It’s Not All Misery

Just a quick update on life here. Things aren’t perfect (they never are, right?) but stuff with the kids has been surprisingly mild lately.

Sunday at church was hard for Erica. We managed to wind up sitting in front of a single dad with three kids and, while they are just the cutest kids and I love them because I do know them well, the noise factor of the youngest (who is just a toddler and of course EXPECTED to be a bit noisy during church) was too much for Erica. I was so proud of her for telling me. She actually said the noise was too much, and we tried having her switch places with the other kids a few times to see if that would help. She was a trooper. She tried – she really did. But I could tell it wasn’t going to last. So I took her and Isaac a few rows up (didn’t want to up and drag the whole family – I’m sure that would have made that man feel like we were avoiding him or something, and I’m just not that mean) while Kimball and Cambria stayed. Got a few strange looks from a few people, but really, you do what you’ve got to do for these kids. Erica was SO much better up there, away from the constant noise. I was so proud of her for speaking up for herself and then so proud of ME for acting in the best interests of my child, despite the strange looks and what I suspect are the wonderings of people around me. I mean really: how can it look? I get up in the middle of church, take half my kids, and go sit a few rows away from my husband. It makes me giggle just thinking about what people probably thought.

We’ve got a few extras this week (my nieces are staying with us) and while they really aren’t adding much to the stress or chaos factor in my home, I know it has been overwhelming for Erica. More stimulation, more noise, and we’re a touch off the schedule because of it. Last night she fell apart a little (not as much as she would have if they had gone home for the night because she does still hold it together for other people) and had to be physically carried up to her room. But there was no fighting while I carried her, which is abnormal for a breakdown like that (and a wonderful blessing for my back – no ribs out today!). I did still have to lock the door to keep her in until she was calm enough, but it was such a milder episode than has been typical lately. I wonder what will happen when they do go home on Friday – how big the fallout is going to be. But for now, she’s trying, and I’m trying to be patient with her about it.

Cambria didn’t have to go out in the hall this week at church. That in itself is worth cheering about! I can’t say for sure if it was because she was on a row with Dad by herself or not, but I suspect it helped. Makes me wonder if it wouldn’t be easier to simply sit on two different sides of the chapel all together. Not exactly the way I want to spend church but…

Isaac has been doing a decent job of not harassing his sisters lately. I think that speaks directly to the time his dad has been taking with him. I notice a severe drop in his acting out when he’s getting quality Dad time. It’s been good to know that Kimball sees that too and has been willing (and actually suggested it himself recently) to spend more time with him doing happy, positive things.

At any rate, I wanted to make sure that some of the positives make it out there. I know on this blog you read a lot about my strong negative emotions regarding my everyday life. There is good. There are days when I don’t feel like crawling back in bed forever. Not frequent, but they are there. I’m thankful for the small blessings.

This entry was posted in Kids, Life, Mormonism. Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to It’s Not All Misery

  1. Kimball says:

    Yeah, it was pretty funny thinking about what people must be wondering – especially when Cambria kept running up a few rows to tell you she loved you or get a toy. How funny would it be to have random members of our family start to sit with other random families in the middle of the meeting? Send Isaac back 2 rows, Cambria across the aisle, etc. Imagine the looks then! 😉

  2. Heather says:

    Good post! Glad things have been pretty mild. I keep you and your family in my prayers I love thr mental pic of half the family moving. Maybe you’ll start something and others will start row hopping. 🙂

  3. shauna says:

    We routinely send children to sit with other families. I know it isn’t “recommended” but it has made a huge difference in our church going lives!

  4. Tara Belisle says:

    You know me lol I’d be laughing my head off with the implied controversy lol……that will give people stuff to gossip about for a bit lol
    Glad things are looking a bit brighter this week :0)

Leave a Reply to Kimball Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.