Blessings.....

Ok, so I said I was going to post more throughout the Holidays......Well time got away from me and it never happened.....That's no surprise.  I'm sitting here watching the old Transformers cartoons with Ryan and Brad....It's so funny looking at those two......They are sprawled out on the floor in the living room....I know if Jim were here he would be on the floor with them watching the show too.  He will be here soon....His bus comes in around 5:50 in the evening....I'm blessed having such a great family around me....I was reminded again how blessed I am with the Warner family as part of my family....Brad's sister stood up for me when somebody was attacking me and my family and the relationship that we have....I know that it's not what everybody considers "normal" with blended families, but you know what?  It needs to be the "normal" today......I've seen how the bitterness between the parents has affected my friends growing up.  I refused to marry anybody but Mr. Right......It turned out that Mr. Right wasn't Ryan's father, but that doesn't matter....We have chosen to do what's best for Ryan....Brad and I don't always get along, I will be the first to admit that....Jim and I don't always get along either.  We all want what's best for our family.  We aren't always going to agree on everything.

If there is one thing I learned as an adopted child, your family is not always defined by blood relations.  If that was the case, then I didn't have any family until Ryan was born, then when I found Vicky and met my brothers and sister.  Honestly, I've been adopted by more than just my Mom and Dad.  In 7th grade, by best friend and her family "adopted" me.  They are still my family to this day.  When Ryan came along, Brad's family adopted me.  Then after Brad and I broke up, they still kept me around.  We didn't always get along or see eye to eye, then again, we still don't.  We have learned how to communicate better with each other now.  When I married Jim, not only was he "adopted" by my family, he was "adopted" by Brad's family as well.  Is that the "norm"?  No it's not.  At least not what the average person considers the norm.  It's the norm for us.  It works for us.  Somebody said that they feel like Jim is sharing his marriage with Brad and his family.  He's not.  The only other person Jim shares this marriage with is Ryan.  Ryan always has been and always will be my number one priority.  Jim knew this from day one.  I was accused of hiding the truth about Brad and Ryan from Jim when we first got together.  That couldn't be further from the truth.  Jim knew from the moment we met that I had a son, and had a decent relationship with Brad and the Warner family.  He knew from day one what the relationship was and how it was going to be.  I actually told him that if he didn't like it, he could head for the door.  Jim made the choice to stick around and be a part of this family unit.  When things started to sour with Brad and I, Jim stepped in and mended the friendship between me, Brad and his family.  I myself have spent almost all of Ryan's birthdays, Thanksgivings, and Christmases with Brad and his family.  When Jim came he joined us too.  Brad and his family have always welcomed us into their home, and likewise they are always welcome in ours.  Ryan is a very well adjusted boy when it comes to being a part of a blended family.  I don't understand why people can't see that.  Jim and I have been married for almost 7 years.  He does everything he can to ensure Ryan's best interests.  Jim and I have a very strong marriage.  We have had many ups and downs during this time.  Not a single one of the bad times was a result of the relationship with Brad's family.  I wish people could look beyond their noses and the whole situation before passing judgment.  Ironically, the problems in our marriage that we have had, were a result of the narrowmindednes of these judgemental people.  To some people, I never have been and never will be "right" for Jim.  It's a good thing that Jim is a "big boy" and can make his own decisions regarding his life.

My 30th birthday is right around the corner and I'm thankful that in the short time I have been on this earth,God has blessed me with much.  He has taught me many lessons in my life, and I look forward to learning many more.

I am thankful for the family God has made for me.  They are not all my blood family, but they are my family still and I'm glad that God chose them for me.

Ryan's Trip To The Radio

I tried to embed a video earlier and I guess it didn't work.  Before Christmas, Ryan got a special treat to visit the KVIL radio station. Every morning we listen to the Gene and Julie show and we play along with the Big Fat Liar bit. Here is the audio and a few photos that we took while we were there.