Having kids keeps you hopping but it is really nice now to have a girlfriend/partner who will actively take the kids and do things with them and take the single-parent burden off my back. Especially since their dad has become more useless in that arena. I had a few SERIOUS issues last week and contacted him about them and heard NOTHING in return...NOTHING. I was *beep* yet at the same time, if he tries to argue he should have the kids for full time custody, EVER, I have fuel... And Shauna won't let me forget...

In comparison to Jane, Shauna is very engaged with the kids and isn't afraid to be engaged. Jane didn't want to be alone with them. Couldn't handle even that aspect of "step" parenting. Even her sisters and brother used to comment on that. She was an inherently selfish person in so many ways and the issues with the kids were one great example. So many times she said to me "This is the reason why I never wanted kids" when the kids acted out or had issues. She'd say "I didn't want to give up my career." Strangely, you'd think I would've left her over that...and I certainly considered it and brought that up with her...I had said to her "WHY are you in a relationship with someone with kids then??" And she gave some sort of nice nice response that seemed to quell my doubts temporarily...but she seemed sincere...seemed I guess is the operative word, eh?!! You have to understand this is among the many reasons why I believe her post-stroke behavior is really more reflective of her real feelings than a function of the stroke. Yes, I believe the stroke contributed, and I can't imagine what she was feeling in those days post-stroke, but I know her enough to know the post stroke behaviors were the "real Jane" coming out. This is why I felt lied to for so long before the stroke. Anyway...enough of that...that wasn't the point of my blogging today!

It is just a poignant observation on my part because today was one of those marathon days...up at 7:30am...Sam to gymnastics at 9:15...Margaret to violin by 10:15...Then Sam to soccer at 11:00 and Margaret to soccer at 11:30am... Shauna did work at home then met us at the soccer field where she coached Margaret's soccer team to a victory! :cheer: :Clap-Hands: Then she went off to Lowe's with Margaret for a project they are working on. She's just ready, willing, and able to step in and be a part of their lives. Sam called her "his other mommy" the other day and she nearly melted at the thought of it...

How lucky for me and the kids that she loves to be a part of their lives like that.

And so goes parenthood!! I'm looking forward to a slightly more peaceful spring break where the kids are with their dad for the week...no violin, no swimming, no gymnastics or soccer... Just some mommy time to nurture herself!