Elizabeth’s Journal

Anger, Denial, Acceptance

Sorry I haven’t blogged for a while. My time is so limited that if I’m going to blog, it has to be the only thing I choose to do in a particular evening—and usually I choose something else to do. I haven’t even read a book for weeks! Never thought I’d say that. Most of my “free” time is spent on this family history addiction.

This afternoon was quite an afternoon, as they go. We’re all still unwinding after the excitement and fun of having Kathleen, John, Gisele, and Hannah here from Wednesday afternoon through Sunday morning. Great meals, fun company for both the adults and the kids, and no one’s property or person was damaged by Hurricane Rita (not in our family is my point). Anyway, I think Kayleigh and Jonathan miss everyone. The house is certainly quiet.

After school today, Jonathan was sitting nicely at the kitchen table eating his apple while we went through his weekly folder of schoolwork. His little sister, on the other hand, would NOT stay off the table. About the 8th or 9th time, I set her in the little rocking chair, and yet within another two minutes there she was on top of the table again. About the 11th or 12th time (I kid you not), I set her back on the guest bed and walked away. Halfway down the hallway, I can hear her crying as she runs after me, and then I hear the dulcet tones of Jonathan crying in the kitchen because he is upset that she is upset. For heaven’s sakes. He does hate it when she cries, always has, and even when she tries to whack him in the face he tries to stop her from getting told off (“Mom, she didn’t mean it, I’m okay”). So I’m cuddling Jonathan to try to calm him down, and she climbs on the table again! Aargh. Eventually all was well again. One day she’ll respond to “no” and “don’t do that”, really she will.

Twenty minutes later I got Jonathan into the big oval bathtub in our bathroom—I thought it would be a nice unwinding time for him (he hasn’t gotten to have a bath there much lately since he’s not been good about keeping all the water in the bathtub rather than splashing it on the floor). First thing I washed his hair so that the business part of the bath would be over and done with and he could then play until time to get out. Well, while applying the conditioner to his hair, Kayleigh finally—after weeks of trying—managed to successfully catapult herself over the side of the tub and into her big brother’s bath. Fully clothed. Headfirst. What could I do? I gave in and took off the clothes and diaper and let her stay. Jonathan even thanked me for letting him have a visitor in his bath, and she let him keep pouring water over her hair and face, giggling while he did so.