It has been a couple of weeks now since my husbands parents moved in with us. Yes, there have been adjustments for all but the blessings are sweet. We have also made some changes to the house to make it more easily accessible and comfortable for them. We made our office into their bedroom. So, the office furniture was moved into storage and or the living room. The piano came into the living room from the dining room and the table went into the storage room downstairs. We made the dining room into their family room. It is right off the kitchen and it puts Jackie right in the middle of the action. For the most part I think she enjoys that except for when the area fills up with noisy bodies.
We also cleared out the play room that I had for my nephews and nieces. We put the toys in storage and I have my file cabinet down there, where I can still access it. I cleared out my desk and put it in there for Milo to use for himself. It is the same desk that he built for Kenneth when he was a boy. He has his computer there and his trainer and his bike. He goes down there at least once a day to ride his bike. The only bad part of it is the stairs for him. His hip and knees have been bothering him but he still goes up and down.
We opened up the wall from the bathroom to their bedroom. It makes it so several of us can be in that same space at the same time. It has proven to be convenient. We got a curtain up there this week and added towel racks and several hand rods for Jackie to hold onto while she is in there. We were lucky to have a small sample of carpet left from a couple of years ago from when the carpet went in the upstairs. That carpet is no longer available. A carpet guy came and tore off the backing and pieced it together and put it in where the wall once was and it looks real good. He was amazing.
In the front we had a wheelchair ramp built. It was finished yesterday. Ken took Jackie out for her maiden voyage. Before, it took three of us to carry her down the stairs in the wheelchair, so this is a true blessing. It will make it easier to get her in and our of the house and give us the opportunity to get her out more often. I have been taking her out on the back deck each day to get her warmed up by the sun. She enjoys sitting out there. With the heat as of late, 5 minutes is the maximum. Who would have thought that October 1st in Salt Lake could get up to 90 degrees?
I am grateful for the opportunity that we have to have there here in our home. Transitions have been hard for everyone but we are settling into a routine and feel like it is working. I have been blessed with extra strength and health. I myself have been amazed at the strength of my back. I have had many problems for most of my life with my back but I am strong and able to do more with Jackie than Milo can. I usually am the one to get her out of bed in the morning and to the bathroom. I get her in the wheelchair and to the small table for breakfast. If Spencer is still here, he helps get her on the couch, if not Milo is on his own. When I get home from work, Milo and I get her to the bathroom and I take her outside to enjoy the warmth and fresh air. We visit and I take her around the house with me for a change of scenery. Once Ken gets home in the evening, he finishes up the evening and puts her to bed every night. The Lord has blessed us and we are thankful for the peace and joy that having them here has brought. Jackie is grateful to not be in the nursing home. Milo is still adjusting and shows signs of him settling in a little more each day.
