Let me catch you up to speed....

3 years ago I was an Elementary Education Major at college and working 30-40 hours a week at Wal-Mart, newly single and 20 years ago. I was learning to enjoy the college experience some and I had found a few good friends. Then, when I wasn’t looking for anything, one of my friends introduced to me someone that would over the next few months become my VERY best friend, the person I could share everything with and really understood me.... He was a newly divorced father of 4.
Somewhere after we became best friends...We decided to date...which lead to our engagement...which also lead to our marriage!
Yep, I am a newlywed...June 4, 2011 was our date! However, I feel like I have been a step-mom for over 2 years now. Let me explain that a little... When my husband and I decided we were going to date, we had both been through a lot...some good, some bad, but A LOT, nonetheless.... His children had just gone through a divorce and it was very important to both of us that we didn't let people jump in and out of their lives. I KNEW he had 4 children, I knew he had an ex-wife, I knew he had a job and bills and a lot of other things most guys I knew didn't have, but I was fine with all of that. We have had tough times, and REALLY TOUGH times....and a whole bunch of other times that I won't go into detail about, but it works for us... ALL eight of us...
Wait, I said I had a husband and 4 kids...that's six. Uh-huh…But the kid’s mother and her new husband are also a part of all of our lives. OUR kids have 4 parents that LOVE them every much... They have 4 parents that get along, talk and even sit together at their games.
Most of the step-moms I have ever talk to tell me that same thing, "You don't know my husband ex," "You don't understand what this kid did," or "I can't get along with them." However, our situation is probably more complicated than most because my husband’s ex-wife is married to my ex-boyfriend. (Are ya still with me?) So, we all came into this relationship with baggage and probably a little anger. I will not tell you it has been easy, or that we haven't had our arguments and fights. We have all made mistakes, but the four of us have one common goal…The Four Children! They will be our number one priority today, tomorrow, and every day after that! Anything is possible; it just depends on how BAD you want it.
I know our situation is complex, but I think everything happens in God’s Time. I think all of us ended up where God wanted us to be in His time, not ours and everything we have gone through until this point was simply preparation.
I feel like I am exactly where I am supposed to be. My main goal in life since I was little was to “be a mommy” and even though I have not given birth to a child I am still a mom in some ways. I love and treat my husband’s children just like they were mine and I feel like their step-father does too!
Now, three years later, I am a 23 year old wife to my 33 year old husband, a step-mom to Anthony (13), Halle (7), Joshua (6) and Zachary (4). I have my bachelor’s degree in elementary education, I’m working on my Master’s in Special Education, and I am a substitute teacher until I find a job (HOPEFULLY teaching), a maid, cook, taxi, friend, sister, niece, daughter, ALMOST an aunt and I LOVE my life.