Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Odd (wo)man out




I have been so busy with life in general that I have not blogged in ages. Sorry about that! Summer break is in full swing and the kids are keeping me busy. 60 people were laid off from my company this week and I am breathing a sigh of relief that at least for now I wasn't one of them. Times are tough right now and I wish hard everyday for something truly good to happen to boost the country's morale.




Laura and Julia are home until school starts again August 18. Needless to say the noise level has increased exponentially in the house. They are frequently bored but play together quite nicely. They are true sisters and I hope that never changes. But it makes me wish I'd gone ahead and had a 6th blessing to be Emma's buddy. She wants so very much to be a part of the older girls' clique and Patrik and I try very hard to encourage her inclusion, but I also understand why they want to play alone most of the time. Emma is little, doesn't get the fine aspects of Barbie or school play, and gets into their "stuff". She just so wants to be BIG. And of course it isn't the same when the older girls are forced to allow Emma to join them. Emma is loud and demanding and smart and wants her way (ah, 3 year olds). Even coaching her to play their way doesn't change the fact that she is who she is.


I give the older girls plenty of space but sometimes I just can't stand Emma's loneliness. Not for me...I readily sit with her and watch her shows and read her stories. But the other night the older girls were having a ball in Laura's room and Emma sat alone, silent, at the computer and my heart just broke. I don't know the answer to this and I worry worry that there will always be some seperation between the twosome and Emma. She is different in her own lovely way but so tiny, really. Only been alive for 43 months. Jeez.


I hope that as she grows it will be easier for her to meld with her sisters, that she won't always be the odd man out. And for now I do my best to let her know that she is so very important, and loved, and perfect just the way she is.


Because she is.






ps...and she's FINALLY out of diapers! Praise the Lord!






*thinking of you and wishing you well, Uncle Tom*