Hiding out.  What’s going on?  Little children, diapers, baths, food, more food, laundry, more food, dishes, chasing after a toddler, entertaining a preschooler, coddling mom and debriefing daddy. Filling out paperwork for a legal process to obtain guardianship, meeting with attorneys, sub-contractors for tile, flooring, insulation, plumbing and making turkey enchaladas.  Not a minute. Getting up at 5:15, checking a fever, putting covers back on chilly babies, changing diapers, pulling off pee-pee jammies. Asking parents to consider signing papers.  Managing anger, deceit, big feelings, plans to return to Montana, accusations, sadness and realities.

And discovering a mean-spirited place within when exhausted.  Liza is not mommy.  Mantra. Find a nanny. Sharing living space in a tiny cottage takes its toll.  Maybe family child care.  Maybe Mommy will find her way to TANF,  please.  Life will change on Wednesday after hearing.  Can’t really say what will happen.  But whatever happens, nothing same as before.  Daddy says he needs the help. We know that.  Mommy struggles and we all try to help her.  And it’s just damn cold in the tent.  No doubt about it.  Working overtime, and loving you and sissy gma