Friday, 03 July 2009

• A little bit of everything with some karma thrown in

  The kids and I headed off early Wednesday for our mini vacay to Phoenix. The trip was pretty uneventful and we made really good time getting to the hotel. After grabbing a quick meal, we headed back to our room to change into swimsuits and hit the pool. The babies had an absolute blast. It was shallow enough in many places for Caleb to stand on his own, so he was ruling it. There was a little boy a few years older there and the two of them played for much of the time.

  Emily seemed to love the water. When I started thinking back, I realized that this was her first experience with a pool. We hit the beach a lot, but she was too sick when we lived at our house with the pool, so this was all new to her. She took to it with no problems. I will post some pics later.

  ---

  For reasons I hit on in my protected blog; hubby will now be referred to with just his first initial. You guys know who I mean.

  So, M called me late that night. He had just received a call from the loon, H. I couldn't figure out what exactly she needed this time. That woman or her mother have called us at least fifteen times in the two weeks they have had the children. Seriously, spend some time with the kids and leave us alone. Anyway, she called to speak with me. He informed her that 1) I was out of town and 2) I wouldn't have spoken with her if I were home. He would be happy to pass a message along to me, however.

  It seems that H wanted to apologize to me. When asked for what exactly this time we got quite the surprise. As you all know I am Josh's primary caregiver. M works many many hours and H is just not exactly mother of the year material. As such; I see things that those two either refuse to see or are just simply not around enough to see. For seven years I have been beating my head against the wall because no one but me could see the problems this child was experiencing. M has tried, but it is son and it is difficult to want to see something you really don't want to see. Well, apparently Josh has been filling H's head full of the horrors of me for these past several years. I already knew this, but I also knew that they were completely false. In Josh's world, telling him no means that you hate him and that you are only out to get him. Putting limitations upon his behavior and expecting him to respect those around him isn't about making him a better person. It is to limit his growth and fun and is done simply because "everyone hates me".

  It seems that karma has now come and bitten H squarely in her behind. This is the first time that I can ever recall that H has had the children for more than a weekend totally alone. She took them last summer, but her husband was here as well and from what I have heard; he makes me look like the most non strict person on the planet. I was interested in seeing how this summer went for her. I am saddened to report; not well, not well at all.

  I don't know the entire story, but this is what I do know. Josh has taken to telling H's mother (the second loon in command) that H is either beating him or hitting him on a daily basis. H is doing nothing of the sort, but that didn't stop Josh from making it up and telling it to whomever would listen. My inner dialogue is going something like this "Josh makes things up??? No way, really? Why, I have never had that experience with him. He is just the most well adjusted children I have ever met. If he is saying you are beating him, well then it must be true. I must contact CPS immediately!"

  Having now been on the receiving end of Josh's somewhat questionable behavior for the last few weeks, H seems to have had an epiphany. If Josh would lie about her only because she is expecting him to be respectful and listen to the rules of the home; perhaps I have been telling the truth all these years.  Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

  My first thought was; she will not be sending him home. This is her son and I am not going to give her a nice quiet summer only because she can't handle  him. Thankfully, M agreed and strangely so did H. She said she was not sending him home early no matter what. I get the sense that Josh really thought it was going to be a free for all summer and having learned that H is going to set some boundaries and expect him to follow them, he is more than a bit out of sorts. Having all three parental figures on the same page is not something he is accustomed to and he is probably not enjoying this turn of events. His usual course of action is to make the person he is with miserable to the point of them wanting to send him somewhere else. When he is here; it is to H's house. Apparently now, it is H that is being tested to the point of hysteria and he is wanting to come here. Thankfully, she is not going to grant him his wish.

  My crazy summer with my kids remains just that; me and my kids getting the chance to see how well Alyssa adjust to this new dynamic. So far it seems to be going okay. I can see problems arising no matter if she decides to stay or if she decides to go back after the month. My hope is that she remain even if it means a bit more craziness while everyone get used to the new person in the home. That is a blog all by itself and will be coming in a few days. For now, I am going to do some laundry and just enjoy having her here. Have a great holiday!!

  • 8:29 AM
  • 23 Views
  • 8 eProps
  • 6 Comments