it's Mommy Day!

So today is my first "official" (as Aunt Donna puts it) Mother's Day. Since last week, I have received flowers from my oldest step-daughter and my youngest step-daughter. I went to my mom and step-dad's this morning and took mom her card and gifts. This mother's day, I am just remembering how lucky I am to have my mom here. A couple years ago she was battling the nasty disease that seems like it runs rampit on my mom's side of the family, breast cancer. God kept her close to Him through the surgery and radiation. My mom is my best friend. She has ALWAYS been there for me, through good times and bad. I can count on her for anything. My mom is the type of mom that would give you her last dime if you needed it. She is one of the most selfless people I know. She is patient and kind. She is a wonderful listener and gives great advise. Not only is she my hero, she is the kind of mom I hope that I will be.

Frustrations and Being a "Mom"...

Ok, so to be quite honest, I forgot I had started this but to anyone who talks to me quite frequently that should be no surprise considering everything that has been going on the last month :-) Let me just put this out there...being a step-mom is hard work. Even though a child may call you "mom" your not "mom". Does that even make sense? As long as things are going their way, you are the best person in the world but when they disobey the rules and don't do what they are suppose to, you better watch out! lol. Teenagers are HARD WORK!! It honestly makes me feel badly for all of the grief I caused my mom and dad growing up ;) Having no biological children of my own, being with Michael and his kids has been a learning experience all the way around for me for sure but I would say we have all adjusted very well to each other. On the other hand, the love you receive from a child, your own or a step-child, has got to be the best feeling in the world!!!!

My oldest step-daughter, Kayla (12) , stopped by late this afternoon unexpectedly. She had just gotten out of dance and her grandma brought her by. She walks in and says "Happy Mother's Day!" and hands me perennial flowers in a painted little pot. I'm not gonna lie...I bawled, and bawled, and bawled! It touched my heart. Kayla will never understand how much it meant to have her show up at this time of my life, where it seems like every thing is upside down and side ways, and remember me for Mother's Day. Maybe it's cause I am now officially their step-mom but it's the first time someone remembered me. It reminded me of why I love these 4 children with all of my heart and would do anything for them. It reminds me of how far we have come as a family in the last two years, cause yes, we were still a family even though Michael and I have only been married a little over a month. It reminds me of how much they have grown up since the first day I met them. And lastly it reminds me how much I miss the girls when they are with their moms and how lucky I am that God brought them and their daddy into my life when He felt I was ready. I feel like I am the luckiest person in the world. Their daddy loves me like no other. He is patient, kind, loving, selfless, funny, honest, hard working...just a few of the reasons I love him so much. He keeps me grounded in a world that is not fair sometimes. I will be eternally grateful for him and his wonderful children!