Respite: \ˈres-pət also ri-ˈspīt 1. An interval of rest or relief.
Bill and I got away this weekend for a bit of R&R. It had been about three years since we went anywhere together, and when son, Andy, offered to head up the Annie-care charge with Olivia, Jack & Dave's help, we jumped. Now granted, the training on Annie-care lasted one week, and the instructions were 3 pages long--single-spaced--but we went, everything went well, Annie was smiling when we got back, the house was still standing, and best of all, Andy said he'd do it again! Thank you, Jesus!
Respite care is a Big Deal. Any of you who are caregivers or who have been caregivers know this. You don't just call rent-a-babysitter and line someone up for an overnight with a med list, g-tube feeds, and a non-ambulatory 42 lb. kid. So Bill and I have tag-teamed our breaks away--he goes, I go. He goes, I go. Sometimes alone, sometimes with kids...but rarely together. So this weekend was a very nice present. Our older children are a huge blessing to us--they lighten the load of caring for Annie.
Jean
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them! Psalm 127:3-5
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them! Psalm 127:3-5
9 comments:
God bless them one and all!
Terri W
Told ya!
one slight correction - the training on Annie-care has really been a three year process-by-osmosis, followed by an intensive test-cramming week with 3 pages of single-spaced, small font, typed test instructions, followed by probably a 4 hour prelude to 'good bye' and then a respite covered with much prayer.
Annie was smiling when you got back because she got to do all those things that she's not allowed to do when you're home ;-)
What a blessing! Your Psalm says it all!
pam
i say we send rebecca up once every two months for a week or so.
what do you say?
:)
Yes, Terri & Pam, I agree!
You are right, too, Rebecca--the kids have learned a lot just by osmosis. However, I don't think Annie did anything she isn't allowed to do...on the contrary, I think her behavior was much BETTER with me being gone. And she sure has been letting me have it since I came back.
Jeff--Rebecca just spit her coffee out.
I love watching this sibling thing unfold on the blog. ;)
I'm sooooo glad it went well, Jean. You both needed and more than deserved the time to refresh and rest.
Your kids, every one of them, are class acts. Isn't it great that mine can benefit from the mentorship of yours? :)
the "sibling thing"....meaning Jean's kids, or Jean and HER siblings? THAT's the fun!!
pam
Annie is like every other kid in the world - best behaved when Mom's away.
She doesn't have to stretch anyone else ... only you, Mom.
Ain't it fun?
Oh, Pam, of course I meant Jean,Rebecca, and Jeff. ;)
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