Blended Families

  I have had so many topics running through my head and have not been able to decide which one I want to share with you all.  This afternoon I read a Huffington Post article about blended families.  The first family I read about decided after a few years of marriage that it would be easier if they both lived in separate houses again.  There was too much stress with the kids and ex's and they lived in the same neighborhood so why not?  Life was easier while they were dating so this was the solution they came up with.  Strange?  Yes, I thought so.  One of the things I most enjoy about being married to my hubby is being able to kiss him goodnight before I fall asleep and kissing him good morning right when my eyes open.  Now, don't get me wrong, there have been times when life got a bit too stressful that this idea did not seem like a foreign concept to me.  But, at the end of the day, it is about showing your family, as in the kids, that even when times get tough, running away is not the answer. You work through it and stay in it.  Now, Huffington (who I am not a huge fan of, but sometimes I actually like what they report) has a blended family Friday series so I decided to read on about other featured blended families, because I really need some assistance when dealing with mine.  I read about one family that really hit home for me.  I am going to quote quite a few things, but this is the best advice I have heard in a long time.  First, they were asked what are some of the biggest challenges you have faced.  Their reply, "Building a blended family is the toughest, greatest, energy-sucking, most heartwarming journey I've ever been a part of."  Yes.  I adore my step kids and looking at it, there has been way more better times than bad. My family, brothers, sisters, etc have welcomed my step kids and hubby with open arms. My hubby's family has done the same with me and my children as well. All of the kids get along, for the most part, and I absolutely treasure our family dinners together. The oldest stepson is absent from our lives at the moment, but I hope in time this changes. We really aren't the bad guys, I promise.  The question was also asked, how do you handle stress? The answer they give is gold! "But in the end, stress is stress so we eat the elephant one bite at a time like everybody else." What a great way to look at stress. From now on, I am going to deal with stress one piece at a time instead of trying to handle it all at once. The last quote from this interview is also gold. "I suggest exploring your thoughts about what peaceful means to you. Peaceful is not something that happens to us--it's thoughts that direct our feelings. Our feelings are entirely based on our thoughts so monitor your thoughts. In other words, be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully."  That last line, "be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully".  Chew on that for a moment. What are you being mindful of? I am always asking hubby how do I get these negative thoughts out of my head? How do I let it go? He says, just stop thinking about it. Easier said than done, huh? My goal is to live that last line, "be mindful and deliberate in thinking peacefully".

  So, I thank you, Jennifer Kessler and the Huffington Post for posting something I needed to hear today and giving me the tools to handle the elephants that come in to our lives. I am ever so thankful I have an amazing husband who is there to handle it all with me.

Hugs!