A New Year....

So, another year has dawned. I am so relieved. Last year saw lots of changes. And I don't mean the CHANGE in my beloved country's leader. (I am so over politics.)
I am talking about the subtle changes. In myself, in my Prince Charming, in The Girl. We are all getting older. Not just in age, but like fine cheese, or superb cut of beef, we are mellow, our juices condensing, our bone more brittle....just kidding.
I am looking forward to what the new year will bring.
I hope everyone looks to the New Year as a time for personal improvement, not in the way of Resolutions that are made and not kept, but as a time to do an inventory of things that need to be improved, strengthened, or added to their lives.

I recently got on to the Facebook.com site and am able to keep in contact with many of the College Program kids that come through the World of Mouse. Many of whom have become quite dear to me. These kids are mostly in their early 20's and many of them have remarked how I had become like a fun Aunt or even mother to them. I feel honored that these kids would look to me in such a way. I have gotten to know many of the because they received the privilege of working with me on the Graveyard shift that I do for the World of Mouse, and we have shared much conversation and they have left me somewhat comforted to know that our world in not going to be in the hands of people who don't care. These kids are smart, caring, insightful and courageous. Many of these kids are as conservative as I am, and some more so, that in its self is comforting. They are concerned about morals, about their education, and their futures.
I now have a brother and his family living on the other side of the world in South Korea. It is sad that they are not a mere 8 hours away. I will miss them.
I was blessed to have 3 new angels added to my extended family, we welcomed with open arms and hearts George, Abby and Fiona. I hope they will be made ready for Crazy Aunt Lyn.
I am still married to my most wonderful Prince Charming. We will be celebrating our 8th year of wedded bliss in March of this year. We still feel as though we have been married forever. It seems like such a small amount of time in what we have shared and have dealt with. He is my best friend, lover, and completely my Prince. He loves me, and does all he can to show me in deed and word. I am very grateful that we found each other.
My lap-band surgery in September has continued to allow me to lose the weight that I need, in a healthy way. I am more aware of how much I eat, I eat slower and enjoy the food much more and in smaller amounts. I have many baggy pants now. My blouses and tops are much bigger now. I am even able to get into a smaller bra size, which believe it or not is a huge thing for me. I have not had a picture of me till just recently, and though I am only just over 25 lbs lighter, I can see it in my face and neck area. I still have to remind myself that I didn't gain the weight all at once, so I'm not going to lose it all at once.
I think this year will be alright...If we don't talk about politics.

Some of the Reasons I am really Stressed out.....

1. I, Good Queen Lyn can not drive up to Fort Walton Beach before December 16th to see my Princely Brother, His Regal wife, and their 2 adorable ankle biters, um...really beautiful children...before they are Shipped off to the distant kingdom of South Korea for 2 years or more.

2. My Prince Charming and I can't take off for a spur of the moment trip to Miami, which is Only 2 hours away!

3. My family is not able to go to see extended family who lives on the other side of the country, because we would not be able to drive it and remain sane.

4. My Youngest Queenly Sister had her newest beautiful, baby girl 4 DAYS AGO!!! I only found out about it TODAY, because I happened to check HER blog!!!

5. We never get to celebrate holidays on the actual date of the Holiday, because The Girl leaves to go to her mother's for these days....even her Birthday is celebrated at her mother's these days, so we have to celebrate either way early or Way Late. Though celebrating Christmas later is nice, because we can take advantage of "after Christmas" sales....but still....Its later.

6. My Father in law who I haven't "named" in my blogscope yet, is moving back to The Universal World of Whale and Mouse, though this time he will be living on his own, in his own dungeon, oops manor house, and not on my sofa.

7. Its cold enough to snow down here in the Universale World of Whale and Mouse.

8. I am suppose to have 3 days off each wonderful week, but since I am at the lowest end of the senority scale of the position that I have, I am FORCED into working 5 days. While I adore the overtime money, I am exhausted....Queen Lyn is not a wet behind the ears young Princess any longer People!!!!

9. I have only been able to see my sweet Prince Charming for less than 2 hours this last week, because he's working so much for the Whale, decking the beast out for the truely Blessed Holiday that we are preparing for, but is he Really the ONLY One who knows this much about SNOW machines??? I mean, hey that's fab if he is, but could the Whale cough up a nicer way to celebrate him....I could think of a few things that I would LOVE to do to celebrate the wonderfulness that is my Prince Charming!

10. I really miss my family right now, I miss spending Christmas with them.

11. I haven't been able to find THE best present for my Prince Charming, because He says he doesn't want anything....whatever that means....He's getting things, just nothing he has specifically asked for...cause he hasn't!

12. I have decorated very minimally for the Holiday, wish I could do more, but am not able because of Time constraints.

13. Having a difficult time locating an Eagle themed ceramic to paint for my nephew who has earned his Eagle scout award...You'd think Bald Eagle ceramics would be more readily available in a country where that particular bird is our national mascot.

14. I am feeling very hungry right now and should eat my breakfast, but wanted to get online to update things and check things that I haven't checked in a while, like this blog.

Okay, somethings aren't in my control and I'm alright with that, but it is still frustrating and stressful.

Untill Next time.......

Random Thoughts, Quotes, Nice Things I like to hear

Just some guidelines that I try to follow:

What goes around comes around
Love your neighbors as yourself
Do Unto Others as you would have them Do Unto you
You Reap what you Sow
By their Fruits, you shall know them
To whom much is given, much is required
Think before you speak
Love the Sinner, hate the sin
Watch your Portion size
Chew your food
Clean up after yourself
Be kind to strangers
Make New friends, but keep the old, One is silver, the other Gold
I'll be mellow when I'm dead
Jimmy Crack Corn and I don't care
Don't forget to Dance
You are only as old as you want to be
Walk softly, but carry a big Stick
Put on Clean undies everyday
Be Friends with your Family
Familes are Forever
Laugh Loud, Love Long, love Light
Love with your head and heart
If at first you don't succeed try, try again
May the force be with you
Live long and Prosper
Thank you
I love you
I like you
I miss you
Find Joy in Simple Things
Wear it out, Use it up, Find a new use for it
Live life to its Fullest
Say your Prayers
See the Forest and the Trees
Just a Spoonfull of Sugar
Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious
When you wish upon a Star
And they lived Happily Ever After
Take Care
Love always

I know there are more, but I am out of thoughts for now....Till Next Time, Have a Wonderful Day!

Epistle to Anyone.....

Dear People who take the time to read my Blog

Oh My Goodness! Its been such a very long time since I last wrote to you....
I've been really busy. The world going by like a buzzing blurr all around me.

On 9/11/08 I had the LapBand surgery performed. I am doing alright. The weight is coming off, slower than I expected but it it coming off. I have to remind myself that I did not put the weight on in one day, so the weight isn't going to come off like that. I have my Highschool Senior Picture displayed to remind me of how cute I was when I was thinner, and keep me motivated to regain that look, as much as I can. I have alread had one fill of the ring, but I think that I could stand a bit more saline put in the device. Portion control is the biggest key.

My sisters in law have added to the family totals....I now have 8 Nephews and 7 nieces, currently with one more niece on the way. I must say that I am very happy that these new souls have entered our family. It is my hope that I will eventually meet everyone of them. I have now 4 nieces that I have not met yet, and only 2 nephews that I haven't met yet. I love all of these children....miss them all so much, even the ones I haven't met yet.

I celebrated my first full year of working for the Mouse. I was given a really nice pin to wear on my name tag. Its brass, and is a depiction of Steamboat Willie. The Mouse's first appearance. I am enjoying my work still. I am working on getting myself off of the 3rd shift, so that I can actually have a family life. It would be nice to see my husband and stepdaughter more that for 1 hour or less each day. I have added to my skill set at the resort that I work, and am now more versitile in what I am able to do. Which does help the longevity.

My Prince Charming has been promoted to the Head Tech at the World of Whale. He received a very nice granite plaque, at a celebration of his 3 years with the Whale. He is currently working hard to transform portions of the World of Whale into a Winter wonderland. The Christmas movie " The Polar Express" comes to life in the venue which normally houses the Wild Artic, with many thanks to my Prince Charming. He is singularly responsible for much of the special effect work that has gone into the attraction. He is finally being recognized for his contributions. I am very proud of my sweet Prince Charming.

The Girl has entered the 8th grade this fall. She is already making great strides in her academics. She was selected to be Student of the Month for the month of September. She has done very well in all of her classes. She knows that this is the year that truely starts to "count" towards college. She is very serious about her grades and does a really good job keeping them high and impressive. Now the challenge lays in what she really wants to do. Does she want to work with animals? Or does she want to be an actor? Or does she want to be a scientist? So many choices. She is currently completely obsessed by Doctor Who, the British TV series, that has been around since 1963. Yes, its new and modern. The current Doctor is played by a brillant actor called David Tennet, his most recent companion was called Donna Noble, who is played by a very funny British Comediane named Catherine Tate. My Prince Charming and I also are fans of the show. He and I have enjoyed the show beginning in our teens, when the Doctor was played by an actor named Tom Baker. But the Girl thinks that Doctor Who is the most amazing thing! She has the names of the aliens and their planets nearly all memorized and is currently trying to learn the language of the Jadoon (aliens from Doctor Who). She wants us to plan a vacation to Cardiff, Wales so we can see the Doctor Who exhibitions that are there. The series is mostly filmed in Wales. There are worse things she could be obsessed with. I should count myself rather lucky, at least that is what my Prince Charming tells me.

I am working with a man at the World of Mouse, who is coordinating a Doctor Who convention to be held in Orlando in 2009. I am suppose to be acting as his assistant. We've got a very nice convention location in Orlando. We are also working on a "club" where people of similiar Doctor Who interests get together to socialize. We have organized a pre-convention event with a writer of many of the Doctor Who books, classic series episodes, his name is Terrance Dicks. We are having a night where he will be signing books, and cds, and talking to us about his work with all of the classic Doctors. It is already a sold out event. We are now planning another event to be held in April, with another keynote guest. I have not been told who this guest will be but once I know I'll let you know. The convention and subsequent events should prove to be very enjoyable as well as successful.

Yes, We have a new president, he will assume the office officially on January 20, 2009. I am not going to voice my opinion much, because I am not really sure what I could say. I am not encouraged. I do know that I plan on working actively to acquire another gun, and do all I can to remain employed. I will not engage in many political conversations with those who have opposing view points for a while. I don't want to have much contention with the opposing idealists. I do think that the land of the free and the home of the brave is in great peril. And am wondering how horrible living in Australia would really be, or where in America I can acquire enough land to house my entire family, safely behind a very tall and towered wall. Nuff Said!

I am finally doing more card making and am enjoying the fruits of my labors. I think my Prince Charming may be able to help me begin to actually "post" picture of the cards that I will make in the future. I haven't begun to paint again, yet. I haven't found my painting muse. Though the card making muse has been around lately. Thank goodness!

I know, I know....I am a horrible sister, because though I remembered on the day, at roughly 11PM that it was her birthday....I completely did not call her, nor did I create as good of a card as I would have liked. I hope that she will forgive me. I haven't spoken to either sister in more than a month of Sundays. I hope they will both forgive me.

My youngest Brother, Scott. I haven't seen for nearly 4 years....I will get to see this coming Monday. I have missed him alot. It will be nice to see him, and my parents, who will be coming with him.

Sure hope everything is well with everyone. Hope everyone is as happy and safe as possible. Remember to pray and remember who you are and where you come from. Remember to change your undies and eat a good breakfast. Stay Warm, and remember that I think of you often. Take Care of yourself.
Talk to you again Soon.

Lyn

Update From Florida

Well I know its been a while since I last updated my blog. Too much drama or boredom really.
Things are going well for the summer. My Prince Charming and I are able to spend time together, because he changed his days off to coincide with mine. We've been going to Bingo game at the World of Whale, and playing miniature golf, and feeding baby aligators. We've tried some nice restaurants around our new neighborhood.

Oh yeah, for those that don't know, we have moved back to the Orlando area, about 1 mile from the World of Whale and about 6 miles from the World of Mouse. MUCH closer than living 45 minutes away....especially with gas prices. We began saving money on gas the first night I stayed in our new place.

Also on a more somber note, we did put my dog Kaela down. She had been suffering from severe arthritis in her back knee. She had been hit by a car (actually it was my RS president, who was at that time my VT) She wasn't hit hard, but her back leg was dislocated and apparantly did not heal completely. She was also developing cateracts in both eyes, and she was not able to hear normal sounds, if we wanted her attention we'd have to clap loud, whistle really loud or touch her. It was such a sad day. My Prince Charming came with me. We led her into the exam room. She was acting like such a puppy, so sweet. We got her up on the table, and the vet administered the stuff...it didn't take very long. Almost too quickly. Which let me know that she was ready to go.
I was up by her head, cause she kept looking for me to hold her. They put an anethesia in the drug to help them relax. She was looking at me when her heart stopped beating. We were allowed to stay for as long as we wanted to say our goodbyes. My Prince Charming and I cried and petted our puppygirl and told her what a good girl she was and that we love her so much. I hoped that Bear was there to meet her. Along with Sonny, our horse that we'd had in Yoder.
I know that some of my family are not fond of hearing about some psychic things, but I know without a doubt that Kaela has come to me several times and let me know that she's happy and not in anymore pain. I dream of her often. I miss her very much. She was my best friend. I told her lots of things that human ears should not hear. She was my confidant and I always felt needed. She always wanted to be where I was, and was alway super happy when I came home. She was very intelligent and patient. Such a sweet dog.
She came to us as a stray, and left with pieces of our heart.
*** wiping tears away ****

We do still have our cat Dave. He's an only pet, for now. I have an unfulfilled promise of being able to get Zebra Finches....but not yet.

Makayla is with her mother in the panhandle of Florida. She is growing to be such a lovely young lady. She has matured alot and is learning to deal with her moodiness in a much more pleasant way. We are very lucky with Makayla, she is a self proclaimed nerd and likes science and math and finds our 80's music much more appealing than the current deluge of HipHop and other unsavory types of current music. She is currently very into Doctor Who. We finally have cable in our new place, and are able to watch the SCIFI, DISOVERY, SCIENCE, FOOD NETWORK, and other fun channels. She LOVES Doctor Who. She's even started, ( to my joy) reading books that the writers of the current series have put out. She wants to wear Converse brand shoes, because those are the type of shoes the current Doctor wears. She had found at her last school, students and teachers who are also fans of the current series. She wants to have posters of Doctor Who on her walls, and would love to have her room look like the inside of the Tardis, which for those who don't know, is the Doctor's method of transportation.
We will get her back a few weeks early, because she will be going to a New Middle school. Called Freedom Middle School. She's anxious to be able to wear regular clothes. The last school had a uniform and she was not able to express her Nerdy/Rocker/Girly self. She is a contradiction in fashion, let me tell you! Her mother is younger than me and has a more modern fashion sense than I, but both her mother and I have a much easier time putting together an outfit than Makayla. But surprisingly enough she's easy to shop with for clothing....for shoes that a whole other monster! This year will be interesting, and I am looking forward to it.

My Prince Charming has been promoted at the World of Whale, he is now the Head Technician. He is now being paid more to do what he's done all along. He loves his job. For which I am very glad for. He had a bit of a scare about a week ago, there was a rumor that the Busch family was in the works to SELL both the beverage portion AND the entertainment portion of the Anheuser-Busch Company. But by Monday they had decided NOT TO SELL!!! Yeah!

I am still employed at the World of Mouse and just completed training for a position in the resort operations area. Basically when I am able to do the position I will be getting an additional $.50 an hour. I am still working the Graveyard shift, in the capacity of front desk Cashier, but now I have to opportunity and training to fill in when the OPS person doesn't show up. I will be coming up on my First year anniversary with The World of Mouse here in the 2nd week of August. I also have one more doctor's appointment till I get my paperwork submitted to my insurance company for approval for my LapBand Surgery. Then I am thinking the surgery won't be until late September or October. I am very much looking forward to this. I have been trying to be diligent in watching my portion sizes and chewing my bites completely. Because with the LapBand, you are suppose to eat solid food after about 2 months....but you have to watch what you eat, you have a specific amount that the pouch will hold and it has to be nearly purred by chewing before you can safely swallow. I am attending a support group every month and am getting very nice suggestions and encouragement from Dr. Aguila and the patients that are also waiting to get the surgery and there are some who attend who have already had the surgery. I am feeling very optimistic about this new life that I will have. I am excited to become healthier and not be on so many medications for my diabetes.
That is all for now.

Happy After Fourth to everyone.

SisterShip

I am the oldest sister. I have 2 precious sisters. I have 4 brothers, 3 younger than me. My older brother is just 14 months older than me, my next brother is 5 years younger than me. My next brother is 11 years younger than me, and my youngest brother is 15 years younger than me. Quite an age spread.
Only one set of parents!
I tried to be a good older sister when we were all growing up. I know we had lots of fun when I was asked to babysit them all. We'd pretend we were singers in a band. We'd crank the stereo up, either on a local station or play my cassettes. It was the 80's so the music was Great!Everyone would pretend to play an instrument and we'd all sing at the top of our lungs. Or we'd play office, and set up a silly, walkie-talkie type, phone system that one of them had gotten for a birthday or Christmas. Or if I had to also make dinner I would make my special Hamburgers, that basically contained all the spices in my Mother's spice cabinet, plus some stuff from the fridge.
When My youngest sister she was diagnosed with bone cancer, in her right arm. I had, prior to this diagnosis, been praying for guideance about going on a Church Mission. I was 25 and still within the perimeters. I knew her diagnosis was my answer, I must stay home. Somehow I was needed. I tried to be positive and cheerful when I was with her. I honestly thought I was a nuisance most of the time.
She is my youngest sister.
I have a special bond with both of my sisters, each unique and special to me. We all bonded one Christmas. My entire family was at our grandparents home in either Missouri or Oklahoma, I can't remember which. They were my father's parents.
My Grandfather had gotten a very large amount of Shrimp. My Grandmother made an amazing Chocolate cake, like she always did. We gorged on Shrimp and Chocolate Cake. Most likely other things as well, but those were the food items I most remember. We were young so, it wasn't detrimental to us.
Us sisters to sleep in the same bed in the basement of their house. We had to sleep in age order, of course. So Emily, my next sister is in the Middle, and Jessica, the youngest is on the other side of Emily.
Through the course of the night, Emily got sick. She couldn't get out of the bed, cause she had a sister on either side. She threw up on me, then I threw up on her. Then she threw up on Jess, and Jess threw up on Her. We laugh till we cry about this now. We've had many bonding experiences but that is by far THE funniest! Jessica won't eat Shrimp or other seafood to this day.
I am 9 years older than my youngest sister, Jessica, she looks like me, in that she's got blonde hair, which is her natural hair color and blue eyes.
I am 8 years older than my middle sister, Emily, I've always called her Jemily or Jemmy. She's our brunette Beauty, she has beautiful brown eyes and always had silky long brown hair, she looks the most like our beautiful brunette Mother.
When Jessica was diagnosed, and during each surgery I was angry, scared and worried beyond belief.
It was my duty and responsiblity as the oldest sister to be one that got the illnesses and pain, I was suppose to be the one who had to die, if necessary.
I didn't know why my sister had to go through this.
I have never thought she was broken. I could never imagined how this was going to change her life, forever.
I prayed more than once, for a way that I could be the one to have the cancer, just so she wouldn't have to be in so much pain. I also prayed continually that she would survive.
It hurt so much to see her suffer, I would have done anything so that she didn't have to hurt. I wished I could yell at the people that she had looked to as friends, that began to treat her differently.
I have never wanted any of my siblings to be in pain. When we were younger, and they would get in trouble, I would go to my room, and cry for them, when they'd get spanked. I'd always try to get the to stop crying.
I am so grateful that she is a survivor, that she is a fighter, that she is amazing. She is so strong, and so brave!
Both of my sister are! They have no idea how much I pale in comparison. They are both so faithful and fearless. They both are so amazingly beautiful and talented. They both have the most beautiful children. They are such incredible examples to me on nearly everything.
I am so incredibly blessed to have these beautiful women in my family. They are the best of my friends, and have been for 31 and 32 years.
I miss them so much. I miss the giggle fits. I miss being Girls with them. I hope they both know how much I love them, and how much their friendship and sistership (I just made that word up) means to me.
Iif I made you cry, I'll appologize, but now my work here is done, for that was my intention.
I love you, Jem & Jess!

Contemplating Mortality and Posterity

This seems a bit of a deep Topic, and I suppose it is. But I have had this contemplation on my mind for a very long time.
First a bit of background.
I have always wanted to be a mother, to bear children and raise a family. I actually wanted several children, 6 would have been alright with me. More than totally due to the fact that I have the most incredible Mother in the whole of the Universe. She is beyond mere words in how much she means to me and how much I admire, and adore her.
Did you know it Really is all on God's Time? I Know this. I was promised that at the "right time I would find a young man to whom I can be married for eternity in the Temple."
I did not married until I was 33. I did find out at the age of 29/30 that it would be very difficult for me to have children. The doctors at that time did not like to say Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrom. But I am a classic, have all the symptoms. I was engaged to a wonderful man at the time, who said that's alright, we will adopt a whole litter. He passed away before we could work things out to get to the marriage stage. Wow, felt like an eternity after Robert died, then I found my Prince Charming. But find him I did. He has a beautiful daughter from his first marriage. I fought right along side My Prince Charming for custody of The Girl, and we won. What a wonderful day that was, and what a learning experience this has been for me, learning how to be a mom. Did you know there aren't guidebooks to help? I became a Stepmother, and I love her with every fiber of my soul. I wish she was mine completely.
But even while I am her Stepmother, she's not related to me. She has a mother. When she gets married and starts her own family, she's not my flesh and blood. Her children will not be related to me. Oh, I'll continue to be the kind of mom that I am, which after all isn't so scary. I know I will love The Girl's children as much, and probably more, because I'll be able to spoil them and send them home all hyped up on sugar.... Haa haaa.
But the hugest realization came to me this last week, well its been there forever....I will never have my own children. I will not go through the pains of child birth, I will not get to watch a unique person develop. I won't be after this mortal shell is empty.
I didn't want to think I cared about this. I wanted to think and believe that this was going to be alright with me. It is to a point. May be I'm being selfish? Or just plain weird. My genes, however screwed up they are for me, won't be passed on. There won't be another adult with my DNA coursing through their veins.
It really boils down to this.
I won't have anyone to remember me.
I won't have generations of mortals who tell tales of Grandma Lyn, and how she lived through the 1970's, the 1980's, the 1990's and through the turn of the Century. I won't have any mortal that has my mannerisms. No one beyond me is going to frantically blink their eyes when they are intensely describing something, or passionately defending someone. I won't be passing any of my Mother's strong teeth genes on. I won't have a child that has the same neck as me and my mother. I won't be passing on my ample bosom, or my lack of a behind. I won't be passing on Father's blue eyes. I won't have a child that looks like me. I won't have anyone who looks like my Dad, my mom, or any of my Grandparents. I won't have anyone to take care of me when I get too old and weak. The Girl promises she will take care of me and My Prince Charming. She's adorable, did I say that.
There won't be anymore me.
My Mother's life was spared when I was in her tummy, so that I could be born, she told me that I was special, and she knew I had something important to do. What else is more important than bearing children under the covenant? I don't want to be a dissappointment to her, I couldn't bear it if I were. I wish I could get an addendum to my patriarchal blessing. But that's not its purpose.
While I was contemplating these truths, there was a whisper...."What about in the eternities?" Though that thought brought a bit of comfort and reassurance, my mind instantly tuned into the "What Ifs". My Prince Charming doesn't like to deal in "What Ifs" he deals with the "what nows".
Some of my biggest "what ifs", are....
"What if, my Prince Charming and I don't have an eternal marriage. You know its not a Guarantee, its not a free pass when you do manage to get married in one of God's Holy Temples.
"What if," I live and make it to the celestial Kingdom, but for some reason My Prince Charming doesn't or I don't?" Do we get a "Do over" with another mate? Do we get to choose that other mate? I am trying to do my best to live like I am going to the Celestial Kingdom, but I'm human, and very imperfect. My Prince Charming has an interesting view of just how merciful our loving Heavenly Father is. I know He is merciful as long as I've done all that I can, through being a decent person, obeying the commandments, shared the gospel however I can, attended Church as regularly as possible, and keep myself Temple Worthy. I suppose I am being a bit too hard on myself, and I know we must endure to the end. And right now that might be a very long time, or not so long after all. But I guess the point is to always be prepared for the Judgement day. (I wonder if They will go alphabetically?)
I don't know if other women feel like this, if they either choose or are not able to bear children. Its always the male that usually bears the stigma of not having a son to carry on their family name.
Any way, that Me contemplating Mortality and Posterity.
For the record, I am so immensely excited and thrilled that I have not one but 2 sisters-in-law who are expecting, as well as one of my own sisters! I always fall so much in love with my nephews and nieces, and there are some that I have not met yet, and may not meet for some time. But I love them regardless. They are as important and dear to me as my own children would be.
I am immensley grateful for my entire family, extended, adopted, stepped, and otherwise. I would never trade my space in that family. I love the little family that I have. I love my stepdaughter and my Prince Charming. They are so incredibly important to me. I just wish I could see everyone all the time.