Recently

When we were in Ohio Girl Clean learned for the first time that I am her stepmommy. She was so little when we first got married that we didn't explain this. I've always been Lori, and that's what everyone calls me.

There were so many kids and it came up with them that I am her stepmom. The first time this came up with Mr. Clean and I was on Saturday night after the pool party. It was super late and she was watching TV with M, the little boy she is telling everyone she's going to marry. She came into the room and said, mom, stepmom, and we both said Lori? She said, yes, and then asked us whatever it was that she had come in for.

The next time it came up was last week. Mr. Clean asked her where the bracelet she had on had come from. She said from my stepmommy. He said, "Lori?" She said, "yes, my stepmommy." It was a bracelet that I had given her. The kid has racked up on jewelry as I've been cleaning out my collection.

Sunday on our drive home from OH we were about an hour into the trip when Mr. Clean received a text from Mike. Mike told him "don't screw this one up, I LOVE your wife". I laughed and told Mr. Clean to text him back that I loved him too.

The weeks leading up to the trip Mr. Clean has said a few times that he really hoped I liked Mike and that he really couldn't wait for me to meet his friend. I had reminded my husband that I tend to get along with most people. Mr. Clean had told Mike if I didn't like him he would never know because I would be too polite to show it. Reality, I genuinely usually like most people that I meet. You have to be just an absolute jerk of a person for me not to like you. This is not to say that I don't have some people I like more then others but I will try to be nice to everyone.

Mike's wife Chris was so nervous about us coming. She was worried about me because she had never met me. Which I understand, there are a lot of unknowns when you have a person you've never met coming to your house. It worked out fine. I loved her, and have talked to her a few times since the trip. I'm most excited that they really want to come visit us!

Yesterday on FB Amy (Girl Clean's mom) posted about how thankful she is to have me in their lives. I commented that Girl Clean is a joy and I'm blessed to be a part of her life and that I love them too. I don't always agree but I do always try to make sure that the lines of communication are open. It's so not an easy dynamic and yet God is faithful and as I continually pray I see how life continues to track along for us all.

Today is the first day of ballet class for the summer. We are all super excited about this!!! Girl Clean has been "doing ballet" ever since her ballerina for a day class. I'm amazed at what comes back to me from all my years of class!!

The healthy eating, habits that needed to be broken. The trip derailed that one. As of today I'm trying again. It's so difficult, and yet I know that with God all things are possible and it's a lie that this is something that I can't overcome.

The temperatures are in the 80's today, OH HAPPY DAY!!!! Happy Tuesday!!!