Category: Journal
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Running too fast
We keep relearning this lesson, that Laura can’t stay here. She needs to work on his own issues and not be distracted by the issues at home. We need to work on our issues and bit the complications of having her here among us. By the time Laura left, everyone was in a bad temper…
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Pets
I took the kids for evaluation by a social worker this morning. His conclusion was that unless some of them felt the need for further counseling they didn’t obviously need any. He told the girls that they should not feel obligated to give up their childhood – that they should seek help of they felt…
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New Nanny
After three days of waiting there was a part of me that feared that Chandler would have a change of heart and not show up today. She showed up promptly at 7:15. Emma wanted nothing to do with her but eventually she warmed up to Chandler. She saw how the morning operated and filled out…
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Parental influence
This isn’t meant to tag on Marsha but it illustrates the power that one person can inadvertantly exert on others. Laura was having a good day until she felt shut down by Marsha when she (Laura) complained about something. Soon Savannah came along, having had a good day so far, until she encountered a still-upset…
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Relief for Laura
Today with her counselor Laura finally admitted what she has been to afraid to tell anyone – namely that we have hit our children on occasion and that some of them hit each other as well. She always feared if that was revealed that DCFS would swoop in and break up the family. Instead the…
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Charging ahead
I offered Chandler the position as our nanny this morning and she agreed. She will start on Monday but she will come Friday morning to observe me and see how the morning works. That will also give us time to iron out details like the I-9, pay schedule, etc. I’ve organized everything to keep good…
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A fresh start
When I woke up today I put on my new running gear and went out in 16° weather to run. I found that the jacket and pants were great. They turned the ridiculously cold weather into a reasonably cold run. I also found that I really wanted a face/mouth covering for such days. After a…
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Savannah’s blessing
Today Savannah received her patriarchal blessing. Marsh brought Laura up for it. President Smith (former Stake President) was the patriarch. When he saw Marsha’s last name on her name tag he asked if she was related to Francis Gibbons. When she said yes he had a few stories to tell because he grew up in…
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One step at a time
The day started with Alyssa doing Saturday school to rescue a failing grade. It continued with getting the house cleaned up to make a tolerable impression on a candidate for our nanny position. I enjoyed the decent house though the nanny interview got pushed to Monday (when I now have three in succession). In the…
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Limitations
Laura has concluded that she needs to take a complete break from the house including me avoiding talk about the kids (specifically when there is trouble) around her. I will conduct the many search without having her sit in on the interviews. I’ve taken over the Care.com listing and conducted a phone interview today. I…