This is America right?

This is America right? I have rights don't I? Free speech? Ok (whew!) I was starting to think I was living in a communist country ruled by bitches. lol.

Over it.

This past week has been fairly uneventful with the exception that I made some pretty darn good money this week. The only day that totally sucked was Sunday. Worked a double for $50. Puke.

Today I had to take Ethan to the eye doctor and ended up keeping him out the whole day. He even went to the chiropractor with me (and wanted to get adjusted. lol) I told him maybe some other time.

Went to some yard sales Saturday and came away with some sweet steals. A lot of houses only had baby clothes. They grow out of them so fast and don't really play in them so there is a lot of resale as far as infant stuff goes. When your kids are older though clothes get grown out of just as fast and they are usually worn from play. I did find a t-shirt for Ethan though, several winter things for Mary, a Melissa and Doug birthday cake (very cute), a copy of "What to expect when your expecting." for $1, and the entire series of Little House on the Prairie books! I have mentioned before that I LOVE LOVE Little House on the Prairie books. This was by far my favorite find. ME=NERD.

Then today I had to deal with some rubbish. I'm not going to talk any smack. The fact is this: I love my family. All of them. I love my step-kids and to be honest I never think of them as my STEP kids. They are just my kids. When I was growing up I called my STEP dad Jim but I thought of him as my dad. I had two dads. When I introduced people to my mom and step-dad I never said step-dad I just said dad. What's the big deal really? I bust my ass working 40+ hours a week to help feed, clothe, and meet the needs of four kids that didn't come from my womb. Is it too much to ask that I just be able to call them what I want to? I'm not in a competition. I don't buy them food b/c I want to look better than their mother. I don't buy them clothes b/c I want to look better than their mother. I don't do ANY of the things I do for them b/c I'm trying to "replace" or compete with their mother.

I DO IT BECAUSE I LOVE THEM.

I DO IT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT A MOTHER DOES.

I'm not going to stop being a mother and I'm not going to apologize for being me. I have always been that person who is willing to give the shirt off their back or the shoes off their feet for someone who needs them. I would be ashamed of myself if I took a step back from my duties to provide for my family simply because someone gets offended that I call my step-children my children.

I was reminded of this saying today that I've seen a 1,000 times on Father's Day hats and shirts.

"Any man can be a father but it takes a real man to be a daddy"

The same can be said for mothers. I have never said that their mother couldn't do for them, but why should I be expected to do less?! Should it not be appreciated that I love them and enjoy my time with them?

Unfortunately I feel like this is something that I will be battling for many years to come b/c I will not give in. My step-children deserve the best of everything this world can offer them and I intend to make sure they get it.

I'm not angry. I'm not upset. I am determined.