What Gets Me Through - Family
Monday, October 15, 2012 at 3:34PM We have basically been coping with the house since June. Basic house cleaning has been done but not often enough or well enough. The lawn is getting mowed, but the rest of the yard is … well, there’s no nice term for it. It’s overgrown. The basic coping combined with lack of time means that, frankly, things were starting to get away from me.
Family to the rescue!
First, my sister Nicki and her husband, Brett totally turned my life around last week. You all know they gave me a room make over. Here are the official before and afters.
All of us love it. The kids keep wandering in, flopping down on the bed and saying, “It’s just like a hotel!” I need to get stuff up on the walls. I’d like some kind of water scene for over the bed and I think pictures of the kids on the side.
New paint, new linens, new furniture placement … altogether it feels like my room - not the room I used to share. Not the room I got left in. MY room.
My first night sleeping in the finished project was one of the best night’s sleep I’ve had in a long time. Of course, when I woke up I ran into a wall, but that’s okay! The important thing is the sleep.
Nicki and Brett didn’t just make over my room though, she hired my neat-freak cleanaholic friend Christine to clean my whole house top to bottom. It was shockingly clean by the time she got done. Like, new house clean. I can not tell you what a relief that was. I had not realized how much stress being behind on housework was causing until suddenly it was gone.
My sister and brother-in-law? Totally awesome people. No, really. Totally. Awesome.
Then my parents came on Thursday and stayed through the weekend. I have been missing them badly, but didn’t want to say so because I know how hard it can be to drive across two states and there have been a few medical issues that have cropped up as well. But ohmygoodness was I glad to see them.
My dad is not big on words or a touchy-feely guy. He shows love in totally practical ways like:
- Helping me clean out the entire garage which was A DISASTER AREA.
- Sorting through everything in there and telling me what I needed to keep and what I could get rid of.
- Cleaning out the shed in the back yard in such a way that I got rid of a lot of stuff there too and can fit in things that were in the garage making it even better in there.
- Changing the oil in the lawn mower. I did not even know that was a necessary thing.
- Cleaning the engine of the snow blower and making sure it’s in good condition before the first snow hits.
- Buying me little organizational stuff for all my screws and nails so I could throw out the original boxes which were a major source of clutter. Here are the before and afters on that:
What a huge difference!
While my dad was doing all of this, my mom was cleaning out cupboards, playing games with the kids and generally keeping the inside of the house running.
It was a tremendously productive weekend and I feel very loved and taken care of.
Big D, Family, What Gets Me Through, home
Reader Comments (19)
How awesome is that?!? I love that you are being so well cared for by both family and friends. Obviously these people understand what it means to be the hand and feet of God. It really adds to the stress when you feel like your home has gotten out of control as well- so happy you are able to take that burden off your shoulders for a little while.
Yay!! It all looks amazing. So glad your sis and parents made the trek for you. You are so special and deserve to be taken care of. xoxoxo
Congratulations on some huge steps forward in the healing process. Praying for your continued strength.
Mindee, I love your new room. It looks like a totally new space. I can totally understand wanting/needing family around. I'm glad you got to spend time with yours this week. I continue to pray for you and your kids! You are doing a great job being there for them!
When love acts...beautiful.
I love this beautiful post! :) Your room looks great! And we need your dad to come visit our garage, ASAP! haha! :)
I love it and I love that your family came to shower you with love :)
Wow!! All the new stuff looks awesome!! What a great family you have supporting you :)
Your room looks awesome! I am so glad that you have family & friends who love you enough to sense when you need to be cared for & step in & do it. Now everytime you are in your new room, you can feel the love that brought it together--makes it even better!
Your family is amazing! A great lesson for your kids too about how when a loved one is feeling down and out - you do everything you can to swoop in and pick them back up!
Woooo Hooooo that is a sexy bedroom!
Sorry, I got a little carried away... Must be from staring at all the white walls in our apartment
I love your new look! I'm a big fan of the color. So glad family swooped in and lifted you up. That's what family is all about I think. Enjoy your new space.
FAMILY is everything! :) So glad you have them.
LOL about running into the walls :):)
You have an awesome family! Just the sight of those organizational tray/shelf things make me think of all "Dads".
Faith, Family and Friends - they'll get you through anything!
Well, this made me cry. I want to hug your mom and dad. What a great dad!!! I'm so glad God gave them the strength to come be the hands and feet you needed.
Mindee I just spent some time reading a few of your last posts...I see how God is blessing you with his strength and his amazing grace. You my dear Mindee are a rock star in my eyes...I know it sounds corny to say but " I'm so proud of how you are showing your children how to trust God with the present and future during a very difficult time...love you sweet Mindee
What amazing blessings! Your room looks so good... so cozy!
That is fabulous. I'm SO glad you've had so many people there for you - your home (and your bedroom in particular!) looks amazing!