My mommy heart hurts

My friend Debbie is still in ICU. We have had her 5 kids (ages 8-13) here with us since Tuesday when she went into the hospital. They have been really good, but logistics and schedules prevent us from continuing to have them stay here, so today we are transitioning them back to their apartment and someone else will be staying with them there. I just don't know yet who that someone is, I will find out when I drop them off at church this morning. Then I will be off to the hospital to see Debbie and then to the apartment to do a little cleaning and laundry before they all get brought back home.

My heart just hurts for these kids - their dad is who knows where, there are no relatives or other family. They are homeschooled and their life is at home with their mom. This week, not only have they not been able to see their mom since the ambulance took her 4 days ago, they haven't even been in their familiar environment. So as much as I wish we could just keep them here as long as needed, we can't, and I know them being at their home will be better in the long run, since it's much closer to the hospital and church and lots of people who want to help their family. The four younger kids looked so happy when we told them last night they were going to get to go home today. The oldest (13), on the other hand, even though he says it's all fine, was visibly uncomfortable with the idea of going back, possibly with someone they don't know well. He's had to be mature way beyond his years for a long time and I know he's scared for his mom because he realizes just how sick she is. Which just makes me want to cry.

So our plan is to go see them when we can this weekend and then if this continues into next week, try to rotate shifts at their place if need be. I just don't want them to feel like we moved them from here because we didn't want to take care of them anymore. That's my mommy heart talking again.

One last note - I am SO very proud of my kids. They didn't skip a beat when we told them what was going to happen. Despite giving up beds and rooms, having to share toys and clothes, close quarters in the car, and having their schedules disrupted, I have not heard one word of complaint from any of them. If anything, they've been more helpful to me than usual with fixing meals and keeping the house somewhat orderly even with 5 extra people. They (and Joel) are my heroes for being so unselfish in helping this family in need.