Monthly Archives: January 2016

Probably five years ago, I started saying things like this: “I don’t think I want to have biological kids. If I ever get married, I think being a step-parent is a great idea.” “Step-parenting has to be like Parenting Lite. You’re … Continue reading →

As I have put words to these different anecdotes and stories about the kids, it has occurred to me more than once that someday, in some way, Ana and Yoseph will read these. I wonder what they’ll think about them. I … Continue reading →

The first time I met Ana and Yoseph’s mom (over margaritas, a setting I highly recommend for any ex-wife/new serious girlfriend meeting), she shared that Ana is definitely a daddy’s girl. That is undoubtedly true. And it has made it that much more … Continue reading →

I recently went back to my hometown for a long weekend to be with my sister as she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. I was gone for three nights, the longest I’ve been away from my new family since … Continue reading →

My dad once told me that at the end of a long day, all he wanted was to come in the front door and have his little kids run to him, excited to see him. Isn’t that sweet?! My response … Continue reading →

My mom was really great at teaching us to do chores. She gave us responsibility, but not too much, and helped us know what constituted handling that responsibility well. To this day, my sister Heidi and I joke about our love/hate relationship with wiping … Continue reading →

I became StepMolly to two kids who already had some pretty great habits: great manners in general, excellent table manners, and better grammar than I have most days. I came into their lives in the summer before 1st grade (Ana) and … Continue reading →

Facebook reminded me today that one year ago, this was my post. “This week’s adorable stepparenting moment brought to you by Ana, when I picked her up from Daisies. With her friend Gabriella in tow, she said, “Molly! This is my … Continue reading →

There are certain things that parents learn early on mean trouble: quiet toddlers; the sound of a splash from the other room; a high pitched shriek of any kind. What I have learned is that long trips to the bathroom … Continue reading →

Right before Christmas break, I had the opportunity to help with Ana’s 2nd grade Christmas party. It was much more fun than I thought a room of two dozen eight year old children would be! Though I have interacted with some … Continue reading →