I finally gave in….for months I’ve been fighting the whole “Share your story” thing God was whispering for me to do. It is one thing to share with individuals going through the same journeys you meet along the path, its another thing entirely to begin to share your stories with larger audiences….After all, when one is in a blended family there are alot of folks who may or may not use you for target practice in an upclose and personal way, and they have the ammunition! 🙂
All in all, my daily life truly involves my husband and the children in our home at this point, however I am daily aware that the younger children have a father in another state who would give his eye teeth to be in their lives daily as well. We try very hard to be thankful they are here and aware of his desire to know their daily lives every day. When I remarried, our household immediately went from 3 to 6, and two of them I had only met twice before they became my stepchildren….at 12 and 16.
There are stages to all new situations and things. My Stepfamily beginning stages when I was innocent and in denial that my new family was any different than any other traditional family. “I love their dad, I will love them and they will love me and all things will be rosy and we will bloom as a different stepfamily than the fairy tale nightmares!” Blended families ARE different, with different needs, stresses, and ways of doing things…..The middle stages of “Dear God…I knew there was a reason you are against divorce, but I was there and now I’m remarried with children…Help me where I am” and even later stages (where we are approaching six and a half years later) “We’re a family now….albeit different than others….but this blended family thing is working for us”
There is no one way to do this life. I wish there were a blueprint most days…..I can follow directions…usually….but in life as in stepmothering….there are no manuals that cover everything you will face. Thank God that He provides the Bible….for its blueprints are the only thing somedays that keep me afloat when I’m ready to wring someone’s neck, throw up my hands at html mistake horros, or figure out how my laundry procreates when I leave it done the night before.
My “she’ll find it yet” story continues….she’s certainly not there yet….and you’re welcome to come along for the ride….grab a cup of whatever it is you find in the cabinet…I think there’s coffee..hot chocolate…TAB…and a few bags of tea….help yourself!
God is good….
