Life as a Brandtito

Not flesh of my flesh, nor bone of my bone, but still miraculously my own. Never forget for a single minute you didn't grow under my heart but in it. Fleur Conkling Heyliger. Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms, Stepmoms, Adoptive Moms & Momma Role Models out there! I hope you all had as wonderful day!! I want to especially wish my own Mom & Step Mom a wonderful Mothers Day! It is because of them, that I am who I am today.  My Mother is wonderful. Perfect even. Growing up, I never doubted her love for me for an instant. I also never doubted that she would absolutely knock me into next week for being disrespectful. She is exactly the Mother I hope to me. She is a strong, loving, kind woman who constantly shows others the love of Jesus thru her actions. But she is not to be trifled with. I love her with all of my heart.  Though we didn't always see eye to eye growing up, it is because of her that I opened myself to the possibi...

  I have an amazing friend, Kat on the other side of the world in New Zealand. She's a lucky lady & like myself will be obtaining 3 step children in an upcoming marriage. I was talking to Kat yesterday and we were talking about how cool it would be if our kids could hang out since they are so close in age (hers are 7, 8, 9 vs our 7, 9, 11). Since a lack of private plane makes that impossible, we thought having (forcing) them to be pen pals might be something fun to try. The Branditos started their letters last night with a letter and small treat to be mailed out this week. It will be very interesting to see how long this little idea lasts! I think once they get letters back, they might think it's really cool...but for now...I am just using my cool parent knowledge to assure them how rewarding it will be. Besides, who can't use a little extra writing help!!     This is Kat, Neil & Mini's Orin, Kyla & Alec.  Who knows maybe one day th...