Bringing Home Baby: 9 Things I Wish Somebody Would Have Told Me 9 Months Ago**

AWC >  Adoption > Bringing Home Baby: 9 Things I Wish Somebody Would Have Told Me 9 Months Ago**
 

(**not that I would have listened….and neither will you…or maybe you will and I was just too stubborn)

This month marks Little Dude’s nine months on this earth and in our family.  You might have noticed that it’s also been about that long since the last time I blogged.  Coincidence?  I think not.  So to mark the big day (well, the one before the big day.... i.e., his year birthday) here’s my list of nine things I wish somebody had told me nine months ago:

Blended Families - Making the Miles Just Another Number - Part 1

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AWC > Blended Families > Making the Miles Just Another Number - Part 1

My stepchildren live in Utah.  They live 2177 miles from their father.  If we were to drive straight through, it would take over 33 hours.  This is not an ideal situation for any blended family.  It is, unfortunately, a prevalent one in the Military community.  This blog post is about turning the time & distance into just another number.

We Are Not Pawns

I don't know about you, but  I feel like the Military community has been a pawn in the political mess.  For years, yes YEARS, our community has been told our Servicemembers may not get paid, and now our children's education is being threatened.  SERIOUSLY?

Below is video, by WRAL, of how the uncertainty and sequestration is impacting an Army Wife at Fort Bragg.  I know she doesn't speak for all, but she's a mom.  The fact she has to wonder like this is not right.

Blended Families - Mommy / Daddy Game

AWC >Blended Families > Mommy / Daddy Game

As parents we are automatically programmed to believe our children.  When a former significant other hears their children say unusual or disturbing things about the other parent, that instinct kicks in full force.  Not only is your child saying this, but  you just divorced or split up with the other parent.  It's not like you see rainbows and kittens when you think of them.

Blended Families - They're Here!

AWC >Blended Families > They're Here!

Here are the kids arriving with Grandma at RDU for their Christmas visit with their dad. I just love how they switch to hug each of us.

CLICK HERE TO FIND MORE POSTS ABOUT OUR BLENDED FAMILY EXPERIENCES

• Military Stepkids - Why They Love XBOX
• Blended Families - Personalizing Christmas Cards
• Blended Families - They're Here!
• Blended Families - 12 Days of Christmas
• Blended Families - Anything is Possible at Walt Disney World
• Military Stepkids - Flying Unaccompanied
• Military Stepkids - It's Fashion Show Day
• Military Stepfamilies: July the Month of the Military Stepchild?
• Blended Families - Stepkids & Summer

Military Stepkids - It's Fashion Show Day!

AWC >Blended Families > Military Stepkids - It's Fashion Show Day!

    Our kids are here every 3 months for 10 days to 5 weeks at a time.  After the first couple visits of them toting luggage back and forth, we decided we would buy clothes for them here.  There are a few reasons why:

• Not having to wait that extra time in the airport for the luggage
• No luggage fees with the airline
• Don't have to have a conversation with Mom about what clothes to send and why
• Not being dissapointed with the clothes mom sent
• Mom not being upset with the way we returned their clothes

Blended Families - Stepkids & Summer

AWC >Blended Families > Stepkids & Summer

It's the time of year!  The time when stepchildren descend onto military posts everywhere!  Some children are lucky and remain near both of their parents. That is a rare occurrence in military life.

Summer visits are different. Our kids visit for 5 weeks.  Other friends of mine have the whole summer with their stepchildren. Our lives go from a childless home to the pitter patter of feet.  It's 0-60 in one day!  It's also doubles our house size and consumption.  During the summer you almost lose track of when they return back to their mother.  We get an opportunity to really get into the groove of family life with them.