Being a Step-Mom is HARD!

Don't let anyone tell you any different, being a step-mom is HARD! Some might think that it is easier than being a "real" mom, but the people that think that aren't step-moms.

When Jason and I got married almost 12 years ago, his amazing son Justin was part of the package. At the time I thought that I could love him like I was his real mom. Over the years I had my own children and realized that that I was mistaken. Don't get me wrong, I love the kid to death, and I don't love him less, I just love him different.

I think the hardest part is the lack of control you have. You get to do the dirty work, you get to drive to baseball practices and spend all of your evenings at baseball games, you get to discipline them and listen to them when they are upset about life, you get to make last minute trips to the store to buy poster board and dig in to your wallet when they need money for something. But, when it comes to the big Mom in the spotlight times you have no control over things: parent recognition at sporting/school events - bring in the real mom; Mother's Day celebrations - sorry, you're out of luck; planning graduation parties - you got it, the step-mom is OUT!

Now it may sound like I am whining, but really I am not. I am just pointing out the things that a non-step-mom probably doesn't realize.

There is something that I bet is harder than being a step-mom though, and that is sharing YOUR son with a step-mom. I am glad that I don't have to know how hard that is, and I hope never to find out!

Be Thankful

I have a co-worker who lost his son today due to an injury sustained during a college spring-football practice. While I am not close to this co-worker and he is actually in another town, I have been hearing about his son and his amazing football talents for years. This is a dad who worshiped his son.

I worship my boys. All 3 of them. I cannot imagine the devastation that my co-worker is feeling right now. One day he has happy healthy kids, and the next day one of them is being Care-Flighted to the hospital where he would lose his life.

Sometimes it takes someone else's tragedy to make you realize what is important. That you should cherish every last minute with the ones you love. And that it really isn't that tragic when they spill fruit punch on the carpet.

Spring is here!

Springtime is definitely my favorite time of the year. The sun comes out, the baseball games are in full swing and we get to go outside and enjoy everything.

Easter is next week and while it is not my absolute favorite holiday (Thanksgiving) it is easily in the top 3 and by far the best meal of the year. If there is anything that you can count on it my life it is that our family holidays will be full of tradition. We always go to my grandmother's (Nana's) and the table will always be full of the same wonderful foods: ham, mashed potatoes, gravy (yes, we make gravy with ham!) fried okra, green salad, creamed carrots (yuck!) and yeast rolls. Dessert is strawberries over home made pie crust squares with Cool Whip. After we are all stuffed we moms will go in the back yard and hide dozens of fun filled plastic eggs and then watch the kids run around and find them. It is a great day.

Yes, Spring is a great time of the year!