All of the kids except Saige have had a hard time adjusting to the new living arrangements. Although we strive to give them all the attention and support they need, the changes they all have been through in the past two years have been hard as their whole safe world's where their mommy and daddy's were together were broken and now without choice they are given new "step parents and step siblings" to have to learn to get along for years to come. To help ease the transition we try and plan activities on the weekends we are all together like going to Organ Stop Pizza, having extended family over, or taking the kids to the park. We introduced the concept of "family meetings" so the kids all can voice their opinions and talk openly about what concerns they are having. We try to take them to church each weekend and definitely have family dinners. Aiden began counseling with a therapist a few weeks ago and both Aiden and Saige have a reward chart for chores which gives them the opportunity to earn things they enjoy such as spending extra time with me or getting a McDonalds Sundae. Saige was the first one to fill up her chart and she chose spending 30 minutes with me drawing. It's amazing that she also had materialistic choices but time with me was what she wanted most. With 4 kids, the needs for one on one attention is even more prevalent that when we were a family of 3. I do believe with our consistent reassurance that we are a family and we love them all and each of their opinions and feeling count, in time (maybe years) they will begin to feel the security and happiness they lost from our divorces.
The replacement King has been the most supportive, giving, loving, and understanding man since his arrival late last May. I am filled with good fortune each day we wake and at peace each night we rest. I call him my mate for life. It is a great feeling to know that true love does exist and I was lucky enough to find it and will embark on the adventure of a lifetime with him.
