happen. We also want to especially thank Sam who helped with demo and rebuild and sent some of his guys to help out, several members of Northside Baptist Church who volunteered their time, Tyler, who did an amazing job with the tile work, and Jess with Hiller Heating and Cooling who made sure all of the plumbing was done right. Brent of course also helped here and there and and took the girls to pick our paint colors and let them help him paint.

Last week we had several huge get things done days. We finished moving the girls across the hall to their new room, our old master bedroom, got the shelves built and put up, painting finishing touches and painting closet. We got the closet shelves put back in and LaRue got everything beautifully organized. Alex asked to keep part of the closet for a playroom because she loves playing there so we are still working on the perfect setup for the closet to be both play space for Alex as well as storage and clothing for both girls. LaRue has worked really hard and Alex has really enjoyed hanging out in her new room. Alex has helped where she could also, mostly going through boxes of things and helping to decide what we are ready to get rid of.

The boys helped demo the built ins that were not getting moved. We started renovating the girls old room to make it a dining room. With the table in the eat in side of the kitchen situated where it was by the door it was difficult for Alex to navigate around the table to get out the door without a lot of help. We decided if it were possible we needed to move the table into their old room and have more open space in the kitchen. Still lots to do in that room to make it exactly what we want but at this point we are going for functional.

We have also been working the last several months on finishing our upstairs that we have never been able to complete. I have to share how amazing my sweet husband is. He has worked hard all day to provide for his family and then come home and jumped right in to working on getting these projects done. He never complains about what needs to be done and just continues on. He has been working on the upstairs for several months already and we have made a lot of progress but it still has a ways to go. I am thankful for this man, for how he loves his family and shows us in many ways every day, how he teaches our children about work ethic by how hard he works. I say this often but really can’t say it enough, I am thankful God gave me this man to do life with. It has certainly not always been easy but in the end we have learned so much and grown so much closer together and more in love through the hard times.

While I am thanking people and thinking about life with my wonderful husband this is a good time to thank our dear friends who volunteered to keep all six of the children overnight, and worked It out for Brent and me to spend a night away a few weeks ago. One more way God works out the details. We got a call from them offering to do it if we could get away that night. It just so happened to be June 6th and the next day, June 7th was our 17th wedding anniversary. We desperately needed that night away and enjoyed every minute together. It was such a sweet blessing. We would never have imagine the ups and downs in this very full 17 years but we are thankful for how God has used every up and down to grow us individually and in our marriage.

God continues to bless us through those who have spoken into the older children’s lives and made them feel loved and special. One dear friend took the oldest three for a day at Nashville Shores. They all had a great time and came home absolutely worn out and pink cheeked! It was fun to hear their laughter and stories of all the fun things that happened. Another friend helped work it out last minute for the oldest three to go to camp at Ridge Haven. We had planned for them to get to go this summer but when Alex’s surgery was still not scheduled this spring and we weren’t sure what our summer would be like and decided we just couldn’t make it happen. Just a week before camp this sweet friend pulled all of the pieces together and contributed financially so the kids were able to go. Paul was able to spend the week with my parents and a couple boy cousins for cousin camp. Others have come to help with Alex and brought kids to play. Family, neighbors and friends have reached out with meals, gifts, activities, books, and cards of encouragement. The reason this means so much to me, especially when these children are loved on, is that between construction, Alex’s needs and appointments, and all the time and financial demands it has been difficult for us to be the ones to thank our older kids in these ways. These children have stepped up in ways we never imagined. Playing with Alex and Boone, helping put them to bed, fixing meals, working in the yard and gardens, and helping with construction. These kids really do love each other well and help carry the burdens. They have all struggled in their own ways with the stress, frustrations, and fears surrounding the last year and what is to come and it is so good for them to have the moments of reprieve when they can step away from all of it and just enjoy. I couldn’t be more thankful for each one of them. I am absolutely sure there are thank yous that I am leaving out but just know we are immensely thankful for everyone of you and the role you have played in this story.