We all deal with circumstances that arise in our lives in different ways. As I have said before, when we first realized what was going on with Ella, we kept it pretty close to the vest. We were seeking answers and didn’t know much, so sharing nothing seemed better than sharing a whole bunch of I don’t knows.

We leaned on family A LOT. They were our constant supporters. Always there when we needed a shoulder to cry on, or at our door ready to watch the kids when we needed a break. We had a wonderful thing going, but realized despite family always being there, they had lives to live too. It was also becoming obvious that are parents were getting older and slowing down. It’s a natural progression in life.

The year 2020 has been such a complex one for our clan of grandparents, parents, siblings, and grandchildren. One grandparent was recovering from shoulder surgery, one grandparent had a hip replaced, and the two other grandparents were/are dealing with chronic pain.

Steve’s sister has been busy planning her wedding, and is now waiting to hear if those nuptials will take place as desired. His parents bought a winter home down south and were gone for five months living in the warmth (jealous). Life with them moved on, just as it should have.

My parents are getting older and have lost a ton of pep in their step. They help when they can, but get tired very easily. My sister is super busy with her life and her kids activities. Trying to arrange drop off and pick up times for watching my kids is quite challenging, to say the least, but we made it work when we needed to.

Jack started moving and is now INTO everything, CJ was having swimming two nights a week, and Ella’s behavior was changing. Pre-COVID things in our house were busy. Steve was working overtime, Dani had school, and I was trying not to stress out too much, and keep things running smoothly.

Add COVID on top of that, and you have a perfect storm of reasons why leaning on family was becoming harder and harder. Don’t get me wrong, they are still always available at the drop of a hat, but if Steve and I need help we either try to re-arrange things on our own or find alternative people to help, in order to give family a little break.

Since opening the door and letting more people in we have yet to have a shortage of help. Our kids are loved by many, and those many are more than willing to drop everything to help if needed. You don’t really know how much people truly care until you ask them for help, or they repeatedly offer and you finally accept. Even then, so many have said they wish they could still do more. The simple task of taking my children, and me knowing they will be safe and cared for, is enough. The checking in and listening ears are equally as appreciated, but everything else is a bonus.

Thank goodness for Amanda. She has been a life saver. Ella’s has been having mostly good days, with a few random outbursts. This morning she was so upset she completely turned herself around in bed. When I went in to her get her she had her feet on her pillows. I missed the photo opt because I didn’t have my phone with me. Rookie mistake.

Today we tried the y bike. That went over well (not so much). Ella hated every single one of the sixty seconds she was sitting on it. Thankfully I got a good deal on marketplace and didn’t have to pay full price. We will keep working at it , but Jack loves it so he might have found himself a new pink bike. I am very excited about her potential of the bike. We just have to get Ella moving.

Hopefully this week I can confirm the Boston dates as they continue to schedule more appointments. I also need to get my BCH liaison. He/she will guide me in the direction of lodging, and tell us any other important facts we need to know for our stay. Stay tuned. I hope to have some info very soon.

If you can, check out my Instagram stories. I have the story behind the Y bike includes, as well of pictures and videos of the kids on action.

https://www.instagram.com/zurlnick_five