Tag: blended family

Is it bedtime yet??

I keep telling myself, this will get easier and God does not give you anything you can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.

I have yet to announce this on my blog but many of you know from my Social Media Channels that my 5th child, 4th girl, was born about a month ago. (Birth story to come) Since then, I’ve been adjusting to this new “normal”.

My two older daughters, from a previous marriage, live with their Dad & Step Mom most of the time. I thought with only three it would be a little easier. Boy, was I wrong!

I now am a mother of three kids under 4, two of them are 14 months a part & the youngest is a newborn. Whoa…never thought this would ever happen.

Every newborn requires middle of the night feedings. Bailey, my newborn, is pretty good about feeding at night but I need uninterrupted sleep to function. Despite getting up 2-3 times , I’m hanging in there. I am thankful I can sleep until 8 or 9am. My minis are good about that.

Usually my husband takes my son to summer camp, or, our babysitter comes to babysit my 14 month old, Skylar, so I could run errands, attend appointments & work. Not today! 

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For the first time ever, I ventured out with the 3 “mini”minis today. Ryan is supposed to be at camp at 9am….that did not happen! He got to camp an hour late. On the way into camp, my Skylar tripped and bumped her head on the pavement. She is fine and only cried for a few minutes. There is now a red bump on her forehead.

Next the two girls and I headed to the Post Office. Skylar thought it would be fun to keep running behind the counter while I was taping a package. It took me about 15mins to finish the package because I had to keep stopping to grab her. Now, I know you’re probably thinking that I should have put her in the stroller, well I don’t have a double to fit both car seat for Bailey & Skylar. There was no way I could carry Bailey & the package and push Skylar.

When we finally got back in the car, 30 minutes later, I was shakey. It dawned on me that I was so worried about feeding the minis but ran out of the house without fueling myself. There was not a drive thru Starbucks around and I didn’t want to take the girls out again, so I did it. I went through a Chick fil a drive thru for a frosted Coffee. Never ever do I do fast food but refused to take girls out again. Also, says the trainer in me, some fuel is better than no fuel. #FitTip

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Next, we’re off to the Chiropractor. Because of my poor posture due to lack of ab muscles and constant baby holding, my body is compensating with my back thus causing pain. It wasn’t an option, I had to get adjusted! I’m in there waiting, Bailey needs change and fed and Skylar starts to fuss because she was confined to the stroller. Thankfully, I got my adjustment while the receptionist held Bailey Boo and the doc distracted Sky. I would have loved to have stayed for some treatment but it was already time to pick up Ryan.

Back in the car we go to drive down the street. Can I just say, I strongly dislike taking the car. I prefer to walk everywhere because 1) I’m moving & burning calories 2)I do not have to keep moving kids in and out of the car and 3) BOB (stroller) requires 0 gallons of gas to cart the kids. Unfortunately, not everything is in walking distance or walking accessible with kids.

After searching a few minutes for a spot , I pull in , turned off the car and look back, they are asleep! I was already five minutes late and really did not want to wake them up or take much more time picking up Ryan. Thank the Lord, one of my co workers walks out and was gracious enough to stay at the car and watch the girls. 

Back home we go but only to clean, cook, clean and cook some more followed by baths, laundry & play time. Oh and I’ve got to get my workout & work in somehow!  IS IT BEDTIME YET? I’m exhausted physically, mentally and it is only NOON! How the heck can I do this daily? 

Can’t believe I’m saying this but its actually easier with all 5 minis! They drive me insane with their constant bickering but my 2 older girls are very helpful. I’m also able to have somewhat of a conversation with them. I keep telling myself, this will get easier and God does not give you anything you can’t handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much. 😉

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Mom vs Step-Mom

Have you gone through or are you going through a divorce? Do you have children with your ex or soon to be ex? I’ve been there and I knew one day the girls’ father would remarry.

Have you gone through or are you going through a divorce? Do you have children with your ex or soon to be ex? I sympathize with you and your family. Divorce is hard on everyone involved. I’ve been there as my ex-husband and I were married for nine years with two girls, Summer & Autumn. For various reasons, we both decided it was time to move on. Our marriage was annulled in the Church and legally dissolved.

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How some Moms handle situations

Let me start this off by stating, everything we did was amicable. There was some arguing but for the most part we agreed and found common ground. Especially if it was in the best interest of the girls.

In this particular situation, both I and the girls’ father thought it would be best if we kept the girls in the same house and school. We wanted them to have some familiarity and not get too thrown off. My ex husband kept the house and that mean’t I had to give up seeing the girls nightly. We are very blessed to a) get along and b) live near each other so they stay with me often. Not to mention, I know their father loves them very much and would do nothing but the best for them. I also had faith that this was the right thing to do and needed to trust God. Yes, I know many will judge and say the opposite and perhaps even call me a horrible mother. Sure sometimes I feel like it but what I’m about to tell you will confirm my faith & choices.

I knew one day the girls’ father would remarry. In fact, I even prayed for the perfect mate for my ex and stepmother for my girls.

The day came and I knew my ex had found the perfect women for him. I mean PERFECT!!! This lady bakes- like real goodies, loves kids and animals, is a teacher and a planner. 

From the start, I really liked her and was grateful she had come into our family. Let’s face it, we are all a family. I’m not sure she thought I was genuine in the beginning but I do not blame her. I mean, how many ex-wives get along with the new wives? (Hence the picture above)

I know it may seem strange and we have had some minor conflicts, mostly due to miscommunication, but I refuse to hate 
this lovely woman.

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Me & My girls’ Momma #2

This amazing mother took on & loves my two girls as if they were her own. Do you know she even volunteered to be Autumn’s Girl Scout Leader?  

Because I only have the girls overnight each week and for one long weekend per month, she constantly keeps me in the loop . We work together for the girls and our sons are buddies too. They are about 18 months apart and my son, Ryan, just adores her son. We’ve had several  play dates.  I think it is good for the kids to see us all getting along. 

Without her, I don’t know where I, or my girls, would be. God seems like He knows what He’s doing! I guess we just need to trust that once in awhile 🙂

A Tip from Me: If you are a divorced parent, I want to warn you that you may sometimes deal with the kids playing parents against each other. My suggestion to you would be to take most things your children say, about the other parent, with a grain of salt. Simply just speak to the other parent prior to jumping to conclusions. We have and will continue to experience this with the girls. Especially since Summer is about to be a teenager.