Not a situation for the cowardly but I was bent and determined to do my best to make it a Christmas all the kids would want to remember.

Celebrations started off with joining Todd’s family at their annual Sudds/Stahl Christmas party put on by his mom Bevie. I was worried how the family would treat us.  Would they accept us and make us welcome or would we get the cold shoulder and end up sitting in a corner alone? 

 In true Bevie (Todd’s mom) fashion, there was lots of good food and games galore. The Sudds and Stahls all made us feel so welcomed and a part of the family. We felt like we came home. My kids and Todd’s kids laughed all night long.  Back at Todd’s house we had our first Christmas as our amalgamation of a family. I’ll never forget how my stepson-to-be responded to his gift from us, reportedly his best Christmas gift ever; thanks to Shelby knowing him so well!

We left Todd’s and went back to the little cottage.  My kids were in special form being silly and having fun, even acting out the Christmas story for me.  We laughed as we wrapped more gifts.  Then we went to my parents and slept over with my sister’s family. There were a few emotional times, but we worked our way through them. 

What started with the potential for a disastrous, depressing Christmas
turned out to be one of the best ever!

Contrary to all my fears and concerns, that Christmas turned out to be amazing! If I would have given in to the anxiety, we would have missed out on a great new beginning. 

There’s no manual on how to join two families. I’m sure we didn’t do everything the right way… because I don’t think there is a right way to blend a family but we did the best we knew how.   I know it’s never God’s original intent but I’m thankful that God works all things for our good and allows second chances at love—real love… and gives us more family to embrace!  

The kids are older now, some starting to make traditions of their own. But we still get together. Celebrating as this new family hybrid has become our norm and one of the most wonderful times of the year! Right now, the house is full of the kids, a boyfriend, a fiancé, a cat with one more “kid” coming tonight. We’ve having meals together, playing games and watching movies.  It really is a wonderful time.

It’s taken us years and many bumps in the road to get here, but I feel we’ve transitioned from an awkward, not knowing how to mix group, into a loving, accepting, warm family unit. Not perfect, because let’s face it… whose family is perfect.  Not perfect, but perfectly ours!