What can we do?

I was told earlier today by several people to not feel the need to respond to all of the texts, messages, calls, etc.  Trust me, I will get to you when I get to you:). I do want to let so many of you know what is going on - everything happened so quickly and we are still learning so much at the same time. 

The other side of me enjoys writing/blogging. Something I haven't found time to do on a personal level for a long time, but something that has provided me an outlet for my own personal sanity during such fluid times. 

The #1 question, what can we do?

Great question, I don't know. 

I don't know because we have never been in a position like this, I don't know because I don't know what needs to be done, I don't know because I am so focused on my husband and children that I just don't know what I or anyone of us need right now.  I have an amazing tribe, in fact, we have just an amazing set of friends and family across this nation. When this is all behind us, and C-19 is gone, I cannot wait to hug each and every one of you.  I have been moved to tears on more than one occasion.  

One of the hardest things for me to do is to ask for help. This feels like I am admitting defeat, that I haven't been able to do something on my own, that I am not strong enough nor am I capable enough. For me it feels like a sign of weakness, and if you know me, I like to think that I am one of the strongest and toughest individuals out there. The last 48 hours have tested that. Sunday morning when I woke up, after reading through all of my texts I had received during the night, I realized that there was absolutely no way that I was going to be able to keep up with Kevin, Bartholomew (it's tough being married to two people at the same time), KJ, Aves, and Kevin's rehab. So I made some difficult phone calls to some wonderful women who had been relentless in offering their help and told them I couldn't do it alone and needed them. I will forever be indebted and grateful for the help, guidance and work they have done on the back side. 

So, what can you do?  PRAY - the only reason I have been able to be as confident and calm as I have been is because of prayer. What a POWERFUL thing it is. As soon as we started asking for prayers, we felt a huge weight had been lifted off of our shoulders (and that we were now being forced to run a marathon). Please do not stop praying - we will take all of the prayer chains that you have! Do not ask if you can pray for us us, of course you can - just do it!

If gift giving is your love language and you feel like you need to do something (this is my love language in times like this, so I get it), please work with Michelle, Jess, Jenn and/or Miranda to drop off a meal.  If cooking isn't your thing (we get it!) and you want to help in another way, let one of the ladies know, I have decided tonight that I would be okay asking for help with dishes, laundry, housework, yard work, etc. We don't NEED this, but for those of you who feel like you want to help us out, these are things that will go the extra mile and keep us focused on our end goal. If you like younger children, then maybe hang out with Kennedy and Avery - we have been trying to keep their lives as close to normal that we can, but in times like these - what is normal?  It has helped tremendously to keep them busy with other adults and little people right now. You are welcome to come and play a board game, push them on the swings or play lifeguard for them in the pool. 

What do I need?  I need to decompress at the end of the day. I would love to sit with you on the porch and have a glass of wine and talk about everything that has happened. It has been helpful to process these things every night. 

Please bear with me, I don't know what is or is not appropriate to ask for - this is new and uncharted territory for all of us right now.