Whew! What a completely exhausting, yet exciting day. We spent most of it at the Scottish Festival in downtown Saint Charles. It’s a yearly festival, and it will probably become a family tradition for us. It was so much fun. There was so much for the kids to see and do. They got the chance to learn how to log throw, strone throw, sheep toss and other fun activities.  

 I think they all loved the parade. There were so many people that were a part of the parade, and they even had Border Collies everywhere which was a big hit for us (since we just got one).  They enjoyed seeing all the people in the traditional Scottish clothing and I think I was the one that loved the bagpipes the most.  (They remind me of my father)  The people threw candy out to the children who were waiting on the side of the street, and our five made out like little bandits. I don’t know how they do that. They have a knack for that.

My two children and I had never been to the Scottish festival, though we have been to lots of other parades and festivals down there, but this was a first and honestly we are exhausted but had the best time. My boyfriend and his kids have been several years in a row now but they decided this was the best time yet. Yay! A new blended family tradition!

Oh, and the funnel cakes we ate were awesome. I cannot possibly go to a festival or carnival that has funnel cakes and not buy one. Delich! There was this great breeze going when they were sprinkling the powdered sugar and the kids were covered in white spots. So funny, but yummy!!

Tomorrow it’s me and my kids turn to take them somewhere they haven’t been. Stay tuned!

Here’s a cute photo of the whole clan:

I received a really sweet email the other day, and thought I’d post it here, with my answer.

Dear Nicole,

I have been reading your blogs for more than 2 years now, and was so excited to read when you found your current husband. You changed how you wrote and now you seem much happier.

I have watched and read when you had problems and rants and then when things were great and you were obviously quite proud of your children.

I am in a blended family too, but ours is so much smaller than yours. I have a daughter from a previous marriage, and he has a son from a previous marriage. We do not have custody of his son, and he lives with his mom. Blending is a challenge for us, since Cody doesn’t live with us full time and each time he visits its like a brand new change.

Anyway the reason I wrote was to thank you for your blog. I laugh all the time and smile when I read what you have to say and its nice to see someone go through similar struggles and always put it in perspective.

Why do you do this? Why is it that you share your life story with others? Why do you let us see the ups and downs you go through as a family because I couldn’t do that and what made you decide to start this blog?

Thank you for what you write it helps me heal.
Jennifer

Jennifer,

First, thank you so much for the sweet words, and I am so touched that my blog has impacted you for that long. I thought it was pretty boring at the beginning. LOL So I am guessing you’ve followed me around to all the different URLS and blog sites, as I tested them all out. I’m sure happier on my own server.

Second, why? Why do I do all this?

Although I answered this question, several months back, I thought it best to give a more detailed explanation. 

When I decided to move in with my boyfriend and his family, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wished there was some kind of manual to help me figure it all out. We had strange sibling dynamics going on, as well as Mike and I learning to parent together. Why hadn’t someone made an Idiots Guide to Blended Families?

I went on a quest to gain as much knowledge, from as many different sources as possible. I read books on everything from blended families, single parenting, divorce and step families. I took two online parenting workshops, where I used my new blended family as my subjects. And that was when I discovered Birth Order.

I set out on a mission to educate myself on birth order and how it affected my own to children growing up. Then I applied that knowledge when analyzing our new family.

As I learned new information, gained education and experience with my own blended family, and grew closer in my relationship and walk with God, I felt a strong desire to share it with others. Not to mention, I really wanted a place to vent at times.

This blog stemmed from my original blog started in 2004 as an online journal, as you know Jennifer. I eventually moved to blogspot, then wordpress, and now here on my own site. When I moved to my own site, and saw the following I had, judging more by the personal emails I received, I decided to start the exclusive blended families blog and separate it from my other blogs.

It just seemed natural.

So the reason that I do this, is honestly to help others. To give other frustrated mom’s and dad’s the ability to cope, through their changing families.

I will never claim to be an expert, and the information I give is the same information that you can probably find elsewhere, or its my own personal experience. But no matter what it is, being placed on this blog, is my way of helping others to see that ups and downs  occur in all blended families, there is education that can be learned, and that knowledge and patience can be the answer to all questions.

Thank you so much for following me here. Thank you so much for writing and telling me what you think, and it is for you, and others in your situation, that I continue to share my experiences and information.

Your friend,
Nicole

It is getting dangerously close to time to turn the air conditioning up. The heat is steadily rising each day and feels great. I have had all the windows open and our sliding glass door to get fresh air and of course to vent out that stale winter air.

The cats are all clustered at the screen door staring out at the birds singing and the squirrels jumping all over the place. One of my cats (stupid cat - really her name is Sassy), is chasing bugs that are only half the time actually there.

The kids are running around like crazy lunatics chasing each other with swords, water guns and lightsabers.

The puppy, still a bit disinterested in it all, is actually enjoying a bit of outside time, though she isn’t sure about it all yet.

And me, well….I’m just damn glad it’s Spring!

It’s been one of those days. I think I will be happier when Spring Break is over!

Oh this was a hard day for me! My little baby girl turned nine years old. It was one of those days, where when you wake up and realize what is happening, you just want to go back to sleep and pretend that everything stays the same.

It’s hard to believe that nine years ago, I heard “It’s a Girl” and honestly, it was the day that Friday the 13th became my lucky day. She’s my angel, a little sassy and diva-girlish, but she’s always going to be my little girl.

In fact, you know Tim McGraw - and that tear jerker song he sings “My Little Girl”? Yup - couldn’t have more meaning that it does today.

Well, not that I needed some silly test to tell me that, since my kids tell me that regularly.

I’m a mom to five.

They all think I’m cool and they know that as far as parents go, I know how to be a parent but I also know how to be fair about life and things in general. That I remember what it was like and that I won’t make the same mistakes my own parents made with me. We talk ALOT and they love that.

Anyway, here are the results to the silly quiz!

You Will Be a Cool Parent

You seem to naturally know a lot about parenting, and you know what kids need. You can tell when it’s time to let kids off the hook, and when it’s time to lay down the law. While your parenting is modern and hip, it’s not over the top. You know that there’s nothing cool about a parent who acts like a teenager… or a drill sergeant!

Would You Be a Cool Parent?