1.04.2007

oil and water

Oliver and Abigail usually don't mix well. I'm not sure why, but I suspect it's just a middle child pestering the younger and the younger preferring the oldest sort of thing. Regardless, it can be quite annoying. They seem to pick fights with one another over nothing- often culminating in a simple, very irritating, "yes/no" battle over who knows what. Sometimes, we've found that upon entering a room, Oliver will just take her blanket or touch her chair or really do just about anything to get a rise out of her. Other times, we find that Oliver will enter a room and she'll just scream for no reason. (We've had to apologize to him numerously for our quick assumptions during those times.)
I'm hoping this is something they will grow out of. I'm hoping the baby will bring a little distraction from their ongoing battle. There have been a few times when they've played very well and I love those times.
Today, at lunch, they were at it again, just repeating, "yes, no, yes, no, yes, no" to one another and when I intervened and told them to stop. Abigail said, "Jesus stop Oliver." I wasn't sure if I heard her well, so I asked, "Did you just say, 'Jesus stop Oliver.'?" She said, "Yes." So, I told her that she could just pray about that. I'm still wondering if I heard her correctly... and wondering if this is the type of faith I want to commend.... hmmmm.
Regardless, doesn't that seem like a common response to interpersonal conflict? We often pray, "God, please change that person." My hope is that God will help me be one to recognize my own "pleasant" contributions to conflict and thank Him that I have more time to teach my children the same.

4 comments:

keri said...

jesus stop oliver...that is a funny line. and a good one to remember. so i guess abigail will soon be a middle child like oliver...wonder what that means...?

G. Twilley said...

I usually have the same kind of prayers...I guess because I usually think that my relationship w/the big JC is tighter than the people I'm praying for. "Jesus, make them stop cutting me off." "Jesus, make them stop calling me." etc.

I hope I haven't made him angry by saying as much...

jess said...

i was just about to ask you how you handled this exact thing. i feel like i need to start donning a black and white striped outfit for pete's sake! we, too, have had to apologize to sumner for always giving g the benefit of the doubt...

Jean Joiner said...

Great blogging, K. How have you found time amongst the unpacking, undecorating, and birthday celebrating? :) I love you and miss you and yes Abi is a sweet, little princess. I have to stop typing now or I'll start crying because I miss you so much.
Love, Sis