by Gayla Grace | Sep 22, 2016 | Blog, encouragement, perseverance, rewards of stepparenting
“Who will walk the girls down the aisle when they marry?” I cringed at the awkward conversation my ex-husband had started. Concerned about the relationship that had developed between my two daughters and their stepdad, Randy, my ex-husband raised the...
by Gayla Grace | Jun 17, 2016 | attitude, Blog, outsider, perseverance
With Father’s day just a few days away, I’m posting an essay I wrote a few years’ back to encourage and honor stepdads. Dear Stepdad: Don’t Quit My husband, Randy, will be the first to tell you he has done a lot of things wrong as a stepfather....
by Gayla Grace | Jan 15, 2015 | Blog, perseverance, rewards of stepparenting
In the early years of our marriage, I wondered if we would make it to our next anniversary. Blending four children, grappling with our stepparent roles while learning to parent together, combating ex-spouses, and trying to stay afloat with job, church and community...
by Gayla Grace | Oct 23, 2014 | Blog, perseverance, Prayer, stepfamily relationships, surrender, Uncategorized
Nick Vujicic was born without arms or legs. He attempted suicide at 10 years old because he believed he would be nothing but a burden to his parents. But he overcame the lies he was telling himself and went from “a life without limbs to a life without...
by Gayla Grace | Jul 10, 2014 | Blog, hope, perseverance
Have you experienced hard days as a stepmom? Do you wonder why stepdads seem to have an easier time bonding with their stepchildren than stepmoms? Not all step-relationships are the same. In our own family, the relationships I have with my stepchildren are very...
by Gayla Grace | Feb 25, 2014 | Blog, feelings, patience, perseverance, stepfamily relationships
My son has strep throat. As he whined about his symptoms while picking at his breakfast yesterday, I didn’t want to believe him. My to-do list for the day didn’t include a trip to the doctor, a two-hour wait with screaming children sliming their germs...
by Gayla Grace | Jan 23, 2014 | Blog, perseverance, stepfamily relationships
My oldest daughter just returned home after spending eight months in Mozambique, Africa on a long-term missions opportunity. We’re excited to have her back and I couldn’t help but celebrate our stepfamily journey as I saw her reunite with her sister...
by Gayla Grace | Dec 31, 2013 | Blog, perseverance, stepfamily relationships, stepparenting choices, successful stepparenting
As we consider a new year, I think it’s important to look at where we’re at in our stepfamily relationships. I wrote an article earlier this year that includes how to navigate the stages of remarriage. I hope you find it helpful as you seek to move...
by Gayla Grace | Dec 16, 2013 | acceptance, Blog, perseverance, stepfamily holiday tips
I’ve spoken with several stepparents recently struggling with dark days. One stepmom described her life as “hopeless.” Another spoke of daily, overwhelming challenges with her stepdaughter. I started my blog four years ago this month after coming...
by Gayla Grace | Oct 16, 2013 | Blog, love, perseverance
My husband and I celebrate 18 years of marriage this week! We consider it worth celebrating because in the early years, we weren’t sure we would make it to our next anniversary! Blending four kids and managing difficult ex-spouses didn’t make for an easy...
by Gayla Grace | Aug 20, 2013 | Blog, Change, Fear, perseverance
Today marks the nine year anniversary of the loss of my stepchildren’s mother after a fierce battle with colon cancer. It’s always a hard month for them as they reflect on life without her. When I married my husband, I had no way of knowing such a tragedy...
by Gayla | Dec 13, 2012 | attitude, Blog, Faith, feelings, hope, perseverance, Prayer, stepfamily holiday tips, stepfamily relationships
The facebook status of my friend was heart-breaking:”After 25 years of working for the same company, my wonderful hard working amazing husband was told he does not have a job. Our world has turned upside down…” A hard situation to face at the holiday...
