Blended Life

Four years ago I thought I was almost done raising kids because my only child was 14. I now have three step children who call me mom ranging in age from 5 to 14. I also now have a four month old infant who has joined our blended family. Its crazy the things that have changed since my son was an infant. I have found that being older and having a newborn in the house is a lot easier than when you are 21. I thought when I became a mother the first time that the newborn stage was the hardest but this time around I didn't want it to end. Grayson is the name of our new child, he is such a happy baby and always has a smile for me. My kids range in age from 4 months to 17 so there is always something happening in my house. My 17 year old son has just realized that being social and going out might be fun. I am really happy about this because he used to just always sit in his room and play on his Xbox. I like that he is getting out and making friends and having experiences. I was so afraid that he would never make friends or want to go out with them. It took a lot to get him there he has a bit of social anxiety but has seem to finally overcome it. I think a lot of my experiences raising my first child are going to help me raising the other four but, I've also learned that every kid is different.  Some things and lessons that my son learned easily are harder for the other ones so I have to learn as well and adapt. Taking care of and supporting 5 growing children is not easy and at times I think I will never make it to the last one graduating and going off to college but I know deep down that I will. One thing I can say about my blended family is that although its hard and seems never ending, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world. My step children have become my children and depend on me just as much as my other two.