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 | Jul 25, 2015 | acceptance, Blog, encouragement, hope, rewards of stepparenting
My son has an upper respiration infection. As he whined about his symptoms while picking at his breakfast, 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...
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 | Aug 20, 2014 | attitude, Blog, counseling, feelings, Rejection, rewards of stepparenting, stepparenting heartache
I recently began teaching a Sunday School class for 13-14 year-old girls at our church. Some days I wonder why I agreed to do it. Since our youngest son is the same age, I’m seeking to invest in his youth group and get to know his peer group. As I observed the...
by Gayla | Jun 14, 2012 | Blog, hope, love, patience, perseverance, rewards of stepparenting, successful stepparenting
My husband, Randy, and I will celebrate 17 years of marriage this year. My youngest daughter, Jodi (pictured) was 2 1/2 years old when we married. I had no idea what an influence my husband would be with Jodi. Jodi bonded easily with Randy from the beginning....
by Gayla | Apr 10, 2012 | Blog, Change, Faith, patience, perseverance, rewards of stepparenting, stepfamily relationships
Our family enjoyed a long Easter week-end with four of our five children home. As I watched our kids interact, I couldn’t help but reminisce of times past when we encountered constant bickering and conflict among them. But now, with four of our children in their...
by Gayla | Mar 1, 2012 | Blog, counseling, expectations, hope, perseverance, rewards of stepparenting, stepfamily relationships, stepparenting choices, successful stepparenting
My husband, Randy, and I leave tomorrow to travel to Little Rock to run the Little Rock marathon on Sunday. The picture below is after last year’s race – Randy is on the left. Randy posted a faster time last year than his previous four marathon events....
by Gayla | Jan 23, 2012 | attitude, Blog, character, Faith, feelings, Finances, perseverance, Rejection, rewards of stepparenting
I had the privilege of attending the first “stepmom retreat” this week-end in Dallas, hosted by http://www.blendedandbonded.com/ with Laura Petherbridge speaking. It was a wonderful time of connecting with stepmoms from around the country, meeting stepmom...
by Gayla | Mar 7, 2011 | Blog, hope, perseverance, rewards of stepparenting, stepfamily relationships, stepparenting choices, successful stepparenting
If you’re joining me today from my guest post on The Stepmom’s Toolbox website, Welcome! My husband, Randy, and I participated in the Little Rock Marathon events this week-end. Randy ran the full marathon, posting a faster time...